In sports broadcasting , a sports commentator (also known as a sports announcer or sportscaster ) provides a real-time live commentary of a game or event, traditionally delivered in the present tense. Radio was the first medium for sports broadcasts, where the radio commentators had to describe the action in detail because the listeners could not see it for themselves. In the case of televised sports coverage, commentators are presented as a voiceover , with images of the contest shown on viewers' screens and sounds of the action and spectators heard in the background. Television commentators are rarely shown on screen during an event, though some networks choose to feature their announcers on camera either before or after the contest or briefly during breaks in the action.
41-627: Michael Ennis (born 16 March 1984) is an Australian sports commentator for Fox League and former professional rugby league footballer. A New South Wales State of Origin representative hooker , he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs , Brisbane Broncos , St George Illawarra Dragons , Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks , with whom he won the 2016 NRL premiership. Ennis made his NRL debut for Newcastle in 2003. After
82-847: A remote broadcast television studio away from the sports venue. In North America, the on-air personality based in the studio is called the studio host . During their shows, the presenter/studio host may be joined by additional analysts or pundits, especially when showing highlights of various other matches (e.g. in 1985, Jim Nantz was the studio host for The Prudential College Football Report in Studio ;43 in New York for CBS Sports , and during his four-year tenure there [1985 through 1988 college football seasons], he had Pat Haden [in 1985] and Ara Parseghian [in 1987 and 1988] as his co-hosts/pundits). Various sports may have different commentator roles to cover situations unique to that sport. In
123-523: A broadcaster is particularly renowned ( Rick Jeanneret 's hockey telecasts, for example, were simulcast on radio and television from 1997 until his 2022 retirement). The analyst or color commentator provides expert analysis and background information, such as statistics, strategy on the teams and athletes, and occasionally anecdotes or light humor. They are usually former athletes or coaches in their respective sports, although there are some exceptions. The term "color" refers to levity and insight provided by
164-614: A list of players to leave the Broncos. This was to be his 4th NRL club at 24 years of age. Ennis joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from Brisbane for the 2009 NRL season . He was selected for Country in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009. Ennis made his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in Game III of the 2009 series , replacing bitter rival Robbie Farah who was dropped. Ennis made an impact in his first game as
205-422: A play-by-play announcer for WWE since 1999, has also portrayed this role for most of his announcing career. From 2010 to 2012, Cole served as a heel announcer, showing arrogance and contempt for faces and more sympathy for the heels (partially due to bullying from other face wrestlers, and jealousy from on-screen authority figures and other commentators). However, after Lawler suffered a legitimate heart attack on
246-627: A single game in 2003 he played 19 games during the 2004 NRL season for the Knights . In the 2005 NRL season 's finals series Ennis was kicking goals for the St. George Illawarra Dragons as they went to within one match of the grand final but lost to eventual premiers, the Wests Tigers . Ennis's first season at the Brisbane club, in 2006, was cut short by a knee injury suffered in round 5 against
287-467: A try for the year. Canterbury would go on to lose the final 14–4 at ANZ Stadium . Around halfway through the 2014 NRL season , Ennis signed on with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for what was likely to be the last two years of his career. In Canterbury's Preliminary Final win over Penrith Panthers in September 2014, Ennis suffered a foot injury, ruling him out of the 2014 NRL Grand Final , with
328-558: Is a general term for any type of commentator in a sports broadcast. It may also refer to a sports talk show host or a newscaster covering sports news. In video games , and particularly esports , commentators are often called shout-casters ; this term is derived from Shoutcast , an internet audio streaming plugin and protocol associated with the Winamp media player. They are also sometimes referred to as simply casters . While sports broadcasts took place from 1912, Florent Gibson of
369-544: Is a much less distinct division between play-by-play and color commentary, although two-man commentary teams usually feature an enthusiast with formal journalistic training but little or no competitive experience leading the commentary, and an expert former (or current) competitor following up with analysis or summary. There are however exceptions to this—most of the United Kingdom's leading cricket and snooker commentators are former professionals in their sports, while
410-500: Is the kind of player that any head coach would love to have in his side. He leaves nothing to chance, he's a natural leader, is about the fittest bloke in the team and he gives us outstanding direction on and off the field." Ennis played in 26 games in 2012 as Canterbury won the Minor Premiership . He missed only one game as Canterbury-Bankstown made the 2012 NRL Grand Final against Melbourne . However, he failed to score
451-460: Is the primary speaker on the broadcast. Broadcasters in this role are adept at being articulate and carry an ability to describe each play or event of an often-fast-moving sporting event. The play-by-play announcer is meant to convey the event as it is carried out. Because of their skill level, commentators like Al Michaels , Brian Anderson , Ian Eagle , Kevin Harlan , Jim Nantz , and Joe Buck in
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#1732791948989492-434: Is typical for there to be multiple pit reporters , covering the event from along the pit road. Their responsibilities include covering breaking news trackside, probing crew chiefs and other team leaders about strategy, and commentating on pit stops from along the pit wall. On occasion in motorsport, the reporter on the sideline is an understudy to the lead commentator, as Fox NASCAR has used this tactic numerous times based on
533-639: The Monday Night Football booth in 2001 caused what Miller himself described as a "maelstrom" of perplexed reviews. Although the combination of a play-by-play announcer and color commentator is now considered the standard, it was much more common for a broadcast to have only one play-by-play announcer working alone. Vin Scully , longtime announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was one of the few examples of this practice lasting into
574-728: The Pittsburgh Post newspaper broadcast the first sports commentary in April 1921, covering the fight between Johnny Ray and Johnny "Hutch" Dundee at the Motor Square Garden , Pittsburgh. One of the highest-paid sportscasters in the United States is Tony Romo , a former NFL quarterback and professional golfer who serves as lead color analyst for the NFL on CBS ; Romo earns $ 17,000,000 per year for his contributions to
615-624: The South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium . While changing direction, Ennis snapped his anterior cruciate ligament and required a full knee reconstruction. Ennis missed the rest of the season, and subsequently, the premiership win in October. As 2006 NRL Premiers, the Brisbane Broncos travelled to England to face 2006 Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C. in the 2007 World Club Challenge . Ennis played from
656-532: The playing field or court . The sideline reporter typically makes live updates on injuries and breaking news or conducts player interviews while players are on the field or court because the play-by-play broadcaster and color commentator must remain in their broadcast booth. Sideline reporters are often granted inside information about an important update, such as injury because they have the credentials necessary to do so. In cases of big events, teams consisting of many sideline reporters are placed strategically so that
697-413: The "heel sympathizer" for color commentary in wrestling. Jerry "The King" Lawler later made a successful transition into the same role, though Lawler has since shown more sympathy for faces, partially due to his popularity with fans after a forty-year career. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Macho Man" Randy Savage pioneered the "babyface sympathizer" for color commentary in wrestling. Michael Cole , as
738-439: The 2010s, as popularized by Fox, American football broadcasts began to increasingly employ rules analysts to explain penalties and controversial calls and analyze instant replay reviews to predict whether a call will or will not be overturned. This helps viewers who may not understand some of the rules or calls, understand further. These analysts are typically former referees . In North American English , sportscaster
779-444: The 21st century until he retired in 2016. The three-person booth is a format used on Monday Night Football , in which there are two color commentators, usually one being a former player or coach and the other being an outsider, such as a journalist ( Howard Cosell was one long-running example) or a comedian (such as the before mentioned Dennis Miller). A sideline reporter assists a sports broadcasting crew with sideline coverage of
820-420: The 21st century. Radio and television play-by-play techniques involve slightly different approaches; radio broadcasts typically require the play-by-play host to say more to verbally convey the on-field activity that cannot be seen by the radio audience. It is unusual to have radio and television broadcasts share the same play-by-play commentator for the same event, except in cases of low production budgets or when
861-593: The Blues won a dead rubber match, 28–16 with Ennis landing three goals from three attempts. At club level, Ennis played 25 games for Canterbury in his first season there as they finished second on the table and qualified for the finals. Ennis played in Canterbury's preliminary final defeat against arch rivals Parramatta at ANZ Stadium . He filled the full-time goal-kicking role at Canterbury-Bankstown in 2010, replacing Hazem El Masri, who retired in 2009. However, he
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#1732791948989902-527: The September 10, 2012 episode of Raw , Cole broke character and continued to provide updates on his colleague's condition whilst simultaneously calling the action. His professionalism in the situation led to a slow babyface transition, which was cemented when the two men hugged in the ring upon Lawler's return to commentating two month later. In some cases, commentators are also active managers for wrestlers, usually following continuity as heels. Former Extreme Championship Wrestling color commentator Cyrus
943-762: The U.S, David Coleman in the UK, and Bruce McAvaney in Australia may have careers in which they call several different sports at one time or another. Other main commentators may, however, only call one sport ( Joe Rogan for example announces only one sport which is Mixed Martial Arts, specifically the UFC organization and Peter Drury for the Premier League Football Association). The vast majority of play-by-play announcers are male; female play-by-play announcers had not seen sustained employment until
984-618: The act as violating the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution . The court ruled that the Yankees organization devise a plan to protect the players of their privacy while female sportswriters conducted interviews, suggesting the use of towels. After the access of allowing women in was put into effect, the Yankees organization allowed reporters to spend ten minutes interviewing players and
1025-404: The analyst. The most common format for a sports broadcast is to have an analyst/color commentator work alongside the main/play-by-play announcer. An example is NBC Sunday Night Football in the United States, which is called by color commentator Cris Collinsworth , a former NFL receiver, and play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico , a professional announcer. In the United Kingdom, however, there
1066-530: The captaincy for the Grand Final passed to James Graham and Trent Hodkinson meaning that Ennis had played his last game for Canterbury-Bankstown. In 2015, he joined the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks . Ennis played in Game 3 of the 2015 State of Origin series as Robbie Farah withdrew due to injury. In the 2015 NRL season , Ennis played 25 games for Cronulla as they qualified for the finals. Ennis played in
1107-427: The career of Cup lead Mike Joy, a former pit reporter. Those who made the switch included Steve Byrnes (Truck Series, 2014), Vince Welch (Truck Series since late 2015), and Adam Alexander (who did Cup for Fox-produced TNT broadcasts from 2010–14, Xfinity on Fox since 2015) did the same too. In British sports broadcasting, the presenter of a sports broadcast is usually distinct from the commentator, and often based in
1148-595: The club's 39–0 elimination final loss against North Queensland . In 2016, he announced he would retire at the end of the season. He finished the season on a high note, winning the 2016 NRL Grand Final in his last game. Ennis works for Fox Sports coverage of rugby league. Sports commentator The main commentator , also called the play-by-play commentator or announcer in North America, blow-by-blow in combat sports coverage, lap-by-lap for motorsports coverage, or ball -by-ball for cricket coverage,
1189-515: The following series, also lost. In the three-year period from the start of 2008 season, Ennis was penalised in games 58 times, the 2nd most of any player in the NRL behind Anthony Watmough . In 2011, he was penalised 17 times in his 12 appearances. In 2012, he was penalised 20 times in 20 games. In February, 2011, Ennis signed a new three-year contract with Canterbury. Then-coach Kevin Moore said, "Mick
1230-478: The former Formula One racing commentator Murray Walker had no formal journalistic training and only limited racing experience of his own (he had come from an advertising background and his initial hiring was more of a comic double act than a traditional sports commentary pairing). In the United States, Pat Summerall , a former professional kicker, spent most of his broadcasting career as a play-by-play announcer. Comedian Dennis Miller 's short-lived run as part of
1271-498: The interchange bench in the Broncos' 14–18 loss. In the 2007 NRL season , Ennis made a return to first grade but was forced to work for his place in the side as a result of the good form of Shaun Berrigan at hooker. After some appearances from the interchange bench earlier in the season, Ennis was trialled at halfback during the final stages of Brisbane's round 10 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles . He
Michael Ennis - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-461: The main commentator has many sources to turn to (for example some sideline reporters could be stationed in the dressing room area while others could be between the respective team benches). In the United States, sideline reporters are heavily restricted by NFL rules; in contrast, both the 2001 and 2020 incarnations of the XFL featured sideline reporters in a much more prominent role. In motorsports, it
1353-462: The men's locker room. Both were believed to have been the first women ever allowed to enter a professional men's locker room to conduct a post-game interview. Sport organizations began to follow in the NHL's footsteps and allowed for other female sportswriters to be given the same access as men sportswriters. It was not until the year 1977 when Melissa Ludtke , a sportswriter from Sports Illustrated ,
1394-819: The network. Jim Rome being the highest paid sports Broadcasters in The United States, making over 30,000,000 per year, Jim also has his own Sports talk show called The Jim Rome Show syndicated by CBS Sports Radio. In 1975, the National Hockey League (NHL) made headlines when two coaches of the NHL All-Star Game in Montreal allowed Robin Herman ( The New York Times ) and Marcelle St. Cyr ( CKLM radio in Montreal) access into
1435-416: The play-by-play announcer, who is more or less the "voice of the fans" as well as " babyface sympathizers " (or supporters of the "good guys"). Though both are supposed to show neutral stance while announcing, the color commentators (especially when they support heels) are usually more blatant about their stance than the play-by-play announcers. Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan pioneered
1476-632: Was given the assignment to cover the New York Yankees playoff series but was denied entry into the men's locker room. Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn and other officials chose to discriminate against her based on her sex. Knowing that this would put Sports Illustrated in a disadvantage from other publishers, Time Inc. and Ludtke filed a lawsuit against Kuhn. The lawsuit was taken to the United States District Court in 1978 where Judge Constance Baker Motley ruled
1517-493: Was known for having dual roles as a heel manager and a somewhat neutral commentator, and continues to do so during his clients' matches in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling . Acting as a commentator has also been used to keep injured wrestlers – such as Samoa Joe on Raw between late 2019 and April 2021 – in the public eye while recuperating. Special guest color commentators serve two purposes:
1558-417: Was replaced by specialist Bryson Goodwin . Ennis played in all three games in 2010 State of Origin series , all resulting in losses. In the third match, Ennis was blamed by some for costing NSW victory when he gave away a penalty by punching Queensland 's Nate Myles with six minutes to go (NSW at the time were leading 18–13). Despite calls for his omission from the team, he was selected for all three games
1599-475: Was retained in this position in the ensuing games with some success. The 2008 NRL season saw Ennis reach the best form of his time at the Brisbane club. With stiff competition from recruit PJ Marsh , Ennis cemented a spot as the starting hooker and guided the Broncos to some impressive early victories. In June 2008, Ennis signed a three-year deal to join Canterbury-Bankstown in 2009, joining
1640-534: Was then asked to leave and wait. Male reporters were unhappy with this and blamed the women from keeping them out and not being able to do their job. In 1990, the issue made its way back into the headlines when Lisa Olson made a public statement revealing that players from the New England Patriots had exposed themselves while interviews were being conducted. This prompted other female reporters who had been harassed to come forward. Their credibility
1681-411: Was undermined by accusations that female interviewers appeared as being "too friendly" or conversing too long with players as though they were flirting. Thus, the issue of sexism was still present, despite the equal access to men's locker rooms. Though not always the case, in professional wrestling , the color commentator is usually a " heel sympathizer " (or a supporter of the "bad guys") as opposed to