The Ballad Of Trey Wingo

But it gets worse. You're not only fighting the CNBC/MSNBC/plain-old-NBC Axis of Evil, you're also fighting your bosses back in Bristol, aren't you? See, Trey Wingo, ESPN has the X-Games, the edgy alternative to the Olympics, and the boys over at ESPN corporate would like to think that there's a rivalry brewing. (Even though the ratings for the X-Games would barely make "Law & Order" flinch, let alone Michelle Kwan and the rest of her brood.) See, Trey Wingo, from their perspective, your pain is their pleasure. It's in ESPN's interest to make the Olympics seem antiquated, insignificant, unnewsworthy. And what better way to show that than not to show the Olympics?

Now, being decent, honorable journalists, ESPN can't just up and ignore the Olympics--especially when the Games are on our soil. That would be irresponsible, and fellow journalists, like yours truly here, would call them on it. But darned if NBC hasn't given them a helping hand with all the blackout stuff and venue restrictions.

(Silly NBC. Don't you realize that it's in your best interest to make it seem like the Olympics are the hugest thing on the planet? That they're everywhere, inescapable? And don't you realize that you can't do that without "SportsCenter," the hugest sports program on the planet? Heck, there's been competition in the world of sports--from the NBA All-Star Game and the Daytona 500--and you, NBC, let ESPN make them their top stories instead of your Games. Why, this has been the most successful Olympics in U.S. history, for cryin' out loud, but from watching "SportsCenter," you'd think we weren't even winning cardboard medals. Silly NBC.)

But back to ESPN's bosses. See, you work with those guys, Trey Wingo, so maybe you can help me out with a few puzzlers. Even though "SportsCenter" can't show highlights, aren't the Olympics still more newsworthy than, say, a Miami-Rutgers college basketball game? Yeah, I thought so too. So why, on Sunday, when the U.S. won a surprise gold medal in speedskating (Chris Witty in the 1000m), did your daily Olympic recap not air until 25 minutes into the late "SportsCenter"--after two commercial breaks and the Miami-Rutgers highlights?

I'm sure you're wondering the same thing, Trey Wingo. And maybe you, like me, are complaining about it too. But out there, in the cold, by yourself, no one can hear your cries. But I can. So this cry's for you, big guy. Now get inside and have some cocoa.

© 2002