TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET 60-minute edition
of FSN's "National Sports Report" led with the Yankees
obtaining P Denny Neagle from the Reds for four minor
leaguers, followed by the Braves obtaining P Andy Ashby from
the Phillies for P Bruce Chen and P Brian Osting. The first
non-MLB report, at 5:17 into the broadcast, was news that
free agent G Tracy McGrady had agreed to a six-year, $67M
contract with the Magic. The "NSR" reported on the XFL's
new charter franchises at 35:02. Last night's 11:00pm ET
30-minute edition of CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" led with the
Neagle trade, followed by the Ashby trade. "Sports Tonight"
was pre-empted for 9:36 by a special report from CNN News.
Last night's 11:00pm ET 60-minute edition of ESPN's
"SportsCenter" also led with the Neagle trade, followed by
the Ashby trade. The first non-MLB report, at 8:12, was
Tracy McGrady. "SportsCenter" did not report on the XFL's
new charter franchises (THE DAILY).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: In San Jose, Bud Geracie
reviewed Dan Patrick's radio show on ESPN Radio: "Give
Patrick credit. ... He doesn't fawn, and he doesn't pretend
to be anything other than what he is." During Tuesday's
interview with Pete Sampras, Patrick told Sampras, "I'm not
the media" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/12)....Terry Bradshaw,
on ABC hiring Dennis Miller for "MNF": "The question is, how
is [fellow "MNF" booth analyst] Dan [Fouts] going to react?
Is he witty enough to bounce off Miller? We'll have to wait
and see" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/13).
NOTES: The Penguins extended their broadcast agreement
with WWSW-FM and WWSW-AM for another three years. WWSW will
carry all regular-season games plus playoffs, while sister
FM stations WDVE and WXDX will "continue playing large roles
in club promotions" (POST-GAZETTE, 7/13)....In FL, Peter
Kerasotis: "Is it just me, or is anybody else annoyed that
ESPN plays music while their SportsCenter anchors try to
give us the baseball highlights? ... Yo, ESPN, if I want to
hear people trying to talk over music, I'll go to a bar" (FL
TODAY, 7/13)....In OK City, Mel Bracht wrote that FSN's SW
"Regional Sports Report" got off to a "good start last
week," but weekend co-anchor Ric Renner "leaves a lot to be
desired. A Mike Myers-lookalike, he appeared to be
auditioning for a spot on 'Saturday Night Live,' waving at
the camera and trying much too hard to be funny. At least,
co-anchor Randy McIlvoy appears sane" (OKLAHOMAN, 7/12).
