Multiple sources report that Phil Jackson is expected
to accept a four-year, $24M deal to become the new head
coach of the Lakers. In L.A., Tim Kawakami wrote that with
the Lakers moving into the Staples Center next year, Owner
Jerry Buss chose Jackson because he "craved an immediate
tide of fan support and someone who could mold a bunch of
egos into a real team" (L.A. TIMES, 6/12).
ZEN MASTERS: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes that Fox
Sports News "calls a foul" on ESPN for running a scroll
Friday afternoon crediting its David Aldridge with breaking
the story on the Jackson/Lakers negotiations. Fox Sports
Senior VP/Media Relations Vince Wladika, who notes that FSN
went on-air with the story Thursday at 10:00pm ET: "ESPN has
a very good practice of taking other people's work, both
print and electronic, and taking credit for it. They
'learn' by reading the paper or watching somebody else's TV
show." ESPN spokesperson Mike Soltys "admits" ESPN's first
Jackson report was at 1:00pm Friday on ESPNews, but added,
"We said Aldridge had 'confirmed' (not reported) the two
sides had talked. ... It's the latest sad chapter of a Fox
saga desperately seeking publicity" (USA TODAY, 6/14).
DOLLAR BILL: During Friday's Pacers-Knicks Game Six,
Jim Gray interviewed Presidential candidate Bill Bradley and
asked him if Jackson's possible move to the Lakers will
impact his role as a campaign aide. Bradley: "Well, I think
he'll be involved one way or another" (NBC, 6/11).
