HoS: John Middlekauff on NBA media softness vs. NFL media harshness
Jan 18, 2024
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Former NFL scout and rising YouTuber John Middlekauff discusses the contrasting media cultures of the NBA and NFL, the importance of fans in sports media, and makes a bold prediction for NBA TV rights. They also explore the different treatment of coaches in both leagues and analyze the financial health and future of the NBA
Fans play a crucial role in driving the financial success of the NFL, emphasizing the importance of catering to fan interests and creating a sense of urgency in games.
The rise of YouTube has opened up new opportunities for sports media coverage and content creation, providing fans with alternative perspectives and angles on sports.
The contrasting approaches to coaching firings in the NFL and NBA highlight the NFL's willingness to hold coaches accountable based on performance, while the NBA tends to exhibit a softer, less critical approach.
Deep dives
Belichick's Unique Perspective on Offense and Players
Belichick's view on offensive players is that they are not real football players and is much more impressed by defensive players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
The NFL's Urgency and Importance of Fan Interest
The NFL's popularity and financial success stems from the fact that fans drive the revenue. The importance of catering to fan interests and creating a sense of urgency in games and seasons cannot be understated.
The Shift in Sports Media and the Rise of YouTube
The rise of YouTube has created new opportunities for sports media coverage and content creation. YouTube channels like David Lombardi's have gained massive views and popularity, offering a different angle and perspective on sports that resonates with fans.
The Importance of Crowds in Football
The podcast episode highlights the significance of crowds in football stadiums. It discusses how the absence of spectators during the pandemic revealed the crucial role that crowds play in enhancing the viewing experience of a football game. The speaker emphasizes that even if the stadiums were empty and no tickets were sold, the financial impact on the league would be minimal due to the substantial revenue generated from media rights. The podcast further suggests that the economics of the NFL are highly dependent on television, making it less reliant on in-person attendance. This reinforces the notion that football's popularity and success are solidly rooted in its appeal as a televised sport.
The Contrast in Coaching Firings
The episode also delves into the contrasting nature of coaching firings in the NFL and NBA. It highlights the widespread comfort in the NFL when it comes to discussing and making decisions regarding coaching changes. The host notes that in the NFL, both head coaches and coordinators are subject to criticism and potential dismissals based on performance and results. On the other hand, the NBA tends to exhibit a softer approach, with less willingness to hold coaches accountable. This is attributed to various factors, including the connection between NBA personnel and the league itself, a potential fear of being critical, and perhaps even racial undertones. The podcast contrasts the gloves-off mentality in the NFL, where performance and production take precedence over emotions, with the more guarded and less critical nature of discussions surrounding NBA coaching situations.
Former NFL scout and current rising YouTuber John Middlekauff takes on NBA vs NFL media culture, plus he delivers a BOLD prediction for NBA TV rights. Among other topics, we discuss how taboo it is in sports media to think about the most important person: The customer.
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