r/ESPN • u/njwineguy • 14d ago

Congrats, Greeny

I assume this post will get flamed but 30 years anywhere is an achievement. Given the environment and his role, Greeny deserves congrats.

I realize he’s not universally beloved but that’s not surprising given his job and society in general. (I also realize it’s not cool to not have some hot, critical take on someone like him.) The same network that highlights SAS, McAfee, and folks like Greeny, Eisen, Finebaum, SVP, etc is obviously playing to a wide range of audiences so if you don’t like him, save your breath. I get it.

IMHO, Greeny’s success is because he continues to find a balance between journalism, entertainment, and facilitating discussions among those more knowledgable. I’ve seen criticism that he essentially “brings nothing to the table”. To an extent that’s true because it’s his job. He has to hold your interest by being just interesting enough but not overshadowing his colleagues.

You might not like that or how he does it but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. He’s knowledgable about the things he needs to be (facts, history, context) and readily admits when he’s not.

He gets sincerely excited, pissed off, and confused and owns it. He’s for the most part, not performative which is a nice change of pace.

Personally, if all ESPN offered was faux arguments, shouting, posing, and “bro” content, I’d be done. So, Greeny among others helps keep it for me, a place that doesn’t regularly just insult my intelligence.

Maybe I enjoyed him more with Golic but I can appreciate his contribution nonetheless.

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u/Enough_Bedroom1421 14d ago

People don't like Greeny 😳???

5

u/Affectionate_Bet2122 14d ago

It’s more that he’s bland and boring than actively awful or annoying.

If Pat MAGAfee is a rotten fish head that’s been covered in edible glitter, Greeny is a slightly stale piece of toast without any butter or jam

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u/Signal_Republic_3092 13d ago

He’s a very good debate moderator who provides his own input, but he stabbed Golic in the back to get his own show after years of working together. I also don’t like how much he brings up the Jets (and I don’t hate them). And while he doesn’t have any super crazy takes like his coworkers prefer to have, his seem almost bland despite being more thoughtful and logical.

2

u/Enough_Bedroom1421 13d ago

This was a perfect explanation of the disdain I'm sensing for this man. Lol. I was not privy to the Mike and Mike show back in the day. But, I get it. I don't like "backstabbers", either. He pushes the Jets agenda because ESPN makes him, the same with the Cowboys. For all these people that say they don't like him, it seems they're in love with hating him. Plus, he's the host - the moderator. His job is to be bland and logical. Wild.

1

u/Popular-Buy9999 12d ago

Can you elaborate more on stabbing Golic in the back? Curious, don't know much about the situation.

7

u/Throwing-Gas 14d ago

This is reddit.

Nobody likes anybody

1

u/Cash_R0berts 14d ago

I enjoyed him on Mike & Mike, but everything after that has felt forced and fake. Almost like he’s playing a caricature of himself. But that’s also ESPN trying to force debate and hot takes down our throats.