In order to maintain some/any journalistic integrity, I probably should display a certain amount of detachment regarding the relationship between PFT and NBC. But since I’m not a journalist and generally have no integrity, I made the decision months ago to embrace our role in the broader NBC Sports structure.
And so, in that vein, it’s time to mention that, on Monday, the switch officially will flip from VERSUS to NBC Sports Network.
Though the NBC Sports influence began to appear in large volumes earlier this year, the official name change has sparked plenty of interest. Here’s hoping that translates to plenty of viewers. (Or at least enough viewers to keep me from getting gonged by Jaye P. Morgan.)
As explained by Michael Hiestand of USA Today, the change will be made at 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday, as the Winter Classic on NBC hands the baton to the network soon to be formerly known as VERSUS for the post-game show. Then, NBCSN will air a Cold War on Ice documentary telling the story of the NHL-Soviet Union hockey series from the 1970s.
Via Hiestand, Phil Esposito recalls one specific complaint about the frosty relationship: “They stole our beer. We had to drink homemade vodka. You ever taste homemade vodka? Go into your garage and get turpentine and drink it.”
Then, to chase your shot of turpentine, a special 90-minute edition of NBC SportsTalk gets started at 6:00 p.m. ET, with host Russ Thaler and Peter King and Rodney Harrison and the guy who’s hoping not to get gonged by Jaye P. Morgan.
These are exciting times for me personally. Help make them a little more exciting by checking out NBC SportsTalk on Monday.
Sure, bowl games will be on. But there will be plenty of NFL information that you’ll need to know, starting with the inevitable coaching firings that are coming on Monday, along with a look ahead toward next weekend’s playoff action.