SS: Realistically, Baltimore is considered a “small market” for professional teams and statistically, it is. Therefore, I think the national perspective is just that – a great but small sports town.
If the Orioles could get their act together it would make a huge difference. Otherwise, it all rests on the shoulders of the Ravens. The good thing is that everyone knows that the Ravens’ fans are as rabid as they get – helping the perspective a bit.
TL: As I suggested all those years ago to you when we first launched 24×7, you were destined to sit in that SportsCenter chair. Describe your typical day – the things that happen before and after the lights go up and down…
SS: Yes you did predict that, thank you!
My days vary depending on my assignment on SC. When I host the 9AM SportsCenter for example, I arrive about 6AM and get right to work on the show rundown. The producer assigns stories and highlights to the anchors and we start writing.
My first priority is writing all the on-camera stories, then the stories with video. We then go through all the highlights and take notes on those shot sheets.
We have a segment producer who speaks to all the people we are interviewing to figure out what the topics should be and what video should roll during the interview…so I usually don’t do the interviews until late in the process. Some time before we begin I have to go down to the makeup room and get all dolled up. Thanks to High Definition TV – we all have to get our makeup done by the pros! Then, on air from 9AM to 12 EST.
It’s truly a chaotic morning and I never go on the air feeling fully ready. But we have no choice! I love the adrenaline rush I get from that feeling too! It keeps me on my toes!
TL: Makeup…I bet Mike Ditka just loves that…
Is the job what you expected it to be? Has it met your expectations? Any surprises?
SS: The job has met my expectations and then some. I thought I was prepared for the pressure that comes with working at the worldwide leader but in hindsight, there is simply no way to be ready for it. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever done in my career.
The fact that pretty much everywhere you go in America – airports, hotels, restaurants – SportsCenter is on TV. It can be overwhelming!
But overall, the people are so talented; the resources are so deep and impressive. It really is amazing to be part of something that has such an effect on sports television.
TL: What’s it like working in Bristol? Compare it to a town in Maryland.
SS: For most of us here at ESPN with families, Bristol is solely the town in which we work. We live in surrounding towns which are beautiful, a true New England feel. I think I’ll pass on comparing Bristol to a town in Maryland for fear of offending those in Maryland.
TL: Sage Steele; Hannah Storm…how come the guys at ESPN get stuck with names like Trey Wingo?
SS: Good question! People still don’t believe that this is my real name. But it is on my birth certificate. It’s legitimate! Since I began my TV career before I was married, I kept my maiden name but use my married name away from work. Hannah’s last name isn’t Storm but most of us you see [on TV] have stuck with our real names. Just ask John Buccigross.
TL: Are you a fan of NFL Network and how has its emergence affected things at ESPN?
SS: No, the NFL Network hasn’t really affected much at ESPN although most of us are fans! My former colleague at Comcast Sportsnet and at WFTS-TV in Tampa, Scott Hanson hosts the Red Zone on Sunday and I love it! [A] Phenomenal concept which gives me exactly what I want – up-to-date highlights of key plays in key games. It’s also fun to watch because I have worked with the majority of the on-air people there. It’s fun to see them doing their thing out in L.A.
TL: One of the more memorable broadcasts of yours while at Comcast Sportsnet included an on air battle with Brian Billick. How is your relationship these days with Brian and are you guys Facebook friends?
SS: AAAAHHHHH…. Hard to believe it’s been over 4 years since that infamous day! When I left Comcast in February of 2007, I received a handwritten note from Brian congratulating me and my family on the new job at ESPN. A year later I saw him at the Ed Block Courage Awards in Baltimore. I went over to say hello and he stood up and hugged me. We had a very nice chat. Despite the contentious interview and despite the fact that I oftentimes disagreed with the way he handled many things (yes, including Kyle Boller!), I have always respected him and I believe the feeling is mutual.
TL: Do you ever expect to see Brian on an NFL sideline again as a head coach?
SS: It wouldn’t surprise me to see Brian back prowling the sidelines especially considering he continues to interview when teams have vacancies. But I absolutely love him in the broadcast booth and hope he continues to do that!
TL: Compare Paul Tagliabue to Roger Goodell. Which do you prefer and why?
SS: I prefer Roger Goodell because of the aggressive stance he takes on behavior and cleaning up the image of the NFL. He has already made significant progress in that area in just over 3 years at the helm. But you might want to ask me again if there is no football in 2011.
TL: Back in 2000, Ray Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a murder investigation. Tagliabue fined Lewis $250,000 and there was no suspension. The Ravens would win the Super Bowl that following season. How might Goodell have handled that situation and how do you think it would have impacted the Ravens’ championship season?
SS: Because Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, I believe Goodell would levy a similar fine but add on a suspension as well. Obviously this is all speculation but Goodell has established a pattern of suspensions for lesser offenses.
The Ravens started 5-1 that season and obviously that defense led by Ray Lewis was phenomenal. Not sure they would have been as successful without him if he had been suspended say for four games, but he probably would have been around come playoff time. Assuming they had gotten that far without him, the outcome probably would have been the same – a Super Bowl title.
TL: If you were NFL commissioner for a day and you were empowered with changing three things, what would they be?
SS: I honestly think the state of the league is excellent. Obviously the labor issues are the biggest problem so I think I would focus on trying to narrow the disparity between just how much money the owners pocket compared to the players who ARE the game.
TL: Ok, you ready for some quick hitters, the grab bag round?
SS: BRING IT!!
TL: On a scale of 1 to 10, rate The Blind Side.
TL: What ESPN broadcaster who is not yet a household name will be a future star?
SS: Kevin Neghandi does a lot of SportsCenter already but I think people are just getting to know him. He is excellent. Very, very talented and about as nice as they get.
TL: What is the funniest thing ever whispered into your earpiece during a broadcast?
SS: I can’t remember anything whispered into my earpiece but the things we discuss in commercial breaks are quite comical AND not safe to mention here! Also there is lots of food talk because we get hungry during the 3 hours SportsCenter shows. We try to quickly inhale food during breaks but let’s just say we don’t always finish in time!
TL: Should the NFL play a Super Bowl outdoors in a cold weather city?
SS: NO NO NO!!!
TL: Yes or no, does Art Modell deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
SS: YES YES YES!!!
TL: Does Ron Jaworski talk the same way off the set?
SS: YES YES YES!!!
TL: Yes or no, will Brett Favre finally retire?
SS: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!
TL: I’ll mark that as a yes…Which two teams will play in Super Bowl XLV?
SS: JETS & SAINTS
TL: JETS JETS JETS?
WRONG WRONG WRONG!
TL: One game to win, you get your choice…Brady or Manning?
SS: Manning, hands down.
TL: Beyonce or Alicia Keys?
SS: Alicia Keys.
TL: American Idol or Dancing with the Stars?
SS: IDOL!
TL: Beer or Cabernet?
SS: Cabernet of course!
TL: Are you Whacko for Flacco or do you prefer Matty Ice?
SS: Really, really love them both…always rooting for Flacco though, but both young men seem to be very classy and mature for their age.
TL: Very politically correct response there Sage…What percent of a SportsCenter broadcast is scripted; what percent is ad-libbed?
SS: I’d say on a typical day 90% of the SportsCenter Show is scripted but as anchors we write 90% of what you hear. There is a lot of ad-libbing over highlights and during interviews but for the sake of the production crew, you have to follow a rundown and stick to specific times.
TL: Best and worst NFL uniform?
SS: BEST: Cowboys; WORST: I honestly don’t mind any of them…
TL: You could have scored big in B’more if you had said, “Steelers.”
