If you were the NBC sports czar and you could create your own team of talent for swimming’s TV coverage, who would make the cut and what roles would they fill?
10-time Olympic swimming medalist Caeleb Dressel is trying to determine his future in the sport since he completed competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He’s weighing whether or not to compete through LA2028.
If he retires — and that’s a big “if” — one of the jobs Caeleb would like to do is Rowdy’s. Caeleb would love to be a sports analyst for NBC’s Olympic coverage. Caeleb would, in fact, like to be a swimming TV analyst for the SEC, NCAA, U.S. Nationals, Pan Pacific, and World Championships. He’d like to do it all.
Caeleb’s timing might be perfect. 3-time Olympic swimming medalist and U.S. swimming’s longtime TV analyst Rowdy Gaines has announced he is retiring after the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
I think Caeleb would be great at this. He’s been doing it on and off for years with his youtube video series “Dressel Dissects,” and a lot of swim fans love it. What do you think? Would you like to see Caeleb in the announcer’s booth?
Michael Phelps and Elizabeth Beisel have been in the NBC booth more and more, but Phelps’ role appears to be more upstairs, meaning the in-studio debrief moments from the icon. BBC did this with Ian Thorpe on and off with great success. That might Phelps’ role, more of a starring role for the Olympic platform overall. Beisel’s strength appears to be on deck, and she has expressed that she likes that direct interaction with talent at events.
If you were the NBC sports czar and you could create your own team of talent for swimming’s TV coverage, who would make the cut and what roles would they fill?
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No disrespect to Phelps, but he didn’t really say anything during the Olympics that I hadn’t already heard before. He always relates the conversation back to himself and Bob Bowman somehow. It gets pretty dull to listen to after a while. As a swimmer I would appreciate more technical and statistical analysis.
Considering Paris was pretty uneventful and drab besides Tory and Kate…. Having Caleb announce would not bring excitement to LA28
USA needs to bring excitement back to swim and commentators. Phelps can only do so much.
He doesn’t have any personality. It would be boring and dry. Literally.
From what ive seen in the way they talk on their social medias I think Cody Miller would be a better choice.
Dressel would probably appeal more to the swimmers and coaches watching with his analisis while I think Cody would be better at talking to the wide public while still being knowledgeable.
Maybe as a duo they would work, no idea about their chemistry though.
How many times can Caeleb say “UNBELIEVABLE” with the proper inflection during a 2-minute race?
What did Caleb major at U of F? Mass communications? If not, then maybe not.
really don’t think you need a comms degree to yell “watch the way they’re breathing!!!!!” seven times in a row while identifying the wrong swimmer. caeleb will be fine
There is no replacement for Rowdy, however that doesn’t mean we can’t have another legendary announcer!
The first part of your sentence is correct and I’m very very glad. Mute button is needed.
Makes me wonder what the Dressel equivalent to “he’s breathing the other way so he can’t see” would be.