Sports writers debate Golfweek's cover decision

Golf hasn't gotten this much attention since last year's PGA Championship.  Analysts discussed Golfweek's decision to print a noose on it's cover on ESPN's Sportscenter, Around the Horn, and Pardon the Interruption on Thursday. This is what the sports writers had to say:

Kevin Blackistone, a well-respected African American sports writer, said on Around the Horn: "My first reaction is, I wonder how many black editors or black writers were there to discuss that possible cover before they actually put it out there.  My thought is, very few.  It’s very insensitive, but I know what they’re trying to do and they’ve succeeded.  They’ve gotten themselves publicity…"

Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times said on Around the Horn: "It’s sensational, irresponsible, over the top, all of the above.  It’s also disproportionate Tony, to the weight of the story.  This wasn’t a pattern of racism among say golfers on the tour.  This was one slip of the tongue.  She apologized immediately.  Woods accepted the apology immediately.  There’s no problem with doing a full scale report within the magazine, but to put the noose on the cover, Kevin’s right.  It was an attention grabber.  They’re getting their attention.  Shame on that magazine for doing that."

Tony Kornheiser of The Washington Post and Monday Night Football said on PTI: "Magazines are different than newspapers…Magazines are out there to sell magazines…I think that the story last week in golf was definitely the lynching remark, and I without using the word ‘applaud’, I completely back the decision to highlight that and do good journalism on that by putting a noose out there because that’s what everyone was thinking.  I’ve got no problem."