As the NFL Playoffs continue, media companies are beginning to plan their week on Radio Row at the Super Bowl in Arizona. CBS Sports Network is no different and apparently has a rather wild idea for the morning hours.
During Boomer & Gio Thursday, host Gregg Giannotti told Boomer Esiason network producers were interested in having the pair film inside a hot air balloon ride.
“He wants you in a hot air balloon,” Giannotti said. “I just actually got the text. ‘Would Boomer want to go up in a hot air balloon? Monday the 6th. Monday after the show’…you think 10 people can get in that hot air balloon?”
“What, we just trying to take the whole show out at once?” Esiason nervously responded.
“What? No! Come on! You’re safe,” Giannotti reassured his co-host. “You’re in a basket in the sky. Worst case scenario, you drift down.”
The former NFL quarterback — who admitted he is afraid of heights — said he couldn’t make Monday morning work, but when presented with the opportunity of a 3:30 PM trip, he agreed, saying it’s something he’s never done before.
“I’ve done an F-16, so why not a balloon?” he added.
WFAN producer Al Dukes declined the opportunity to ride in the balloon, admitting he’s also afraid of heights.
When the show returned from a commercial break, however, the duo discussed the WFAN management team was “concerned” about the hot air balloon ride.
“There was some consternation out in the hallway just now, because our general manager heard the last segment about Boomer going up in the hot air balloon and was not happy about it,” revealed Giannotti.
“There was a big braintrust meeting out there, and I think they were concerned,” Esisason added.
“Concerned enough to say no to this thing,” Giannotti rebutted. “So we’ve got a problem…but I do think the radio bosses may just — no pun intended — spike this thing,” alluding to the WFAN and CBS Sports Radio Vice President of Programming Spike Eskin.
“It’s not in my contract. I can do whatever I want,” quipped Esiason. “They don’t have in my contract that I’m not allowed to do things. This is not like a starting quarterback for the Giants…I heard their concern.”
Giannotti then joked that he shouldn’t have searched for hot air balloon crashes, reading excerpts from various news stories about hot air balloon disasters. However, Esiason noted ratings would be “through the roof” the day following an accident should the hosts perish.
