Former "MNF" analyst Boomer Esiason discussed his
dismissal from ABC with multiple media outlets yesterday.
Speaking with One-on-One Sports' Jay Mariotti, Esiason said,
"There was a lot of political infighting behind the scenes
between Howard Katz, our President, John Fillipelli, our
Exec Producer, with [Director] Craig Janoff and [Producer]
Kenny Wolfe. Howard and John wanted it to go in a different
direction. When they drew the line in the sand, I basically
fell on the side of Kenny and Craig. My loyalties are
there, no question about that." Esiason, on his "MNF"
performance: "I tried. The fact is there were a few times I
was called in and told 'Don't be provocative. Don't be
humorous. This is not the way Al [Michaels] wants things to
go on the program.'" Esiason, on his relationship with ABC:
"One of the big frustrations was that I couldn't get Disney
or ABC to support me in my ventures off-the-field [fight
against cystic fibrosis]. I could never make it happen. I
don't think Michael Eisner or [Disney President & COO] Bob
Iger truly appreciated who I am or what I am. I was very
frustrated by that" (One-on-One). Esiason, on ABC execs: "It
was a blanket corporate America. ... I can read people. I
can read where they are coming from. I know when they are
genuine and when they aren't" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/10).
Esiason tells NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay he was "sick of the
turmoil" at ABC. Esiason: "They've had three presidents in
two years. And I'm sick of people trying to make their mark
on my behalf" (NEWSDAY, 3/10).
I WOULDN'T CALL HIM, AL: Michaels told the L.A. TIMES'
Larry Stewart before Esiason's comments that ABC's moves
"caught him by surprise -- and left him stunned." Michaels,
on Wolfe and Janoff: "Kenny and I started on 'Monday Night
Football' at the same time and he is one of my best friends.
I'm also close to Craig, who came two years later."
Michaels said he called Esiason Wednesday and left a message
but hadn't talked to him (L.A. TIMES, 3/10). Esiason blasts
Michaels in the N.Y. TIMES: "This is the happiest he's been
for a long time because he's a one-man booth. Al is propped
up as the star and wants to do things his way. ... I'm
really ambivalent about Al. At times his on-air genius is
so apparent, but at times his uneven nature and meanness,
not just toward me, but toward other people, is
disappointing. He has such a great job that he shouldn't
worry about what other people say." In N.Y., Richard
Sandomir reports that Michaels declined comment yesterday
and ABC "did not return Esiason's fire" (3/10). Esiason
said Michaels "was more worried about syntax, semantics and
verbal gymnastics than trying to get the best out of me"
(N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/10). Esiason: "I would be surprised if
Al didn't have a big part in this" (NEWSDAY, 3/10).
MARTZKE BACKS AL: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes that
for Esiason "to target Michaels as the problem is out of
bounds." Martzke: "Michaels, in fact, often went out of his
way to protect Esiason from an excess of off-base comments."
CNN/SI's Peter King said as of yesterday, Esiason "still
hadn't heard from an ABC executive explaining the firing."
But ABC Sports VP/Sports Media Relations Mark Mandel said
that Katz informed Esiason's agent, Steve Rosner, of the
firing on Wednesday and that Esiason "did not return Katz's
phone calls" (USA TODAY, 3/10).
WAS THE MOVE JUSTIFIED? In Baltimore, Milton Kent
writes that Wolfe, Janoff and Esiason "were sacrificed,
proving once and for all that football, and particularly
'Monday Night Football,' is more about entertainment than
the game" (Baltimore SUN, 3/10). In N.Y., Bob Raissman
writes, "ABC brass knew damn well Esiason was a convenient
headline, a smoke screen of publicity. One heck of a
diversion for the firings of Wolfe and Janoff" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 3/10). But in Miami, Barry Jackson writes that ABC's
firing of Esiason "was completely justified," because
Esiason was "bland and predictable." Esiason "lacked the
charisma, insight or wit to warrant a position on the most-
watched series in sports television" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/10).
In Boston, Jim Baker: "No one should have to explain
Boomer's sacking. If he glimpsed at his reviews, he knew it
was his performance that reeked" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/10). In
S.D., Nick Canepa writes that Esiason was not
"entertaining." Canepa: "Knowledgeable, yes. But Boomer
wasn't Don Meredith" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/10).
