Total Pro Sports
Everyone might think losing to Charles Barkley would be a little less painful, after all, the man is a living legend. But not for Dan Orlovsky. The ESPN analyst didn’t just take the L and move on. He admits he was fuming after Barkley beat him out for a Sports Emmy earlier this year.
In May, Barkley snagged the Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. The win came thanks to his work on TNT’s Inside the NBA, a show that’s more or less become appointment television for basketball fans. Orlovsky, meanwhile, was among the final contenders. And yes, he wanted it. Badly.
“Of course I was (furious),” Orlovsky said on Sports Illustrated Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina. “I really believe that I’ve had a strong run here. I really believe that I’ve separated myself.”
Orlovsky didn’t just vent in private. He actually reached out to Barkley after the award ceremony. “I texted him and I said something along the lines of, ‘Will you stop winning?’” Orlovsky shared. Barkley, being Barkley, kept it light. He hit back with a laughing emoji and said, “You know it’s a team effort.”
That didn’t help much. “So, that one bothered me,” Orlovsky admitted.
Still, Orlovsky isn’t walking away from the fight. ESPN just re-signed him to a multi-year deal, keeping him in the fold as one of their go-to NFL analysts. According to the network’s press release, he’ll continue his roles on NFL Live, Monday Night Football for select games, and other studio shows.
The 12-year NFL veteran will once again join Louis Riddick and Chris Fowler in the booth for ESPN’s multiple-game weeks starting in Week 2, when the Chargers face the Raiders. He’s scheduled to appear throughout Weeks 4, 6, 7, and 18 as well.
Whether he can climb back into the Emmy race and topple Barkley next time remains to be seen. But Orlovsky’s not taking a backseat. He’s fired up. He’s still got his eye on that gold statue. And now, he’s got a little extra motivation.
Also Read: Charles Barkley Throws Some Unexpected Shade At Karl-Anthony Towns In Hilarious Exchange
