Media Monster

U.S. Soccer Players Win Award On ESPN Show, Thank ESPN (Video)

Remember Landon Donovan’s game-winning goal for the U.S. against Algeria in the World Cup? Of course you do. It was awesome. It combined everything you could want in a great sports moment – drama, desperation, pride, euphoria when he scored, etc.

It was so good, in fact, that last night it won an ESPY award for best sports moment of the year, defeating such competition as the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl. The team went on stage to accept the award…and that’s where things got a little too convenient.

They thanked, of course, U.S. Soccer, the organization that makes it all possible. Then, though, they thanked ESPN for “believing in soccer in America, and the world,” as well as ESPN executive vice president for content John Skipper.

I get why they have to do this. ESPN spent good money to broadcast the World Cup, and brings the tournament the recognition it needs to have if soccer is ever going to really blow up stateside.

But seeing them thank ESPN, on ESPN, as the ESPN logo is in the bottom right of the screen and the ESPY logo (let’s face it, basically the ESPN logo) is in the bottom left – well, it’s kind of thing that ends any thinking that the ESPYs are really about celebrating the moments that make us love sports. Of course, they’re more about celebrating ESPN.

Again, Donovan’s goal – a great moment, worthy of an award like this. But shilling for the network that just happened to broadcast the event in question that also just happened to be broadcasting the show they were on – somewhat less magical. Video of the award nominees and acceptance speech below.