Throwdowns > Closed

Grue said 06/28, 10:12 AM
I don't think you are seeing this from ESPN's perspective. Let's go into the board room for this decision.

ESPN has one Monday Night Football full-time crew. For the first week of the season they have to scrap together a second crew.

Dilfer, we can agree, will make a passsable analyst.

Who are your alternatives?
- Berman, who has done other broadcast work, MLB, Golf, NFL Countdown, Blitz, Sportscenter, etc.
- College crews

Many people hate Berman. Many people like or love Berman. He's an ESPN icon. He is a huge part of the ESPN brand. He's been with the company 32 years.

There are solid reasons:
1) This is the undercard of the night. West coast matchup between Chargers-Raiders. (C'mon, Berman loves saying Raiders)
2) ESPN rewards the guy for 32 years with something he's always wanted to do.
3) Berman is polarizing. That is great for a game likely to be a ratings dog, especially in the east. He may get East Coast viewers to hang on and watch out of curiosity.
4) He knows the NFL and his voice and personality (love or hate) are iconic.
5) He sells the ESPN brand.

While you don't like Berman, he is the best choice for ESPN.

Good luck, LSN.

Grue said 06/29, 08:02 AM
A vote right isn't a vote for liking Chris Berman. You can hate Berman and see a smart business decision by ESPN.

Nielsen ratings 2010-11 (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2011/09/13)

2010 MNF Game 1: 14.9 Million
2010 MNF Average: 14.7 M
2010 MNF Game 2: 11.9 M
(KC vs SD)

2011 MNF Game 1: 14.6 M
2011 MNF Average: 13.3 M
2011 MNF Game 2: 11.1 M
(Okl vs Den)

ESPN's goal is ratings. And MNF knows, if it sticks with a traditional broadcast team, it will lose over 3 million viewers between the first and second game.

Berman changes that dynamic. We're TDing about it now. Bloggers are spouting off about it all over the net. ESPN is loving it all, because we're talking about it. And they know you'll tune in.

You'll tune in to watch him fail, to say you were right, because you were curious, because of the hype. East Coast viewers will hang on to see if he's as bad as they feared. Your wives will watch because they know the bumblin, stumblin guy.

Football hard core fans will watch anyway, but net 3 million+ will turn off their sets. Berman will hold the rubberneckers waiting for a wreck.

You'll watch, too (but deny it now). Just to see.

Grue said 07/01, 07:15 AM
What you consider over-exposure, ESPN considers branding.

ESPN knows its core audience and caters accordingly. We, the esteemed debaters of FN, expect more from a broadcast team than schtick. But, nobody spells ESPN with the letters PBS. Have you every tried posting on the ESPN message boards? Holy Trolley, Batman.

I love the in-depth analysis of scheme, coaching decisions, sideline, chess matches, and audbles. If a broadcaster is really good at that, on any network, they're stuck doing the daytime games. Or fired.

Primetime = Schtick. Cosell, Summerall/Madden, Musttorture, Keth Jackson, Marv Albert: it is the iconic voice that appeals to the masses. Not in-depth analysis. It is difficult to hear anyone talk for 4 hours straight (you're married, right?). Network execs know that strong personalities and icons are more effective.

We all worry about listening to 3+ hours of Schtick from Berman. (In reality, most of us are in bed by the end). Golf and baseball broadcasts show he can dial it back. ESPN won't let him do the "Fastest 3 minutes" nonsense for a legit broadcast.

It is a good decision by ESPN, because it will generate ratings.

Great TD, LSN!