Tag Archives: Doug Gottlieb

My First Job: Gottlieb predicts Patriots doomed with Brady at QB; Set to debut new CBS Sports Network show Monday

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Doug Gottlieb is ready to roll on his new gig with CBS. Monday, he will debut a new show, Lead Off, on CBS Sports Network. Airing at Midnight ET, the nightly program will focus on the next day’s conversation in sports (Details below).

Also, Gottlieb soon will have an afternoon show on the new CBS Sports Radio Network and he will be part of CBS’ NCAA tournament coverage.

Now that he has reached the top, it seems to be a good time to reflect on how he got started. Gottlieb has come a long way since his days as a guard at Oklahoma State. Even back then, he was thinking about a career in broadcasting.

In the latest edition of My First Job, Gottlieb recalls his first jobs in the business and how he was just slightly off on his first prediction about a back up quarterback named Tom Brady.

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When I was in school, I did some guest-hosting with Jim Traber in Oklahoma City. Then when I got out, I filled him for him. I got $100 per show, and $200 for a remote.

Also, I went on Jim Rome’s show as his college basketball analyst. Todd Wright at ESPN always had me on his all-night show.

My first show for ESPN Radio was filling in for Todd. They wanted him to go to Bristol the first week after 9/11. He wouldn’t go on a plane, so they asked me.

I watched all the (NFL) games on that Sunday. Drew Bledsoe got hurt that day. I said, ‘That’s it. The Patriots are finished. They can’t win with a quarterback who never played before.’ I had never heard of Tom Brady. So much for that prediction.

After I was done playing, ESPN called and asked if I wanted to do an audition. My first game was with Dave Revsine. It was Colorado-UNC Charlotte. We thought we killed it. We emptied our notebooks and gave everything we had.

When we got back, (a top executive) said, “You guys were horrible. You talked too much. You talked over each other.”

OK, that’s a nice start.

I eventually got on TV at ESPNNews. Then I did some stuff at ESPNU. I did a month of shows I believe nobody ever saw. Literally, there was one show where the lights went out on camera. But we kept going with the lights off. It was a memorable night, to say the least.

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Here are the details of Gottlieb’s new show from CBS:

CBS Sports Network’s new live, late night show, LEAD OFF, which will air weekdays from 12:00-1:00 AM, ET, debuts Monday, Oct. 22. The show has added Allie LaForce as co-host, teaming with Doug Gottlieb. LEAD OFF will feature commentary and debate on the top stories and news with a focus on the next day’s conversation.

Gottlieb and LaForce will lead off together this week as contributors on ROME, which airs on CBS Sports Network from 6:00-6:30 PM, ET.

LaForce previously worked for Fox 8 News inCleveland,Ohioas a sports anchor, as well as a color analyst and sideline reporter for the regional sports network SportsTimeOhio. She also has been a studio host covering the Mid-American Conference and various high school championships.

LaForce graduated magna cum laude from Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She was a member of theOhioUniversitywomen’s basketball team for two years, before leaving to start her broadcasting career. In 2005, LaForce was named Miss Teen USA, the first winner from the state of Ohio.

LEAD OFF will provide perspective on the sports news of the day, advancing the storylines fans will be discussing in the morning. The show will serve as the first opportunity for sports fans to discuss and debate, ‘What’s next?’, while featuring a mix of live guests, highlights, energetic debate and commentary from Gottlieb, LaForce and others, reacting to the biggest stories and events of the day, with a targeted focus on the hot topics and tomorrow’s headlines.

LEAD OFF will be produced by dick clark productions, and originate from CBS Sports Network’s Orange County, California-based studio.

 

 

Gottlieb lands new late-night show on CBS Sports Network

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Doug Gottlieb now has a TV show to add to his radio duties at CBS. The package is a big reason why he left ESPN.

From CBS Sports Network:

CBS Sports Network is speeding up the daily sports conversation with a new weekday late night show, LEAD OFF. Hosted by Doug Gottlieb, LEAD OFF will provide perspective on the sports news of the day, advancing the storylines fans will be discussing in the morning. The one-hour show will air live weekdays (12:00 Midnight-1:00 AM, ET) and debuts Monday, Oct. 22.

Instead of waiting until the morning, LEAD OFF will serve as the first opportunity for sports fans to discuss and debate, ‘What’s next?’. The show will feature a mix of live guests, highlights, energetic debate and commentary from Gottlieb and others, reacting tothe biggest stories and events of the day, with a targeted focus on the hot topics and tomorrow’s headlines.

“We are aggressively expanding our programming and launching LEAD OFF is another important step in the evolution of CBS Sports Network. Together with ROME, we’re bracketing prime time by providing fans with informative, topical and entertaining programming,” said David Berson, Executive Vice President, CBS Sports and President, CBS Sports Network. “LEAD OFF will be a high energy and unique show. Instead of dissecting what just happened as most late night shows do, it will be forward looking, spinning the sports conversation ahead. Doug is perfectly suited for this role.”

LEAD OFF marks Gottlieb’s CBS Sports Network debut. It was announced in July that Gottlieb will join CBS and be featured across various CBS Sports properties, including hosting a daily radio show on the newly-created CBS Sports Radio, launching January 2013. He also will serve as a studio and game analyst for CBS Sports’ college basketball coverage and contribute to CBSSports.com.

Gottlieb on leaving ESPN for CBS: Need to step out of nest and see if wings work

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Sean McManus as the Godfather? Not exactly the Marlon Brando type.

But the CBS Sports chairman did make Doug Gottlieb an offer he ultimately couldn’t refuse.

“Sean said, ‘This is what I want to do and I want you to be a part of it,'” Gottlieb said Tuesday afternoon. “It wasn’t just tempting. It was an honor.”

McManus and CBS lured Gottlieb away from ESPN with a package that includes his own 3-6 p.m. (ET) radio show. The network debuts on Jan. 2.

He got other terrific goodies, such as working the NCAA tournament and Final Four as a game and studio analyst for CBS. Gottlieb also is going to host a show on the CBS Sports Network.

All in all, it is an excellent deal with a myriad of opportunities. Yet when I chatted with Gottlieb Tuesday, he definitely had conflicting emotions about leaving ESPN, his home for the last nine years.

“At some point you have to step out of the nest and see if the wings work,” Gottlieb said.

Here’s my Q/A.

What made you decide to go to CBS?

I wasn’t looking for another job. I wanted to make a little more money. ESPN made an incredible offer.

CBS then came in and said, ‘What if you could do your radio show from California (where he was raised and still has family)? What if you could be done by 3 in the afternoon (to allow him to get home to spend time with his three young kids)? What if you come back at 7:30 to do your own TV show? And what if we throw out the golden carrot of NCAA basketball?

I was very torn. ESPN helped create me. I’m very loyal. But all the stars aligned for me to go back to Orange County.

How much did getting a chance to work the NCAA tournament sway you?

I consider the tournament the holy grail. Whether it is sweeping the floor or calling a game. Whatever they want me to do.

I’m not looking to replace anyone. I’m just going to be added to the mix. I think I bring something different to the table.

How does it feel to be a cornerstone of CBS’ new sports radio network?

It feels great. A substantial number of people know my radio style. I’m very coachable, but I know what works in sports radio.

ESPN is a juggernaut. I respect that. I don’t expect it to be easy. But CBS and Cumulus Media have a good plan.

What is the plan for the TV show?

They asked me not to give out the details. It’ll be all sports. I’m not going to try to out-ESPN. The show should be unique and fun.

Much like Jim Rome, you’re leaving the biggest sports network for a network that barely is on people’s radar. How will it feel playing to much a smaller audience?

I asked people (who left ESPN) what it was like to go to a smaller network. They’ve had success going somewhere else.

Listen, I love to work. I love to talk about sports. One thing I pride myself in is that I put everything into it. I don’t care if five people are watching. They’re going to get a good show.