NFL Net's Gumbel Out After Two Years As Play-By-Play Announcer
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Gumbel Leaving Play-By-Play
Duties For NFL Network |
NFL Network's Bryant Gumbel has given up his duties as play-by-play announcer. Gumbel had served in that role for the net's Thursday and Saturday night football games for the past two seasons alongside analyst Cris Collinsworth. NFL Network will begin the search for Gumbel's replacement immediately (NFL Network). NFL Network President & CEO Steve Bornstein declined to say whether he had asked Gumbel to resign from his post. Gumbel, in an e-mail, said of Bornstein, "We had a conversation and we agreed to go in different directions. It's really as simple as that." Gumbel said in a separate e-mail, "I take comfort in knowing that I tried my best." In N.Y., Richard Sandomir wrote Gumbel's skills as a play-by-play announcer "did not match his talent as a studio host." Gumbel was "criticized because his thin voice and lack of deep football knowledge did not compare favorably with more experienced announcers like [NBC's] Al Michaels." The "criticism became a distraction to the network, which has been battling Comcast and other cable operators to gain wider distribution." NBC's Tom Hammond is a "strong possibility" to replace Gumbel (N.Y. TIMES, 4/12).
HIRE CAUSES: In Minneapolis, Judd Zulgad wrote Gumbel's hiring "surprised many because of his lack of play-by-play experience." Zulgad: "He found himself frequently criticized for on-air mistakes and his play-by-play style" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/12). In DC, Tim Lemke wrote NFL Network's choice of Gumbel "was an odd one from the start." Lemke: "While experienced as a broadcaster, he had not done play-by-play of any sport since the mid-1980s" (WASHINGTONTIMES.com, 4/11). In Toronto, William Houston wrote of Gumbel, "His playcalling over two seasons barely reached the level of average" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/12). However, SI.com’s Peter King writes, “I think you handled the whole NFL Network mess with class, Bryant Gumbel” (SI.com, 4/14).
NEXT UP: In Dallas, Calvin Watkins wrote of Gumbel's possible successor, Pat Summerall "comes to mind." Maybe Cowboys radio play-by-play announcer Brad Sham "can get some of that NFL Network coin? Maybe [CBS'] Gus Johnson? How about [ESPN's] Mike Patrick? [CBS'] Greg Gumbel, Bryant's brother?" (DALLASNEWS.com, 4/11).
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