Arrowhead anxiety: Turnover off the field causes concern

[Dr. Gigglepants]

Secrecy, intimidation, fear and a watchful eye have become hallmarks of working for the Chiefs, say some current and former employees.

BY KENT BABB THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Todd Haley walked into the public relations office at Chiefs headquarters on a Thursday in early December. Four days before he was fired as the team’s coach, he wanted to talk about what life was like inside this organization. But he didn’t know who else might be listening.

continued...

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/14...nover-off.html

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This article goes into a lot of detail on the changes that came into effect with the Pioli regime. Sounds like a shitty ass place to work now.

[kysirsoze]

It sounds to me like the truth is in here somewhere, but it's filtered through a lot of butthurt from fired employees who have a bone to pick. If I got to work at a place with no discipline and was never held accountable for mistakes, I'd be pissed to if I was suddenly fired for being shitty at my job.

The candy wrapper thing? Who cares? It sounds like he was just using it as an obviously small example of the attitude of the organization as a whole.

The bugging thing is unsettling, though. That's something I'd like to have more proof of, but if true that is borderline insane.

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

It sounds to me like the truth is in here somewhere, but it's filtered through a lot of butthurt from fired employees who have a bone to pick. If I got to work at a place with no discipline and was never held accountable for mistakes, I'd be pissed to if I was suddenly fired for being shitty at my job.

The candy wrapper thing? Who cares? It sounds like he was just using it as an obviously small example of the attitude of the organization as a whole.

The bugging thing is unsettling, though. That's something I'd like to have more proof of, but if true that is borderline insane.

What you fail to know...most of those people were the best in the NFL at doing their jobs. Other teams would come and learn from them. Scott just wants change for change.

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally Posted by Chief Henry

If this NEW hardass mngt. style leads to success on the field (so far it hasn't) then we will all be happy, very happy. This organization NEEDED massive amounts of CHANGE. Pioli has the keys, for now.

Most of these changes have nothing to do with on the field product.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

What you fail to know...most of those people were the best in the NFL at doing their jobs. Other teams would come and learn from them. Scott just wants change for change.

That's entirely possible. If they had absolutely nothing to do with the on the field product, then there's no way for me to know. There's also no way for me to care.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

The bugging thing is unsettling, though. That's something I'd like to have more proof of, but if true that is borderline insane.

Locking the media in their room and not allowing them to go to the bathroom without an escort IS insane.

The media is not going to give up your gameplan to other teams, Scott.

But then again, it's not surprising you treat guests this way. Your other team used to video tape other teams practicing...

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

It sounds to me like the truth is in here somewhere, but it's filtered through a lot of butthurt from fired employees who have a bone to pick. If I got to work at a place with no discipline and was never held accountable for mistakes, I'd be pissed to if I was suddenly fired for being shitty at my job.

The candy wrapper thing? Who cares? It sounds like he was just using it as an obviously small example of the attitude of the organization as a whole.

The bugging thing is unsettling, though. That's something I'd like to have more proof of, but if true that is borderline insane.

THIS.

I read the article this weekend but didn't have a chance to respond. Figured this thread would be full of butthurt and MOTHER**** YOU SCOTT PIOLI'S!

But really......i'm glad. Sounds like the Chiefs F/O is getting it's shit together to me.

I have a real life experience almost EXACTLY like this when a movie theater I use to work at got a new GM.....

[ToxSocks]

And and btw, if we had a QB, we'd be winning, and none of this would ever matter.

[O.city]

Next year, when Stanzi lights shit up, this will be all forgotten.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Locking the media in their room and not allowing them to go to the bathroom without an escort IS insane.

The media is not going to give up your gameplan to other teams, Scott.

But then again, it's not surprising you treat guests this way. Your other team used to video tape other teams practicing...

I wonder what he saw, or heard, or did, with NE that made him so paranoid.

[FringeNC]

Gretz weighs in:

From Bobgretz.com:

Several thoughts on the Kansas City Star finally catching up to the fact that employment with the Kansas City Chiefs these days is working in a toxic environment. The newspaper did so in a front page story in Sunday’s edition, headlined Arrowhead Anxiety. In case you missed it, here’s the link where you can read what they had to say.

First, it’s a good story that shined light on a dark corner of the operations that those that control the Chiefs would rather have been kept quiet. Second, although it’s a lengthy story it only scratched the surface of how dysfunctional the organization is these days. Third, the person most responsible for the atmosphere of fear and anxiety around the organization took the fewest number of verbal arrows – team chairman Clark Hunt.

This story has been under construction for several weeks; maybe a month and the Chiefs were well aware of the details. But in the typical fashion of the way the organization is run these days, they attempted to strong arm the Star, demanding the names of the anonymous sources in the story and threatening a law suit. Not once, but twice the Chiefs took this tact with the local fish wrap in the last few weeks.

Having spent a dozen years getting ink on my hands, including nine of those with the Star, I can tell you what happens when a business, politician or sports team threatens a newspaper. The folks in charge suddenly realize they have a story that’s even bigger than they thought. The reaction of Hunt’s minions simply increased the visibility that the story was going to receive. It showed his people in charge of public relations have no idea how to deal with the media.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Gretz weighs in:

From Bobgretz.com:

Several thoughts on the Kansas City Star finally catching up to the fact that employment with the Kansas City Chiefs these days is working in a toxic environment. The newspaper did so in a front page story in Sunday’s edition, headlined Arrowhead Anxiety. In case you missed it, here’s the link where you can read what they had to say.

First, it’s a good story that shined light on a dark corner of the operations that those that control the Chiefs would rather have been kept quiet. Second, although it’s a lengthy story it only scratched the surface of how dysfunctional the organization is these days. Third, the person most responsible for the atmosphere of fear and anxiety around the organization took the fewest number of verbal arrows – team chairman Clark Hunt.

This story has been under construction for several weeks; maybe a month and the Chiefs were well aware of the details. But in the typical fashion of the way the organization is run these days, they attempted to strong arm the Star, demanding the names of the anonymous sources in the story and threatening a law suit. Not once, but twice the Chiefs took this tact with the local fish wrap in the last few weeks.

Having spent a dozen years getting ink on my hands, including nine of those with the Star, I can tell you what happens when a business, politician or sports team threatens a newspaper. The folks in charge suddenly realize they have a story that’s even bigger than they thought. The reaction of Hunt’s minions simply increased the visibility that the story was going to receive. It showed his people in charge of public relations have no idea how to deal with the media.

But, but, but the media! And Haley said! But, but, but...

[keg in kc]

What I took out of that gretz quote was a little different. He talks like this is Hunt's way of doing business.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Gretz weighs in:

From Bobgretz.com:

Several thoughts on the Kansas City Star finally catching up to the fact that employment with the Kansas City Chiefs these days is working in a toxic environment. The newspaper did so in a front page story in Sunday’s edition, headlined Arrowhead Anxiety. In case you missed it, here’s the link where you can read what they had to say.

First, it’s a good story that shined light on a dark corner of the operations that those that control the Chiefs would rather have been kept quiet. Second, although it’s a lengthy story it only scratched the surface of how dysfunctional the organization is these days. Third, the person most responsible for the atmosphere of fear and anxiety around the organization took the fewest number of verbal arrows – team chairman Clark Hunt.

This story has been under construction for several weeks; maybe a month and the Chiefs were well aware of the details. But in the typical fashion of the way the organization is run these days, they attempted to strong arm the Star, demanding the names of the anonymous sources in the story and threatening a law suit. Not once, but twice the Chiefs took this tact with the local fish wrap in the last few weeks.

Having spent a dozen years getting ink on my hands, including nine of those with the Star, I can tell you what happens when a business, politician or sports team threatens a newspaper. The folks in charge suddenly realize they have a story that’s even bigger than they thought. The reaction of Hunt’s minions simply increased the visibility that the story was going to receive. It showed his people in charge of public relations have no idea how to deal with the media.

So the team is running like a well oiled machine then.

They should put some oil in it though I guess.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

What you fail to know...most of those people were the best in the NFL at doing their jobs. Other teams would come and learn from them. Scott just wants change for change.

This is true. The business side needed some tweaking and little youth movement but not to the extreme in which happened.

[Chiefnj2]

If this becomes more of a national story, will the bathrooms be unlocked a few more days like the day Romeo was hired?