Why won't ESPN allow Kirk Herbstreit pick the winner of tonight's game

[cycloneML]

Why are they so cautious to not allow their game announcers to pick who they think will win the game?

 

[Drive4cy]

Conflict of interest? I guess they don't want fans being like "yeah, Herbie is obviously pro-Texas" or whatever team he picks to win.

 

[StormnClone58]

i think it has to do with not spoiling his pick so that he can make his pick in the pregame show build up .... something along those lines ...

 

[4VR4CY]

because he will be doing the broadcast and he needs to stay unbiased.

 

[Rogue52]

i think it has to do with not spoiling his pick so that he can make his pick in the pregame show build up .... something along those lines ...

No official pick is made in the pregame show. Maybe, "So-and-so team must do this to win."

 

[StormnClone58]

No official pick is made in the pregame show. Maybe, "So-and-so team must do this to win."

i thought they did, o well, but ill agree that the answer of an unbiased opinion is right ...

 

[dustinal]

because he will be doing the broadcast and he needs to stay unbiased.

This is correct. Herbie never makes his pick on Gameday for the game that he is announcing. Other shows do this too. Cris Collinsworth will abstain from picking Thursday night games on Inside the NFL because he'll be in the announcing booth for NFL Network. Boomer Esiason abstains from picking the Monday Night Football game on CBS because he does the radio broadcast for Westwood One.

 

[ISU_Alum_2000]

To maintain journalistic integrity.

 

[jdoggivjc]

To maintain journalistic integrity.

That's an oxymoron lately...