The Masters goes to ESPN

[MileHigh]

If this is d_b, my apologies. Pretty big move for stay-the-course Augusta National.

Thankfully, ESPN will use CBS announcers and only use Mike Tirico as the host. No Chris Berman. Yet.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3056747

 

[cranberry]

This lends itself to many exciting possibilities. Perhaps Martha Burk and Chris Berman can team up for a highlight show together. Or wrestle in the mud.

 

[wickedwritah]

Would like to see Scott Van Pelt get in on some of the action here.

 

[MileHigh]

ESPN already is in Masters-speak:

"We are honored by the opportunity to work with the Tournament to help it achieve its goal of growing the game of golf around the world," ESPN president George Bodenheimer said in the same statement.

"the Tournament"?!

 

[Ace]

Where they gonna put the ESPN Masters Game Day crew and desk? Maybe on that little bridge on Amen Corner.

Awesome!

 

[beefncheddar]

Did he say "tournament" or "tooounahment"?

 

[Beaker]

God, I hope we don't have to hear anymore Jim Nantz salivating over Augusta-just as long as we don't get Berman instead.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Live from the Butler Cabin, it's Stu Scott hosting The Master's edition of Around The Horn.

 

[playthrough]

Shhhh...don't tell Augusta National that Mike Tirico is black.

 

[beefncheddar]

Mike Tirico makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X

 

[Chef]

Tirico and VanPelt will have to be there.

CBS Crew is fine except for two things.

1. Nantzy

2. The absence of Gary McCord.

 

[slappy4428]

God, I hope we don't have to hear anymore Jim Nantz salivating over Augusta-just as long as we don't get Berman instead.

Good luck with that

 

[doubledown68]

Tirico and VanPelt will have to be there.

CBS Crew is fine except for two things.

1. Nantzy

2. The absence of Gary McCord.

That's what you get for invoking bikini wax. The Masters has always presented a conundrum for me. I love playing the game.. but one thing that always turns me off about the sport is its elitist nature. Few places are more elitist than Augusta National. But goddam is that piece of land gorgeous.

 

[JR]

Too bad it wasn't Fox.

They could have glowing golf balls and Bill O and Skank Coulter doing the 18th hole.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Keep Berman away and you have my support, ESPN.

 

[pressmurphy]

There's no way Berman doesn't try to muscle his way into this one. I hope he gets shot down and quits the World Wide Weasel in a hissy fit, paving the way to a career hosting a morning farm report show on a TV station you can only get if you plug in your toaster.

 

[D-3 Fan]

Mike Tirico makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X

It was Mooney's fault!

Seriously, I heard the news this afternoon when it came down and I'm surprised that ESPN has, ahem, "bagged" Thursday and Friday at The Masters. GQ Van Pelt has to be there, along with Andy North, and Tirico. If Leather is part of this package, then have him do his remote across the street at the Waffle House or some BBQ joint down the road from Augusta. Anything but to let that bloated pompous fat ass from ruining one of our favorite sporting events. Stewya Booya can get down and boogie at James Brown's house. Tirico makes Stewart Scott look like Snoop Dogg.

 

[Hammer Pants]

I would be lying if I wrote that this was the best news I've gotten today.

 

[markvid]

Berman will be there. They put him on the US Open, gimme one reason why he wouldn't be at the Masters.

 

[wickedwritah]

Berman will be there. They put him on the US Open, gimme one reason why he wouldn't be at the Masters.

Because The Masters has banned announcers before.