This just screams to the fact that ESPN needs the NHL, and much much more.
Next month, the MLB draft will be broadcast, the first of 50 rounds, on ESPN2. With the great popularity of the NFL draft, its must have struck a chord with the network who is sure to get more than one fantasy geek watching the first round or so. Here’s the thing though… you have to be kidding me if you think its a good idea to televise a draft when there will be actual games being played live at the same time? That’s not saying much for your sport when you opt to throw the draft, which unlike the NFL draft is full of guys who 99% of the population has never heard of, instead of maybe a game or two.
I really cannot see any merit in broadcasting this thing live instead of maybe a recap/ highlight show, and it especially pisses me off when perfectly good sporting events like the college rugby title game is only broadcast on CTV or some garbage like that (by the way, congrats… again… to Cal on that)
But if you are considering watching this thing, please let me talk you out of it. Go to the stadium, buy a beer, and watch a game.
[Editor’s Note: I am a dumbass. It’s not all 50 rounds being broadcast… only one (thanks for the heads up to OMDQ): see comment 1. Thus this post has been edited to account for my dumbassery, and to relieve it from being a complete waste of a post]
2 responses so far ↓
1 One More Dying Quail // May 8, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I’m pretty sure they’re only televising the first round, not all fifty.
ESPN story
Even at five minutes per pick, fifty rounds would take forever - something like 25 hours, if my rough mental math is correct. Might be good if they recorded the whole thing, then edited it down to highlight a few of the more interesting picks at a later date.
Honestly, I’ll probably watch some of this, just to see how they approach it. It’s only four hours out of my life.
2 eric // May 8, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Ah, yes, my bad. My attention span is lacking right now… although I still stick to my guns and say that its kind of tough timing to have the draft and regular season games on at the same time.
Four hours is not bad, but in four-four and a half hours I can drive to the park, watch 9 innings, and drive home (when I’m in Seattle that is).
As for strategy, it would be great if a writer or sports blogger with credentials would interview some GMs around the league to get some thoughts on draft strategy. They wouldn’t even really have to reveal teams and names, but like you I’d be interested in all the thought (or lack there of if that’s the case) that goes into who and why.
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