It’s common for a telecast to begin with a graphic displaying an analyst’s accolades, but it’s less usual for that graphic to cover the face of the play-by-play voice. This week on SEC Network’s Friday Night Heights, a graphic highlighting analyst Trinity Thomas’ extensive list of accomplishments overshadowed colleague Bart Conner, who humorously attempted to dodge it:
Funniest moment of Friday Night Heights goes to Bart Conner and his reaction to Trinity Thomas’ slew of accolades 💀
(🎥: SEC Network)#ncaagym pic.twitter.com/yTcwjVQ1Hn
— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) February 8, 2025
“You’ve done so many things there’s no room for me, even!” Conner quipped, showcasing his own impressive gymnastic background. His attempts to peer around the graphic added to the humor, while Thomas struggled to contain her laughter.
This occurrence reflects a broader trend of enhanced gymnastics coverage by ESPN this season, with nearly 100 hours of gymnastics content airing on linear platforms (and additional streaming options), marking the most extensive coverage in their history. The SECN Friday Night Heights franchise, which has been running since 2015 and received a major update in 2023, will showcase a record seven tripleheaders this season, bolstered by the inclusion of the six-time NCAA champion Oklahoma Sooners.
Gymnastics is one of several women’s collegiate sports—including women’s basketball and volleyball—that are receiving increased network attention. ESPN and its associated networks have played a significant role in this growth, leading to partnerships with renowned former athletes like Thomas.
However, they should remember to leave space for their commentators when highlighting such accomplishments.
