The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
I think, the interview with Lenny Krayzelburg misdiagnose swimming as not having enough content value to US spectators, because "...it's boring.".
He should stand up to US TV bosses, with a better swimming attitude than that.
Golf is on US TV, and that's akin to watch the grass grow.
Swimming as it is now, has way more substance than that, but is not packaged as a big entertainment in US.
That's mainly because the culture worships money, and to be considered 'worthy', swimming needs to give out prize money, way more at the US Swiming level, and start doing it at the USMS level.
For example, as a beginning, the US Swimming recently put out a one million dollars prize money for the American who can beat the world record in 1500 meter free in Olympics and get a gold medal.
USMS needs to institute some prize money too, then you will see the US TV buzzing around USMS meets.
Originally posted by Paul Smith
...
The other thing that needs to take place (which no one responded to, I guess complaining is better than providing solutions!), is a fundamental change in how we "don't" provide entertainment value at our meets. Got any ideas?
...
Aside from prize money, I think the example given by Cynthia about Matt Biondi (US) when he laughed at a journalist who didn't know he is a famous swimmer, is another recipe of entertainment understood by TV: Biondi's brash attitude made that journalist and friends being 'offended', so they remember him now.
Anthony Ervin (US) went faster than Biondi ever did in 100 meter free and 100 yards free, but like Sampras (US) in tennis, he is a gentleman in the shadows, while the TV bosses look for bad boys to fuel entertainment.
In Australia, confidence that swimming is top, works in a smaller market than the US, thanks to sponsorships and cocky swimmers attitude, and last year Gary Hall Jr. (US) considered moving there in order to be immersed in a swimming culture.
In US, alternative media to the mainstream media, like the Swimming World and Swim magazines are , like the web sites are, plus prize money and a confident, brash attitude about the substance of the sport from participants like us, these have chances to instill a swimming culture in US that attracts sponsorship and attention.
I think, the interview with Lenny Krayzelburg misdiagnose swimming as not having enough content value to US spectators, because "...it's boring.".
He should stand up to US TV bosses, with a better swimming attitude than that.
Golf is on US TV, and that's akin to watch the grass grow.
Swimming as it is now, has way more substance than that, but is not packaged as a big entertainment in US.
That's mainly because the culture worships money, and to be considered 'worthy', swimming needs to give out prize money, way more at the US Swiming level, and start doing it at the USMS level.
For example, as a beginning, the US Swimming recently put out a one million dollars prize money for the American who can beat the world record in 1500 meter free in Olympics and get a gold medal.
USMS needs to institute some prize money too, then you will see the US TV buzzing around USMS meets.
Originally posted by Paul Smith
...
The other thing that needs to take place (which no one responded to, I guess complaining is better than providing solutions!), is a fundamental change in how we "don't" provide entertainment value at our meets. Got any ideas?
...
Aside from prize money, I think the example given by Cynthia about Matt Biondi (US) when he laughed at a journalist who didn't know he is a famous swimmer, is another recipe of entertainment understood by TV: Biondi's brash attitude made that journalist and friends being 'offended', so they remember him now.
Anthony Ervin (US) went faster than Biondi ever did in 100 meter free and 100 yards free, but like Sampras (US) in tennis, he is a gentleman in the shadows, while the TV bosses look for bad boys to fuel entertainment.
In Australia, confidence that swimming is top, works in a smaller market than the US, thanks to sponsorships and cocky swimmers attitude, and last year Gary Hall Jr. (US) considered moving there in order to be immersed in a swimming culture.
In US, alternative media to the mainstream media, like the Swimming World and Swim magazines are , like the web sites are, plus prize money and a confident, brash attitude about the substance of the sport from participants like us, these have chances to instill a swimming culture in US that attracts sponsorship and attention.
