The NBA on ABC was finally beginning to hit its stride. The studio show was improved from last year, the lead broadcast team was superb — even Mark Jackson — and the games were finally living up to the “Game of the Week” standard. ABC was not close to NBC by any stretch, but finally, the NBA seemed to have a decent presentation for its over-the-air showcase.
And then, just as the network has done so many times in the past six years, ABC decided to tinker with what works, and add some unnecessary ‘glitz’ to its NBA broadcasts.
ABC has tapped Tim McGraw and Def Leppard to replace The Pussycat Dolls on the opening sequence on NBA broadcasts, beginning with Spurs/Suns on Sunday. McGraw and Def Leppard will perform “Nine Lives” throughout the rest of the season and the playoffs.
The problem here is not with the musicians. Certainly, Def Leppard is at the very least slightly more appropriate for NBA broadcasts than the insipid Pussycat Dolls from last season. The problem is that ESPN does not seem to realize that fans’ decision to watch the game does not hinge on what celebrity is singing the theme song.
Musical groups for NBA broadcasts.
1990-2002: John Tesh, Roundball Rock (NBC)
2002-2003: Robert Randolph and the Family Band, We Got Hoops (ABC)
2003: LL Cool J, Spurs/Nets Goin’ to War (ABC)
2003-04: Justin Timberlake, Can’t Get Enough (ABC)
2004: Black Eyed Peas, Let’s Get It Started (ABC)
2004-05: Destiny’s Child, Lose My Breath (ABC)
2005: Rob Thomas, This is How a Heart Breaks (ABC)
2006: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Runnin’ Down a Dream (ABC)
2006-07: The Pussycat Dolls, Right Now (ABC)
2008: Tim McGraw and Def Leppard, Nine Lives (ABC)
