ESPN's "This Is SportsCenter" Commercials: Have They Lost Some Luster?

The very first "This is SportsCenter" commercial aired in September 1995. It featured SportsCenter anchor Bob Ley introducing the campaign, and ended with Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann leaving the set in boxer shorts.

The "This is SportsCenter" commercials were mockumentary-type ads that joked about what went on behind the scenes and on the set of SportsCenter.

In the majority of the commercials, well-known athletes and other celebrities are seen interacting with the SportsCenter anchors.

The athletes and celebrities who have appeared in the commercials include the likes of Roger Clemens, Jason Kidd, Bill Bradley, Tim Lincecum, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Georges St. Pierre and many others.

And so, without further ado, here were some of my favorites:

ATHLETES

• John Anderson gives the Manning Family a tour of the ESPN Digital Center.
• Stuart Scott gives Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova cans of worms in separate commercials.
• Tony Romo working as a receptionist.
• Jay Harris stealing one of Michael Phelps' medals.
• Jimmy Rollins analyzing a tape of one of Scott Van Pelt's past shows.
• Evander Holyfield trying to find Charley Steiner. "Come on, Charley. Let me see your whooping."

SPORT PRACTICES

• Turf replaces the carpet in the studio.
• John Buccigross wearing the "Anchor-Cam."
• Dan Patrick having a perfect show...well, almost.
• Drew Rosenhaus negotiating the price of Scott Van Pelt's lunch.

MASCOTS

• The Oregon Duck working at his cubicle.
• The Rally Monkey gets the ax.
• NHL mascots controlling the thermostat.
• The Maryland Terrapin arriving late for a preshow meeting.
• The Racing Sausages chasing ESPN employees.

In the last couple of years, however, we are seeing fewer and fewer "This is SportsCenter" commercials. Part of the reason is the economy, while the other part is the fact that ESPN has run out of new ideas.

No matter what, though, the "This is SportsCenter" campaign is a concept that will never go out of style—just like the MasterCard "Priceless" ads. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/626868-has-the-espn-this-is-sportscenter-commercials-lost-some-luster

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