[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 If any of you have been following this news.. Skip Bayless is leaving ESPN at the conclusions of the NBA finals for Foxsports. The deal is 5 mill for like 5 years with a 4 mill signing bonus…I love my first take no matter how stupid skip or Steven sound…

Dan Le Batard just came out saying it’s a major mistake for Skip because their job is about having a voice and ESPN gives them the ultimate voice. While I wil miss Steven A and Skip banter backs and forth I plan to still start my morning with ESPN. BUT (capitalization for a reason) if Jamelle Hill takes his spot or gets a larger role. I will actively boycott ESPN . I urge all of you to do the same. I am not sexist I actually like Faye Reagan..thoughts?

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Just realized Faye Reagan is a porn star not a female ESPN analyst. But you know who I’m talking about lolol.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Just realized Faye Reagan is a porn star not a female ESPN analyst. But you know who I’m talking about lolol.

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Probably can’t find anyone to match the obnoxious-know-it-all-ness of that show with Smith and Skip.  There were times Skip carried that show on topics Stephen A was weak on, like FOOTBALL in general.

I actually found myself agreeing with Skip a lot…except for the Tebow khrum.  I liked him for his age and all his MJ references and overall sports history.  Sometimes he’d school Stephen A.

I don’t know who could replace him to be honest.  Probably Max Kellerman, because I’m also a boxing guy.  I think Marcellus is just noise to make up a lack of substance. They might go with that Pablo Torre guy, who is good, but we need someone with age and experience.

 But yeah definitely not a woman.  I like Michelle Beadle but she’s not opinionated enough.  The others are all lame and I’m sorry I’m not a sexist, but with the Host, we don’t need two women and 1 man on a sports show.  I’d take DJ Khaled over two females and one male.  

Maybe a Bill Parcells or Bob Knight would make the show fun too, someone with some age and wisdom.  

 

 

 

 

  

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Probably can’t find anyone to match the obnoxious-know-it-all-ness of that show with Smith and Skip.  There were times Skip carried that show on topics Stephen A was weak on, like FOOTBALL in general.

I actually found myself agreeing with Skip a lot…except for the Tebow khrum.  I liked him for his age and all his MJ references and overall sports history.  Sometimes he’d school Stephen A.

I don’t know who could replace him to be honest.  Probably Max Kellerman, because I’m also a boxing guy.  I think Marcellus is just noise to make up a lack of substance. They might go with that Pablo Torre guy, who is good, but we need someone with age and experience.

 But yeah definitely not a woman.  I like Michelle Beadle but she’s not opinionated enough.  The others are all lame and I’m sorry I’m not a sexist, but with the Host, we don’t need two women and 1 man on a sports show.  I’d take DJ Khaled over two females and one male.  

Maybe a Bill Parcells or Bob Knight would make the show fun too, someone with some age and wisdom.  

 

 

 

 

  

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

TNT would get better without Shaq.  Replace him with Grant Hill, or maybe either Shaq or Grant Hill on First Take.

 

I like Charles Barkley but there just isn’t enough overall knowledge on a daily basis.  

Probably Grant Hill.

Colin Cowherd is the best on TV right now.  They shoudl just sign Cowherd and have the blonde host, magic.  

 

 

 

    

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

TNT would get better without Shaq.  Replace him with Grant Hill, or maybe either Shaq or Grant Hill on First Take.

 

I like Charles Barkley but there just isn’t enough overall knowledge on a daily basis.  

Probably Grant Hill.

Colin Cowherd is the best on TV right now.  They shoudl just sign Cowherd and have the blonde host, magic.  

 

 

 

    

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Colin Cowherd left ESPN to go to Fox Sports. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Colin Cowherd left ESPN to go to Fox Sports. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 If Jeff Van Gundy started watching a ton of football I could watch Steven A and JVG all day!!

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 If Jeff Van Gundy started watching a ton of football I could watch Steven A and JVG all day!!

[Hype Machine]

First Take was apparently the best rating show on ESPN2…so it kinda made that whole channel relevent. 

Skip’s a total fool, but I think most people watch him for entertainment rather than his expertese because he says things in a shocking, yet not too serious way. It feels kinda easy to disagree with him, almost like fans love to hate him….so they watch to see what he’ll say next. 

I think the point Dan le Batard makes is actually ridiculous. People are leaving ESPN because they don’t have a voice and have to tow the company line. Take Roger Goodell for example…ESPN won’t say a bad word about him. Outspoken guys like Simmons, Skip etc know that in 2016 there is other media options out there and want to explore them. Mike Tirico just left as well.  

I agree that Jamelle Hill ruins any show that she’s on..so wouldn’t watch her.

All those Sportsnation guys aren’t serious enough and the Around the Horn crew don’t have the charisma. First Take is all about outrageous statements and shock value. I think the show dies without Skip…no-one else on the ESPN roster can work with Stephen A.

I got a feeling ESPN is going to take a bath on that NBA TV rights contract. They apparently lowballed on the Big 10 football conference bid. 

[Hype Machine]

First Take was apparently the best rating show on ESPN2…so it kinda made that whole channel relevent. 

Skip’s a total fool, but I think most people watch him for entertainment rather than his expertese because he says things in a shocking, yet not too serious way. It feels kinda easy to disagree with him, almost like fans love to hate him….so they watch to see what he’ll say next. 

I think the point Dan le Batard makes is actually ridiculous. People are leaving ESPN because they don’t have a voice and have to tow the company line. Take Roger Goodell for example…ESPN won’t say a bad word about him. Outspoken guys like Simmons, Skip etc know that in 2016 there is other media options out there and want to explore them. Mike Tirico just left as well.  

I agree that Jamelle Hill ruins any show that she’s on..so wouldn’t watch her.

All those Sportsnation guys aren’t serious enough and the Around the Horn crew don’t have the charisma. First Take is all about outrageous statements and shock value. I think the show dies without Skip…no-one else on the ESPN roster can work with Stephen A.

I got a feeling ESPN is going to take a bath on that NBA TV rights contract. They apparently lowballed on the Big 10 football conference bid. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Numbers Never Lie is the worst show on ESPN. Once its on I’m changing the channel. I can’t stand that show.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Numbers Never Lie is the worst show on ESPN. Once its on I’m changing the channel. I can’t stand that show.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Omg my gf and I get up every morning with coffee. I watch first take till his and hers come on. My gf says, why do you change it so fast, nothing else is on..I’m like I don’t want to give Jamelle Hill the ratings. But yeah this all started with Dan Patrick leaving. He has some choice words for ESPN.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Omg my gf and I get up every morning with coffee. I watch first take till his and hers come on. My gf says, why do you change it so fast, nothing else is on..I’m like I don’t want to give Jamelle Hill the ratings. But yeah this all started with Dan Patrick leaving. He has some choice words for ESPN.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I boycott that show in a vindictive way like me alone not watching it will make a difference. Oh Yeah, I fogot the show is called something else now. It’s not just her. The guy is just as bad.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I boycott that show in a vindictive way like me alone not watching it will make a difference. Oh Yeah, I fogot the show is called something else now. It’s not just her. The guy is just as bad.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Fox Sports has become better than ESPN in some ways especially with football. I know everyone is not on it yet because it’s harder to find or people don’t have the channel. It’s good to have another sports channel that rivals ESPN. Wrestling was better when WCW and WWF were fighting for ratings.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Fox Sports has become better than ESPN in some ways especially with football. I know everyone is not on it yet because it’s harder to find or people don’t have the channel. It’s good to have another sports channel that rivals ESPN. Wrestling was better when WCW and WWF were fighting for ratings.

[TheGuyParticipant]

 ESPN is ESPN and like a few other big brands, it’s basically become to big to fail or at least it would take  decades of bad choices, ratings and finances (not likely). Losing big names like Bayless,Cowherd, Simmons is nothing because ESPN has the platform like nobody else and someone else will get that platform and become a big name in media due to their big platform. Maybe certain guys can leave ESPN and make a difference somewhere else but that rarley is the case. Simmons seems like he can survive out of ESPN. I honestly haven’t heard Cowherd since he left but I was never a big fan. All those guys who left ESPN did get big money and so long as you get an outlet to talk sports I’m sure these guys are happy regardless if they stay as relevent and as big a name as they were under ESPN. And ESPN has spent a fortune on live rights and honestly they shouldn’t spend big money to keep guys on because they can plug in anyone because ESPN is the first place people go to for sports.

I think Dan Le Batard’s overall point is ESPN creates the names, did you know of Simmons, Cowherd, Bayless before or anyone else for that matter? A small amount did, but they became national media figures because of ESPN. I don’t think Bayless or anyone leaving ESPN is making a mistake though, they get big money and still get to talk sports and their true fans will still listen and follow. Can they make a difference for FOXsports? I’m not sure, but Foxsports is struggling bad, I never watch unless they have a college football game on I want to see.

Also I feel sorry for people who watch first take or listen to mike and mike. 

 

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 ESPN is ESPN and like a few other big brands, it’s basically become to big to fail or at least it would take  decades of bad choices, ratings and finances (not likely). Losing big names like Bayless,Cowherd, Simmons is nothing because ESPN has the platform like nobody else and someone else will get that platform and become a big name in media due to their big platform. Maybe certain guys can leave ESPN and make a difference somewhere else but that rarley is the case. Simmons seems like he can survive out of ESPN. I honestly haven’t heard Cowherd since he left but I was never a big fan. All those guys who left ESPN did get big money and so long as you get an outlet to talk sports I’m sure these guys are happy regardless if they stay as relevent and as big a name as they were under ESPN. And ESPN has spent a fortune on live rights and honestly they shouldn’t spend big money to keep guys on because they can plug in anyone because ESPN is the first place people go to for sports.

I think Dan Le Batard’s overall point is ESPN creates the names, did you know of Simmons, Cowherd, Bayless before or anyone else for that matter? A small amount did, but they became national media figures because of ESPN. I don’t think Bayless or anyone leaving ESPN is making a mistake though, they get big money and still get to talk sports and their true fans will still listen and follow. Can they make a difference for FOXsports? I’m not sure, but Foxsports is struggling bad, I never watch unless they have a college football game on I want to see.

Also I feel sorry for people who watch first take or listen to mike and mike. 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I disagree that ESPN is too big to fall. No company is…

Innovation influencing the way people watch sports is what will change…not everyone wants traditional cable broadcasts anymore. 

Streaming Services are becoming more popular and offer a better service. 

I’ve seen people beginning to watch sports using virtual reality headsets that makes them feel like theyre actually at the game. Sounds crazy now…but it wont be in 5 years.

 

[Hype Machine]

I disagree that ESPN is too big to fall. No company is…

Innovation influencing the way people watch sports is what will change…not everyone wants traditional cable broadcasts anymore. 

Streaming Services are becoming more popular and offer a better service. 

I’ve seen people beginning to watch sports using virtual reality headsets that makes them feel like theyre actually at the game. Sounds crazy now…but it wont be in 5 years.

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 Outside of the pro leagues like NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL that have their own seperate streaming service not tied to cable, there isn’t any other sports streaming that isn’t tied in with cable. If you want to watch the NBA playoffs you need cable regarless if you watch on your tv or on a mobile device. So unless another sports media company can offer a streaming services with the premier live game content indipendednt of cable I don’t see people starying away from ESPN.

Now as far as their non-game content goes? Who knows? Their staple show Sportscenter is struggling and I think will eventually die off and they will have different content. I think this is what Foxsports is trying to go for, less recap/news program more talk/opinion programs but I don’t think it’s going to make enough people flip from ESPN especially since ESPN has the most live game rights.

You’re right no company is ever too big to fail, but ESPN is an instatution in sports and this country and a few big name media personalities leaving isn’t going to kill ESPN. It might kill some of their shows. Look at what happened to sportsnation when Charissa Thompson left and Collin stopped doing the show – I wouldn’t be shocked if first taken is off the air within a year of Skip’s departure if they don’t get a good replacement to sustaian their audience.

 

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 Outside of the pro leagues like NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL that have their own seperate streaming service not tied to cable, there isn’t any other sports streaming that isn’t tied in with cable. If you want to watch the NBA playoffs you need cable regarless if you watch on your tv or on a mobile device. So unless another sports media company can offer a streaming services with the premier live game content indipendednt of cable I don’t see people starying away from ESPN.

Now as far as their non-game content goes? Who knows? Their staple show Sportscenter is struggling and I think will eventually die off and they will have different content. I think this is what Foxsports is trying to go for, less recap/news program more talk/opinion programs but I don’t think it’s going to make enough people flip from ESPN especially since ESPN has the most live game rights.

You’re right no company is ever too big to fail, but ESPN is an instatution in sports and this country and a few big name media personalities leaving isn’t going to kill ESPN. It might kill some of their shows. Look at what happened to sportsnation when Charissa Thompson left and Collin stopped doing the show – I wouldn’t be shocked if first taken is off the air within a year of Skip’s departure if they don’t get a good replacement to sustaian their audience.

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 or on YouTube……. I luv the show……. my mother got sick w/ Cancer a couple years ago so I moved her into my house so I got take care of her……. She’s fine now, but she’s getting older you know……. I’m getting to a point I swear……

Anyway, I’m watching First Take while I’m eating my dinner & my mother hears them arguing……. She doesn’t realize that it’s a TV show & Debate is the Format…….. I Swear I’m getting to the point…….

So my mother walks into the Living room & says why is that man yelling at that old woman…… & before I could even answer she follows that up with this:………

Is that woman wearing a Wig???……. I nearly spit up my food I was laughing so hard…… Obviously she was talking about Skip & she wasn’t trying to be funny…….

My point is First Take is for a younger Demographic…… I’m sure I’m older than the Demographic they are trying to reach….. So it’s probably a good idea to bring in a younger host & let Stephen A be the older statesman……..

 Molley Charum is Absolutely Gorgeous! I Luv her as the moderator…… but I hope they bring on a younger person to debate Stephen A……. I’m a big fan of "His & Her" too…… maybe replace Skip w/ one of them…….

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 or on YouTube……. I luv the show……. my mother got sick w/ Cancer a couple years ago so I moved her into my house so I got take care of her……. She’s fine now, but she’s getting older you know……. I’m getting to a point I swear……

Anyway, I’m watching First Take while I’m eating my dinner & my mother hears them arguing……. She doesn’t realize that it’s a TV show & Debate is the Format…….. I Swear I’m getting to the point…….

So my mother walks into the Living room & says why is that man yelling at that old woman…… & before I could even answer she follows that up with this:………

Is that woman wearing a Wig???……. I nearly spit up my food I was laughing so hard…… Obviously she was talking about Skip & she wasn’t trying to be funny…….

My point is First Take is for a younger Demographic…… I’m sure I’m older than the Demographic they are trying to reach….. So it’s probably a good idea to bring in a younger host & let Stephen A be the older statesman……..

 Molley Charum is Absolutely Gorgeous! I Luv her as the moderator…… but I hope they bring on a younger person to debate Stephen A……. I’m a big fan of "His & Her" too…… maybe replace Skip w/ one of them…….

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 ESPN is terrible, it used to be good but is now mostly propaganda for strange views.  Like everything Disney has, there is some sort of odd motive for what they talk about.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 ESPN is terrible, it used to be good but is now mostly propaganda for strange views.  Like everything Disney has, there is some sort of odd motive for what they talk about.

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Stephen A and Woody Paige. More Woody with the blackboard qutoes in the background speaking wisdom. 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Stephen A and Woody Paige. More Woody with the blackboard qutoes in the background speaking wisdom. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Skip Bayless sucks. N what world does he deserve millions of dollars?

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Skip Bayless sucks. N what world does he deserve millions of dollars?

[phila9012Participant]

 I am surprised people even care about espn now. Everyone I grew up with, I am 22 now, is leaving or changing roles. No more simmons, patrick, cowherd was solid, svp is only doing sports center. First take pre just stephen A and skip bayless was good. I just feel like ESPN has gotten old and stale. The guys they kept around are Chris Burman, stephen A, and probably a few others. It feels like they just care about the money and their people ie burman. Some of the NBA commentary is decent, sage steele is at least a decent host.

 They have Zach Lowe for writing and PTI after that and watching NBA on WatchESPN, there really isn’t much going on. I don’t think I would even bother going to the site if I didn’t have great childhood memories of ESPN, it is hard to find Zach Lowe’s writing and the one or two great pieces they put out a month, like the Tiger woods article last week.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Wright Thompson is a Great writer……. I’m old enough to remember when espn first started…….. when they had Lumberjack competitions on all day…. & other bizarre programming……… But Chris Berman’s nick names were different…….& for my generation, it was new & young & cool……… But, that was a Very long time ago…..

 & then they morphed again in the late 90’s – early 2000’s when they brought on anchors like Stu Scott – & they were really growing into a Power house…..

But as the Web has developed into the Primary source of content for the younger generations (30 & under) espn feels old & left behind…….. 

 

[phila9012Participant]

 Early to mid 2000s sportscenter was great with stu scott, dan patrick, kenny mayne, SVP, Rich Eisen Lindo Cohn, John Anderson. I think that spoiled me for sportscenter now, it just doesn’t have that feel to it.  It felt fresh every day.

[phila9012Participant]

 Early to mid 2000s sportscenter was great with stu scott, dan patrick, kenny mayne, SVP, Rich Eisen Lindo Cohn, John Anderson. I think that spoiled me for sportscenter now, it just doesn’t have that feel to it.  It felt fresh every day.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Wright Thompson is a Great writer……. I’m old enough to remember when espn first started…….. when they had Lumberjack competitions on all day…. & other bizarre programming……… But Chris Berman’s nick names were different…….& for my generation, it was new & young & cool……… But, that was a Very long time ago…..

 & then they morphed again in the late 90’s – early 2000’s when they brought on anchors like Stu Scott – & they were really growing into a Power house…..

But as the Web has developed into the Primary source of content for the younger generations (30 & under) espn feels old & left behind…….. 

 

[phila9012Participant]

 I am surprised people even care about espn now. Everyone I grew up with, I am 22 now, is leaving or changing roles. No more simmons, patrick, cowherd was solid, svp is only doing sports center. First take pre just stephen A and skip bayless was good. I just feel like ESPN has gotten old and stale. The guys they kept around are Chris Burman, stephen A, and probably a few others. It feels like they just care about the money and their people ie burman. Some of the NBA commentary is decent, sage steele is at least a decent host.

 They have Zach Lowe for writing and PTI after that and watching NBA on WatchESPN, there really isn’t much going on. I don’t think I would even bother going to the site if I didn’t have great childhood memories of ESPN, it is hard to find Zach Lowe’s writing and the one or two great pieces they put out a month, like the Tiger woods article last week.

[joe2324Participant]

Its no wonder Disney stock has been tanking over the last year as more people stop watching the garbage espn puts out. The network has taken such a nose dive in quality with their pro political correctness stance on almost every issue is sickening. The last straw for me was Curt Schilling getting fired over his comment on twitter. 

[joe2324Participant]

Its no wonder Disney stock has been tanking over the last year as more people stop watching the garbage espn puts out. The network has taken such a nose dive in quality with their pro political correctness stance on almost every issue is sickening. The last straw for me was Curt Schilling getting fired over his comment on twitter. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I don’t know who would be worse at a dinner party Steven A or Skip. I don’t know if Skip was who Curt Schilling was referring to, but he said there were a bunch of racists at ESPN. A couple things Skip said over the years made me think of him. It seems appropriate then that he goes to Fox. Of course these guys might be playing characters, so you never know. 

When you break it down, I just don’t like yelling about sports. You yell when the game gets exciting, not when you’re debating the best career move for Luke Walton. I get nothing but aggitating watching these people. I get annoyed that they’re on the air at all. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I don’t know who would be worse at a dinner party Steven A or Skip. I don’t know if Skip was who Curt Schilling was referring to, but he said there were a bunch of racists at ESPN. A couple things Skip said over the years made me think of him. It seems appropriate then that he goes to Fox. Of course these guys might be playing characters, so you never know. 

When you break it down, I just don’t like yelling about sports. You yell when the game gets exciting, not when you’re debating the best career move for Luke Walton. I get nothing but aggitating watching these people. I get annoyed that they’re on the air at all. 

[D7H7NParticipant]

You mean Molly Qerim?

Just because you would prefer to not have First Take anymore (and that would mean Molly would no longer have that job) doesn’t make you a sexist. Anyone who tries to bring that up against you is stupid.

 

 

 

[D7H7NParticipant]

You mean Molly Qerim?

Just because you would prefer to not have First Take anymore (and that would mean Molly would no longer have that job) doesn’t make you a sexist. Anyone who tries to bring that up against you is stupid.

 

 

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

What I do not understand is why Fox Sports, NBCSN, and CBSN try to replicate ESPN. If a person has cable or satellite and wants SportsCenter, then they will watch the real SportsCenter. This isn’t Pepsi or Coca-Cola where maybe one location has one available and not the other, and therefore there is room in the market for both. If a house has Fox Sports, they have ESPN. The only way to take away viewers is to do something different, and not in the CBSN way of never actually having a real sporting event.

As for ESPN, their non-live event shows are designed to be cheap filler that promote their games and partner leagues. Once an opposing network bids up the price of the guys who are on those shows, they will find someone cheaper who does basically the same thing. Make no mistake, there will be a new Skip Bayless to come up with imaginary ways in which LeBron has disappointed him. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

What I do not understand is why Fox Sports, NBCSN, and CBSN try to replicate ESPN. If a person has cable or satellite and wants SportsCenter, then they will watch the real SportsCenter. This isn’t Pepsi or Coca-Cola where maybe one location has one available and not the other, and therefore there is room in the market for both. If a house has Fox Sports, they have ESPN. The only way to take away viewers is to do something different, and not in the CBSN way of never actually having a real sporting event.

As for ESPN, their non-live event shows are designed to be cheap filler that promote their games and partner leagues. Once an opposing network bids up the price of the guys who are on those shows, they will find someone cheaper who does basically the same thing. Make no mistake, there will be a new Skip Bayless to come up with imaginary ways in which LeBron has disappointed him. 

[Author]

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