AOL’s self-proclaimed “Big Sexy”, aka Jason Whitlock, isn’t nearly done taking shots at his former colleagues in Bristol, CT.
Memo to Stu Scott (above) : Dude, I like your work. I defend your rapping and rhyming on SportsCenter because it’s harmless and you’re just delivering highlights in a unique style. But you went too far with it at halftime Monday night with your Jay-Z intro and damn near set off bojangling alarms all over my house.
A broadcaster, a journalist, a performer must know his audience and service his audience above all else. Flavorizing highlights with a little hip-hop slang on SportsCenter is one thing, but using Jay-Z’s alternate nickname “ Jigga “ at halftime of Monday Night Football is ridiculous and offensive.
Stu, you are not Big Tigger and you ain’t on BET. Its “Monday Night Football”. Look, the ESPN executives were stupid for foisting Jay-Z’s latest video on football fans. If Roger Goodell had a brain, he’d check with David Stern about the damage done to the NBA’s image by tying itself too closely to the hip hop crowd.
I digress. Stu, no one cares that you know Jay-Z’s other name, and the MNF audience doesn’t want to waste time wondering whether you just called him N-word-a or Jigaboo.
Hey, you might’ve scored a few cool points with Jay-Z or Beyonce. Great. But you confused, irritated and offended 95 percent of your audience. And for what? A couple of fist pounds the next time you see Kanye and Jay?
I’m wondering exactly what damage the NBA did by tying itself too closely to the hip-hop crowd. Unless Whitlock is refering to Cowboy Troy’s performance at the 2005 All-Star Game, in which case, no more needs to be said.
Regarding the new Jay Z video / Budweiser ad : good luck to the next Def Jam signing that tells the label president they’d rather not participate in a beer commercial.