Major League Soccer will make its debut on NBC Sports Network on Sunday at 3 p.m. when FC Dallas hosts the New York Red Bulls. It is the first game of a brand new three-year deal between the network and the league.
NBC plans to use a new way to broadcast soccer, and they feel strongly that it will work out well. Play-by-play voice Arlo White will call the action from the broadcast booth — as normal practice — but his broadcast partner, color analyst Kyle Martino, will follow the action on the field between the benches.
It’s similar to what NBC has used with their hockey coverage, having a rink-side analyst “Inside the Glass.” So why not use it to allow Martino the chance to get a better feel for the game from field level?
In a conference call, White and Martino discussed this new style of broadcasting soccer.
White on calling a game without having his partner in the booth next to him ?» “Well, for many years in Seattle I did the Sounders’ games without a color analyst, so being alone in the broadcast booth will not be an issue with me. Kyle can hear every word that I say, and we have developed a rapport that works with him on the field, and frankly I don’t think the viewer at home will care if we are sitting next to each other or not. We did a dress rehearsal in Orlando a few weeks ago and it went quite well. I really think having Kyle on the field near the action will be a great thing.”
Martino on doing analysis from the field » “First of all, I have a monitor so I will be able to comment on any and all of the replays. But as a former player, being down on the field gives me a real feel for the sense of the action. I will have access to hear what the players and coaches are saying, and the flow of information between Arlo and me should be fine. [Coordinating producer] Pierre Moossa, who will direct all the telecasts along with [executive producer] Sam Flood, have proven this can work. I look forward to showing the fans how something new will simply make things better.”
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
