LakeShow
05-17-2008, 12:22 PM
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Spanish media say bienvenido to Gasol
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register
Comments 6 (http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gasol-spanish-fans-2043813-lakers-angeles#slComments) | Recommend (javascript:recommendReview('OCRArticle2043813'))7
LOS ANGELES — It was the trade heard — and translated — around Spain, Latin America and every Spanish-speaking media outlet in Los Angeles.
Pau Gasol, the fluid 7-foot center from Spain, was coming to the Lakers from Memphis.
The news swept across Southern California's Latino communities with gale-wind force as local Spanish TV stations provided up-to-date details on his point averages, his weight, his likes, his dislikes and family.
Four months after the trade, the fanfare still rages. All three local Spanish TV stations, plus two from Spain and ESPN Deportes are now omnipresent at Lakers games and practices. Lakers publicist John Black estimated there were 10 local and international media members at Lakers practices when Gasol first arrived, but have settled to about a half-dozen.
These reporters wait as other players are mobbed by English-speaking reporters and cameramen. They wait for Gasol to speak to their fans. And he does, in Spanish.
"I knew it would be different here in Los Angeles than in Memphis with many more Spanish-speaking fans," said Gasol, slipping easily between the two languages. "It makes me feel good to be here among the Spanish-speaking community."
Francisco X. Riviera of Telemundo said the station has seen a rise in ratings since Gasol joined the team.
"I think the fans are happy that someone on the team speaks Spanish because then that gives them someone to identify with," Riviera said.
Gasol has reached near-idol status in Los Angeles, according to Jose "Pepe" Mantilla of ESPN Deportes, the Lakers Spanish broadcast. Mantilla attributes Gasol's easy-going nature and willingness to mingle with fans for his popularity in Los Angeles.
Fiesta Lakers, a community event held at the Los Angeles Convention Center the past seven years, drew more than 50,000 in March. A similar even at the Anaheim Convention Center drew an estimated 15,000 in the preseason.
The difference in numbers can be attributed to Gasol's appearance, Mantilla said. Gasol was not with the Lakers during the Anaheim event.
"It's rewarding and a good feeling to have this kind of attention from the fans," Gasol said.
Of course, for all of his popularity, Gasol still ranks second to Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles — among English-speaking or Spanish-speaking fans.
"When Kobe spoke Spanish to the fans in the MVP presentation, he won over many more fans because that was broadcast around the world," Mantilla said.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Spanish media say bienvenido to Gasol
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register
Comments 6 (http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gasol-spanish-fans-2043813-lakers-angeles#slComments) | Recommend (javascript:recommendReview('OCRArticle2043813'))7
LOS ANGELES — It was the trade heard — and translated — around Spain, Latin America and every Spanish-speaking media outlet in Los Angeles.
Pau Gasol, the fluid 7-foot center from Spain, was coming to the Lakers from Memphis.
The news swept across Southern California's Latino communities with gale-wind force as local Spanish TV stations provided up-to-date details on his point averages, his weight, his likes, his dislikes and family.
Four months after the trade, the fanfare still rages. All three local Spanish TV stations, plus two from Spain and ESPN Deportes are now omnipresent at Lakers games and practices. Lakers publicist John Black estimated there were 10 local and international media members at Lakers practices when Gasol first arrived, but have settled to about a half-dozen.
These reporters wait as other players are mobbed by English-speaking reporters and cameramen. They wait for Gasol to speak to their fans. And he does, in Spanish.
"I knew it would be different here in Los Angeles than in Memphis with many more Spanish-speaking fans," said Gasol, slipping easily between the two languages. "It makes me feel good to be here among the Spanish-speaking community."
Francisco X. Riviera of Telemundo said the station has seen a rise in ratings since Gasol joined the team.
"I think the fans are happy that someone on the team speaks Spanish because then that gives them someone to identify with," Riviera said.
Gasol has reached near-idol status in Los Angeles, according to Jose "Pepe" Mantilla of ESPN Deportes, the Lakers Spanish broadcast. Mantilla attributes Gasol's easy-going nature and willingness to mingle with fans for his popularity in Los Angeles.
Fiesta Lakers, a community event held at the Los Angeles Convention Center the past seven years, drew more than 50,000 in March. A similar even at the Anaheim Convention Center drew an estimated 15,000 in the preseason.
The difference in numbers can be attributed to Gasol's appearance, Mantilla said. Gasol was not with the Lakers during the Anaheim event.
"It's rewarding and a good feeling to have this kind of attention from the fans," Gasol said.
Of course, for all of his popularity, Gasol still ranks second to Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles — among English-speaking or Spanish-speaking fans.
"When Kobe spoke Spanish to the fans in the MVP presentation, he won over many more fans because that was broadcast around the world," Mantilla said.
Contact the writer: [email protected]