Welcome to the eleventh installment of a weekly mailbag that I shall be writing in regards to the world of sports activities media (and the rest you need to chime in on). Please e mail me any questions you need to Jimmy.Traina@si.com or ship them by way of Twitter.
I did a nasty job reminding you guys to ship me questions, so we’re slightly gentle this week. I’ll step it up subsequent week.
When you have been working a television community with nba rights and an enormous funds and you can construct a number of good cubicles, who would you rent
— Gleyber (@GleyberGod) June 5, 2023
As I’ve written earlier than, I feel that is the golden Aae for NBA play-by-play broadcasters. ESPN and TNT have it proper with Mike Breen and Kevin Harlan, respectively, as their lead announcers. So I’m fantastic with a lot of the cubicles these two networks give us.
I do suppose every community may use slightly jolt in the case of analysts. I’ve additionally written earlier than that I’m a giant fan of each Richard Jefferson and JJ Redick on ESPN. I would wish to see them work extra high-profile video games collectively.
I’d additionally like to see Invoice Walton, who was a lead analyst for NBC a few years in the past, work some NBA video games once more.
I feel Candace Parker is nice on TNT’s Tuesday studio present and I’d wish to see her get a crack at doing video games.
Since your query gave me an enormous funds and I needed to put collectively a number of cubicles, I’ll offer you one outside-the-box thought I’d execute. I’d create a nontraditional three-person sales space that will characteristic Ian Eagle on play-by-play and Invoice Simmons and Ryen Russillo because the analysts. These guys do an awesome job discussing the NBA on Simmons’s Ringer podcast, and that sales space could be completely different and recent.
Do you anticipate a Onerous Knocks announcement quickly? Final yr’s preseason Onerous Knocks was introduced in March.
— TJ (@TJRamsey44) June 5, 2023
I checked in with HBO on this and was informed it doesn’t have any info but on which staff shall be featured on Onerous Knocks this season.
Will there be any new cubicles for CBS and or FOX for the NFL in 2023?
I do know Greg Gumbel will now not do PbPThanks to your time at this time.
— AEM2022 (@AEM20221) June 5, 2023
CBS and Fox don’t usually announce new NFL broadcasters till late summer time. You hit probably the most noteworthy query of the offseason with CBS needing a substitute for Greg Gumbel, who continues to be with the community, however now off NFL duties. CBS doesn’t essentially want to rent somebody for Gumbel’s spot. They may transfer up a man like Andrew Catalon after which rent a play-by-player to work on a decrease crew.
Simply listened to pod… are you able to make clear a bit extra on what this NFL asserting boot camp is?
— Patrick Webb (@webb_02) June 5, 2023
Patrick is referring to Pat McAfee telling me on final week’s SI Media With Jimmy Traina that he was rejected from the NFL’s “broadcasting bootcamp” thrice.
The annual program is definitely referred to as the Broadcasting and Media Workshop. It’s a three-day session the place present and former gamers who’ve curiosity in changing into analysts when their enjoying days are over get to work on calling video games and doing studio work.
This yr’s workshop was held a month in the past, and it featured 25 gamers. You’ll be able to learn extra about it right here.
Pat McAfee informed you his present will air on ESPN TV 12-2. Why is This Simply In being canceled then? Wouldn’t including McAfee assist that reveals scores?
— Isles Mets Jets fan (@bigjimfan) June 5, 2023
There was no phrase on This Simply In being canceled. I’m not saying it should or gained’t be. I’m simply telling you ESPN hasn’t introduced something on it but.
I am undecided I absolutely perceive the query, although. When you’re suggesting ESPN rent McAfee to be a part of This Simply In, properly, that is simply ridiculous.
Why does ESPN/ABC even trouble with a NBA Finals halftime present if it's simply going to be adverts for 95% of the time?
— Matt (@Mchuck16) June 5, 2023
You simply answered your personal query. ESPN wants a present to allow them to promote adverts for 95% of it.
I’ll attempt once more to attempt to get my query answered: do you see Sal changing Craig if he leaves the fan
— x- Struggling JIM (@JIMfan523) June 5, 2023
I wasn’t snubbing you. Sal is certainly one of my greatest associates and he does SI Media With Jimmy Traina with me each week, so it’s a bizarre query for me to reply. OF COURSE need to see him exchange Craig Carton if Carton leaves the WFAN. Not simply because Sal is an efficient buddy, however as a result of he’s extremely entertaining and has paid his dues. Do I see it taking place? I don’t know what the FAN’s plan is and I don’t know what administration’s pondering is, so I can’t actually supply any perception.
One e mail query this week.
If the ESPYs nonetheless exist, do you suppose ESPN ought to have Pat McAfee host them yearly? Thanks! —Ty
The ESPYs nonetheless exist, and I feel McAfee ought to completely host them as soon as, however no one ought to host them yearly. You need to preserve it recent and usher in whoever is scorching in the meanwhile to host.
