This will be the beginning of the end.

[ssteve]

They can get away with exposing her on Saturdays during college football season, but Monday Night Football is another thing. Once again, the holier than Thou four letter network is putting minority status above talent and will get raked over the coals over this move - mark my words.

https://staatalent.com/headlines/mowins ... -mnf-game/

[Bill Czaja]

More likely those who object will be raked over the coals for being insensitive and whatnot.
But hey, if she's the best available voice still on the payroll by September, so be it. There's still 100 days for layoffs.

[ssteve]

But hey, if she's the best available voice still on the payroll by September, so be it. There's still 100 days for layoffs.

They can lay off 100 more, she will be far from the best. Not being insensitive, it's a fact. Why else is she being given the game? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

[ktomasch]

Beth Mowins > Pam Ward.

Also, Beth Mowins > Kenny Albert.

It's a gimmick, obviously. But that's ESPN.

Considering they had Mike & Mike call that late game, had Berman call that late game....I really can't get that uptight about it. The state of NFL announcing largely sucks anymore anyway. So what?

[Bill Czaja]

Beth Mowins > Pam Ward.

Also, Beth Mowins > Kenny Albert.

It's a gimmick, obviously. But that's ESPN.

Considering they had Mike & Mike call that late game, had Berman call that late game....I really can't get that uptight about it. The state of NFL announcing largely sucks anymore anyway. So what?

Good point. Berman on PBP for HR Derby is something of a parody of him doing highlights. Some great PBPers aren't great off a teleprompter, and vice versa. No shame, but it is what it is.

[ssteve]

Beth Mowins > Pam Ward.

Also, Beth Mowins > Kenny Albert.

It's a gimmick, obviously. But that's ESPN.

Considering they had Mike & Mike call that late game, had Berman call that late game....I really can't get that uptight about it. The state of NFL announcing largely sucks anymore anyway. So what?

Good point. Berman on PBP for HR Derby is something of a parody of him doing highlights. Some great PBPers aren't great off a teleprompter, and vice versa. No shame, but it is what it is.

I respectfully disagree gentlemen. She, unlike the others, is already a regular play by play announcer. In this case, it's the network trying to elevate someone based on gender. There are dozens on this site alone that would deliver a much much higher quality call of an NFL game. But this one isn't based on that. That is my issue.

[PhilGiubileo]

Beth Mowins > Pam Ward.

Also, Beth Mowins > Kenny Albert.

It's a gimmick, obviously. But that's ESPN.

Considering they had Mike & Mike call that late game, had Berman call that late game....I really can't get that uptight about it. The state of NFL announcing largely sucks anymore anyway. So what?

Good point. Berman on PBP for HR Derby is something of a parody of him doing highlights. Some great PBPers aren't great off a teleprompter, and vice versa. No shame, but it is what it is.

I respectfully disagree gentlemen. She, unlike the others, is already a regular play by play announcer. In this case, it's the network trying to elevate someone based on gender. There are dozens on this site alone that would deliver a much much higher quality call of an NFL game. But this one isn't based on that. That is my issue.

It's the network trying to get clicks. If nearly any of their male PBP'ers get that spot, then it won't be as widely discussed--and clicks don't discriminate--by that, it doesn't matter to them if the clicks and commentary is positive or negative. In reality, people aren't going to tune away from the broadcast b/c Mowins is calling it.

Have to agree with Kenn on this--it really doesn't matter... It's 1 game, and they've already devalued the role by putting guys like Berman and Mike/Mike on it as a gimmick. If anything, she'll call a better game than Berman.

[ktomasch]

In this case, it's the network trying to elevate someone based on gender. There are dozens on this site alone that would deliver a much much higher quality call of an NFL game. But this one isn't based on that. That is my issue.

So, what's your plan, then? Write your congressman about it?

And "beginning of the end" of what, exactly? ESPN? They're going to go out of business because Beth Mowins calls an NFL game late on a Monday night in Week 1 of the NFL season? The beginning of the end of the NFL? Of Mowins' career? The beginning of the end of what? The republic?

You have a lot of issues, man. You always seem to be complaining a lot, about some liberal conspiracy or socialism and now it's women folk getting a chance at doing something, which will somehow bring everything crashing down.

Look, I'm not a fan of Beth Mowins, because I think she sounds like a female Dick Cheney calling a game. But I don't give a rat's ass if ESPN has her call an NFL game. So what? Beginning of the end....of what? ESPN had Pam Ward calling (admittedly, obscure) college games for years. The world didn't end. Eventually, her time doing obscure college football games for ESPN did. Why? Because she wasn't any good at it. (Note: this has not stopped many a man from continuing to get paid to call games, even NFL games.)

Hers isn't coming out of ours. No one here is being denied that slot because she got it.

[ssteve]

It's the beginning of the end of her as a front line football play by play person is what I was referring to. She also doesn't do obscure college football games. She does Big 10 games for sure and maybe more. The exposure will start her downfall based on reviews once this game is over. No, she isn't getting something any of us would have. But that's a big part of the problem. ESPN'S desire to force trash upon us in the name of giving minorities more opportunities is denying many a shot to move up. As far as a left wing conspiracy, absolutely. See Sage Steele and compare her to Michelle Beadle, notorious for making anti Trump comments with no repercussion. Remember Kailtyn Jenner got Sports Person Of The Year over Lauren Hill.

[ssteve]

You have a lot of issues, man. You always seem to be complaining a lot, about some liberal conspiracy or socialism and now it's women folk getting a chance at doing something, which will somehow bring everything crashing down. .[/quote][/quote]

And I don't really have a lot of issues. Never said I had a problem with women getting a chance or that everything was crashing down. Pretty extreme jump on your part. I don't have a problem with women getting shot or anyone when they are half widely recognized for doing at least a decent job. Not the case here. I don't know why I can't use this forum to express an opinion. I thought that's what it was for.

[RadioPat1982]

I just wanted to jump in a point out a couple things. Beth is really talented football play by play broadcaster who happens to be a female in an industry dominated by men. My problem is not that she "a women" is calling the game but more that if you take that out the situation there are several people probably more qualified.

I think ESPN could have went a number of different directions with this. They could have rewarded a long time upper talent broadcaster like Mark Jones who would have been my pick. They could have used the time to showcase a younger talent like Adam Amin who just resigned and will be doing the NFL on ESPN Radio this season. Instead they decided to make a statement by putting Beth in the booth.

This is a time for ESPN where thy are in the middle of a major transformation. One of their recent focuses has been women. Over the last year and going forward, they have tried more than ever to get some women in high profile spots outside just the typical sideline or studio host roles. Play by play, color roles, and radio talk show host just some the major ones to stand out.

As some have mentioned here, ESPN is treating this like a special situation. Same as the past games as others have mentioned. This is a chance to showcase someone who is probably their best female play by play broadcaster and probably the best football play by play broadcaster in the country. In the end, it is just tough to see that they went with someone that is normally delegated to the Saturday noon game on ESPN2 all the way up to a Monday Night Football showcase.

At the end of the day I think the will do just as good a job a Berman, or Greenberg in calling the game.

[ssteve]

I think ESPN could have went a number of different directions with this. They could have rewarded a long time upper talent broadcaster like Mark Jones who would have been my pick. They could have used the time to showcase a younger talent like Adam Amin who just resigned and will be doing the NFL on ESPN Radio this season. Instead they decided to make a statement by putting Beth in the booth.

This is a time for ESPN where thy are in the middle of a major transformation. One of their recent focuses has been women. Over the last year and going forward, they have tried more than ever to get some women in high profile spots outside just the typical sideline or studio host roles. Play by play, color roles, and radio talk show host just some the major ones to stand out.

And I think you just highlighted my frustration. She may be a very nice lady but she is being used for her gender to further ESPN's agenda, rather than choosing more qualified people. Is that not discriminatory? My problem isn't with her. I'm not a fan of her work but more power to her. But I don't think from a standpoint of post post-game reviews it will go well for her. And is tat what ESPN is striving for now, is to find gimmicky people to do the first week of MNF? And is it really ok that they should be no better or worse than Berman or Mike and Mike?

[RadioPat1982]

And I think you just highlighted my frustration. She may be a very nice lady but she is being used for her gender to further ESPN's agenda, rather than choosing more qualified people.

Just keep in mind that she is not using her gender to further her career as much as ESPN is looking for a qualified female to put in that spot (see quote below). Your frustration is with ESPN and not really her. Anyone in that position would take the job. She has called hundreds of college football games. In fact if you read the release you will see that she is very qualified. Whether or not more qualified than others is the question/debate.

From the release
http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-relea ... ader-game/

Mowins joined ESPN as a play-by-play commentator in 1994
She has called college football games since 2005
She has also called Oakland Raiders preseason NFL games in the Bay Area since 2015

“Beth has been an important voice in our college sports coverage and she has experience calling NFL preseason games. She deserves this opportunity,” said Stephanie Druley, Senior Vice President, ESPN events and studio production. “ESPN is committed to putting talented women in high-profile positions and we look forward to Beth and Rex’s call of this game on our MNF opening night.”

[ssteve]

Just keep in mind that she is not using her gender to further her career as much as ESPN is looking for a qualified female to put in that spot (see quote below). Your frustration is with ESPN and not really her. Anyone in that position would take the job. She has called hundreds of college football games. In fact if you read the release you will see that she is very qualified. Whether or not more qualified than others is the question/debate.

I believe I was pretty clear she's not using anything and said "more power to her". It's ESPN that is exposing her and my take is it will not go well for her and the aftermath will prove it. I also just get frustrated with their lack of interest in getting the best, and instead going after gimmicky things or a publicity stunt. I would love to see Bob Wischusen or Clay Matvick get this chance. They are outstanding. Mark Jones is solid as well. But they went for the publicity stunt. That's not on her.

[Andrew Lacy]

That game has been done by Berman and Dilfer and Mike and Mike. Mowins is a clear upgrade.