In The News: Experienced Journalist Addresses St. Bonaventure Hoops PR Crisis
Hey there, business leaders! Grab your coffee and dive into some insightful lessons from the latest PR crisis in college sports.
Kelsey Boudin, President and Founder of Grand River Agency, covered numerous PR crises in his career as an award-winning journalist. Today, he guides public relations for client organizations.
In his recent opinion column for the Olean Times Herald, Kelsey breaks down the mishandling of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team’s refusal of a potential NIT bid. He also uncovers valuable takeaways for PR professionals and business leaders alike.
(Read the original op-ed piece in the Olean Times Herald here: PR Lessons From Bona Hoops Debacle. Read it in the Grand River Agency blog: OTH Column: PR Crisis Lessons from Another Bona Hoops Fiasco.)
PR Crisis Lessons Comms Professionals Can Take from SBU Basketball
Let’s learn from mistakes. PR professionals can take these lessons on what NOT to do to inform their own public relations strategies.
Lesson #1: Timing is Everything
When it comes to PR crises, timing is everything. In the Bona hoops fiasco, multiple delays in communication only fueled speculation and frustration among fans. This gave the impression of secrecy and incompetence, leaving loyal supporters feeling left in the dark.
As business leaders, it’s essential to remember that transparency and timely communication are key during challenging times.
Lesson #2: Honesty is the Best Policy
While honesty is crucial in PR, “selective honesty” can sometimes backfire. The delayed release from St. Bonaventure’s athletic department attempted to explain the team’s decision with a laundry list of reasons, but fans saw through the thinly veiled excuses.
When facing a PR crisis, it’s essential to be truthful and transparent, even if the truth is uncomfortable. Authenticity builds trust and credibility in the long run – even if fans and news consumers don’t like your answers today.
Lesson #3: Avoid Deflection & Provide Accountability
In PR crises, it’s common for organizations to deflect blame and shift attention away from themselves or the people who are actually responsible. The St. Bonaventure athletic director’s attempts to blame external factors only exacerbated the issue.
By failing to take accountability and appropriately assign blame, the athletic department further damaged its reputation and credibility. As business leaders, it’s essential to acknowledge mistakes, take responsibility and work toward meaningful solutions.
Check Out Kelsey Boudin’s Column on Managing a PR Crisis
While PR crises can be challenging, they also present valuable learning opportunities. By studying past mistakes and analyzing case studies like the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball communications crisis, PR professionals and business leaders can glean insights into what NOT to do in similar situations.
As Kelsey notes, SBU athletics through the years has inadvertently provided a wealth of case studies on PR mishaps, offering valuable lessons for communications professionals.
(Related reading: (At Least) 6 Steps to Writing an Awesome News Release.)
If you’re seeking guidance on PR strategy and crisis management for your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out to Grand River Agency for expert advice and support. Let’s turn public relations challenges into opportunities for growth and success!
