The broadcaster cut ties with the two-time major winner after only a year in the gig as play-by-play man Joe Buck’s sidekick — a role where he was required to analyse and add colour to the proceedings on the course — something he obviously didn’t do to Fox’s standards.
Links Magazine first reported Norman’s job was in jeopardy, and those initial reports were confirmed on Monday.
Production and executive producer at Fox Sports John Entz thanked Norman for his contribution.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to make this change to our USGA Championships coverage,” Entz said in a press release..
“We want to thank Greg for his contributions last year, and wish him success in all his current and future endeavours.”
Norman also made a statement in the same press release.
“I put a lot into my role this past year and really enjoyed the time I spent with the commentary team, I have a long history with Fox and wish them well on their journey showcasing USGA Championships,” Norman said.
“I also want to thank David Hill (former head of Fox Sports) and the USGA for believing in me and instilling their vote of confidence in me from the outset.”
That confidence lasted only 12 months though, and the 60-year-old acknowledged his termination via an Instagram post where he said he understood the ever-evolving nature of business.
Norman joined the Fox Sports team after the network snared a 12-year deal with the USGA to broadcast its major championships, including the US Open.
The expertise and insight Norman was expected to bring to the table wasn’t always on show in 2015. He was roundly criticised for his failure to add any depth to Dustin Johnson’s meltdown on the 72nd hole of that year’s US Open, where he three-putted to hand Jordan Spieth victory.
For a man with so much first-hand experience of how the pressure of big moments can cripple even the most reliable of players, “The Shark’s” claim that he was “speechless” after witnessing the epic stuff-up didn’t sit well with fans,
reported a source at Fox Sports believed Norman’s lack of preparation and on-screen personality were some of his biggest problems, saying “he didn’t do his homework and he didn’t know any players who weren’t Australian”.
“It was tough for the whole staff because he wasn’t involved in the shows like a lead analyst should be,” the source said.
“Maybe he thought just being Greg Norman was enough. He’s been successful in everything he’s done in business but he wasn’t good at TV. He was a team player but when the cameras turned on, he just went silent.”
A replacement for Norman has not yet been announced, but some American news outlets are reporting 2008 US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger as an early candidate.
Azinger has broadcasting experience with ABC and did a fine job as part of ESPN’s coverage of the British Open last year.
No comments:
Post a Comment