The Sport Thread

[Michael]

There's a term used in US sports for teams (such as the Tampa Bay Rays) who didn't exist in the far off past wearing "olde worlde" uniforms occasionally as if they did to match with their opponents on their Throwback days - it's called "fauxback"."

These were definitely fauxback graphics.

[News Engineer]

These were definitely fauxback graphics.

Not really fair to use that term, they want to a lot more effort than you’re implying.

The game will open in black and white and use graphics that evoke ABC’s 1960s coverage, then shift to a look that mirrors CBS’ NBA telecasts of the 1970s and 1980s. Look for a presentation that emulates NBC’s 1990s telecasts as well, complete with that network’s signature music.

ESPN producers had to scour archival footage to figure how how to come up with versions of old graphics, and went to the network’s sports rivals to license their game music when necessary, says Corrigan. “We literally went back and grabbed old games and looked through them, took assets from different decades and used them as inspiration to build out a look,” he says.

Source:

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/espn-nb...235220087/

[Michael]

You've misunderstood me, deliberately or otherwise.

A baseball uniform that is a "throwback" is when a team such as the Dodgers or Giants which have existed for the best part of a century are wearing a uniform in a modern game from a previous generation. This happens all the time, usually on days where they have so-called "Turn Back The Clock" events, usually honouring or parading old-timer baseball stars.

Some teams don't have such a long and storied history, such as the Marlins, Rays, Diamondbacks etc which all came into existence in the 1990s. If those teams participate in such activities as the visiting team or as part of a league-wide event, they sometimes come up with "what could have been" jerseys which are in the style of an old-timey jersey, but which never actually existed in reality because the team did not exist in the era being portrayed at the event. These are given the nickname by the baseball enthusiast community of "fauxback".

In this NBA broadcast's case, that is exactly what is happening. ESPN did not exist pre 1979. Yet they have created at least two sets of gfx which portray what could/would have been had they been around.

In that case, and in the parameters/framework I have set out above, they can be characterised as being "fauxback." It is not a slur, nor a criticism, nor a comment on the quality of the effort made. It is simply an observation using a pre-existing term used by US sports enthusiasts.

[Sky303]

Apple TV Plus has premiered it's first MLB game graphics look very Apple

[Brekkie]

Nice to see a mixture of graphics in the round up of last nights women's games though suspect it won't be long till they're all standardised too.

[RhysJR]

Interesting to see that BT Sport used rugby performance analyst Ross Hamilton as one of two co-commentators on Brive v. Saracens. Wasn't able to watch but on paper this sounds like a good idea to at least try to add a different but knowledgable voice to the coverage. Will be interesting if it was a one-off or the start of a new trend.

https://twitter.com/RosscoHamilton/statu...o7WatYuuUA



On a slightly related point, this article from a few weeks ago that ruffled a few feathers asks whether non ex-players should be utilised more in rugby coverage. On the whole, I have to agree that some of the analysis and commentary from ex-pros was lacking during the Six Nations earlier in the year.
https://thematchreport.co.uk/2022/03/23/...ugby-fans/

[Rdd]

But what are they supposed to do? Current players aren’t generally available, for obvious reasons, unless they’re out injured for a stint and even then may be reluctant to speak critically of their colleagues/peers which is what the job demands to an extent. It’s an imperfect system but what’s the alternative being put forward? I don’t want to refer to individuals but RTE for many years had a panel which composed largely of people who had never played rugby professionally at all or had played it outside of Ireland. It was very entertaining but I think the standard of analysis, if not necessarily the standard of entertainment, has improved greatly since they moved to using ex-pros like everyone else.

[News Engineer]

You've misunderstood me, deliberately or otherwise.

It is not a slur, nor a criticism, nor a comment on the quality of the effort made. It is simply an observation using a pre-existing term used by US sports enthusiasts.

I watch a lot of US sport so I’m well aware of throwback uniforms, even if I hadn’t come across that particular term. For that reason it read, at least to me, as something of a slur on the efforts that had been made. It wasn’t an attempt to deliberately misunderstand. I accept it wasn’t intended in that way.

[Brekkie]

On a slightly related point, this article from a few weeks ago that ruffled a few feathers asks whether non ex-players should be utilised more in rugby coverage. On the whole, I have to agree that some of the analysis and commentary from ex-pros was lacking during the Six Nations earlier in the year.
https://thematchreport.co.uk/2022/03/23/...ugby-fans/

Thought their argument seems to be BT Sport has the excellent Monye, Flatman and Kay whilst BBC and ITV coverage is tired. Yet those three people were involved weekly in the BBC and ITV coverage.

I'm glad the likes of Gusscott and Moore have been moved on now and would argue it might be time to do the same with Johnson, Woodward, Davies and Butler. ITV building coverage around Woodward and Wilkinson still has a feel of harking back to an event of nearly 20 years ago now, and frankly sport moves on much quicker than that and whilst those who excel in the role as pundit can survive for decades, those that don't should probably be moved on for more recent alumni.


I think what is perhaps a problem is ex-players are, understandably, favoured over those who've spent their career watching, analysing and reporting on the game and probably have a much broader view. Indeed even presenter wise we're seeing fewer and fewer dedicated sports journalists getting the flagship roles.

I think though where that is the biggest problem is where presenters have to cover other sports - the likes of Hazel Irvine and Lee McKenzie can switch from one sport to another seemingly and always be informed, engaging and knowledgeable. However as we saw with Alex Scott last year although they may be comfortable covering their own sport (and she's improved immensly on Football Focus BTW), away from that they become rather exposed.

[TMD_24]

Ian Bartlett is commentating on his last Grand National today. Ed Chamberlin and Richard Hoiles was talking about on air just recently.

[Steve in Pudsey]

Not sure if the detail, but the golf is on in my local and has two pint icons in the bottom right, one just an outline, the other right next it filled in red.

[TIGHazard]

Not sure if the detail, but the golf is on in my local and has two pint icons in the bottom right, one just an outline, the other right next it filled in red.

Red button option?

[RhysJR]

Sky Sports' viewing figures for yesterday. Not sure if there's some statistical trickery (it suggested in the replies that the golf had a longer slot which brought the average figure down) but odd to see the F1 at before 07:30 had a higher figure watching than the golf all through the evening.

https://twitter.com/LiamHamilton16/statu...COZMSyOd4Q



Meanwhile a steady result for the Grand National on ITV on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/LiamHamilton16/statu...COZMSyOd4Q

[Medianext.MX]

The 2026 Commonwealth Games have been awarded to (sic) the state of Victoria. The new multi-city format will see four cities in regional Victoria taking on responsability for hosting the event. Melbourne’s Cricket Ground will host the Opening Ceremony, but the events will take place in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, selected for their proximity with Melbourne, where Athletes Villages will also be built. A fifth city, Shepparton, will serve as a hub for cultural activities and events, and will welcome additional sports set to be included in the programme.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/61075173
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-12/r.../100984270

[Brekkie]

The Gold Coast games were similar really in taking on a regional structure but just didn't inspire really. Yes, overnight is a problem and the BBC unnecessarily cutting to one extra stream hurt coverage here but compared to Melbourne 12 years earlier they felt very flat (even the Aussie hosts apologised to viewers for the poor closing ceremony), but perhaps that is where the games are now.

Be interesting to see how Birmingham does this year in a summer filled with two years worth of events. The World Cup moving to autumn turned out to be quite useful.