Patrick Not Returning To Radio Show Until Last Week At ESPN

Patrick Likely Taking Time Off Until Last Week At ESPN

Dan Patrick said that he will “probably not return to his ESPN Radio show" until the week of August 13-17, which marks the end of his 18-year tenure with the net, according to Tom Hoffarth of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. Patrick said, “This gives ESPN an opportunity to shake the trees and audition people, and I wanted to be fair to the audience, and my employers, because I didn’t want to have guests keep coming on and asking about my leaving.” Patrick said that he was “approached by WFAN ... about filling in the Don Imus spot, but he declined because he wasn’t interested in working mornings” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/20).  Meanwhile, in L.A., Larry Stewart reports Patrick will not “land a job in network television anytime soon after he leaves ESPN.” A source said that his ESPN contract includes a non-compete clause for "possibly as long as a year"  (L.A. TIMES, 7/20). Nevertheless, USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand handicaps the prospects of what network Patrick might land at (USA TODAY, 7/20).

DANCE FEVER: DEADSPIN.com obtained an ESPN internal memo in which VP/Content John Skipper answers questions posed by ESPN employees. One question asks if the net will “capitalize on the nationwide dance obsession” created by ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and Fox’ “So You Think You Can Dance.” Skipper wrote, “We have looked at ballroom dancing programming and will continue to” (DEADSPIN.com, 7/18). USA TODAY’s Hiestand notes the net could create competitions “that feature only pro athletes or offer U.S. coverage of events such as the World Salsa Championships, which ESPN carries overseas” (USA TODAY, 7/20).

THE BOSS IS BURNING: Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner’s spokesperson, Howard Rubenstein, said Steinbrenner has been “bemused" by ESPN's miniseries "The Bronx Is Burning" in general but he "does like the story line about New York City.” Rubenstein: “He said, ‘They always show me angry, they never found a softer, kindler, gentler George.’” Rubenstein added Steinbrenner “didn’t like the hair they put on” actor Oliver Platt, who plays him in the series. Rubenstein said that Steinbrenner thought Platt’s clothing was “un-George-like.” Rubenstein: “He doesn’t want to knock the guy’s acting; he wants to knock his clothing and hairdo” (NEWSDAY, 7/20).