With the NFL coming into Week 5 — are you able to consider we’re developing on 30 % of the common season accomplished? — I assumed it was a great time to reply NFL-specific media questions.
Questions have been calmly edited for readability and size. Let’s go.
For those who would have instructed me we’d be raving about Invoice Belichick and raking Tom Brady over the coals, nicely, most would have thought the opposite manner round. What’s your tackle all of the “rookies” (in broadcasting) this 12 months? — Tom R.
What grade do you give Tom Brady 4 weeks into his broadcasting profession? The place else does he want to enhance? — Deven B.
I first wrote in 2016 whereas working at Sports activities Illustrated that I assumed Belichick had all of the traits to be a profitable NFL broadcaster. Then got here this piece for The Athletic in 2023 and this piece in January. So I’m not stunned within the slightest, and I might additionally not be stunned if he caught with it after this season.
I wrote after Brady’s debut and his second sport, after which final week I watched him name the Tampa Bay Buccaneers towards the Philadelphia Eagles. The progress is there. It’s incremental, however he’s already a unique broadcaster after 4 video games versus his Sept. 8 name. It’s an elevated consolation stage that’s most blatant. I might grade him a B-minus after 4 weeks, and I’d take into account that grade successful.
The place Brady has to enhance is he’s nonetheless coming to the commentary after performs just a little late, he gives little if any criticism of coaches, and we nonetheless don’t get sufficient second-level evaluation, which for my definition is instructing me one thing new in regards to the sport that I didn’t see if I used to be following the ball. However the work in progress is on target.
Has the NFL thought-about shutting out the networks and operating the broadcasts themselves? Would they earn more money in the event that they broadcast themselves through NFL.com and doubtlessly lease their stream to 3rd events like ESPN and others? — John B.
It’s the other. The NFL has been trying to shed media belongings, together with operating the NFL Community. The monetary outlay to supply the video games themselves — consider all of the hires they’d must make in manufacturing and elsewhere — after which sublicense the video games to a different broadcaster can be so nice that it’s not value it. Additionally, they’ve present rights contracts with corporations, so the league couldn’t even take into account it for years.
I feel the NFL will look to be concerned in additional one-off media initiatives somewhat than big-scale broadcasts, which is why I might not guess lengthy on NFL Community doing video games subsequent decade, not less than beneath the NFL Media banner.
Which present gamers are most wanted for post-retirement careers with the most important networks? — Paul E.
The title that all the time comes up amongst networks isn’t a participant however a coach: Mike Tomlin. The Pittsburgh Steelers coach can be employed instantly if he needs to be. All of the networks love him.
If the NFL goes to a schedule with each workforce enjoying a global sport every season, may that package deal of video games, largely confined to Sunday mornings presently, dare increase to Saturday mornings? — Mark B.
What are the probabilities the NFL carves out a package deal for worldwide video games, and if that’s the case, who may be within the operating for it? — Pete G.
By no means say by no means with NFL house owners, who worship cash above all. However I can’t see them within the rapid future enjoying on Saturdays for aggressive causes. Additionally, the 1961 Sports activities Broadcasting Act successfully bars the NFL from airing a serious a part of its schedule Friday evenings or on Saturdays between the second Friday in September and the second Saturday in December.
As for the worldwide package deal: It completely will occur. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt instructed Sports activities Enterprise Journal’s Ben Fischer in September that, “within the brief to medium time period, it’s real looking to assume the league may play as many as 16 video games abroad.” It looks like the plain time slot would be the Sunday morning window to create a brand new media-rights package deal, and I feel you’d look to streamers resembling Amazon, ESPN+, Netflix and Peacock as being .
When do you assume (Los Angeles Rams head coach) Sean McVay leaves to hitch TV? He has indicated that he needs to spend time together with his rising household. Additionally, I’ve heard analysts say he can be nice on TV, which I feel he would, too. Sure, the cash is healthier in teaching, however the stress is considerably much less in tv. Do you assume he’s tied to (quarterback) Matthew Stafford by way of enjoying/teaching, with the Rams’ championship window closing? — Joshua B.
Thanks, Joshua. I forwarded your query to our Rams author, Jourdan Rodrigue, who’s uniquely positioned to reply this. Right here’s what she stated:
“It’s an excellent query. Ever since McVay genuinely thought-about stepping away from teaching in 2022, it’s honest for individuals on the skin to surprise how lengthy he’ll keep in that world. My expertise and impression, although, is kind of completely different than those that assume he’s prepared to leap at any time. I don’t assume he feels tied to Stafford’s personal profession timeline, though it’s actually doable he as soon as felt that manner.
“I’ve written in-depth about how McVay received himself again to teaching after a psychological burnout in 2022 — and thru these conversations and that reporting, I consider he at minimal needs to remain dedicated to his present contract, which runs by means of 2026, if not longer. McVay is aware of the sales space will likely be ready for him at any time, the costs maintain going up all the identical, and I consider he genuinely needs to be the kind of coach who has a fame for overcoming adversity and growing gamers. I consider he now understands that his legacy as a coach and fame amongst his friends is about much more than turning into the youngest NFL head coach or that Tremendous Bowl win.”
When will the NFL buy the Canadian Soccer League to increase its base? — Leslie G.
Can’t see this occurring. There’s no financial motive for the NFL to purchase the CFL. Canada isn’t a market the league has focused for growth — the Toronto/Buffalo Payments experiment was not successful — and the NFL has made clear that Europe and Mexico are the place its rapid wishes sit. Additionally, what would the NFL be shopping for? Not one of the CFL groups would turn out to be NFL groups. Then, on the opposite facet, the CFL prides itself on being Canadian-owned and run. I simply don’t see it.
With all the cash paid to the highest commentators for Sunday afternoon video games, is there any thought by these networks on the variety of viewers they’re dropping to RedZone or Sunday Ticket? — Matt L.
First, it’s a must to keep in mind that the salaries paid to broadcasters by corporations resembling Disney, Comcast or Fox Corp. quantity to rounding errors for the businesses. That even goes for Brady at Fox. So far as RedZone: The perfect estimates are that the channel attracts about 1 million viewers every Sunday. It’s not a big loss for the networks given the early home windows for the networks will common 17 million to twenty million viewers and the late-afternoon window often pops 25 million.
What led NBC to increase Cris Collinsworth for an additional half-decade understanding a youthful, superior expertise (Greg Olsen) was obtainable? I’d perceive it if the incumbent was higher — and even pretty much as good — and I do know it’s extremely subjective. I don’t assume that’s the case right here. Ideas? — Barry S.
It’s subjective is the brief and lengthy reply. Is Olsen a greater analyst? I feel he’s, however that is the place subjectivity performs in. Relationships play an enormous position right here. NBC Sports activities management likes Collinsworth, and he has deep relationships with the individuals charged with hiring. It’s additionally an enormous swing to herald somebody from the skin who has by no means labored together with your manufacturing group. Collinsworth has been related to NBC since 1990 and has been the lead analyst on “Sunday Evening Soccer” for 16 seasons. That’s plenty of fairness.
Now, the subjective half. I’ve written many items praising Collinsworth, however I do assume during the last couple of years he’s turn out to be increasingly more a spokesperson for the NFL the place as soon as upon a time he actually was a maverick by way of being important of the league. Perhaps that occurs when the years construct up and also you get tighter with Roger Goodell and the fellas. However so far as getting ready for broadcasts and the keenness for soccer, he nonetheless will get excessive marks in each classes from my perspective.
GO DEEPER
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(High picture of Tom Brady: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Pictures)