Consider this: With the exception of the guys on NFL games, there are few TV sports analysts who receive more exposure than Elfi Schlegel during her once every four-years, two-week visit to our family rooms.
Women’s gymnastics dominates NBC’s prime time coverage during the Olympics, attracting ratings only surpassed by the NFL. That means once every Summer Olympics, millions of viewers, as in 25-30 million per night, will tune in to Elfi Schlegel.
I just find that amusing. Eat your heart out Dick Vitale, Tim McCarver, Ed Olcyzk, Jeff Van Gundy, etc.
Besides Schlegel, here’s your lineup of who is going to cover what in London. I will tune into water polo simply because Mike Emrick is going to be on the call. He’s capable of doing sports where the ice has melted.
SPORT-BY-SPORT RUNDOWN:
GYMNASTICS/TRAMPOLINE:
Al Trautwig, Play-by-play
Elfi Schlegel, Analyst
Tim Daggett, Analyst
Andrea Joyce, Reporter
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS:
Andrea Joyce, Play-by-play
Elfi Schlegel, Analyst
TRACK & FIELD:
Tom Hammond, Play-by-play
Ato Boldon, Analyst
Dwight Stones, Analyst
Craig Masback, Analyst
Tim Hutchings, Analyst
Lewis Johnson, Reporter
RACE WALKING:
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Chris Maddocks, Analyst
SWIMMING:
Dan Hicks, Play-by-play
Rowdy Gaines, Analyst
Andera Kremer, Reporter
OPEN WATER SWIMMING:
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Rowdy Gaines, Analyst
DIVING:
Ted Robinson, Play-by-play
Cynthia Potter, Analyst
Alex Flanagan, Reporter
BEACH VOLLEYBALL:
Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play
Kevin Wong, Analyst
Heather Cox, Reporter
INDOOR VOLLEYBALL:
Paul Sunderland, Play-by-play
Kevin Barnett, Analyst
CYCLING (Road):
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Paul Sherwen, Analyst
Todd Harris, Reporter
CYCLING (Track)
Todd Harris, Play-by-play
Paul Sherwen, Analyst
CYCLING (BMX/Mountain Bike)
Todd Harris, Play-by-play
Jamie Bestwick, Analyst
TRIATHLON:
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Julie Swail, Analyst
BASKETBALL:
Bob Fitzgerald, Play-by-play (London)
Chris Carrino, Play-by-play
Dave Strader, Play-by-play
Doug Collins, Analyst (London)
Ann Meyers, Analyst (London)
Tim Capstraw, Analyst
Donny Marshall, Analyst
Lisa Leslie, Analyst
Carolyn Peck, Analyst
Craig Sager, Reporter (London)
Doc Rivers, Studio Analyst (London)
ROWING:
Terry Gannon, Play-by-play
Yaz Farooq, Analyst
CANOEING (Flat Water):
Terry Gannon, Play-by-play
Eric Giddens, Analyst
CANOEING (White Water):
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Eric Giddens, Analyst
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING:
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Heather Olson, Analyst
WRESTLING:
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Rulon Gardner, Analyst
WATER POLO:
Mike Emrick, Play-by-play
Wolf Wigo, Analyst
Julie Swail, Analyst
BOXING:
Bob Papa, Play-by-play
Teddy Atlas, Analyst
Russ Thaler, Reporter
MODERN PENTATHLON:
Eli Bremer, Analyst
WEIGHTLIFTING:
Jim Watson, Play-by-play
Shane Hamman, Analyst
EQUESTRIAN:
Tim Ryan, Play-by-play
Melanie Smith-Taylor, Analyst
SOCCER:
Arlo White, Play-by-play (London)
JP Dellacamera, Play-by-play
Glenn Davis, Play-by-play
Steve Cangialosi, Play-by-play
Allen Hopkins, Play-by-play and Analyst
Kyle Martino, Analyst (London)
Marcelo Balboa, Analyst
Shep Messing, Analyst
Cobi Jones, Analyst
Brandi Chastain, Analyst (London)
Kate Markgraf, Analyst
Cat Whitehill, Analyst
Angela Hucles, Analyst
Drea Avent, Reporter (London)
TENNIS:
Brett Haber, Play-by-play
Andrew Catalon, Play-by-play
Ted Robinson, Play-by-play (Men’s Final)
Justin Gimbelstob, Analyst
Rennae Stubbs, Analyst
John McEnroe, Analyst (Men’s Final)
Jon Wertheim, Reporter
HANDBALL:
Mike Gorman, Play-by-play
Dawn Lewis, Analyst
TABLE TENNIS:
Ari Wolfe, Play-by-play
Sean O’Neill, Analyst
BADMINTON:
Jim Kozimor, Play-by-play
Steve Kearney, Analyst
FENCING:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jeff Bukantz, Analyst
ARCHERY:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Rick McKinney, Analyst
SHOOTING:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Shari LeGate, Analyst
FIELD HOCKEY:
Mike Corey, Play-by-play
Missy Meharg, Analyst
JUDO:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Leo White, Analyst
I don’t get it with Elfi Schlegel. We have a lot of great US women’s gymnastics champions. Why are we subjected to a Canadian every 4 years who has a very nasal delivery and an annoying accent?
The really annoying accent is that of Cynthia Potter, diving color commentator. Why do we have to listen to her every 4 years?
You know she works more than every four years, right? She covers World Championships, US Nationals, and US Classic every single year. Well, until maybe now, as it seems she’s been replaced by Nastia Liukin.
Thank God for that. I’ve said for years that NBC needs new commentators for gymnastics meets and Nastia is a step in the right direction. To their credit, at least Tim and Elfi are knowledgable about the intricacies of gymnastics as opposed to Al who is stupidly fixated on the fact that all four events happen simultaneously.