NBC Olympic Soccer Coverage

I’m getting my fix via the internet, not only in the game broadcast but the highlights obviously. Like this one – Men’s Goals of the Day – August 7th or this one – Women’s Goals of the Day – August 6th.

If you are interested in a look behind the curtain, then Adam Spangler at This Is American Soccer has the story as he interviews Michael Cohen, who overseas the production of Olympic soccer on the networks and cable channels and heads up the NBC Olympic soccer channel. Adam and Michael talk about his background and the changes he feels America is bringing to soccer coverage.

When the ball is on the field we wanted to be on the field. But when that ball is out of bounds, we want to bring those faces home because its all about branding these people as stars, whether they are MLS players or Messi, or Zidane. The idea is to get these people with their jerseys and their faces and the logos on the jerseys, according to my sponsorship people, home. So when the ball went out we’d cut low.

On a related note, you may have noticed my new sponsor banner at the top of the page. My college soccer coverage this season of the Panther’s and other regional teams will focus on video this year. My focus has always been field coverage, in part because my favorite view of the game has always been from the endline, a holdover from my playing days I’m certain. Do you enjoy the angle I offer, or should I move to the center line and up into the stands?