So, I was watching the NFL Sunday Night Game earlier this week, and well, I just got sick. So, I wrote NBC an email. I thought I’d include it for you to read.
Here’s also a screen grab taken from the NBC.com homepage. They actually thought U2 and Green Day were among the highlights of MNF!
Hello NBC,
Last winter during the Winter Olympics, I watched as much as coverage as anyone I knew; snowboarding, all skiing events, even made special efforts to catch whatever curling I could. But during the coverage, I became increasingly tired of Bob Costas. I do understand the reasons to use him as the Master of Ceremonies, however, and regretfully permit it. Yet, as a lifetime NFL fan, Bob Costas is unallowable. He is the most improper fit with the NFL I’ve ever seen, yet, perfectly in queue with NBC’s coverage of the Olympics: it seems that Bob Costas and NBC in general seem more interested in the ‘personal interest’ stories rather than the sport itself, in this case football. On opening kickoff weekend, during what critics have mockingly called “Manning Bowl,” most people were so sick of the match up and the coverage it received that it was tempting not to watch. It actually distracted from the enjoyment of the game, and was commented on by many friends as well as sports analysts.
Perhaps I equate the soft manner in which Costas covers the sport to be confused with the manner in which NBC directs him. However, for the purpose of this letter, let me just say that I am equally as unhappy with both. I know of no friend of mine who watches for the personal stories involved with football. The stories may occasionally enhance a game knowing there is background between a team or a group of players, but for the most part, we only want to watch football. I thank you for having John Madden and Al Michaels, however, it does not seem to appropriately balance the feminism that Costas brings. Football is hard hitting, aggressive, and unapologetic. NBC’s coverage of the sport reminds me of the coverage of Ice Skating (which is another issue I will not bring up at the moment).
Since I have no choice but watch NBC for Sunday Night Football, I can only request that you bring back the feel of the NFL that I have come to love and expect. If you are confused with what is desired, you need only look at SportsCenter for inspiration.
For the record, I do watch the Olympics, and am interested in the events during the time they are being played. However, I do not care at all that NBC is the station that brings me the Olympics, and I begrudge you for utilizing NFL time and games for your promotion. From my perspective as well as the perceived perspective of my friends around me, the country is not 1/10th as interested in the Olympic games as NBC apparently feels we are. I can see no other reason for NBC’s use of the Olympic rings below their logo during broadcasts than to constantly remind us that we should care about the Olympics, and then extra care that it is NBC that will bring us coverage. Please allow us to get excited about the upcoming Olympics by allowing the four-year break between them to properly motivate us into interest. Your constant mentioning almost causes me to lose interest as I become to embitter the games to merely being a global publicity and ratings machine.
I truly hope that NBC can find it’s voice in sports coverage that is bold and appropriate for the sport being covered, rather than allow focus groups to dull every edge of commentary and leave us with an uninspired and emotionally empty experience. You have the ability to be nimble and adaptive. Please listen to my plea and change.
Jason Glaspey
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