Latest news with #sportscommentary
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Letters to Sports: The good, the bad and the ugly with 'Around the Horn'
ESPN's "Around the Horn" is ending after a 23-year run that featured sportwriters from across the nation sharing their thoughts. The format sounded simple, but it is what made it a success. Real-life sportswriters, who many no longer read, expounding real-life opinions became a novelty. As for L.A. Times' writer Bill Plaschke, thank you for always having Los Angeles' back, as spoken by local WNBA legend Diana Taurasi. Wayne Muramatsu Cerritos Bill Plaschke is proud of his time on "Around the Horn?" Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention. Advertisement Another reason why ESPN and so-called sports commentary is currently unwatchable. He should apologize for reaching so low. James L. Pearle Corona del Mar Great article by Bill Plaschke regarding "Around the Horn." However, contrary to his claim that he "always stunk," because there were four panelists on each show, Plaschke's winning percentage of 24.3% is just about what one would expect. Even Woody Paige — the Cy Young of ATH — had a lower winning percentage. Bill, thanks for so eloquently representing the City of Angels. Ken Feldman Tarzana Taylor-made treasure? It's been said that one man's leftovers are another man's steak dinner. And that's all you need to know about the difference between the Dodgers organization and the Angels. Two days after the Dodgers released a washed-up Chris Taylor, he was starting in center field for the Angels. Nothing else needs to be said. Advertisement Bob Kargenian Yorba Linda Heavenly duo As Bill Shaikin writes, Angels announcers Wayne Randazzo and Mark Gubicza are great. As a long-suffering Angels fan, its a pleasure to at least be able to listen to them. Randazzo is particularly excellent. He doesn't overdo the chatter like most do, is bright, witty, knowledgeable and subtly tells truths about the woeful team he covers. He is the best since Dick Enberg, who was one of the greatest ever. Alvin S. Michaelson Marina Del Rey Need more relief Tanner Scott, a $72-million pitcher, has blown a third of his save opportunities this year. Eric Gagne, where are you? Advertisement Mike Schaller Temple City I got excited about the Dodgers adding another former All-Star, Alexis Díaz, to their ravaged pitching staff, even more so upon learning he began this season on the IL. Seems like a perfect fit. Steve Ross Carmel Escape to Detroit I think I know why Jack Flaherty left the Dodgers for Detroit in free agency: He didn't want to go on the IL. Rhys Thomas Valley Glen Resist temptation The new flood of name, image and likeness money (NIL) is indeed sending high school sports into a 'black hole' of misplaced priorities, as Eric Sondheimer's column pointed out. The L.A. Times should do its part to resist this trend by ceasing coverage of sports at that vulnerable level. Advertisement Patrick Frank Venice Battle of the exes Former Lakers Alex Caruso, Julius Randle and Josh Hart all had deep runs in the 2025 playoffs. Next season, while the Lakers are on vacation, are we going to see Austin Reaves in the playoffs wearing another team's uniform because the Lakers traded him while coddling an aged star? I sure hope not. Paul D. Ventura Mission Viejo Still streaking The defending champion L.A. Galaxy have started the MLS season with a 16-game winless streak? Bill Plaschke must have picked them to repeat as champions. John Schiermeier Valencia The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Advertisement Email: sports@ Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Premier League 2024-25 review: broadcasters of the season
Educational without being patronising, Ward is one of those rare co-commentators who understands her brief. Preferring to explain to viewers what they might have missed instead of telling them what they have just seen, the former Leeds and Doncaster forward finds herself as in-demand as any of her male counterparts despite her playing career taking place during a period when England's female footballers went about their business in almost total obscurity. Meticulous in her preparation whether it's for an early-morning recording of the Guardian's Football Weekly podcast or an evening broadcast of a Europa League final with a significantly lower audience, the constant demand for Ward's services from an ever-increasing array of TV and radio networks makes a mockery of the relentless, staggeringly unoriginal trolling to which she is subjected on social media from cripplingly insecure misogynists, one of whom is extremely high profile. It is abuse that the good-humoured and largely unflappable Ward should not have to endure but she appears to accept it as an occupational hazard and take it in her stride. Responsible for the dual tasks of encouraging and reining in the giddier impulses of Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry on the often toe-curling banterfest that is CBS's Champions League coverage. The former Sky Sports presenter manages to chair proceedings with a deftness that has helped her pundits avoid getting themselves in potentially career-damaging trouble or the entire show being pulled from the air. Unshackled by the constraints imposed by other employers, Carragher and Richards are likable sorts, but often behave like unruly schoolboys, while Henry is far less trouble in his affectation of sniffy French superiority. While their sniggering, ribald repartee and over-familiarity with interviewees is not for everyone and must completely baffle their American audience, clips of their bawdy badinage posted on social media help hoover up those all-important likes and retweets on this side of the pond. Given his passion for music and previous life as editor of the New Musical Express and Q magazine, it's no surprise the title and theme music of Danny Kelly's Sunday night show on Talksport are a homage to the German musical pioneers Kraftwerk. The Trans-Europe Express does exactly what it says on the tin, with Kelly and his sidekick, Andy Brassell, spending each episode on a whistle-stop tour through Europe's major football destinations. The duo are equally happy to alight at less storied – but no less interesting – platforms should the need arise. Kelly is a broadcasting genius, whose effortless style, genial personality and innate curiosity make for easy late-night listening. Brassell's good humour and almost supernatural ability to absorb, retain and disseminate information about continental football and every single professional who plays it make him the perfect foil. While a fractious relationship with the BBC top brass ended on the back of his decision to share a social media post about Zionism that included an antisemitic slur, Gary Lineker's interview with Amol Rajan a few weeks suggested the Match of the Day presenter had a feeling the jig would soon be up for him at the corporation and wasn't fussed. The former England striker's gradual transformation from hesitant TV novice to confident but empathetic frontman and social commentator has been an entertaining staple over the past 25 years, but Lineker is wise enough to know that for all his wit and charm, it is the football highlights, not analysis of them, that attract viewers to Match of the Day. His lengthy stint in the hot seat will be remembered fondly by many, even if the pedigree and popularity of his anointed successors suggests he is unlikely to be missed. New enough at the punditry game to prompt corpsing from Gary Lineker and Micah Richards when he became distracted by some producer talkback in his earpiece while analysing a Brighton goal on Match of the Day, the former England goalkeeper has proved a more than worthy addition to the punditry circuit. Eloquent, informative and largely devoid of pomposity or cliche, Hart is clearly grateful the late career lifeline thrown to him by Ange Postecoglou during his time as Celtic manager and has always been happy to mount stirring defences of the Australian's methods while explaining why they weren't working in the Premier League. As a former goalkeeper, he has a field of expertise most other pundits don't and, along with Shay Given, has done much to dispel the long-held myth that players in their position who get beaten at their near post are always at fault. It wasn't before time.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Premier League 2024-25 review: broadcasters of the season
Lucy Ward Educational without being patronising, Ward is one of those rare co-commentators who understands her brief. Preferring to explain to viewers what they might have missed instead of telling them what they have just seen, the former Leeds and Doncaster forward finds herself as in-demand as any of her male counterparts despite her playing career taking place during a period when England's female footballers went about their business in almost total obscurity. Advertisement Meticulous in her preparation whether it's for an early-morning recording of the Guardian's Football Weekly podcast or an evening broadcast of a Europa League final with a significantly lower audience, the constant demand for Ward's services from an ever-increasing array of TV and radio networks makes a mockery of the relentless, staggeringly unoriginal trolling to which she is subjected on social media from cripplingly insecure misogynists, one of whom is extremely high profile. It is abuse that the good-humoured and largely unflappable Ward should not have to endure but she appears to accept it as an occupational hazard and take it in her stride. Kate Scott Responsible for the dual tasks of encouraging and reining in the giddier impulses of Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry on the often toe-curling banterfest that is CBS's Champions League coverage. The former Sky Sports presenter manages to chair proceedings with a deftness that has helped her pundits avoid getting themselves in potentially career-damaging trouble or the entire show being pulled from the air. Unshackled by the constraints imposed by other employers, Carragher and Richards are likable sorts, but often behave like unruly schoolboys, while Henry is far less trouble in his affectation of sniffy French superiority. While their sniggering, ribald repartee and over-familiarity with interviewees is not for everyone and must completely baffle their American audience, clips of their bawdy badinage posted on social media help hoover up those all-important likes and retweets on this side of the pond. Danny Kelly and Andy Brassell Given his passion for music and previous life as editor of the New Musical Express and Q magazine, it's no surprise the title and theme music of Danny Kelly's Sunday night show on Talksport are a homage to the German musical pioneers Kraftwerk. The Trans-Europe Express does exactly what it says on the tin, with Kelly and his sidekick, Andy Brassell, spending each episode on a whistle-stop tour through Europe's major football destinations. Advertisement The duo are equally happy to alight at less storied – but no less interesting – platforms should the need arise. Kelly is a broadcasting genius, whose effortless style, genial personality and innate curiosity make for easy late-night listening. Brassell's good humour and almost supernatural ability to absorb, retain and disseminate information about continental football and every single professional who plays it make him the perfect foil. Gary Lineker While a fractious relationship with the BBC top brass ended on the back of his decision to share a social media post about Zionism that included an antisemitic slur, Gary Lineker's interview with Amol Rajan a few weeks suggested the Match of the Day presenter had a feeling the jig would soon be up for him at the corporation and wasn't fussed. The former England striker's gradual transformation from hesitant TV novice to confident but empathetic frontman and social commentator has been an entertaining staple over the past 25 years, but Lineker is wise enough to know that for all his wit and charm, it is the football highlights, not analysis of them, that attract viewers to Match of the Day. His lengthy stint in the hot seat will be remembered fondly by many, even if the pedigree and popularity of his anointed successors suggests he is unlikely to be missed. Joe Hart New enough at the punditry game to prompt corpsing from Gary Lineker and Micah Richards when he became distracted by some producer talkback in his earpiece while analysing a Brighton goal on Match of the Day, the former England goalkeeper has proved a more than worthy addition to the punditry circuit. Eloquent, informative and largely devoid of pomposity or cliche, Hart is clearly grateful the late career lifeline thrown to him by Ange Postecoglou during his time as Celtic manager and has always been happy to mount stirring defences of the Australian's methods while explaining why they weren't working in the Premier League. As a former goalkeeper, he has a field of expertise most other pundits don't and, along with Shay Given, has done much to dispel the long-held myth that players in their position who get beaten at their near post are always at fault. It wasn't before time.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Premier League 2024-25 review: broadcasters of the season
Educational without being patronising, Ward is one of those rare co-commentators who understands her brief. Preferring to explain to viewers what they might have missed instead of telling them what they have just seen, the former Leeds and Doncaster forward finds herself as in-demand as any of her male counterparts despite her playing career taking place during a period when England's female footballers went about their business in almost total obscurity. Meticulous in her preparation whether it's for an early-morning recording of the Guardian's Football Weekly podcast or an evening broadcast of a Europa League final with a significantly lower audience, the constant demand for Ward's services from an ever-increasing array of TV and radio networks makes a mockery of the relentless, staggeringly unoriginal trolling to which she is subjected on social media from cripplingly insecure misogynists, one of whom is extremely high profile. It is abuse that the good-humoured and largely unflappable Ward should not have to endure but she appears to accept it as an occupational hazard and take it in her stride. Responsible for the dual tasks of encouraging and reining in the giddier impulses of Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry on the often toe-curling banterfest that is CBS's Champions League coverage. The former Sky Sports presenter manages to chair proceedings with a deftness that has helped her pundits avoid getting themselves in potentially career-damaging trouble or the entire show being pulled from the air. Unshackled by the constraints imposed by other employers, Carragher and Richards are likable sorts, but often behave like unruly schoolboys, while Henry is far less trouble in his affectation of sniffy French superiority. While their sniggering, ribald repartee and over-familiarity with interviewees is not for everyone and must completely baffle their American audience, clips of their bawdy badinage posted on social media help hoover up those all-important likes and retweets on this side of the pond. Given his passion for music and previous life as editor of the New Musical Express and Q magazine, it's no surprise the title and theme music of Danny Kelly's Sunday night show on Talksport are a homage to the German musical pioneers Kraftwerk. The Trans-Europe Express does exactly what it says on the tin, with Kelly and his sidekick, Andy Brassell, spending each episode on a whistle-stop tour through Europe's major football destinations. The duo are equally happy to alight at less storied – but no less interesting – platforms should the need arise. Kelly is a broadcasting genius, whose effortless style, genial personality and innate curiosity make for easy late-night listening. Brassell's good humour and almost supernatural ability to absorb, retain and disseminate information about continental football and every single professional who plays it make him the perfect foil. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion While a fractious relationship with the BBC top brass ended on the back of his decision to share a social media post about Zionism that included an antisemitic slur, Gary Lineker's interview with Amol Rajan a few weeks suggested the Match of the Day presenter had a feeling the jig would soon be up for him at the corporation and wasn't fussed. The former England striker's gradual transformation from hesitant TV novice to confident but empathetic frontman and social commentator has been an entertaining staple over the past 25 years, but Lineker is wise enough to know that for all his wit and charm, it is the football highlights, not analysis of them, that attract viewers to Match of the Day. His lengthy stint in the hot seat will be remembered fondly by many, even if the pedigree and popularity of his anointed successors suggests he is unlikely to be missed. New enough at the punditry game to prompt corpsing from Gary Lineker and Micah Richards when he became distracted by some producer talkback in his earpiece while analysing a Brighton goal on Match of the Day, the former England goalkeeper has proved a more than worthy addition to the punditry circuit. Eloquent, informative and largely devoid of pomposity or cliche, Hart is clearly grateful the late career lifeline thrown to him by Ange Postecoglou during his time as Celtic manager and has always been happy to mount stirring defences of the Australian's methods while explaining why they weren't working in the Premier League. As a former goalkeeper, he has a field of expertise most other pundits don't and, along with Shay Given, has done much to dispel the long-held myth that players in their position who get beaten at their near post are always at fault. It wasn't before time.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Clint Wheeldon
Clint Wheeldon worked out at a young age he was not skilful enough or durable enough to make it as a professional sportsman. After spending more than a decade as a Sports reporter for a variety of Radio Stations, Channel Ten and the ABC, in 2007 he landed his dream job as a full-time commentator with ABC GRANDSTAND. Clint's now called almost 500 games of Australian Rules Football at venues around the nation. He's called the past two AFL Grand Finals for Grandstand – the first WA based ABC broadcaster to be given that honour. He's also called Test Match Cricket, One Day Internationals and Big Bash finals. He's covered two Olympics, Two Commonwealth Games and Two Paralympics. He also calls A-League, Rugby Union, NRL and NBL. On Television Clint presents Sport for ABC TV's National Early Edition News. Clint's won several awards – Three times he's being named as Best Radio Caller at the Western Australia Football Media Guild awards and once as Best Television Caller. He's also won the WACA's most outstanding radio broadcaster on five occasions and has twice picked up the WACA's highly prized Best Test match story. But he still can't believe that talking about sport - which used to get him sent out of class in high school - is now paying his mortgage.
