Samuel L. Jackson, Damon Wayans and "Chicago Hope's" Peter
Berg will star in a new comedy called "The Great White Hype."
Jackson plays a flamboyant promoter looking for a white
challenger (Berg) to take on the heavyweight champ (Wayans).
Boom Boom Mancini tutored Berg for the role. The film is due in
May ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/12)....GOLFWORLD reports to expect
an announcement soon on ABC reacquiring rights to the Senior
Tour's Tradition tournament beginning in '97 (GOLFWORLD, 4/12
issue)....Warriors VP David McGahey said radio play-by-play
announcer Tom Roye and TV analyst Jim Barnett will be back and
that they are hopeful of the same for TV announcer Greg Papa. In
San Jose, Colin Seymour also reports Ronnie Lott's Fox/NFL
audition "was sensational when he spoke off the cuff, but he will
need plenty of TelePrompter practice" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS,
4/15)....The NBA will help the Bulls PR department with media
requests for the Tuesday's game, when the Bulls go for 70 wins
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/14)....In Boston, Jack Craig writes the move
by ESPN's Steve Bornstein to become head of ABC as well as the
cable channel makes him "the most powerful TV sports executive in
history" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/14)....Univ. of Utah AD Chris Hill said
the school turned down a request from ESPN to move its BYU
football game to Thanksgiving. Both BYU and the WAC were in
favor (DESERET NEWS, 4/14).... Preliminary weekend ratings:
Saturday's Master gained a 5.9 overnight rating and 16 share. On
NBC, the Bulls-Cavs got a 6.5, while the Suns-Lakers gained a
5.7. For ABC, Indycar's Long Beach Grand Prix drew a 2.8, while
the NHRA Slick 50 Nationals got a 1.6 (Nielsen Sports Marketing
Service).
