While most sideline reporters stand on the field in order to provide instant commentary and game updates, McFarland observes the action from an entire mobile crane. McFarland’s mobile seat has been dubbed as “The Booger Mobile,” and so far it has not been a hit with fans.
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As you can see, “The Booger Mobile” is taking up a lot of space, making it difficult for the fans behind him to watch the game. But at least there’s a television attached to the back so you don’t completely miss out on important plays.
Here are some additional details on the device, via the Los Angeles Times from the preseason:
McFarland’s cart has certainly brought an interesting element to the broadcast itself, but fans at the stadiums during “Monday Night Football” games have been complaining about it for weeks.
“I’ll be able to see and hear up close the footwork, motion, things that are being said, the audibles, things you can’t see from the booth,” said McFarland.
He’s not simply in a moving seat. He’s surrounded by a desk that features computer and video monitors, allowing him to call up statistics and replays to enhance his coverage. And it isn’t just his raised seat that separates him from traditional sideline or field reporters.
In an interview with Busted Coverage, Packers fan Jonathan Sell explained some of the complications of the cart during ESPN’s Week 6 broadcast.
“The cart literally followed the line of scrimmage so it blocked everyone’s frontal view of the game,” Sell told Busted Coverage. “The crowd was not happy. Every time that cart came by everyone was screaming at it.”
Sell said he, and the fans around him, weren’t able to watch Mason Crosby’s game-winning field goal in person because McFarland’s cart was blocking it.
When contacted by Sporting News, ESPN provided the following statement: “The unique field-level perspective that the cart provides is an enhancement to our ‘Monday Night Football’ coverage. It is constantly moving up and down the sideline throughout the game, rarely in one spot for an extended period of time. The cart is also equipped with a large monitor so fans can see the game telecast.”
ESPN also clarified that the cart is the same footprint as sideline camera carts that most productions use. The cart was tested and approved by all parties before being implemented.
If you look up sideline camera carts, you’ll see similar devices such as the one McFarland is using.
So, if you’re headed to an NFL game on Monday night at some point this season, prepare to see “The Booger Mobile” because it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
