As Twitter Reacts to John Harkes, Networks Should Take Notice

When news broke today on Twitter about John Harkes being dropped by ESPN for their soccer coverage in 2012, the reaction was quick and loud from American soccer fans. While not everyone was please by fans appearing to “dance on the grave” of the former US Men’s National team player, I for one found the reaction fascinating.

Within a few minutes of Grant Wahl breaking the news, John Harkes was a trending topic on Twitter…not just in America, but worldwide. Sure it might be a slow news day, but that’s a dramatic reaction to a soccer color commentator’s contract not being renewed by ESPN. I think it’s a clear signal to ESPN that they made the right decision and a loud message to NBC who are looking to staff their on-air booth as they begin MLS coverage next season.

John Harkes has been ruining ESPN broadcast since 2006 and rather than improving over the course of time like most commentators, Harkes has shown a propensity for getting worse. His commentary has been filled with painfully obvious observations and factual errors that regularly frustrate viewers who often resort to muting the broadcast to avoid hearing what Harkes had to say.

But I’m honestly not here to attack Harkes.

The interesting part of this story for me is the Twitter reaction. However you feel about Twitter, you can’t deny it’s become a key component how social media affects the world. It provides instant reaction to news and gives the average person a chance to interact with players, media and team officials in ways never before seen in sports. What it also does, especially in the case of Harkes, is provide a simple and powerful message to broadcasters about how the viewing public feels about an on-air personality.

John Harkes didn’t trend worldwide today because people were sad ESPN cut ties with him, they were rejoicing at the news. This has to make you stop and think just how bad a job was Harkes doing if him losing his job causes this much joy amongst fans and viewers.

If a network isn’t paying attention to Twitter, today’s reaction to Harkes is a definite reason why they should. All the expensive polling and sampling in the world won’t give you the instant and raw reaction to a news story that Twitter can provide. That doesn’t mean all decisions should be based on it, but I don’t think you can’t get away with ignoring it either. It will be interesting to see if any network takes a chance on Harkes (assuming he wants to continue broadcasting) or if they will feel his name is too toxic to employ at this time.

Just another way social media is changing the world, definitely not as dramatic as the Occupy movements or the Arab Spring, but important none the less.