Comments on: You Can’t Be Serious! NBC Fires Tennis’ Bud Collins

By: GaryR

GaryR — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:48:48 +0000

It is a shame about NBC’s decision, although Bud has gotten precious little air time in the years since he was bumped out of the booth. Bud Collins brought tennis in an entertaining and informative way to millions of non-tennis watchers, and, in my opinion, was a big factor in the tennis boom of the 70’s.

John McEnroe, who was brought in after his retirement from tennis, is not 1/10th the commentator that Bud is. Bud bursts the stereotype that tennis is a dry, boring sport of the elite. He made it personal and fun.

Wimbledon ratings (and NBC coverage) have declined in recent years - corresponding with the departure of Dick Enberg and the Bud being muscled out of the booth.

Maybe Bud will pick up some independent contracts like Dick Enberg has been able to obtain so he can continue to broadcast tennis with ESPN or other providers. The Tennis Channel could do much worse than hiring Bud to lend commentary to the tournaments it covers.

By: Aaron Gerritz

Aaron Gerritz — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:13:35 +0000

I don’t think that Cliff Drysdale has ever worked for NBC, only ESPN, but let me say that I have never seen a professional tennis commentator make so many factual mistakes while on the air. Mary Carillo has even kidded him “Watch much tennis, Cliff?” because it really doesn’t seem like he keeps up with the game except when he is in the booth. Does ESPN think that the American public is that much in love with his accent that Drysdale can continue to get away with so much ineptness on the air?

Also, Dick Enberg has trouble with on-the-air commentary although he is still a very thoughtful writer. I guess NBC is keeping him because he does other sports besides tennis. It’s sad, because I think that Bud Collins could still do very well working in the booth.

Now I’m wondering who at NBC Bud Collins ****** off, because I can’t see another reason for this.

By: Paula Vergara

Paula Vergara — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:03:18 +0000

I can see cutting back his hours a bit, but showing him the door?
No fair. The man has poured his heart and soul into his career. Although, Bud will be able to find work at another station.
I’m also sure that Bud’s friends and colleagues will be there to support him during this time of transition. I don’t think the Boston Globe would be as stupid and careless as NBC. Big corporations like NBC usually don’t have compassion as part of their business plan. It’s all about money and image.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:01:48 +0000

I guess a lot of people sent E-mails to NBC; the mailbox is full!

By: Tennis Chatter » Blog Archive » Rain at Wimbledon, Bud Collins fired

Tennis Chatter » Blog Archive » Rain at Wimbledon, Bud Collins fired — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:50:42 +0000

[…] stand on this issue. There are a lot of articles on blogs around the net saying this is a travesty (Link 1, Link 2), but I don’t really agree. I thought Collins was an interesting personality, and […]

By: Will.I.Am

Will.I.Am — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:35:50 +0000

I’m not too disappointed. Bud is never in the booth for NBC, so you hardly ever saw him. And I thought his fashion was ridiculous.

But I don’t understand why they fired him. The thing I like (tolerate) about the old-timers (Cliff Drysdale, Dick Enberg, Bud Collins) is that they have been around for so many years and I love to hear their stories of how Wimbledon only had a couple of courts and stories of our legends. It shows total disrespect that they fired him.

Although Bud was not my favorite commentator, I will miss him dearly, and would like to thank him for his contributions to our sport.

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Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:46:26 +0000

[…] (Charles Bricker, via On the Baseline) […]

By: Kathy K

Kathy K — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:39:12 +0000

Aye, laddie! Can there be that much money in New York City? I should think that if NBC is that broke, they wouldn’t want to let on. That was probably the only excuse they could have picked that is more lame than “time for a new direction.”

By: Operation Doubles tennis

Operation Doubles tennis — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:26:16 +0000

NBC Fires Bud Collins…

Via On the Baseline: “Bud Collins, who has been the face and voice of tennis journalism for decades, has been fired from NBC Sports. The official reason? Time to go in a new direction.” Oh THAT explains it. Not….

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:10:19 +0000

I dont understand how much money they are going to save by letting Bud Collins go…

Sad news, but I’ve always think that NBC doesn’t give Bud enough air time.

It will be strange not seeing him interview the players after they win at the French and Wimbledon.