But of course my favorite subject, TV broadcast teams and studio shows, don’t have a list based on the best and worst of them. So I decided to make it myself. So here are the first annual broadcast power rankings.
NOTE: Many of these announcing teams have either yet to work together or have made some minor changes, meaning the rankings are based off both past work and potential. Also, these are just the number one teams for the networks, and I didn’t take into account sideline reporters, since I find them pointless.
10-CBS College Basketball
Studio--Greg Gumbell, Clark Kellogg, Seth Davis
Announcers--- Jim Nantz, Billy Packer
It’s a shame that this crew is so bad, because they get to be in the front row for the greatest event in all of sports, March Madness. Gumbell is sloppy as a studio host, and I don’t feel he knows the game of basketball too well. Kellogg, a former Indiana player, and Davis, a ‘Sports Illustrated’ college hoops writer, are both average. Nantz and Packer are the worst team on TV, having the horrible combination of being both negative and boring. Nantz it seems can’t wait for the Final Four to conclude so he can go announce the Masters. He often times misses announcing the action by telling a boring story that usually doesn’t make sense. Packer, who is the biggest ACC-homer out there, doesn’t respect any school that he hasn’t seen live. He never compliments anyone, and for a game that is 99% about passion, he often times seems disinterested. After 15 years, I think it may be time for the CBS-eye to wipe away its crust and get some good guys in there.
9- FOX Major League Baseball
Studio---Jeanne Zelasko, Kevin Kennedy
Announcers---Joe Buck, Tim McCarver
I don’t really like Zelasko and Kennedy in the studio. I can’t think of anything in particular but something about them rubs me the wrong way. But that isn’t the reason that the MLB on FOX is down on the list. It’s because of Buck and McCarver. Now I like Buck (More on that later), and McCarver obviously has some extensive knowledge on the game. But they both have a flaw, and it’s a big one. There huge homers. Buck is the everyday play-by-play man for the St. Louis Cardinals, a job that at least one member of his family has held since 1969. McCarver is a former All-Star catcher for those very same Cardinals, and worked with the late Jack Buck before being teamed with Joe. And since it seems like every chance they get, FOX decides to show Cubs-Cardinals games, this causes some major problems with me. Buck and McCarver always have something great to say about Tony LaRussa, Jim Edmonds or Chris Carpenter; yet can never come up with a compliment for Carlos Zambrano. They might as well have Ozzie Smith be in the booth. Nothing would make me happier then seeing a guy wearing a ‘St. Louis Sucks’ t-shirt next time I turn on the game. It would let the red bird fans know how we feel when we watch Joe and Tim.
8-ABC National Basketball Association
Studio---Dan Patrick, Marc Jackson, Michael Wilbon
Announcers---Mike Breen, Hubie Brown
I’m not sure how comfortable Patrick is in the studio role, but he does well. He knows the game, and is good at dishing off to his co-analysts. Jackson is brash and bold, often making obscure guarantees that usually don’t come through. And Wilbon is just Wilbon, the great, smart, funny guy that you read in the ‘Washington Post’ or watch on ‘PTI’. These three make for a great studio team. Unfortunately, when it isn’t halftime, the ABC team lacks. Breen wouldn’t get excited if Magic Johnson came out of the stands and played point guard for the Lakers, and Brown would go on and on explaining how this would change Phil Jackson’s coaching style. Instead of focusing about the action on the court, these two like to focus what’s going on in the huddle or on the bench, and while sometimes it’s insightful, it’s mostly a bore.
7-ESPN Major League Baseball
Studio---Karl Ravich, John Kruk, Steve Phillips
Announcers---Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Jon Miller is by far and away the best TV baseball announcer in the business. He understands the game (A very underrated and strangely unique skill for an announcer), and even better, he understands how to explain the game. He is a good storyteller and listening to him makes the game much more enjoyable to watch. Too bad the same can’t be said for Morgan. He likes to go on and on about a certain play or player, even if they player isn’t on one of the two teams playing or the play is over. He also tends to mumble a bit and can be difficult to understand. The ‘Baseball Tonight’ crew of Ravich, Kruk, and Phillips are interesting and funny. They tend to be East Coast biased, but then again, who on ESPN isn’t?
6-CBS National Football League
Studio---James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe
Announcers---Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Brown, who used to be the ringleader of the NFL on FOX pre-game show, has now moved across the dial to man the studio show at CBS. He will meet a much better group of talent around the desk. Marino is one of the smartest studio analysts in any sport, breaking down film from both a players, fans and coaches point of view. Esiason also provides valuable analysis, and isn’t afraid to go after a player or coach if they mess up. Sharpe is there mostly for comedy, and he does his job well. Again though, like with hoops, the flaw of CBS’ coverage is Jim Nantz. I just don’t think he is a very good play-by-play man. In my perfect world, the play-by-play guy would both explain the action but also provide some analysis, either from some historical perspective, or from having conversations with a player or coach, just something. Nantz doesn’t do this. He tells you it’s a gain of five for the Broncos, but he won’t insight you on the history of the Denver running attack or why Mike Shannahan likes to pound the rock early in the game. Simms does provide good analysis, but it is wasted due to Nantz.
5-ESPN National Football League
Studio---Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, Steve Young, Chris Mortenson
Announcers---Mike Tirico, Joe Theismen, Tony Kornheiser
This crew is placed directly in the middle of the rankings, because they could either be a great success (Think a funnier, smarter Bill Walton of football) or a horrible failure (Think Dennis Miller). Kornheirser is brilliant in his newspaper columns and as the guy who shout outs all his “peeps” on ‘PTI’, but it’s difficult to tell if that will translate well into being a color analyst. I never really liked Theismen, but Tirico is built from the same cloth as Al Michaels and Bob Costas. He could do play by play for any sport, host a studio show and still be entertaining. He will make it easier to watch the game on Monday Night. The ‘Countdown’ crew of Boomer, TJ, Irvin, Young and Mort is one of the best in the business, breaking down every game with inside analysis and deep thought.
4-FOX National Football League
Studio---Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson, Yet to be named host
Announcers---Joe Buck, Troy Aikmen
With James Brown going to CBS, it is still unclear who will be the host of the FOX pre, post and halftime shows. Whoever it is will have big shoes to fill, since JB was the perfect fit for that group. He always knew when to be funny and when to be serious, when to talk about stuff on the field and when to discuss of field issues. Buck and Aikmen are a terrific duo. Buck knows when to speak, when to be silent and rarely messes up. And since there’s no chance he’ll do a St. Louis Cardinals game, he doesn’t have a chance to come across as a homer. Aikmen, who recently entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, clearly understands the game, both from the aspect of a broadcaster and a player. He is great at breaking down what a team is doing, and isn’t afraid to criticize when a player or coach messes up. Watching a game with these two is a lot like watching a game with your buddies.
3-NBC National Football League
Studio---Bob Costas, Chris Collandsworth, Jerome Bettis, Sterling Sharpe
Announcers---Al Michaels, John Madden
Wow, four NFL teams in a row. And who would have guessed that the new kids on the block, the rainbow peacock, would be the best of all? Costas is a brodcasting legend, and since he announced Michael Jordan’s final game as a Bull for NBC, he can really do no wrong in my eyes. Collandswoth is back where he is best, which is in the studio and not the broadcast booth. Sharpe isn’t as good as his brother on CBS, but still is an average analyst. Bettis is the rookie, but I expect him to be great. But the real all-stars are Michaels and Madden. Sure, Big John has gotten older and slower, and since he is now doing night games he’s gotten less sharp. He’s still one of the best in the business at explaining the action on the field in a way that the average fan can understand it. Michaels has also gotten worse in my opinion with age, but everything sounds cooler when you’re calling the game of the week. He shy’s away from giving his opinion on anything, but he still can call a good game.
2-ESPN College Basketball
Studio---Reece Davis, Digger Phelps, Jay Billas
Announcers---Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale
Though I find Vitale annoying, baby, with a capital A, this is still the best college hoops team on television. The studio team is flawless, Nessler is a terrific play-by-play man, and even though Duke-ie V. can be a bit over-the-top, it’s hard not to get excited watching a game with him behind the mike. I’ve always thought that Reece Davis was under-used by the Worldwide Leader, so I was glad to see him man the studio during last season. Phelps is the OK, but I barley even notice his flaws because I’m too busy wondering why he decided to match his ties with the color of his highlighter. Billas is an All-Star, meaning he’s the most valuable college basketball voice ESPN has. (FYI, the other ESPN All-Stars would be Scott Van Pelt, Kirk Herbstriet, Erin Andrews, Peter Gammons and the Schwab) He is a terrific studio analyst, though I wish he got more game-time doing color commentary. Nessler paints a perfect college atmosphere picture, and uses his extensive knowledge of the game well. You know what you’ll get from Vitale, which is lots of yelling, a heart-felt love for Duke, and a hatred for any player who leaves school early. Too bad ESPN doesn’t have the rights for the Tournament.
1-TNT National Basketball Association
Studio---Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Chares Barkley
Announcers---Marv Albert, Steve Kerr
Hey Marv, is this the best crew in the business? YESSSSS! Watching a game on TNT is so much fun, because everyone you’re watching is having a great time. The studio team of Johnson, Smith and future Governor Barkley is a must-see, even if the game is a snoozer. All three of them love to have fun, especially if it’s at the expense of one of the others. Albert and Kerr also are fun guys, but both of them realty know the game. Albert has been at every memorable pro basketball game of the past 35 years, and Kerr is a five-time NBA champ who is liked by it seems everyone. The mold of NBA color men is usually an old coach (thin Hubie Brown or Doug Collins) or a former star player (think Reggie Miller or Bill Walton). Kerr is neither of these, and it’s refreshing to hear someone who really loves the game of basketball. I can’t think of any real flaws with the TNT group.
So there it is, from worst to first. Maybe you disagree with me. Maybe my rankings will entice you to press the mute button next time you see Billy Packer on your screen. Maybe you will change your Tuesday night plans so you make sure not to miss a Celtics-Pacers game on TNT just so you can watch ‘Inside the NBA’ when the game ends. But whatever you do, make sure to keep watching. You know I will.
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