Name:
Jon Corley

Position:
Writer

About The Author
Jon Corley is a long tenured Team 3D writer who currently heads 3D.NY's Website Staff

One of my biggest gripes regarding the CGS is the lack of character development and player personalities. I love sports not because of the venue or the equipment, but because of the players and the people involved. Although only in their second year of operations, I wish the CGS would take a more proactive role in developing their talent from the inside out. Perhaps I am jumping the gun by criticizing them prematurely, but I tend to be fairly progressive. I'm sure something along the lines of what I'm about to say has been discussed at one point in time, or even on several occasions for that matter, but I am going to be writing this from the perspective of what I have seen thus far in two seasons of operations and nothing more.

One of the easiest ways to the league to build character recognition would be to have post-game press conferences. However, this is easier said than done considering the league is privately owned and operated by DirecTV. Unlike nearly every other sporting league, the governing body is also the owner of all the teams and has complete control over what can and cannot be addressed. Whether this is a good or bad thing is a topic for another time. Issues such as this aside, I would love for every franchise to have a sit down with a couple informed individuals and answer some tough questions immediately following their matches. Logistically speaking, this would have to happen after the match and would more than likely be needed to be put up online through a VOD system since the broadcast is already jammed packed, but I think the extra effort would be worth everyone's time. By allowing fans and reporters a chance to ask tough questions of the players and GM's, we will get to see another side of them which we haven't yet been able to see.

Not only would a press conference give the players a chance to further articulate their feelings on their match and opponent, it would also show a different side of the players than we've seen before. If a player isn't performing, he or she should be open to criticism and be willing and able to answer some tough questions like all professional athletes. Everyone should be held accountable, whether or not they are playing at their best or at their worst. Sometimes a players faults help make them more likable then their successes.

Changing gears, the CGS has a great opportunity to develop their own talent and they have attempted to do just that already. Although there are 60 players on just the North American Franchises, only a handful of players have become standouts. There are the obvious standouts such as Master, Vanessa, and Cheppelle, whom the league has salivated over for two years in an attempt to make them a household name while other great players were overlooked. Whether this is a personal choice, necessity, or something else altogether, I think it would pay dividends to give more attention and time to some of the leagues lesser-known talent even if the turnover rate is as high as it is. I am no unreasonable and understand that to try and introduce an audience to 60 players every year is a steep task, but I think it is a task worth undertaking.

CGS took a step in the right direction in Season 2 by further expanding upon their already exquisite player features that were shown during CGS Matches and I commend them for their efforts, but it is still not enough. There are many articulate and well-mannered players who are overlooked and overshadowed by their louder counter-parts. I understand that some players don't crave or even want attention, but the league seemingly focuses their efforts on only a handful of players. If spending more time on personalizing their talent means that the broadcast must be lengthened by half and hour, so be it. Like I said before, making their players more accessible and personable will pay dividends in the long run.

Although it may sound like just a long rant, I assure you that it wasn't meant to be so. I wrote this article in hopes of shedding light on something that I think needs addressing. The league has operated with great success for two years under the Andy Reif regime, but with a new sheriff in town, they now have an opportunity to change direction. I'm not sure what is on the table as far as the broadcast is concerned, but if I were to address the decision makers, I would suggest to them to seriously consider making some of the changes I previously suggested.