Skip to content

Who is the best football broadcaster in all the land? Two sites decide

Nov 23, 2009, 5:30 PM EDT

17 Comments

We’re Americans, so of course we must make lists. Who is the best beekeeper in California? What is the largest fish ever caught in Lake Erie? What do I need at Safeway? The lists are endless. We must list, and we must rank. And for some reason it’s vitally important to do so with football announcers.
The Sporting News, in conjunction with Sports Business Journal and my marginal interest, have endeavored to rank the top 25 football TV broadcasters, and yes, the financially-challenged Jim Nantz here is one of them. No. 10, to be exact. The other 24 names follow the jump; and you may be surprised at who was tabbed No. 1.
And I’m not saying where he landed, but suffice it to say that my Brent Musberger Halloween mask is now good to go for another year.


No. 2 is …

Cris Collinsworth. (SBJ Analysis): NFL analyst, NBC. NBC made the right call on “Sunday Night Football.” He brings some attitude to the mike, but he backs it up with astute observations and a little self-deprecating humor.

And at No. 1 …

Gary Danielson. College analyst, CBS. Our No. 1 combines preparation, football smarts and an almost eerie ability to make observations just as they come into play in the game. If you can’t learn something from him, you’re not paying attention.

Here’s the rest of the list.
One thing you’ll notice: It’s not real diverse. A lot of Caucasian guys. Also, gratuitous Joe Buck: Shouldn’t the existence of Joe Buck Live drop him to the practice squad? And are they considering lifetime achievement, or is this a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately deal? Because if it’s the former, Dick Enberg needs to be higher.
But all in all this is like any list: Open for debate, and not legally binding.
***
Top 25 football broadcasters [Sports Business Journal]

Skip to Comments (17)
More Off the Bench
Back to Homepage
  1. davidc45629 - Nov 24, 2009 at 12:25 AM

    God forbid we have a list with a lot of caucasian’s. Looks like MSNBC’s nighttime lineup.

  2. 86/STICKSDEFENSIVE CAPTAIN-CV - Nov 24, 2009 at 1:21 AM

    TOO BAD YOU DON,T HAVE LAWRENCE TAYLOR AS NO.1 HE WAS FOR REAL, NOT REALLY BIAS AT ALL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!!

  3. bojangles247 - Nov 24, 2009 at 3:50 AM

    Chris Collinsworth??? He is the reason I mute the television when I watch Sunday Night Football. Just remind me, is one of the requirements of being a great football broadcaster is that you have the voice of a douchebag?

  4. Threat Level: Midnight - Nov 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    This list is absurd. Not even an honorable mention for the guys calling the West Canaan Coyotes games?

  5. A in PA - Nov 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Sorry folks, the best Football announcer is John Madden. Collinsworth, and that other guy aren’t good enough to carry Madden’s POO let alone come close to be as entertaining and knowledgable as John.

  6. TheChoad - Nov 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    I have to agree with bojangles…I couldn’t stand Collinsworthless as a player and almost crapped myself when they said he was taking Madden’s spot. Now they are saying that dbag is the number 2 broadcaster??? He is above a bunch of good..good names. Where is Stuart Scott and his left eye??? joking…I don’t like him either!

  7. GERRY - Nov 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    The best announcer in all the land does not broadcast Foootball, but has announced Baseball for almost ever. I give you the one and only Vince Schully.

  8. Cindy - Nov 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    Jim Nantz doesn’t belong anywhere near the list. Between his slimy delivery and his broadcast partner Phil Simms’ southern hayseed accent, they’re the reason I won’t watch football on CBS (unless they’re not calling the game).

  9. Lou - Nov 24, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Ya gotta be kidding me, Flannel mouth Madden? Football commentators are one (just one) of the reasons I don’t watch football anymore.

  10. dcfan-1212450 - Nov 24, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    The one thing i do agree with concerning this list, only 3 Fox analysts. As most of you know, if you dont get Buck and Aikman or Daryl Johnson doing your football games from fox, then your getting the worst broadcasters out there. The rest are so bad it isnt even funny. Some of them can’t even see, saying a 1 yard run was 3 or 4 yards. Pathetic.
    And as most of you said, Collinsworth is bad. Gruden being there is insane as well. My top one is Kirk Herbstreet. Always knows his stuff, likeable, never repeats himself. Damn good analyst.

  11. judy j - Nov 24, 2009 at 11:51 AM

    Phil Simms is the best today.

  12. Laurence - Nov 24, 2009 at 11:54 AM

    Howard Cosell was the best ever. He made watching football commentating entertaining, he would say words that make the average joe seek a dictionary; however he wasn’t condescending.
    I would say the best ever team is Don Merideth, Frank Gifford, and Howard Cosell. These guys MADE Monday Night Football. The had characters that sold people on the game.
    Despite the comment Cosell made about Alvin Garrett, I think he was just commenting in the heat of the moment and I am sure he meant nothing by it. I was throughly angered by his firing and still think that one incident marred his contributions to black athlete and to the sport. Hell, Don Imus comments were insensitive, Cosell’s was just being a inspired commentator.

  13. Laurence - Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM

    I forgot to add Chris Collinsworthless about as fun as to watching paint dry. I ather have some hot chick that don’t know football commentate than Collinsworthless. Al Micheals would have been a better choice.
    Gary Danielson is a decent commentator with good insight. The way the LIONS last two seasons maybe he should go back to play quarterback. I can’t say anything bad about this guy.
    I am sure there are others that could have made the grade, especially over Collingsworthless. Collingsworthless seems to have an aura that rubs you the wrong way…..

  14. Don - Nov 24, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    I miss Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, & Paul Maguire doing the NFL games. The three really complimented each other.

  15. TheChoad - Nov 24, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    Im a huge Skins fan and have been for over 29 years and I love Joe Theisman the player, but Joe the commentator is not good. Mark May and him were good skins, but in the booth they make me want to watch Syncronized Swimming instead of football.

  16. kcmazz - Nov 28, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    give me a break collinsworth is a fraud,and a tom brady lover.
    if he is calling a pats game the only star is brady. when peyton
    won the game in the last minute chris was speechless,just the way
    i like him.the best is and was john madden.

  17. kcmazz - Nov 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    I apologize the best i a toss up between madden and bryant gumble

Leave Comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

More Off the Bench
Back to Homepage