You ask, we answer. The Post answers readers’ questions about New York’s biggest professional sports teams and invites our beat editors and columnists to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s episode: sports media.
How uninspired is ESPN’s new Monday night football booth? Who SHOULD get the job? Does everything on their knees make them have doubts about Drew Brees? – @graciopp
Let’s break up a little Mailbag news with a big name that ESPN spoke to on Monday nights that weren’t reported. ESPN has spoken to Rams coach Sean McVay about being a “Monday Night Football” analyst, sources told The Post.
ESPN executives believe McVay could stand out in the booth, much like Jon Gruden. McVay is only 34, has been in a Super Bowl before, and is under contract, but a conversation has taken place.
That didn’t happen, but that was where it was if McVay wanted to leave the coach, ESPN would be interested in having him in the pit.
So in 2050, when McVay turns 64, we can’t wait to announce that McVay will be joining ESPN’s TikTok showcase on MNF.
As for your question, ESPN had a $ 140 million contract pending from Tony Romo, had their annual run at Peyton Manning, spoke to Brees, thought of Philip Rivers, dreamed of a trade for Al Michaels and considered his best college team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit before settling on Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Brian Griese. I would have gone with a two-man team, personally, because it’s easier. I feel like Dan Orlovsky was fortunate enough to really pop up as a game analyst. ESPN was shy, due to the raw team results of Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland, to go with it. a second year analyst.
Do Levy, Griese, and Riddick feel like a band that would someday call the Super Bowl that ESPN / ABC wants on the next contract? No, this is not the case, but you have to hear them before judging.
They played a Monday night game last year and we’ve been hearing them for years, but we need to hear them more together. It would have been better if ESPN had Riddick join Levy and Griese full-time in college last year.
They could be very solid, which as I wrote last week would be better than the parallel presentation of the MNF booth in recent years.
What is the origin of the story that some media want college football canceled? – @KeithKhorton
Commentators like Joel Klatt and Clay Travis of Fox Sports have used it against members of the media who have chosen to ask tough questions or cast doubt on the sport they play.
I can’t really speak for everyone in sports media, but the angle is completely illogical. Besides most love sports, the postponement and cancellation of matches will likely have a profound impact on jobs, as places as big as ESPN and as small as a local newspaper can be cut.
People who ask tough questions of leaders make them better and that results in stronger decisions. The cheerleaders of the media and the people in the know just don’t.
Local NBC sports stations cut NBA reporters across the country last week. Does this indicate a possible gradual withdrawal from this position in the media landscape? – @Meghan_Ottolini
They are at risk in this economic climate because they are not essential. You need one player per player and one TV analyst, but fringe reporters can be ditched.
Overall, I don’t think the secondary reporters will be phased out. It could be argued that without the fans they are more important than ever in helping to bring the game closer to the viewer.
In today’s sports media landscape, do you ever see another Mike Golic-like series of excellence and decades-long breadth? – Danny Samet
I do. Golic’s popularity is underestimated, in my opinion. He logged in. There may be an argument if he has a distinctive voice, but that’s a Leno / Letterman debate.
While Letterman was often the choice of critics, Leno generally had better grades. I liked Letterman better, but Leno was an easier watch that often performs better nationally. Golic had this same quality during his race. It can happen again.
What is the state of negotiations between YouTube TV and Sinclair regarding the return of the YES network to YT TV? Are they still talking or is it a non-starter? – August West
From what I’ve been told, it’s not about to happen. Could the talks resume for good? Yes, because that is how these negotiations take place. However, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
.
