Fox Sports President & COO Eric Shanks yesterday said there “couldn’t have been a better fit” than Joe Buck and Greg Norman to anchor the net’s first foray into pro golf. Shanks formally introduced Buck and Norman, who will both make their debuts in the golf broadcast booth with the ’15 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay outside of Seattle. They also will call the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Amateur at the least. Norman said joining Fox was an easy decision to make. “What Fox has done with delivering out of the box coverage in sports has been second to none,” Norman said. “They get it. They understand how to reach down to an audience and up to an audience.” Fox Coordinating Producer Mark Loomis said the net will need between eight and 10 voices to fill out its broadcast team, but did not set a timetable for doing so. Though it will not take over rights to USGA events until next year, Fox will have a presence at Pinehurst covering June’s U.S. Open for nightly recaps on “Fox Sports Live.” “We’re going to spend the week there and go through the mechanics the best we can,” Buck said. “I’d like to be at an event where we’re behind the ropes and seeing how they’re doing it” (Josh Carpenter, Staff Writer).
WHAT DOES THE SHARK SAY? Though this will be his first official full-time role in the analyst chair, Norman has previous experience in the 18th tower. During his playing career in the '80s and '90s, Norman periodically appeared in the booth during tournaments at the request of late CBS Sports Producer Frank Chirkinian. Norman said he even had discussions about joining the net as an analyst. Norman said of Chirkinian, “He complimented me in my style about being forthright and honest. So he gave me the confidence way back when.” Norman said he has been a “staunch supporter and fan” of NBC’s Johnny Miller for the way he analyzes the game, and plans to follow that lead. “My object isn’t to be criticizing golfers. My objective is to be fair and balanced,” Norman said. “I want it to be very fan-friendly and informative. Being informative doesn't mean sugar-coating. I've always been forthright in my feelings. It’s incumbent on myself and every other member of our team to have the confidence and the willingness to express ourselves" (Carpenter). GOLF DIGEST's Ron Sirak wrote Norman "likes to talk, is smart and has the courage of his convictions," and Fox likely will "give him the freedom to speak his mind." Norman said of Miller's broadcast style, "I think Fox and Joe Buck will want me to go down that path as well. ... You have to articulate to the viewers what it is like to be in that arena." He added of Fox, "I love the fact that they are out of the box. At the end of the day, you have to get out of the box" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/23).
THE RIGHT TIME: Despite sagging ratings for the season’s first major in Augusta, Shanks said there was no hesitation in jumping at the chance to carry events like the U.S. Open. “The USGA, with the way it runs the tournaments and the places it holds its tournaments at, was attractive,” Shanks said. “I think it’s a perfect place for Greg and Joe to jump in.” Shanks added the USGA was “100% supportive” of the Buck/Norman hiring. Meanwhile, Loomis hopes Fox can bring a fresh approach to golf coverage, saying the net’s technology department has “proven through the years that they can push the next step" (Carpenter). GOLFWEEK's Jeff Rude wrote there is "certainly room for improvement in golf telecasts these days in terms of giving viewers pertinent information and graphics." Buck said that fans should not expect Fox’ approach "to be typical." But at the "same time, don’t expect to see Bart Simpson as an on-course reporter." Shanks said, “First and foremost you have to respect the sport. No way will the Fox brand and attitude be put above the USGA or U.S. Open brand" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/23).
