ESPN: This Is SportsCenter commercial

yeah, i don't get ESPN's logic sometimes. They want to promote soccer but won't make an effort to keep Jim Rome under control, as an example.

I don't think this commercial is a huge deal, but you can tell they have conflicting priorities.

 

I enjoyed it. Thought it showed a good understanding of the game. Not particularly hilarious, but a decent enough execution.

It's educational in a way. And any exposure is good exposure.

 

I dont get it either. I agree this just feeds into the haters as well. If they wanted to portray it as "those sissy foreigners are always diving, and faking injury, while us Americans are tough and don't do that" then I'm ok with that. But, the way it came off just seems like they are painting soccer in general as a bunch of divers and injury fakers.

 

So football is about diving then

 

I actually would not have thought too much about that spot except that the guy "diving", anchor John Anderson, is a twerp and a soccer basher. He is the one in this video: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoqOyCMZKEc"]YouTube - ‪Quick Fix: Hating the Beautiful Game‬‏[/ame]

I am quite certain he enjoyed playing his part to mock the sport that he so clearly loathes.

 

Agreed. I'll never understand why it seems to be ok to give back handed compliments or just bash soccer altogether when it comes to the US mainstream sports media. The game is not for everyone, I get it, but to go out of their way (centain presenters) just comes off as unprofessional. Its only with soccer that I see this occur. I'm starting to feel that I would rather see that they not cover the game than cover it and immediately make fun of it. Does nothing to help advertise the game in a good light if always being commented and presented (such as d-bags like John Anderson) in such as way like "I hate this crappy game, but the bosses say I have to present it anyway". Shows like PTI, Around the Horn will have a soccer related topic, and instead of legitimately giving a well thought out comment, its basically a "does anyone care, and why are we talking about this anyway" comment. Again, doesn't help the game's preception in this country IMO.

 

no, it indicates that they realize football (like basketball, hockey, baseball, etc) contains some "exaggeration" by players that is aimed at duping the ref.

the commercial is a throw away. but if you're looking for deeper meaning, it comes from Wambach's reaction, and the way that the game (and life) goes on after a "simulation" (either called or uncalled). there's actually an educational aspect to the commercial, if you're able to take time and not be offended by it or think it is some screed against the sport.

could they make a similar commercial with some NBA player "flopping" in the lane trying to draw a charge? sure they could. have they yet? no (or maybe they have, I don't know, I haven't seen all their commercials). but they make mocking commercials all the time, and this is certainly in that vein.

take this new "This Is SportsCenter commercial" for what it is, a simple tie-in to their planned coverage of the WWC. and it will aid their business in some way, give more exposure to that ongoing event. Women's Fifa events (and any viewership to them) are all "gravy" that comes as part of the package for the multi-year complete FIFA rights deals. That the US is a market that probably appreciates the women's global game just as much (if not more) than probably any other country, I'm sure Disney is pleased to have the opportunity to present, cover and even mock a bit (since that's their schtick with everything) the WWC.

 

Guys, diving in soccer may very well be the most ridiculous tradition in all of sports. Anyone watch the Real M-Barca Champions league games this year?
I love soccer, but even I have to turn off the TV with disgust sometimes watching these grown men act like 3 year old children wallowing in self-pity and clamoring for attention because they got a boo-boo on their knee.
It should be made fun of. Those sportscenter commercials are always satire. Stop being so sensitive about everything.

That youtube jon anderson video, on ther other hand, is inexcusable. A professional sportscaster should not be on record criticizing an entire sport.

 

This video is hilarious. And it generally highlights the phenomenon of soccer bashers. If you don't like the sport..........THEN IGNORE IT. I don't like Lacrosse or hockey, but I don't make a huge effort to make my opinion about it known. I don't sit through an entire hockey game and just criticize it the whole time, rather I simply don't watch it at all.

For some reason, soccer haters get really involved with their criticisms. Many of the soccer haters will actually watch entire soccer games repeatably and just criticize it. It's almost like they want to like it but are finding reasons not to, ie: closet soccer fans. If you are truly uninterested in a sport, you would not watch any game whatsoever and not make any remarks on it, much less an entire video criticizing it.

That is what's funny about the video, he is actually kicking the ball around looking like he is having a good time, but criticizing it too. It's like he wants it to be popular, but denying it at the same time.

 

The one with Landon is pretty funny actually. They should show it more often.

 

Is there something factually wrong with the ad? There is too much damned diving in modern soccer. If it was something inaccurate, i would agree with the anger. FIFA allows the crap to continue so it is perfectly fine for people to poke fun at it.

 

Soccer bashing really used to get to me way back in the early days of MLS. Mainly because we really didn't know if the league was going to make it or not.

Here in the present day I no longer give a !&*$^ to be honest. Just look at some of the amazing stadiums and atmospheres you see in MLS now. How many of us remember the constant "Move KC" threads on here? And now look at KC, they have IMO the prettiest soccer stadium in the country.

MLS is turning into so much more than many of us could have imagined in our wildest dreams back in the early Mid 90's. If some people don't care, and can't be bothered to jump on board, then it's just too bad for them I say.

And, by the way, the commercial was a little bit funny IMO. Not as good as the Landon one, but it was ok.

 

It was kind of funny. But not the second time watching it

 

I'd like to see one where the anchors are on set talking about soccer and when one of them makes a sarcastic comment or mocks the game, show an off-camera Beckham, Henry and Donovan whipping a ball into their head.

Then show the three of them laughing about it as they walk down the hall away from the camera...