Media Notes

In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes ABC's on-air tribute to the late Jim McKay during its coverage of the Belmont Stakes Saturday "left mixed emotions," as it "honored someone who was central to an organization that Disney dismantled." McKay was "so unlike the screaming skulls who have 'followed' in his footsteps." ESPN's Rick Reilly held a microphone with an ESPN logo and "talked about all the contributions McKay made to ABC Sports." Raissman: "Something just felt wrong. Disingenuous, too. ... The least ESPN suits could have done was have Reilly and [ESPN's Brent] Musburger holding mikes with the ABC flag" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/10).

Artest Drawing Callers During Radio Hosting Appearances

FIT FOR A KING: In Sacramento, Sam Amick writes under the header, "Artest Dialed In To This Gig:  The Kings Forward Has Found A Place To Share His Thoughts -- Late Nights On KHTK 1140." During seven shows he has co-hosted on KHTK-AM, Kings F Ron Artest has "lit up the phone lines like never before." Artest began doing radio and TV work for WNBA Monarchs games after TNT and ESPN "both turned down his offers to contribute to their [playoffs] coverage." Artest now has "aspirations to delve into the media world" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/10).

NOTES: In San Antonio, Jerry Garcia wrote ESPN's "OTL" is the "gold standard for sports journalism excellence." The show's reporters in a six-part series that began June 1 focusing on "issues surrounding the Beijing Olympic Games ... have provided top-notch reporting that's taken for granted that really shouldn't be" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/7)....PGA Tour member Trevor Immelman, who in April won The Masters, said that his media team is "working on a Web site" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/8).