Picture this: a high-profile sports analyst racing against the clock, zipping from one coast to another, all while keeping fans entertained on live TV. But is this whirlwind travel life really captivating audiences, or is it just a flashy distraction from the game itself? That's the heart of the debate sparked by Andrew Marchand's sharp critique of Kirk Herbstreit's globe-trotting escapades. Stick around, because this isn't just about one man's itinerary – it's a deeper look at how media moguls like ESPN balance star power with solid storytelling. And here's where it gets controversial: are we prioritizing personalities over the sports we all tune in for?
Over the past few years, the football community has grown accustomed to witnessing Kirk Herbstreit's extensive travel commitments. It's become routine for the seasoned analyst to handle Thursday Night Football broadcasts on Prime Video, then dash off to join ESPN's College GameDay – a popular Saturday morning show that previews college football matchups – and finally head to yet another location for an evening game on ESPN's ABC network. For those new to this world, College GameDay is like the ultimate pre-game party, where experts dissect strategies, predict winners, and build excitement before the weekend kicks off.
Herbstreit's adventures, complete with his loyal dogs as sidekicks, have even turned into social media fodder and show highlights. Check out his latest post for a glimpse into that lifestyle. A couple of times each season, the tight Saturday schedule forces him to exit the live GameDay broadcast mid-show to catch a flight – or once, famously, a helicopter – ensuring he arrives just in time for his commentary duties. This past Saturday exemplified that perfectly, as he sped out of Eugene, Oregon, on a motorcycle, transitioned to a jeep, and then boarded a private jet to reach Dallas, Texas, for the high-stakes Red River Rivalry between the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns at 3:30 p.m. ET. Not only did Kirk (and his dog Peter) pull off this multi-mode transit, but he also delivered on-air insights throughout, even if the audio occasionally turned choppy or echoey from the constant motion.
Imagine the scene: live updates from a moving vehicle, complete with the thrill of a real-life road trip. Herbstreit shared analysis from a plane during a Florida-Texas A&M preview on GameDay, blending football talk with travel drama. Fans captured the moment on social media, tagging it with hashtags like #CFB.
According to ESPN's tracking, Herbstreit racked up more than 5,400 miles for his football gigs this week alone – that's equivalent to crossing the entire United States and back, highlighting the demanding nature of his role.
While some viewers found this travel circus entertaining, Andrew Marchand from The Athletic wasn't among them. The savvy sports media reporter fired off a tweet during the segment, bluntly stating that audiences aren't interested in such personal journeys.
His message? 'Note to all media: No one cares about your hard travel! You cover sports! No one cares!'
Marchand dove deeper into this on his Monday podcast, Marchand & Meat: Everybody Loves Sports Media, where he and co-host Jon Meterparel rate the week's media highs and lows. He zeroed in on Herbstreit's travel routine as a definite low point.
'Nobody has an interest in the travel woes of sports figures, particularly when it involves private jets,' Marchand explained. 'On Saturday, Kirk starts in Oregon, hops a private plane to Dallas for the Texas-Oklahoma clash, dips out early from the show, and then tries analyzing from the jet. The signal cuts out, and it's like those frustrating cell phone calls where you keep asking, 'Can you hear me?' That's simply not compelling television.'
He challenged ESPN's decision-makers: 'Is Kirk the only person capable of this? Wouldn't it make more sense to bring in a substitute for GameDay or adjust the setup so logistics aren't such a hassle?'
Marchand also pointed out that ESPN had analyst Andre Ware standing by in Dallas as a safety net, in case Herbstreit faced delays – a scenario that nearly happened in 2024.
'ESPN and Kirk need to rethink their Saturday strategy,' he tweeted later, adding visuals of screen freezes. 'It's disrespectful to Andre Ware, who won the Heisman Trophy, to relegate him to Plan B while Herbstreit rides in on his private jet. Plus, it shifts the focus from college football to Kirk himself.'
In his podcast, he elaborated: 'Andre Ware is a class act and a team player, but forcing him to be a backup feels wrong. It's like asking a star quarterback to sit on the sidelines in case the starting one arrives late. Overall, is this segment about celebrating the game or spotlighting one personality? Right now, it's leaning too heavily toward Herbstreit – with the dog antics thrown in. You have to choose: let him handle the game coverage or the pre-show, but cramming both into a time crunch turns the whole thing into a 'Will Kirk make it?' spectacle.'
That said, with personalities like Pat McAfee's energetic vibe and Herbstreit's adventures as core to College GameDay's appeal, Marchand's concerns might already be moot. We're living in ESPN's 'superstar era,' where investing in high-profile talent pays off in ratings. So, even with the occasional technical glitches – like those echo-y feeds – the network seems content to embrace Herbstreit's cross-country jaunts as a signature feature, headaches and all.
But here's the part most people miss: Does this emphasis on individual stars enhance or detract from the sports experience? And this is where it gets truly divisive – some argue it's innovative storytelling, while others see it as self-indulgent fluff. What do you think? Is Kirk Herbstreit's travel a fun gimmick that keeps viewers hooked, or does it overshadow the actual football? Does ESPN owe it to fans to prioritize seamless, game-focused content over personality-driven chaos? Share your thoughts in the comments – do you agree with Marchand's take, or do you defend the status quo? Let's discuss!
