Should ESPN have competition?

[NCBirdfan]

I've been a vocal opponent of ESPN for some time now because of their shoddy reporting and sensationalism. I liked ESPN in the early years, but, for its credit, ESPN did some fine reporting back then.

This morning I was asked, "Did you see Skip Bayless go on and on about how San Francisco was robbed and that the refs let Baltimore win, etc.?"

My reply was, "Of course not. Skip Clueless (and I do call him that) is part of ESPN's problem. He is a blowhard that is set to cause animosity and anger in people all for ratings. We already have "news" organizations that do the same.

Well, then I came upon an old Deadspin article (from November 12, 2012)that really hit the nail on what I was feeling and why I don't hardly ever watch ESPN anymore.

How ESPN Ditched Journalism And Followed Skip Bayless To The Bottom: A Tim Tebow Story
The article really gives insights about how decisions are made at ESPN.

When it's Tim Tebow, when it's Tiger Woods, when it's Brett Favre, the numbers are such they support the bosses' decision to do this stuff. Not all the time. We can sit there in the newsroom and argue all we want. Which many of us do. When they come out and say, 'OK Sage, fine, here's a rating,' what do I say? What do I say? I can't fight that.

Unfortunately, when we do stories in that manner, I can't argue with fans (who criticize ESPN). I can't. So hopefully we can squash all that talk and cover more teams…I agree with people who are complaining. But I also agree with our bosses who say, 'OK, it's the business. Look at the ratings. They might hate it. But they're still watching.' People might hate Skip Bayless. But they're still watching.

If you want to see the context, just read the story in the link.


I would personally like a sports network like ESPN used to be. Remember when CNN/Sports Illustrated had competed with ESPN and lost years ago? I think this time though - a competitive network could do moderately well, as long as it doesn't try to clone the current ESPN and rely mainly on mostly on hard journalism. Could a lower-key sports network survive against the powerful ESPN? Hope springs...

[weird-O]

they already have competition, it's the specialized networks for each sport. I mentioned this in another thread, I don't want or need to watch ESPN, because I can watch MLB or NFL network.
I had NFL network on all day while I was working. I don't think I heard a single person say the non-hold call was botched and lost SF the game. the concensus was, 'it was holding, but that's to be expected when you (the offensive player) go out of your way to hit the defender first. Crabtree could have run a different route. also, it's the SB, no one is going to give you that call on the big stage, and you should expect them to. it's the SB, you have to win it, no ref is going to hand it to you.'

I heard that all day long from several people.

there isn't anyone on ESPN that compells me to tune in. I bet the reason ESPN has become the national inquirer of sports, is because the individual networks have sucked the life out of them. they need to be the Jerry Springer of sports, or very few people would watch.

[NCBirdfan]

they already have competition, it's the specialized networks for each sport. I mentioned this in another thread, I don't want or need to watch ESPN, because I can watch MLB or NFL network.
I had NFL network on all day while I was working. I don't think I heard a single person say the non-hold call was botched and lost SF the game. the concensus was, 'it was holding, but that's to be expected when you (the offensive player) go out of your way to hit the defender first. Crabtree could have run a different route. also, it's the SB, no one is going to give you that call on the big stage, and you should expect them to. it's the SB, you have to win it, no ref is going to hand it to you.'

I heard that all day long from several people.

there isn't anyone on ESPN that compells me to tune in. I bet the reason ESPN has become the national inquirer of sports, is because the individual networks have sucked the life out of them. they need to be the Jerry Springer of sports, or very few people would watch.

With my current setup I don't have access to NFL Network or MLB Network, etc. I do agree though that when I have watched the various one-sport only networks, the quality of reporting is better. Still, I believe their is some space for an all-sports network that isn't contractually tied with any sports league, but an independent voice. I don't think that kind of network would overtake ESPN, because obviously there are many people who tune in to watch the chaos; but I still think it could be successful if done right.

[Morgan208]

I watch MLB network for baseball and NFL network for football, problem solved.

[JasonM]

I agree with NCBirdfan's take here. I rarely watch Sports Center because all the anchors think they're (bad) comedians and their "pop culture references" tend to be dated. If I simply want to know the score of the game, I'll flip over to ESPN News, because most of the people who work there will simply narrate the highlights without trying to make them more "entertaining".

[NCBirdfan]

I watch MLB network for baseball and NFL network for football, problem solved.

While I do indeed think both networks do a superior job over ESPN, I would question whether they can be objective when they report on themselves. I feel the same way about MASN. There is nothing wrong with sports leagues having their own networks, but there still need to be independent voices.

[weird-O]

I rarely watch Sports Center because all the anchors think they're (bad) comedians and their "pop culture references" tend to be dated.

I blame Craig Kilborne for that.

[weird-O]

While I do indeed think both networks do a superior job over ESPN, I would question whether they can be objective when they report on themselves. I feel the same way about MASN. There is nothing wrong with sports leagues having their own networks, but there still need to be independent voices.

that's a good point.

[DJGreg1200]

If you've noticed the mass exodus from ESPN in the past 2 years, I'd say some of their personalities agree with that Deadspin article.

Michelle Beadle, Rachel Nichols, Erin Andrews, Brian Kenny, Ric Bucher, Dana Jacobson and Doug Gottlieb are just a few of the names who have left Bristol

[skeemer]

I tune in to SVP and Rusillo on ESPN Radio in the afternoons, and that's about it.

The Baseball Tonight crew is pretty good as well. I don't see see the sensationalism there, but then again, MLB is not much for sensationalism these days anyway. That is more up the NFL and NBA's alleys.

[NCBirdfan]

I tune in to SVP and Rusillo on ESPN Radio in the afternoons, and that's about it.

The Baseball Tonight crew is pretty good as well. I don't see see the sensationalism there, but then again, MLB is not much for sensationalism these days anyway. That is more up the NFL and NBA's alleys.

There are some people on ESPN that are still high quality, but there seem to be less and less of them. And, according to the article, it also seems they too are being pressured to sensationalize.

[NCBirdfan]

If you've noticed the mass exodus from ESPN in the past 2 years, I'd say some of their personalities agree with that Deadspin article.
Michelle Beadle, Rachel Nichols, Erin Andrews, Brian Kenny, Ric Bucher, Dana Jacobson and Doug Gottlieb are just a few of the names who have left Bristol

I used to watch ESPN almost every day. But their schtick has gotten old and there is less emphasis on journalism, the less I have watched them.

According to the article, there were study groups that determined people wanted debates, etc. on shows. But shows like First Take are obviously scripted and not real debates. They are on the air to infuriate people and to get people screaming at them. I don't even think they believe most of what they say.

[skeemer]

There are some people on ESPN that are still high quality, but there seem to be less and less of them. And, according to the article, it also seems they too are being pressured to sensationalize.

I enjoy SVP and Rusillo because they keep the show pretty light hearted and don't typically beat stories to death. But even then they do irritate me when they complain about the media obsession over a story (Tebow, for example) and then talk about that story or the obsession, which is part of the problem.

I also used to watch ESPN every day. I couldn't tell you the last time I even saw Sportscenter.

[johnpolitics]

Except for Mike and Mike I don't listen/watch ESPN. I think their baseball, football and basketball insiders (Buster O, Tim K, Mort/Adam etc) are good. Great web page. I would like to get the MLB and NFL network but the a-holes at Comcast charge an extra fee for it.

[NCBirdfan]

Except for Mike and Mike I don't listen/watch ESPN. I think their baseball, football and basketball insiders (Buster O, Tim K, Mort/Adam etc) are good. Great web page. I would like to get the MLB and NFL network but the a-holes at Comcast charge an extra fee for it.

JP, as I stated before, I too do not get either. I have Directv's lowest tier that does not include sports channels except for ESPN and ESPN2 (there might be a few others, but none worth mentioning. During baseball season I will go one tier up so I can get MASN, etc., but I save a few bucks during the offseason by going with the Entertainment package.

With that said, I, too, do read the web page at times and I have had a fantasy league with ESPN for a long time. It's really disheartening though, that the network, which at one time was very good at covering sports, has resorted more and more for what is basically cheap thrills - sensationalism. Yes, I understand there is a segment of the population that enjoys that kind of broadcasts (borderline sports fans mostly IMO), but there needs to be a place for those of us that have hungered for more than "he-said, she-said" commentary.

[bleedingorangeandblack]

If you've noticed the mass exodus from ESPN in the past 2 years, I'd say some of their personalities agree with that Deadspin article.

Michelle Beadle, Rachel Nichols, Erin Andrews, Brian Kenny, Ric Bucher, Dana Jacobson and Doug Gottlieb are just a few of the names who have left Bristol

After the 1st 3 names I stopped reading

[johnpolitics]

Remember the E in ESPN and ET stands for Entertainment. The word journalism does not have an e.

[DColeman]

I only listen to ESPN radio Mike and mike when i'm driving long distances. Sometimes I put it on sports center like after the SB. NFL network is good for football, but they often replay a lot of the same stories. Or the follow the same storyline, like tebow or brady, which gets old. Not too mention I cannot stand Jamie Dukes, every time he opens his mouth a turd falls out. Maybe ESPN could sign him?

[NCBirdfan]

I only listen to ESPN radio Mike and mike when i'm driving long distances. Sometimes I put it on sports center like after the SB. NFL network is good for football, but they often replay a lot of the same stories. Or the follow the same storyline, like tebow or brady, which gets old. Not too mention I cannot stand Jamie Dukes, every time he opens his mouth a turd falls out. Maybe ESPN could sign him?

Since I have my Droid phone, I listen to Baltimore local sports stations mostly (I have a 50-minute drive to and from work each day). WNST is the most-frequent one I listen. I sometimes listen to ESPN radio (and other national sports shows/stations), too, just for a bit of variety - but that is like one day out the month or after a Ravens win or loss just to see the perspective of others.

I couldn't stand it during Super Bowl week because all one could hear from the national sports media was about deer antler spray and calling Lewis a murderer, etc. I just wanted to celebrate the game.

[demopublican]

I watch MLB network for baseball and NFL network for football, problem solved.

Aren't they owned by the leagues? That seems like a problem.