[Z010 Union]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6465

Looks like someone got a beat. Own up son.

Alex McAdam, Edmonds, WA: What can you do as an announcer to get the viewers to focus more on the game? I find myself losing interest with all the non-relevent info that you and Eric provide. Maybe you could make a rule that if the ball is out of play, then you can pontificate as much as you like, BUT, when the ball is in-play, within the touchlines, then you call the live play by play. Your current broadcast is disrespectful to the players. I find it difficult to watch.

Rob Stone: (5:53 PM ET ) Disrespectful???
Are you sure that's where you want to go with this??
Here's the deal Alex...I will never abide by any television rules YOU set out for us. Believe it or not, we don't do our broadcasts solely for your entertainment purposes...Have you ever thought that we spend our 2 hour broadcast window trying to cultivate new fans?? Personal stories are one way to do that. If our TV ratings and stadium attendance were at NFL levels we might be able to cut that back a bit (oh by the way, they do the same thing) but obvioulsy we need to cultivate new fans. Throwing them in front of a soccer game that they have no emotional connection do, does not do that Alex. Watch any sporting event closely, and you will notice story lines developed, in the hope of hooking the casual viewer...Secondly, please introduce me to the players that have been disrespected by our broadcasts...if it's so tough for you to watch, turn away. I love this sport and its fans, but people who always have to find the negative involved in it are weighing this sport down in America. And yeah, you hit a nerve with me.

[Detective40oz]

hahaha you get em Stoner!

Now lets talk about Max Bretos.....Oy Vey.

[subbuteo]

i would give Rob Stone positive rep for that

[texgator]

Originally Posted by Bryan76

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6465

Looks like someone got a beat. Own up son.

Yes, that was greatness from Stoner. I saw that question posted right before I left work last night and was wondering what Rob was going to answer back. I'm glad he didn't hold back too much, the poster deserved it. I've watched soccer broadcasts from all over the world, all kinds of styles, and every single commentator gets off the play by play for a stretch when things are dull. Soccer commentators don't have the luxury of a timeout, a deadball, or the time between pitches to interject interesting stories about the players. 90 straight minutes of "by the book" play by play would bore the hell out of anyone.

[dawgpound2]

One bone of contention about virtually ALL MLS broadcasters I've heard.

STOP telling me constantly where players went to school, what city they grew up in, and/or what country they are from! NOW!

Braoadcaster's crutch that has no business being used over and over and over...

[D-Wall]

Stoner is awesome. We need announcers like him. That dude was way off base. But then again he is probably used to listening to the EPL with there sophisticated announcers in the Queen's language. Stoner is the best announcer for the league and national team.

By the way, have you seen the Fan Zone presentations on Fox World? They are hilarious, especially when you are not prepared for it. GO ON DUFF, GO ON DUFF, GO ON DUFF in a high pitched scream right into the microphone during a Chelsea game recently. Funny stuff with there thick accents and how they rip on the other teams or their own players. Check it out.

That would be cool if they brought a rabid fan in the both with Stoner and Wynalda to just rip on teams or go crazy with support.

[Stan Collins]

Originally Posted by dawgpound2

STOP telling me constantly where players went to school, what city they grew up in, and/or what country they are from! NOW!

Broadcaster's crutch that has no business being used over and over and over...

True, but I'm sure you're aware that this is not a specifically American phenomenon. Whenever a player in the Premiership is not English, you can count on being reminded of this fact by most EPL announcers at least 6 or 8 times.

As the the other two thirds of it, that is probably to establish some sort of connection with 'new fans.' Hopefully there will at some point be anough 'old fans' that it won't be as necessary, and they won't do it as often. (e.g. Yes, I am quite aware that Brian Ching is Hawaiian, thank you.)

[IASocFan]

Originally Posted by dawgpound2

One bone of contention about virtually ALL MLS broadcasters I've heard.

STOP telling me constantly where players went to school, what city they grew up in, and/or what country they are from! NOW!

Braoadcaster's crutch that has no business being used over and over and over...

Please reread the quote. Thanks Alex.

[Z010 Union]

Originally Posted by Bryan76

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6465

Looks like someone got a beat. Own up son.

I forget to add, well done Stoner. I enjoy "Funky Cold Medina" et al.

Look forward to seeing you on the sidelines Sunday and hopefully back in the booth for the Jamaica match. Oh and just to piss off Alex and let us know you read the boards can you throw in a "Jamaica me crazy"

Cheers,

[Jegao Paraiba]

Alex McAdam... you got burned!

Never pick a fight with a guy that has the last word.