{"product_id":"9781770417953","title":"Madness: The Rise and Ruin of Sports Media","description":"\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\/Contributor(s):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003eHebscher, Mark\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eECW Press\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11\/4\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003ePaperback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"\"\u003eNEW\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom dealing with the cantankerous and cheapskate owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs to hosting radio hotline shows to anchoring a revolutionary late-night program, \u003ci\u003eSportsline\u003c\/i\u003e, Mark Hebscher finally tells the unheard stories from his 45 years in the bizarre business of sports broadcasting.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow would you react if hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky sweated all over your dress pants during a live TV interview? What if heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks threatened to harm you if you didn’t dance with his wife? These are just two of the occupational obstacles faced by Mark Hebscher during his checkered career in sports media. From covering Harold Ballard, the cantankerous owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to helping lead a cultural revolution in sports broadcasting on the late-night program \u003ci\u003eSportsline\u003c\/i\u003e, Hebscher tells stories of his 45 years in the business in his new book, \u003ci\u003eMadness: The Rise and Ruin of Sports Media\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis is a compelling look at the evolution of sports journalism and how today’s media coverage drastically differs from the days of newspapers and magazines. At the same time, it explores the effect that radio, TV, and later technology has had on sports coverage, and how men like Howard Cosell changed the way sports was reported on.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eHow did \u003ci\u003eWide World of Sports\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHockey Night in Canada\u003c\/i\u003e become so ingrained in popular culture? What was it about \u003ci\u003eSportsline\u003c\/i\u003e that made it mandatory viewing? Who were the athletes, sportswriters, sportscasters, reporters, and play-by-play announcers that fueled his desire to be a part of the sports media landscape?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIn the end, Hebscher’s encounters with the Great One, MC Hammer, Youppi!, Doug Flutie, and Doug Gilmour are more than mildly amusing … and his unparalleled knowledge of the sports media universe shines throughout.","brand":"ECW Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46684985229567,"sku":"9781770417953","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0452\/0886\/2873\/files\/Jacket_dbbab4d8-4df5-4b3d-a7d2-3ade983e65d2.jpg?v=1760718640","url":"https:\/\/massivebookshop.com\/products\/9781770417953","provider":"MASSIVE BOOKSHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}