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For obvious reasons, I get asked “why aren’t there more black play-by-play announcers?” It happens more often than I’d like to admit. For years, I had a stock answer that I'd give. But a few months ago, that changed. 1/
I realized that the question about the lack of diversity in play-by-play needed to be put to the people who are actually in charge and in position to hire play-by-play announcers of color. So I began suggesting that question be directed there instead. 2/
You can still ask, but I can only give theories. They can give true answers. They’re the gatekeepers. They're in charge of finding people with those skills. Their hiring decisions directly impact the situation, so their answers to that question will have more value than mine. 3/
There don't seem to be many play-by-play announcers who look like me right now, but we’re out there. And even though the great @TheDaveSimsShow, @MarkJonesESPN, Gus Johnson, and others pave the way at the national network and major league levels, it goes beyond them. 4/
At Stanford, I've enjoyed working with @Big75Fella & @_jskmedia. I’ve been keeping an eye on @ChrisLewisTweet in Boise. Shout-out to @GregYoungJr in Carolina. Just found out about @TheVoiceFitz a couple weeks ago. He calls hockey. Yes, you read that right. Hockey. 5/
Don’t get it twisted: I’m not saying the answer is simply to hire play-by-play announcers solely because they’re a person of color. What I am saying is this: not looking & sounding just like everyone else shouldn't mean automatic disqualification from a play-by-play job. 6/
I am also saying that when an announcer of color is hired, don't just have them around so they can be pointed at when you're asked how diverse the staff is, then kick up your feet and call it a day. 7/
Develop them. Coach them. More important, give them the same benefit of the doubt, the same margin for error to make mistakes, and the same opportunities for advancement that others are given. Involve them in things beyond just diversity initiatives. And believe in them. 8/
(by the way, before making the full switch to play-by-play, I worked in sports talk radio for 17 years on major-market and network levels. All of this goes for that industry, too) 9/
I’d like to think I’m doing my part by doing what I’ve been doing all along: over-preparing, telling stories, being curious, connecting with the audience, being a professional on and off the air, respecting the event I’m calling, being genuine, and -- above all -- having fun. 10/
Seems to be working. On TV/streaming, it has been my honor to call a dozen different sports for Pac-12 Network, Stanford, and ESPN. As long as I keep improving & adapting, I like my chances of thriving (not just surviving) in this business & helping reverse the trend. 11/
Play-by-play is the best job in the world. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I'm doing my part to make it more diverse; let's make sure decision-makers do theirs too. And perhaps we reach a point where nobody has to be asked why there are so few black play-by-play announcers. /end
