Editor's Note: I see Biscuit also jumped on this story ahead of me. Is it me, or am I 5 minutes behind everyone lately? Anyway, I'm posting this here as well because I don't cover the announcement with Biscuit's diligence, and there are things I want to be said. - domer.mq
Good news/Bad News: Notre Dame and NBC have extended their exclusive broadcast agreement to 2015. Funny timing in my little world after BGS just got done reminding us of the vitriolic response to the original TV deal 18 years ago. Maybe BGS knew this was coming.
While it's swell to have the exclusive deal that guarantees ND home games on a national broadcast, the negatives associated with the NBC deal make up quite a list. There is, of course, Tom Hammond's face, which is used as a litmus test by parents to determine if their kids can handle PG-13 movies, Pat Haden's Southern Cal homer(otic?)ism, the incessant use of the 1980s-ish guitar version of the Victory March sans sweet, sweet saxaphone, etc... And probably most annoying is the overall production-level of NBC Sports that make Jefferson Pilot, or whatever it's called these days, puff their chests out with pride and wonder when they'll be getting their Sports Emmy in the mail. I've seen better sports-casting at the interactive kiosks at the College Football Hall of Fame put on by 8 year olds.
Gah! And this is a great photo of the guy.
There's also this little bit in the announcement that doesn't exactly thrill those of us who think that maybe ND should re-commit to the true spirit Rockne established with his "anyone, anywhere" mantra...
Each season from 2011 to 2015, NBC will televise seven games at Notre Dame Stadium and an additional eighth off-site game airing in prime time.
Don't expect ND at Texas anytime soon, is all I'm saying. And note that this agreement, that I'm almost sure is contingent upon the continuation of the 7-4-1 scheduling model, was completed after God kindly removed Kevin White from the 'Bend.
Feeling good about the search for the new AD? Yeah? Good for you, Mr. Happy McRoseyPants.
By The Biscuit June 19, 2008 - 11:41 am
wannabe.
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By domer.mq June 19, 2008 - 11:43 am
Whatever. You’re just playing Roeper to my Ebert.
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By The Biscuit June 19, 2008 - 11:53 am
at least you didnt make me siskel
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By DeepTeaKup June 19, 2008 - 1:54 pm
Hey, all the power to you guys keeping the NBC deal, but I think domer hit it right on with the JP comparison. My god, that announcing pair is just the worst, the sucked about as much exictement out of the “Bush Push” game as possible.
Also, is ND stadium that quiet or does NBC only have one microphone for game day?
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By domer.mq June 19, 2008 - 2:05 pm
DTK,
That’s always been one of my biggest complaints with NBC: The sound. It’s not that quiet. It’s not as loud as I’d like it to be, but it’s not that quiet even in the Spring Game, let alone in a real game.
NBC often cites the “unusual architecture” of ND Stadium (It’s not built so the fans are right on top of the field like at many SEC stadiums), but neither is Michigan (sucks!)’s stadium, and the CBS/ABC telecasts don’t seem to suffer.
One thing you’ll note at an ND home game is a distinct lack of field mics. I think they really do have just one that lines up with the LOS.
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By DeepTeaKup June 19, 2008 - 2:14 pm
domer, I still doubt you. Why don’t you scare me up a ticket to the UM so you can prove just how loud ND stadium is? fair?
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By domer.mq June 19, 2008 - 2:17 pm
DTK,
It depends, of course. There was a game during the Davie era when the place was so quiet that everyone in the stadium heard one guy yell, “Bob Davie, you suck!” The entire stadium laughed.
But when it’s rocking, it’s pretty amazing. It’s as loud as any game I’ve attended at South Carolina, Clemson, or Tennessee, and they’re pretty loud.
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By domer.mq June 19, 2008 - 2:17 pm
DTK,
I’ll let you know about the ticket if I track one down.
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By The Biscuit June 19, 2008 - 2:44 pm
i don’t care if he’s the best UM (sucks!) visitor HLS has ever seen (which is the case), or if he’s your brother. if you let a UM fan in during that game instead of giving that ticket to me or some other ND alum, i will shank you.
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By DeepTeaKup June 19, 2008 - 3:15 pm
Biscuit, does it help at all that I’m a Catholic too?
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By Bad Kermit June 19, 2008 - 3:19 pm
AAHHHH! THE FRIGHTENER!!!
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By speakirish June 19, 2008 - 3:26 pm
Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but ND will not win another NC until we are on ABC full time. ESPN will not allow it – when ND pulls big ratings to NBC by default ESPN ratings suffer. ESPN routinely runs negative press on the Irish, and this is why.
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By domer.mq June 19, 2008 - 3:54 pm
speak,
I can see the logic, but I don’t really think that’s the case. If ND goes undefeated, it’ll win a NC. ESPN benefits from it just because whenever ND is doing well, College Football is doing better. It’s sort of the Tiger Woods effect.
Even when ND was just making it to BCS games in 2006/2007, the amount of ND coverage on things like Sportscenter was incessant to the point that I totally understand the accusation that ESPN talks too much about ND. I don’t agree with it, but I understand it.
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By The Biscuit June 19, 2008 - 4:56 pm
DTK. Swear on the sweet baby jesus that you’ll cheer as loudly as possible FOR Notre Dame to BEAT MICHIGAN and I’ll say it’s okay for you to go to the game. Otherwise, no.
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By trey June 19, 2008 - 11:59 pm
I dont understand this vitriol about Tom Hammond. I quite enjoy his broadcasting style. What exactly is it that sets you off so much? And Pat Hayden too…if we could just find a replacement for him at the SC games, all would be peachy. I like this duo, personally. I will say that NBC sports sucks, bigtime, tho. I dont know if any of yall caught the Stanley Cup playoffs, but I think I understand now why VS. is the main carrier of that sport. Dont know if it was Mellon Arena or just a blind monkey running the boards for the games in Pittsburgh, but there was an ungodly glare off the ice that was VERY fixable. Of course, they never did.
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By domer.mq June 20, 2008 - 10:18 am
Trey,
It’s less vitriol and more funny-internet-meme.
Having Hayden as a color-guy, however, is like having a jr. high guidance counselor as a color-guy. A guidance counselor with a deep, dark secret.
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By Bad Kermit June 20, 2008 - 1:19 pm
I don’t really have anything actively against Hammond. However, I would rather be forced to look at naked pictures of Amy Winehouse than have to look at Hammond’s visage.
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By Martian August 18, 2008 - 3:09 pm
Tom’s TV makeup makes him look like a transvestite clown… I thought it was a joke or a mistake but it has been the same for years…. does anyone know what the deal is with that?
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By Martian August 18, 2008 - 3:11 pm
Has anyone else noticed how wierd he looks on tv?
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