Buck Shaw too ugly for national television, Joe Cannon debate continues

By: Melissa | January 8th, 2008

According to Steve Davis at ESPNsoccernet, among the many scheduling conflicts that make up our convoluted MLS season (those pesky international dates, non-MLS tournaments, and having to share the stadiums with other sports teams) is the new problem that the Quakes’ temporary home, Buck Shaw, is apparently too hooptie to properly represent a professional sports league on a national sports television network. He says:

Here’s another sticky issue specific to 2008: The schedule-makers will artfully dodge assigning nationally televised dates to San Jose’s temporary digs. Quaint little Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara may provide dandy atmosphere for fans on-site, but it’s sure to look more “Double-A ball” than “Major League ball” to the cameras. (Where would they even put the cameras?) So league schedule-builders may stamp “avoid at all cost” when it comes to Thursday night ESPN2 broadcasts — although the team has committed to playing a few matches at the much-larger Oakland Coliseum, which may be fair game.

Ouch - just because we don’t necessarily have the sexy football up north… But for Bay Area fans, its not yet time to worry we can’t follow our team if we’re not at TheShaw™ for every game. Goodsport over at bigsoccer lets us know whats up:

According to Mr. Alioto, every non-nationally televised 2008 San Jose Earthquakes game will be televised locally (some maybe even in 16:9 HD, though that’ll be more up to the broadcaster).

Regarding the nationally televised games, the article only mentions ESPN2/ESPN2-HD. It’s doubtful that there won’t be any Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español, HDNet and Telefutura games from Buck Shaw Stadium this season.

Whew. Thank goodness that little issue got cleared up.

And getting back to the Joe Cannon to SanHo debate, its definitely heating up amongst fans. I don’t know if its because it won’t stop raining outside or if the lack of concrete Quakes news is driving us all a little crazy, but barring a few Burpo enthusiasts, the general consensus is Cannon needs to get his ass back up north. I think my favorite post so far from the bigsoccer debate is a comment from Honore de Ballsac who writes:

If you gave Joe the choice between playing for Manchester United and the San Jose Earthquakes, he might pick San Jose. He’s worth a lot of marquee value to us as a local soccer hero (hello front office: that equals $$$.) Plus, off the record, he supposedly says Beckham is a douchebag.

OH REALLY?!?!?! Boy I certainly would love to hear the evidence supporting that claim. Seriously – anyone have any insider info to support or refute this statement? Inquiring minds want to know.

Oh wow, it finally stopped raining outside.