Three CFL games – including Saskatchewan and Ottawa – are going to have mic’d up players and coaches this weekend.
Judging by the feedback after TSN’s first venture into mic’d up territory, why bother?
When the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders had their head coaches and starting quarterbacks wearing microphones, TV viewers could hear some on-field chatter from Zach Collaros and Bo Levi Mitchell. None of it made much sense to the fans. It actually served to confuse most people.
Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said a few interesting things and showed a sense of humour. Hamilton head coach Kent Austin, who’s usually loud and animated on the sidelines, made a conscious effort to say virtually nothing.
Still, rival teams said they could understand the jibberish. They said it might actually help them in future games.
Hamilton and Calgary don’t have to reveal their deep, confusing thoughts anymore, but six of the other seven teams are fulfilling league obligations to don mics.
If TSN wants to make it interesting, tape everything that goes on during a game, including all the jokes and conversations. Show that afterwards in an edited, more interesting package.