Phil Mushnick - A Voice In Sports Media

Phil Mushnick has been a familiar voice at the New York Post for a very long time, shaping conversations about sports media for decades. He's been the person writing about television and radio for the paper since 1982, which is, you know, quite a stretch of years for anyone to be doing one thing. His thoughts, often quite strong, have certainly given many readers something to think about, or perhaps even talk about, around the water cooler, so to speak.

His column, often called "Equal Time," pops up a few times a week, usually on Fridays and Sundays, and sometimes on Mondays, too. It really gets into the heart of sports broadcasting and how it all works, or sometimes, how it doesn't quite work as people might hope. He also, in some respects, provides a general media column on Sundays for the entertainment section of the paper, which shows his interest goes beyond just the playing field.

Now, if you've followed his writing, you'd know that Phil Mushnick isn't one to hold back. He's earned a reputation for sharing his thoughts very directly, and, well, that's led to some lively discussions, even disagreements, with various folks in the sports world and beyond. It’s almost like he’s always ready to offer a different point of view, which, for many, is a big part of why they keep reading.

Table of Contents

Who is Phil Mushnick?

Phil Mushnick, a person whose writings have become a regular feature for many, grew up on Staten Island. He started his working life at the New York Post way back in 1973. He didn't begin as a big-name columnist, though; he actually started as a copy boy, which is, you know, a very humble beginning for someone who would go on to have such a long and recognized career. It just goes to show how people can really grow into different roles over time.

From those early days, he moved through various reporting roles, covering different sports teams. He was, for instance, a reporter who followed the New York Cosmos, a soccer team, and also spent time reporting on the New Jersey Nets, a basketball team. He even covered the New York Rangers, a hockey team, which, in a way, shows a pretty broad interest in different kinds of athletic contests. His work eventually led him to his well-known position as a columnist.

As a columnist, Phil Mushnick has been known for sharing his thoughts in a way that some might call quite sharp. He has a way of looking at things and then putting his opinions down on paper, which has, at times, led to some back-and-forth exchanges with people in the media and those involved in sports. He really does have a distinct way of expressing himself, and that, too, is part of what makes his writing stand out.

Phil Mushnick - Quick Details

BornStaten Island, New York
RoleTelevision and Radio Columnist, Sports Columnist
EmployerNew York Post
Started at Post1973 (as copy boy)
Columnist Since1982
Key Columns"Equal Time"
Known ForDirect commentary, media criticism, sports analysis

Phil Mushnick's Early Days at the Post

Before he became the well-known television and radio columnist, Phil Mushnick began his association with the New York Post in 1973. His first role there was as a copy boy, a position that, basically, involved helping out with various tasks around the newsroom. It was a starting point that gave him an inside look at how a newspaper operates, which, you know, must have been quite an experience for a young person.

After those initial years, Phil Mushnick took on the responsibilities of a beat reporter. This meant he would regularly cover specific sports teams, attending their games and practices, and writing about their progress. He spent time following the New York Cosmos, which was a big deal in soccer at one point, and he also reported on the New Jersey Nets, a basketball team, and the New York Rangers, a hockey team. This hands-on experience covering different sports, you see, gave him a broad perspective on the athletic world.

These early roles, in a way, laid the groundwork for his later career as a columnist. They allowed him to observe the inner workings of professional sports and the people involved, from the players to the coaches and the media covering them. It's almost like he saw the whole picture from the ground up, which, you know, probably shaped his later opinions and how he chose to express them in his columns.

What is Phil Mushnick's "Equal Time" Column About?

Phil Mushnick's column, which often goes by the name "Equal Time," focuses a lot on the world of sports media. It's not just about the games themselves, but rather about how those games are presented to the public, the people who talk about them on television and radio, and the broader picture of how sports connect with our society. He, you know, looks at the whole ecosystem of sports communication.

This column usually appears a few times a week, giving readers a regular dose of his observations. You can typically find it on Fridays and Sundays, and sometimes on Mondays as well. The pieces often dig into things like how sports broadcasts are put together, the language used by announcers, and the way competitive sports sometimes cross over into bigger cultural discussions. It’s about, basically, the show around the game, and how that show is put on.

He has, in some respects, a very keen eye for the details of sports presentation, and he's not shy about pointing out what he sees as areas for improvement or things that just don't sit right with him. His writing in "Equal Time" provides a consistent space for him to share his thoughts on these matters, giving readers a chance to consider different viewpoints on the sports media landscape. It's really about offering a critical look at how sports are consumed and presented.

Phil Mushnick's Unfiltered Commentary

Phil Mushnick is, without a doubt, known for his very direct way of sharing his thoughts. When he writes, he doesn't seem to hold back, which means his commentary can be quite sharp and, for some, even a bit biting. He has a reputation for saying exactly what he thinks, and that, you know, can make for some very engaging, if sometimes challenging, reading.

For example, he once wrote about a basketball game where the Celtics, a team many people follow, missed a large number of three-point shots in a particular game. He suggested, pretty plainly, that this showed they didn't have a backup plan, or "plan B," for their playing strategy. This kind of observation, basically, cuts right to what he sees as the heart of the matter, without much in the way of softening the message. He calls it as he sees it, in other words.

Another instance involved a comment about Marcell Ozuna, a baseball player, who, after hitting a home run, seemed to slow down and pretend to take a "selfie." Phil Mushnick, you see, brought this up in his writing, questioning the action. These examples show how he picks out specific moments or behaviors in sports and then offers his clear, sometimes critical, take on them. He really does have a way of zeroing in on things that catch his attention.

Does Phil Mushnick Get Into Disagreements?

Yes, it's pretty well known that Phil Mushnick has, at times, found himself in public disagreements with various people who work in media and also with figures from the sports world. His very direct style of writing, you know, sometimes leads to these sorts of exchanges. It’s almost like he’s not afraid to stir the pot a little bit when he feels strongly about something.

One notable instance involved Joe Buck, a well-known announcer for ESPN. Joe Buck, apparently, shared a picture of a New York Post column written by Phil Mushnick. In that particular column, Phil Mushnick had made some critical remarks about Rickey Henderson, a famous baseball player who had passed away, suggesting he wasn't a good baserunner. Joe Buck then, basically, pointed out a mistake in Mushnick's writing, a grammatical one, and, in a sort of playful jab, called him a "true renaissance man." This kind of public back-and-forth, you see, is something that has popped up in Mushnick's career.

These disagreements, in a way, highlight the kind of personality Phil Mushnick brings to his writing. He doesn't shy away from expressing an opinion that might go against the popular view, and he's ready for the reactions that might come his way. It’s part of what makes his column, for many readers, a place to find a different perspective, even if they don't always agree with what he says. He certainly keeps things lively, you know.

Phil Mushnick and Professional Wrestling

Phil Mushnick has, for a very long time, been a person who openly shares his critical views on professional wrestling. This isn't a new thing for him; it's a stance he's held for many years, and his writings have often reflected this particular perspective. He really does seem to have some strong feelings about the sport, or, you know, the entertainment form, as some people see it.

Some of his most pointed criticisms of professional wrestling came during a period when a person named Vince Russo was very much involved in the sport. Knowing that Phil Mushnick has a way of speaking his mind, and considering the personalities of both men, it’s not too hard to imagine how those criticisms might have played out. It’s almost like, when those two elements came together, the commentary became even more pronounced.

His long-standing position on professional wrestling is just one example of how Phil Mushnick takes a consistent stand on certain topics, even when his views might not be shared by everyone. He continues to write about what he sees and feels, which, in some respects, is a hallmark of his long career as a columnist. He really does stick to his guns on certain issues, you see, and wrestling is one of them.

What Else Has Phil Mushnick Covered?

Beyond his well-known "Equal Time" column, Phil Mushnick has a history of covering a wide range of sports topics. As mentioned earlier, he spent time as a beat reporter, which meant he was on the ground, covering specific teams. He reported on the New York Cosmos, the New Jersey Nets, and the New York Rangers, giving him a firsthand look at different sports and the people involved in them. This early work, you know, provided a broad foundation for his later commentary.

His writing also extends to broader discussions about the media in general. He provides a weekly column on media topics for the entertainment section of the New York Post on Sundays. This shows that his interests aren't just limited to sports broadcasting but also include how news and entertainment are presented more widely. It’s almost like he has a general interest in how information is shared with the public, regardless of the topic.

He's also touched on many specific moments and figures in sports. For instance, he wrote about Pete Rose, a famous baseball player, who, when they first met, talked to Phil Mushnick quite a bit about his gambling activities. There was also a piece about Rickey Henderson, a baseball legend, where Mushnick questioned his baserunning abilities, which, as we saw, led to a public exchange. He even weighed in on the Marcell Ozuna "selfie" incident, which, you know, was a moment that many people were talking about. He really does keep an eye on a lot of different happenings.

How Has Phil Mushnick Made a Mark?

Phil Mushnick has, without a doubt, made a significant mark on sports media through his many years of writing for the New York Post. His career, stretching back to 1973 as a copy boy and then as a columnist since 1982, shows a remarkable staying power in a field that is always changing. He's been a consistent presence, basically, offering his perspective for decades, which is quite something.

He's known for his willingness to speak his mind, even when his views might not be popular. This commitment to expressing what he believes is true, or what he feels needs to be said, is a defining characteristic of his work. It’s almost like he lives by the sentiment of that famous quote from Popeye the Sailor, which he himself has used: "that’s all i can stands, ’cause i can’t stands no more!" This, you know, really captures his spirit of not backing down.

His writing has sparked conversations, sometimes even heated ones, and has pushed readers to think more deeply about the sports they watch and the media that covers it. Even if people don't always agree with his specific points – and he himself has acknowledged this, saying, "Ok, so we don’t always agree" – his voice remains a distinct one in the landscape of sports commentary. He has, in some respects, carved out a unique space for himself, always ready to offer a different angle on the world of sports and its presentation.

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

Phil Mushnick | New York Post

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