Greetings, earlier than we get to at this time’s publication, please try my evaluation of the Tremendous Bowl recreation broadcast on Fox.
We’re calling it the “Brady Bonus.”
Tom Brady’s determination to take a niche yr earlier than doubtlessly beginning as Fox Sports activities’ No. 1 recreation analyst can be value $7 million for Greg Olsen subsequent season.
If Brady confirmed up for Fox subsequent fall, Olsen not solely could be knocked all the way down to the No. 2 recreation analyst spot, however his wage would drop from $10 million to $3 million. The $3 million is a livable wage, however the additional $7 million is a major distinction.
Final offseason, Olsen signed his contract after Fox introduced Brady would be part of the community. (The Submit subsequently reported that Brady would obtain $375 million over 10 years.) Olsen’s contract might be value $50 million over 5 years if he stays within the No. 1 sales space. It could have fallen to 5 years and $22 million if Brady began this fall. Now, at worst, Olsen will obtain at the least $29 million over these 5 years. Olsen additionally has an opt-out if he’s bumped down and a possibility to be a lead NFL recreation analyst for one more platform arises.
Fast clicks I
The largest a part of the Fox Sports activities Tremendous Bowl pregame was the announcement that Derek Jeter could be becoming a member of its MLB pregame present. Although it obtained a bit misplaced due to the enormity of the Tremendous Bowl, it’s a large deal. Alex Rodriguez was one of many people who offered the information, which was humorous contemplating their frenemy historical past. Jeter has been gravitating towards doing extra media and has had talks with YES about doing video games. Jeter didn’t say a lot as a participant, however Jeter is anticipated to solely be on throughout large occasions, so it gained’t be heavy lifting. He’ll be capable to joke with A-Rod and David Ortiz, so whereas he most likely gained’t set the world on fireplace, he must be OK. … Fox Sports activities insider Sean Payton had a humorous, “Everyone desires to cowl sports activities media” report when he revealed that the brand new Denver Broncos coach and former Fox Sports activities analyst interviewed present ESPN analyst Rex Ryan for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator place. Payton labored the Tremendous Bowl pregame on Sunday. … ESPN had Oz Pearlman, “Oz The Mentalist” on “Sunday NFL Countdown.” If it wasn’t staged, it was form of loopy as he predicted issues that would appear inconceivable to get proper and not using a cheat sheet. … Early in its pregame, Fox Sports activities used actors to painting the undefeated 1972 Dolphins on the fiftieth anniversary of their Tremendous Bowl win. It may have been tacky, however with Larry Csonka narrating, it was fairly good. … The large query that can be answered within the subsequent few days is that if this yr’s Tremendous Bowl would be the highest-rated recreation in historical past. It could want to succeed in 115 million viewers to prime the 2015 Pats-Panthers recreation.
Fast Clicks II
We had the NFL’s prime enterprise official, who is taken into account the No. 2 govt within the league after Roger Goodell, Brian Rolapp, on “The Marchand & Ourand Sports activities Media Podcast,” and he talked about Sunday Ticket changing into extra “interactive.” He didn’t element what that will imply, however I form of surprise if that will finally contain fantasy sports activities or betting. To be clear, it is a little bit of hypothesis on my half. I agree with Rolapp that the primary viewing expertise won’t be targeted on playing. (It additionally gained’t be on fantasy, however Rolapp didn’t deal with that within the interview.) The mainstream viewer doesn’t need playing or fantasy to be the main target — and I’m undecided they ever will. Gamblers know what their bets are on video games, whereas fantasy gamers know which gamers they’re searching for. With the limitless channels accessible on streaming, bettors will be capable to hunt down an alternate viewing expertise that caters to playing. For fantasy gamers, and Rolapp is one, may the NFL and YouTube create a approach that you may view your gamers and your opponent’s gamers in actual time? It appears very possible with the present expertise. … Rolapp made it sound like it should use “Monday Evening Soccer” flex scheduling as sparingly as attainable. It’s going to start subsequent season and I’ve heard it might be put in impact six occasions, nonetheless it probably can be used on a lot fewer events. The concept is to not have actually unhealthy video games later within the season. For MNF, there’s a large distinction between transferring video games later in the identical day, just like the NFL does for NBC’s “Sunday Evening Soccer,” as in comparison with switching a matchup to a totally completely different night time. It’s also going to place late season journeys for followers in flux. Should you journey for a 1 p.m. Sunday recreation and it will get moved to eight:15 p.m. on Monday, that will be two extra lodge nights and a change in airfare for followers. …
Throughout his Tremendous Bowl press convention, NFL commissioner Goodell talked about the potential of versatile scheduling for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday night time video games. The NFL has a vested curiosity in making Amazon profitable. It had an excellent first yr, however the NFL desires to see it construct. Nonetheless, I feel they’ll see how MNF goes earlier than lessening the quantity of 20-year-old Mazdas Al Michaels has to promote. … Condolences to the household and pals of longtime ESPN producer, Barry Sacks. Sacks handed away from a coronary heart assault on the age of 63 this weekend. An Ithaca Faculty alum and an enormous Giants fan, he had an enormous affect over ESPN programming and people on-air. Suzy Kolber talked about throughout “Sunday NFL Countdown” that when Chris Berman stated his trademark “G-Males,” it was an ode to Sacks’ fanhood. A standard tribute from broadcasters was how Sacks at all times stated, when you say, “Wow” when viewing a play, then it belongs within the spotlight bundle.
Tremendous Bowl column
In case you missed it, please check out my column reviewing the Tremendous Bowl TV broadcast.