I found myself on the road for most of Saturday and unable to watch any of the day's game on TV. I was able to pull up some radio broadcasts of various games on my smartphone. Two things that a lot of them had in common is that, one, they were produced by IMG and two, they universally awful. Basics like proper mixing and volume control (one guy in the booth incredibly loud while his partner is barely audible) were absent. The announcers were clearly amateurs and were really only picked because they're some former star player, regardless of if they have any business being in the booth. At one point after a 1st down play, one guy spent the next five minutes telling some story about his daughter; when he's back to game, it's fourth down and the team is punting... wth? The amount of homerism was ridiculous. I expected some of that, but there were some rather nasty things said about the opposition and the refs beyond what is decent.

I only listened to a few broadcasts and gave up one each of them after a short period, but my questions are these... Are all the IMG broadcasts this bad? Do the schools have any control over them once they sign over the rights and pocket the cash? Because if I was in a position of power, I would not want this awfulness associated with my school.

Usually IMG allows the school and/or radio station to pick the announcers. I know with Cincinnati that the school gets the choice. IMG may "own" the rights, but WLW actually produces the games themselves.

Charlotte's IMG radio team is OUR play-by-play guy, Matt Swierad, who's been with us since well before we went with IMG. Former Carolina Panther Kevin Donnalley for color commentary and sideline reporting by Bobby Rosinski (son of former Falcons and Panthers play-by-play caller Bill Rosinski) who actually works at our current radio station's (WFNZ) main competitor during the week (730 ESPN). Pretty sure they were all picked by our Athletic Department with IMG advice. As for production quality, I'd be willing to bet that's all on the local radio station's crew to handle.

IMG's TV broadcasts for Kentucky basketball were pretty painful, largely because production was handled by WKYT.

(09-29-2014 12:21 PM)mlb Wrote:  Usually IMG allows the school and/or radio station to pick the announcers. I know with Cincinnati that the school gets the choice. IMG may "own" the rights, but WLW actually produces the games themselves.

Learfield is the same. Clemson has a new radio team this year. The pbp guy, Don Munson, actually works for the athletic department and the color guy is former starting QB from the late 80's Rodney Williams. Williams used to do the sideline reporting a number of years ago and IMO has done a solid job on the color side. Munson, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

South Carolina has had Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs, picked by the university, for many years. They do a good job announcing the games. Ellis is a little annoying with his catchphrases, but the fans like him. Langston Moore does the sideline reporting and interviews Spurrier at halftime.

ND has Don Criqui and Allen Pinkett on an IMG national radio network.

http://www.und.com/ot/radio-affiliates-13.html