I have no expertise or knowledge about this subject, so I am just going to link.
Personally I have found Howard’s reporting to be on-point in the past even when he is shouted down by other media outlets and sports executives. You can read and decide for yourself about this one. Definitely worth a click.
I don’t know if it is a “PR debacle” unless some sports talk show is making a big deal about it (I rarely listen), although I suppose I am throwing kerosene on this by linking. Anyway…
Player-funded workouts are latest P.R. debacle for the Mets | Capital New York.