NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: ESPN Magazine was profiled in the
"In Focus" section of today's USA TODAY. ESPN Magazine Exec
Editor John Walsh: "We have the mandate to be the print
version of ESPN. How do we translate that sensibility to a
magazine? By being the alternative, being exciting and fun
to look at" (USA TODAY, 3/11). In Chicago, Tim Jones on the
launch: "ESPN will begin to find out if it can transfer that
television popularity to a magazine" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,3/11).
NOTES: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke calls NBC's NBA analyst
Isiah Thomas "a work in progress." Thomas: "I don't mind
the criticism, but give me a chance to show I can improve
and do the job." Martzke also reports that ESPN has renewed
studio host Chris Fowler's contract "for about $500,000 a
year" (USA TODAY, 3/11)....Sunshine Network and Orlando
Predators Entertainment have reached a three-year marketing/
promotional pact that grants the net exclusive telecast
rights to AFL Predators games (Sunshine Network)....The NHL
Panthers "received an angry reaction" when they "abruptly
removed" hosts Joe Rose and Jeff DeForrest from coach Bryan
Murray's weekly radio show on WQAM. The team owns the show,
and replaced the pair with play-by-play announcer Chris
Moore and analyst Randy Moller, both team employees (MIAMI
HERALD, 3/11)....The Marquee Group will produce ESPN2's
coverage of the Swatch King of the Beach Invitational by
P.S./StarGames volleyball tournament. It will be aired as
two one-hour shows in April (The Marquee Group).
