The Colin Kaepernick national anthem controversy is approaching its second week of dominating headlines in the sports media. With the preseason coming to a close and the regular season approaching, that media attention and scrutiny will continue to be amplified.
Of course, Kaepernick and the 49ers are part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheader in Week 1 on September 12th when they play the Rams. After initially stating that the network would not broadcast live coverage of the national anthem because it’s not their usual practice, ESPN has decided that the news value is enough to air the anthem.
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Interestingly enough, since it will probably take place while coverage of Game 1 of the doubleheader is ending, ESPN Public Editor Jim Brady says it will likely air live on ESPN2.
ESPN's Mark Gross says the network will broadcast live the national anthem before the MNF game between the 49ers & Rams on Sept. 12. (1/2)
— ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 1, 2016
Because ESPN also has an 8:10pm ET game that night, it will likely show it live on ESPN2 & address on main MNF broadcast, Gross said. (2/2)
— ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 1, 2016
This may mark the first time a sports network has broken into other programming for live anthem coverage.
It’ll be interesting to see how the main telecast handles it on ESPN once they go live with the second half of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. Given it’ll be Chris Berman calling the game, you just know an awkward moment awaits…
Of course, Kaepernick may not even be on the 49ers by Week 1 with rumors swirling he could be cut so this could be all for nothing. Hopefully it’s a well-performed anthem at least.