Fox Sports announced earlier this summer that Erin Andrews will be taking over for Pam Oliver for the networks top NFL broadcast team for the 2014 season, and Oliver openly admits she didn’t take the news all that well. In an essay she wrote for Essence, the 53-year-old industry veteran admitted she was “humiliated” when rumors began circulating that Andrews would be replacing her.
Fox seems to be looking to appeal to a certain demographic, and Oliver realizes that. At age 36, Andrews is still young. She is also tall, thin and blond and is well-known beyond the sports world for appearing on programs like “Dancing With the Stars.” Oliver explained why she believes the decision was made to essentially force her out.
Once the changes were announced, people started talking. Some asked, “Do you think it had something to do with your race?” No. I definitely do not. Others asked, “Does it have something to do with your age?” Well, maybe. The business is very demographic-oriented. As one executive said to me, Fox Sports will look radically different in the coming years. I assume that means they want to look younger. It’s not difficult to notice that the new on-air people there are all young, blond and “hot.” That’s not to say that Erin isn’t capable. I think she’s very capable. She’s also popular on Twitter and social media, so I can see how that would also make her highly sought after. Still, covering the NFL is a big deal. Stations like ABC and NBC entrust their programming to veterans. So when people talk about all networks making a turn to a particular type of girl on the sidelines, it doesn’t hold water.
Oliver makes a great point. NBC’s top sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football broadcasts is Michele Tafoya, who is 49. Lisa Salters, 48, works the sidelines during ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Tracy Wolfson is the top dog at CBS. She’s a bit younger, as she turned 39 in March.
[Also see: Pam Oliver hit in face by Chandler Harnish throw (Video)]
Oliver admitted she spent a lot of time crying while the news was still sinking in. She said she is “embarrassed” with the way she reacted, though she is clearly incredibly disappointed that this will be her last season as a sideline reporter. Still, Oliver seems to have found a silver lining.
At times I’m ashamed of how tragic I was making things out to be. It’s just a job change. I’m not out on the streets. I’m not unemployed. Everybody wins: Fox gets its coveted reporter in the lead role and I get to do my sideline job for my twentieth and final year. I’m also looking forward to developing stories that interest me and delivering long-form pieces for FS1. That kind of work is like being in reporter heaven.
Andrews certainly has some big shoes to fill. Oliver is one of the best in the business and has been for a very long time.
H/T NY Post
