The DC Defenders secured a playoff berth Sunday with a thrilling 33-30 victory over the Arlington Renegades, but many viewers missed the game-deciding play when ABC shifted the broadcast to ESPN2 with just 1:55 remaining on the clock.
Play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore informed viewers of the switch as ABC opted to air the pregame coverage for Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder – not the actual game, but the pregame show.
“That led to ESPN2 having its own programming shift, bumping softball whiparound show 7 Innings Live to ESPN+ to make way for the UFL game,” Tessitore explained.
The network change came at a critical moment as Arlington was driving for a potential game-tying field goal. Quarterback Luis Perez lined up as if to spike the ball with under 10 seconds remaining, but instead executed a fake spike and threw a pass that was intercepted by Defenders defensive back DeAndre Baker.
Baker’s interception not only sealed the win for DC but also clinched a playoff spot for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The Defenders improved to 6-2 with the victory, tied for first in the XFL Conference with the Battlehawks. The loss eliminated Arlington from playoff contention.
This programming decision evoked memories of the infamous 1968 “Heidi Game” when NBC cut away from an AFL Raiders-Jets contest to show a scheduled movie. While Sunday’s situation provided an alternate viewing option on ESPN2, many cord-cutters accessing ABC through free public airwaves had no way to watch the game’s conclusion.
The UFL, currently in its second season following the merger of the XFL and USFL, has faced challenges with both attendance and viewership numbers. This dramatic finish could have provided much-needed exposure for the spring football league had it remained on the broadcast network with its wider reach.
For viewers who managed to find the game on ESPN2, they witnessed one of the most memorable finishes of the UFL season. I get the change, but I don’t get it. I question how much ESPN is into the UFL. This morning I did see highlights of college softball but not a thrilling finish to a football game as seen on their own network hours earlier.
1 Comment
by 4th&long
Perhaps Disney doesn’t own as much as you think or is paying little for UFL while NBA pregame is contractual and higher ratings?