- Michael Barkann
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Michael Barkann Born April 30, 1960
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.Occupation Sportscaster Spouse Ellen Barkann (2 children) Michael Barkann (born April 30, 1960 in Jersey City, New Jersey) is an award winning sports host, anchor and reporter for Comcast SportsNet.
Contents
Education
Barkann is a graduate of Syracuse University, class of 1982. He graduated with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.[1] Barkann went to East Brunswick High School, class of 1978.[2]
Broadcasting career
Early career
Barkann started his career at NBC News in Washington, D.C. as a desk assistant. From there he went to New Jersey Network in Trenton, working at first off-camera. On February 11, 1983, after the region was hit with a big blizzard, the station asked Barkann to contribute to the telecast, filing a weather report. It was his first time on air. Soon after, Barkann hosted a program called Weather Watch, which led to him doing the weather for the news broadcast. Several years later, Barkann started doing backup sports for the network, at age 26.
A few months later, Barkann moved to KYW-TV in Philadelphia as a sports reporter. Barkann spent five years at KYW-TV but did not have his contract renewed, leading him to a job in Boston as became sports director at WLVI-TV. However, five years in, Barkann received "an unbelievable opportunity" and returned to Philadelphia, beginning his current role as host/reporter at Comcast SportsNet, Philadelphia in 1997. [3]
Comcast SportsNet
On October 1, 1997, Barkann brought the network on the air as host of Daily News Live. The success of Barkann's Daily News Live sparked many other SportsNet affiliates to establish similar programs.
Through his career, Barkann has also hosted Eagles Post Game Live, featuring Gov. Ed Rendell, Hall of Famer Ray Didinger, and two time Super Bowl champion Vaughn Hebron, who was replaced in 2011 by Tra Thomas. Barkann also hosted Monday Night Live and a program called Spotlight, which are both now off-air. Barkann also hosts the Postgame Live programs for the Phillies, Flyers and Sixers whenever the team is in or near the playoffs.
Notable moments at SportsNet
In November 2005, Barkann got into a heated argument on air with controversial Philadelphia Daily News panelist Marcus Hayes. After Hayes hounded NFL Films producer Greg Cossell, who was in studio to break down film, Barkann intervened. Barkann, according to a written account, accused Hayes of being a know-it-all and asked why he always wanted to control the whole show. Barkann said Hayes made the show “no fun.” He later said that they weren’t debating “Afghanistan and Iraq”. Hayes kept saying things like “Okay, Dad, tell me what I need to know. Teach me.” He also said this would be "the last time [Barkann] will have to worry about it."[4] Hayes is still a regular guest of the show. Daily News Live
Barkann was overcome with emotion when hosting a live postgame show the day Harry Kalas died in Washington. Barkann, through tears, called Kalas a "sound of summer" and the "soundtrack of our lives". Barkann said Kalas was a "great, great man", reported that "the voice is silent tonight". Barkann was also highly praised for his job hosting Kalas' memorial service, held at Citizens Bank Park.
Before going on air for Phillies Postgame Live, Barkann, along with former Phillies all-stars Ricky Bottalico and Darren Daulton, watched Game 4 of the 2009 NLCS from their set. When Jimmy Rollins hit a memorable walkoff double to the gap in right-center, Barkann and crew exploded. In footage captured by an idle studio camera and later released to the public, Bottalico can be seen saying "that's winning the game, that's winning the damn game" and Barkann throwing his hands in the air and yelling "this team is incredible, this team is unbelievable!" The video was used as part of the Phillies pregame montage shown on their video board at Citizens Bank Park during the 2010 postseason.
While working for KYW-TV Barkann did a piece called "Birds Eye View" during which Coach Buddy Ryan allowed him to "try out" for the team. Barkann lined up at receiver with Randall Cunningham at QB. Troy West, the DB, lined up to guard Barkann, and as he later recalled "threw me ten feet in the air." Mike Quick, asked about Barkann's performance said, "I thought he was going to be bad, but that was just sad."[5]
National broadcasting career
Barkann's career also includes many national jobs. Most notably, he served as a field reporter for USA Network's coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships from 1991-2008. In 2009, coverage shifted to ESPN and Barkann was left off the broadcast team. [6]
Since leaving the Open, Barkann has covered one other tennis event, for HBO Sports, the Billie Jean King Cup. Held at Madison Square Garden and shown nationally on HBO, the event featured a final of Serena Williams against her sister Venus.
Barkann's career also includes work reporting for CBS. With CBS he has covered major events, including, in 1998, the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan; in 1994, the Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, as a speed skating reporter covering Dan Jansen, who won a Gold Medal in the 1000m.
In 1992, Barkann was a reporter at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France[7] where he covered the Dan Jansen story.[8] Barkann's career also involved the NCAA he has covered the Final Four and Fiesta Bowl for CBS as well as Big 5 Basketball events and telecasts.
In 2009, Barkann also hosted the finale of Being John Daly for the Golf Channel.
Barkann is also a former XFL commentator. He worked the UPN (now CW) game telecasts.
Notable national broadcasting moments
During Barkann's time at the Open, fans grew accustomed to his off-beat, fun interview style. One of the first stories Barkann did for USA was on a hot dog stand that players had mentioned smelling during their matches. His piece included an interview with the vendor, who insisted if the players came and tried his hot dogs all would be well.
Another famous moment came back in 1992 with Barbra Streisand, who was then rumored to be dating Andre Agassi. Barkann asked Streisand, "what moves you about him on the court," to which she replied, "he's so evolved, more so than his linear years and he plays like a zen master out there." This interview marked the first time Streisand talked publicly about her relationship with Agassi and it made big news at the time.
In 2007, Barkann interviewed Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. Barkann asked the two what the funniest thing they had seen at the Open was, to which Seinfeld replied, "not you."
More recently, at the 2008 Open, Barkann asked Novak Djokovic in his on-court post match interview (which was not only broadcast to the television audience, but over the PA system at Arthur Ashe stadium) to do his famous, but never before seen impersonations. Djokovic did his Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal impersonations, becoming an instant sensation on YouTube (getting over one million hits) and in tennis circles. Ironically, Barkann's last interview at the US Open was another attention-getter with Novak talking in front of a sea of angry booing fans about how they were only cheering for Andy Roddick and thought he had "16 injuries".
Personal life
Barkann resides, with his wife Ellen, who was instrumental in the startup of The Philadelphia Sports Group, which serves as a talent marketing agency for local and national athletes and sports media members, in Newtown Square, PA.
Barkann read the eulogy at former colleague and MLB catcher John Marzano's funeral and frequently recalls the shortened life of his great friend. He also spoke at legendary Daily News columnist Phil Jasner's funeral, along with Doug Collins.
Barkann was the subject of part of Bill Conlin's speech at his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Conlin has been banned from Daily News Live for a number of years after making what the network deemed "racist comments" toward an e-mailer named "Raul from Vineland".[9]
Awards
- Named Pennsylvania's Sportscaster of the Year in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007.
- Recipient of 1989 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement Sports Reporter
- Recipient of 1989 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Outstanding Sports Feature
- Recipient of 1991 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement Sports Reporter
- Recipient of 2003 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement Host/Talk Program
- Recipient of 2006 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Outstanding Talk Program
- 5-time Philadelphia Sports Emmy Award winner
- 2010 Greater Philadelphia Chapter of ALS annual honoree
References
- ^ http://highhopesblog.com/2009/01/17/barkann-is-face-of-philly-sports/
- ^ http://ebhsalumni.org/
- ^ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/112210-interview-michael-barkann-is-the-face-of-philly-sports
- ^ http://willdo.pwblogs.com/2005/11/18/owenswatch-this-may-never-end-with-bonus-daily-news-live-argument/
- ^ http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdY%2FdS%2FdK%2FYYSK_3.MP3%3Fauthtok%3D5561608524909997971_46qgemz8vksZ6leM69Q7FL62CQ&podcast_name=Mike+Quick&podcast_artist=SportsRadio+94WIP&station_id=60&tag=pages&dcid=CBS.PHILLY
- ^ USA Network -Character Profile: Michael Barkann
- ^ http://tv.yahoo.com/the-1992-winter-olympics/show/805/castcrew
- ^ NY Times : WINTER OLYMPICS: TV SPORTS; It's Terrible, Terrible! (Unless It's Just Great!)
- ^ http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Conlin_honored_at_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame.html?viewAll=y
Categories:- 1960 births
- Living people
- People from Jersey City, New Jersey
- American reporters and correspondents
- Tennis commentators
- Golf writers and broadcasters
- Philadelphia Phillies broadcasters
- Philadelphia Eagles broadcasters
- Philadelphia 76ers broadcasters
- Philadelphia Flyers broadcasters
- College basketball announcers in the United States
- College football announcers
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