FOX decision to use remote TV broadcast crew for Arizona State-UCLA game sparks outrage

When Arizona State challenged UCLA for the top spot in the Pac-12 standings on Thursday night, it did so without a TV broadcast crew in the house, sparking some controversy — and anger — in Pac-12 circles.

FOX had the broadcast, showing the game on FS1, but it opted not to send broadcasters Aaron Goldsmith and Casey Jacobsen, according to a report by John Canzano.

That decision was part of a cost-saving measure.

It irked Pac-12 officials, according to Canzano, who wrote, via a source, that “the Pac-12 was ‘disappointed’ and the conference let FOX know this at the highest levels.”

The game was a good one, too. Arizona State had the lead inside the final six minutes of play. While UCLA eventually rallied to win 74-62, it was the kind of high-level conference matchup you’d typically expect a network to devote full attention to.

Canzano quoted ASU senior associate athletic director Dough Tammaro on the controversial practice of staffing the TV broadcast crew remotely.

“We all understood the need to be remote during Covid,” Tammaro said. “I’ll be honest, we all got it. But I don’t see how that energy, that environment could be captured by someone in a studio far away.

“Human beings needed to be in the building.”

Mick Cronin raves about the mindset his players have

One thing that has helped UCLA get off to a 17-2 start to the season is a locker room full of players with the kind of natural disposition that lends to constant improvement and excellent team morale.

That’s made this season a pleasure for Cronin so far.

“It’s our job, when you can coach a player that’s really good but also has everything you want in an attitude (it’s nice),” Cronin said. “Like in all the world of coaches we all lament to each other all the time. It’s non-stop, society is miserable at times. ‘This guy can’t play.’ We’re all sitting around, ‘He can’t do this, that.’ When you can get a heck of a player that has an unbelievable attitude, which I have a team full of them, you know it and you have to enjoy it.”

Cronin knows he sometimes comes across a little intense. That’s a product of the team he’s got and the lofty expectations that come with such a talented group.

“I know I look like I’m intense because we’re trying to do great things this year, but I’m well aware of the situation, because I’ve got a lot of guys like him,” Cronin said.