Like many sports activities fans, I relish the joy of Sunday soccer, indulging in hours of uninterrupted sports activities motion with excessive stakes. It’s an expertise that, outdoors of main occasions like tennis or golf championships, the FIFA World Cup, or the Olympic Video games, is commonly unparalleled.

Whereas watching a tense Sunday Evening Soccer battle on NBC between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars for a spot within the NFL playoffs, I used to be intrigued to see NBC play-by-play announcers Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth take a second to focus on an Olympic athlete, U.S. decathlete Anna Corridor, who’s a robust contender for a medal (probably gold) within the ladies’s heptathlon subsequent summer time in Paris.

World Championships silver medalist Anna Corridor at Sunday Evening Soccer
👋 @annaahalll pic.twitter.com/h9HYrGmcKs

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) December 18, 2023

The published showcased Corridor, sporting a Jacksonville Jaguars sweater, who waved to the common 18.7 million viewers who tune in to look at Sunday Evening Soccer every week. All year long, NBC has persistently featured athletes like 100m world champion Noah Lyles, 800m Olympic champion Athing Mu, world and Olympic champion shot putter Ryan Crouser and 200m Olympic medallist Gabby Thomas on the printed–all U.S. medal hopefuls for the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games.

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Apparently, on Saturday night time, former Canadian Olympic champions Andre De Grasse and Donovan Bailey had been prominently featured in a taped intro to CBC/Sportsnet Hockey Evening in Canada. This section featured two of Canada’s quickest sprinters discussing “pace” earlier than well-known broadcaster Ron MacLean and the Sportsnet panel previewed the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins sport. 

“I like the sport due to the pace.” 🏃‍♂️

Canadian Olympic sprinters Andre De Grasse (@De6rasse) and Donovan Bailey (@donovanbailey) open Hockey Evening in Canada on Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/dzghxxKDmR

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 17, 2023

Whereas it’s commendable that Hockey Evening in Canada supplies a platform for monitor and subject stars, there needs to be extra constant protection, particularly contemplating CBC and Sportsnet are the official broadcasters of the Paris Olympics. If NBC can highlight upcoming Olympians or Paralympians of their hometowns, why can’t CBC or Sportsnet characteristic upcoming Canadian athletes throughout the weekly Hockey Evening in Canada broadcasts?

The pitch

Think about the impression of getting an athlete drop the puck or take part in a 30- to 60-second interview throughout the broadcast. Such alternatives might introduce these athletes to a broader viewers, doubtlessly garnering new followers and sponsorships. For CBC and Sportsnet, these interviews might pay dividends throughout their Olympic broadcasting. Image MacLean in an interview with Cam Levins about his 300-km/week coaching routine for the Olympic marathon throughout the intermission of a Vancouver Canucks sport. Or Jean-Simon Desgagnés, a world 3,000m steeplechase finalist, proudly sporting the Montreal Canadiens jersey on French tv–wouldn’t that be gold?

With a median viewership of round 1.5 million throughout an NHL common season Hockey Evening in Canada sport, it has the potential to supply Olympic athletes substantial publicity, making a stronger reference to the Canadian viewers. And once more, it’s going to pay dividends, come July/August. Extra Canadians will tune in, understanding they’ve a horse within the race or a medal hopeful. With over 350 athletes representing Group Canada in Tokyo, it shouldn’t be tough to search out athletes who’re a fan of one of many seven Canadian franchises.