The Philadelphia Union seem to have great partnerships with 6abc, and the Comcast Sports Network. In fact, the 6th season of the Philadelphia Union had a total of 25 home games televised live, with four games televised on 6Abc. While Comcast sports Network/Comcast Network joined to air 21 home games, 6abc added an extended post game show to their coverage for two of the four home games. This post game telecast aired the coaches press conference, player interviews, and some post game analysts.
The Philadelphia Union are one of three teams with a bi-weekly magazine show titled the “State the Union,” primarily hosted by Amy Fadool. The bi-weekly magazine shows target younger, casual fans, giving them a behind the scenes look at team operations. Fans get a sense of what their favorite players are like off the field of play.
Currently, the Union are the only professional sports team in Philadelphia that does not have a post game live show on Comcast Network or the Comcast Sports Network. Sugar House casino currently sponsors the four-post game live shows. Each show has a former player to give analysis of game tactics. Representing the Phillies, former pitcher Ricky Bottalico gives the fans a players perspective of the game. For the Eagles, Michael Barkann hosts the show with Ray Didinger of CSNPhilly.com and Brian Westbrook, a former player personality. The Flyers have Brian Boucher and the 76ers are represented by Doug Overton.
I would like to offer my vision of how the Philadelphia Union and the Comcast sports networks could arrange a post game live show. The obvious choice for the host of the show is Amy Fadool, her connections with the club run deep. She now hosts the State of the Union. She was the M.C. at several Union events, including the Premier of the Sons of Ben movie. Guest host Peter Pappas, J.P. Dellacamera and Jillian Loyden would offer great insight into the game that transpired. Possible guest journalists include Eli Pearlman-Storch, Kevin Kinkead, Matthew DeGeorge, and Ed Farnsworth. Each one of the listed journalists have contributed articles for their perspective news organizations since the beginning of the Union brand. They are all very talented and would bring great analysts to the show. Kevin and Eli could give the X’s & O’s behind the tactics used by the Union.
That leaves us with the former team player personality. Danny Califf, a center back (team captain) for the 1st and 2nd seasons, was one of the unfortunate players to fall victim to Peter Nowak’s dismantling of the 2012 team. Califf earned the respect of the Union fans, many continued to keep tabs on his personal career post Philadelphia Union. During an interview with Kevin Kinkead while he was in town with the Toronto F.C. Danny Califf expressed his wish to return to the Philadelphia area upon his retirement.
“As far as you can make plans in this game, I think as far as my family goes, (Philadelphia is in our plans),” he explained. “I think we’ll end up here in some capacity in the future. But right now I’m focused on trying to win in Toronto and do what I can to help us win games. But I think the future is going to end up in Philadelphia.” (PhiladelphiaUnion.com)
This off-season is off to a great start with all the recent announcements involving the soccer side of the organization. Since the departure of Nick Sakiewicz, Dave Rowan placed in charge of the business side of the organization. I would love to see Mr. Rowan take hold of his new position and attempt to find a sponsor willing to support a post game live show for the Philadelphia Union. Several Union fans, took to social media to express their excitement and approval of the recent developments so far this off-season. The seventh season of the Union has so much promise, I would love to see the Union and their televison broadcast partners take the next step in Union coverage.
Please leave your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below. Would you like to see Danny Califf as the former player personality?
