The first season of NHL action on TNT is winding down. Overall, the network’s coverage has received very positive reviews. On Wednesday night, Paul Bissonnette joined Zach Gelb to talk about the goals for the NHL on TNT.
“We’re trying. Obviously, we want the people at home to be very entertained,” Biz told the CBS Sports Radio host.
Gelb pointed out that Turner Sports has a reputation for putting on entertaining and relatable studio shows and pointed to Inside the NBA as the prime example. Bissonnette agreed and said that show is just as influential outside of the company.
“Those guys on the NBA level, they kinda set the footprint, right? They opened a lot of doors and maybe how people wanted to rethink how they delivered the sports and maybe keep it a little more organic.”
Bissonnette is often compared to Charles Barkley. He is expected to bring a level of honesty and levity to NHL on TNT just like Sir Charles is expected to do for Inside the NBA. While Biz had plenty of time to hone those aspects of his style on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, he said that Barkley had a major influence on him when he arrived at TNT.
“Right from the gun, he was there the first NHL broadcast. So he was there the night we opened up and I really think that him coming on the first segment or one of the first segments, it was big because it loosened us up and showed us what this was about, Biz said of Barkley. “It was just like ‘Buddy, have a life, be yourself, have some fun. It ain’t that serious. It’s just sports.’”
Paul Bissonnette’s first season with TNT is winding down. The network will carry the Western Conference Finals to close out its season. ESPN, which is carrying the Eastern Conference Finals, will also carry the Stanley Cup Finals.
Your 5 announcers are so Edmonton bias, they are terrible all of them