Paul McCann: The ESPN Conundrum

To be honest, I'd rather not have hockey involved with ESPN.

ESPN is unwatchable garbage. Every single thing is slathered with their marketing bullpoop. They cannot move the camera to the right without it being the "Coors Light pan to the right". The anchors are terrible, and their coverage of hockey is like a kid playing with a toy they don't want, but are obligated to hold for 30 seconds. Even though I loath Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury, I do enjoy hockey on NBC. They do a good job of promoting the games, the broadcasts are entertaining, and the partnership with the NHL Network is pretty solid. Screw ESPN, they're a poopshow. Just ask Dan Patrick, he'll tell you all the dirt on The Mothership.

ESPN2 is in every home that ESPN is in per what I can find. So ESPN or ESPN2 don't matter. Now the usage of ESPNNEWS can be questioned.

In short don't make an issue where there isn't one.

ESPN is unwatchable garbage. Every single thing is slathered with their marketing bullpoop. They cannot move the camera to the right without it being the "Coors Light pan to the right". The anchors are terrible, and their coverage of hockey is like a kid playing with a toy they don't want, but are obligated to hold for 30 seconds. Even though I loath Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury, I do enjoy hockey on NBC. They do a good job of promoting the games, the broadcasts are entertaining, and the partnership with the NHL Network is pretty solid. Screw ESPN, they're a poopshow. Just ask Dan Patrick, he'll tell you all the dirt on The Mothership.
- simethos

Some of the anchors out here in Chicago on 670 The Score (sports radio station) tear ESPN apart for all their questionable tactics, reporting, etc.

Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about Pierre? Over the years he's become this punching bag for hockey fans and I've never really understood why. I like his insight and get a chuckle at his fanboy/sometimes-creepy interviews. But the dude is a hockey encyclopedia. I feel like hating on him is just like "the thing to do" in hockey circles and there's no real reason to hate him.

I will say that I used to not like Milbury, but I've actually grown to like him. Sure, he'll say some stupid stuff and so forth, but I like that he has an opinion on things and expresses them. I'm not a fan of the announcers who are on-the-fence about everything and afraid to express any opinions/ideas out of fear of upsetting fans.

Some of the anchors out here in Chicago on 670 The Score (sports radio station) tear ESPN apart for all their questionable tactics, reporting, etc.

Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about Pierre? Over the years he's become this punching bag for hockey fans and I've never really understood why. I like his insight and get a chuckle at his fanboy/sometimes-creepy interviews. But the dude is a hockey encyclopedia. I feel like hating on him is just like "the thing to do" in hockey circles and there's no real reason to hate him.

I will say that I used to not like Milbury, but I've actually grown to like him. Sure, he'll say some stupid stuff and so forth, but I like that he has an opinion on things and expresses them. I'm not a fan of the announcers who are on-the-fence about everything and afraid to express any opinions/ideas out of fear of upsetting fans.
- Hank3Henshaw

I will give Pierre credit that he knows a lot about hockey and the history, but I just can't stand him and his personality. I hate how much of a kiss ass he can be during broadcasts, or he is overly critical of certain plays or players and he just won't shut up about it. Even when he's gushing over the Penguins, I just want him to shut up. Whenever he says "Kristopher Letang", I can feel the hate rise up. He is incapable of saying "Kris". It's full name or nothing with Pierre. He just bothers me.

As for Milbury, I just think he's an idiot. He was a terrible GM, and to hear him give his insight on the game is like hearing a drunk at the bar scream at the tv. It's just babble. I actually like when Keith Jones or Roenick give him the business over something he says. I wish they could sub him out for a Linda Cohn or John Buccigross from ESPN. I like those two. They know hockey, but unfortunately they're property of ESPN. I think they'd be better commentators of the game than Milbury.

Paul McCann: The ESPN Conundrum
- pmccann

Just seeing Steven A Smith rant on John Tortorella is freaken hilarious , like clearly the game of hockey is too white for him.

Just seeing Steven A Smith rant on John Tortorella is freaken hilarious , like clearly the game of hockey is too white for him.
- Alexzanki

Stephen A. Smith should be put into a rocket ship, the rocket ship aimed at the sun, and then shot into a brick wall.

I will give Pierre credit that he knows a lot about hockey and the history, but I just can't stand him and his personality. I hate how much of a kiss ass he can be during broadcasts, or he is overly critical of certain plays or players and he just won't shut up about it. Even when he's gushing over the Penguins, I just want him to shut up. Whenever he says "Kristopher Letang", I can feel the hate rise up. He is incapable of saying "Kris". It's full name or nothing with Pierre. He just bothers me.

As for Milbury, I just think he's an idiot. He was a terrible GM, and to hear him give his insight on the game is like hearing a drunk at the bar scream at the tv. It's just babble. I actually like when Keith Jones or Roenick give him the business over something he says. I wish they could sub him out for a Linda Cohn or John Buccigross from ESPN. I like those two. They know hockey, but unfortunately they're property of ESPN. I think they'd be better commentators of the game than Milbury.
- simethos

Cool. Yea, I see your points. Milbury certainly wasn't the best GM, that's for sure. haha. But, like I said, I've grown to like his commentary.

I'm with you on Keith Jones and JR. Those three guys can produce some good bantar--plus, I think Jones and JR are really good at what they do.

Stephen A. Smith should be put into a rocket ship, the rocket ship aimed at the sun, and then shot into a brick wall.
- eichiefs9

Biggest hypocrite imo, anyhow espn is a sinking ship in a way of speaking , I actually think FS is giving them some competition .

ESPN and traditional cable are dying. Streaming services along with Netflix, hulu, prime, and the HBO's Showtimes of the world will come out of this fine.

We are moving away from a 1 package fits all to more segmented and personalized approach. You can already get smaller packages which include local sports channels on thru playstation and xbox.

Overpriced / garbage channels will die or evolve.

I will give Pierre credit that he knows a lot about hockey and the history, but I just can't stand him and his personality. I hate how much of a kiss ass he can be during broadcasts, or he is overly critical of certain plays or players and he just won't shut up about it. Even when he's gushing over the Penguins, I just want him to shut up. Whenever he says "Kristopher Letang", I can feel the hate rise up. He is incapable of saying "Kris". It's full name or nothing with Pierre. He just bothers me.

As for Milbury, I just think he's an idiot. He was a terrible GM, and to hear him give his insight on the game is like hearing a drunk at the bar scream at the tv. It's just babble. I actually like when Keith Jones or Roenick give him the business over something he says. I wish they could sub him out for a Linda Cohn or John Buccigross from ESPN. I like those two. They know hockey, but unfortunately they're property of ESPN. I think they'd be better commentators of the game than Milbury.
- simethos

^^^^^ This x100. When Pierre starts talking about the Blackhawks and Kane and Toews i wanna throw up. He honestly wouldn't be so bad if he could just play it a little cooler. You can tell he makes the players uncomfortable sometimes in the interviews talking about and gushing about their junior careers and what not. He's just so stinking weird and fan boyish to guys that are half his age it irks me. He's just annoying beyond belief, the epitome of the guy that tries waaaaay too hard.

ESPN is unwatchable garbage. Every single thing is slathered with their marketing bullpoop. They cannot move the camera to the right without it being the "Coors Light pan to the right". The anchors are terrible, and their coverage of hockey is like a kid playing with a toy they don't want, but are obligated to hold for 30 seconds. Even though I loath Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury, I do enjoy hockey on NBC. They do a good job of promoting the games, the broadcasts are entertaining, and the partnership with the NHL Network is pretty solid. Screw ESPN, they're a poopshow. Just ask Dan Patrick, he'll tell you all the dirt on The Mothership.
- simethos

They don't do that in Pittsburgh? The Sabres are getting pretty bad, they just added the ads "on the glass" behind the net last year or the year before. And it's "this neutral zone faceoff brought to you by NAPA."

Yeah ESPN is dogpoop. I feel bad for Bucci, and to a lesser extent Cohn(she's been slipping recently probably due to the fact that she has to cover every NBA layup). They try and make it entertaining

ESPN can give ole baldy a lick.