The Mack Attack (610 the fan radio station)

[Maal]

I listen to this show everyday on the way to work and to make a long story short, a lot of times i think I'm the only listener that cares about the Bobcats, all these jerkoffs wanna talk about is the Tarheels, Football, Tiger Woods and Nascar. There is no way in hell that the Bobcats shouldn't be the hottest sports topic in the city right now, so if your looking for a sports show to listen to in the morning but don't wanna here about sh** that doesn't matter right now, call in at 704-570-9610 or email your Bobcats comments at mac@wfnz.com.

[cltblkhscoach]

I listen every morning, and usually early when the show comes on, Mac and Celania do discuss the Bobcats, I have to give it to them, I hear more Bobcats talk there, than the other shows on WFNZ, and I'm a devoted listener. WFNZ is on Facebook too, and each show makes posts on their daily.

[King Taharqa]

You guys have to understand that the Bobcats are still considered "outsiders" in their own town by the local media. The local media is ran by and created to appeal to Charlotte's "elite". The Bobcats are a "black owned" NBA team in a "New South" NASCAR city. Add in the fact Charlotteans by and large are insecure about their city and would rather piggyback and identify with the states of North Carolina & South Carolina as a whole, you see why colleges 2 1/2 hours away get more pub and love than the sports teams in town. The local media doesnt give UNCC any coverage either. They'd rather slurp Duke, UNC, and State, schools that dont even compete here. Basically, Charlotte lacks CULTURE severely and its "sports culture" is no different.

I used to listen to the Mac Attack years ago and I'll say they do speak on the Bobcats more than other shows, but at this point its more marketable for the paper and the radio to trash the Bobcats and their management. Potraying the Bobcats as the "red headed step child" of the sports scene or proclaiming their ownership group "the worst in sports" is what they believe their demographic should and wants to hear. I suspect after a playoff run this year that might change, but Charlotte's "elite" would have to hop on the wagon for it to change. Look at my football team, the Carolina Panthers. BOA Stadium is a social gathering spot for Charlotte's "elite", so no matter how pitiful they play or how many boneheaded decisions their management makes, the local press always reflects favorably on the Panthers and their owner. There's always a level of optimism with them. Look at the Bobcats, you get headlines like "MJ is Bobcats last great hope", or "Time is running out for the Bobcats", etc. There's a level of pessimism and animosity thats been fostered.

I would advise all of you to go to national sources to get information on the Bobcats because the local media is too biased to give you good coverage of our playoff bound basketball team.

[polarcat]

I am a fan of sports radio and would rather listen to a sports radio station than 90% of the crap radio that's on FM (usually have my ipod playing if sports is crappy. That being said, this town is a frontrunner town and you have to be "wowed" and bend over backwards to please and draw new fans. The Bobcats should be the hot topic and all over the press here (6th place in their first playoff hunt, 6 in a row) yet it's a struggle. For what it's worth, the team didn't help themselves with their first few years in the league and dug a little hole that they can only blame themselves for. Being cheap, crappy drafting, horrible coverage, etc. already paints you into a corner after the love affair that the Hornets and this town had. A playoff run will help, and the way this city works, the place will be sold out because that is the new place to be seen at. On that note, WFNZ is terrible with their sports radio coverage and the fact that UNC basketball has higher priority for broadcasting games over an NBA team in their hometown is fucking ridiculous!
:end rant:

[SirBobcat]

At the current moment: Charlotte/Milwaukee/Denver all are tied for highest current win streak at 6.

[ND22]

The negativity and lack of coverage is exactly why I went in search of a Bobcats message board. I wanted a place like this where I could talk and cheer on the Bobcats and honestly I've gotten better information here than I have from any local news outlet.

Its a shame the Charlotte media doesn't cover UNCC like it should, they even had a decent season this year even if they collapsed at the end. To long time Charlotte residents, what kind of coverage did they get when Rodney White played for them? Yeah he was a bust in the NBA but he was a stud at Charlotte.

[Scottley Crue]

The negativity and lack of coverage is exactly why I went in search of a Bobcats message board. I wanted a place like this where I could talk and cheer on the Bobcats and honestly I've gotten better information here than I have from any local news outlet.

Its a shame the Charlotte media doesn't cover UNCC like it should, they even had a decent season this year even if they collapsed at the end. To long time Charlotte residents, what kind of coverage did they get when Rodney White played for them? Yeah he was a bust in the NBA but he was a stud at Charlotte.
We signed up here for the same reason, then. This is a MUCH better place to get Bobcats info and discussion than the local media. Betwen WFNZ and the Observer, I often felt the negativity bordered on being unprofessional. Criticism is fine, but near dismissal of local teams is just not good business in my mind.

I know the ACC schools will always be a big story here, but there should be just as much attention paid to the local teams as well...Bobcats, 49ers, Checkers, Knights. I don't mention the Panthers because they get plenty of attention. The paper has several pages a day and the radio station has 11 hours a day. Is it that hard to devote a good amount of time to the teams that are based in the area? I fully understand about ratings and selling papers, but as a news source (Which I guess WFNZ would say they're entertainment and not news), isn't it your responsibilty to cover the area?

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. That just always bugs me.

That being said, I listen to Mac occasionally and they do talk about the Bobcats some, but it's clear they don't have much knowledge about them...at least not in the way I think sports talk hosts should.

[Ampsportsduo]

Howdy fellas. Sorry I didn't get around to responding earlier, but hopefully I can shed some light as far as the Mac Attack goes. Let's just start at the top...


a lot of times i think I'm the only listener that cares about the Bobcats, all these jerkoffs wanna talk about is the Tarheels, Football, Tiger Woods and Nascar.

First of all, I'm not a jerkoff, I have a girlfriend (and we can't say jerkoff on the show). As for the Heels, the Panthers, and Tiger. Those are the big three for Charlotte sports radio. Duke's up there as well, but not quite to the same level. Tiger is huge nation wide and at his controversy's apex he was being discussed a lot (and probably tomorrow too). These 4 topics have very large well-developed fan bases that the show needs to have listening in order to be successful, so yes they get more stroke than the Cats.



There is no way in hell that the Bobcats shouldn't be the hottest sports topic in the city right now

This is North Carolina during March Madness, it's going to be the biggest topic.... oh wait, Tiger is going to play the Masters, well Madness is the second biggest topic. Once March Madness dies down a little, there will be more Cats talk. I guarantee it (unless they nose dive like the 49ers).


You guys have to understand that the Bobcats are still considered "outsiders" in their own town by the local media. The local media is ran by and created to appeal to Charlotte's "elite". The Bobcats are a "black owned" NBA team in a "New South" NASCAR city.

This is perhaps the most inaccurate thing I've ever read on this message board. You clearly don't listen to the show and yet feel compelled to comment on the show's mentality and aim. Maybe, I'm reading too much into it, but if you're suggesting that race is a factor as to why they Cats aren't talked about more on the show, you're out of line.


Add in the fact Charlotteans by and large are insecure about their city and would rather piggyback and identify with the states of North Carolina & South Carolina as a whole, you see why colleges 2 1/2 hours away get more pub and love than the sports teams in town. The local media doesnt give UNCC any coverage either. They'd rather slurp Duke, UNC, and State, schools that dont even compete here. Basically, Charlotte lacks CULTURE severely and its "sports culture" is no different.

Keep banging out the ridiculous theories. For the core demographic for the shows (adult males), neither of the Charlotte pro sports teams have been around long enough to have been childhood favorites, but those colleges were. Our fathers rooted for those schools, our grandfathers, our neighbors, friends, etc. I don't see how you can suggest with a straight face that sports radio should ignore the ACC and SEC because the teams aren't located in Charlotte proper. Still, there is no bigger team in terms of importance to the show than the Panthers, of course they are the "Carolina" Panthers, so I guess they don't count. As for blaming the local media for the coverage of the 49ers, how about laying some blame on UNCC and the A-10 for their terrible TV contract. In radio, topics have to appeal to the masses, not to every individual fans sensibilities. Charlotte has plenty of culture and while yes the sports culture in terms of pro sports teams is not generational like other cities, it continues to grow. Listen to Panther fans no longer excited just to have a team, but now questioning front office moves and it quickly becomes clear that sports fans in this city are evolving. When the Cats faced the Heat the crowd was the loudest I'd heard in the new building and I was proud to be both a fan and a Charlottean. I make no apologies on behalf of my city, because I don't believe any are necessary.


I used to listen to the Mac Attack years ago and I'll say they do speak on the Bobcats more than other shows, but at this point its more marketable for the paper and the radio to trash the Bobcats and their management.

Maybe you should listen again, because the show is balanced. When the management deserves to be ripped, they get ripped. When players deserve to get ripped, they get ripped. But the same is also true for praise. It's a fan's show, but that doesn't mean blindly following DJ Augustin when he struggled or Jack when he was taking bad shots. It's truly no different than these forums.


so no matter how pitiful they play or how many boneheaded decisions their management makes, the local press always reflects favorably on the Panthers and their owner. There's always a level of optimism with them.

Seriously, you can't be listening to the show. Give it a shot, you'll hear many of the sentiments you think aren't being expressed by the media being expressed by Mac and Jim.


I would advise all of you to go to national sources to get information on the Bobcats because the local media is too biased to give you good coverage of our playoff bound basketball team.

I always go to John Hollinger when I want to feel warm and fuzzy.


he fact that UNC basketball has higher priority for broadcasting games over an NBA team in their hometown is fucking ridiculous!

When the Bobcats contract was signed (very late) and Bob Johnson's desire to eliminate the radio broadcast all together are big factors.


it's clear they don't have much knowledge about them...at least not in the way I think sports talk hosts should.

You want to fight?

To sum it up, let me say this. The average listener listens to a morning show for only about 20 minutes (during the drive to work). If the show is not discussing the "topic of the day" when guy X gets in his car, he's inclined to turn the channel. There's a thin line to walk, but Mac wants the show to be caller driven and no caller is turned down. If someone wants to discuss the Cats, they can. If there are ten Duke/UNC fans on the lines and no Bobcat fans, they're going to remain the topic. I encourage you to call up, but also trust me when I say that as March Madness winds down, the Cats will get a lot more talk, especially when there are callers showing interest.

Much love to the oldheads here on BCP and while I don't post as much as I once did (to the delight of some), I'm always checking in (and possibly stealing ideas).

[SWedd523]

You really need to become more of a regular Amp, some of us more "seasoned" members miss ya! :biggrin:

[ziggy]

Hey Amp,

I'll start back listening to WFNZ if you take a steel chair to the skull of QCB :biggrin:

[teej]

Howdy fellas. Sorry I didn't get around to responding earlier, but hopefully I can shed some light as far as the Mac Attack goes. Let's just start at the top...

God bless you. You really should try to post more, you're one of the best. Heckuva lot better than my incessant ramblings :biggrin:

I would like to note to King Taharqa that ESPNChicago considers Notre Dame part of Chicago, despite being 90 miles away. Is it wrong for the Milwaukee media to place more stock in what happens to the Packers than the Bucks? Or maybe the citizens of Atlanta should be chided for asking about the Georgia Bulldogs before the Atlanta Falcons...:o

[King Taharqa]

Keep banging out the ridiculous theories. For the core demographic for the shows (adult males), neither of the Charlotte pro sports teams have been around long enough to have been childhood favorites, but those colleges were. Our fathers rooted for those schools, our grandfathers, our neighbors, friends, etc. I don't see how you can suggest with a straight face that sports radio should ignore the ACC and SEC because the teams aren't located in Charlotte proper.

IT IS OVERKILL!!! Thats all fine and dandy, there's nothing wrong with rooting for the ACC and college basketball, but none of those stories are bigger than whats going on right now in our own backyard. Last year with UNC dominating college basketball I could see, but not this year with the ACC being as down as it is and the Bobs having such a big year that they are having. And not everybody here is in love with ACC and college basketball, and your show would probably get a wider range of listeners if you talked about more than that.


As for blaming the local media for the coverage of the 49ers, how about laying some blame on UNCC and the A-10 for their terrible TV contract. In radio, topics have to appeal to the masses, not to every individual fans sensibilities. Charlotte has plenty of culture and while yes the sports culture in terms of pro sports teams is not generational like other cities, it continues to grow. Listen to Panther fans no longer excited just to have a team, but now questioning front office moves and it quickly becomes clear that sports fans in this city are evolving. When the Cats faced the Heat the crowd was the loudest I'd heard in the new building and I was proud to be both a fan and a Charlottean. I make no apologies on behalf of my city, because I don't believe any are necessary.

For a city that claims to be about "college basketball" the UNCC coverage is pitiful. Even the 2 basketball tourneys we recently had here deserved better coverage. Until you guys decide to put the spotlight on whats going on right here in our own neck of the woods and not 2 1/2 hours away on Tobacco Road, the city will not get any respect nationally. I understand your show is fan driven, but lets be real, you have a format of topics you go in ready to discuss each show. More of my original post was geared towards the print media than the radio, but lets not act like the situation here cant improve. THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE should come before anywhere else in the state, just like TOBACCO ROAD puts itself before anywhere else in the state.

If your show is giving love to the Bobcats, thats cool, I know you did in the past, but you cant tell me that they shouldnt be the biggest sports story in the city of CHARLOTTE right now.

[Nata Fresh]

For a city that claims to be about "college basketball" the UNCC coverage is pitiful. Even the 2 basketball tourneys we recently had here deserved better coverage.Gotta disagree there, the CIAA tournament is more about partying than it is about actual college basketball and arent those schools DII anyway. And if I remember right, the Big South tournament wasn't played at Time Warner Arena, but the Championship game was, which to be completely honest with ourselves, no one in Mecklenberg Country would have cared about unless Steph Curry had come back for his senior season.

[BigMike]

Hey Amp,

I'll start back listening to WFNZ if you take a steel chair to the skull of QCB :biggrin:

If you chose to use a lead pipe over the steel chair that would work for me as well.

[dav7z]

Amp , very good post . Though i don;t know any thing at all about the radio station. Hell i don;t even know where a radio is in my house. But the responce made sence. My question to you and Bobcatsplanet is does anybody see more exposure this season? The last few weeks ive noticed a nice attitude and attendance change in the cable box . Thoughts

[ziggy]

Amp , very good post . Though i don;t know any thing at all about the radio station. Hell i don;t even know where a radio is in my house. But the responce made sence. My question to you and Bobcatsplanet is does anybody see more exposure this season? The last few weeks ive noticed a nice attitude and attendance change in the cable box . Thoughts

Dav,

I think that with this playoff run, the Bobcats will begin to see the type of exposure that the team has needed for years. Once the playoffs start, you are going to see more bandwagon jumpers than you can shake a stick at.

[dav7z]

Dav,

I think that with this playoff run, the Bobcats will begin to see the type of exposure that the team has needed for years. Once the playoffs start, you are going to see more bandwagon jumpers than you can shake a stick at.

Save me a spot on the [WAGON ] Im ready for one hell of a[ RIDE]..Space mountain , Ric Flair, And Gerold Wal ,Wal , Waal , Walace, Walace, Walace,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

One hell of a ride.

[polarcat]

Can't wait for the playoff atmosphere in Charlotte. I moved down here from NYC in the fall of '08 but I do remember the atmosphere on tv when the other team was here. I want to be there for the first game and hope it's not a Friday or Saturday night because I usually work. This town is going to be frantic once that time rolls around *fingers crossed*

[Ampsportsduo]

And not everybody here is in love with ACC and college basketball, and your show would probably get a wider range of listeners if you talked about more than that.

This can be easily flipped around that not everyone is in love with NBA basketball. With the lack of a dominant ACC team, 'Are you more excited about the Bobcats or your brackets?' was a show topic on Thursday. Had anyone offered odds on that at the beginning of the season, they would've been astronomical.




For a city that claims to be about "college basketball" the UNCC coverage is pitiful. Even the 2 basketball tourneys we recently had here deserved better coverage. Until you guys decide to put the spotlight on whats going on right here in our own neck of the woods and not 2 1/2 hours away on Tobacco Road, the city will not get any respect nationally.

Sports radio is not beholden to sporting events just because they are local. If they deserve conversation, they will get it. You could just as easily say the show should cover more high school sports because they are local, or perhaps in years past abandon the Bobcats talk in favor of Charlotte Jumper Classic talk, because hey it's local. The 49ers get coverage when they earn it. There are some teams that get discussed win or lose, but by and large teams need to win (or commit crimes) to get attention.

[Ampsportsduo]

My question to you and Bobcatsplanet is does anybody see more exposure this season? The last few weeks ive noticed a nice attitude and attendance change in the cable box . Thoughts

This depends on what type of exposure you're seeking. Nationally? Yes, but just as much will come from MJ buying the team as winning. Last season, the recognition came late, but this season (as another thread suggests) I think a lot of "talking heads" will look at the Cats as the team higher seeds don't want to play round one. Locally, I can assure you that after the tournament ends, the Cats talk will increase. Maybe a certain local writer shouldn't have buried them after the second game of the season,

"Bottom line: they just aren't that good. Again."

"So if you're a Bobcats fan wondering whether to be proud or be discouraged by what happened Friday night, go ahead and be proud. Because there's a lot of discouragement still in store for you."