1. It seems sports fans are finally getting fed up with networks doing everything they can to cater to the fringe fan instead of the real fan.
We saw it last week when there was massive backlash to Netflix’s awful presentation of the Yankees-Giants game that featured comedian Bert Kreischer, football player Jameis Winston and WWE wrestlers.
Now comes the news that Jason Kelce will be part of ESPN’s coverage of the Masters next week.
News: Jason Kelce’s golf broadcasting debut at TGL earlier this month went so well that ESPN is sending him to Augusta National next week.
Kelce will serve as an on-course reporter during The Masters Par 3 Contest, conducting interviews with players and their families. pic.twitter.com/2n7f1uQTZR
— David Rumsey (@_DavidRumsey) March 31, 2026
There is an important caveat here. Kelce is expected to work the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday. It does not appear he will be part of the coverage once the actual tournament gets started on Thursday.
Even so, a large portion of golf fans don’t want to see a former NFL center anywhere near the biggest major of the year.
Throw in the fact that Kelce is overexposed at the moment and you have the perfect storm for push back.
I feel like ESPN has no idea what to do with Kelce. Overpaid and just throwing shit against the wall. Get this dude on the board breaking down offensive line prospects, I’d be far more interested in that than him at the Masters https://t.co/GMQ4ZrPNPo
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) March 31, 2026
Why is this a thing?
Can we stop putting people on broadcasts of sports they have zero pulse on? https://t.co/zfQTkGocPJ
— Jaden Daly (@DalyDoseOfHoops) March 31, 2026
Jason Kelce talking golf is like asking Bryson DeChambeau to talk NFL … makes absolutely 0 sense. https://t.co/RmzDRjWNBm
— Chris Phillips (@CPhilly19) March 31, 2026
We are a fallen people and we must be punished for our sins. https://t.co/Zjuc9kKTEI
— John O’Connell (@jacko2323) March 31, 2026
Nothing says “The Masters” quite like this! https://t.co/HXxWAclImI
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) April 1, 2026
https://t.co/FaALZrEzBa pic.twitter.com/RvmsegYQou
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) April 1, 2026
Nobody wants this. https://t.co/yUxxtbVBWc
— DNP Sports (@notthefakeDNP) March 31, 2026
Oh they’re trying to ruin the masters too https://t.co/Vag15RZw8j
— Krutches (@McDonaldsXBT) March 31, 2026
Just what we all asked for. More Jason Kelce. Feels like I’ve barely seen this guy since he retired. https://t.co/aQ4ktjhgs3
— Sam McKee (@SamAMcKee) March 31, 2026
Who thinks this is good??? pic.twitter.com/cw4cYFsNV4
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) March 31, 2026
Why does espn feel the need to force Jason Kelce on to golf broadcasts? Isn’t there a former player that would be better at this?
— Dave (@sportsinfive) March 31, 2026
Not Bert Kreischer but we’re getting there folks. https://t.co/9ybK52JrUS
— Scotty Holdridge (@holdridge_scott) March 31, 2026
Boycott the par 3 contest https://t.co/lBxbPxgZiK
— Fresh Prince of Flint (@PrinceOfFlint) April 1, 2026
A few things on this: Again, Kelce will appear on ESPN for the Par 3 Contest, not the actual Masters, so this isn’t the end of the world. But it does seem like sports fans are getting sick and tired of networks openly showing that they are not a priority anymore. The priority is to appeal to the social media crowd and generate stupid videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Kelce will wear some wacky outfit, or maybe take his shirt off, and ESPN will post it all over the place. Mission accomplished. That’s what this is about in addition to the fact that his future sister-in-law is Taylor Swift. There is a 0% chance that Jason Kelce would be anywhere near ESPN’s Masters coverage if that wasn’t the case. Remember when ESPN gave him a late-night show? Again, do you think that happens if he’s not connected to one of the most popular people in the world with a rabid fan base?
While I fully understand everyone’s frustration with networks being hell-bent on ruining events for real fans (just read this), this trend is only going to get worse, not better.
The posts above say it all. Nobody wants this. But that doesn’t matter. Getting a Swiftie to tune in or having a video of Kelce acting “crazy” get views on social media is what matters.
2. The UConn-Duke game being a blowout for about 75% of the time ended up hurting the viewership number for CBS on Sunday.
The game averaged just 13.4 million viewers. However, viewership did peak with 18.9 million for the conclusion.
The early window on Friday actually averaged more viewers than the UConn-Duke game.
Record-Setting NCAA Tournament Viewership Continues
🏀 Most-watched NCAA Tournament since 1993 with 10.3 million viewers
🏀 @UConnMBB win vs. Duke peaked with nearly 19 million viewers pic.twitter.com/w5FyqjeYH1
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 31, 2026
3. If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve likely seen this blown call by umpire C.B. Bucknor on Tuesday.
What’s stunning here isn’t that Bucknor blew the call. It’s that he wasn’t even looking at first base to make the call. The Brewers’ broadcast crew was great here on expressing their disbelief with what just happened.
CB Bucknor ruled that Jake Bauers did not touch 1st base on this play…
The call was very quickly overturned. pic.twitter.com/m2bLQsclCe
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 1, 2026
4. Mets sideline reporter Steve Gelbs debuted a new segment Tuesday night in which he will review hot dogs from every road ballpark. Things did not get off to a great start in St. Louis, with Gelbs unable to hide his disgust with the gross glizzy.
It’s the debut of Let’s Be Frank with @SteveGelbs!
Steve rates the Busch Stadium hot dog 🌭 pic.twitter.com/5Il0IH5lYi
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 1, 2026
5. I say this with all seriousness. I need someone, anyone, to explain to me how this is supposed to be a funny April Fool’s joke. Please. I need to know.
Let’s get to work #FoxboroForever pic.twitter.com/qYcX9gNlNy
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 1, 2026
6. We dropped two SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcasts for you last week.
NBC’s Jason Benetti joined me to talk about becoming the voice of Sunday Night Baseball, getting called into emergency duty on the NCAA tournament, an unusual entry on his Wikipedia page and much more.
In addition, SNY broadcasters Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling appeared on the podcast to talk about their popularity among Mets fans, the unfortunate circumstances of getting shut out of the playoffs, analytics on a broadcast and more. Plus, Hernandez talked about Seinfeld.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Bruce Springsteen opened his latest tour in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, so given the location, The Boss did a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” It was very good.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.