By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Philadelphia Eagles may have defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-13. But that’s not the news that happened during the game.
Long-time Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane was ejected for a “fan code of conduct” from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. McLane is a journalist, not a fan — there’s a big difference in Eagles management.
According to Philadelphia Daily News Eagles beat writer Les Bowen, McLane was ejected and they have not issued a statement about why he was ejected. Bowen said there was confusion over a penalty a while ago, we were all trying to figure out the call.
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An Eagles staffer yelled at us to be quiet.
Ann Gordon is the former Managing Editor and Vice President of News for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Gordon is now the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media, and Communications for the team.
Gordon has been with the team since the 2012 season. According to her bio, she has a “broad background in media and was an investor and former partner in the private investment firm of Dubilier & Company.” Before that, Gordon held the Inquirer job.
She also oversees the organization’s marketing as well as its media assets, including its television programming and its radio, digital, social media, and print content. She also oversees the Eagles public relations group — both football and business relations — and the team’s community relations department with its focus on Eagles Care.
We have tried to get Eagles credentials before — and other companies have tried to send me to cover them. However, each time, they said no because of their strict media policy.
Well, their media policy is about to blow up on them once this gets all over the country. McLane may even sue the team because there is nothing wrong with trying to figure out a play.
The Eagles were wrong and they should take a black eye for this.
Philadelphia Daily News columnist Marcus Hayes — and Bowen and McLane’s colleague — also had more on this. The Philadelphia Daily News, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and philly.com are all owned by the same media company.
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There is no doubt that The Inquirer is going to fight this. They are not going to let this happen to one of their writers.
McLane should be able to return the next game, barring a punishment from the Eagles. But The Inquirer’s representatives should be able to work something out in the meantime to get McLane back on the beat.
Eagles are attempting to eject @Jeff_McLane from the press box because he objected to being yelled at by an Eagles media relations staffer
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Other reporters are being told they will be ejected as well if they interfere with Jeff being ejected from the press box
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
This is a ridiculous situation, a minor disagreement that the Eagles are making into a huge incident
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
The Eagles have not clarified what policy Jeff is alleged to have violated.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(2) Many of us took exception, Jeff most vocally. He then went to the staffer and calmly discussed why the admonishment was inappropriate.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(3) A while, later, security guard comes and tells Jeff he is being ejected "for violating the fan code of conduct."
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
This is the most vengeful, petty Eagles regime I've dealt with since I started covering the team in 2002. #Ejectthat
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Excellent question. It's their press box, but unless someone is cheering or cursing or doing something really disruptive they shouldn't care https://t.co/Cu4mSiKy21
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Again, @Jeff_McLane has been ejected from the stadium. This is an irrational and unprofessional act by the Eagles.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
I predict a lot of TV time for Jeff this week as well. How the Eagles want to start the new year? Eagles senior VP Anne Gordon must think so
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
I wasn't sure if the company wanted me to get thrown out too or stay. Now I wish I'd been ejected. Jeff's probably gonna be on CNN. Dammit.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Eagles Sr VP Anne Gordon made it clear to everyone objecting that she would be happy to eject us all, and that fallout did not concern her.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Eagles beat writer @Jeff_McLane being ejected from the press box for discussing press box etiquette w pr staff. pic.twitter.com/5IUdTdFEof
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
It is true. Never lost his cool. Sought to defuse situation created by @Eagles PR. https://t.co/y6MscISgLn
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
For real. Beyond bizarre. And beyond unprofessional. @nflcommish @gregaiello https://t.co/kT4CwnQ90V
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
You would think https://t.co/Z7s7tG9OA6
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
Also: Ejection occurred 10-15 minutes after initial PR-instigated, PR-escalated confrontation had totally dissipated @gregaiello @nflcommish https://t.co/mUpVspcZPN
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
If you care about objective, professional reporting, you should (In every arena). https://t.co/xmcItTagEv
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
Apparently, for trying to defuse a situation made contentious, then escalated. by the PR staff member. https://t.co/8SYGNZPv41
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
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