CNN Incorrectly Reports Big Ten Start Date, Bob Costas Calls Football 'Mindless Obsession'

CNN host Don Lemon welcomed in longtime American sportscaster turned CNN contributor Bob Costas onto his show Friday night. The goal? Well, that is somewhat unclear. It looked like the point was to about the return of Big Ten football, and really football in general.

Let's just say it was a disaster from the start.

First off, the headline read "Big Ten resuming college football games this weekend." Seemingly harmless headline, right? Well, except the fact that the Big Ten does not start college football games this weekend. The first game isn't until Friday, Oct. 23 when Illinois travels to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers.

How does CNN let that sort of mistake happen? It's not hard to check a start date. It's the entire point of the segment.

That was bad enough. But of course, it didn't stop there. Instead, Costas had to take a pop shot at one of the sports he helped cover for a large part of his 38-year career at NBC Sports. He says the Big Ten was pressured into a return by fans, alumni and financial considerations after originally balking at the idea.

"You know I think football in general, and in this case college football has become in too many instances, not a nice, pleasurable pastime or an interest of some kind, but a mindless obsession," Costas said during the interview.














For someone who has been around the sport for approaching 50 years, it's safe to say that "obsession" helped Costas cash a few paychecks. Of course, it wasn't an issue then, however.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.