ESPN cost cutting

[dehere23]

It's obvious. They alienated half of their customer base by pushing nonsense &
by making the on air personalities bigger than the product. Serious question. Do you think anyone watches ESPN because of Mike Greenberg or watched it because of Suzy Kolber or Keyshawn Johnson? Their salaries are ridiculous based on what they bring to the table.

Agreed. Beyond their live sports programming, ESPN was built on highlights when that wasn’t readily available. Anchors became stars from that format - Berman, Patrick, Olberman, etc. On top they had some great programming, like Outside the Lines with Bob Ley.

I think there is still the appetite for condensed highlights in one place, which is why I’ve read that Van Pelt’s Sportscenter is still a draw (maybe I’m now wrong there too though). PTI apparently used to do well because people liked Korneheiser and Wilbon and it drew wide appeal with college kids etc. And Steve A is obviously a ratings draw. But not many.

 

[thehall07]

Agreed. Beyond their live sports programming, ESPN was built on highlights when that wasn’t readily available. Anchors became stars from that format - Berman, Patrick, Olberman, etc. On top they had some great programming, like Outside the Lines with Bob Ley.

I think there is still the appetite for condensed highlights in one place, which is why I’ve read that Van Pelt’s Sportscenter is still a draw (maybe I’m now wrong there too though). PTI apparently used to do well because people liked Korneheiser and Wilbon and it drew wide appeal with college kids etc. And Steve A is obviously a ratings draw. But not many.

It has to be close to 10 years since I have even thought about watching sportscenter. highlights are so easily gotten at literally your fingertips that there is zero need to sit and wait for something.

 

[TrueBlue1989]

ESPN became political years ago and I stopped watching. Most people watch sports to get a break from work, politics, etc.

 

[HallLine69]

Am I mistaken or were you the OP on the trans athlete issue with a provocative headline ?

they have had a few on air personalities air far left views. That has no place in sport’s broadcasting. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/espn-woke-moments-america-bashing-july-4-china

So you're accusing of ESPN being too political and your source is Fox News?

 

[HallLine69]

The death of saint George Floyd was covered at length by ESPN, conservative Major League Baseball players have been criticized for religious views, and ESPN even had a moment of silence to protest Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill. Let’s not forget the praise of Kaepernick

All very old news. They do no politics anymore. And the "saint" reference to George Floyd tells me everything I need to know about your thinking.

 

[HallLine69]

ESPN became political years ago and I stopped watching. Most people watch sports to get a break from work, politics, etc.

I am no fan of ESPN but you might want to consider that at some point while you were not watching they banned their on air people from making any 'political' statements.

I am with you that most people want their sports free of any politics. Same with our basketball boards. I never initiate anything political there but when I see something that is overtly political and 100% offensive I will counter it.

 

[HALL85]

I am no fan of ESPN but you might want to consider that at some point while you were not watching they banned their on air people from making any 'political' statements.

I am with you that most people want their sports free of any politics. Same with our basketball boards. I never initiate anything political there but when I see something that is overtly political and 100% offensive I will counter it.

And that's the problem with making a decision that hurts your brand. People tuned out and stayed tuned out even though they made a course correction from going in that political direction.

 

[ed odowd]

Could Stephen A and his 10 million large contract be next ?

 

[PirateFan94]

All very old news. They do no politics anymore. And the "saint" reference to George Floyd tells me everything I need to know about your thinking.

Really? What’s that? That a life long drug user and criminal who held a gun to a pregnant woman’s stomach for money has been canonized and has had statues erected because he died while resisting arrest? What exactly does that tell you, that I’m rational and not woke?

 

[PirateFan94]

And that's the problem with making a decision that hurts your brand. People tuned out and stayed tuned out even though they made a course correction from going in that political direction.

Sounds a lot like the Bud Light situation. They will never recover from this.

 

[HALL85]

Sounds a lot like the Bud Light situation. They will never recover from this.

Now that you mention it....

One of my favorite quotes: "Actions have consequences".

 

[HallLine69]

Really? What’s that? That a life long drug user and criminal who held a gun to a pregnant woman’s stomach for money has been canonized and has had statues erected because he died while resisting arrest? What exactly does that tell you, that I’m rational and not woke?

Derek Chauvin murdered him and was convicted by a jury after a fair trial. There was no justification for that act. Those are facts not ‘woke’ spin.

 

[HALL85]

Derek Chauvin murdered him and was convicted by a jury after a fair trial. There was no justification for that act. Those are facts not ‘woke’ spin.

Chauvin deserved everything he got.

Erecting statues for a lifelong criminal? Nope

 

[PirateFan94]

Derek Chauvin murdered him and was convicted by a jury after a fair trial. There was no justification for that act. Those are facts not ‘woke’ spin.

Maybe you haven’t been up to date with the facts. Coroner report just released says Chouvin’s actions had nothing to do with his death. He died of drugs and a heart attack. The prosecution withheld these findings. He’s currently appealing.


Coroner’s report had sparked anger after it found "no physical findings" to "support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation". The report had also suggested Floyd's had underlying conditions which contributed to his death.