Danny Pudi was just on Keith Olbermann's show talking about "Untucked" Show replays at 1am central if anyone is up late. He had some funny stories about the players wearing different uniforms in practice and trying to decide which ones would look best on TV. Pretty good stuff.
Also of note the documentary will be available on Grantland tomorrow.
Just saw it, it was Great
Olbermann said it was MU unis from the 70s that got him interested in college Bball.
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
nm
Quote from: Heisenberg on March 11, 2014, 10:56:56 PM
Olbermann said it was MU unis from the 70s that got him interested in college Bball.
"Bitch stole my line!"
(http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/04/01/1207104955_5854/300h.jpg)
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
I honestly have never seen you say something this opinionated.
I like Olbermann.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
Agree 1000%
Olbermann is great as a sports show.
He was a total whack job when he did a political show.
As I noted in the superbar post, their is virtually no politics in his new sports show.
Quote from: esard2011 on March 12, 2014, 12:40:08 AM
I like Olbermann.
Can't watch him no matter how "good" his show is. He makes my skin crawl.
Not interested in supporting any Olbermann endeavor.
Since Pudi is obviously a huge MU fan, can we assume he's a poster?
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on March 12, 2014, 07:56:47 AM
Since Pudi is obviously a huge MU fan, can we assume he's a poster?
I think he's Juananaman. or willie warrior.
I don't know Olbermann outside what I have seen on air. He's driven off the road a few times when he was doing news and it's not his politics I'm criticizing. His new sports show is fun. Having worked in the business most of my life I can tell you there are some people who are great on air but are pretty reprehensible in the rest of life.
If anybody listens to the NPR "Ask Me Another" podcast they have an interview with Pudi out in SF. Best moment is when interviewer asks him seriously if he played on the team.
I love me my Keith. Having said that, I have been more or less ignoring ESPN this year and haven't caught the new show.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
Is every thread about anything on Olbermann's SPORTS related show going to turn into a political debate or a debate on him as a person?
Because if so I'm just going to go ahead and ignore them.
I saw the segment. It was very interesting, thanks to the OP for posting on it.
Pudi was in the same class as I and in the same dorms as I and roomed with a close friend. He's a good dude, really happy for him. Very funny and extremely nice, impossible not to like him. He had hair down to the middle of his back in college and put on several spontaneous acts in the mess hall. Most memorable was when he poured milk and spaghetti over his head and ran around the cafeteria screaming. Most people were frightened, haha. Everyone thought he was a drunk all the time at parties but he rarely even had a beer.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
dittos! i kinda liked him before he went onto MessNBC. didn't realize he was such a commie and a real dumb one at that-sorry to offend any commies out there. you'd think that with all that money he was raking in on that station followed by the critisism...i would have self-evaluated and toned it down a little just to keep the cash flow. unless money doesn't matter as much as he thought he was making a difference with his "view points". wow, did he type-cast himself there. so now it's difficult to watch him back at espn because of his douchebagness taken to a new level
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 10:13:47 AM
dittos! i kinda liked him before he went onto MessNBC. didn't realize he was such a commie and a real dumb one at that-sorry to offend any commies out there. you'd think that with all that money he was raking in on that station followed by the critisism...i would have self-evaluated and toned it down a little just to keep the cash flow. unless money doesn't matter as much as he thought he was making a difference with his "view points". wow, did he type-cast himself there. so now it's difficult to watch him back at espn because of his douchebagness taken to a new level
I have a really hard time determining if you are being sarcastic or serious.
If you are being sarcastic, bravo.
Untucked: http://grantland.com/features/30-for-30-shorts-untucked/
Interview on Olbermann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9xSE1hkP9g&feature=youtu.be
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 10:13:47 AM
dittos! i kinda liked him before he went onto MessNBC. didn't realize he was such a commie and a real dumb one at that-sorry to offend any commies out there. you'd think that with all that money he was raking in on that station followed by the critisism...i would have self-evaluated and toned it down a little just to keep the cash flow. unless money doesn't matter as much as he thought he was making a difference with his "view points". wow, did he type-cast himself there. so now it's difficult to watch him back at espn because of his douchebagness taken to a new level
I hope you didn't go to MU. It has nothing to do with the content of your post, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The writing style and punctuation makes me cringe. Sorry, I don't mean to "critissise."
Quote from: ATVSandKARATE on March 12, 2014, 11:40:55 AM
I hope you didn't go to MU. It has nothing to do with the content of your post, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The writing style and punctuation makes me cringe. Sorry, I don't mean to "critissise."
didn't know we are being graded. i usually don't give a care when i'm writing on these boards how my puncuation or spelling or capitals(or lack there of), or sentences, phrases or whatever you're worried about. basically i'm just expressing myself. if you want a dissertation, you've come to the wrong place. apology accepted
Betwixt and between, can't stand KO but I'll take the MU coverage. Had to exit MSNBC many a times.
Need to do a bigger30/30 on Al and rockin' 70's.
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 12, 2014, 09:42:40 AM
Is every thread about anything on Olbermann's SPORTS related show going to turn into a political debate or a debate on him as a person?
Because if so I'm just going to go ahead and ignore them.
I saw the segment. It was very interesting, thanks to the OP for posting on it.
Apparently so. I'm just happy and surprised no one attacked Al or Bo for being open and liberal.
cbs sports just had a show on top 10 unexpected ncaa tournament heroes who never played beyond college ball. it included jim boylan and his significance in the 1977 championship game. north carolina must have overlooked him on the scouting report. not only did he help shut down phil ford, but also scored 14 points, 7 more than his average.
Quote from: brandx on March 12, 2014, 04:21:10 PM
Apparently so. I'm just happy and surprised no one attacked Al or Bo for being open and liberal.
Right? If anybody watched untucked it mentioned how liberal a school like MU was back in the 70s. It has changed drastically since then. Now being very liberal, like myself, is in the minority at MU.
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 05:07:32 PM
cbs sports just had a show on top 10 unexpected ncaa tournament heroes who never played beyond college ball. it included jim boylan and his significance in the 1977 championship game. north carolina must have overlooked him on the scouting report. not only did he help shut down phil ford, but also scored 14 points, 7 more than his average.
He was definitely an unheralded hero that night. He made several key free throws that allowed MU to dictate the tempo of the game in the 2nd half.
Quote from: esard2011 on March 12, 2014, 06:39:48 PM
Right? If anybody watched untucked it mentioned how liberal a school like MU was back in the 70s. It has changed drastically since then. Now being very liberal, like myself, is in the minority at MU.
I think MU is pretty middle of the road, all things considered. And that's not a bad place to be.
Quote from: esard2011 on March 12, 2014, 06:39:48 PM
Right? If anybody watched untucked it mentioned how liberal a school like MU was back in the 70s. It has changed drastically since then. Now being very liberal, like myself, is in the minority at MU.
All relative. Liberal back then probably means something different today.
Don't forget that Al took over during the Civil Rights movement. MU was probably seen as liberal and radical because Al let his players, black and white, express themselves freely.
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 13, 2014, 12:33:54 AM
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
thank you!!
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
Of course you think that
There is a certain pot-kettle irony there.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 13, 2014, 12:33:54 AM
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
We know how you feel.
This thread isn't about that. Its about Pudi's film being featured on Olbermann's show.
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 03:57:56 PM
didn't know we are being graded. i usually don't give a care when i'm writing on these boards how my puncuation or spelling or capitals(or lack there of), or sentences, phrases or whatever you're worried about. basically i'm just expressing myself. if you want a dissertation, you've come to the wrong place. apology accepted
Excuse me for expecting someone with a decent education to have the basic ability to write. I do not want a dissertation, especially one which was probably drafted in crayon. This thread and board are not here for your political opinions. This is a thread celebrating the excellent short film by an MU alum.
As for my "apology," your writing is sorry, I am not.
All things being considered, this film left me wanting much, much more. I could have gone another hour of watching clips of the 70's Warriors.
I watched over lunctime and enjoyed. Bo Ellis asking a student where he got the jersey and why he wasn't wearing #31 instead.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 13, 2014, 12:33:54 AM
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
+1000 My neighbor used to be a producer for Olbermann when he was on TV in LA. BAD HUMAN BEING
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
Don't know what happened to my comment.
Had a neighbor who was a producer for Olbermann when he was on TV in LA. He is a terrible human being. Few lamented his moving on
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 12, 2014, 09:42:40 AM
Is every thread about anything on Olbermann's SPORTS related show going to turn into a political debate or a debate on him as a person?
Because if so I'm just going to go ahead and ignore them.
I saw the segment. It was very interesting, thanks to the OP for posting on it.
I blame FDR and his New Deal! Frankly, I think ESPN could use a Richard Nixon-hosted talk show
Quote from: keefe on March 13, 2014, 01:12:47 PM
I blame FDR and his New Deal! Frankly, I think ESPN could use a Richard Nixon-hosted talk show
Would that kind of lile be a Futurama thing with Nixon's head in a fish tank?
Quote from: keefe on March 13, 2014, 01:12:47 PM
I blame FDR and his New Deal! Frankly, I think ESPN could use a Richard Nixon-hosted talk show
I always figured you were more of a Spiro kinda guy 8-)
Quote from: keefe on March 13, 2014, 01:12:47 PM
I blame FDR and his New Deal! Frankly, I think ESPN could use a Richard Nixon-hosted talk show
I'd rather watch a Dan Quayle-Joe Biden cohosted show
Quote from: MUfan12 on March 12, 2014, 10:14:11 PM
...Al let his players, black and white, express themselves freely.
Speaking of Al letting his players express themselves, I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this mystery. I'm putting together my own collection of pre-1983 Marquette basketball images and I came across a couple pics from the 1972-73 season that show Larry McNeil wearing a jersey with black lettering instead of the standard yellow lettering worn by all the other players. I was just wondering if anyone who was around at that time might know the story behind it. Was it a protest thing? Black power? Mourning? He was also wearing it in the team photo in 'Untucked'.
Below is a pic of what I'm talking about. Any info anyone?
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 03:57:56 PM
didn't know we are being graded. i usually don't give a care when i'm writing on these boards how my puncuation or spelling or capitals(or lack there of), or sentences, phrases or whatever you're worried about. basically i'm just expressing myself. if you want a dissertation, you've come to the wrong place. apology accepted
I don't think he was serious. I think he was saying it in the spirit of the thread: Olbermann-douchiness
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 13, 2014, 02:20:50 PM
I'd rather watch a Dan Quayle-Joe Biden cohosted show
They wouldn't even need a bloopers reel with those two ;D
Quote from: The Love House on March 13, 2014, 02:23:46 PM
Speaking of Al letting his players express themselves, I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this mystery. I'm putting together my own collection of pre-1983 Marquette basketball images and I came across a couple pics from the 1972-73 season that show Larry McNeil wearing a jersey with black lettering instead of the standard yellow lettering worn by all the other players. I was just wondering if anyone who was around at that time might know the story behind it. Was it a protest thing? Black power? Mourning? He was also wearing it in the team photo in 'Untucked'.
Below is a pic of what I'm talking about. Any info anyone?
I don't know the answer to your question but I noticed the black wordmark during the show as well. The only thing I can think of is how Jim Boyland said they would test different color combos during practice to see how it would look on TV.
Quote from: The Love House on March 13, 2014, 02:23:46 PM
Speaking of Al letting his players express themselves, I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this mystery. I'm putting together my own collection of pre-1983 Marquette basketball images and I came across a couple pics from the 1972-73 season that show Larry McNeil wearing a jersey with black lettering instead of the standard yellow lettering worn by all the other players. I was just wondering if anyone who was around at that time might know the story behind it. Was it a protest thing? Black power? Mourning? He was also wearing it in the team photo in 'Untucked'.
Below is a pic of what I'm talking about. Any info anyone?
Spider is still kickin', but sadly all others in the pic have moved on.
This was fantastic: http://deadspin.com/keith-olbermann-takes-a-big-ol-poo-on-derek-jeter-1638319731?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Quote from: rocket surgeon on March 12, 2014, 05:07:32 PM
cbs sports just had a show on top 10 unexpected ncaa tournament heroes who never played beyond college ball. it included jim boylan and his significance in the 1977 championship game. north carolina must have overlooked him on the scouting report. not only did he help shut down phil ford, but also scored 14 points, 7 more than his average.
Not sure how UNC overlooked him when thye recruited him and wanted to sign him but had a no JUCO policy
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 11, 2014, 10:57:51 PM
Olbermann is a douche and a horrid human being.
best post ever...i feel so much better about myself when i'm not in agreement with you.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 13, 2014, 12:33:54 AM
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
100% Had a next door neighbor who was one of his producers. Horrible human being
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
Quote from: River rat on September 24, 2014, 09:38:06 AM
Not sure how UNC overlooked him when thye recruited him and wanted to sign him but had a no JUCO policy
Boylan went to Assumption College, a small liberal arts school in the east. His play caught the attention of the big boys, and Jim's first choice was to transfer to North Carolina. Their policy at the time was no transfers, but Dean liked his game and got in touch with Al. Couple years later he's helping the Warriors beat the Tar Heels in the NCAA championship game.
Quote from: Ellensons Tap on September 24, 2014, 10:28:30 AM
Boylan went to Assumption College, a small liberal arts school in the east. His play caught the attention of the big boys, and Jim's first choice was to transfer to North Carolina. Their policy at the time was no transfers, but Dean liked his game and got in touch with Al. Couple years later he's helping the Warriors beat the Tar Heels in the NCAA championship game.
Actually, Boylan was a Top 10 guy coming out of high school and would have been a Burger Boy had the McDonald's game been around in the 70s. JB was heavily recruited by UNC, but he decided to play at Assumption where is brothers and other family members played/attended. After 2 years, he wanted to play with the big boys and then approached Dean Smith. The rest of the story is as you post.
Quote from: Nukem2 on September 24, 2014, 10:40:58 AM
Actually, Boylan was a Top 10 guy coming out of high school and would have been a Burger Boy had the McDonald's game been around in the 70s. JB was heavily recruited by UNC, but he decided to play at Assumption where is brothers and other family members played/attended. After 2 years, he wanted to play with the big boys and then approached Dean Smith. The rest of the story is as you post.
Thanks, Nuke. Didn't know Jimmy B was so highly ranked out of high school.
Quote from: Nukem2 on September 24, 2014, 10:40:58 AM
Actually, Boylan was a Top 10 guy coming out of high school and would have been a Burger Boy had the McDonald's game been around in the 70s. JB was heavily recruited by UNC, but he decided to play at Assumption where is brothers and other family members played/attended. After 2 years, he wanted to play with the big boys and then approached Dean Smith. The rest of the story is as you post.
I didn't recall Boylan being rated that highly, so I pulled out the old Street & Smith Yearbooks which were kind of the standard at the time - S&S All-americans pretty much equated to Burger boys now.
And, you were pretty close. He was listed as a fourth team All-American so he was in the 12-20 range (since there ratings were based on 2 guards, 2 forwards and a center meaning there were 8 guards, 8 forwards and 4 centers so it wasn't an exact ranking).
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 13, 2014, 12:33:54 AM
Nothing political about it.....Olbermann is a terrible, horrible human being.
Known throughout the industry what an epic douche. Horrific. I don't care what he pontificates about....he is known by everyone in television as the worst of the worst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.mediaite.com/online/person-claiming-to-be-former-countdown-employee-slams-keith-olbermann-in-scathing-gawker-post/
http://rt.com/usa/olbermann-sheen-current-fired-466/
100's of others. Fired everywhere he has been, despised by his colleagues, turnover rates approaching 80% on his shows.
Hmmm... sounds a lot like Crean, who you defend at the drop of a hat any time his name is mentioned here.
Quote from: Ellenson Family Reunion on September 24, 2014, 02:06:02 PM
Hmmm... sounds a lot like Crean, who you defend at the drop of a hat any time his name is mentioned here.
Nope, I just set the facts straight. I agree, not a likable guy. Despised, I have no idea...Izzo sure likes him, Wade, Novak, etc, but plenty don't. Fired everywhere he has been...nope, never been fired anywhere he has been. Turnover rates approaching 80%....nope.
I guess I'm defending him by correcting falsehoods.
I suppose if someone said Nancy Pelosi was a frog and I said she wasn't, it must mean I'm defending Pelosi and love her.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on September 24, 2014, 03:18:02 PM
Nope, I just set the facts straight. I agree, not a likable guy. Despised, I have no idea...Izzo sure likes him, Wade, Novak, etc, but plenty don't. Fired everywhere he has been...nope, never been fired anywhere he has been. Turnover rates approaching 80%....nope.
I guess I'm defending him by correcting falsehoods.
I suppose if someone said Nancy Pelosi was a frog and I said she wasn't, it must mean I'm defending Pelosi and love her.
What a complete waste of one's time.
Quote from: brandx on September 24, 2014, 12:46:26 PM
I didn't recall Boylan being rated that highly, so I pulled out the old Street & Smith Yearbooks which were kind of the standard at the time - S&S All-americans pretty much equated to Burger boys now.
And, you were pretty close. He was listed as a fourth team All-American so he was in the 12-20 range (since there ratings were based on 2 guards, 2 forwards and a center meaning there were 8 guards, 8 forwards and 4 centers so it wasn't an exact ranking).
And the S & S rating was pre-season. Basketball Weekly (which was the big in-season BB paper published by Larry Donald ) had Boylan as 2nd or 3rd team AA in its season ending ratings. Boylan was indeed an elite player coming out of HS. His performance in the '77 NCAA championship game was outstanding (just watched that game again a few weeks back and I was in attendance in Atlanta as well . Great memories of that long weekend!).
Quote from: Nukem2 on September 24, 2014, 03:50:34 PM
And the S & S rating was pre-season. Basketball Weekly (which was the big in-season BB paper published by Larry Donald ) had Boylan as 2nd or 3rd team AA in its season ending ratings. Boylan was indeed an elite player coming out of HS. His performance in the '77 NCAA championship game was outstanding (just watched that game again a few weeks back and I was in attendance in Atlanta as well . Great memories of that long weekend!).
You know your S&S. I remember using that like we use Rivals, Scout, 247, etc. now. I also subscribed to Van Coleman back in the day as well.
Quote from: SuddenSam on March 12, 2014, 04:06:06 PM
Betwixt and between, can't stand KO but I'll take the MU coverage. Had to exit MSNBC many a times.
Need to do a bigger30/30 on Al and rockin' 70's.
Definitely on both points. Olbermann lives to be outraged about this or that issue of the moment so he can make himself part of the story. And Al would be a natural subject for a documentary. Too bad we didn't play UCLA because a game between the two winningest programs of the 70's would've been special.
Overmanned out at ESPN....again.
Not because of something he did this time. Part of that 300-400 job cutting plan to cut $100 mil.
Quote from: elephantraker on March 13, 2014, 01:00:24 PM
Don't know what happened to my comment.
Had a neighbor who was a producer for Olbermann when he was on TV in LA. He is a terrible human being. Few lamented his moving on
You accidentally wrote it in the middle of the post that you quoted rather than at the top or bottom of the quote, so it appears as if if were a part of Chico's post.
I've never been a big fan of his style. But, I can't say I watch too much of the 4-letter network and I never watched his stuff so it won't affect me.
Quote from: tower912 on July 09, 2015, 05:23:42 AM
Not because of something he did this time. Part of that 300-400 job cutting plan to cut $100 mil.
Not true at all....where are you getting your information because it is dead wrong
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 09, 2015, 08:36:51 AM
Not true at all....where are you getting your information because it is dead wrong
So... Why is he out? Is this going to turn into a guessing game?
Quote from: 314warrior on July 09, 2015, 08:40:50 AM
So... Why is he out? Is this going to turn into a guessing game?
He was asked to tone down his commentary months ago by John Skipper. Asked again weeks ago. Surfaced again last week in his renegotiations in which Skipper said he wanted to resign him.
Yesterday, parting ways. "Creative differences cited" by Olbermann's team.
Today...it's a money issue. LOL.
Look, they do have real budget issues they are dealing with over there from Disney. They have to cut a ton. They spent so much money on the new studio, rights fees, etc, that other things have to go, but they were willing to resign him IF he toned down his drivel. He refused. He is gone. The same goes for Simmons. Sure, he was paid a lot, but that isn't what got him out the door.
Thanks. Any chance FS1 tries to pick up Olbermann or Simmons to bolster their brand? Or are they priced too high? If ESPN keeps dispatching top talent, it might open a door for the second tier sports networks.
Quote from: 314warrior on July 09, 2015, 08:55:39 AM
Thanks. Any chance FS1 tries to pick up Olbermann or Simmons to bolster their brand? Or are they priced too high? If ESPN keeps dispatching top talent, it might open a door for the second tier sports networks.
I hope not
I think a better step for FS1 is to spend their money obtaining more rights fees. They actually outdrew ESPN a couple weeks in July due to the Woman's World Cup.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on July 09, 2015, 08:59:46 AM
I think a better step for FS1 is to spend their money obtaining more rights fees. They actually outdrew ESPN a couple weeks in July due to the Woman's World Cup.
Agreed. Live sports programming will always drive viewership. Not talking heads.
I guess since the parent Fox network has NFL games, Olbermann would be unlikely to find more freedom at FS1 (it is a Murdoch company, after all). Maybe he'll end up on HBO or something.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on July 09, 2015, 08:59:46 AM
I think a better step for FS1 is to spend their money obtaining more rights fees. They actually outdrew ESPN a couple weeks in July due to the Woman's World Cup.
Fair point. That was a big (and rare) win for FS1.
Quote from: 314warrior on July 09, 2015, 09:01:34 AM
I guess since the parent Fox network has NFL games, Olbermann would be unlikely to find more freedom at FS1 (it is a Murdoch company, after all). Maybe he'll end up on HBO or something.
I've heard him say he would never work for a Rupert Murdoch company ever again after his first stint.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on July 09, 2015, 09:19:52 AM
I've heard him say he would never work for a Rupert Murdoch company ever again after his first stint.
Keith has been fired by so many companies, including MSNBC, that he can say whatever he wants. A despicable human being. Awful treatment of people.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on July 09, 2015, 08:59:46 AM
I think a better step for FS1 is to spend their money obtaining more rights fees. They actually outdrew ESPN a couple weeks in July due to the Woman's World Cup.
Sure, except no rights of any import are available for some time.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 09, 2015, 10:09:29 AM
Keith has been fired by so many companies, including MSNBC, that he can say whatever he wants. A despicable human being. Awful treatment of people.
What did he do, email someone to specifically tell them he didn't feel sorry for them for the recent miscarriage suffered by their wife and to tell them they could never have loved their child anyway?
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 09, 2015, 10:10:57 AM
Sure, except no rights of any import are available for some time.
Big Ten after 2016-17 are the biggest thing on the horizon.
Quote from: TSmith34 on July 09, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
What did he do, email someone to specifically tell them he didn't feel sorry for them for the recent miscarriage suffered by their wife and to tell them they could never have loved their child anyway?
Now that would be a sign of a truly despicable, possibly irredeemable person.
Quote from: TSmith34 on July 09, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
What did he do, email someone to specifically tell them he didn't feel sorry for them for the recent miscarriage suffered by their wife and to tell them they could never have loved their child anyway?
What?
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on July 09, 2015, 08:59:46 AM
I think a better step for FS1 is to spend their money obtaining more rights fees. They actually outdrew ESPN a couple weeks in July due to the Woman's World Cup.
As PRN noted, they need live sports programming. The highlighted part from your post demonstrates this.
Reads a lot like the FS1 rational for making cuts.
ESPN Tightens Its Belt as Pressure on It Mounts
Competition in the pay-TV industry is rising and subscribers are trimming cable bills
http://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-tightens-its-belt-as-pressure-on-it-mounts-1436485852
Sports-TV powerhouse ESPN, a profit machine that long towered over the media landscape, is showing signs of stress as the pay-TV industry goes through an unprecedented period of upheaval.
A decline in subscribers as customers trim their cable bills, coupled with rising content costs and increased competition, has ESPN in belt-tightening mode, people familiar with the situation say.
The company, majority owned by Walt Disney Co. , has lost 3.2 million subscribers in a little over a year, according to Nielsen data, as people have "cut the cord" by dropping their cable-TV subscriptions or downgraded to cheaper, slimmed-down TV packages devoid of expensive sports channels like ESPN.
At the same time, the prices ESPN pays for the rights to show games are ballooning. Rivals including 21st Century Fox Inc. 's Fox Sports and Comcast Corp. 's NBC are aggressively pursuing sports properties to feed their own outlets, which is also driving up prices. (Fox and News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, were part of the same company until 2013.)
Last year, ESPN agreed as part of a renewal deal with the National Basketball Association to triple its average annual fees from $485 million to about $1.47 billion, people familiar with the deal said.
(http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BT-AC972B_ESPN_16U_20150709134507.jpg)
ESPN sees talent as one area where it can control its costs, and it has been taking a hard line in negotiations.
On Wednesday, the company said it was parting ways with star host Keith Olbermann. That followed the exit in May of Bill Simmons, another big name. While Mr. Olbermann's tendency to make controversial statements sometimes landed him in hot water with ESPN and some of its business partners, including the National Football League, the decision was a financial one, a person with knowledge of the decision said.
Other ESPN talent likely facing tough negotiations down the road includes "Monday Night Football" anchor Mike Tirico, reporters Michelle Beadle and Adam Schefter, and radio-host Colin Cowherd, people close to them said.
"We are constantly looking at the cost side of our business and calibrating that against our expectations for the future," said ESPN Executive Vice President of Administration Ed Durso. "Regardless of what the future holds, we're incredibly well-positioned to adapt."
The stakes are high for Disney. ESPN will contribute roughly 25% of the company's operating profit this year, according to Nomura Securities. ESPN's fortunes are being closely watched in the media world as cord-cutting picks up and consumers gravitate to streaming services.
Sports has long been viewed as the glue holding the pay-TV bundle together, providing leverage for media giants like Disney to distribute wider groups of channels and secure higher fees from pay-TV operators.
Since July 2011, ESPN's reach into American homes has dropped 7.2%, from more than 100 million households—roughly the size of the total U.S. pay-TV market—to 92.9 million households, according to Nielsen data.
Viewership of SportsCenter, its marquee and high-margin sports-news show, has sagged since September, due in part to the fact that younger consumers are increasingly finding sports news at their fingertips on smartphone apps.
To be sure, ESPN continues to trounce other cable channels in ratings, garnering an average of 2.4 million prime-time viewers tuning in live or within seven days since last September.
Networks such as The Weather Channel and Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon have also suffered steep declines in household reach in the last four years. Among other top networks, Time Warner Inc.'s TNT has shed 6% of its base, and NBCUniversal's USA has lost 5%.
The financial stakes are especially high for ESPN because it earns the most carriage fees of any TV channel, about $6.61 a month per subscriber, according to SNL Kagan.
In response to the pressures, ESPN has been scaling back ambitious initiatives. One such move was its decision to cancel plans to move its popular morning "Mike & Mike" radio and TV show from the company's Bristol, Conn., headquarters to the ABC studio in New York City that houses "Good Morning America."
ESPN announced the idea with great fanfare in May but then put it on hold a few weeks ago. People close to ESPN say the cost associated with relocating to New York was a major factor.
As it trims costs, ESPN is also looking for new ways to boost revenue. In previous years, Disney's ABC network received four minutes of time to promote its new shows for the fall during each NBA finals game it aired. This year, ESPN, which manages the NBA rights for Disney, cut that amount by about 75% so that it could sell more ads, people with knowledge of the matter said, a move that angered ABC executives.
Disney's concerns about ESPN's subscriber losses have shown up in its deal-making as it tries to get distribution on new online services that compete with traditional pay TV.
When Disney struck a deal to put channels on Dish Network Corp.'s Sling TV service, it negotiated the right to terminate the deal if ESPN lost three million Nielsen households after May 2014—a threshold that has now been crossed, according to people familiar with the matter.
Other factors could play into Disney exercising that right, including if Sling TV attracts more than two million subscribers, though that benchmark is still a ways off, the people said.
ESPN has been an early adopter of new digital business models and has built a huge Web and mobile audience for its news content—an asset as the TV model comes under pressure. But it has moved cautiously in online video, making sure any new product safeguards its lucrative pay-TV business.
Some networks like HBO and CBS have launched their own stand-alone online video services to target customers that don't want to buy a cable-TV subscription. ESPN has so far shied away from that route, and it would face some complications in that endeavor.
If ESPN offers its channel as a direct-to-consumer streaming service, some pay-TV operators have the contractual right to boot ESPN out of their most widely-sold channel packages and sell it a la carte, according to people familiar with the matter.
ESPN would have to charge about $30 a month per customer in an over-the-top offering to make the same money using that model, analysts say. But those distributors would have the right to undercut ESPN in their retail pricing, the people said.
To be sure, there are no signs ESPN wants to offer a stand-alone Web version of itself to consumers anytime soon.
"As long as the current distribution ecosystem, or the one that seems to be emerging, continues to create value for us, then we'll rely on it to distribute our product," Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said on a May earnings conference call.
But he added that there's "some development under way" to create products directly for consumers.
Nielsen is not a good source for subscriber data numbers. SNL Kagan attempts to do it with some accuracy, but aren't too good at it.
The 3 million Sling number is slightly off, but the context is wrong. Sling TV has added a few hundred thousand customers, there is a cap in how many customers they can.
The article is correct that if ESPN tries to go out on their own, satellite, cable, fiber can take them out of their packages. Right now they have to keep them in at an 85% penetrations level and at more than $7 per sub for some systems, that's a killer cost to bear monthly for a person that doesn't care about sports.
If ESPN goes that route, the pay tv companies will respond by yanking them out of lower based packages. That will hurt ESPN further, in which case they will have to charge a lot of money to make up the revenue they need to pay for the programming they have purchased and are on the hook for.
Quote from: TSmith34 on July 09, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
What did he do, email someone to specifically tell them he didn't feel sorry for them for the recent miscarriage suffered by their wife and to tell them they could never have loved their child anyway?
No, he just continues to crap on the people that pay him large amounts of money and then wonders why he is fired. He treats the helps horribly. Has since his days at KTLA, KCBS, and forever since.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on July 09, 2015, 10:40:18 AM
Big Ten after 2016-17 are the biggest thing on the horizon.
Yes, but they won't even be able to get all of that. They'll get their chunk, afterall Fox owns 51% of the BTN. ESPN will make sure to retain some of those rights. It's in the Big Ten's best interests to sell the rights off individually into smaller bits and drive the prices up accordingly.
Olbermann is unwatchable, regardless of venue.
Good riddance.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 09, 2015, 09:19:54 PM
He treats the helps horribly.
Takes one to know one I guess.
Quote from: MU82 on July 09, 2015, 10:29:37 PM
Olbermann is unwatchable, regardless of venue.
Good riddance.
Mixed feelings here.
I couldn't watch him on MSNBC with the political stuff - way too pompous for my taste.
On sports, however, I thought he was the best commentator out there out there. Still occasionally over the top, but generally excellent.
Quote from: TSmith34 on July 10, 2015, 08:11:15 AM
Takes one to know one I guess.
Can your dad beat up my dad, too?
I've never been fired, always treat employees well. Never had one leave on their own (had to relieve a few unfortunately). Olbermann treats people horrificly. This has been known in the industry for 20+ years. You are free to do a search and find plenty of comments from former coworkers, etc that detail what it is like to work with the man.
"Olbermann treats people horrificly. This has been known in the industry for 20+ years."
Sounds like Crean, ai na?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on July 10, 2015, 09:16:36 AM
"Olbermann treats people horrificly. This has been known in the industry for 20+ years."
Sounds like Crean, ai na?
I don't know, people come and go with the second guy, some of his staff and former players swear by him. I've yet to find anyone that sticks by Olbermann.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on July 10, 2015, 09:16:36 AM
"Olbermann treats people horrificly. This has been known in the industry for 20+ years."
Sounds like Crean, ai na?
They are both total a-holes. Only difference is Olberman can, in rare instances, be clever. Crean is just strange.
Quote from: TSmith34 on July 09, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
What did he do, email someone to specifically tell them he didn't feel sorry for them for the recent miscarriage suffered by their wife and to tell them they could never have loved their child anyway?
Still love to understand what this reference is
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 12, 2015, 02:35:07 PM
Still love to understand what this reference is
Ask Bagpiping Boxer.
Cowherd and Simmons let go, too.
Quote from: tower912 on July 17, 2015, 02:01:09 PM
Cowherd and Simmons let go, too.
I don't think Simmons was so much let go as it was a parting of ways. Im actually happy to see Simmons separate from ESPN, love to see what he can do on his own.
Quote from: tower912 on July 17, 2015, 02:01:09 PM
Cowherd and Simmons let go, too.
Cowherd was offered more than $5M PER YEAR to stay. He declined. Fox got him for $6M per year. CC was not "let go".
Simmons is what he is. His whole career is because of the platform that ESPN gave him. I like Simmons, and he may really unleash his brand even further on his own, but the great irony here is that as much as he rips on ESPN, he is nothing in this world without them as his platform.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 20, 2015, 09:05:12 PM
Cowherd was offered more than $5M PER YEAR to stay. He declined. Fox got him for $6M per year. CC was not "let go".
Simmons is what he is. His whole career is because of the platform that ESPN gave him. I like Simmons, and he may really unleash his brand even further on his own, but the great irony here is that as much as he rips on ESPN, he is nothing in this world without them as his platform.
I don't know much about Cowherd but you're 100% dead on right about Simmons.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 20, 2015, 09:05:12 PM
Cowherd was offered more than $5M PER YEAR to stay. He declined. Fox got him for $6M per year. CC was not "let go".
Simmons is what he is. His whole career is because of the platform that ESPN gave him. I like Simmons, and he may really unleash his brand even further on his own, but the great irony here is that as much as he rips on ESPN, he is nothing in this world without them as his platform.
ESPN is a stepping stone job.
I don't know, Simmons really made it his own even though it was based off the ESPN platform. I think Grantland would have been successful without ESPN. I didn't even know it was an ESPN entity until Simmons was let go.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on July 20, 2015, 11:54:29 PM
ESPN is a stepping stone job.
I don't know, Simmons really made it his own even though it was based off the ESPN platform. I think Grantland would have been successful without ESPN. I didn't even know it was an ESPN entity until Simmons was let go.
ESPN is such a monster, the amount of impressions and traffic they drive is incredible. I work day to day now with Ooyala, who is ESPN's video player backend. I believe ESPN is around 30th in the country in traffic. Simmons was also on ESPN television shows, and other programs from the mothership to broaden his brand. That is very difficult to duplicate elsewhere.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on July 20, 2015, 11:54:29 PM
ESPN is a stepping stone job.
I don't know, Simmons really made it his own even though it was based off the ESPN platform. I think Grantland would have been successful without ESPN. I didn't even know it was an ESPN entity until Simmons was let go.
Well played
ESPN's Colin Cowherd today addressed his impending transition to Fox Sports, leading off his radio show by saying, "I bet management is listening to me today. I never can quite tell if management is listening, I think they'll be listening today." Cowherd: "Yes, I'm leaving ESPN. ... It's amicable. I'm on the air today talking about it – that tells you the relationship I have with this company and with my bosses, who are friends for life." He added, "They offered me a great new contract, incredibly fair, could not have been more reasonable, never argued, totally transparent. It wasn't about the money, it was about the funny" ("The Herd With Colin Cowherd," ESPN Radio, 7/22).
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Colin Cowherd is expected to move to Fox Sports when his current deal with ESPN expires, and his salary there is anticipated to be "north of $6 million annually when you include radio and television work," according to sources cited by Richard Deitsch of SI.com. ESPN Senior VP/Production & Business Divisions Traug Keller said, "We put in an aggressive bid for Colin and I think he got a better one from Fox. As you know, that's life." Deitsch noted one of the questions remaining for Fox was whether ESPN "would let Cowherd out of his contract early, keep him on air until the end of his contract, or pay him to sit ... until his contract's end." Keller said that the net and Cowherd would have "an amicable parting," though he would not confirm an end date. A source said that Cowherd's ESPN contract "ends in December but he'll be off ESPN well before that." Deitsch notes Cowherd has a book coming out Oct. 1 and like would "want to be at his new employer to promote that (as well as having his new employer promote the heck out of the book)." Cowherd likely will "host a nationally syndicated show on Fox Sports Radio that's fully simulcast on Fox Sports 1," as well as a "separate 30-minute or 60-minute presence" on FS1. The Big Lead's Ryan Glasspiegel last week reported that one potential idea would have Cowherd on FS1 at 6:00pm ET "to compete with 'SportsCenter.'" Two Fox sources "confirmed such an idea is being kicked around" (SI.com, 7/19).
GOOD GET FOR FOX: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick wrote Cowherd is "provocative but clean, ... clever, not forced; opinionated yet open-minded; well-informed but not overbearing; confident but not conceited." Fox "has a chance to get it -- and him -- right." Fox "should encourage Cowherd to speak his mind, not serve as a Fox shill, to rely on guests who have something to say and something worth hearing, rather than to promote Fox hires, events, products and its biggest-ticket partners -- MLB, the NFL and NCAA." If Fox "would insist Cowherd not serve as a shill," the net "will have landed a good one for all the right reasons" (N.Y. POST, 7/19). In Tampa, Tom Jones wrote getting Cowherd "would be quite the coup for Fox because he is a top-notch talent." He can be "headstrong, arrogant, even borderline offensive at times," but he is also "genuine and thought-provoking." Jones: "Roll all that together and you have a commentator you want to listen to" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/19).