I think there are a couple of options. Some radio station should offer to provide alternative commentaries. Thus you could turn off TV volume and listen to the radio soundtrack. Another option is for the TV station to give you audio choices, just as is done on airplanes with different languages.

Just press mute or turn the volume all the way down. Works for me!

There were even internet streaming radio start ups with this model, providing alternative commentary - must not have been that popular.

I think this is a great idea. I love to go to live sporting events and I don't miss the commentary (any commentary, be it radio or internet) at all. I think it would be great if the commentary could be filtered out so all you hear is the crowd noise and the sounds of the game. I would think that the sound of voices would be different enough from background noise that it could be filtered. Don't hearing aids already employ this sort of technology, but do the opposite (reduce background noise)?

All for the option to overlay commentary from the appropriate radio station. Especially good for local games being broadcast by ESPN ninnies.

Two years ago, Frence CBC (SRC) had a union dispute with their on-air talent. This happened to co-incide with the start of the NHL playoffs.

For the duration of the playoffs (well, as long as the Montreal Canadiens were in them anyway) they aired the games without the commentary. They still had all the stats popups, and things like that, just the only sound was whatever the arena mics picked up.

I was then presented with this exact choice - since I had the same game available in English, or without commentary. I watched the first few games without commentary, since I didn't like the commentators assigned to that series. Eventually I found myself back watching the terrible commentators though, since the cameras only show part of the play - it's really helpful to have someone there who can spot things going on "just offscreen." Quite a few people I know found the same thing - a bad commentator is better than no commentator.

I like the idea of alternate commentaries being available though, since (as you say) Madden is terrible, and he's not alone in providing a negative experience.

They could do it my using the existing nicam facilities. Instead of giving you the choice of different languages, you can choose different commentors.

Turing on the mute function doesn't work. Becuase you need to hear the cheers etc.

Sed them as SAP, or even the rear surround channels.

SAP (separate audio program) would be the easiest way to do this. the stations already have the ability to broadcast this, and most tvs have SAP built into them. Just broadcast the on-field microphones as the SAP track.

It's called a mute button.

Perhaps you could only get the audio from the play by play announcer.

They need a C-Span for sports. When i'm sick of listening to Fox news's idiot "experts" talk about a political event, I switch to C-Span and watch the entire event uncut and uninterrupted. Why not that for sports? Shut up and let me watch the game.

although sometimes commentators bring hype and excitement on how they talk. Well it depends on the commentator also if the ydeliver it the right way. You can also mute or lower down the volume of your television

SOLUTION:<P>Have a surround sound receiver (any will do). <Br> - Set your center speaker setting to NONE <BR> (at this point you'll still hear the announcer but MUCH lower and only sometimes). <P> - To remove ALL announcer voices, now just turn off your main speakers (should be just disabling speaker set A (B is surrounds) <BR> <P>

Assuming the sports were recorded in 5.1 surround (almost all of them are), you will now only hear the ambiant stuff from your surround speakers. Sheer joy!<P>Enjoy!<P>

Jeff