How do on-field accolades translate to a player’s ability to analyze games during broadcasts? This ongoing conversation gained traction during Sunday’s NBA on TNT and NHL on ESPN broadcasts, where analysts faced light-hearted criticism regarding their championship history:
P. K. Subban is again denied an opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup. 🏒📺🎙️🏆 #NHL pic.twitter.com/BvuYq2F8sB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 21, 2025
Charles Barkley: “The guy that got you your two trophies.”
Kenny Smith: “Who got you yours? Oops! Nobody.” #NBA pic.twitter.com/PllBhY1n5b
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 20, 2025
There’s a long-standing history of playful banter in broadcasts, and the “Barkley Has No Rings” debate has become so prominent that even Shaquille O’Neal has occasionally referenced it in his DJ sets. While Subban and Barkley frequently exchange jabs, these clips highlight the emphasis on championships, even in team sports. This focus extends to hiring practices, where having “X championships” enhances a broadcaster’s appeal in press releases, warranting further discussion.
It’s essential to acknowledge that not all individuals in team sports achieve championship success, despite their skills contributing greatly to their teams. The surrounding players significantly impact an individual’s success. Although “RINGZZZ” are eye-catching in hiring announcements, they don’t always correlate with broadcasting prowess. Fans can benefit from the insights of exceptional athletes like Subban and Barkley, even if they didn’t secure a championship trophy. Notably, even broadcast executives tend to hire talented individuals from teams that didn’t win titles over lesser-known players from championship teams.
While the individual comments from Sunday might not seem significant in isolation, the past decade has witnessed notable departures of accomplished athletes without titles, such as Dan Marino. We’ve also encountered unusual discussions around “RINGZ”. Though the ESPN and TNT moments may seem minor, they contribute interestingly to these ongoing narratives.
