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OTHER NETWORK NEWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM NBC'S WRIGHT REPORT

     As reported last week, NBC's "Dateline" examined the
aftermath of comments made by then-CBS golf analyst Ben Wright
about lesbianism on the LPGA Tour, one year after they were
reported by Wilmington, DE, News Journal reporter Valerie
Helmbreck.  The piece criticized the way in which CBS handled the
controversy, allowing Wright and anchor Jim Nantz to refute the
comments on-air during the network's coverage of the LPGA
Championship.  NBC's Dennis Murphy:  "It might have all blown
over in a few days with an apology and perhaps some face-saving
words about a misunderstanding.  As it happened, the fact that
CBS Sports allowed its announcers to use its air to attack a
person as a liar, ended up giving the network a shiner, too."
Helmbreck said she was "humiliated, embarrassed" and "put on the
defense" by a CBS campaign to "smear" her credibility (NBC,
5/10).  In New York, Mike Lupica writes that CBS execs are "still
the ones who got off easy here" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/12).
     MAILMAN'S MESSAGE:  In ESPN's "Sunday Conversation," Karl
Malone addressed his decision not to do NBC interviews because of
the network's avoidance of the Jazz during the regular season.
Malone:  "It's just my way of saying that we got a good team, so
every now and then, give us a token appearance -- even if you
show us in a regional coverage.  Let us know that one of your
trucks is in our building, not someone else's all the time"
(ESPN, 5/12).
     CBC ON STRIKE?  Union negotiators were ready to strike
against CBC last night after the network refused their latest
demands.  Management claims that the NHL playoffs will still be
aired, "despite the loss of popular announcers."  CBC execs make
their "best, last and total" offers at noon today (TORONTO STAR,
5/13).
     DEAD BALL DEBATE:  Several columnists took on Fox Sports
President David Hill's edict that no "dead guys" can be mentioned
on Fox MLB broadcasts.  In L.A., Mike Downey lists an "All-Dead
Team" (L.A. TIMES, 5/13).  In Phoenix, Chris Cibbs writes,
"Baseball wants to be contemporary, but it doesn't have to dump
on its past -- its best asset" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/13).  In
Boston, Jack Craig notes the "ground rules" for mentioning
deceased former players:  There will have to be some video
(Movietone News has been enlisted) of the player available.  Fox
Sports' Vince Wladika:  "When planning the telecast, we'll know
what footage can be brought up" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12).
     FOX CABLE PRESENCE:  INSIDE MEDIA reports "Press Box,"
Liberty Sports' news show aired on several RSNs, will "undergo a
face lift and a name change to Fox Sports News" (Langdon
Brockinton, INSIDE MEDIA, 5/13).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: April 25, 2024

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TNT’s Stan Van Gundy, ESPN’s Tim Reed, NBA Playoffs and NFL Draft

On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with TNT’s Stan Van Gundy as he breaks down the NBA Playoffs from the booth. Later in the show, we hear from ESPN’s VP of Programming and Acquisitions Tim Reed as the NFL Draft gets set to kick off on Thursday night in Motown. SBJ’s Tom Friend also joins the show to share his insights into NBA viewership trends.

SBJ I Factor: Molly Mazzolini

SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

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