Sadly, ESPN Continues to Fade the Great Ron Franklin Out of the Picture
1-liner, College Basketball, ESPN, Media Gossip/Musings November 6th. 2009, 10:30amESPN: Big Monday just took a major hit. Announcer Ron Franklin, who had called Big 12 college basketball games on ESPN on Mondays at 9 since 1992 (when the league was the Big 8), has been replaced by Brent Musburger. While we generally like Musburger and his gambling antics, this is a terrible decision. Clearly, ESPN is trying to force Franklin into retirement - which it sounds like he’ll do in April when his contract is up. Back in 2005, ESPN bumped Franklin off the pivotal Saturday night college football games, which angered fans. Now, we’re even more depressed. Can’t imagine that Big 12 hoops fans will be thrilled with the new analyst either - Bob Knight, who recently coached at Texas Tech. When is ESPN going to realize that Bob Knight isn’t very good as an analyst or in the studio? He’s far too rigid. Also, he’s an asshole. [Oklahoman]
59 Responses to “Sadly, ESPN Continues to Fade the Great Ron Franklin Out of the Picture”
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November 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Any network that employs Pam Ward shouldn’t be forcing good announcers into retirement. I’m a Georgia Tech fan, but Saturday the LSU-Alabama game is going to overwhelm the screen time in my house simply because Pam Ward is calling the Ga Tech game.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
sounds like ESPN is revving up for a Big 12 love fest this season.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
When is ESPN going to realize that Bob Knight isn’t very good as an analyst or in the studio?
i disagree. great insight. adios Ron
November 6th, 2009 at 10:36 am
that’s why they are going to bury him upside down so you can kiss his ass.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Knight is great as an analyst. i don’t care if he looks uncomfortable onset (which he does). he gives the best analysis of everyone on there, and doesn’t show a bit of favoritism towards any particular team or conference.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Why are they trying to force Franklin out? I don’t really know where else he can go? CBS is the best fit with their college football and basketball games, but they are pretty much set.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Big Monday just took a major hit. Announcer Ron Franklin, who had called Big 12 college basketball games on ESPN on Mondays at 9 since 1992 (when the league was the Big 8), has been replaced by Brent Musburger.
Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! Ron Franklin kicks ass. Fuck ESPN. Seriously. Ron Franklin is one of the few things ESPN has going for them. Die.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Boooooooooo.
Franklin and Gottfried where great on the Sat Night football back in the ’90’s.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
like ron franklin, but im with irish on knight. i thought i wouldn’t like him at first but i actually find him very good and hope he doesn’t get another coaching gig and stays in the studio. but he’s the kind of guy you either hate or love, there’s no real in between.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I think Knight is great as well. He knows what he is talking about and explains it in a precise manner.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
very upset about this. Huge Franklin fan. Like Musburger.
Why pull Brent off the Big 10 games? My guess is that this is about Knight. not a fan of that cranky old bat
November 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I agree with the other commenters about Knight. I fully expected him to suck, especially doing color commentary, but he was surprisingly good.
And I’d rather have someone do conference games that has a connection to that conference, than someone who has no insight.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Someone should seriously make a website, whodoesbrenthavetoday.com, done in the same style as isitchristmas.com
November 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
The word is “polarizing.”
November 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Sorry, I love the guy but Franklin is getting old. He continuously butchers names and messes basic stuff up like out of bounds calls and media timeouts.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
CGB - I guess that comment to Holly Rowe in 05 started his downfall. i thought the comment was more funny than anything (its in his wiki).
Franklin is a top 5 announcer (p-by-p or analyst) in college hoops, IMO. and as a fan, you get used to turned on monday night hoops and hearing Ron Franklin with the call.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Adrian Karstens (RIP) too. One of the best announcing teams of all-time IMO.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
TBL - you are off on this one. While his pipes are great, Franklin has become brutal. he cannot follow the game anymore. As a KU fan, he and Fran Fraschilla (who is GREAT) essentially did 12 games of ours a year over the past three-four years or more. Every game he is behind the plays and missing players names. Three years in a row, KU’s starting two guard was “Mario Chambers.” I think Knight is actually very good on TV and I LOVE Brent.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
No Ron and Fran? Unbelieveable.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Agreed. He hasn’t reached Pat Summerall-level, but it can happen so fast.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am
franklin and frischila were pretty horrible together. brent is the only guy knight will work with. but yeah i dont get why theyd move them off b10.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Knight might be a huge asshole, but he breaks down the game for people who understand basic basketball 101. He’s a basketball guy’s basketball guy.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Bingo
November 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Knight is great as an analyst.
Truth. He’s currently the best college analyst in any sport.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am
wow, totally forgot about Karstens.
this video is kind of funny (look for eye roll)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M21omDaskCE
November 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am
LOL. i love the smartass remark. of course some people will cry sexual harrassment because he called her a sweetheart.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am
but yeah i dont get why theyd move them off b10.
Sparty had it right. ESPN is going to slob on the Big 12 all year. Move the big names over there.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Billy Packer was a better analyst than Bob Knight will ever be.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Game over for Billy Packer
November 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Someone should seriously make a website, whodoesbrenthavetoday.com
This was one of the ideas my buddy and I had for a gambling site last year. Too bad we’re both lazy as fuck.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Ugh, no. All Packer did was bitch about the refs.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I’m obviously in the minority, but I can’t stand Bob Knight. This move reeks of accommodating Knight by putting someone in the play-by-play chair who won’t challenge the almighty Bobby, and who will put up with his schtick. And ESPN pumping up Knight with all of their in-game production and graphics will only further inflate the ego.
I like Musburger, but Knight as analyst is going to make me turn to another game.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
if you love the ACC, sure.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I think most people on this site put too much emphasis on who is in the booth. Sure, a great announcer can add to a game, and a terrible one can make things worse, but to me no matter how good or bad they’re always second to what’s going on on the field.
Give me Chris Berman, Joe Morgan, and Joe McCarver, and I’m still watching everytime. I’ll be laughing, but still watching.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
brent usually gives off his side by the tie
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Billy Packer was a better analyst than Bob Knight will ever be.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Don’t hate Bob Knight because of the way he treated his players, or at least the way the media portrayed that player/coach relationship. Knight’s as objective and technically sound as an analyst can be. Packer loves Packer too much.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Billy Packer was a better analyst than Bob Knight will ever be.
no.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am
If this is the case, Brent is the wrong guy. Fail
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Nothing like hearing “You are looking live” on a Saturday night before a big college football game. Love Musberger.
Franklin has lost his fastball big time (more so than Musberger). However, still love his voice. Anyone remember how slow Mike Gottried would talk?
November 6th, 2009 at 10:55 am
.
Just a quick follow up thought. What I said does not apply to studio shows. That’s a whole different animal.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:55 am
laughable
November 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
yeah, all bias aside I think Knight is great on tv, he is one of the guys that has forgotten more then we know about the game.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
with that said…Digger Phelps sucks.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
if you love the ACC, sure.
Not true. No one in my ACC crowd likes Packer.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Take the average person/casual fan, someone who only watches NCAA basketball come tourney time - and they automatically think of Packer. Packer has that pop, he has that (snaps fingers) sizzle.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
This move reeks of accommodating Knight by putting someone in the play-by-play chair who won’t challenge the almighty Bobby, and who will put up with his schtick.
His schtick is rather insightful…say what you want about his coaching days, but he is spot on as an analyst.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
from a nuts and bolts standpoint, Packer destroys Knight. he also stands up for what he believes in (a few years back, he vowed never to talk about the NBA, and stood by it).
yes, he was a bit slated toward the ACC. and he didn’t like mid-majors.
he wont hit you over the head with stats (thank you!) and he’ll destroy knight at storytelling. the guy’s been around hoops for decades.
IMO, there probably wont be a better college hoops analyst than packer.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Packer was never as good as Al McGuire.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I didn’t hate Packer like most people did and as a youth, college basketball was filtered thru he and Vitale.
Let’s not forget that this is Knight’s second year doing commentary. I think he’s already outstanding and should only get better.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:11 am
What does that even mean…nuts and bolts?
As for Ron Franklin, TBL, I love the guy, but pay heed to what many others on here are saying…he makes WAY too many mistakes these days, and needs to retire. It’s kind of sad, but it’s da facts.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I don’t believe the “nuts and bolts” of calling a basketball game is eschewing stats and telling stories.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
+ 1 billion…McGuire is unrivaled as the greatest basketball color man of all time. Enberg, McGuire, and Packer…what an amazing team.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I think Clark Kellogg is a bore fest.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
He’s awful.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:19 am
And just so there’s no mistake…the worst college basketball analyst of all time is George Raveling. On this matter, there can be no debate.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I will take Rafftery all day over Packer. ONIONS!!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:30 am
In Fudge’s dreams only. Billy wishes he knew 20% of what Bobby does about the game. Knight still comes off as a curmudgeon, but he’s a knowledgeable curmudgeon.
I like Bobby and it should only get better…
November 6th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Ditto times 10… But Raft is getting up there too. I’ve noticed some slippage in the last couple of years from the friendly Irishman…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Pretty sure Bob Knight has also been around hoops for like half a century. I think he set some sort of meaningful record before he left the game.
Packer was good, but had his clunkers too. I like Knight better. Would have never sent a kid to play for him, but love his knowledge of the game.