During the Boston Red Sox sale process, The New England Sports Network (NESN) was called the jewel of the team's crown. If that's the case, then Rick Abbott has been handed the keys to the kingdom.
The 40 year-old, 15-year TV veteran is NESN's new VP of Programming and Operations. NESN is owned by the New York Times, the Red Sox and the Bruins. The Red Sox ownership has the ultimate say on all network decisions.
"It's fair to compare us to the YES Network," says Abbott referring to the New York-based, Yankees-owned network, "I did a study of the top eight regional sports networks in the country. In terms of programming, we are equal to every one of them."
Abbott reveals that NESN is planning several changes in the coming months. Look for a weekly Red Sox off-season show to debut after the first of the year.
Says Abbott, "The program will include hot stove talk as well as reports from the Dominican Republic, Mexican and Arizona Leagues. We'll also talk to the team's star players and see how they spend their off-seasons."
Covering the Bruins and Red Sox year-round is a key aspect to Abbot's plan. He states, "We are going to talk to (Bruins' president) Harry Sinden during the summer. The Sox and B's cannot go dormant during their off-seasons. We need to become the number one sports place in New England."
Gary Tanguay, host of NEW ENGLAND SPORTS TONIGHT on rival Fox Sports Net New England, recognizes NESN's potential.
"They have 2 of Boston's five major sports teams," he states, "Obviously, we know they are there. Our show is more sports talk radio on TV, but I know NESN is going to be a major player in the market."
Abbott is also planning to expand NESN's SPORTSDESK from fifteen to twenty minute segments. Anchors Bob Rodgers and Jayme Parker will be retained, but new talent will be added in the form of reporters and analysts.
The show will be re-launched early next year with more of an emphasis on New England sports.
Similar to the now-defunct REGIONAL SPORTS REPORT on Fox Sports Net New England, SPORTSDESK will delve deeply into local news, followed by a national wrap-up. "We can't beat ESPN nationally," Abbott asserts, "But we better beat them locally."
The biggest talent question revolves around the 2003 Red Sox broadcast booth. Abbott would not comment on whether Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Sean McDonough will return, but did say that he is looking to establish a consistent broadcast team and production style for all Red Sox games.
Talented play-by-play man Sean McDonough has stated, "I hope that we can divide the games between the two of us (he and Orsillo)."
"When I was a boy dreaming of being a sportscaster, the job I wanted was Red Sox announcer. Jerry and I have been recognized as one of the best teams in the country."
WBZ and UPN 38 have secured broadcast rights for 28 Red Sox games in 2003. NESN will carry the rest of the schedule save for 9 ESPN and Fox national games. NESN will produce and staff all local broadcasts.
"Baseball is my passion," says Abbott, who played shortstop in the Milwaukee
Brewers' system, "We have to have the best announcers. I demand nothing less. I want
to create a seamless production."
According to Abbott, a "huge host meeting" will be scheduled shortly to
decide talent for all NESN shows including EXTRA INNINGS and RED SOX BASEBALL.
He also says that the recently cancelled feature show FRONT ROW is "on the table to come back." A NESN nightly news show is not yet in the offing, but expanded viewership remains the goal.
"We absolutely have to reach out to the 18-34 audience, and we won't have to MTV-ize the network to do it. We do well with the 25-54 demographic and I don't want to take away from that. ESPN's promos are self-deprecating and funny. We're going to have fun."
Abbott plans a series of promotions centered on the Red Sox, Bruins and The Boston Globe. The Globe will play a major role in the future of NESN. In addition to the current Globe pregame show, the newspaper and network will soon join forces on a roundtable discussion program featuring Globe writers.
"We are pulling on the same end of the rope," Abbott says of his relationship with the Globe, "The Globe is number one and we want to be number one. We both serve our audiences well."
Abbott makes no bones about NESN's commitment to financial solvency. "Every show has to make money or it doesn't make air. I can't put a show on and have it be a black hole money-wise."
This fiscal responsibility will play a key role in determining which shows and talent make NESN's lineup.
"My changes will be evolutionary, not one big splash in the water," Abbott states, "It's time for us to get aggressive in the field."
In his career, Abbott has worked the Olympics, Monday Night Football, the Super Bowl, and the Triple Crown. He earned one of his two Emmys as an associate producer for ABC's memorable coverage of the 1989 World Series earthquake in San Francisco.
Abbott and his family are relocating from Florida to Hopkinton, MA. He brings a refreshing outsider's sophistication to the ever-parochial Boston market.
"I am not going to stroll in here and pretend I know more about Boston sports than the fans. In Boston, the Red Sox and Bruins are religions. I'm just glad to be in the church."