Tiki Barber vs Gary Myers – The single most intense media fight of the year might be the one between the former Giants Pro Bowler and the longtime NFL scribe. The feud between Barber and Myers has simmered since Tiki’s playing days and exploded when the former had the latter on his CBS Sports Radio show.
Warren Sapp vs Michael Strahan – The feud between loquacious former NFL defensive linemen that will seemingly never end had another flare up in January with Sapp laughably saying Strahan didn’t deserve to be inducted in the Hall of Fame and the Live with Kelly & Michael co-host responding by calling Sapp a coward.
Boomer Esiason vs Keyshawn Johnson – The two former Jets traded barbs publicly over former receiver Wayne Chrebet. Sadly, this was the best thing to happen to the Jets in all of 2014.
Mike Francesa vs Fox Sports 1 – Perhaps the funniest feud of 2014 is Mike Francesa’s pure misery at Fox. After leaving YES Network for his television simulcast after several years, the pope went national with a unique deal with Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. That agreement has led to non-stop moaning and groaning from Francesa about his constant preemptions thanks to sports he has no interest in like soccer and NASCAR (all of which draws higher ratings, by the way). Francesa has even tried to bury FS1 analysts he’s had as guests. The sooner this ends, the better for everyone.
Bill Simmons vs ESPN – The highest profile sports media feud of 2014 is that of The Sports Guy versus his employer. Simmons was suspended for an unprecedented three weeks by ESPN for comments on his podcast – both calling Roger Goodell a liar and challenging the network to shut him up. They did. Simmons has returned, but there’s been little moments (like the one below from another BS Report) where he’s made light of his suspension. Now speculation is higher than ever that Simmons might leave the network next year when his contract is up.
ESPN vs Fox Sports 1 – FS1 made a lot of noise about breaking up the ESPN monopoly in the sports world and taking the Bristolites off their throne. While Fox is a long, loooooooong way from ever thinking about challenging ESPN for that top spot, the two sides continue to needle each other in public and private. The highlight this year – “nobody’s naming their kid Fox Sports One.” That led to this retort from Jay Onrait…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhBiobsSK2c
Richard Deitsch vs Darren Rovell – Of course, we have to end with the greatest of all sports media feuds. Deitsch and Rovell had one classic Twitter battle early in the year, but sadly it looks like the last shots have been fired. Just recently Rovell blocked Deitsch on Twitter to raise the white flag and bring the feud to an end… for now.
Discovered I've been blocked by Mr. Rovell. Probably the best for both of us psychically, emotionally and intellectually,
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) December 6, 2014
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