http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7066449/espn-hank-williams-jr-theme-song-return-monday-night-football
ESPN's broadcast of Outside the Lines might have ended up "Outside the Studio" if the contributors were actually present at the ESPN recording studios for this airing. The discussion was heated and no actual un-opinionated conclusion was ever made. I am torn on this issue. Being an avid sports enthusiast and one that is pursuing a career in the Sports industry, I can see where ESPN was justified in their reasoning, however I feel like they are taking the audience's feelings into too much consideration.
Like any industry, ESPN is trying to earn viewers, keep viewers, and essentially make a profit from their viewers. The NFL like every other professional league is multiracial and attracts a diverse group of viewers. If Hank Williams Jr.'s comment is seen as offensive by their viewing base and affects their numbers, ESPN should definitely pull the intro. However, isn't confederate to Hank Williams Jr. as activist is to Lady GaGa?
Hank Williams Jr. released the song "If the South Woulda Won" in 1988, which is the basis for Dave Zirin's argument on the ESPN broadcast. Subsequently, the country music star was hired to the do the Intro for Monday Night Football in 1991. Therefore, we can gather that ABC and ESPN could have already known that Hank Williams Jr. was capable of such comments like he made on October 3rd. Not to judge a book by its cover, but a viewer should be able to look at the guy & realize he isn't your average everyday American supporter.
Based on our knowledge of Hank Williams Jr., prior to the recent slurs he made at members of the American government, why does this change how we view the opening to Monday Night Football? I mean, I'm not a Dick Vitale fan because I don't like hearing about dOOK basketball every time I watch a game in which he commentates, but that's not going to keep me from watching College basketball. I do not think keeping the theme song for MNF will have a substantial effect on the viewership of the show. Sure, there will be that select few that would find it beneficial (or fun or occupying) to protest against ESPN if they had kept the song so therefore, I do find it logical that ESPN felt the need to do what they felt was best for their business.
So next Monday night, when you tune in to watch your favorite teams go head to head, sing the national anthem & pay your respects to the American democracy but don't invite all your rowdy friends.
And on a side note, Dave Zirin made himself look like an idiot on Outside the Lines. First of all, refer to my former statement about the song he CONSTANTLY refers to for his basis of argument. 1988 comes before 1991. If that song is that big of an issue, why did ESPN/ABC hire him in the first place?? Secondly, the Civil War was not essentially a war on slavery but a war for state's rights if you will so kindly refer to UNC History Professor William Barney. Bomani Jones was a BLACK MAN and his inital comment had absolutely no negative connotation towards the South or Hank Jr unlike those of Mr. Zirin. While I respect his work as a journalist, the man needs to keep his thoughts on paper and his mouth shut on the air.
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