Stephen Quadros Worked for Showtime, Not ProElite
by Luke Thomas on Oct 28, 2008 10:23 AM EDT
in MMA News
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Quadros has started a blog and offered a brief comment on the demise of ProElite. To wit:
I have received many inquiries about ProElite, which was the parent company of the MMA brand EliteXC, going out of business recently. I commentated on EliteXC (and their smaller brand ShoXC) events since July 2007. But to the shock of many I never worked ‘for’ ProElite, EliteXC, etc. I work for Showtime Networks, who in turn televised the EliteXC and ShoXC events. Its the equivalent of the TV broadcast of last year’s Super Bowl: the New York Giants or the New England Patriots did not employ the commentators, Fox network did.
This is a relatively new reality for fans who follow the mixed martial arts fight game. But in most sports its commonplace; the network hires the broadcasters who call the action for the revolving door of teams and athletes. But up until recently the mixed martial arts fight business has not done it the way, while the rest of the sports world has.
Prior to working for Showtime as a fight analyst and interviewer, I spent the last decade working directly for various fighting events and had fun doing so. But I must say that working for the network, Showtime in this case, is a pleasant turn indeed.
I wouldn't read too much into this other than to say if Showtime does decide to continue its investment in MMA programming, they've set themselves up to have consistent and mostly unbiased analysts covering the action. Personally, I thought the tandem of boxing stalwart Al Bernstein and Stephen Quadros was a breath of fresh air. The UFC, of course, uses in-house commentators in Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. And while I find Rogan to be a largely independent voice, the arrangement of utilizing in-house commentators for the largest and most important MMA organization in existence is dubious. Rogan may not succumb to internal pressure, but he won't be the commentator forever. Will his replacement be as bold and forthright?
Oh, and welcome to the blogosphere, Fight Professor.
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I work for Showtime Networks, who in turn televised the EliteXC and ShoXC events. Its the equivalent of the TV broadcast of last year’s Super Bowl: the New York Giants or the New England Patriots did not employ the commentators, Fox network did.
I guess that’s why he’s not the Analogy Professor…
Wish he still had his show on Sherdog.
I like the idea of having fighters do some color commentating. Having said that i think fighters who are very well spoken such as Kenny Florian and Frank Mir are what type of fighter i think would be great.
I say stick to professional commentators. I like Bas Rutten’s commentary, but I was never a huge fan of Cotoure or Florians commentating work. Cotoure obviously has the ability to give great technical detail regarding the fight, but I always thought his voice wasn’t animated enough.
Plus, ESPN has a horde of ex-athlete analysts that just suck and I would hate to see MMA commentating share the same fate.
announcing
stephan bonner has called a few fights himself and was pretty good on last weeks mma live. the only 2 announcers that i cant stand is mauro and jay glazier.
This is my numer one thing that I dislike about watching the UFC. The in-house TV production and commentating makes it fell “fake,” in a way. Doesn’t have the same feel as other live sporting events and this is why. I hope that if they get a network deal at some point, this is changed. Hopefully they can persuade the network to hire Rogan, but I really want this to change.
hmm
I always liked the UFCs production and commentating. Rogan and Goldy make mistakes sometimes, as all commentators do, but I think they are better than any others I have seen.
I don’t think MMA is big enough to have it’s own separate commentators like other sports yet, Gus Johnson is a prime example. There are just a handful of knowledgeable commentators for MMA out there and their quality does vary. Having them paid for by the network or the promotion doesn’t change the fact that it’s still the same old people, would Mike Goldberg be a better commentator if Spike was paying him instead of the UFC? For my reporting and news a independent unbiased source is essential but for calling a match competence and knowledge is much more important.
It should also be pointed out that in this case working for Showtime (or CBS) doesn’t really make a announcer unbiased being as Showtime owned 20% of ProElite. Heck even when talking about pro football and ESPN you now have the two in a partnership which may test those boundaries, even on the reporting side.
If not Rogan/Goldie, then who?
How can the UFC events feature commentators who are unaffiliated with the UFC? The only network involved is the rinky-dink man channel. Are they gonna have the voice behind MANswers doing play by play? I’m being sarcastic, but seriously. The PPVs are scripted to a T, except for the fights. Sure, Rogan has his own perspective, but he keeps his mouth shut about a few hot topics from time to time. I’m sure one of the major deal breakers for any UFC network deal is commentators. Why? Dana doesn’t want to hear what anyone thinks of his product except those paid to promote his product (see lack of credentials for bloggers, etc).
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