Thursday, August 4, 2011

Shaquille O'Neal Highlights Trend in Sports Broadcasting

Calls out ESPN's Bayless

Tuesday night, Shaquille O’Neal appeared on Conan O’Brien’s late night show and made a statement that has generated a lot of buzz around the sports world.



According to a story by Ray Mowatt and bleacherreport.com, O’Neal said he felt analysts who haven’t played professional sports at a high level or accumulated top-notch statistics and accolades should refrain from making statements in the media.

He seemingly doesn’t respect their opinions.

He directed his remark specifically to ESPN’s Skip Bayless, the often outspoken correspondent on the network’s First Take morning program.

On one level, I have to agree with O’Neal.

Analysts often criticize and lay into pro athletes too harshly for their performances on the field or on the court.

Athletes are scrutinized daily on dozens of radio and television programs by broadcasters, some of whom weren’t ever good enough to become a pro athlete, and some who played less than extraordinarily on the professional level.

Many broadcasters seem to have free reign to knock players and coaches without consequence. Being a “Monday morning quarterback” is almost a requirement to becoming a broadcaster these days.

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