Toolsview all


Networks clearing sidelines
Field reporters can be valuable, but they're being used less

 
By Mel Bracht | Published: July 25, 2008    Comment on this article Leave a comment

ESPN plans to curtail the roles of sideline reporters Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber on its "Monday Night Football” broadcasts this fall, according to published reports. They are expected to appear only during pregame and postgame coverage.

More Info


ESPN sideline reporters Suzy Kolber, second from left, and Michele Tafoya, second from right, are expected to appear only during pregame and postgame coverage this season. Assicuated Press

Rating sideline reporters

The best

1. Michele Tafoya, ABC/ESPN

2. Pam Oliver, Fox

3. Chris Myers, Fox

Honorable mention: Erin Andrews, Bonnie Bernstein, Stacey Dales, Andrea Kremer, Suzy Kolber, Jim Knox, Holly Rowe

The worst

1. Tony Siragusa, Fox

2. Lynn Swann, ABC/ESPN

3. Laura Okmin, Fox

Honorable mention: Jack Arute, Jim Gray, Armen Keteyian

NewsOK Related Articles

  • Early college football telecasts
    07/25/2008 With the kickoff of the college football season only five weeks away, it's not too early to start looking at some of the early season matchups. Here are some...
  • What to watch
    07/25/2008 • Auto racing: ESPN makes its NASCAR Sprint Cup season debut with the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at noon Sunday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. •...

For most of its NFL broadcasts, CBS doesn't use a sideline reporter.

Are sideline reporters valuable to sports telecasts?

The short answer: If they add something meaningful to the telecast and not take up valuable air time with trivial items.

KWTV-9 sports director Dean Blevins, who worked six seasons as a college football sideline reporter for ABC before moving into the broadcast booth, said sideline reporters can be important, assuming the person is knowledgable.

"Most play-by-play guys want someone down there who can give them a sense of what's going on,” Blevins said.

Tracking injuries is probably the reporters' most valuable role, which requires developing a good relationship with tight-lipped trainers.

"After all those years I did it, I got to know the trainers at all the schools,” Blevins said.

Producers can ask reporters to do silly things, which can detract from a telecast.

Page 1 of 2

Toolsview all



Related Topics: Sports, Football, Entertainment, Media, Television, Sports on TV, Professional Football, Arts, Entertainment, and Media



Leave a Comment

Thank you for joining our conversation on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy. Please help by flagging comments that violate these guidelines. Posts that contain obscene or vulgar language will be immediately flagged and not posted.

If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.

Would you like to leave a comment?

Log in or sign up (it's free).

comments powered by Disqus

Ads by Yahoo!

Womans 51 But Looks 25
Mom reveals simple wrinkle secret that has angered doctors...
ConsumerLifestyles.org
53yr Old Woman, Looks 25
Mom reveals simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors...
www.ConsumerLifestyleMag.com

Sports Photo Galleriesview all