Category Archives: ESPN

Jon Hamm takes swing at hosting ESPYs; ‘Never had a problem making a fool of myself’

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It’s Don Draper, er, Jon Hamm’s turn to host the ESPYs tonight.

Hamm isn’t a stand-up comedian in the mode of previous host Seth Meyers. However, he does have some comic chops as evidenced by work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.

Also, Hamm’s presence on the ESPYs is likely to attract more female viewers than Norm Macdonald.

Variety has some excerpts on Hamm talking about his big sports night.

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“It’s not something I’ve necessarily done before. Hosting an awards show is not like hosting ‘Saturday Night Live.’ It’s a whole different skill set. Hopefully, I’m up to the task. I’ve never had a problem standing up in front of a crowd and making a fool of myself.”

“It’s certainly not going to be ‘The Jon Hamm Show,’ nor should it be. I know Seth (Meyers) and Rob (Riggle), who hosted the past couple of years, and what both of those guys have that I hope to bring to it is innate charisma. Those guys happen to be professional comedians and I am not, so that’s a little daunting.”

“‘SNL’ is obviously an institution that has been going 37, 38 years, and it is an impressive (show). The ESPYs are an award show, and first and foremost they’re to celebrate the achievements of the athletes in attendance. Ideally if it can be entertaining and funny and lighthearted, that can be a plus. … I think the ESPYs does a pretty good job, more so than most, of having a good time and celebrating.”

“It’s been my experience through various deals with ESPN through the years as well as ‘Saturday Night Live’ that athletes are desperate to crack each other up and make fools of themselves at any time … in a positive way.”

“My competitive athletic days are pretty far behind me, though I play baseball still and tennis. I was a fairly good competitive high school athlete, (though) I was never in any danger of progressing into a professional career. I hate working out, and I still do, so (playing sports) provides a way of getting exercise without doing something dull and repetitive.”

“I do love professional hockey. It would kind of be cool to play someone like Gordie Howe. I mean, I can’t skate a lick, but old-time hockey is fascinating. … Or basically, just to play Paul Newman’s character in ‘Slap Shot.’”

 

 

No thanks: Lisa Olson declines to be interviewed for ESPN film on women sportswriters

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Lisa Olson declined to be interviewed in the definitive film about women sportswriters.

The directors of Let Them Wear Towels, which airs tonight on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, used archive interviews with Olson (left in photo) to help tell the story of the infamous locker room incident involving the New England Patriots.

Olson passed when approached by directors Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern.

You can understand why. The backlash was so harsh again Olson, she eventually went to Australia to try to escape some of the madness. Clearly, she isn’t eager to revisit an extremely painful part of her life.

Last month, Olson was given the Association for Women in Sports Media’s Mary Garber Pioneer Award. Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic did a column on Olson.

Boivin writes:

They broke into her apartment. Slashed her tires. Spit on her at games. The torment was incessant. When her employer, News Corp., offered her an opportunity to work overseas, she jumped at the chance. She intended to remain in Australia for six months. She stayed for six years.

The incident was a watershed moment for women in sports journalism. Even though the NFL had enacted an equal-access policy five years earlier, women in the business were still scrutinized, chastised and ridiculed. The story prompted conversation and inspired teams to take a closer look at the behavior of players.

Australia, meanwhile, suited her well.

“I used to hate the ‘things happen for a reason’ (saying), but … they did,” she said. “I left Boston very sad, not knowing what my career was going to be like. It took me a month there to realize you make of it what you want to make of it, and that there was a whole other world than covering sports in Boston.”

AWSM has the write-up on Olson’s acceptance speech (that’s AWSM’s Meri-Jo Borzilleri on right).

In her acceptance speech, Olson covered highlights — and lowlights — of her career, from being a high school sports editor to her first job and to her time as the first female sports columnist in Australia.

“Live like someone is watching but don’t compromise yourself,” Olson said. “Be kind to each other. Lift each other up. Treat your critics with kindness and remember all who came before you.

“I was so blessed to have this incredible army of women behind me — they’re still behind me.”

 

Barriers: New ESPN documentary shows how bad it was for early women sportswriters

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After watching ESPN’s new documentary, Let Them Wear Towels (Tuesday, 8 p.m.), I realized just how clueless I was about the early struggles of women sportswriters.

To be fair, I didn’t start working the pro and college locker rooms until the mid-80s. Some of the women issues were resolved by then, and I also was very naive about most things.

Now I know. It was bad for pioneer women sportswriters. Much worse than I thought.

It all is documented in a terrific new film that is part of ESPN Nine for IX summer series highlighting women and sports. As I wrote previously, you need to make a point about watching this documentary.

Directed by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, Let Them Wear Towels focuses mainly on the early struggles of women sportswriters trying to break into the male-dominated world of men’s sports.

Chuck Culpepper of Sports on Earth, a long-time colleague, had the same reaction I did after watching the film.

Hearing the stories of thickheaded restrictions and anecdotal humiliation from forerunners such as Melissa Ludtke, Lawrie Mifflin, Jane Gross, Betty Cuniberti, Robin Herman, Claire Smith and Lesley Visser, made me mull how eras can seem lunatic upon reflection.

The push back was considerable. Ludtke, a Sports Illustrated writer, had to sue baseball to gain access to the locker room.

“(Bowie Kuhn’s way) of handling it was to bar the door. Don’t let it happen on our watch,” Ludke said.

Many male sportswriters also weren’t welcoming of women.

There’s a vintage clip featuring long-time New York baseball writer Maury Allen. He said the presence of women sportswriters in locker room “would diminish the joys of sports. It would diminish the joy of the athletes. The athletes would become more isolated.”

I’m sure Allen would like to have that one back.

As a result of the ridiculous mindset, the early women sportswriters were forced to endure one humiliation after another. Ludtke told the story of being forced to wait outside the Yankee locker room after Reggie Jackson’s three homer World Series game in 1977. When he finally emerged, Reggie, who had done numerous interviews with the press at his locker, told Ludtke he was too tired to talk. Hence, the need for the lawsuit.

Other women sportswriters had similar experiences, leaving them frustrated about not being able to do their jobs.

Finally, common sense eventually prevailed and women gained access to the locker room. However, problems remained. The ugly incident involving the New England Patriots and Lisa Olson gets the full treatment. (More later on why Olson didn’t give a current interview for the film).

Women sportswriters, though, didn’t give in. They kept fighting to gain access and status. The Association for Women in Sports Media recently is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is a testament to perseverance.

Today, nobody gives a second thought about seeing women in the press box. Many of them of bright and young, eager to dive into the fray. They likely had no idea what their predecessors went through.

It goes without saying that this is a must-watch film for them. I know I will be showing it in my journalism classes for many years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Them Wear Towels: Make a point of watching this ESPN documentary on women sportswriters

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Just watched a screener of the documentary, Let Them Wear Towels. And it won’t be the last time I watch it.

ESPN will air the film Tuesday at 8 p.m. as part of its Nine for IX series. I’ll have a more complete review later, but I want to make sure you get it on your calendar and/or you set your DVR. Very powerful and eye-opening about the struggles of women sportswriters.

More chatter about Keith Olbermann returning to ESPN; Late-night talk show?

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The latest on Keith Olbermann-ESPN comes from Bob Raissman in the New York Daily News:

Is Keith Olbermann headed back to ESPN?

The Daily News has learned Worldwide Leader is in serious discussions with Olbermann to host a New York-based late night talk show on ESPN 2, according to industry sources.

The sources said the situation is still “very fluid” and no decision on green-lighting Olbermann or the project has been made.

If the move to Olbermann is made, it could blunt the buzz Fox hopes to generate with its August launch of Fox Sports 1.

This could be the first shot in an all-sports cable TV war. The sources added ESPN is also considering unleashing a multi-million dollar SportsCenter advertising campaign/counter attack that would air around the launch of FS1.

Of course, Olbermann is slated to work as the studio host for TBS’ postseason baseball coverage. So there could be some issues there.

However, ESPN President John Skipper is interested in developing some sort of late-night program for the network. Olbermann, while polarizing, definitely would make things interesting.

ESPN response to declining spring ratings: Blame San Antonio Spurs

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It’s been a relatively slow week on the sports media front. So news that ESPN’s spring ratings suffered a sharp decline prompted a mid-level feeding frenzy.

According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN had a 32 percent dip in primetime ratings during the spring, its worst performance in a single quarter since at least 2006. The network’s total-day viewership fell 20 percent, the lowest since 2007.

DOOM AND GLOOM IN BRISTOL!!

The reason, though, seemed fairly obvious. ESPN got dealt a sucky hand for the NBA playoffs. It was capped off by a West Final featuring two small market teams that don’t move the needle. Then to make matters worse, San Antonio finished off Memphis in four games.

Meanwhile, TNT cashed in with ratings-monster Miami winning in 7 over Indiana.

ESPN PR guru Mike Soltys didn’t single out the Spurs in a post on ESPN’s Front Row, addressing the ratings decline. Also, he didn’t use the word sucky. But both were implied:

The reason for the drop? It is largely attributable to the end of 2012’s NBA lock-out shortened schedule being particularly strong.

You might recall the end of the season last year was back-loaded with a big increase in highly rated games (23 over a month in 2012 versus eight in 2013). This was combined with fewer Conference Finals contests (seven from the Eastern Conference in 2012 compared to three in the 2013 Western Conference). The lack of major market teams’ appearances on ESPN — in 2012 the Lakers and Heat combined for 11 ESPN appearances but just two in 2013 — also factors in.

Boston was featured in 10 2012 playoffs games but only two in 2013, resulting in fewer marquee players in marquee cities to drive viewership. In all, ESPN had 31 fewer NBA games, which not only affected game ratings but also hurt studio shows that routinely get a post-game lift.

Additionally in 2012, ESPN benefitted from 21 Euro Championship matches. This year, ESPN had the Confederations Cup, but it was only about half as many matches with lesser national interest.

“Last quarter was a rare aberration and we expect our demographic delivery to return to normal levels in the second half of 2013,” said ESPN Senior VP of Research and Analytics, Artie Bulgrin.

It is interesting ESPN felt the need to explain the ratings situation on Front Row. Perhaps with Fox Sports 1 starting next month, the network doesn’t want to show any signs of being vulnerable.

While nobody likes lower ratings, I don’t think there’s too much concern in Bristol. Football is coming soon, and all will be right in ESPN’s world.

 

 

 

Jeff Saturday joins ESPN as resident Peyton Manning expert

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After playing 172 games with the now Denver quarterback, Jeff Saturday should be more than qualified to know what makes him tick.

From ESPN:

Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday has joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. The 14-year NFL veteran will appear on NFL Live and SportsCenter and contribute to other ESPN platforms. He will make his debut next week with three days of appearances, July 17-19.

Saturday, who visited ESPN as a guest analyst in March, spent 13 years with the Indianapolis Colts (1999-2011) before playing his final season with the Green Bay Packers in 2012. Though he entered the league as an undrafted free agent, Saturday was a fixture on the Colts teams that won Super Bowl XLI and represented the AFC in Super Bowl XLIV. He was named by Sporting News to the NFL All-Decade Team (2000-09) and achieved first-team All-Pro honors twice (2005, 2007).

Saturday and Peyton Manning started an NFL record 172 games together as a center-quarterback duo. Over a decade-long period with the club, Saturday anchored a Colts offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league (242), and his 132 career wins as a Colt are second only to Manning (141) in franchise history.

In addition to teaming with the four-time NFL MVP quarterback in Indianapolis, Saturday played his final season under center with 2011 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. He earned his sixth Pro Bowl appearance there and helped the Packers capture the NFC North title. He signed a one-day contract with Indianapolis in March to officially retire as a Colt.

“Offensive linemen make some of the best analysts because they understand the nuances of the game and they typically have fun personalities — Jeff definitely fits this mold,” said senior coordinating producer Seth Markman, who oversees ESPN’s NFL studio shows. “It’s also no accident he played center for two NFL MVPs in Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.”

Added Saturday: “I look forward to joining ESPN, which is the premier sports network. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Did Kanye West really fall asleep while attending LeBron’s ‘Decision’ announcement?

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It’s been three years since LeBron James’ infamous “Decision” telecast on ESPN. While the backlash was considerable, he seems to have recovered nicely.

Courtney Cox recalled her memories from that night on Fansided.com. She worked the floor as a stage manager for the event.

Cox had an interesting passage about Kanye West suddenly showing up to witness the big moment.

So Kanye walks in with no entourage, just a couple of people, and now I’m thinking he’s either here because he was at the wedding rehearsal for Carmelo Anthony and LaLa, or he was the Chicago representative picked to show out when LeBron chose the Bulls. To this day, I’m still not sure why he was in the building.

I spend the first 15 minutes or so honed in on ‘Ye’s every move. He seems chill, he’s wearing his glasses indoors, and he’s not making sudden moves. I forget he’s there until one of the camera operators says, “I think Kanye West fell asleep.”

At the biggest non-sporting sports event in a while, Kanye West fell asleep before anyone announced anything. He was doing the church/school head nod and everything. Wake up, Mr. West.

He would eventually wake up and leave well before The Decision ended.

Cox also painted the scene just after James announced he was going to Miami.

No one seemed to have a clue during the day where James might end up, but walking into the situation, I really thought it’d be Cleveland. The whole thing was too elaborate, too showy for him to go somewhere else. He had to stay home. If not, it really is like your girlfriend thinks you’re going to propose, and you break up with her on national TV.

It was so telling seeing James’ whole demeanor change throughout the rest of the program. During commercial breaks, he appeared somber, realizing the magnitude of his action. I loved the idea of players controlling their own destiny, but I felt for betrayed Cavs fans and this grand gesture of rejection.

Programming alert: New ESPN Nine for IX documentary examines Pat Summitt

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I have my summer plans for Tuesday nights.

ESPN has dedicated nine straight Tuesday nights to airing documentaries on women’s sports. This version of 30 for 30 has been named Nine for IX, a neat title acknowledging the impact of Title IX.

I was out of town and will need to catch up on the series debut last week; a film about Venus Williams. There’s still eight to go, including the latest tonight.

Pat XO (8 p.m. ET) documents the life of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. There are the highs of winning eight NCAA titles, and the lows of being diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

These documentaries are about women, but the stories should compel everyone to watch. Make a point of watching these films.

Here’s a link with a complete rundown of the series.

As for tonight’s film on Summitt, which is produced by Robin Roberts, this is the view from directors Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters:

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When we were approached by ESPN and Robin Roberts about making this film, we were both honored and a bit trepidatious. Not only had Pat’s story been told, and told very well, but we didn’t want this film to be a film about Pat’s Alzheimer’s disease.

Pat’s illness carries with it a stigma that presumes one’s ability to contribute — one’s worth — no longer exists. The irony is Pat is working to fight that stigma by helping people understand this disease. And, in many ways, her illness is simply another remarkable chapter in an extraordinary life.

As with all films we do, we seek to find a connection. With “Pat XO,” we didn’t have far to look. As identical twins, we know the strength and influence of family and how one sibling’s memories can fill the void of another’s. As mothers, we see the miracle that is Pat’s relationship with Tyler. It’s what we work for and hope for. And on days when our work creates too much time and distance apart from our kids, we find comfort in knowing Pat always found a way to maintain an impenetrable bond with her son. As All-American collegiate athletes, we know what it is to be part of a sisterhood, a team that shaped who we are. And that continues to make us better people. And as former TV sports producers, we know that, as sports legends go, they don’t get much bigger than Pat Summitt.

But, more than anything, as women who watched our Grandma Goldie lose herself to this terrible disease, we understand — no matter what memories are taken — there’s always a way to connect. We are thrilled to have found our own way to tell the story of a woman whose life so deeply touches our own.