Erin Andrews replacing Pam Oliver on Fox #1 NFL team

[TheDude]

While I don't love people evaluating female sideline reporters purely on the basis of their looks, I have to say that I was never particularly impressed with either Pam Oliver's or Erin Andrews' football acumen. I suspect sideline reporters are basically a contrivance to try to get more interest in the game from American women and the networks prefer to have nice-looking women so the men are ok with it (or happy about it).

When we get females in the actual booths I'll be inclined to believe the league (or the networks) are doing it because they appreciate what these women have to say relative to the game. It's hard to be taken seriously in the 30-second cut-aways sideline reporters get aired.

It's kind of surprising, actually, that we don't have any women in the booths yet, come to think of it.

I disagree. Before halftime I often wonder if the coach of the losing team thinks his team needs to play and execute better, hold on to the ball, and not make mistakes that beat themselves. Conversely, I wonder if the winning coach is emphasizing continued execution, balance or if he will take a knee for every possession in the next 2 quarters

Im frozen to I ponder these things. When I get nuggets of insight like that, I feel Im free to get another round.

 

[KJJ]

Here's a ranking (2012) of the 20 sexist female sports reporters according to Bleacher Report. Even their ranking of sexy female reporters don't make any sense. Click through the names from 20 to 1. They had Erin Andrews at #11 ranked one spot higher than Meline Collins. I had to laugh because below is the pic they used of Erin Andrews. LOL I couldn't find a worse pic of her anywhere online. If you're going to do a ranking of sexy female reporters at least use a good picture of them.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1033610-the-20-sexiest-sports-reporters-of-2012

 

[Gemini Dolly]

The reporter I think is super pretty...I cant get her name, but she is blonde and has dimples. She seems sweet and is married to a quarterback, who isnt very good, but sorta cute. Gahh I cant get his name either. Help! what a fail.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Sam Ponder.

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Sam Ponder.

High Five. Low Five. Mid five. I think shes prettier than Erin Andrews.

 

[Idgit]

It's true because women don't play football at least it's not a sport typically associated with women so they're not going to be taken as seriously talking about the game as a male reporter regardless if they never played. This is one big reason they hire these beautiful women to report and cover the game. Their looks attract attention which gets viewers to pay more attention. There's a gal who does the local weather here in LA she's so hot (hotter than the weather lately) she's more popular than anyone who's doing the local news in the area due primarily to her looks. The male commentators who never played the game can carry on an interesting conversation during the game because they're trained at commentating and most grew up following the game.

It's easy to talk about a sport you've been following for decades. Joe Namath is going to be a lot more interesting to "listen" to about football than a hot chick whose gig as a bikini model/Hooters girl/cheerleader helped get their foot in the door to eventually covering the NFL. As for Dennis Miller that debacle was a result of trying to add someone with a sense of humor to the Monday Night booth ala Don Meredith. That was a ridiculous experiment that backfired. All Michaels had to put his hand over Millers mouth a few times during telecasts. The NFL wants women to be involved in the game but most of the women we see reporting on the game do just that they "report", conduct interviews and ask questions to those who play and coach the game.

I guess this is something that varies from person to person. For my part, I wouldn't distinguish between the perspective of a woman who's never played the game and a man who's never played the game. I'd take them equally seriously. Just like a male sideline reporter doing puff-updates isn't going to win any points from me for his insight. If they know what they're talking about, it doesn't matter what gender they've got. If they don't, I'm not interested, anyway.

 

[BigStar]

Someone like the NFL AM host--forgetting her name--could handle it. I actually think she's great. Though morning show hostess isn't exactly a high bar to clear.

EDIT: this is the woman I was referring to:

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/onairtalent/nicole-zaloumis

There are definitely qualified women but can't see that really happening for a couple of generations (even then). I know a couple of football nerds who are women, some on this board, who would put a causal male "fan" to shame. I really don't how/when women would be accepted in the booth tbh but am sure a network will try it eventually. They should give it a real try if they go ahead with it and not try to please everyone. Put a football nerd in there.

 

[KJJ]

I guess this is something that varies from person to person. For my part, I wouldn't distinguish between the perspective of a woman who's never played the game and a man who's never played the game. I'd take them equally seriously. Just like a male sideline reporter doing puff-updates isn't going to win any points from me for his insight. If they know what they're talking about, it doesn't matter what gender they've got. If they don't, I'm not interested, anyway.

It does vary but most of the men who haven't played the game at least professionally are trained broadcasters/play by play commentators who've covered a number of different sports over a period of a lot of years from NHL, boxing, baseball and tennis. There's a respect factor with them. The commentators you see doing play by play in the booth have a wealth of experience and most are well past 40. Some get assigned to cover many big sporting events just look at the careers of Al Michaels and Pat Summerall. Joe Buck has done play by play for the SB and World Series. Women haven't been afforded the same opportunity covering sports that men have especially sports played by men. A female is not going to be accepted in the booth doing NFL play by play on Sundays or having a role where they're giving an opinion on who should be the starting QB for a particular team or questioning the approach of someone who played or coached the game. It simply isn't going to work.

Lindsay Rhodes and Amber Theoharis on NFLN occasionally give an opinion but they allow the former players, coaches and GM's to take over and debate whatever topic it is. Theses attractive females we're seeing reporting on the game are intelligent, very well educated women who are being given a role where they can be accepted on the field and in the locker room. There's male reporters who have the same role and that's reporting on the game and interviewing players. They're not qualified to question a certain scheme a team is using or how a player is being used within that scheme. Even they have to be careful with their line of questioning of a player or a coach or they'll end up pissing them off. Willie McGinest can get away with a certain line of questioning that an Albert Breer or an Ian Rapoport can't because Willie is a well respected former NFL player. You can't have anyone being overly opinionated or critical of a team or a player unless they're very well respected in broadcasting or they played the game.

 

[WoodysGirl]

You could just as easily have a journalism intern on the sidelines collecting the information and relaying it to Joe Buck in the booth. It'd cost less and provide the same content.

They like to go to the sidelines to give the impression fans are getting closer to the action, which I get, but it's not exactly anything that requires a high degree of skill.

You do a disservice to what a real journalist's skillset is and what duties they're supposed to perform.

 

[Idgit]

You do a disservice to what a real journalist's skillset is and what duties they're supposed to perform.

Well, now, let me be clear: I don't think sideline reporters are using their entire journalistic skill sets. I think the duties they're asked to perform are very limited. And I suspect only talented journalists even get the opportunity in the first place.

But, yeah, I don't think what sideline reporters of either gender do during a broadcast is difficult or all that important compared to calling a game or hosting a show in studio.

 

[TheDude]

You do a disservice to what a real journalist's skillset is and what duties they're supposed to perform.

Like Eric Dickerson?

 

[dogberry]

I'm with Phoenix. Kristi Scales is the best. It helps that I don't know what she looks like.

If someone were to play me in a movie, I'd want Goose or Dennis Franz to get the part.

 

[tyke1doe]

Pam Oliver has had a nice run, and I appreciate her work. But, in the television business, women just don't hang around as long as men.
Farewell, Pam. You did us proud.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Blindly jumping to the end of this 200 reply thread.


Tough call on the on the issue that's made it blow up. My guess is female body evaluation things .

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I'm with Phoenix. Kristi Scales is the best. It helps that I don't know what she looks like.

If someone were to play me in a movie, I'd want Goose or Dennis Franz to get the part.

Hey we have a kristie here who'd be a good sideline reporter.

 

[rynochop]

Someone like the NFL AM host--forgetting her name--could handle it. I actually think she's great. Though morning show hostess isn't exactly a high bar to clear.

EDIT: this is the woman I was referring to:

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/onairtalent/nicole-zaloumis

page not found. shes no longer on nflam, she is a pretty woman. the new girl is drop dead gorgeous

 

[Idgit]

page not found. shes no longer on nflam, she is a pretty woman. the new girl is drop dead gorgeous

Woah. You're right. The replacement is really pretty, I agree.

 

[rynochop]

Woah. You're right. The replacement is really pretty, I agree.

those hours suck for those hosts, three a.m pacific, probly get there at two. think thats part why she left having small kids

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

While I don't love people evaluating female sideline reporters purely on the basis of their looks,

Woah. You're right. The replacement is really pretty, I agree.

....

 

[Plankton]

While I don't love people evaluating female sideline reporters purely on the basis of their looks, I have to say that I was never particularly impressed with either Pam Oliver's or Erin Andrews' football acumen. I suspect sideline reporters are basically a contrivance to try to get more interest in the game from American women and the networks prefer to have nice-looking women so the men are ok with it (or happy about it).

When we get females in the actual booths I'll be inclined to believe the league (or the networks) are doing it because they appreciate what these women have to say relative to the game. It's hard to be taken seriously in the 30-second cut-aways sideline reporters get aired.

It's kind of surprising, actually, that we don't have any women in the booths yet, come to think of it.

Beth Mowins and Pam Ward have done play by play for ESPN on college football games.