Unpopular Opinion: Stop stealing jobs.

Former coaches and players are stealing broadcasting jobs when they retire.

One of my biggest beefs that I have with the NBA, MLB, NFL and basically any other professional sport in terms of broadcasting is that they have unqualified, inexperienced people up in the booth broadcasting games for thousands of people watching at home.

After studying journalism and communication, I have a new-found appreciation for those who have worked hard, have the credentials and experience and obtained the big-time jobs in sports media and broadcasting.

But on the other hand, there are those that basically get it handed to them on a silver platter. I mean, it seems like all you have to do is become a semi-famous athlete/coach and then media companies are breaking down your door to have you come work for them.

What about the qualifications, credentials, schooling and professional experience?

Does that just go out the window when your name is Tom Brady?

Let’s talk about that for a minute. ESPN[1] recently published an article stating that FOX Sports recently came out with the announcement that Tom Brady will become the new head analyst when his playing career is over. He agreed to a 10-year deal worth $375 million. It will be “the most lucrative deal in sports broadcasting history,” said ESPN.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

The man probably has enough money to set his great-grandchildren up for life yet, he decides to take this because why? The answer is beyond me.

There are aspiring, hardworking, qualified sports broadcasters all over the globe who would kill for this job. But you’re going to give it to someone who has no experience in the booth? Oh yeah, that makes total sense.

But I get why they do it; and there is only one reason: It gets more people to tune in, which means money.

Think about it, would you rather listen to someone, although qualified, who is fresh out of college commentate your college football game or would you rather have a person like Kirk Herbstreit or Robert Griffin III?

As upset as I get about it, I can’t argue against what gets viewers and what doesn’t.

I will admit, some of the familiar faces, past and present, in sports journalism don’t disappoint.

One of them being John Madden. He is the exception. After retiring from coaching, John Madden took broadcasting to a whole different level with his charisma and enthusiasm that he brought to the booth.

Another exception is the show on TNT, “Inside the NBA.” This show features Shaquille O’Neale, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith along with Ernie Johnson. These former NBA players, apart from Ernie, bring humor and laughter to sports like you have never seen before.

Then you have those on the other side of the spectrum…

Yeah, I’m talking about you Booger MacFarland. That man was a joke. I mean, talk about an embarrassment to sports broadcasting. After two weeks that season, I stopped watching Monday Night Football because I couldn’t stand him.

It was comparable to the famous YouTube video where the guy is describing different trees and he says, “This is Aspen because the way that it is.” That basically sums up Booger MacFarland and how he performed in the booth.

There are others but I’ll save you from reading my rant.

All I’m saying is that there are people who belong in the booth, and they are not always the ones who have played the sport, retired and are looking for something to do.

[1] Tom Brady to join Fox Sports on lucrative deal as lead NFL analyst when playing career ends (espn.com)