I am prepared to declare all-out war against any advertisers or sponsors of the World Cup coverage on ESPN if Dave O'Brien, Marcelo Balboa or Eric Wynalda speak for one second during a live match.
ESPN is showing committment to the World Cup by broadcasting all 64 games on their high definition feeds, yet then they decide to take us to the stone age of commentary. If they are going to take the World Cup seriously, then they should hire announcers who know the players and the game inside and out.
I'm a big soccer fan from Connecticut, and I am prepared to start a rally/protest outside ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT unless they immediately sign an announcer that comes highly experienced with the game of soccer. I am prepared to draw local media attention to this from FOX 61, WFSB channel 3, WTNH channel 8, etc. Hire an announcer with soccer experience now, the American soccer fans deserve no less.
I support this petition. A European announcer, such as Derek Rae adds a touch of class to the broadcast, and makes the whole presentation appear top shelf.
I support this petition. Telemundo or Univision will have to be my choice. Listening to those two drone on would be considered Crule and Unusual Punishment. Goodbye Ad $$$
I support this petition.
I will seriously consider watching the tournament on one of the Spanish speaking channels if you do not reconsider your commentary team.Derek Rae and/or Tommy Smith would be welcome changes.Thankyou.
I support this petition.
This is the best tournament in the WORLD, and it disserves the best Football announcers in the world.
You wouldn't give the NCAA Final 4 to a Cricket announcer, and that is exactly what you are doing to the World Cup.
I support this petition.
Please make sure we can watch the games withoit having to have the mute button on.
Also no Tommy Smith either!!
The man is so annoying!!
well, the current soccer comentators are a joke, this is a world sport and it should be treated with some damn respect, get your heads into gear and treat it how it should be, woth some decent comentators that know what they're talking about, the world cup only comes around every 4 years, make it worth it yes? hell, i'll do it for free.
Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth have done it in Campions leage and have fantastic knowlege about the playes. Please let us enjoy the best commetary, don't let us down
I support this petition. Sadly, the American soccer fan understands its current standing in the sports world, and has embraced it. Hiring a broadcast team with knowledge and experience is pinnacle to attracting a wider fan base. Whether that voice has a foreign accent or not, should not preclude you from hiring the best team available.
I support this petition wholeheartedly, and agree with the many fine points noted by many other fellow petitioners. I hope you may read and implement these suggestions as made by the supporters of this great sport. Please do not insult us with commentators that lack experience on the international level.(Or you may well prepare yourselves for little or no viewership on your channel.)
I support this petition. Take a look at the WBC. The announcers there are so nuetral and boring it makes me hate American baseball even more. That's why the WGN gets so many fans for the Cubbies and the White Socks. 'Cause the announcers have passion and love for "their" team. Do the MLS, soccer, and America a favor and give us bias American passion for the T-1st tournment in the Worls, the World Cup. The other one is when the University of North Carolina win in basketball.
i support this petition. please look to OLNs coverage of the Tour de France as an example of how announcers who know the sport better than anyone else can grow, not alienate the fan base.
No Musberger (remember it's BergKAMP, not BergMAN), No Ty Keoguh! He's the ABSOLUTE WORST! Balboa, Stone, and freakin SEAMUS MALIN. He was great, so was Mike Hill. Bring them back!
This event only happens once every four years... don't hire crap announcers just so you can appeal to the 'lowest common denominator.' Sometimes 'less is more' and listening to the current crop of nits blather on about nothing - just to hear themselves talk - is incredibly annoying! PLEASE do the right thing, here!
I support this petition. This game is unlike any other mainstream american sport. The action never stops so there is no time for commentators accustomed to other sports to blab on and on about nonsense. Concise insightful commentary is what you get from Derek Rae.
I support this petition. Why cant we get Derek Rae or Tommy Smyth? They are absolute world class for the Champions League on ESPN. This commentator decison by espn just doesnt make sense.
I support this petition. This is an absolute no brainer get derek rae to do the wc he's smart, intelligent, and my vocab has really increased since he's been commentating!
