Seattle Kraken Alex Wennberg & Wife Felicia vs. Social Media Still Making News
You might be done with the Seattle Kraken/Alex Wennberg/BookTok controversy, but prominent media outlets in the U.S. and Canada aren't.
We've covered the story thoroughly, in written form here, and in an extended video essay here.
This continues to be news, though, with analysis popping up on dozens of major media sites. The New York Times and National Post are the latest, both devoting lengthy stories on the topic within the last two days.
That's because this isn't really a hockey story, or even a sports story.
What SK/AW/BT is really about is an examination of a pervasive debate: the use and misuse of social media. A messy, awkward, sometimes uncomfortable topic, but one which deserves - demands - extended conversation. It's unfortunate the Wennbergs have been forced into a front-facing advocacy role they didn't ask for.
In an 895-word Times story, Amanda Holpuch writes, "The niche world of hockey romance novels is getting mainstream attention after the wife of an N.H.L. player criticized book fans who she said had made comments and videos on social media about her husband that were 'predatory and exploiting.'"
When Wennberg's wife Felicia went public about inappropriate BookTok videos and comments concerning her husband, "her Instagram account was flooded with harassing messages."
Holpuch explains how the Kraken's social media initially embraced, then backed away from, their involvement with the so-called BookTok community of video makers and commenters.
"A video posted to the Seattle Kraken’s official TikTok account that has since been archived showed Alex Wennberg, a center for the team, walking down a hallway in a suit with the text 'when you accidentally become a booktok account & now that’s all you can post.'
"The Kraken said in a statement that they had originally engaged with BookTok to connect with new audiences, but were reminded by this situation 'that unintended consequences may arise. It is disappointing that a small percentage of online commenters crossed a line. We consider this a learning moment for the organization and have taken appropriate action."
The National Post bills itself as Canada's national newspaper. According to Wikipedia, it's distributed in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Lynn Chaya writes, "Wennberg, the 28-year-old father hailing from Sweden, was the latest subject of BookTok’s fixation. What started out as a harmless theme developed into overtly sexual content about the player.
"Wennberg published his own response defending his wife against the 'vile comments' she received, including on photos of their 2-year-old son.
"'The aggressive language about real life players is too much,' he wrote. 'It has turned into daily and weekly comments on our personal social media. This is not something we support or want our child to grow up with. All we ask for is a little respect and common sense moving forward.'"
As of now, Better Homes & Gardens magazine has not weighed in with its take on the SK/AW/BT story. Not yet.