Coverage of the NFL Championship games on NBC and Fox drew
mostly positive reviews, but many in the print media noted some
players' boorish behavior and use of profanity during post-game
comments. In Boston, Jack Craig writes "neither network missed a
play," but calls NBC's coverage of Bill Cowher's family "silly"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 1/15). The TORONTO SUN'S Rob Longley calls for
NBC to "can the wife-cam" (TORONTO SUN, 1/15). Rudy Martzke gave
both networks an A- (USA TODAY, 1/15). N.Y. POST's Phil Mushnick
calls NBC's coverage the "finest NFL telecast of the season"
(N.Y. POST, 1/15). CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Steve Nidetz calls it a
"another Championship Sunday for both networks" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
1/15). N.Y. TIMES' Richard Sandomir said production-wise, Fox
topped NBC by a "narrow margin," but he gives kudos to NBC's crew
of Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, and Phil Simms (N.Y. TIMES, 1/16).
WATCH YOUR MOUTH: The Steelers' Greg Lloyd and Cowboys'
Nate Newton and Michael Irvin all used profanity in live
interviews on Sunday. The league said it "regrets" the language,
but took no disciplinary action saying the teams would address
the incidents. NFL Dir of Communications Greg Aiello: "It's not
something we approve of ... (but) it's part of the emotion of a
winning post-game celebration" (Jon Saraceno, USA TODAY, 1/16).
USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand writes, "Officially, there's no
panic among league or network officials, which can be justified
as long as Sunday's colorful language remains an anomaly." But
Grey Advertising's Jon Mandel says there will be "some concern
among advertisers. It's not excusable" (USA TODAY, 1/16).
NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay calls it "hardly the best promo for the
Super Bowl," and writes that the behavior, including on-the-field
showboating and taunting, "present an increasingly serious threat
to the NFL's image" (NEWSDAY, 1/16). In Atlanta, Prentis Rogers
writes such outbursts "are more the exception than the rule"
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/15). NBC Sports VP Ed Markey: "It's
live television. It's an emotional moment. These things happen"
(Leonard Shapiro, WASHINGTON POST, 1/15). PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER's Mike Bruton writes the language "doesn't belong" and
calls on the league for stiff penalties (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
1/15).
NETWORK WALLS COME DOWN: During halftime of the Steelers-
Colts game, NBC Sports split screens with Fox's studio announcers
during a four-minute segment to discuss the games. The idea came
from NBC Sports President Dick Ebersol, who planned the
proceedings with Fox Sports President David Hill on Friday.
Ebersol: "You know me, I like surprises" (Leonard Shapiro,
WASHINGTON POST, 1/15).
