ESPN pulls announcer

[EastHallApp]

Silly move, but it's cable in general that's losing subscriptions. ESPN can't lose subscriptions given that it isn't a subscription service.

True but it does not tell the whole story. You can get cable packages that do not include ESPN and some that do not include all the espn franchises. This will continue to erode revenue.

Yes but people aren't ditching ESPN because they think they're too PC. If you get a non-ESPN cable package (or more likely, non-cable "cord-cutting" option), it's because you want to save money and you either don't watch sports that much or you found another option to view them. Sports viewing is really the last thing that has kept a lot of viewers from cutting the cord.

I have to respectfully disagree. I hear about and talk to people all the time who are fed up with ESPN PC. They will watch a game but no longer watch any of the shows. The shows have ratings and ratings determine their income. I am very confident that their PC attitude is going to hurt them.

Ratings and dropping the channel altogether are different. It's possible their ratings could drop. I find their studio shows to be terrible for different reasons, so I'd be all for seeing the ratings drop for Stephen A. and the like. Unfortunately the talking heads seemed to keep their jobs during the recent layoffs while the professional reporters and off-screen people got the axe.

Just remember that for every person you talk to who thinks a media outlet is too PC, there's probably another person you aren't talking to who appreciates their viewpoint. Well, maybe not in this story - this one's just dumb.

[CVAPP]

Silly move, but it's cable in general that's losing subscriptions. ESPN can't lose subscriptions given that it isn't a subscription service.

True but it does not tell the whole story. You can get cable packages that do not include ESPN and some that do not include all the espn franchises. This will continue to erode revenue.

Yes but people aren't ditching ESPN because they think they're too PC. If you get a non-ESPN cable package (or more likely, non-cable "cord-cutting" option), it's because you want to save money and you either don't watch sports that much or you found another option to view them. Sports viewing is really the last thing that has kept a lot of viewers from cutting the cord.

I agree with EHA, it's all about personal/household finances. It's going to get even tougher on ESPN as no-commitment streaming services allow college football fans to distinguish themselves from basketball, baseball, soccer and the multitude of sports ESPN covers. Four months of Sling, DTV NOW, or one of the many other no annual contract streaming services will satisfy my seasonal craving for this type of "premium" content. The rest of the year I couldn't care less about having ESPN.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I know this is going to be hard to believe but I think Fox News may have gotten the story wrong.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 592458001/

[Saint3333]

They pulled the announcer of a UVA vs FCS game because of his name, sounds like they got that part right.

ESPN knew what they were doing, just another way to get advertising.

If the SBC didn't have a contract with ESPN I'd use internet tv options exclusively.

[ASUPATCH]

In light of the events in Charlottesville they asked him if he would prefer to call another game, to which he said yes. I know it isn't as sexy a headline, but he wasn't pulled or fired, he freely made a choice to call another game. This is a total non issue. LOL

[Goapps15]

While I agree Fox does get it's fair share wrong, they did not this time. Both CNN & Fox have given the story equal air time.

The summary of the story is ESPN made a PR mess for themselves out of nothing. ESPN basically kept all their outspoken political media members in the last layoffs. They only laid off team reporters and insiders for different leagues. This event just continues to push the political message coming out of Bristol, CT.

[hapapp]

Sounds like to me it's the guy who broke the story who has an agenda. The fact that he first went to Tucker Carlson is all I need to know.

[Saint3333]

Everyone in the media has an agenda. ESPN continues to push theirs and sports fans are in general more conservative.

[Goapps15]

Sounds like to me it's the guy who broke the story who has an agenda. The fact that he first went to Tucker Carlson is all I need to know.

He has an anti ESPN agenda. However media outlets worldwide have brought him in. It was not just Fox. If you are mad someone has an agenda, how do you even watch ESPN?

[Saint3333]

Sounds like to me it's the guy who broke the story who has an agenda. The fact that he first went to Tucker Carlson is all I need to know.

Clay Travis is affiliated with Fox Sports, much like ABC pulls in ESPN analysts, Fox News is likely to do the same and get the "exclusive" as they call it..

[ASUPATCH]

ESPN attempts to do the right thing and make sure the UVA game is focused on sports and the student athletes rather than the recent events. Sadly someone couldn't just let it happen and now the game will be known for all the wrong reasons. Selfish to make this anything other than the play on the field. Whatever anti ESPN idiot did this should be really proud.

[Goapps15]

ESPN attempts to do the right thing and make sure the UVA game is focused on sports and the student athletes rather than the recent events. Sadly someone couldn't just let it happen and now the game will be known for all the wrong reasons. Selfish to make this anything other than the play on the field. Whatever anti ESPN idiot did this should be really proud.

How is ESPN doing the right thing though? Nobody would have noticed Robert Lee calling the game anyways.

[HeffnerIV]

ESPN attempts to do the right thing and make sure the UVA game is focused on sports and the student athletes rather than the recent events. Sadly someone couldn't just let it happen and now the game will be known for all the wrong reasons. Selfish to make this anything other than the play on the field. Whatever anti ESPN idiot did this should be really proud.

Hold up, you're blaming the reporting/reporter on this mess?

[Gonzo]

I don't see how you could possibly blame anyone but ESPN for this snafu. Well, maybe hysterical Leftists nationwide for creating the climate.

[hapapp]

In the end, it sounds like the decision to change game locations was with Lee. I understand the disdain for ESPN, I only watch sporting events on the channel, could care less about their studio shows and the like. However, the reporter in question does have an anti-ESPN bias, which does question his motives. The fact that they made the change was not big news, it became an issue when the reporter went to Fox and the story spread. Who would have known otherwise, or really cared for that matter? Did ESPN overreact, it seems they may have. However, the overreaction from the media and many conservatives seems to be more so.

[Gonzo]

If my boss tells me he has concerns about something and that he thinks I should switch but it's my decision, I'm switching.

[ASUPATCH]

ESPN attempts to do the right thing and make sure the UVA game is focused on sports and the student athletes rather than the recent events. Sadly someone couldn't just let it happen and now the game will be known for all the wrong reasons. Selfish to make this anything other than the play on the field. Whatever anti ESPN idiot did this should be really proud.

Hold up, you're blaming the reporting/reporter on this mess?

Google his name, sit back and enjoy the ride. This is all about his hatred for the network. Lee was asked, Lee chose another location as to avoid any conflict. He never reports it and nothing ever happens. If ESPN doesn't make the move and a group of idiots from either side catches wind of the Crew doing the game. You might get Charlottesville 2.0. Smart decision in my opinion. Sadly one mans vendetta against a network ruined it. Now it's a bigger deal than it should ever have been.

[Goapps15]

ESPN attempts to do the right thing and make sure the UVA game is focused on sports and the student athletes rather than the recent events. Sadly someone couldn't just let it happen and now the game will be known for all the wrong reasons. Selfish to make this anything other than the play on the field. Whatever anti ESPN idiot did this should be really proud.

Hold up, you're blaming the reporting/reporter on this mess?

Google his name, sit back and enjoy the ride. This is all about his hatred for the network. Lee was asked, Lee chose another location as to avoid any conflict. He never reports it and nothing ever happens. If ESPN doesn't make the move and a group of idiots from either side catches wind of the Crew doing the game. You might get Charlottesville 2.0. Smart decision in my opinion. Sadly one mans vendetta against a network ruined it. Now it's a bigger deal than it should ever have been.

Yes since millions of people are watching UVA vs William and Mary.

The people won't be able to tell a difference between Robert E Lee and Robert Lee. Had ESPN just left it alone it would have had 10 minutes of fame. It's the networks fault in this case. His vendetta against ESPN aside.

[ASUPATCH]

So imagine for a second Lee and ESPN don't make this move and the KKK hear about it and set up a march on the tailgates as a symbolic show that God brought Robert Lee to Charlottesville. Clash occurs with college students. How hard would you all be coming down on ESPN for not having the foresight to prevent this?

[Gonzo]

So imagine for a second Lee and ESPN don't make this move and the KKK hear about it and set up a march on the tailgates as a symbolic show that God brought Robert Lee to Charlottesville. Clash occurs with college students. How hard would you all be coming down on ESPN for not having the foresight to prevent this?

I don't suspect the KKK would march in support of some random Asian guy for having the same name as Robert Kennedy and Bruce Lee. I'd bet this man has called college football games before, maybe even UVA games.

And if for some wacky reason they did, no one reasonable would blame ESPN or for not removing the guy from the broadcast.

You're hypothetical is absurd, man.