ESPN is pulling the live scores ticker from college football broadcasts this season. 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti wants to know why that, of all things.
What We Know: ESPN confirmed it’s removing the ticker that scrolls scores across the bottom of the screen during college football telecasts this season. The graphic has tracked out-of-market action for viewers for years. As it has already done away with for the College Football Playoff games and other big events like NBA and NHL postseason contests. In addition, ESPN will not feature the ticker for regular-season games that air on its host of networks. Moreover, Valenti addressed the change Wednesday on The Valenti Show w/Rico on 97.1 The Ticket. He called it one of ESPN’s worst calls yet.
What They Said: (All quotes from 97.1 The Ticket):
Mike Valenti on ESPN removing the ticker from college football broadcasts: “What do you mean by taking the ticker away? On a Saturday when there’s 130 teams in action. What’s wrong with the ticker? You want to get rid of stuff? Get rid of Dan Orlovsky and Laura Rutledge. There’s a start. What are we talking about? The ticker’s quality. This is a worse decision than the glow puck.”
Mike Valenti says the ticker isn’t what he would have removed from ESPN: “Watching college football on a Saturday. That ticker is peanut butter and jelly. Taking that thing of all the things you could take away from ESPN. That’s what they chose?”
Mike Valenti doesn’t believe removing the ticker has anything to do with money: “They could save a lot of money. They keep platforming terrible people. Stephen A. [Smith] and [Pat] McAfee pay for themselves. If people are mad, they’re making that kind of money. What about who? We’re sad while Linda Cohn’s gone. It’s over, Linda. Pack your stuff. Ryan Clark? [The] guy cries if his sandwich isn’t aligned straight. It’s a network of goofballs. It’s a network of ridiculous.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN hasn’t detailed why the ticker specifically got the ax this season. Whether cost played any role also remains unconfirmed, despite Valenti’s skepticism. Still, the network hasn’t addressed the criticism publicly.
What It Means: For viewers, tracking Saturday’s slate just got harder without the on-screen crutch. Meanwhile, Valenti’s reaction signals how alienating even small production changes can be to a loyal audience. Ultimately, ESPN risks fan frustration compounding if it stays silent on the reasoning. Either way, the ticker’s absence will be felt the moment kickoff hits.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.