ESPN Isn't Exactly Expecting Big Numbers On MNF Tonight

Why in the world ESPN would ever schedule a 49ers-Cardinals Monday Night Game is beyond me but that's exactly what we're getting tonight. You can expect some pretty low numbers as far as ratings go tonight, but ESPN knows that, and they don't really seem to be concerned....

Despite the NFL's immense popularity among TV viewing audiences in America, ESPN executives told Arizona State University students Friday that it is still a challenge to get the nation to care about the game.

Visiting with students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix, ESPN Monday Night Football producer Jay Rothman and director Chip Dean spoke of the weekly task of creating content and story lines that appeal beyond a local level.

"It's more of a national kind of scope we put on the game and games like Arizona and San Francisco are more challenging," Rothman said, referring to this week's Monday night game between the Cardinals and the 49ers, two teams that lack the national profile of the Dallas Cowboys or the New England Patriots.

For reasons that have nothing to do with the crapiness level of this game, I won't be doing a live-blog tonight, but after reading that....I'm almost glad I'm not. If you're watching, expect a lot of talk about teams other than the ones on the field and maybe some presidential anecdotes from Tony throughout the night. Feel free to use this spot as your open thread, and I'll see you tomorrow with video and comments, and try to enjoy the game if you're taking it in.

ESPN executives say MNF a tough sell (AZ Republic)