When I was 16 my VHS player always had a tape loaded. I would watch the early morning editions of SportsCenter and keep an eye out for a funny story or amazing highlight. If I found one then I would record that part of SportsCenter onto my tape when the show re-aired an hour later. Before there was YouTube there was my VHS recording. That was when SportsCenter meant Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick, Kenny Mayne and Charley Steiner.

Since then SportsCenter has turned into an hour long advertisement for Coors Light and studio analysts who are only on the set to argue with the other analyst. I long for the good old days.

They may be getting closer.

According to Le Anne Schreiber the producers at ESPN are making significant changes:

While on vacation last month, I recorded 10 day’s worth of 9 a.m. “SportsCenters,” beginning Feb. 15, so I could catch up on the sports news upon my return. I approached the task of review reluctantly, regarding it as punishment for taking time off. Once I plunged in, though, I was amazed to find myself enjoying hour after hour of “SportsCenter.”

They were not crisp, clean half-hours, but far more often than not, they were crisp, clean hours dominated by highlights and news, with remarkably few gimmicks, sponsored segments, cross-promotions or padding of any kind.

Schreiber, who’s job is to provide independent examination and analysis of ESPN’s media outlets, has the complete story hosted at
ESPN.com.

Sports