ESPN Finally Puts Their $17 Mil To Good Use, Gives Reilly His Own Show
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
I don't think I've seen Rick Reilly on ESPN's airwaves since the PGA Championship, but that's not stopping ESPN from giving their 5-year, 17+ million dollar man, his own show. Beginning this Friday, Reilly will be sitting down with various stars for a six-part series called "Homecoming" on ESPN2. The craziest part about the interviews....they're going to be hour-long sitdowns! Via ESPN PR....
ESPN2's new series -- Homecoming -- challenges that old adage "you can't go home again." Hosted by 10-time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, Homecoming will debut Friday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m. ET with an episode on Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers in his hometown of Raleigh, N.C. The following week, Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway returns to Van Nuys, Calif. The shows are the first two of a six-part series featuring one-on-one, hour-long interviews of today’s top names in sports from the towns and cities where they grew up. In the first episode, Hamilton is surrounded by friends, family and teammates at Athens Drive High School, where his life and career were first nurtured en route to him becoming the first overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. His career was derailed by injuries and addictions in 2001, but with the help of his family and friends, and with great resolve, he reclaimed his life and his swing. Hamilton's recovery was noted by his mesmerizing performance at the 2008 MLB All-Star Home Run Contest.I think I'd check out the Josh Hamilton piece, but I could honestly care less about John Elway's high school. Hopefully ESPN steps it up for the rest of the interviews. I'm guessing, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lance Armstrong and either Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds.
22 Comments:
Hopefully ESPN steps it up for the rest of the interviews.
This is ESPN we're talking about. Michael Phelps & Brett Favre are more likely for two of those spots.
"This is ESPN we're talking about. Michael Phelps & Brett Favre are more likely for three of those spots."
Fixed.
ESPN is still on the Josh Hamilton story?
It's great that he's ok, but come on, enough already.
No doubt RJBO...
One hour?? A six-minute segement on Sports Center with each person would suffice. This series will never have a 7th show...
I had no idea that John Elway was still a "top name in sports". I learned something today.
I'd like to see Reily ask Soso to take a piss test.
First of all, Rcik Reilly's show on ESPN 2 is going to be as bad or worse than Stephen A Smiths's show. Second of all, Rick, give it up with Josh Hamilton, Okay. You went on your doepy rant during the Home Run Derby, I had enough of you and Josh Hamilton. Why don't you guys get a room.
Smith
Why-why-why does old media continue to believe that journalists make for good television? I'm not saying Reilly's show will be bad. But it probably will be.
I agree with Shawn Kemp (how are your kids BTW?) Wouldn't this have been solid as a 4-6 minute seg on OTL or SC?
Where is Little Wayne from?
Yes, Little Wayne. I'm too racist to be improper.
This Rick Reilly show is going to be unwatchable. And by the way, ESPN is wasting that much money on Reilly? Didn't they notice that he's columms on Si were't that good anymore? And they haven't gotten better over at ESPN Magazine either.
All of my kids are doing great!Thanks for asking, Zoner.
I don't think there is any question that this show will fail. Reilly had a 98 mph heater in the 90's, but he's more of a Tim Wakefield type pitcher these days.
This show will replace First Take as the worst show on the network. Congrats to the hack Reilly.
Reilly's always been a hack and a putz. Who paid this guy that kind of cash??? This guy had no leverage --- ZERO --- and gets that kind of bread? The world is one insane place.
It seems Reilly is trying to pen for the new breed in his ESPN columns. His "Things I'd like to see in 2009" column was simply dreadful. Couldn't believe how bad it was. I think he was good at SI at one time.
AA: It was $17 million, but probably went back down to $10 million.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10242007/business/new_sporting_life_of_reilly.htm
http://thearena.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/fantasy-partners-why-does-rick-reilly-get-barack-obama-while-bill-simmons-gets-matthew-berry/
Would someone please explain the fascination/appeal of Rick Reilly. Back when he would regularly appear on the Dan Patrick Show (in it's ESPN incarnation), the segment would be nothing but Reilly name-dropping about who he golfed with that week. I can't believe the four letter threw all of that money at him. What a flippin' waste.
I'm sure ESPN is putting a gun to Reilly's head to do this show to get some return on their money. Reilly will probably sabotage this to get it canceled so he can go back to the golf course.
Or maybe the gun to the head was because of this column.
"How dare you malign the precious BCS we just shelled out so much money for? Get thee to the airwaves, knave!"
I want to see them interview Pac-Man in the ATL. That would be hilarious, but perhaps a bit too violent for the kids!
I'm not a Reilly lover or hater, but I stumbled upon the Elway episode of Homecoming and enjoyed it. Why are all you guys so down on it? Speaking as a woman sports fan and a 20 year coach's wife, we like to hear these stories. I, for one, hope that Homecoming will succeed. There are a number of inspiring stories to be heard.
Reilly got a 5 year, $17 million contract????????????????? For an average at best sports columnist!!?????????? Good god! That makes Sabathia and Burnett look like bargains!!!