Sports TV News

Tara Lipinski, Johnny Weir Stay Silent During Kamila Valieva’s Skate

“For all the other Olympic athletes competing here, I feel I need to say again that she had a positive test. We should not have seen this skate.”

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2022

Ian Casselberry

Sometimes, broadcasters are just as effective with what they don’t say, rather than what they actually do say. Many announcers have been praised for being quiet and letting the scene speak for itself. For example, crowd noise after a big moment or an important victory.

Tuesday night, NBC’s Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir let their silence convey their disapproval, their dismay over Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva being allowed to compete in the women’s short program at the Beijing Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance.

When Lipinski, Weir, and Terry Gannon were introducing the figure skating slate for the evening, both analysts said they felt strongly that Valieva should be barred from participating.

“We have to remind ourselves that she is just 15 years old, a minor, and I know more than anyone what it’s like to compete at an Olympic Games at 15 years old,” said Lipinski (via The Washington Post). “But a positive test is a positive test. She cannot skate.”

Weir agreed. “If you can’t play fair, then you can’t play, and it is a shame because she is a tremendous athlete,” he added, echoing the sentiments of the figure skating community.

Former Olympians Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir condemn the decision to allow Russian skater Kamila Valieva to compete following a failed drug test.

“This is a slap in the face to the Olympic Games, to our sport, and to every athlete that’s ever competed at the Olympics clean.” pic.twitter.com/tnn8WcPzf4
— The Recount (@therecount) February 14, 2022

Amid the controversy surrounding her, Valieva had an excellent performance on Tuesday, compiling an 82.16 score that gave her the lead over fellow Russian Anna Shcherbakova and Japan’s Sakamoto Kaori going into Thursday’s women’s free skate program.

Yet throughout most of Valieva’s skate and after she completed her performance, Lipinski and Weir had little to say. They wouldn’t praise someone who shouldn’t have been allowed to compete, but also wouldn’t pile criticism on a 15-year-old girl whose use of a banned substance may have been decided by others.

For an audience accustomed to effusive praise and strong criticism from NBC’s star figure skating analysts, their silence was notable. And it was certainly effective in telling viewers how they felt about the entire situation.

When the two eventually did speak, their disapproval was clear.

Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir weigh in on Kamila Valiyeva's short program. pic.twitter.com/LdjY4LQOvv
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2022

“All I feel I can say is that was the short program of Kamila Valieva at the Olympics,” Weir said.

“For all the other Olympic athletes competing here, I feel I need to say again that she had a positive test,” added Lipinski. “We should not have seen this skate.”

“We are so sorry it’s overshadowing your Olympics,” said Weir.

As Valieva left the ice and waited for her scores, Lipinski said that she viewed Valieva as the best figure skater she’s ever seen. But that only made her feel confused and angry, knowing that the Russian skater utilized an unfair advantage.

Weir added that the entire circumstance make him feel uncomfortable both as a skater and commentator.

For two star personalities known for their bold commentary, flashy fashion, and social media presence, their terse restraint said everything that needed to be said in one of the most scrutinized events in recent Olympic history. It was a remarkable broadcasting moment.

Ian Casselberry

Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at [email protected].

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Shannon Sharpe: Undisputed ‘Not Going to be Better Than Me & Stephen A’

“Stephen A. is that dude. If Stephen A. ever decides to leave and turn the reins over to me, you all know I’m that dude. I’m him. Now the problem y’all got is you got two hims to go up against.”

Published

7 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

Both Photos Courtesy: Getty Images

Shannon Sharpe is enjoying this next chapter of his TV career being a recurring guest on ESPN’s First Take, and the Hall-of-Famer is thrilled to be a part of a ratings juggernaut.

Sharpe, who was a guest on The Stephen A. Smith Show on Monday, was very open about his experience at FOX and working with Skip Bayless on Undisputed. Sharpe and Bayless had a series of on-air arguments that eventually led to Shannon leaving the show after seven years.

Sharpe obviously has since moved on to ESPN, while FOX and Bayless have retooled Undisputed similarly to First Take. Bayless instead of just debating one co-host all the time now gets to go back and forth with Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson and Richard Sherman.

But Sharpe did not hold back from talking trash to FOX, saying First Take won’t be beaten.

“Y’all not going to be better than me and Stephen A. That’s not going to happen,” Sharpe said. “I promise you, that is not going to happen. Ever. Ever.”

Shannon continued, adding that it doesn’t matter whether at the end of the day he stays or goes. First Take will always be the more successful show.

“Now, if Stephen A. says, ‘Shannon, I want to go in a different direction,’ you all are still not,” he said. “Because Stephen A. is that dude. If Stephen A. ever decides to leave and turn the reins over to me, you all know I’m that dude. I’m him. Now the problem y’all got is you got two hims to go up against.”

Given Stephen A.’s own comments about not wanting to stay in sports media forever, there has been speculation that the plan at ESPN is to hand the reins of First Take over to Sharpe whenever it is Smith is finished. Smith didn’t rule out the notion completely.

“That possibility is open,” he said.

Jordan Bondurant

Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett Sports Media. He’s a multimedia journalist and communicator who works at the Virginia State Corporation Commission in Richmond. Jordan also contributes occasional coverage of the Washington Capitals for the blog NoVa Caps. His prior media experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, WRIC-TV 8News and Audacy Richmond. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.

Sports TV News

Sean McManus: Retirement ‘Textbook Example of Succession Planning at its Best’

“David’s ready. I’m ready. And the entire division is ready. So CBS will move forward.”

Published

7 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

The big news in sports television on Tuesday was the announcement that CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus would be retiring in 2024. McManus is ready to hand the reins over to a worthy successor in David Berson.

A lot can change in two years, and a Sports Business Journal article about the retirement announcement mentioned that at that time McManus couldn’t see himself doing anything else.

Now everything has aligned, and the path is clear for McManus to bow out at CBS.

“The timing is right for me personally and professionally, and the timing is right for the division,” McManus told John Ourand. “There’s nothing magic about this year as opposed to next year. I just felt it was the right time to do it.”

When McManus leaves, Berson will take over. The two have worked together since 2011. Sean said it just made the most sense.

“People talk about succession planning being important, but this is just a textbook example of succession planning at its best,” McManus said. “David’s ready. I’m ready. And the entire division is ready. So CBS will move forward.”

Berson expressed nothing but gratitude towards McManus for all he’s done to push CBS Sports and sports television in general forward.

“There are a few people, if any, that have had as much impact on the sports media landscape as Sean,” Berson said. “The folks here at CBS Sports are lucky and fortunate to be able to learn from Sean and be part of this incredible team.”

Jordan Bondurant

Sports TV News

Mike Francesa: Roger Goodell ‘Wants Everbody’s TV Dates’ For NFL

“Until somebody says, hey, you know what, I’m not interested and the can’t get somebody to buy it, they’re going to keep putting it out there.”

Published

16 hours ago

September 26, 2023

BSM Staff

Courtesy: Getty Images

Any television executive will tell you that there is no such thing as too much NFL football. In a time when very little brings Americans to their TV to watch live, the NFL is as reliable as it gets.

On his podcast this week, Mike Francesa was asked if he saw that changing any time soon. He said there is no evidence that the league is anywhere near over-saturation.

“The NFL has a product. They continue to get top dollar for their products,” he said. “Until they don’t, they will continue to dispense it like Pez.”

Thanks to the revenue that the league generates from its TV contracts, Francesa says there is no reason to think that the league isn’t considering trying to get more games on TV in exclusive windows.

“Goodell’s theory is, ‘You know what? I want everybody’s TV dates. I want the NBA’s Christmas dates. I want college football’s dates.’”

It isn’t as easy as putting more games on whenever they want. Congressional protections limit the NFL to expanding what days games are played until after high school and college football seasons end.

Amazon will host an exclusive game on Black Friday in 2023, a first for the league. Francesa said it is foolish to think it is the last time the NFL will consider expanding its offerings.

“Until somebody says, hey, you know what, I’m not interested and the can’t get somebody to buy it, they’re going to keep putting it out there.”