Turn Sport Commentators Off

Sports commentators exist to fill all potential time viewers could have to think for themselves; the incessant talking and their overconfidence is an endless, unpleasant, distraction from the competition. They tell you the what and why of everything and repeat it over and over and over some more. For many years I have hoped sports networks would create a separate audio channel with only crowd noise and game sounds since these actually enhance the experience. MLB.TV has this but local games are blacked out so it’s not particularly useful for those that like to watch live.

I long to watch a game without the hollow commentator banter that only occasionally breaks away to a contractually obligated coach/player interview where we are treated to someone practiced in the ways of generalities and platitudes. They understandably speak that way in order to avoid offering opponents (or the press) actionable information but it provides nothing of substance.

Michele Tafoya: Obviously emotional. What's the immediate feeling you're having right now?

Aaron Donald: I feel so happy. I wanted it so bad. I dreamed this man!

- First interview question post Super Bowl LVI victory.

Each game someone in a back room does their damnedest to hunt down a new record (most stubbed toes!) or unique stat that is remarkably obscure and unimportant; today I learned Alabama football has the longest streak (19) of seasons with a 2-0 start in college football history 🤯. This reminds me of the reporters that shine up a story by adding a person’s gender, race, region, or religion in front of their accomplishment: the first female Latin person from Kalamazoo to become a 6^th Circuit judge since 2003! The game (or personal accomplishment) is no longer enough of a spectacle to these people; if the event itself doesn't intrigue the viewer does surplus fluff actually draw them in?

Today I watched the Badgers lose to Washington State 🫠; the commentators rehashed a storyline about WSU’s coach being from Wisconsin ten times thus providing a finger in my eye to accompany Wisconsin’s unfortunate mistakes. Someone new to the game likely appreciates analysis that provides information about what is happening but considering how far video streaming technology has come I believe it’s long past time to provide an option for other users that lets us turn the commentators off.

Let the advertisements be as loud as need be (that’s a different can of worms) but please allow for some peace during the game. When you combine uninteresting commentary, the comically large bottom score bars, and the homogenization of major sports leagues I find my interest towards watching athletics to be waning considerably as time moves on. Maybe it's time to just watch championships and the Olympics and use my new free time on more productive endeavors. These networks may be doing me a favor.