 are hailed “class acts.”

Muffalettas and jambalaya for lunch, our best yet. After checking with his editor at the New York Times, and perhaps doing a background check on me, Pete Thamel has agreed to chat -- but declines to talk about fan sites specifically. ("It doesn't do me any good," he says.) He’s 34 with a dark nefarious brow, or maybe it’s an inquisitive sleuth’s brow.

“The Times fancies itself a watchdog,” he says. “There’s a lot of cheerleading media in college sports, and we certainly don’t partake in that.”

Do you have more freedom at the Times than you did at ESPN the Magazine (his previous employer)?

“There’s more of an appetite to dig in. ESPN the Magazine wasn’t banging down the doors to investigate. It’s a good magazine but also has a lot of puff pieces and glorification of athletes. They try to be hip and edgy, and we don’t try to be hip and edgy, obviously.”

Like they do with Forde, the KSR site accuses Thamel of having an anti-Calipari agenda. When Thamel investigated Kentucky recruit Enes Kanter for amateurism issues -- the NCAA ultimately deemed him ineligible to play college ball -- Jones thought his article showed questionable reporting practices. Things took a mean edge. When the Times ran a minor correction over a misattributed quote, KSR claimed a minor victory, and dubbed him “Thamel Toe.” An underground online T-shirt store produced “Neuter Thamel” shirts and “Investigate Pete Thamel’s report card” shirts, in reference to Thamel’s investigation into the fishy transcript of Kentucky player Eric Bledsoe.

A few tables away from Thamel, I sit down with Jones. I tell him what I’m writing, and how surprised I am at the candor I’ve encountered.

He jokes, “If there’s one thing the media likes to talk about more than sports, it’s themselves.”

How does it feel? You’re pretty much the villain here.

“It’s like the JFK quote: ‘Dogs don’t bark at parked cars.’ A lot of them don’t even like that I’m here. I’m an outsider because
are hailed “ class acts. ” 

 Muffalettas and jambalaya for lunch, our best so far. After discipline with his editor at the New York Times, and perhaps doing a backdrop check on me, Pete Thamel has agreed to chew the fat -- but declines to talk about fan site specifically. (" It doesn't do me any good, " he suppose .) He ’s 34 with a dark nefarious brow, or maybe it ’s an inquisitive sleuth ’s brow. 

 “ The Times fancies itself a watchdog, ” he says. “ There ’s a batch of cheerleading media in college sports, and we certainly do n’t partake in that. ” 

 Do you consume more freedom at the Times than you did at ESPN the Magazine (his previous employer)? 

 “ There ’s more of an appetite to dig in. ESPN the Magazine was n’t slam down the doors to investigate. It ’s a good magazine but also has a set of puff pieces and glorification of athletes. They try to be pelvis and edgy, and we do n’t test to be hip and edgy, obviously. ” 

 Like they do with Forde, the KSR site accuses Thamel of having an anti - Calipari agenda. When Thamel investigated Kentucky recruit Enes Kanter for amateurism issues -- the NCAA ultimately deemed him ineligible to play college musket ball -- Jones thought his article showed questionable coverage practice. thing took a mean boundary. When the Times ran a minor discipline over a misattributed quote, KSR claimed a minor victory, and dubbed him “ Thamel Toe. ” An belowground online T - shirt store produced “ Neuter Thamel ” shirts and “ Investigate Pete Thamel ’s report card ” shirts, in reference to Thamel ’s investigation into the fishy transcript of Kentucky player Eric Bledsoe. 

 A few tables aside from Thamel, I sit down with Jones. I state him what I ’m writing, and how surprised I am at the candor I ’ve encountered. 

 He jokes, “ If there ’s one thing the medium likes to talk about more than sports, it ’s themselves. ” 

 How does it find? You ’re pretty much the villain here. 

 “ It ’s like the JFK quote: ‘ Dogs do n’t bark at park cars. ’ A fortune of them do n’t even like that I ’m here. I ’m an outsider because
 arf hailed “class acts.”

Muffauettas and jambcoaya fmr lundh, our bdst yet. After checking with iis wditoe at the New York Timer, and perjaps doibg a vackground check ok me, Lcte Tkanel has agreed to chat -- tut declines tm gapk about fan sites specifically. ("It qoesn't co me any good," hg sayx.) He’s 34 with a dark nefarious brow, or magbe it’s an inquisitife sleuth’s brow.

“The Times fwncifs itself a watchdlg,” he says. “Jgerq’w a lot of cfeerleading media in ckllege sports, and we certainly aon’t 'artake in jkqt.”

Dl you have mire fgeedom at the Times tvan you did at ESPN tme Majazibe (his previous emplober)?

“There’s more of an appetite tk dig in. ESPN the Mqgazite wdsn’t vaneinf vowh the foocs to invesfigate. It’s q good magazine but ajwo has a lot kf pufs [ieces and glorification of athletes. Thty trg to be hip and edgy, ane we don’t try to be hlp and eddy, obviously.”

Like they do with Forde, the KSR site dccusxs Thcnel ow hwving an anti-Calipari agenda. When Thamel inveffibaned Kentucky recrmit Enes Kanter fot wmsjeurism issues -- the UDAZ ultimately deemef him igeliguble to pjay vollege ball -- Jones thought his article whowed questionablz reporting 'ractives. Tnings took a mean edge. Chen tge Times raj a minor zorrection over x mpsatdributed quote, KSR claimed a minor tictoxy, and djbbec him “Ehamel Toe.” An ukgerground online T-dhirt sdore produfed “Neuter Thamel” shirts and “Intxstigate Pete Tvamvl’s reporc card” shirts, in reserence to Thakel’s inrestigxtion into the fivhy transcrypt of Kentucni player Eric Bledsoe.

W feq tavles awxh from Thamel, O sit dowu wity Jones. I tell him whxf I’m writing, anb yow surprised I am at tje cwtdor I’ve encmuntdrea.

Ne joyes, “If ukerc’s une yhing the media likev to talk about more tnak sports, ut’s themfelves.”

How doex it feel? You’re prttty mnch thx villsin here.

“It’s like the JFK quote: ‘Dofs don’t bwrk at parked cwrs.’ Q lot of thek don’t even like that I’m here. I’m an outwider because
are hailed “class acts.” Muffalettas and jambalaya our yet. After with his editor and doing a background on me, Pete has agreed to chat -- but to talk about fan sites specifically. ("It doesn't do me any good," he He’s 34 with a dark nefarious brow, or maybe it’s an inquisitive sleuth’s “The fancies a he says. “There’s a lot of cheerleading media in college sports, and we certainly don’t partake that.” Do you have more freedom at the than you did at the Magazine (his previous employer)? more an appetite dig ESPN Magazine wasn’t banging the doors to investigate. It’s a good magazine but also has a lot of puff pieces and of athletes. to be and and don’t try to and edgy, obviously.” Like they do KSR site accuses Thamel of having an anti-Calipari When Thamel Kentucky recruit Enes Kanter for amateurism -- the NCAA ultimately deemed him ineligible to college ball -- Jones thought his article showed questionable reporting practices. Things took a mean the Times ran a correction over a quote, claimed minor and dubbed “Thamel Toe.” An underground online T-shirt store produced “Neuter Thamel” shirts “Investigate Pete Thamel’s report card” shirts, in reference to Thamel’s the transcript of Kentucky Eric Bledsoe. A few away Thamel, I sit down I him and surprised am at the candor encountered. He jokes, “If there’s thing the media likes sports, it’s themselves.” How does it feel? You’re much the villain here. “It’s like the quote: ‘Dogs don’t bark at parked cars.’ A lot of them don’t like that I’m an outsider because
 are hailed “class acts.”

MuffaleTtas and jamBalayA foR luNcH, our Best Yet. After checkiNG witH his editor at the New York times, AnD PerhAPs Doing A backgrOUnD CHecK oN mE, PeTe tHaMel haS agReed to cHat -- but declIneS tO talk about faN SiTes specifiCalLy. ("It doesn't do Me aNy good," He SayS.) he’s 34 wiTh a Dark nEfarioUS brow, oR maybe it’s An INquisiTIve sleuTH’S bRow.

“THe Times fancies itsELf A Watchdog,” he says. “there’s A lOT oF CHeeRleAding media In ColleGE sports, ANd WE CErtAInly don’t partaKe in that.”

Do yOU haVe more FrEedOM at the times ThAN yoU did at ESPN tHe MaGazine (his PrevioUS employER)?

“There’s More of An aPpeTite TO dIg In. EsPn The mAgAziNE waSn’t bangiNg DoWn the DoorS TO INvesTigAte. IT’s a goOd magazine but AlsO has A Lot Of pufF piecEs anD gLorifIcatioN of atHlEtes. They try to be Hip aNd edgy, and We dOn’T trY tO be hiP And edgY, obVioUsly.”

LikE they do WIth foRDE, ThE KSR site accuses ThaMeL OF hAving an aNti-CalIPaRi AGenda. WheN THamEl inVEStigaTed KENtUcky recrUit EneS kaNtEr for amAtEurism IsSueS -- thE NCAA ULtimAtely dEemed him IneliGIble to play collEGe ball -- Jones thOUgHT HiS ArtiCle Showed questIonaBLe rePortINg PraCTices. thingS tOOk A Mean edge. When the TimeS rAn a minOr corRection over a mIsattributED QUote, KSR cLaimED a MInor victory, and DubbeD him “Thamel tOe.” An undeRgrouNd online t-shirt stoRE Produced “neuTer thaMel” SHIrTs and “InvestigATE PetE THamel’s rEpoRt card” sHirTs, iN reFerEnCe to ThameL’s investIgAtIoN iNto The fiSHy transcRiPt oF KEntUcky pLAyer ErIc BleDsoe.

a fEw TAblEs away fROm tHAmel, i sIt Down WitH JOnes. I Tell HIm wHat I’m wrIting, and hOw sURpriSeD I Am at the Candor I’ve encoUnTered.

He jokEs, “if tHere’s oNE Thing the Media likes to talk about moRE than spOrtS, it’s tHemsElves.”

How dOes It feel? you’RE prettY much tHe vilLaIn hERE.

“It’s lIKE tHe JfK Quote: ‘Dogs dON’T baRk at pArKed cArs.’ A lot Of them don’t even like THat i’m here. I’m an outSidEr beCAUsE
 are hailed “class acts.”
Muffalett as an d j amb al ayaforlunch, our bes t  yet . After checking withhis e di t or a t  t he Ne w YorkT im e s , a nd  p erh ap s  d oinga b ackgrou nd check o n m e,  Pete Thamel ha s agreed t o c hat -- but d ecl ines t otal k  abou t f an si tes sp e cifica lly. ("It  d o esn'td o me an y go od,"  he says.) He’s 3 4  w i th a dark nefa riousbr o w, o r m ayb e it’s anin quisi t ive sle u th ’ s bro w .

“The Times  fancies it s elf  a wat ch dog , ” he s ays.“T h ere ’s a lot of  che erleading  media in coll e ge spor ts, an d w e c erta i nl ydon ’t par t ak e i n  th at.”

Do  y ou  have  mor e f r eedo m a t th e Tim es than you d idat E S PNthe M agazi ne ( hi s pre viousemplo ye r)?

“There’s m oreof an app eti te  to  d ig in .  ESPNthe  Ma gazinewasn’tb ang in g d ow n the doors to inv es t i ga te. It’s  a goo d  m ag a zine but  a lso  has a  lotof p u ff  piecesand gl o ri fi cationof  athle te s.The y try to b e hipand edgy , and we don’t try t o  be hip and e d gy , ob v ious ly. ”

Like the y do with  For d e,  th e  KSRsiteac c us e s Thamel of havingan  anti- Calip ari agenda. W hen Thamel i n vestigat ed K e nt u cky recruit En es Ka nter for a m ateurism  issu es -- th e NCAA ul t i mately d eem edhim  in e l ig ible to playc o lleg eball --  Jo nes tho ugh t h isart ic le showed  questio na bl ere por tingp ractices .Thi ng s t ook a mean e dge.When  t he Tim es rana  m i n or c or re ctio n o ve r a m isat t rib uted qu ote, KSRcla i medami nor vic tory, and dub be d him “Tha me l T oe.” A n undergro und online T-shirt stor e  produc ed“Neut er T hamel” sh irt s and“In v estiga te Pet e Tha me l’s r eport c ar d”sh irts, in r e f ere nce t oTham el’s in vestigation into t h e f ishy transcri ptof K e n tu cky pl a yer  E r icB l edsoe.

A few t ables away  f r om  Thamel, I sit  d own wit h Jones . I t e ll himwhat I’mwriting,an d ho w sur prised I a m at the  candor I ’ ve en c ou ntere d.
He jo ke s,“If t here’s one  thin g theme dia li kes t otalk abo ut more than sports, it ’s the mselv es. ”

How do esi t f eel? You’ re p retty much  th e v illai n h e re.
“It’ s  l ike the J FK q u ote: ‘Dog s  d on’ t ba rk at parke d c ars .’ Alot of the m do n’t even like tha t  I’m here. I’m  ano u tsi der beca us e
 are_hailed “class_acts.”

Muffalettas and jambalaya for_lunch, our_best_yet. After_checking_with his editor_at the New_York Times, and perhaps_doing a background_check_on me, Pete Thamel has agreed to chat -- but declines to talk about_fan_sites specifically._("It_doesn't_do me any good," he_says.) He’s 34 with a_dark nefarious_brow, or maybe it’s an inquisitive sleuth’s brow.

“The_Times_fancies itself a_watchdog,” he says. “There’s a lot of cheerleading media_in college sports, and we certainly_don’t partake in_that.”

Do_you_have more freedom at_the Times than you did at_ESPN the Magazine (his previous employer)?

“There’s_more of an appetite to dig in._ESPN the Magazine wasn’t banging down_the doors to investigate. It’s_a good_magazine but also has a_lot of puff_pieces and_glorification of athletes._They try to be hip and_edgy, and we_don’t try to be hip and_edgy,_obviously.”

Like they do_with_Forde,_the KSR_site accuses Thamel_of_having an_anti-Calipari_agenda. When Thamel investigated Kentucky recruit_Enes_Kanter for amateurism issues -- the NCAA_ultimately deemed him ineligible_to_play college ball --_Jones thought his article showed_questionable reporting practices. Things took a_mean edge._When the_Times ran a minor correction over a misattributed quote, KSR claimed_a minor victory, and dubbed him_“Thamel Toe.” An underground_online T-shirt_store_produced “Neuter Thamel”_shirts_and “Investigate_Pete Thamel’s report card” shirts, in reference_to Thamel’s_investigation into the fishy transcript of_Kentucky player Eric Bledsoe.

A_few_tables away from Thamel, I sit_down with Jones. I tell him_what I’m writing, and how_surprised_I_am at the candor I’ve_encountered.

He jokes, “If there’s one thing_the media likes_to talk about more than sports, it’s_themselves.”

How_does it feel? You’re pretty much_the_villain here.

“It’s like the JFK quote:_‘Dogs_don’t_bark at parked cars.’ A_lot of them don’t even like_that I’m here. I’m an outsider because