JTorres
27 May 2005, 11:27 AM
Mark Madden from Pittsburgh's ESPN Radio 1250 talked about Liverpool's victory for a huge part of his show Thursday. Not just one extended segment; it was discussed throughout.
Among other things:
a) he said that may have been the greatest football match of all time.
b) Wednesday was one of the three greatest days in his sports fan life (two Penguins Stanley Cup victories are the others).
c) that was the greatest comeback ever in sports history.
d) sang Liverpool songs.
e) declared his show as the official radio show of the European Cup champions.
F) played cuts from the ESPN2 play by play throughout the show
What was great to hear was how many of his regular (non soccer loving) fans were calling to say how they watched the match and found it exciting.
I said before the 2002 WC that ESPN/ABC should hire Madden to promote their coverage and use him as an on site analyst. They should seriously consider sending him to Germany for pre/post match shows and maybe as third man in the booth for key matches of interest.
Madden has that personality which would connect with the non soccer fan, while his passion for the game would be a refreshing change from the cool calm collected presentations we see/hear on ESPN/ABC broadcasts. He could draw non soccer people to the coverage and then they could get hooked on the sport once the games begin. They should at least try him in the USA pre World Cup friendly matches (assuming the USA does qualify).
He'll probably have to return his show to Steelers, & Pirates talk on Friday but for Thursday it was a great time to listen as a fan of the beautiful game.
http://www.espnradio1250.com/
Among other things:
a) he said that may have been the greatest football match of all time.
b) Wednesday was one of the three greatest days in his sports fan life (two Penguins Stanley Cup victories are the others).
c) that was the greatest comeback ever in sports history.
d) sang Liverpool songs.
e) declared his show as the official radio show of the European Cup champions.
F) played cuts from the ESPN2 play by play throughout the show
What was great to hear was how many of his regular (non soccer loving) fans were calling to say how they watched the match and found it exciting.
I said before the 2002 WC that ESPN/ABC should hire Madden to promote their coverage and use him as an on site analyst. They should seriously consider sending him to Germany for pre/post match shows and maybe as third man in the booth for key matches of interest.
Madden has that personality which would connect with the non soccer fan, while his passion for the game would be a refreshing change from the cool calm collected presentations we see/hear on ESPN/ABC broadcasts. He could draw non soccer people to the coverage and then they could get hooked on the sport once the games begin. They should at least try him in the USA pre World Cup friendly matches (assuming the USA does qualify).
He'll probably have to return his show to Steelers, & Pirates talk on Friday but for Thursday it was a great time to listen as a fan of the beautiful game.
http://www.espnradio1250.com/