You ask, we reply. The Publish is fielding questions from readers about New York’s largest professional sports activities groups and getting our beat writers to reply them in a collection of often printed mailbags. In immediately’s installment: sports activities media.
Why does WFAN broadcast Yankees video games and spend so little (discuss present) time on the Bombers? Most hosts are Met followers and don’t disguise it. I consider the rankings have fallen as a result of persons are uninterested in it. — Vincent Panico
Vincent isn’t alone in feeling this fashion. Yankees officers have additionally felt for a very long time that FAN’s hosts have skewed an excessive amount of towards Mets followers, in line with sources.
With the diminishment of Yankees fan Mike Francesa’s profile on the station and the ascension of Mets followers Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts in his place, this has been exacerbated.
Boomer Esiason, Gregg Giannotti, Benigno, Roberts, and Maggie Grey are all Mets followers. Amongst FAN’s common daytime hosts, solely Marc Malusis is a Yankees fan.
The difficulty actually is how the hosts current themselves. Boomer & Gio, in addition to Grey, play it fairly straight when it comes to curiosity in each groups, whereas Joe and Evan sound as if they’re doing a chore speaking concerning the Yankees.
Their discussions lack the fervour as in comparison with after they opine (whine) concerning the Mets.
So it is a matter, however I don’t suppose you’ll be able to choose hosts primarily based on which groups they root for. It doesn’t make the Yankees joyful. Nor do I feel Vincent is alone.
Nevertheless, let’s be clear on one factor, there isn’t a knowledge that this negatively impacts FAN’s rankings. Although, it could not assist.
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What’s going to occur to Sean McDonough & different (faculty soccer) play-by-players with (Joe) Tessitore returning to CFB? — @BroadyArmand
ESPN goes to have spots, however it’s a query of who’s slated in that coveted No. 2 place behind Nationwide Championship game-caller Chris Fowler. It has been McDonough, and he’s an excellent play-by-player.
If Steve Levy will get the “Monday Evening Soccer” gig, that might open one other prime spot. Plus, Adam Amin left for Fox, so Thursday night time is in want of a play-by-player. And, Bob Wischusen and Dave Pasch are due promotions, so there are a whole lot of shifting chairs and choices.
Will HBO nonetheless have a “Arduous Knocks” present this summer time with a pandemic? — @NYCKING
The plan, as of proper now, is sure. Although it hasn’t been introduced, the Los Angeles groups, the Rams and Chargers, are set to be the primary double-featured franchises.
In fact, it will not be a shock if the NFL and HBO find yourself suspending for a 12 months due to the virus. Let’s hope not, as a result of “Arduous Knocks” is perennially a enjoyable present and, if it is ready to be produced, that might seemingly be excellent news in a whole lot of methods.
Who will get thought-about to exchange Adam Amin on the ladies’s Last 4? I’m considering it’s one among Beth Mowins or Ryan Ruocco. — @JeffWirth2002
I might say Ruocco can be the main candidate. He already works with Rebecca Lobo on the WNBA Finals. Plus, Lobo and Holly Rowe appear to be massive followers of Ruocco. I’m unsure it will work together with his NBA schedule with ESPN then performing some Nets on YES.
Do you suppose @FOXSports will make a run on the @NBA when the following TV contract negotiations come up? — @TheBRSports1
The NBA offers aren’t up till after the 2024-25 season, however I might say sure. Fox has been doing the Jr. NBA and, should you watch that manufacturing, it’s fairly apparent they’re sending a message of how first-class they may ultimately deal with the league.
We’re, in fact, in a probably redefining time. However Fox’s community technique is clearly centered round sports activities.
They had been dissatisfied they actually by no means acquired to take a swing on the prime SEC package deal that ESPN will ultimately take over from CBS. Occurring the idea enterprise returns to a semblance of what was regular, then, sure, I feel Fox could possibly be massive future gamers for the NBA.