ESPN Is Pathetic

[World's Fair]

Flipping channels and Mike & Mike are on. And I pause for a second because their set is covered in Colts stuff. Golic is wearing a Colts jersey, there is Colts crap all over their desk, etc.
 
Now I quickly realized they are at the Colts stadium in preperation for Sunday's big game. But given how New England fans are already primed to suspect that ESPN is in the bag for the NFL, the optics are sort of ridiculous. Especially Golic in a Colts jersey...it's not like he ever played for them.
 

 

[kelpapa]

Why do you have a problem with them getting dressed up in a Colts jersey when they're in Indianapolis?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

They do it whenever they go on the road for a big game. A couple years ago they broadcasted from the lighthouse bridge at Gillette and were decked out in Pats gear. There's nothing to get worked up about.

 

[garlan5]

MIke and Mike this morning Chris Carter was talking about the Michigan punter. While trying to say the punter didn't make the correct play (hello captain obvious) he said that kickers are not football players. He re-emphasized that again.  I realize he's trying to say the punter is not used to diving on the ball and other throwing/running plays but to say kickers aren't football players is kinda stupid and to me comes off as arrogant. That kid was a rugby player according to Golic.  Maybe my hate for "CC" is causing me to over analyze this but kickers are in fact football players.  It's just a college kid who botched a snap and tried to do something with it. This isn't the NFL.

 

[garlan5]

Also Golic this morning putting the blame on the Colts players for botching that trick punt formation. The damn coaching staff is at fault there.  That was just a chicken shit play that looks like something my Hoo's would end up doing.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

MIke and Mike this morning Chris Carter was talking about the Michigan punter. While trying to say the punter didn't make the correct play (hello captain obvious) he said that kickers are not football players. He re-emphasized that again.  I realize he's trying to say the punter is not used to diving on the ball and other throwing/running plays but to say kickers aren't football players is kinda stupid and to me comes off as arrogant. That kid was a rugby player according to Golic.  Maybe my hate for "CC" is causing me to over analyze this but kickers are in fact football players.  It's just a college kid who botched a snap and tried to do something with it. This isn't the NFL.

 
Just last week Brian Billick was spewing the same nonsense on NFL Network's pregame show.  Apparently the network agreed since they tweeted his quote shortly after he said it.
 
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/653179268709511168
 
It's part hot sports takez and part "men are men and guys who don't hit or get hit aren't men".  It's 100% idiotic, though.

 

[garlan5]

 
Just last week Brian Billick was spewing the same nonsense on NFL Network's pregame show.  Apparently the network agreed since they tweeted his quote shortly after he said it.
 
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/653179268709511168
 
It's part hot sports takez and part "men are men and guys who don't hit or get hit aren't men".  It's 100% idiotic, though.

 
What a dumbass. Well a couple of dumbasses. Kickers put points on the damn board. Sometimes more often that the "football players".  Brian Billick and CC are a lot alike anyway. They both try to talk about stuff to showcase what they did or do for the game. 

 

[OCST]

I remember Kevin Mawae being asked if kickers are football players, and he said "Sure, I can't kick a field goal."

 

[joe dokes]

@CoachBillick 
 

 
Its one thing if his chummy, drunk, unintelligible buddies on the halftime/pregame/postgame/no-game show call him "Coach."   But he calls himself "Coach"? That's when I ignore everything he says.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Also Golic this morning putting the blame on the Colts players for botching that trick punt formation. The damn coaching staff is at fault there.  That was just a chicken shit play that looks like something my Hoo's would end up doing.

I don't know what the hell your "Hoo's" are but that play is directly on the guy who snapped the ball. It was a joke of a play, surely. But I have a hard time believing they never discussed that if the defense covers it, just take the delay of game. The coaches can share their blame for even calling it or thinking they needed to do it, but for christsakes on top of it they got a penalty for not being on the line. I laugh that they needed to try such bullshit, but at the same time executed correctly, why not do it and see if the pats jump offside or you catch them sleeping.

 

[BrazilianSoxFan]

 
What a dumbass. Well a couple of dumbasses. Kickers put points on the damn board. Sometimes more often that the "football players".  Brian Billick and CC are a lot alike anyway. They both try to talk about stuff to showcase what they did or do for the game. 

Earlier today I was explaining football to a coworker. After explaining the scoring system, he was sure that kickers were supposed to be highly valued for their specialized skills and was shocked when I told him that many don't even consider them real football players.

 

[Alcohol&Overcalls]

Earlier today I was explaining football to a coworker. After explaining the scoring system, he was sure that kickers were supposed to be highly valued for their specialized skills and was shocked when I told him that many don't even consider them real football players.

 
Well, they're also relatively fungible at the highest level - at least in terms of their direct point-scoring. So it's the rare combo of both the nerds and the jocks denigrating their skills.

 

[riboflav]

Patriots illegally taped Panthers' practices in Houston leading up to the Super Bowl. 2nd paragraph.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/184491/why-the-carolina-panthers-can-win-super-bowl-50

 

[glennhoffmania]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk9WqTeyAys

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Patriots illegally taped Panthers' practices in Houston leading up to the Super Bowl. 2nd paragraph.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/184491/why-the-carolina-panthers-can-win-super-bowl-50

 
That's not what it says.
 

 
 
some that were with the Panthers' organization then still believe the Patriots gained an advantage by illegally taping Carolina practices prior to the title game in Houston

 
It's reporting that there are folks who were with the Panthers back then who believe this, not that it happened.

 

[TheWizard]

Mike Reiss
Answering a few #Patriots questions in one final @ESPNBoston mailbag (Cannon, Mayo, thin CB spot etc.) http://es.pn/1ZUSKEB 
 
What, final mailbag?!?!

 

[Dollar]

Mike Reiss
Answering a few #Patriots questions in one final @ESPNBoston mailbag (Cannon, Mayo, thin CB spot etc.) http://es.pn/1ZUSKEB 
 
What, final mailbag?!?!

It would help if you, you know, actually clicked the link and read the intro.
 

 
Things look a lot different today than they did in 2005, and that’s primarily why you won’t be seeing the mailbag each Tuesday anymore. My hope is that we can find new ways to connect and have the same type of interaction about the Patriots.

 

[tims4wins]

Things look a lot different today than they did in 2005, and that’s primarily why you won’t be seeing the mailbag each Tuesday anymore. My hope is that we can find new ways to connect and have the same type of interaction about the Patriots.

 

[TheWizard]

It would help if you, you know, actually clicked the link and read the intro.
 

 
Yeah i read that.  My point is, is this done willingly by Mike or being pushed down from above at ESPN???  
 
With the way's he's been both censored and misrepresented by ESPN this year, is why I asked the question.  

 

[mwonow]

The end of the Reiss mailbag sucks, but if it has a silver lining, it means I can not click on ESPN on Tuesdays any more.
 
Now wonder these guys are Goodell's Pravda. They think alike, right down to the idea that managing optics to suit dubious agendas is better than offering a great product to people who care about it...

 

[JimBoSox9]

Reiss's writing couldn't be more clear between the lines what he thinks of the decision, IMO, and that makes it pretty dumb.  I really think there's going to be a mass exodus of journalistic talent from ESPN in the next 1-3 years as contracts turn over.  5-10 years ago the competitive landscape was a wasteland, but there are a lot more players with money in the game now.  ESPN under Skipper has also become officially in the business of 'sports entertainment' first and foremost, without increasing the firewalls around the journalism silos still holding onto life and dignity.  The serious journalists with clout are going to increasingly not want to associate themselves with the ESPN brand, and they'll have landing spots to pick from when they jump.
 
No one stays on top forever.

 

[Harry Hooper]

(Bloomberg) -- Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN sports network plans to eliminate as many as 350 positions, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The cuts will be announced to employees as early as Wednesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing an internal matter.
 

 
Link

 

[JimBoSox9]

Or, the other way around.

 

[mauidano]

Unfortunately with the job cuts at ESPN the viewers will still have to put up with the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Chris Berman to start with. No on air personalities are being terminated.
 
Courtesy of the Hartford Courant: 
 
"ESPN isn't giving a breakdown of layoffs by job title or function, but it's not expected to affect any on-air personalities. Most of the network's 1,000 or so "public-facing" employees, including SportCenter anchors and play-by-play announcers, are under individual contracts, and so are not subject to layoffs."
http://www.courant.com/business/hc-espn-layoffs-1021-20151020-story.html

 

[edmunddantes]

My favorite part of the email/press release to the employees?

http://espnmediazone.com/us/174517-2/
 

We will be as supportive as we can during this transition, including providing a minimum of 60-days notice, a severance package reflective of their years of service, and outplacement benefits to help them find future employment.

Yep. We are doing that to be supportive as we can be during this transition and not because labor law requires it of any large company.

You don't get credit for what you are required to do.

 

[Marceline]

My favorite part of the email/press release to the employees?

http://espnmediazone.com/us/174517-2/
 

Yep. We are doing that to be supportive as we can be during this transition and not because labor law requires it of any large company.

You don't get credit for what you are required to do.

 
There is no labor law requiring 60 days notice to lay someone off, or severance packages.

 

[edmunddantes]

I never mentioned severance. I was only talking about the 60 days notice part.

If there is a reason why the WARN act would not apply in the ESPN case, I'd be happy to read it.

 

[TFP]

 
There is no labor law requiring 60 days notice to lay someone off, or severance packages.

The WARN act absolutely requires that, however only in certain situations. Sounds like ESPN doesn't meet it, due to the following condition
 

 
The WARN Act also is not activated when the following coverage thresholds are unmet:

• If a plant closing or a mass layoff results in fewer than 50 workers losing their jobs at a single employment site;
• If 50 to 499 workers lose their jobs and that number is less than 33 percent of the employer’s total, active workforce at a single employment site;
• If a layoff is for 6 months or less; or
• If work hours are not reduced 50 percent in each month of any 6-month period.

 

[edmunddantes]

The WARN act absolutely requires that, however only in certain situations. Sounds like ESPN doesn't meet it, due to the following condition

Ahhh... forgot about the single site exception. They got like 4k in Bristol right?

Hmmm... it might still get activated for some of them depending on whether all are in Bristol or other places and relative size of layoffs to population.

But yes... Labor law does exist on this.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I never mentioned severance. I was only talking about the 60 days notice part.

If there is a reason why the WARN act would not apply in the ESPN case, I'd be happy to read it.

 
So they are doing more than they are required to do, right?

 

[Luis Taint]

Anyone of note yet?

 

[Van Everyman]

Is Reiss gone or just layered?
 
Will be interested to see how this impacts Grantland. Without Simmons around, I have to imagine they will be dinged by all this as well. Which I assume was part of Skipper's plan all along.

 

[pappymojo]

Is Reiss gone or just layered?
 
Will be interested to see how this impacts Grantland. Without Simmons around, I have to imagine they will be dinged by all this as well. Which I assume was part of Skipper's plan all along.

 
I like Reiss and want him to do well and I would hate for him to be out of a job. 

That said, selfishly, I want him to work somewhere else.  I hate having to click into ESPN to read Reiss.  It makes me feel dirty.

 

[Van Everyman]

Yes and no. I've been in the workforce long enough to know that everything is a tradeoff. Yes, working at ESPN means you have to deal with all the baggage of working for the WWL and the occasional "tight edit" that compromises the integrity of work.
 
But for a guy like Reiss, you also get ridiculous resources -- locker room access, features with former players like Bruschi. And, a decent salary I assume. Not to mention a huge platform with a significant audience. This is why, let's remember, that Simmons went there in the first place, before he became big enough to leave ... tho I suspect he will find that even HBO has its corporate restrictions. It's the nature of the business.
 
At the end of the day, I'd rather have a guy like Reiss at ESPN -- and have people there that keep the brand even a little bit honest. Which I think even someone like Skipper probably recognizes.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

Tim K: "the Dodgers need to go out and fill every hole that they have. And they. Have. Some. Holes."

 

[johnmd20]

Are we still doing phrasing?

 

[ifmanis5]

Charley Steiner didn't like those layoffs either. Now that we know a little more seems like those who were targeted were higher salary vets which explains the Gus thing a bit more. LINK: http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/charley-steiner-blasts-espns-layoffs-in-facebook-post/275487

 

[Luis Taint]

ESPN yanked all their YouTube material off, douchebags.

 

[soxhop411]

ESPN yanked all their YouTube material off, douchebags.

No its due to Youtube being idiots
 
http://deadspin.com/espns-youtube-channels-are-going-dark-1738189787

 

[johnmd20]

No its due to Youtube being idiots
 
http://deadspin.com/espns-youtube-channels-are-going-dark-1738189787

 
Yeah, the nerve of Youtube.

 

[ifmanis5]

I heard Norby Williamson was one of the cuts. That's a pretty huge scalp if true.

 

[Vandalman]

 

[kenneycb]

They got the record right, at least.

 

[bosoxsue]

I heard Norby Williamson was one of the cuts. That's a pretty huge scalp if true.

 
It's not true.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

I was home from work yesterday and had SportsCenter on in the background...they were doing some sort of In Case You Missed It thing and were actively promoting tomorrows big thing...that same announcer doing the NFL Week 7 wrap up, in emojis only.  What in the ever living fuck?

 

[soxhop411]

@JosinaAnderson: Photo: Jason Pierre-Paul courageously re-acclimating to the playing at an #NFL level. #NFL

 

[axx]

No mention of the "found love on ESPN comment board" article? You guys are slipping.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

No mention of the "found love on ESPN comment board" article? You guys are slipping.

 
Wait, you mean you didn't?

 

[ipol]

 
Wait, you mean you didn't?

 
Wait, he didn't find love or he didn't mention it?

 

[bbc23]

]