Earlier this week, 2018 SoBros Network ‘Rookie of the Year’ contender, Joshua Huffman, wrote this excellent piece on ESPN’s Get Up! and the struggles it’s having to gain traction. The AM sports scene is pretty crowded, and that’s not even taking into account that they have all of the big time news shows such as Good Morning America to compete with. But, it got me thinking about one show that sort of subconsciously grabbed my attention – NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.
Really, I don’t know how we got to this point. Once upon a time, Mike & Mike was appointment television and Cold Pizza was a fun affair. Colin Cowherd had excellent, genuine opinions on sports, and Stephen A. Smith’s personality was funny and endearing. But, for a while now, it’s seemed like we can’t get anything other than shitty hot takes and people screaming at each other. Stations are figuring out what they can do differently, and seem to have forgotten how to do what works. Well, the NFL Network sure seems to have something excellent on its hands.
I haven’t even realized until recently that I’m switching back and forth between WKRN Nashville and NFL Network in the mornings. The news goes to commercials and I’m like, “oh, gotta see what they’re talking about on GMFB.”
But, why is that? Well, don’t worry – if you’ve read this far, I’m sure you’re assuming I’ve given it some thought, which I have. I think I’ve narrowed it down to three simple things that Good Morning Football is doing that is essentially murdering the morning sports talk market.
Chemistry
It seems simple, but it’s one of those things that is incredibly hard to get right. ESPN put three veritable sports talk studs together in Mike Greenberg, Michelle Beadle, and Jalen Rose, and it just flat out isn’t working. But, Kay Adams, Kyle Brandt, Nate Burleson, and Peter Schrager work exceptionally well together.
Adams is a terrific host and facilitator of discussion, Burleson offers player perspective in a natural eloquent way (as opposed to some former players who seem awkward and uncomfortable in the position), and then you have Brandt and Schrager who just plain bring the jokes.
But, it’s their ability to function and work as a team that makes this show feel seamless.
Doing it the right way
They have the great chemistry, but it’s really the production and the content of the show that keeps it light. GMF doesn’t venture into political discussion too much, and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with using your platform to echo your message. But, the numbers show that people tend to tune you out one way or the other (ask ESPN). It’s a tired cliché, but I think it still rings true: people turn to sports as an escape from “real life.”
But, it’s not just the political stuff. It’s the saturation of one dimensional sports talk. There’s almost an adversarial formula for show hosts to just argue with each other for the sake of argument. And, I think people are generally tired of that. They want entertainment these days.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking politics or if you’re talking sports, taking yourself too seriously can become taxing on your viewers. And, besides – it’s 2018! If people want box scores and analysis 24/7, they have a phone in their hands that can access information immediately.
It has to be fun, but it can’t be a manufactured fun. It has to be the real deal, and this team has nailed it.
“Being Yourself”
They have the chemistry down. They have the format down. But, something else that is enjoyable about the Good Morning Football team is that they just seem to put themselves out there in a way that feels genuine. I hope this is truly the case (after all, I don’t actually know any of these people), but it never seems like any of them go outside of themselves to create controversy or “get clicks,” so to speak.
That creates that coveted connection with your viewers (or readers) that every growing media brand is trying to create. And when you don’t go outside of yourself to get there, it makes everything easier for everyone. You don’t have to strive to be different. Your viewers don’t have to constantly wonder if you really believe the things you’re saying or if you’re just trying to generate buzz. Everyone can just sit down and enjoy the show. That’s the winning formula, folks.
Plus, they said good things about the Titans….so of course I’m going to be on board with these guys.
Bravo, Good Morning Football. Keep up the great work.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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