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Alexi Lalas: Chad Johnson Has ‘Immersed Himself’ In Preparation For FOX Role at World Cup

BSM Staff
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The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins Sunday morning on FS1 and FOX. Both will have full coverage of the event from the opening kickoff until the final on December 18. The lead play-by-play announcer John Strong and studio analyst/former USA Men’s National player Alexi Lalas have been doing a lot of prep leading up to the event, but as Strong told Jason Wormser on The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens podcast last week, not all of the prep might get used as the tournament goes on such as the following anecdote.

“Wonderful anecdote about Australia. One of their long-time center backs dropped from the team knowing he was going to be a backup in favor of some younger players. One of the things that makes that extra-surprising is the fact that he is the son-in-law of the head coach. The odds that that anecdote makes air is very, very slim.

“I have Australia-France. The odds that we are talking much in-depth about Australia’s defensive depth chart is probably slim, but you have it there just in case. As the tournament goes on, that type of prep that you have done becomes even less relevant because it is not about big-picture storytelling anymore as much as just what’s happened in the tournament so far.”

It will be a busy event for Strong and color commentator/former US Men’s National Team player Stu Holden because of how many games there are each day in the group stage, so Strong has had to prepare for a lot of teams

“Of those first 17 days of the tournament, our expectation (Stu Holden and I) is we will be calling games on 15 of those days….I’m preparing for 18 different teams that I will be calling in the group stage.”

While FOX and FS1 will have plenty of coverage of Team USA, Lalas said that there is a responsibility to talk about the other countries in the event as well.

“This is as big as it gets and this is international and we want to do it justice. Obviously, we have the US Men’s National Team back. That makes a huge difference. We will focus on that as we should, but we also have a responsibility to everybody and making sure that people come into that tent, even if it’s their first time or if they are coming in from other teams that we give them the steady diet. It’s day in and day out and we are just churning it out in the best possible way.”

Joining the World Cup crew for FOX this year as a studio analyst is former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson — formerly known as Chad Ochocinco — and Lalas said that Johnson had an extreme level of excitement when talking about being part of the coverage.

“Someone like Chad Ochocinco who is coming to join us too. When he was talking to us about the opportunity that he was getting to go to the World Cup, it was as if he had won the Super Bowl. This guy loves the game and he has immersed himself in the game.”

With the uniqueness of this World Cup, Lalas said that just as there is a good chance a star could emerge on-the-field during the World Cup, it can happen to a media personality off-the-field as well.

“I think you will see some really interesting personalities that maybe you have seen before, but see them maybe in a different light working for FOX in the way that we do things and you will see some new faces and new voices that will be introduced to you that inevitably stars are created in the World Cup on the field and stars are created in the World Cup off the field.” 

HBO Releases Trailer for ‘SHAQ’ Documentary Series

BSM Staff
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HBO Releases Trailer for ‘SHAQ’ Documentary Series

HBO has unveiled the trailer for its upcoming SHAQ documentary series, directed by Robert Alexander detailing the life and career of Hall of Fame basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph3h7CLAvtE

The four-part series will air each Wednesday from November 23rd through December 14th.

“We kept this documentary real from the start, and I do feel like it is the most honest look into my life and career up until this point,” O’Neal said. “This process allowed me to reflect publicly in a way I haven’t before, and I’m so proud of the work everyone has done to put it all together.”

The series will feature interviews with some of O’Neal’s teammates, including Penny Hardaway, Dwyane Wade, Derek Fisher, and Rick Fox, in addition to his former coaches Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. The show will also sit down with a wide array of family members, including his mother Dr. Lucille O’Neal, two of his siblings, and three of his children.

The first episode, entitle “From Shaquille to Shaq” is one hour long, while the three other episodes will each be 45 minutes in length.

Brady Quinn: NFL ‘Missed The Boat’ on Weekday Games

BSM Staff
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Last week, Conference USA announced a new television deal with ESPN and CBS Sports that will feature October conference games played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for more national exposure. Fox Sports Radio morning host Brady Quinn believes it’s something the NFL should have capitalized on.

“Say what you want about this strategy by Conference USA, but I love it for them and I think it’s something that the NFL has missed the boat on,” Quinn said on 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe.

“They should have tried to do this during COVID when they had the opportunity to kind of experiment naturally because of the way games were impacted. Now they’re going to have to deal with potentially other sports or even college football eating up some of the airtime.”

Quinn added when he thinks of the Mid-American Conference — which plays its conference games in November in a similar configuration to what Conference USA is shifting to — he pictures Tuesday and Wednesday games.

He also noted he believes if the NFL didn’t expect such an exorbitant price tag, games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays would welcome more television partners.

Bill Cowher ‘Felt An Obligation’ To Speak Out On Jeff Saturday Situation

BSM Staff
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Many in the sports media landscape spent portions of last week discussing ESPN NFL analyst Jeff Saturday being hired as the interim head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. The NFL Today analyst Bill Cowher joined that group Sunday with an impassioned speech denouncing the move.

“I’m speaking on behalf of the coaching profession,” Cowher said. “I know for a fact Jeff Saturday was offered a position as an assistant coach with the Indianapolis Colts multiple times in the last four years. He declined, citing he had a TV job and wanted to spend more time with his family. I get it. Coaching is about commitment and it’s about sacrifice. It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.”

The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach continued by calling the situation “a disgrace” and “a travesty”.

“Jeff Saturday talked about how — in his press conference — he’s going to use this second half as an opportunity to build his resume and see whether or not he can coach in the future,” Cowher continued. “I say to that: what about the assistants on the staff right now? The guys that were there in training camp. The guys that were there early in the morning and late at night, the guys that have gone through the first six weeks in that building. Guys like Gus Bradley, Scottie Montgomery, John Fox. Don’t they deserve the opportunity?

“For an owner to hire a coach who has never been an assistant at the college level or the pro level, and overseeing — very much — a lot of candidates that are qualified for that job — as we see in Steve Wilks — an opportunity to build a resume, it’s a disgrace to the coaching profession. And regardless of this thing plays out, what happened in Indianapolis is a travesty.”

“It’s something that hits close to home, and I felt an obligation to speak on behalf of the coaching profession,” Cowher told The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch. “I felt I needed to make a statement.”

“The bottom line is, I’m the one coach that’s up here. I spent five years as a player, seven years as an assistant coach, and 15 years as a head coach. I have great respect for the coaching profession and understand all the things that go on when people lose their jobs. It’s never easy, but it’s part of a profession we get into. But there’s certain ways of doing certain things and commitments that people make that when things are not done properly, it needs to be pointed out.”

NBC Sports Bay Area Featuring ‘Run TMC Takeover’ of Warriors Broadcast

BSM Staff
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NBC Sports Bay Area Featuring ‘Run TMC Takeover’ of Warriors Broadcast

The Golden State Warriors are slated to play the San Antonio Spurs this evening, and the broadcast will look a little different on NBC Sports Bay Area.

The network will welcome the “Run TMC” trio of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin as the announcing team for the game broadcast. Mullin has previously worked on Warriors coverage as a studio analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area.

The teammates played together from 1989-1991 and averaged a combined 72.5 points per game during their two seasons together. The three players scored a combined 99 points on the opening night of the 1990-1991 season during a 162-158 win against the Denver Nuggets, the highest scoring game in NBA history.

The Warriors will wear throwback uniforms centered around the “Run TMC” era to commemorate the occasion.

Former Warrior Tom Tolbert will work the sidelines for NBC Sports Bay Area. Coverage will begin at 6:00 PM PT, with the Run TMC Takeover beginning at 7:00 PM PT.

The Athletic Hires Washington Post Managing Editor Steven Ginsberg

BSM Staff
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The Athletic Hires Washington Post Managing Editor Steven Ginsberg

According to a report from Max Tani of Semafor, The Athletic is hiring The Washington Post managing editor Steven Ginsberg to “run” the online publication.

Tani says Ginsberg’s appointment to The Athletic, “comes at a crucial moment for the sports-focused news organization” after it was acquired by The New York Times.

There have reportedly been clashes between Times and Athletic staffers over the use of the Times brand. A report from The Washington Post claimed there was “tension” between employees of the two publications. In one instance, Times reporters were angry that an Athletic writer was telling people he “worked for The New York Times“.

The addition of Ginsberg to The Athletic hopes to quell some of the losses the outlet has seen over the past few months. It was reported earlier this year that even after it was acquired by The New York Times, the publication was still operating at a loss. Meanwhile, several writers have defected for other, more traditional, media jobs, with Indianapolis Colts writer Stephen Holder joining ESPN.com, and baseball writer Lindsay Adler leaving to join The Wall Street Journal, among others.

WFNZ Adds Wes Bryant and Walker Mehl to Weekday Lineup

BSM Staff
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WFNZ Adds Wes Bryant and Walker Mehl to Weekday Lineup

Sports Radio 92.7 WFNZ has announced the addition of Wes & Walker, hosted by Wes Bryant and Walker Mehl, to its weekday lineup.

Wes Bryant comes to WFNZ as a longtime media professional. He played offensive line at Wake Forest before beginning a media career that has seen him work for the ACC Digital Network as well as the pregame and postgame host for the Charlotte Hornets on Bally Sports South.

Walker Mehl previously worked for ESPN Radio in Charlotte and guest hosted several shows for WFNZ before earning the full-time opportunity. He has also hosted the Locked On Hornets podcast.

“I’m excited to hear from two talented young men, who are not only entertaining and engaging, but true native sons of the Queen City,” WFNZ Program Director Jeff Rickard said.  “I’m looking forward to hearing their hometown takes on all things Charlotte Sports.  I can’t wait for our listeners to learn more about them and enjoy the upcoming ride.”

The new show will be heard from 12:00-3:00 PM. The Clubhouse with Kyle Bailey will now be heard from 3:00-6:00 PM rather than its previous 2:00-6:00 PM timeslot.

The addition of Wes & Walker isn’t the only change to the WFNZ lineup, as Rickard will now anchor Charlotte Sports Today from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.

Kevin Miller Raising Funds for Boise Rescue Mission Ministries

BNM Staff
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Idaho radio host Kevin Miller will begin his week-long efforts to raise money and resources for the Boise Rescue Mission Ministries.

Miller will broadcast his morning show on KIDO Talk Radio 107.5 FM and 580 AM out in front of the Walmart at Garrity and Franklin in Nampa for the entire week. The 11th annual “Miller’s Mission” begins at 6:00 a.m.

“My good friend Kevin Miller and KIDO Talk Radio have been faithfully supporting us through this event for more than a decade,” said Rev. Bill Roscoe, President/CEO of Boise Rescue Mission Ministries. “We can’t thank him enough for what he does for the homeless and hungry people in our community.”

A news release stated that shoppers at the Garrity Walmart can stop in and say hi to Kevin, drop off donations, grab a shopping list, or make a monetary donation.

“You can make a difference in feeding and protecting Treasure Valley Families this fall,” Miller said. “And as we like to say, it’s better to give a turkey, than be a turkey!”

Boise Rescue Mission Ministries operates two shelter facilities in Boise and two in Nampa that, together, serve 550 meals a day, provide over 275 shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children each night, and save hundreds of lives through various programs.

Listeners can also give by texting “millersmission” – all one word – to (208) 400-5655.

Judy Woodruff Confirms Exit From PBS NewsHour

BNM Staff
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The news side of PBS will see a new face as PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff confirmed Friday that she is stepping aside from the NewsHour anchor chair on Dec. 30.

“I have loved anchoring this extraordinary program, initially with my dear friend Gwen Ifill,” Woodruff said in a statement (h/t TV Newser). “To follow in the footsteps of Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Puck News’ Tara Palmeri reported in May that Woodruff would leave the newscast sometime after the 2022 Midterm Elections, so the announcement might not have surprised some in the news media.

Regarding a long-term replacement, PBS will name Woodruff’s permanent successor at NewsHour later this year. Before joining the network, Woodruff spent time at CNN, hosting “Inside Politics” along with the late Bernard Shaw.

Additionally, Woodruff worked at covered national politics and the White House for NBC News in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Is Jeff Saturday The First or The Last?

Garrett Searight
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I understand the pushback to ESPN NFL analyst Jeff Saturday being hired as the interim head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

In a sport where it seems that glorifies being the first person in the facility and the last person to leave, that preaches as a coach you’re not working hard enough if you’re not sleeping on a couch in your office, for Saturday to skip the line to head coach of an NFL franchise is certainly concerning.

But, an aspect I think has gone unmentioned is the idea that if Jeff Saturday has any success during his eight-game audition as the Colts coach, it could open the door for other analysts to jump straight from TV to the league.

We all know and have heard the age-old adage that “the NFL is a copycat league”. It’s a league made up of people who are too afraid to step outside of conventional wisdom and thinking because it might cost them their job, until an innovate enters and blows up the whole thing. Everyone then follows that person’s lead, and the cycle repeats.

There are too many examples to point to. The most recent example, at least when it comes to coaching, is Sean McVay. The joke in the 2019 offseason was “If you’ve ever had a lunch with Sean McVay, you could be hired as an NFL head coach.”

So the same would likely hold true with Saturday, as well. NFL franchises have looked for head coaches in the same exact locations for decades. These are, for argument’s sake, the only places you can ascend to an NFL head coach from: College head coach, NFL offensive coordinator, NFL defensive coordinator. That’s it. That’s the list.

But, if Jeff Saturday can leap from Get Up to a 6-2 run as the Colts head coach — which, as a Colts fan, I view as likely as me waking up next to Kate Upton tomorrow — you can be assured that someone in an NFL front office is going to ask themselves if they need to consider thinking about another NFL television analyst as their new head coach. Good or bad, that’s just how the league operates.

Now, from a sports media perspective, I wonder if it changes the way analysts will discuss the game on TV. It would only make sense. The average NFL head coach salary is $6.6 million. Outside of Tony Romo and Troy Aikman, there aren’t a whole lot of NFL TV analysts making that much money. Make no mistake, I’m not questioning the motives of analysts on TV or believe they’re only fueled by dollars. I assume, and maybe I’m naive, that players turned analysts view their broadcasting careers as a way to stay involved in the game they love while making a decent amount of cash doing it.

But if the door has been opened by Saturday for, say Tedy Bruschi, Matt Hasselbeck, Rodney Harrison, Chris Simms or whatever NFL analyst with no coaching experience you’d like to include, wouldn’t that analyst at least consider coaching in the NFLa possibility now? Wouldn’t you believe that if you come across as a fiery, knowledgeable presence that the opportunity now exists that someone could hire you as an NFL head coach?

Do analysts now work harder to not criticize owners and GMs that could be viewed as potential landing spots? Do they now prepare more segments talking real nuts and bolts football? Getting deep into the Xs & Os and diagraming plays as a quasi audition for those NFL powerbrokers who are watching what the media says about them even when they say they don’t? I don’t believe it’s some slippery slope where everyone now finds themselves trying interview-by-proxy for NFL head coaching jobs, but I will find it fun to somewhat monitor if Saturday ascending to the top spot of a franchise changes the way others now cover the league.

Furthermore, do ESPN, NBC Sports, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and NFL Network now need to be leery of former players wanting to join their ranks with ulterior motives? There are always going to be stars stepping away from the game and looking for their next opportunity. Will any view media as an avenue to “cut the line”, like Saturday has been accused of? From the NFL’s perspective, there’s always been a natural progression of “player to assistant coach, assistant coach to coordinator, coordinator to head coach, head coach to fired coach, fired coach to TV analyst”. But now the applecart has been upset.

As I mentioned, the entire likelihood of the situation rests upon Saturday being successful, which I don’t see happening, but with the NFL’s propensity for copying what worked for someone else, coupled with the shear amount of former players working as analysts for the league’s media partners, I think you have to ask the question if Jeff Saturday is the first person to leap from analyst to head coach or if he’s the last one to do it.

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