It’s interesting to look at everyday news happenings and think about how it relates to the world of PR. And there is plenty of news — mostly bad news — to consider. There’s LeBron James and his mishandling of the public announcement of his decision to leave Cleveland — and the Cleveland Cavaliers owner’s emotional public reaction. There’s the ongoing and unchecked Mel Gibson saga, where we’re now seeing his plummeting public image taking a toll on his work (Leo DiCarprio backing out of a Gibson film). A few weeks back there was Apple icon Steve Jobs awkardly trying to side-step reported iPhone problems and getting slammed by critics. And this week there are all sorts of PR issues resulting from Red Sox hero Curt Shilling’s decision to take his gaming company across the border to Rhode Island. There was anger directed at Shilling (for turning his back on Boston), at Massachusetts government officials (for letting him go) and from some in Rhode Island who disagreed with the deal they made to lure the company down the highway. Best of all (especially for a NY Yankee fan like me) there were the comments from RI gubernatorial candidate and former senator Lincoln Chafee who went on a Providence radio show and questioned the famed Shilling “bloody sock” while criticizing the RI deal. The lesson learned here: be careful with your public comments — especially when you’re dealing with a beloved piece of Massachusetts sports history.

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