On Thursday afternoon, Florida Panthers F Matthew Tkachuk was announced as the celebrity guest picker for this week’s College GameDay.
A two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Tkachuk is the most recognizable name and player from the Champion Florida Panthers. It’s good visibility for that franchise, and gives ESPN the ability to cross promote their coverage of a different sport.
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With all of that being said, this is a terrible choice. Though famous, Tkachuk has no affiliation with the University of Miami. And, with stars in nearly every walk of life and part of the entertainment industry, ESPN skipped past a bout 150 other people who would have been a better choice for this spot.
I know many Canes fans have become Panthers Hockey fans, and if you’re one of them, you’re probably excited about this guest picker selection. But for me, an alum of The U, I would have liked to see a fellow alum — OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE WORLD FAMOUS BY THE WAY — be the celebrity picker, not just another athlete (famous and successful though he is) without a shred of connection to the University of Miami.
ESPN’s College GameDay kicks off from UM’s Coral Gables campus at 9am on Saturday. Here’s our earlier piece with all the details.
Go Canes