Get ’em, Mike!
Growing up, NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico was a diehard fan of the New York Mets, but he let his fandom go when he entered the world of journalism. And that’s something that Tirico believes every journalist should do.
The 58-year-old Tirico goes by the guideline of “you’re not allowed to be a fan” if you’re a media member that’s covering a particular team or game. Tirico has no interest in picking sides, which is completely understandable considering he calls some of the largest sporting events on the planet.
Making a podcast appearance recently on “The Orange Zone,” Tirico brought up how he used to be a regular attender of Mets games. The home he grew up in was only five miles away from Shea Stadium. Tirico also had a relative that was a part of Mets security, which led the legendary broadcaster to attend hundreds of games as a child. (RELATED: Charles Barkley Says He’s Not Changing For ESPN, Dares Woke Company To Fire Him)
Tirico has a ton of memories when it comes to New York being the 1986 world champions after beating the Boston Red Sox, but Tirico also promised himself that if he ever got to a top spot, he would no longer be a fan.
“It was so pathetic in the 70s and the early 80s that I promised myself if they won once in my lifetime, I’d move on,” said Tirico.
And he wishes folks at ESPN would do the same thing.
“You start covering it nationally, and realize you can’t have fandom seep in,” said Tirico. “Now, people do now, and it bothers me. I don’t like watching SportsCenter or other shows on ESPN where the anchors are talking about who they’re fans of. Like, who cares? I don’t care. I would much rather know the 20 seconds about something related to that team that I don’t know, as opposed to your fandom.”
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A Conversation about Syracuse and more with the LEGENDARY Mike Tirico🍊🏈https://t.co/p74DQEpD4c pic.twitter.com/BSuadEJWgH
— The Orange Zone (@TheOZpod) May 8, 2025
I’m nowhere near the mountain top, but I can relate to Mike. Sports to me is nothing but money nowadays (writing and gambling).
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com