Divine Providence

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I mean yeah, you'd rather not have Fanta being part of it, I guess.  But did he really see the whole thing?  From the Tweet I saw from the guy who made it, it sounded like they had final edit on their parts.  If Fanta saw the documentary and said, "Cool I'm good being in here," then sure I guess I can see the issue.  But if all he was shown was what would be in there from him, and all he was told is the guy was making a documentary on each BE program and would like to have Fanta's experience of Ed going from Providence to Georgetown, then I don't see any issue at all here.

According to the documentarian, Fanta saw the whole thing and signed off on it. Fanta hasn't publically said anything to deny but there is a narrative out there that Fanta wasn't shown the whole thing and attached his name to something without realizing it was going to be a smear piece on Cooley.

To me, Occum's and Hanlan's Razor would suggest that Fanta was given access to the whole thing, only watched his clips, and then greenlit it without seeing the problematic bits. Which if true, would be Fanta's own fault.

[cheebs09]

I just hope this doesn't impact Fanta's ability to voice Olaf in the next Frozen.

Also, I'm a little surprised Fanta didn't need sign off from the Big East for this. You'd think he'd be smart enough to realize something called Big East Films might not make the conference too happy. Unless that name came about after the fact.

[MUbiz]

Fanta's father just passed away. I am sure he will say something when it is the right time. RIP poppa Fanta.

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1752430968772653133

[Scoop Snoop]

Fanta's father just passed away. I am sure he will say something when it is the right time. RIP poppa Fanta.

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1752430968772653133

Beautiful tribute by John to his father.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Fanta's father just passed away. I am sure he will say something when it is the right time. RIP poppa Fanta.

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1752430968772653133

I bet this killed him.

[El Guerrero 2]

Fanta's father just passed away. I am sure he will say something when it is the right time. RIP poppa Fanta.

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1752430968772653133

Sometimes the universe really is unbelievably cruel. I can't imagine having your phone blow up like that on the day your father dies. How crapty...

[DoctorV]

Sometimes the universe really is unbelievably cruel. I can't imagine having your phone blow up like that on the day your father dies. How crapty...

Gives a whole new meaning to Divine Providence

[94Warrior]

According to the documentarian, Fanta saw the whole thing and signed off on it. Fanta hasn't publically said anything to deny but there is a narrative out there that Fanta wasn't shown the whole thing and attached his name to something without realizing it was going to be a smear piece on Cooley.

To me, Occum's and Hanlan's Razor would suggest that Fanta was given access to the whole thing, only watched his clips, and then greenlit it without seeing the problematic bits. Which if true, would be Fanta's own fault.

The bolded part above is the most plausible explanation.  And whether Fanta is fired doesn't really matter.

I'm fairly certain the coaches of the Big East will defend Ed Cooley on this one, and in a show of solidarity will freeze out anyone who played a part in this.  Fanta & Goodman will lose all access to Big East programs, they are done with the Big East and possibly with other major conferences, as well.

It may not be fair, and Fanta probably doesn't deserve this, but I would be shocked if this just blows over.

[Scoop Snoop]

The bolded part above is the most plausible explanation.  And whether Fanta is fired doesn't really matter.

I'm fairly certain the coaches of the Big East will defend Ed Cooley on this one, and in a show of solidarity will freeze out anyone who played a part in this.  Fanta & Goodman will lose all access to Big East programs, they are done with the Big East and possibly with other major conferences, as well.

It may not be fair, and Fanta probably doesn't deserve this, but I would be shocked if this just blows over.

I get what you are saying but disagree that it will play out as you outlined. I think Fanta, and probably Goodman as well, will continue to have access to BE programs. They are somewhat like political journalists- people who the pols need and use (and vice-versa)  to further their agendas/stories.   

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Yeah no one is going to get frozen out of anything. My guess is that Fanta has already apologized to Cooley - it's not like *he* was the one making the accusations. And while Cooley might be annoyed at the whole thing, he will just let it slide. From the BE perspective it's likely over. Everyone is just going to move on.

People seem to genuinely like Fanta. He's enthusiastic and good at his job. One misstep is not going to change all of that.

[lawdog77]

Yeah no one is going to get frozen out of anything. My guess is that Fanta has already apologized to Cooley - it's not like *he* was the one making the accusations. And while Cooley might be annoyed at the whole thing, he will just let it slide. From the BE perspective it's likely over. Everyone is just going to move on.

People seem to genuinely like Fanta. He's enthusiastic and good at his job. One misstep is not going to change all of that.

[MUbiz]

Yeah no one is going to get frozen out of anything. My guess is that Fanta has already apologized to Cooley - it's not like *he* was the one making the accusations. And while Cooley might be annoyed at the whole thing, he will just let it slide. From the BE perspective it's likely over. Everyone is just going to move on.

People seem to genuinely like Fanta. He's enthusiastic and good at his job. One misstep is not going to change all of that.

Fanta works directly for the Big East Digital (W2) and freelances for Fox Sports and Field of 68 (1099). He is not getting frozen out of anything imho. He is the most popular BE media personality we have. I am sure we will never find out, but I would think Fanta would have cleared his appearance with the BE. If he did or did not, none of this really matters and everyone will move on. Honestly this would have been a non issue if Goodman did not say what he said to the Blue demon guy. The video went from barely 10k views to over 80k overnight before it was removed and the video is now uploaded on other sites than just YouTube.

[Spotcheck Billy]

According to DBR Goodman was fired from Fo68


Have you guys followed the Jeff Goodman story?
If you haven't, here are the basics.Goodman, who has been a top basketball writer for a long time,  has been working on the Field of 68 podcast and was summarily fired because of an interaction with a guy who made a documentary about Providence and Ed Cooley. Apparently it's part of a series about the Big East schools. Providence native Cooley left PC for Georgetown last year and there are some epic bad feelings back in his hometown.
In Divine Providence, one person compares Ed Cooley to Hitler. It's disgusting obviously but that's just an opinion and you know what people say about opinions.
But someone also accuses Cooley of extramarital affairs and if you can't prove that, you've really set yourself up for trouble.

As we understand it, Cooley and Goodman are good friends and Goodman thought he was sticking up for Cooley.
But he appears to have gone too far and told the aspiring filmmaker that he would find him.
And that got him fired.

Goodman posted this video on X/Twitter. It doesn't really clear things up very much. We don't think Cooley has commented on this yet.
So to sum up: some rando made a "documentary" about Ed Cooley and Providence that he wasn't willing to attach his name to, Goodman found out and tried, in a pretty stupid way, to stick up for his friend.

[brewcity77]

Fanta works directly for the Big East Digital (W2) and freelances for Fox Sports and Field of 68 (1099). He is not getting frozen out of anything imho. He is the most popular BE media personality we have. I am sure we will never find out, but I would think Fanta would have cleared his appearance with the BE. If he did or did not, none of this really matters and everyone will move on. Honestly this would have been a non issue if Goodman did not say what he said to the Blue demon guy. The video went from barely 10k views to over 80k overnight before it was removed and the video is now uploaded on other sites than just YouTube.

I wouldn't. Fanta will go on just about any podcast at a moment's notice. Talking to people who've had him on, he's not a difficult get. Maybe he cleared it, but he seems the sort to say yes and do the interview before he considers ramifications. Especially considering the "duped" narrative Fo68 was pushing.

[Warrior2008]

According to DBR Goodman was fired from Fo68


Have you guys followed the Jeff Goodman story?
If you haven't, here are the basics.Goodman, who has been a top basketball writer for a long time,  has been working on the Field of 68 podcast and was summarily fired because of an interaction with a guy who made a documentary about Providence and Ed Cooley. Apparently it's part of a series about the Big East schools. Providence native Cooley left PC for Georgetown last year and there are some epic bad feelings back in his hometown.
In Divine Providence, one person compares Ed Cooley to Hitler. It's disgusting obviously but that's just an opinion and you know what people say about opinions.
But someone also accuses Cooley of extramarital affairs and if you can't prove that, you've really set yourself up for trouble.

As we understand it, Cooley and Goodman are good friends and Goodman thought he was sticking up for Cooley.
But he appears to have gone too far and told the aspiring filmmaker that he would find him.
And that got him fired.

Goodman posted this video on X/Twitter. It doesn't really clear things up very much. We don't think Cooley has commented on this yet.
So to sum up: some rando made a "documentary" about Ed Cooley and Providence that he wasn't willing to attach his name to, Goodman found out and tried, in a pretty stupid way, to stick up for his friend.

Goodman was on Fo68 last night with Dauster so I highly doubt he's been fired.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I don't think he's been fired, but that video was weak. Don't excuse this with "I always back my guys." That's just lame.

[Bahama]

The guy who made the Divine Providence doc just tweeted that "(good) things might be happening", following praise from Dave Portnoy and the guy's pitch to barstool to have them sponsor his big east films. While it is not clear barstool is involved, it may be a good sign that he has made friends in higher places andmore documentaries may be forthcoming.

[Warrior2008]

I don't think he's been fired, but that video was weak. Don't excuse this with "I always back my guys." That's just lame.

Amen. I guess my last thought is this doesn't really look good for anyone, but especially Goodman and even Dauster.

Goodman's apology was half-hearted and more of an explanation than a sincere effort to atone for his overreaction.  Who exactly did he need to protect Fanta from considering Fanta didn't say a thing remotely controversial?  The Big East? Cooley?  I'd argue that within the Big East, Fanta's name carries as much weight as Goodman's. But ignoring that, its beyond messed up to think protecting someone includes hoping into someone else's DMs and telling people that he's gonna find them and they're going to jail.  Goodman deserves all of the backlash he got and probably more.

Dauster followed up Goodman's apology with strawman arguments about Goodman helping younger journalists(no one ever discussed that) and then linked Fanta's Dad's(RIP) gofundme to the apology which is frankly even more bizarre.  Admittedly I love Fo68 and watch it most nights and will probably continue to do so, but this whole thing has made me question whether or not I want to.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

The guy who made the Divine Providence doc just tweeted that "(good) things might be happening", following praise from Dave Portnoy and the guy's pitch to barstool to have them sponsor his big east films. While it is not clear barstool is involved, it may be a good sign that he has made friends in higher places andmore documentaries may be forthcoming.

Well if he wants to get in with that sh*tbag, he'll always find an audience.

[CountryRoads]

I wouldn't. Fanta will go on just about any podcast at a moment's notice. Talking to people who've had him on, he's not a difficult get. Maybe he cleared it, but he seems the sort to say yes and do the interview before he considers ramifications. Especially considering the "duped" narrative Fo68 was pushing.

Doing that is in large part what makes Fanta as admirable and authentic as he is (I'm a fan, maybe others don't feel that way). Though, it was a horrible decision by him and it's lesson learned I am sure.

If I understand correctly, the person was anonymous at the time as well making that even more head scratching. A bit different than hopping on Dodd's show a year ago (which was a good listen btw).

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Amen. I guess my last thought is this doesn't really look good for anyone, but especially Goodman and even Dauster.

Goodman's apology was half-hearted and more of an explanation than a sincere effort to atone for his overreaction.  Who exactly did he need to protect Fanta from considering Fanta didn't say a thing remotely controversial?  The Big East? Cooley?  I'd argue that within the Big East, Fanta's name carries as much weight as Goodman's. But ignoring that, its beyond messed up to think protecting someone includes hoping into someone else's DMs and telling people that he's gonna find them and they're going to jail.  Goodman deserves all of the backlash he got and probably more.

Dauster followed up Goodman's apology with strawman arguments about Goodman helping younger journalists(no one ever discussed that) and then linked Fanta's Dad's(RIP) gofundme to the apology which is frankly even more bizarre.  Admittedly I love Fo68 and watch it most nights and will probably continue to do so, but this whole thing has made me question whether or not I want to.

Oy. Raising charitable contributions through GoFundMe....

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Doing that is in large part what makes Fanta as admirable and authentic as he is (I'm a fan, maybe others don't feel that way). Though, it was a horrible decision by him and it's lesson learned I am sure.

If I understand correctly, the person was anonymous at the time as well making that even more head scratching. A bit different than hopping on Dodd's show a year ago (which was a good listen btw).

I wish Dodds was anonymous too.

[MUbiz]

The guy who made the Divine Providence doc just tweeted that "(good) things might be happening", following praise from Dave Portnoy and the guy's pitch to barstool to have them sponsor his big east films. While it is not clear barstool is involved, it may be a good sign that he has made friends in higher places andmore documentaries may be forthcoming.

I was in the Curry Hicks Sage space last night - the Blue demon guy is basically a fresh grad who lives in LA and does not have much cash who loves to edit video in his free time. He said the cost of the Providence video was $100 for the narrator and about 100 hours of his free time. Barstool and multiple outlets have offered to pay him money to finish the rest of the 10 docs. Assuming this time the DMCA and copyright issues will be resolved before anymore.

[Its DJOver]

Who would be willing to be in one of his docs at this point though? I would think just about anyone that would be good in a doc would say no, regardless if the topic is less controversial.

[MUbiz]

Who would be willing to be in one of his docs at this point though? I would think just about anyone that would be good in a doc would say no, regardless if the topic is less controversial.

Every BE fanbase would have for sure a handful of people that would be willing to talk to get social media exposure I would be willing to bet.