ESPN, thanks for stepping up to broadcast all the World Cup games along with ABC. Now, take the next step and get Soccer Announcers that have a passion for the sport.
I support this petition. And will consider watching the Spanish coverage with mute on unless ESPN rid us of these inexperienced commentators. They will ruin the Worlds biggest Sporting event. ESPN, Would you have an Englishman who knows nothing about Americna Football do the Super bowl? Look at the point of view of these soccer fans
I support this petition. Let me get this straight ESPN. Last week you put an ignoramus (O'Brien) on the USA game and he gets everything wrong. This week you put a class wordsmith (Derek Rae) on your Champions League match from Barcelona. His words over that Ronaldinho goal were poetry. Yet, O'Brien is apparently your top man in Germany and Rae, your true top man is nowhere. Start serving your fans or else they will watch elsewhere. You are out of touch with your audience. O'Brien can't win you fans when he's not steeped in football.
I support this petition. You don't have John Madden annoucing golf do you. Don Cherry in Tennis? So what are thinking here? The viewers will be serious soccer fans, give them real soccer commentators.
I support this petition. The joy of this sport is that it exists on many levels. It is easy to understand but can take a lifetime to master. Do the sport justice by recognizing the complexities exist even if ESPN doesn't understand them! I will watch and listen to the World Cup. I will not be doing it through ESPN!
I support this petition. This is not about your announcers, its about the fans who have waited four years to enjoy this event. Don't subject us to brainless announcers whose only experience with football is coaching a little girls team.
I support this petition... This is utterly embarrassing that your network would even think of having non Futebol commentators. This is the number #1 sporting event in the world & it only comes to us once every 4 years. Tommy Smyth & Derek Rae are the logical choices...
The team you have chosen to commentate for the 2nd biggest sporting event in the world (second only to the Olympics) is an embarrassment. Leading the team is someone that struggles to identify a soccer field, and the other two members of the team are just bad, no matter what sport are commentating. Perhaps you have put together such a weak team because you assume the majority of the people who are interested in the World Cup will be watching it on Spanish TV. Well you couldnt be more wrong.
C'mon espn...you wouldn't consider having non-experts for baseball or football...why soccer? It can't imagine it's a $ saver? Soccer is watched by enthusisansts, not the average Joe/Jane sport watcher and your not going to convert em iwth 'regular' announcers. Cater to your customer...and that's a soccer nut...
I support this petition.
Derek Rae and Tommy Smyh are the logical choices.
ESPN you guys just do not get it. The fact that American football (soccer for you ESPN types) fans have to do your job for you is proof positive.
BTW, name 2 people who actually care about the stupid World Baseball Classic? You show that crap live over the Champions League? come on.
Please take this seriously and do not ruin an event that is very important to a lot of Americans. People wait 4 years for the WC, you can not possibly taint the greatness of it by using announcers that are horrid.
I fully support this petition. ESPN announcers (except Derek Rae) treat the viewer like doesn't know the rules or has never watch ed a match) Please use your talent - Derek Rae. Balboa is absolutely terrible as well.
Tommy Smith, i tune in for his commentary cos the guy is absolutely Hillarious, Hes like a drunk old irish uncle that aevryobdy has in their family. Pure comedy , His comments appear on a weekly basis on a well known football site for his absurd comments, i canr beileve he gets paid to spout this kind of nonsense, Hes like ron Atkinson on crack ( he of desailly -lazy ni@@er fame)
ESPN please sort this out. The fact that you chose baseball ahead of champions league show you have completly lost the plot. keep wynaldo off the air. he is clueless.
I support this petition.
Derek Rae is the best football commentator in the US. He is employed @ESPN, why isn't he the #1 guy. Please remedy this situation.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY support this petition. I fact I prefer some good ole British commentary because they've set the standard and is what treu english speaking fans are used to.
ESPN has screwed with fans of the beautiful game for years now. They own the American rights to Champions League games and only this year started showing 2 games. If don't want the sport on your network, then let someone else have it. Guys like Tommy Smith or Derek Rae would be perfect. Come on ESPN, don't dick us around!
Are you wanting people not to watch your channel? With all the other viewing options available why would someone turn into hear nails being scratched on a chalkboard.
Basic business sense regarding a product you own: Rule one: Do not annoy the hell out of your customers, they will go elsewhere for a more satisfying experience. This pisses adveritsers off. They loose money and faith in your judgment.
Oh wait you all missed that day it was taught....
Come on, ESPN! With guys like Tommy Smith, Derek Rae, and maybe even Adrian Healy, you guys should send those people to the world cup to announce properly, so we must not here:
"Foul Play! The referee points to the spot, its a Spot Shot! Landon Donovan will take it for the U.S. By the way, Landon Donavon lives in a beatufil house in LA, it's very pretty. Anyways, here's the spot shot! SCORE! The goal tender had no chance! Window dressing!"
Please ESPN, listen to our plea!
I support this petition. PLEASE give us announcers who know the sport they are covering and who show some evidence of having done some homework on both teams that are playing. You have announcers already in your employ (Derek Rae, Tommy Smyth...) who can do excellent work. Please show some respect for the game and the fans.
I support this petition.Give soccer guys a chance.
if you want to do it like this . Why not put Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth to announce the baseball world cup.
stupid decision. Yes baseball guys can call NFL or maybe even NBA. They grew up with these sports in the background so they were aware of them.These guys have no clue about the WC leave it to the guys who know it best.
I support this petition. I was planning to add the ESPN & ESPN2 cable channels for the world cup, but if these announcers are planned, I'll just watch it on the Spanish channels. I've already figured out that "esquina" means "corner," by June I may even know the Spanish word for "kick."
