USA Today Says Eric Wynalda Replacing Steven Cohen on Fox Football Fone-In

By: Daryl | July 29th, 2009

According to the USA Today’s soccer blog, Steven Cohen – whose comments about the Hillsbrough disaster caused all sorts of trouble recently – is being replaced as host of the Fox Football Fone-In television show by… Eric Wynalda.

The same Eric Wynalda who was suspended, and eventually canned, by ESPN for saying “Jim Rome can suck my dick! And he should be very afraid, because I’m the kind of guy, if I get too many drinks in me, I will club his ass.”

So, yes, Wynalda is one abrasive individual. And I can see why some people don’t take to him. But I quite like that he’s opinionated, especially because he can usually back up those opinions with an argument. If anything he’s much better suited to a football discussion show, as he’ll be less constrained by studio time (ESPN are never too generous with the time given to pre and post-game stuff).

“When you’re a commentator, everybody talks about you and has a problem with you,” Wynalda says. “If people want to talk about me or have a problem with something I said, now they have the opportunity to just pick up the phone and call me. I like it. It’s a great forum.”

No reaction yet from Steven Cohen, but I can’t imagine he was keen to give up hosting the show. This will likely be seen as a victory for those who were boycotting his sponsors, but I want to focus more on what this actually means for those of us consuming soccer media in the United States.

I’ve been an non-committed, intermittent viewer of Fox Football Fone-In for the past couple of years, mostly because it was too Premier League focused and I never felt the show went into any given topic in enough depth. Remains to be seen how the show will now evolve with Wynalda at the mic, but I’ll definitely be tuning in to find out. First show is August 10th.

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Category: World Football

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Bdubb

Wynalda is simply a chore to listen to. His commentary is always off. He's like the guy at a party who always has something to say but never makes any sense. And way too American for the show. I get enough of Carlos Machedo, Jeremy St. Louis and the gang, errrggh.

Cohen brings a dry humor and great knowledge to the table, always with an intellectual spin. Bring em back!
tom hallahan

He deserved to go. When the club you support disowns you then you know you've gone too far. Every year he spread hate speech about liverpool fans, and it got worse every season. His original co-host Nick (can't remember last name) was a liverpool fan and seemed to keep him somewhat in line, but since he left he became quite virulent. And yes he does have a 1st ammedment right to express his opinions, however false, but so do liverpool fans who basically returned the favour by expressing their views of him to his advertisers. The advertisers ultimately decided to pull their support of his show - not liverpool fans.
I wonder how many of his supporters on here would support an analyst that blamed workers in the WTC for the 9-11 attacks. That's basically analogous of what he said about liverpool fans
Ken

The writer of the USA Today article says that the Fone- in show was too Premier League oriented. I hope it is. Anyone that has an authentic interest in football(yes that is the correct name of the sport) would want it that way. The coverage for MLS should be at a minimum since it is a very poor league.

Good luck to Steven Cohen. He was always entertaining.
Bart

I will not be watching FFF anymore. Cohen was the shows shining light. Nick Webster is an egotistical blowhard. I remember him claiming that he was 'the producer' of FFF and deserved to be top dog. Cohen started the show. Cohen is a big reason people watched. Webster tagged along.

Hell, Webster didnt have the cajones to say who he supported.

Truly a sad day for me. I will really miss the show. :(

[Sorry if this is a double post. Im not sure whether posts must be moderated first or I did something wrong the first time.]
Bart

I will not be watching FFF anymore. Cohen was the shows shining light. Nick Webster is an egotistical blowhard. I remember him claiming that he was 'the producer' of FFF and deserved to be top dog. Cohen started the show. Cohen is a big reason people watched. Webster tagged along.

Hell, Webster didnt have the cajones to say who he supported.

Truly a sad day for me. I will really miss the show. :(
sue

want steve cohen back hosting the show.i don't know if eric is the right choice.its not the same ,there is somehing missing . i don't know if i will continue watching the show .
jp2

Nice how you responded to none of your claims. I'll repost again:

Show me LFC’s “official” support for SoS, the group that’s been their biggest critic. Then show me SoS advocated “virulent anti-semitism.”

You made these claims, back them up. Or be quiet.
MAD

"SoS, the group that’s been their biggest critic."

There is a lie for you. It's the critic of the American ownership, not the club. It's stated so in their website:

"Spirit Of Shankly was begun when about 350 Liverpool supporters crammed into The Sandon in January 2008 and felt that action had to be taken about the dreadful custodianship of Hicks and Gillett."

"Cohen is the type of fan who chants ‘murderers’ at LFC supporters and these are the types of fans we want out of the game."

Another lie. This is pure speculation

"his race-baiting"

Another lie. He's not baiting a race, he's baiting supporters of a football club.

"almost every word you wrote is pure lie."

Someone is writing lies...
jp2

jon - Uhhh...you don't just get to assert and walk away here...almost every word you wrote is pure lie. Show me LFC's "official" support for SoS, the group that's been their biggest critic. Then show me SoS advocated "virulent anti-semitism."

Utter drivel, you should be ashamed.
jon

JP2, the term is a stretch, but its based on LFC's support and endorsement of SoS and other supporter's group, who have used and advocated the use of verbal attacks on Cohen, including virulent anti semitism.
Joe Mama

christ...i can't stand wynalda. incredibly annoying.
MAD

"And anyone that claims otherwise is a liar."

...and has good sense, an understanding that Liverpool supports cling to that "official inquiry" like a life preserver, understands that the "official inquiry" could be politically/economically motivated, understands that the "official inquiry" has no actual standing as a historical document - just an official placement of blame that does the most good for all involved, has logical thoughts and a sense of the broader picture - that Hillsborough was just another episode as opposed to a stand alone one.
jp2

jon - on Cohen's own WSD webpage he urges people to protest LFC's "anti-semitism." It's really pretty pathetic of him.
Marlon

I personally don't see anything wrong with choosing to do that.
jon

Its not desensitization, as much as an irrational attachment insofar as the amount of time and vitriol you're willing to commit. It would be like me protesting against IBM now because of their aid to Nazi Germany in WWII, which then led to the death of millions. It sucked, but...?
Marlon

I might just be missing something or not properly enjoying the American experience, but since when do you have to be related to or know someone to care that people died or are dying? I'll accept that Cohen's comments are being blown out of proportion and I'll accept that people want to continue supporting him, but the line of thinking that "Well none of your relatives died, nobody you know died so why do you care?" shows a level desensitization I don't want to jump on board with.
jon

race-baiting? Seriously?
jp2

Cohen is the type of fan who chants 'murderers' at LFC supporters and these are the types of fans we want out of the game. As far as him having a show, he certainly never deserved that. For all of his lies, his race-baiting and his lack of respect I say good riddance.
Rob

Wow, Bush huh. To bad Clinton didn't pick up Binladen when he had the chance, three thousand people would still be walking the earth today. Oh thats right he so cooool getting BJ's instead of protecting us but thats ok we can blame Bush for everything. What a dick you are.
KMD

Okay Tom. I don't know if Hillsborough affected you personally (or by extension because you're a Liverpool supporter)...hell I'd bet most here weren't even alive when Heysel (sp?) and Hillsborough happened (i.e to have any real idea about what happened). Either way, both of your camps' arguments are too emotionally engaged to ever have a discussion of much of anything when it comes to Liverpool.

I said I don't agree with Cohen's anti-Liverpool rants, okay? But, quite frankly, anything, including an "official enquiry" can be questioned. Does/Did Cohen go too far? Likely, but he can question whatever he wants and that's the bed he made. If you want to run him out of business that's your free market choice. I don't agree with it, but you (and others) can stop patronizing him. Warts and all, I'll continue to listen to WSD.

This anger that you seem so willing to unleash on him really needs to be directed at greater problems.
Tom Devlin

PS.

It never will end.

If you're hosting a soccer talk-show, don't lie about Hillsborough.

Simple as.

YNWA
Tom Devlin

The problem is, the official enquiry stated that the Liverpool fans bear none of the blame.

Those are the facts.

And anyone that claims otherwise is a liar.

Cohen is a liar.

And he should be driven out of business.

If he blamed the people that jumped out of the WTC on 911 for their own deaths, would you just change the channel?

Read the official report. Compare it to what Cohen the Liar said.

Judge for yourselves.
KMD

My goodness, it never ends. I don't agree with Cohen's hatred of all things Liverpool. However, many of you are arguing from incorrect positions. Now, I don't mean that to piss off those anti-Cohen folks in this forum. I'm writing to the point that--and I listen to WSD most days--Cohen's argument (when he gets to it) is that Liverpool fans bear some responsibility for what happened...perhaps the police deserve more, tickets sellers some, the stadium some, etc. etc. If I've missed Cohen go much beyond that forgive me, but I don't think he's ever said Liverpool fans "deserved to die" because of X, Y, and Z.
Applesauce

Seriously. I'd pay to see Wynalda and Rome to fight and hope that they'd both kick the shit out of each other. It'd be hard to choose the bigger jackass in that one.
CSD

I think the only one worse than Wynalda would be Jim Rome himself. Don't know why some of other guys on Big Soccer Radio can't hop in. Maybe they're fugly.
mlyons

I'm still not sure exactly who Steven Cohen discriminated against.
MAD

I guess my point was that there is a greater evil in the universe than Juventus and her ilk, much as it pains me to admit it out loud.

Besides, I saw a lot of the Heysel stuff live on TV when it happened and it was terrible. Especially when it showed the families back in Italy or Belgium and they were just torn apart with grief.

Whatever punishment was given wasn't enough. And I think an apology 20 years too late and never from the fans who committed the crime is deplorable and gutless.
MAD

You will never find me saying anything derogatory about anyone who died at Hysel to anyone else.

I have a real problem with the way English people treat people who live on the continent, especially when they are visitors in another country to watch a football match.

And I don't like Juventus, and I don't like most of their fans who condone, or at least don't apologize for the deplorable acts of cheating of the past 15 years or so.

But a death sentence at a football match because of Anglos who: 1. can't control themselves and 2. feel that lowly Eye-Ties are beneath them anyway, so who cares if we kill a bunch isn't something that I think is fair, Juventini or no.
elisa

I miss Waldo, so this should be interesting. I hope they are more World football centric.
Tommy Wong

Liverpool fans are wankers, it's true.

Fox Soccer is trying to make themselves a respectable company, and for them to offload Cohen is the right step for them. They are going for a "suits" sort of feel.

They will also get rid of Bobby McMahon soon most likely.

Steven Cohen is not a bigot, he is a very passionate Chelsea fan that likes to wind up Liverpool fans, and who's words escape his mouth without him thinking his statements through all of the time.

I know if I was hosting a radio show New England Revolution/Red Sox/Patriots fans would be sending me hatemail too because I have a great disdain for the average sports fan from Boston. It doesn't make me a bigot, it's just a part of the sport for some people. He is not a nonpartisan nor do I think he ever claimed to be.

Also @ Marlon & Jon, you two are trying to argue a situation and find a 'right or wrong'. There is no right or wrong because the whole situation boils down to opinion on how free speech should work, and nobody seems to have a finite answer. So stop calling each other names via a soccer blog. Thanks
LorenzoRosanero

And for the win, Paulimus brings politics into the fray...congrats.
Paulimus

Sorry, before the grammar and spelling gestapo run amuck on my attempts at redirection:

*patently untrue statements
Paulimus

I don't see anybody sending this degree of vitriol to former President Bush for backing patently untruths about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that has seen 4,316 US soldiers die. Good to see we all have our priorities in order.
jon

well, I'm commenting on something on a blog. I'm not attempting to destroy someones career for an opinion. So I'll redirect the dickbag comment towards those individuals.
Marlon

I just think it's funny that you're telling people to ignore someone for saying something that upset them--which granted they could easily do--when it would seem to make so much more sense for you to just ignore them instead acting like a dickbag on the internet.
jon

Its not that they're always wrong. I just don't see a lot of whinging in re. Heysel. Strikes me as hypocritical.

Live and let live.
jon

People are getting upset about people, from another country, who they don't know, who died 20 years ago, in bizarre circumstances, for saying something like "both sides may share blame in the matter". Hardly saying "ALL YOUR FAULT YOU STUPID FANS COMING TO A GAME WITHOUT TICKETS". And its not boycotting if you don't listen to it in the first place. Its not boycotting by making threats of harm.

Rationality has escaped your lot.
Marlon

Oi, you can't win. Ok you guys, nevermind. Liverpool supporters are always wrong. Forget I'm here. Go about your day.
MAD

A Liverpool supporter is asking for respect for the dead?

Italians are still waiting for them to respect the living/survivors.
Marlon

Are you kidding me? You're calling people idiots for boycotting something they don't like I'm being called immature and being told to ignore something? Take some of your own advice. It's one thing to be upset about comments on football, but this an issue where nearly 100 people died. Have some respect.
jon

Then grow up Marlon. Act like an adult, and ignore it if you don't like it.
Joel

I'll miss Cohen. He's an a**, but he's my a**. Wynalda's not bad, I guess. I think he even co-hosted FFF when Steven was gone last season.
Marlon

How do I get narrow minded and discriminatory behavior from Cohen's comments on Liverpool supporters? By reading them.
jon

I'm sorry I think its idiotic to go bananas over something that a) you have no personal connection to, b) you don't know EXACTLY what happened there, since you weren't there and c) you can just turn off, and leave alone.

It reeks of self-importance and mob attitude when you relentlessly attack someone who says something you disagree with, and try to bankrupt him and destroy his career. Oh, and make racial, and physical threats of harm against.

So, bigotry? No. Idiocy? Yes.
mlyons

Bigotry? How do you get bigotry out of this?
dp

Thing is, Wynalda was actually pretty good from what I remember during his time at ESPN, so it should be interesting; besides, Jim Rome's needed a beat down for about 15 years now.
quakesin2kNever

What Cohen said was wrong but I still liked his commentary on the show. Will miss him. That being said, I am stoked on Eric Wynalda replacing him. Wynalda never should have been fired from ESPN2 broadcasts that was a travesty. Jim Rome is a piece of crap. And that wildfire comment was not offensive at all.
Tom Devlin

To all you who think the Liverpool supporters are wrong in opposing Cohen's statements, do some reading.

Find you what he said, then find out what the official enquiry said.

It's like blaming the people who died on Sept. 11 for their own deaths.

YNWA
bobby_digital

wynalda is a snooze fest.... and honestly i question his knowledge on world football...that being said, i could care less... cus after i started listening to world soccer daily on a consistent basis i pretty much stopped watching fox football fone in...that being said, im a fan of steven cohen... yes he is a bit of epl/chelsea homer but he always has strong opinions and brings up alot of interesting information... and from what i can tell, i dont think he liked the tv show that much...he didnt have much control on it whereas the radio show is his, i think..so he says whateva he wants and its usually on point... him and kenny are a good duo...

and the select liverpool fans who went on this witch hunt are pretty lame... who gives a f##k really what he said about something that happened like 20 years ago..
SP

yeah, even from a united fan, i can't really understand calling liverpool supporters idiots over this issue.
Marlon

Jon, I'm speechless. I don't know how to respond to continued support of bigotry.
Marlon

In all fairness to Wynalda, Jim Rome needs his ass kicked.
jon

I for one, don't think he loved doing the show. It probably was good for business, but he'll land on his feet. Despite the Pool idiots over here, he has a large group of fans who will follow him, myself included.