Brent Musburger is "calling it a career at ESPN after being the play-by-play man in the booth at sporting events enjoyed by millions of Americans, most prominently when he was the lead voice for CBS Sports" in the '80s, according to David Bauder of the AP. Musburger, who is 77, said that he is "leaving active sportscasting to help his family get a sports handicapping business started." His last game "will be the Kentucky-Georgia men's basketball game on Jan. 31." Both Musburger and ESPN say that comments about Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon that "were criticized as insensitive during the Sugar Bowl earlier this month had nothing to do with his exit." Musburger said, "Not everyone approved of everything I said. I understand that. I come from a sportswriting background and I'm not afraid to take a position on certain things from time to time." Musburger said that he is "not ready to fully retire ... but his decision lets ESPN escape from an uncomfortable decision." Having a broadcaster of college games "publicly identified with a sports handicapping business wouldn't fly." That accounts for the "odd timing of his departure in the middle of the college basketball season" (AP, 1/25). ESPN Senior VP/Event & Studio Production Stephanie Druley said the net learned of Musburger's intentions "about 10 days prior to the Sugar Bowl." She said, "I did not feel like it was time for him to step aside. We had a follow-up meeting where we made a very strong pitch to get him to change his mind. In the end, he made a personal decision for himself and for his family" (ESPN).
HANGING UP THE MIC: Musburger in a pre-taped interview airing this morning on "SportsCenter" said he would not “have had nearly the success that I’ve had in broadcasting had it not been for the NFL because that gave me visibility, that gave me a name.” Musburger added, “I am not shy from an opinion and I know many of my opinions are going to be controversial because there are many people who don't like them." Musburger said his comments on Alabama QB A.J. McCarron's then-girlfriend in '13 "still to this day strikes me as the silliest controversy in the world." Musburger: "I became the villain in the eyes of the P.C. press because I dared to call a woman beautiful. I dared to call a beauty queen beautiful? Oh, my goodness, and I always thought, ‘What are you talking about?’” ESPN's Jeremy Schaap said Musburger will be "remembered as one of the giants of sports announcing." Schaap: "For nearly half a century, when you heard his voice, you knew that whatever you were watching, it was big” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN2, 1/25).
TRIBUTES POUR IN: MSNBC's Steve Kornacki tweeted, "My all-time favorite broadcaster. It always felt like a big event if Brent Musburger was calling it." "The Dan Patrick Show" Producer Paul Pabst: "If the Raiders move to Vegas and don't ask Brent Musburger to be the PXP announcer for the first year, they are nuts." Scout.com's Pete Sampson: "I’m almost 40 and have no concept of sports media without him. Tip of the cap, Brent." Creighton radio broadcaster John Bishop: "We need 1 final Musburger send off from Lincoln. Invite him to a game & let him parade down O Street in an open car with an open container!" Broadcaster Will Haskett: "Vin, Enberg, Verne & Brent all within 5 months?!?! There will NEVER be another class of broadcasters that steps aside together like this."
GOING OUT LIKE THAT: Some commenting on Twitter found the timing odd. Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock: "Did Brent Musberger just get fired? ... Seems strange that he's retiring in six days not the end of the season?" The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre: "Could get ugly if it turns out Brent Musburger was pushed out over the Joe Mixon comments. Hope that wasn't the case." Others were more interested in his new career path. CBS Sports' Ben Kercheval: "Musburger has shown it's never too late to find your calling." Chicago-based WSCR-AM's Danny Parkins: "That reads like The Onion and I'm thrilled to know it's true. Perfect retirement gig."
