Hockey Randomness

Post by **DigitalGypsy66** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 3:39 pm

Looks like Jeff Marek is no longer on Sportsnet (TV, radio, or podcasts)

Jeff Marek’s time both on television and radio for Sportsnet has come to an end.

Daily Hive can confirm a report that Marek’s time with Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada is over.

“Jeff Marek is no longer with Sportsnet,” a Sportsnet spokesperson told Daily Hive this morning.

Sports media expert Jonah Sigel was on this first, reporting this morning that Jeff Marek had parted ways with Sportsnet for “unconfirmed draft reasons.”

“Details are scarce, but multiple sources tell me that for unconfirmed draft reasons, Jeff Marek will likely be no longer performing duties at Sportsnet hockey,” Sigel wrote on X. “Details to follow. This would appear to include his podcast duties too.

“There is a ton of speculation as to the cause of the apparent separation, however all we can confirm is he was at [the] draft and then he wasn’t. Hasn’t been heard from since and told most likely won’t be back either.”

A prominent figure in the hockey media landscape, Marek always seemed to be working. Whether it was appearing on radio shows, putting out podcasts with Elliotte Friedman, or being on TV, he appeared to keep very busy. Until recently, that is.

Marek, who is usually very active on X, hasn’t sent out a tweet since the first day of the draft on June 28. He also hasn’t appeared on The Jeff Marek Show or 32 Thoughts, which he co-hosted with Friedman, since then.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/jeff-ma ... -sportsnet

Post by **meecrofilm** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 3:39 pm

What on earth Philly

Post by **King Colby** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 3:52 pm

8 x 8.75

Wtf?

Post by **meecrofilm** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 4:50 pm

The term is the real headscratcher.

Post by **mikey** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:23 pm

What the **** is an "unconfirmed draft reason"...?

Post by **Gaucho** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:37 pm

NTP66 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 25, 2024 1:58 pmlol

Post by **dodint** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:48 pm

mikey wrote: ↑Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:23 pm What the **** is an "unconfirmed draft reason"...?

Is this another Bedard's Mom situation?

Post by **mikey** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 6:17 pm

Marek is married and a fastidious fop of a teetotaler...so I highly doubt it, but anything is possible...

Post by **MR25** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 8:09 pm

Harassment of a team exec over draft choice?

Post by **Gaucho** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:28 pm

So, is Joe Pavelski a HOFer?

Post by **mikey** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 7:30 pm

Nah, this one isn't too tough. The only thing a little interesting there is that almost all of his HOF "ink" comes after his athletic prime. A very strange career arc, but not a HOFer...

Post by **shoeshine boy** » Mon Jul 29, 2024 9:30 am

Gaucho wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:28 pm So, is Joe Pavelski a HOFer?

nope

maybe USA Hockey HoF......

Post by **Ad@m** » Mon Jul 29, 2024 2:51 pm

Post by **Dickie Dunn** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 8:33 am

mikey wrote: ↑Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:23 pm What the **** is an "unconfirmed draft reason"...?

It was the kind of move that normally would have warranted a public statement, but the reason behind it led both parties to choose silence. Marek had come under scrutiny from the NHL during the first round of the draft for allegedly revealing to a friend which players teams were drafting moments before those picks were publicly announced, according to league and media industry sources. The NHL shared concerns about the situation with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which probed further, according to multiple sources briefed on that investigation.

As part of Sportsnet’s crew that night, Marek was privy to the draft selections before they were publicly announced. This is common practice for broadcast rightsholders. The production truck is notified of the pick approximately one or two minutes before it’s made so that graphics can be prepared, video clips readied and cameras trained on the player about to find out he has been selected.

Also under the Sphere that evening working the draft was Mark Seidel, a former NHL scout with the Minnesota Wild who for the past five years worked in scouting and player personnel roles with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts. He also runs his own scouting service, branded the North American Central Scouting Independent Bureau (not to be confused with the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau) and has occasionally provided draft content for ESPN.

Seidel and Marek have known each other for years, according to two people with knowledge of their relationship. Seidel has made multiple appearances on podcasts with Marek, including to talk about prospects in advance of the annual draft.

In Las Vegas, Seidel correctly predicted several picks on X, which prompted concerns that Marek had informed Seidel who those teams were picking.

The league was concerned about the potential misuse or dissemination of insider information, league and media sources said. Gaming industry experts said that draft “leakage” and “tipping” is relatively common. Possessing what’s deemed “insider information” is not inherently problematic; only if that information is used as a means of financial gain does it become an integrity issue. According to a publicly available document from the Nevada Gaming Control Board on requirements licensed books must adhere to regarding wagers on the NHL Draft, “acceptance of wagers which involve a specific player must cease 24 hours prior to the start of the first round. Acceptance of all other wagers must cease prior to the start of their respective round.”

League and media sources said that Marek gave Seidel a heads up on the picks so that Seidel could better prepare and offer analysis of those selections on social media. Professional sports leagues are known to monitor social media during live events such as drafts; it is also common for leagues to partner with external integrity and compliance firms to monitor social media activity.

One source briefed on the draft night situation said that no gambling impropriety was discovered or any intent for Marek to gain financially from what happened.

However, because Marek was alleged to have shared proprietary information with someone outside the company, and given the company’s partnership with the NHL — Sportsnet has two years left on a 12-year deal as the league’s national rightsholder — the network was in a difficult position involving one of its most prominent broadcasters.

Post by **King Colby** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 8:56 am

Unwise. Bummer though

Post by **dodint** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 9:20 am

Good info, DD.

Post by **mikey** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:08 am

Maybe I'm sleepy...what did he do then if it was determined there was no betting fraud or tipping going on?

Information is currency in this area of the game especially. He traded it with another source. That happens all the time. Hell, some guys post it on Twitter...

I don't really get what makes this situation so different...

Post by **Sam's Drunk Dog** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:13 am

I think that last paragraph from DD's post explains it well enough.

Post by **mikey** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:19 am

Bob McKenzie did that a couple drafts ago, where he put every pick on Twitter before it was announced. Frank Seravalli put the entire Kraken team on Twitter before the TV version of the draft. I guess I'm still struggling with the difference...

Post by **Beveridge** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:19 am

I'm thinking the difference is he gave the information to someone outside the company. If he posted it himself, no issue.

Post by **nocera** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:24 am

Does anybody really care enough about the NHL draft that a pick being spoiled 1-2 minutes before it’s announced matters at all?

Post by **mikey** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:33 am

There's a reasonably big unfollowing of Bob McKenzie the day of the draft I've heard to prevent spoilers...

Post by **nocera** » Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:41 am

… huh. I guess I don’t see how a 1-2 minute advance is a big deal. Maybe just don’t refresh your twitter feed for a couple minutes. I get why the NHL would be pissed but I’m surprised anybody else cares.