Last week in this blog I described in simple terms the Media Equation:  Corporate Voice + Mediatude = Public Perception.   And, even though this equation relates to anyone or anything covered by the media, it is always in the forefront when it comes to athletes.  Why?  Because sports are covered in the media 365 days a year.  And throughout this entire year, the public forms opinions and images of athletes.  So, it would make sense to me that all athletes think about their corporate voice and form a positive one for themselves and their team if they are part of one.  But, somehow, many of these athletes don’t have a corporate voice or don’t understand the importance of one and how it can affect their media coverage, public perception (image) and in the end, their career and maybe others. S26Z76RVTG9E

Take Ben Roethlisberger.    This past week, his corporate voice created negative mediatude and stern reactions from his team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the NFL Commissioner.  So stern, in fact, that the Steelers want no part of him.  You can bet he has a different image now–and it’s not good– than he did prior to all of this negative coverage.  Now all of this is fairly predictable considering his recent past endeavors, but his corporate voice has even led to affecting a future quarterback’s career path in the NFL draft according to ESPN’s Gene Wojcichowski http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5130588&sportCat=nfl.    A corporate voice can be very powerful and influential.  Check yours.  Is it communicating in a positive light?