When I think of who I like to hear speak it's men like Shaka Hislop, George Bovell. Kim Collins of St Kitts embarrassed a whole region when he won worlds in 2003. I and all still doh know what de arse he say to this day. Big big man sounding like an idiot in a packed Stade de France (home of WC Final 1998)
I can tell you that Maurice Greene started as one of the worst interviewees ever when he came to HSI, but because we had a manager who wanted to see us on other TV shows and doing things track athletes had never done before, and making off-track and post-track money, he trained him (and myself) in media classes every single year. Maurice got much, much better - as did I.
It boils down to this....if you are fine with your athlete coming off of a plane for a VIP reception with a G-unit shirt and a hat turned sideways, or sounding like he/she is unintelligent, then that will be your audience. That audience is broke and not handing out any cheques anytime soon for any contract.
The problem I have with managers nowadays (including one who manages many of TNTs track stars) is that they do nothing to develop the athlete's "off the field of play" image. That is where the money is. Look at who is in the broadcast booths for the NBA/NFL in the US and in ads for corporations....most of the managers now don't care - just make the money now and then when u are done I'll find the next one - and that is sad...
I would like to see Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Asafa Powell and many other track stars from this region improve immensely in that area, because right now, no-one knows what they have to say - or cares....people don't endear themselves to athletes based solely on athletic accomplishments - ask Magic Johnson, who, if he can improve the way he sounds, anyone can!
I get criticised for sounding like my audience, (as though that is a curse as opposed to a gift) but my management are in awe of it - because which athlete can you hire to do TV/radio/gala hosting in the Caribbean AND the US. Very few. I can sound as backyard Trini or as American as I need to. Hence I get hired in the US and in Trinidad. Not saying that everyone has that ability but I see some just not trying...and they have no idea how much they are limiting themselve$....If so many weren't so paranoid and insecure I might actually try to help some of them, but oh well...I have my stuff to do too...