A-Rod Interview does not Enhance Reputation

A-Rod's Performance during ESPN Interview does not Enhance Reputation
-- Alex Rodriguez’s interview causes fans to question the integrity of today’s baseball “superstars” --

Flemington, NJ, February 10, 2009 – A new national study conducted among 553 viewers of Alex Rodriguez’s ESPN interview Monday night revealed that the majority (76%) reported that the discovery of Rodriguez’s past steroid usage has increased their doubt in the integrity of this era’s baseball superstars.

The study was conducted by HCD Research on February 10, to obtain Americans’ perceptions of Alex Rodriguez’s ESPN interview from Monday, February 9 which addressed the recent discovery of Rodriguez’s past steroid use. To view believability curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

More than half of respondents (56%) reported they “would not” vote for Rodriguez to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. When judging “Hero Status” in baseball, most (85%) indicated that they focus more on a player’s personal integrity, such as sportsmanship and personality, rather than their professional capabilities.

A strong majority of respondents (68%) said they “do not” consider Rodriguez to be a hero in baseball.

Among the findings:

Would you consider Alex Rodriguez a hero in baseball?
BEFORE Viewing Interview Total (n=553) / / AFTER Viewing Interview Total (n=553)
Yes / 17% / / Yes / 18%
No / 68% / / No / 68%
Not Sure / 15% / / Not Sure / 13%

Do you think that the release of Alex Rodriguez’s name in this incident was a violation of privacy and trust?
/ Total (n=553)
Yes / 37%
No / 63%

Has this specific incident caused you to doubt or question the integrity of baseball superstars during this era?
/ Total (n=553)
Yes / 51%
No / 24%
Somewhat / 25%

We also asked our respondents to rate Alex Rodriguez on scales of likeability and believability. Rodriguez scored fairly low compared to other subjects we’ve tested in past MediaCurves studies.

These scales are based off a 7-point scale, where 1 is “Not at all likeable/believable” and 7 is “Extremely likeable/believable.”

/ Likeability
Governor Blagojevich / 3.4
Anne Coulter / 3.4
Simon Cowell / 3.8
George Bush / 3.8
Plaxico Buress / 3.8
Alex Rodriguez / 4.1
Elisabeth Hasselbeck / 4.3
Joy Behar / 4.3
Sherri Sheperd / 4.4
Sarah Palin / 4.6
Kara DioGuardi / 4.7
Barbara Walters / 4.8
Reverend Lowery / 4.8
Whoopie Goldberg / 4.9
Caroline Kennedy / 5.1
Paula Abdul / 5.4
Barack Obama / 5.4
Michael Phelps / 5.5
Randy Jackson / 5.6

/ Believability
Plaxico Buress / 3.1
Governor Blagojevich / 3.1
George Bush / 3.7
Anne Coulter / 3.7
Alex Rodriguez / 3.8
Elisabeth Hasselbeck / 4.3
Sherri Sheperd / 4.3
Joy Behar / 4.3
Sarah Palin / 4.5
Paula Abdul / 4.7
Reverend Lowery / 4.7
Whoopie Goldberg / 4.8
Kara DioGuardi / 4.8
Barack Obama / 4.9
Caroline Kennedy / 5.0
Barbara Walters / 5.0
Michael Phelps / 5.1
Simon Cowell / 5.2

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

ENDS

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