A woman calling an NBA playoff game

[Radbird]

With all due respect, lipp, if playing the game at the level you are announcing were a prerequisite, most of our greatest announcers in all sports would have no insight.

[jim]

I think some of it is just getting used to it. I had trouble with the SF PA announcer at first, but after I heard her a couple of times I really liked her. If you are familiar with the video game Ridge Racer, I swear it's the same person.

[docellis]

I agree. Women discussing any sports is completely in one ear and out the other.

fascinating

It's true. I used to read your posts in game threads and stuff, but then I found out about your "having a vagina" situation, and just can't anymore.








Seriously though, do people really get bugged by female commentators?

I think there annoying female commentators and annoying male commentators.

I also think there are ways to say something is annoying without trashing an entire gender's ability to discuss sports. But that is probably my vagina talking.

[stlouie_lipp]

With all due respect, lipp, if playing the game at the level you are announcing were a prerequisite, most of our greatest announcers in all sports would have no insight.

Play by play, I agree with you. Color is different. To me, you need to have played or coached at the level you are providing analysis of to get any "cred" from me.

[Michael]

My genitalia is saying the same thing, doc.

[jim]

I would agree for a color commentator lipp, I would want a female doing a womens soccer game and a male doing an NBA game. I would want someone with experience in that league, not just that sport.

[dangerous]

I hate listening to Bill Raftery.

[sighyoung]

I don't care about the voice; I care that the announcer can provide a compelling narrative of the game unfolding.

I loved Jack Buck's and Dan Kelly's voices for precisely that reason--they were smart, articulate, personable announcers who were, at times, spellbinding in their artistry.

There's no reason a woman couldn't be similarly compelling, unless a lower-pitched voiced somehow is associated with "authority" or "authenticity". If an announcer is well-informed, the sense of authority should follow.

I wouldn't be surprised, based on this thread, that male and female announcers may need to take different strategies to establish that authority. But the same is true for me and my wife when we enter our respective classrooms.

[clement]

I think I just want someone who is good at it; knows the game and is entertaining to listen to. The person could have 4 vaginas, 3 penises, 7 breasts, and an inverted butthole for all I care.

[sighyoung]

I think I just want someone who is good at it; knows the game and is entertaining to listen to. The person could have 4 vaginas, 3 penises, 7 breasts, and an inverted butthole for all I care.

In that case, the camera should be focused on the announcer.