The Gus Johnson Experiment Ends

[JayMags71]

US Viewers can watch Champions League Football without cringing

Gus Johnson has stepped down as Foxs No. 1 soccer broadcaster.

Johnson told Sports Illustrated on Sunday that he called Fox Sports president Eric Shanks last week and explained that with a full schedule of college football and college basketball, he could not give soccer the attention it deserved and that viewers demanded of a lead broadcaster. Shanks agreed to pull Johnson off the assignment.

 

[soxfan121]

Thank god. I like Gus but his soccer work was awful. This low-key announcement lets him and FOX end things without destroying his reputation.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Ahaha. He was fired because they found someone else thats better/more qualified. Anyone that listened to his brutal play by play broadcast knows that. He was terrible and FOX doesn't want to admit it made a mistake from the start with the hire. Simple as that.

 

[twoBshorty]

He tried, but he was so bad that he actually made me wish to listen to Alexi Lalas. This is excellent news.
 
I'm hoping this also means he won't be ruining the 2018 World Cup? I was very happy with ESPN's coverage this summer and am dreading what FOX will do to it. 

 

[TheBoomah]

Has Gus Johnson learned the art of voice modulation?  Or does he still scream the play-by-play?

 

[Infield Infidel]

As bad as he was at soccer, it was great hearing him do Texas UCLA last night. 

 

[SocrManiac]

 
 
Thank god.

 

[Silverdude2167]

Now Fox needs to follow ESPN's lead for showing the world cup. Please do not dumb down the broadcast or try to go heavy with american announcers.
 
If there is a robot playing soccer I may cry.

 

[Titans Bastard]

RIP Andres Ianesta.

 

[cromulence]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mILEnI5cZmw
 
OH MY GOD YOU GUYS! 
 
(Disclaimer: I'm only tangentially aware that there is a showtune called Oh My God You Guys. Listen to the song at your own risk.)

 

[cromulence]

RIP Andres Ianesta.

 
No one can compare to Ribbbbury. Good ole Frankie Ribs.

 

[DLew On Roids]

 
"To be quite frank with you, I was scared to death to do the Women’s World Cup," Johnson said. "Because I don’t know it. I don’t want to do my company a disservice, and more importantly, I don’t want to do the sport a disservice. I feel more comfortable with the men and learning the women felt like a new language. Down the road if I can get some rest and healing, I am not opposed to going back to do some soccer. Maybe not at the same pace as the No. 1 guy, but I’d love to be on the team."

 
Sounds like he knew he was overmatched.  It takes some stones to admit when you've taken on more than you can handle.  I'm glad he'll be sticking to what's in his wheelhouse.
 
Given that Fox didn't slide Rob Stone right in, I assume they're looking at British guys first.

 

[SumnerH]

Great news.  Gus is awesome for college basketball, but was an embarrassing soccer broadcaster. 

 

[dirtynine]

I hope JP Dellacamera gets a shot. American voice, knows the game thoroughly, been around a long time.  I wouldn't hate any number of British commentators either, but in the case where Fox decides it has to go American, JP would get my vote. 

 

[soxfan121]

Ian Darke's contract with ESPN is up before 2018, IIRC. That's probably FOX's preferred solution.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

I never saw these, but is the basic idea that someone in the executive pitch meeting thought of the idea of Gus Johnson shouting "GOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!" and it got approved before anyone considered the practicalities like "does he understand the sport?"

 

[steeplechase3k]

I'd love it if they could steal John Strong from NBC.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

 
Sounds like he knew he was overmatched.  It takes some stones to admit when you've taken on more than you can handle.  I'm glad he'll be sticking to what's in his wheelhouse.

 
 I still expect him to get a couple of lower profile matches in 2018. They're going to need at least 6 announcers for the tournament and I don't see Fox farming out all of those slots. 
 
He took a lot of shit for his performance, but I give Johnson a lot of respect for giving it a shot on such a public stage. He just isn't capable for being the voice of the sport in the United States.

 

[brienc]

 
No one can compare to Ribbbbury. Good ole Frankie Ribs.

Luka Madric was a helluva player too.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

I give Gus credit for trying, but I'd glad this experiment came during a period when Liverpool weren't playing in the Champions League.