With just a few days left in 2016, that’s enough time to
take one last look back at 2016 in terms of sports television with my
selections for the best individuals and moments of the year. Here we go:
Best Studio Show:
“College GameDay,” ESPN. The show remains, by just a smidge over “Inside the
NBA” on TNT, the best pregame programming available in any sport. It gets bonus
points for ambition by broadcasting on location each week. Plus, it combines
consistency and known quantities with a willingness to try new things. Its hold
on the top spot remains more precarious than in previous years, though, as the
result of talent changes (and expect more of those as soon as next season). The
“MLB Postseason Show” on Fox/Fox Sports 1 deserves note for some big moments
this season, too.
Best Studio Host:
Ernie Johnson, “Inside the NBA” (TNT). He stands out for his consistent,
quality work. On a program full of personalities, his personality shines
through and he makes room for everyone to make their points. It’s thanks in
large part to him that the show can be both comfortable and fun. It’s also
honest and endearing -- and that’s all because of the humble, well-prepared Johnson,
who had two moments go viral late in the year with a compelling and sincere post-election
opinion piece (above) and with the poem he read at the funeral for colleague Craig
Sager. Johnson’s just a good guy who regularly does great work.
Best Play-by-Play
Team: Mike Emrick/Eddie Olczyk, NBC/NBC Sports Network. If the NHL were as
popular as the NFL, this combination would be revered. As it is, those who
follow hockey and simply appreciate good sports television know they’re the
best in the business. While Emrick provides context and emotion, Olczyk keeps
pace with information and insights.
Best Play-by-Play
Talent: Sean McDonough, ESPN/ABC. Pick a sport (college basketball, college
football, NFL, baseball) and McDonough can handle the call. He’s steady, and he
also brings a bit of attitude -- not afraid to critique NFL officiating for
example -- that make his work enjoyable. As a result, he sounds less of a
company man for the respective broadcast partners and more like and informed,
unbiased pro doing his job. That’s something fans of every sport appreciate.
Best Color Commentator:
John Smoltz, Fox/Fox Sports 1. Elevated to the network’s top baseball team
(with Joe Buck) in 2016, Smoltz was steady during the regular season and then
super in the postseason. He made point that educated and informed viewers. He
shared experiences from his career. He was concise and prepared. He was the
best in the business at his job last year.
Best Sideline
Reporter: Doris Burke, ESPN/ABC. It is the must unforgiving job in all of
sports TV. Sideline reporters rarely get much time to share information, often
seem like an extravagance (Really, a full salary invested in NFL reporters who
get maybe three minutes of airtime a game?) and more often come across and
inane -- even when they are prepared. Still, Burke’s work consistently stands
out. She’s a respected pro who usually avoids silliness and does her job.
That’s appreciated and refreshing.
Best Insider/Expert:
Adam Schefter, ESPN/ABC. Every network has a top information person, and some
have several who get billing or credit as being well connected with people in
front offices across the sport. Few rival Schefter, though. He often carries
two telephones and never seems to sleep or miss a story. Sure, he’s missed
some, but he’s one of the most valuable talents at ESPN for a reason. And
that’s because he meets the expectations of NFL fans, who trust that he’ll
break stories and if he does not he’ll find a way to get information they want.
TV Moment/Story of
the Year: Death of Muhammad Ali, ESPN. Legendary boxer Muhammed Ali died
June 3, 2016. It was a Saturday and news of his death was reported by ESPN at
12:28 a.m. Sunday. Fortuitously for the network, that came while “SportsCenter”
was on the air and ESPN then went with commercial-free coverage until 4:14 a.m.
-- nearly four consecutive hours. Ali’s death deserved that kind of coverage
for many reasons, and that ESPN delivered was a testament to its spot as the
all-sports network its competitors hope to become. Plus, ESPN’s work was more
than talking heads. Thanks to those who were on air, those behind the scenes
had time to compile footage for highlights while still others made calls to get
guests on the phone and on camera from locations across the country. It was
stellar work.
