The selection of the Bucs as the featured team for HBO’s award-winning “Hard Knocks” series has drawn a lot of media attention–nationally and locally. It has its critics, and it has its fans.
Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter summed it up for both sides. “I like watching the show. I wish I wasn’t on it.” In other words, it can be captivating TV, but no matter how you couch it–including “They chose us!”–nobody in charge wants an uber invasive, distracting presence on the job site. One that entails a 30-person NFL Films crew that has pretty much unfettered access to everything. And one that is mandatory for the chosen franchise.
The fans of “Hard Knocks” cite its popularity, borne of drama, humor, soap box plot lines and some inevitably charismatic players. It’s a story-telling platform. Ownership can bask in the five-week, national limelight with big-time ratings that average nearly 4 million viewers per episode. And remind themselves that they were chosen, in part, because the Bucs are an ascending franchise. Plus, a marketing windfall looms. And then hope nothing cringe-worthy happens.
“Hard Knocks” is also a graphically entertaining reminder that the NFL is more than football. And more than business. It’s show business. Personalities matter. Like it or not. The bottom line is much more than wins and losses. It is TV ratings and sponsors.
The countdown has begun. First HBO episode is Aug. 8. Dirk Koetter doesn’t have to be reminded.