DaytonDailyNews.com

Bet you've seen ESPN's Who's Now segment. This is what happens when you run out of ideas.

For better or worse, ESPN has changed the sports landscape. In the case of its nonsensical Who's Now bracket-style tournament to regurgitate all the same names who make it into the news every day anyway, it's for worse.

The tension is palpable for this weekend's final (take Tiger Woods and the points over LeBron James). Three panelists sit there during the made-up segments to debate things that have no meaning.

Then viewers vote. I'm surprised there's no play-by-play.

OK, in a world of fantasy sports (and, uh, I'll have a fantasy football column this season), I know I'm treading on ice thinner than Michael Vick's chances of playing in 2007.

Many sports arguments don't settle anything, but this one isn't even interesting.

Apparently, ESPN didn't count on the Vick dogfighting scandal, Bud Selig's will-he-or-won't-he-follow-Bonds and an allegedly crooked NBA ref. Those were real stories, the kind that people like Bob Ley (the best reporter at ESPN) used to do solid reporting on.

I know ESPN hires people to get some journalism in its broadcasts

(I used to work for someone who does that). When the network takes one step forward, it takes 32 back.

I thought perhaps it was just a one-time gaffe, a wild idea to try. But no. During another show, they had a mock trade deadline for college football.

Not only is this nonsensical, it would probably be illegal — against every NCAA bylaw.

But hey, if panelists can debate it, it must be good TV.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.