Georgia Tech Senior Associate AD, ESPN PR Director exchange Twitter pleasantries
So your starting quarterback decides to transfer, your head coach is (supposedly) erroneously reported as being unhappy with your school and wants a buyout – why not go for the trifecta and get into a social media war of words with the folks over at the worldwide leader? That’s exactly what Georgia Tech Senior Associate AD Ryan Bamford did this morning.
The whole thing began when ESPN Senior Public Relations Director, Keri Potts, tweeted some information about the ratings for last night’s Discover Orange Bowl, which of course was broadcast on the four-letter network.
The @OrangeBowl posted a 7.2 overnight rating giving the 4-game BCS avg on ESPN a 8.6 rating – up 15 percent from last year’s 4-game avg.
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Seemingly harmless, and often done after big games. But the Georgia Tech SAAD decided he was going to let Potts know how he felt about the broadcast.
@MsPotts_ESPN @OrangeBowl would have gotten a 10 if Matt Millen wasn’t Tessitore’s booth-mate. #justsayin
— Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
And…it’s on. Potts begins with blow that causes a cut on the chin…
@GTbammer24 I’m sorry, shouldn’t you be busy finding a football coach or something?
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
And then she grabs a handful of salt…
@GTbammer24 or is it a quarterback?
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Followed up by the inevitable eye gouge…
@GTbammer24#justsayin — Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Bamford takes a defensive stance, but it could be too late…
I’ll take the high road on this conversation “@MsPotts_ESPN: #justsayin” — Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
And then Potts goes in for the killshot….
@GTbammer24 doesn’t seem you could find the high road from the gutter. — Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Come at me bro!!
Ooh, I feel feisty this a.m. Next victim? — Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Now usually these things end up with tweets deleted and someone making a contrite apology (or getting a pink slip), but it would seem that Potts and Bamford still had claws to clean about an hour later.
Figures. Move on to an argument you can win. Or as u say your “next victim” “@MsPotts_ESPN: @GTbammer24 still flapping your gums? I’m busy.” — Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
Aaaand, scene…
@MsPotts_ESPN Old news — we’ve moved on… And you still have Millen on your payroll.
— Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
Once the smoke had cleared, and the combatants had returned to business as usual, it would seem that Bamford felt the need to bury the hatchet.
My tweets abt the orange bowl are all in good fun. ESPN is best in biz and does a great job w/ bowl season. Don’t want to take away from…
— Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
…what was an outstanding night for our league. I’m thrilled about Clemson’s win and how their success was covered last night. #ACC
— Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
@MsPotts_ESPN Enjoyed our healthy and fun banter this am. Enjoy your west coast swing and the #BCS nat’l title game!!
— Ryan Bamford (@GTbammer24) January 4, 2014
Apology accepted?…
@GTbammer24 ha! No worries. You owe me dinner, pal. See you soon.
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 4, 2014
Twitter #Bromance brewing. Ain’t that sweet?
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