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What happened to loyalty? ESPN doesn’t show much in firing ‘The Schwab’

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I was at the Blackhawks game last night, and my son, who was sitting in a different part of the United Center, sent me a text:

“Dad, did you see Dickie V tweet? They got rid of The Schwab!!”

I knew ESPN was making another round of cuts yesterday, but I never envisioned they would include Howie Schwab.

Most viewers knew him from his Stump The Schwab TV show on ESPN. I must say my kids started to fall in love with sports from watching the program, in which contestants would try to beat Schwab at sports trivia. It was a fun show mainly because he took it so seriously. He truly didn’t want to get beat.

However, Schwab was much more to ESPN. He spent 26 years as a researcher and producer for ESPN. He was at Dick Vitale’s side for many events.

Judging from the reaction on Twitter and Facebook, he was beloved in Bristol. Former ESPNer Dan Patrick paid tribute to Schwab on his radio show today: “To me he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of ESPN. He took great pride in doing it better than anyone.”

You could feel Schwab’s heart breaking with this post he put on his Facebook page:

After 26 years at ESPN, I am extremely disappointed to say farewell. I have been proud of my association and my work during my tenure. I was a loyal employee, displayed respect for others, worked with numerous charities, represented the company well. I always did everything asked of me and more. What did I get in return today … word that I should get lost. The only thing that mattered was my salary, which in my view was the lone reason I lost my job.

Listen, the only people who get lifetime jobs are Supreme Court justices. Everyone is vulnerable, and times that by a million for people working in the media business these days.

I don’t think ESPN is cutting back. I believe the network is restructuring certain areas in an attempt to become more efficient. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the overall staffing became bloated, and ESPN president John Skipper was informed to trim jobs.

Many good people were told, “Sorry, that’s the way it goes.”

Yet shouldn’t there be some loyalty for an employee like Schwab who dedicated everything he had to ESPN for 26 years? Maybe I am incredibly naive, but if I’m running things, you find a way to keep someone who bleeds for the place.

I’m sure ESPN people will argue otherwise, but his firing makes it look like loyalty is a one-way street in Bristol. The Schwab deserved better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tired in Chicago, Boston: Towns stayed up late to watch triple overtime thriller

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People are dragging in Chicago and Boston today. However, it is a much happier tired in the land of the Blackhawks.

Both cities did huge numbers for the endless Game 1. In Boston, the game did a 28.5 rating, while Chicago averaged a 25.1 local rating.

As expected, the massive ratings generated by the nation’s third (Chicago) and seventh (Boston) markets had a profound effect on NBC’s overall rating. The network did a 4.8 overnight rating, which is the best for an NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 1 since 1997 (Detroit/Philadelphia on Fox: 5.2). You are going back a ways when you’re talking about Fox and hockey.

I don’t have the intervals for Boston, but Chicago, the game peaked with a 29.9 rating (nearly 1 million homes watching) at 10:30 p.m. Central during the first overtime.

A few people bailed as the marathon continued, but as you can see from the 15-minute ratings intervals, the vast majority stayed to the joyous end–at least in Chicago.

10:30pm – 29.9

10:45pm – 25.6

11:00pm – 27.1

11:15pm – 26.1

11:30pm – 23.1

11:45pm – 23.9

Chris Berman on podcast: ‘I’m on the 16th hole of my career’; Trying to keep open mind on his U.S. Open work

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I have made a vow to an ESPN friend that I am going to try to keep an open mind about Chris Berman working yet another U.S. Open. (Sorry, touch of sarcasm there).

Previously, I have complained that Berman’s style, and shtick, is out of place for one of golf’s biggest events. Home Run Derby, yes. U.S. Open, no.

I know I am not alone here among seasoned golf viewers.

Perhaps, though, I have been a bit too harsh. Maybe I need to lighten up when it comes to “Boomer?”

Clearly, Berman has a passion for the event, as evidenced by an interview he did for ESPN’s Front and Center podcast.

This will be Berman’s 28th Open for ESPN; his first was 1986. During the podcast, the 58-year old said, “I’m on the 16th hole of my career.”

I’m not sure about the “16th hole” statement. Given the longevity of TV folks these days, I can see Berman working into his 70s. It’s more likely that he will come to 18 and decide to play another 9.

Berman did say he wants to work the U.S. Open until the day he does hang up the microphone. And clearly ESPN will let him.

From the podcast:

“It is truly an Open. You’ve gotta be great but if you are a one-handicap golfer, you can step up and try to make it. That’s a big part of it. . . The second part of it is it’s played in a different place every year and often an historical place. Merion, for example this year, Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan — there are plaques for both of them. Well, that’s golf.”

Berman told a great story about his interaction with Payne Stewart during the 1999 Open he won at Pinehurst. He also discussed his own personal golf highlight: Making a birdie on 18 at Pebble Beach to make the cut at the AT&T Pro-Am. Bill Murray was among the players in his foursome.

What struck me about the podcast was Berman’s tone. It was much more restrained and understated compared to the high-volume guy we see on TV.

Golf isn’t football, and if he incorporated more of that tone into his U.S. Open telecasts, the critics might lay off a bit.

Most people, though, already have made up their minds about Berman and the Open. I would suggest he stay away from Twitter for a couple of days.

As for me? Well, I made a promise. Let’s see if I can keep it.

As always, let me know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

This is awesome: Arnold Palmer tells Clint Eastwood to pick up pace in new USGA ad

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During this week’s U.S. Open, expect to see plenty of ads imploring golfers to pick up the pace on the golf course.

The United States Golf Association has embarked on a campaign to eliminate slow play, which is ruining the game. Of course, the worst offenders will be the pros playing at Merion this week. But that’s another story.

The theme of the ads are a take-off on Rodney Dangerfield’s immortal line in Caddyshack: “While we’re young.”

Here is an ad I’m sure everyone will love.

Hear this Boston: Eddie Olczyk won’t play favorites for Blackhawks during Final

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In my Chicago Tribune column (please access via my Twitter feed), I wrote about how Eddie Olczyk, a former Blackhawks player and its current TV analyst, won’t play favorites in his role as analyst for NBC during the Stanley Cup Final.

Of course, the perceptions always are going to be there.

From the column:

Don’t think for a minute some viewers won’t notice the Chicago connection in Boston.

Olczyk knows there will be Bruins fans who will accuse him of favoritism toward the Hawks. He got a taste during the Pittsburgh-Boston series in the East Final. Olczyk spent eight years as a player, coach and analyst with the Penguins.

“I had Boston people saying I was favoring the Penguins because I used to work there,” Olczyk. “And you know what? There were people in Pittsburgh who thought I was favoring the Bruins. That means I’m doing my job. The perceptions always are going to be there. People are going to hear what they want to hear.”

Olczyk insists he has the same approach with Emrick as he does with Pat Foley. He admits there might be a bit more “shtick” as far as nicknames and other banter during local telecasts of Hawks games. However, he didn’t become one of the best in the business by playing favorites.

“My job is tell people why something happened,” Olczyk said. “If a guy makes a mistake, I’m going to call him out. It’s not any different on a local game or a national game. I take great pride in being consistent. I’m very comfortable in the chair that I sit in.”

Johnny Miller: Best analyst in TV sports ready to go centerstage at U.S. Open

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I wrote about Johnny Miller this week in my column for the National Sports Journalism Center site.

In my mind, Miller is the best analyst in sports. Not just golf. All of sports.

Agree? I know the players don’t, which is a big reason why I like him so much.

From my post:

Miller’s mix of brutally frank analysis, plus his own unique “Millerisms”, makes him a must-listen whenever he pops up on the tube. Really, how many analysts command your attention the way Miller does? Off the top of my head, I only can think of a handful: Charles Barkley, John McEnroe. John Madden in his prime. Dick Vitale still rates with me on college hoops, and Jeff Van Gundy also is a new entry on my short list.

Apologies to anyone I left off, because there are many talented people out there. But when it comes to Miller, we’re talking about taking it to another level.

It is often said that Miller lacks a filter between his brain and his mouth. Whatever pops into his head comes out. It also isn’t in his nature to hold back. His style is the golf equivalent of reaching for the big club for that really long shot over water on a par 5. No risk, no reward.

“In the booth, you can play it safe and down the center of the fairway,” Miller once said in a Golf Magazine interview.  ”Or you can go for glory. That means you’ll be close to water hazards and O.B. stakes. I could be Joe Namby Pamby and say trite, obvious things, but growing the game is part of what I do. Viewers tell me all the time, ‘If you’re not announcing, I don’t even turn it on.’”

 

Will he be right? Johnny Miller predicted Tiger wouldn’t break Jack’s record in 2004

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While doing some research for my National Sports Journalism Center column on Johnny Miller, I came across a story I did on him for the Chicago Tribune in May, 2004.

Miller was in town to promote his book, I Call The Shots. Looking back, he had some views on Tiger Woods that are looking to be fairly prescient now.

At the time, Woods was only 28 and had eight majors in the bank. Now going into this week’s U.S. Open, he is 37 and stuck on 14 majors since 2008, five away from breaking Nicklaus’ record of 18.

Here’s what I wrote:

The headline-grabber of Miller’s book is his prediction that Woods won’t break Nicklaus’ record of 18 victories in majors. With eight majors in the bank, Woods could win just one in each of the next 11 years and accomplish the feat.

That seemed to be a no-brainer a couple of years ago. But Miller said he sees Woods hitting a wall, just as Nicklaus did and he did. He called Woods “an old 28.”

Woods did hit a wall. Or more specifically a fire hydrant. However, he did win six majors from 2005-2008 prior to his Thanksgiving night ride in 2009.

For starters, Miller said he believes Woods will be fortunate to avoid injuries. Woods had surgery on his left knee at the end of 2002.

“With the speed of his swing, he has to dodge the bad back, the bad wrist, the bad shoulder,” Miller said.

Hmm, it turns out Woods wasn’t through having problems with that left knee.

More important, Miller said staying motivated will be Woods’ toughest challenge.

“Tiger always has won every tournament in every age group,” Miller said. “The bottom line is you have to be focused for so many years to do that. There comes a period in a guy’s life where you say, `Man, I’m really grinding it.’ Then at 30 you wonder, `Is this what I want to do the rest of my career?'”

Or do I want to go out and have numerous affairs? I doubt Miller was thinking of that reason, but he had a feeling Woods would get sidetracked.

Nicklaus, Miller noted, went three years without winning a major at a similar age. But he certainly got going again.

There’s no reason Woods can’t regain his dominance. But first he has to find the fairway.

Woods’ drives “are starting on one course and finishing on another,” Miller said.

Miller went through a litany of Woods’ flaws, ranging from grip to wrist cock to the influence of his good friend, Mark O’Meara. He contended Woods has been “O’Meara-ized,” and that isn’t a good thing.

“I keep having this dream where Tiger comes to me and says, `OK, what’s wrong with my game?'” Miller said. “Well, I’m ready, Tiger.”

Woods still has problems hitting fairways, although O’Meara can’t be blamed. They aren’t close anymore.

As for Miller’s dream about Woods contacting him for advice. Something tells me that still hasn’t happened.

 

Q/A with Golf Channel president Mike McCarley: On record ratings growth, Chamblee, and lunches with Arnie

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It is Tuesday of U.S. Open week, which means the Golf Channel is well into its 45,026 hours of live coverage this week.

And why not? If golf is all you do, you throw everything into covering the U.S. Open.

The Open should add more ratings power to what already has been a big year for the Golf Channel. The network has posted five straight months of record growth.

At this point, all Golf Channel has to do is put out a standard press release, changing only the date and the number of months of consecutive growth.

“Sounds good to me,” said Golf Channel president Mike McCarley.

Why is Golf Channel having as much success as Tiger Woods in 2013? Well, some of it has to do with Woods. He elevates everything in golf TV.

However, there’s more. Here is my Q/A with McCarley in which talks about programming, Brandel Chamblee, and his lunches with Arnold Palmer, one of the founders of the network.

How often do you get together with Arnold Palmer?

We’ll have lunch from time to time. If you ask a question, he’ll give you an answer. As a guy who is the founder of the channel, and pretty much the biggest name in golf, he’s got great advice. But he’s also very careful to only give advice when he is asked for it. He does not weigh in on things unless I ask him to.

You cherish the time you get with him. What you see is what you get. We’ll be at Bay Hill for lunch, and somebody will come over for his autograph. He always has time for everyone.

He’s told me the history of this place and some of the decisions they had to make. It’s just terrific to be with him.

What is driving the ratings?

The programming philosophy is getting back to a pure and more authentic form of the game. At its base level is show more live golf. Whenever you can, show live golf.

The ratings success is due to a lot of things.There are micro aspects. One thing that people haven’t picked up on is that we changed the commercial breaks for live golf. We cut them from 3 minutes on average to 2 minutes to 2:15, somewhere in there. (NBC golf producer) Tommy Roy and I had a long conversation. The average time between golf shots is about 2:15. So instead of going from a tee shot to a commercial to a taped shot of his approach shot to a live shot of him putting, you’re going from a tee shot to a live approach shot and then follow him into the green from there. The flow and pacing is more of what you would see at a live event if you were there.

Those small little format changes are helpful.

How about the programs that the Golf Channel has developed beyond live golf: Morning Drive, Feherty, Big Break, The Haney Project? What has been that impact?

In this business, there’s a scorecard every day. Your viewers are telling you what they want. You can adjust to what they’re responding to. Feherty was a 30-minute show; now it is a hour. Haney was 30-minutes, now a hour. We’ve gone seven days a week with Morning Drive, and it has evolved into all aspects of the game, not just pro golf. That’s been important.

We had great feedback on our re-airing of the 1971 U.S. Open playoff at Merion. Jason Dufner was one-man promotional machine for us. He was tweeting about it and telling his followers.

The kind of feedback we’re getting is reassuring that we’re on the right path.

What about Brandel Chamblee’s rising popularity as a must-listen studio analyst?

The role of a studio analyst is to have well-informed and strong opinions. Brandel studies and prepares as much as anyone in the business. He’s like a coach preparing for a game. When it comes time, he’s able to deliver a well-informed opinion. He can argue either side of an issue. He probably should have been a trial attorney. He also can communicate it in an interesting way. It probably has a little bit to do with the Texas twang. He has the homespun feel. But beneath the twang is a well-researched opinion.

We have developed a niche for him where you want to hear his take. Whether you will agree with it or not, it’s always well informed.

What about the Tiger Woods impact on your ratings? He’s having a big year.

Without question, Tiger always helps drive ratings. Tiger does move the needle. It’s the combination of Tiger and some of the young stars coming up. It’s exciting to see the emergence of young stars as personalities.

Thanks to Comcast’s ownership, how has the branding of the Golf Channel on NBC impacted your network?

Here’s an example. When we signed Michael Phelps (for the Haney Project), we did the deal on a Saturday morning and he was swimming that night (in the Olympics). That would not happen without NBC’s Olympic connection.

The brand consistency has definitely helped. Our viewers tell us that consistency is important – one of the first pieces we put into place once the companies came together was a common look for golf on Golf Channel and NBC. The audience sees the same logo, graphics, commentators with NBC Sports’ unique approach to storytelling and commitment to quality production shared on both networks. We have seen a significant lift when switching audiences from Golf Channel to NBC and NBC to Golf Channel compared to similar circumstances with other networks in golf.

The day our email and switchboards light up are the days that golf is being played and viewers can’t find the tournament on Golf Channel; it seems to be the first place they look. We know the audience feels very comfortable moving between the two networks.