Gov. Ventura to Broadcast XFL Games
N E W Y O R K, Nov. 16, 2000 -- From the wrestling ring to the governor’smansion to the football broadcast booth.
Jesse Ventura’s career path knows no bounds.
Ventura, a former pro wrestler and the governor of Minnesota,will be an announcer for NBC Sports’ telecasts of the new XFLfootball league, the league and the network said today.
The XFL is a joint venture between NBC and the World WrestlingFederation.
“We’re thrilled to have one of the most interesting andcolorful leaders in America today joining us as an integral part ofthe XFL,” NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said.
Minnesota politicians weren’t all as thrilled.
“He’s clearly using the prestige and the name of his office toenrich himself financially,” state Sen. John Marty said. “Andeven if that’s not illegal, I find it very troubling.
“Where’s his loyalty? The loyalty ought to be to the public —the taxpayer — not people willing to enrich him based on howoutrageous he can be.”
The Personality of the Game
Vince McMahon, the WWF’s chairman, said Ventura is “naturallyopinionated, charismatic and genuine — just like the XFL will be.From day one, we’ve promised that the XFL will allow the truepersonality of the game to shine and we believe that Jesse is thebest person to make that happen.”
It’s the second time Ventura, who was once known as “The Body” and now uses the nickname “The Mind,” has teamed with McMahon. Last year,he served as referee for the WWF’s SummerSlam event at TargetCenter in Minneapolis, and was harshly criticized by manyMinnesotans for participating in an event that featured scantilyclad women, swearing and violence.
He acknowledged a $100,000 fee for the event, but wrestlingexperts estimated he would earn at least another $1 million for theuse of his name and from videos and royalties connected to theevent.
Ventura was elected to a four-year term as governor in 1998.
“The governor has got to understand that he was elected to do a24-hour-a-day job,” state Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe said.“That’s what being governor of the state is. You don’t know whenthe tornadoes are going to sweep through. They don’t stay away fromSaturday nights.”
Offbeat Hiring in Football
NBC agreed this spring to pay about $80 million for a 50 percentstake in the XFL and 3 percent of the WWF. NBC will broadcastfootball games in primetime on Saturday nights, starting Feb. 3.
Ventura’s hiring continues the trend of offbeat choices forfootball commentary or analysis. ABC Sports’ Monday NightFootball, of course, has Dennis Miller, while comedians JimmyKimmel and Jay Mohr work for Fox.
Ventura has spent time as an announcer for the NFL’s MinnesotaVikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and is also a part-time volunteerassistant football coach at Champlin Park High School.
In May, Ventura told CNN he would consider accepting the job asan analyst on Monday Night Football, although Ventura notedthat he’s been criticized for several for-profit ventures sincetaking office.
“The Legislature’s in session only a little bit,” Ventura saidat the time. “But I’m sure I’d take plenty of flack for it becausethere’s people that believe once you’ve been elected, you’re notallowed to make money on your own.”