Espn Covering MMA?

[LEONARD]

I don't listen to Cowherd, but I've seen some comments about him discussing MMA occasionally. Apparently ESPN is thinking about covering it now...

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=496123

I don't know...ESPN can screw up ANYTHING...but that would definitely mean that it's "mainstream"...

My question is what would they remove to fit it in?

WNBA?
Bowling?
Spelling Bee?
Dog show?
Poker?
Paintball?
Ice Skating?

:lol

[mardigan]

Probably the outdoors man competetion, where they cut down trees and run across logs, I hate that shit. ESPN would actually probably do a decent job of covering it, as long as they keep Stuart Scott far, far away from it

[cornbread]

Poker gets more than enough time on ESPN. Throw some of that towards mma and never show spelling again.

[LEONARD]

Probably the outdoors man competetion, where they cut down trees and run across logs, I hate that shit. ESPN would actually probably do a decent job of covering it, as long as they keep Stuart Scott far, far away from it

LOL...damn, how could I forget the lumberjack competition?? :lol

Stu Scott definitely sucks...I never want to hear "Booya!!" the next time Anderson Silva knocks somebody's nose over towards their ear...

[mardigan]

And wondering which camera he is looking into because of that lazy ass eye

[LEONARD]

ESPN is supposed to start covering MMA at UFC 68...

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=497402

The threadstarter says he's a writer for ESPN the mag and he'll be at the event. He has lots of detailed info about upcoming coverage and said that an official announcement will come in a few weeks...

Thoughts?

[DarkReign]

Thoughts?

ESPN covering is always good, no matter how bad they fuck it up.

More exposure = more advertising = more money = more competition = better fights = more exposure = more advertising = .........

[LEONARD]

Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio discussing ESPN covering MMA... (look for the download link)

http://www.mediafire.com/?2oywcimht0m

[IX_Equilibrium]

I would prefer if ESPN would leave MMA alone. It's come this far and is still growing rapidly without ESPN. ESPN would just fuck it up and you'd have a bandwagon of reporters who have no idea about anything MMA spouting off their ignorant opinions.

[LEONARD]

More on ESPN...looks like it'll happen at UFC 68...
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=503273

Dave also reported that UFC 66 had slightly over 1 million PPV buys...

[Mr Dio]

And wondering which camera he is looking into because of that lazy ass eye


:lol
It could be worse, he could have orange hair and call himself a redhead like Howdy Doody. :lol

[LEONARD]

I would prefer if ESPN would leave MMA alone. It's come this far and is still growing rapidly without ESPN. ESPN would just fuck it up and you'd have a bandwagon of reporters who have no idea about anything MMA spouting off their ignorant opinions.

I'm torn on it, but leaning more towards what you're saying...

[mardigan]

All I have to say is they better not take away the arm wrestling competition or I will be crushed

[romsho]

I would prefer if ESPN would leave MMA alone. It's come this far and is still growing rapidly without ESPN. ESPN would just fuck it up and you'd have a bandwagon of reporters who have no idea about anything MMA spouting off their ignorant opinions.

I understand the reasoning, but I think for the people involved in the sport, this has been a long time coming. MMA deserves to be covered and reported the same way as boxing. For the most part, ESPN and the rest of the media have either missed on or do not want to recognize what has been happening with MMA. Rule changes, skill level of the fighters, the overall management of the sport itself and the ability to consistently put together quality fights is unmatched. MMA is doing exactly what boxing has failed to do, and the results speak for themselves- huge pay per view numbers, sold-out venues and overall popularity that continues to grow.

I think guys like Dana White and the like understand why they are so successful, and are smart enough to not allow the same problems that have ruined boxing to creep into their sport.

[desflood]

Some of the problems are beginning to creep in. There have been several matches now that are just Big Name vs. Big Name (Sylvia Vs. Couture comes immediately to mind) without any regard for what the quality of the fight will be. As for mma coverage on ESPN... I don't know. I have to question the judgement (and sanity) of anybody who would consider the National Spelling Bee a sport :lol

[LEONARD]

Update from the ESPN The Magazine editor...

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=504727

[dallaskd]

thats awesome. mma just keeps getting bigger. someday it may be one of the "top 4 or 5 sports"