Farewell to MNF on ABC

Goodbye MNF As Monday Night Football comes to an end and closes its doors to a run that started back in 1970, I am not sure how to feel about its end. On the one hand, there is some sadness to see a staple of the NFL move away. However, on the other hand, I am glad to see it move to an all sports network, ESPN, where hopefully the parent company, the Walt Disney Corporation, can keep its hands off and allow it to be about football again, instead of making it the Disney synergy stomping grounds it had become.

Disney used ABC’s Monday Night Football as a launch pad for its ABC shows, Disney movies and even Disney theme parks. It’s Hollywood jazzed “Are you ready for some football?” theme and interlaced Hollywood halftime songs and pre-show tie-ins got old, and took away from the game we all tuned in to see.

ABC’s MNF wrapped up with 555 episodes by broadcasting a lackluster game between the New York Jets and New England Patriots. While the Patriots dominated the Jets, 31-21, the final performance was dull and flat. For a game that had become all about the glitz and glamour, it was clear that Disney was not going to spend anymore money to give it a proper farewell.

So MNF says goodbye to ABC and hello to ESPN. Let’s hope it is for the better.