Big Ten Icons on BTN

[CHU]

Even though I'm not going to even use them, open them, or display them (would you display Charles Woodson or Mateen Cleeves), I won one of those Big Ten Icon Bobble Head sets from the Big Ten Network.

That's 11 more things than ESPN has ever given me.

But the fact that Mark Silverman is defending the list with various media outlets is kind of telling to me. I can't recall that "SportsCentury" list with ESPN and if the network had to defend that list with the media.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

"When we got down to final group (of 20), we had a group of 12 to 14 people who are our production and programming people, and some key execs at the network who voted on the ranking.

"We literally did a balloting with a 5-4-3-2-1 point system and we just kind of totaled it up," Silverman said.

In other words, Silverman, you just threw it together with no forethought or real game plan. You were too fucking lazy to contact several top-end sports writers and/or sports historians from each of the 11 markets to give them a heads-up when you first conceived the "Icons" idea, and then have them vote on the final rankings. But, no, instead you decided it would be more expediant--and easier--to just gather a bunch of fucking co-workers together and "sort of total shit up". You should be fucking fired...

 

[Oh8ch]

So, if I understand correctly the problem is that the folks who voted were too young.

And the #1 icon was Red Grange?

Much like watching Julia Roberts winning an Oscar, the joke is on us for taking the list seriously to begin with.

 

[jlb1705]

Silverman's blames the ages of the guys on the committee in a call with Mr. Ed from the O-Zone



I find it very hard to believe that a person in their 30s or early 40s would not know the accomplishments of Owens, Griffin, Red Grange, Johnson, and most of the other athletes who were in the top 10. If they did not know the accomplishments, they should not have been on the committee who voted for these guys.

I'm 30. It's not a problem of age, it's a problem of either stupidity or pandering.

As BB73 just laid out, there isn't even an argument. Jerry Lucas was a DEMONSTRABLY better collegian than Magic Johnson. That error is just as bothersome as having anybody over Jesse Owens. It's one thing to be a bit inexact when comparing apples and oranges. It's quite another when comparing apples and apples.

 

[Steve19]

An explanation of how the voting was done.

FIFY

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

1. Jesse Owens:osu:
2. Red Grange:ill:
3. Archie Griffin:osu:
4. Jerry Lucas:osu:
5. Jack Nicklaus:osu:

Now was that so [censored]ing hard, BTN? Oh wait, other schools might get their feewings hurt. This whole thing:

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

the joke is on us for taking the list seriously to begin with.

This.

It's a fucking list - who give a shit?

 

[BayBuck]

So, if I understand correctly the problem is that the folks who voted were too young.

And the #1 icon was Red Grange?

And Tom "prehistoric" Harmon at #5? Nothing about this list, or its compilation, makes sense. This is probably at least part of the reason I never watch BTN unless they snag an OSU event.

 

[BuckTwenty]

An explanation of how the voting was done.

Wait... what does Oh8ch has to do with the voting?

 

[CHU]

Big Ten Network has a feature show on Magic Johnson and doesn't have an interview with Magic Johnson in the entire feature show. That's good planning.

He's contracted with Disney, and perhaps ESPN may not have allowed him to be interviewed for the special, but still poor planning.

It's like making Archie Griffin Big Ten Icon No. 4 and Archie not speaking thoughout the entire feature.

 

[buxfan4life]

Big Ten Network has a feature show on Magic Johnson and doesn't have an interview with Magic Johnson in the entire feature show. That's good planning.

He's contracted with Disney, and perhaps ESPN may not have allowed him to be interviewed for the special, but still poor planning.

It's like making Archie Griffin Big Ten Icon No. 4 and Archie not speaking thoughout the entire feature.

Have you heard Magic talk lately? Maybe BTN didn't want to waste money on subtitles.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Cazzie Russell was already on the list, as number 29. I thought that was OK.

I don't see Dischinger or Nelson making it. Rick Mount is another name that could be considered for hoopsters (focusing on college careers).

Rick Mount - Feb. 1966