Voice Over

Billy Packer Out At CBS

Billy Packer, one of the preeminent faces of televised college basketball, will not return to the CBS airways next season as the net today announces it has parted ways with the broadcaster. Clark Kellogg will replace Packer as the net’s top analyst and will be paired with Jim Nantz during the NCAA tournament. Packer is often seen as the yin to Dick Vitale’s yang, as Packer distanced himself from on-air showmanship. However, Packer’s somewhat abrasive style rubbed many viewers the wrong way, and he was criticized for declaring the Kansas-North Carolina Final Four game in April as “over.” Regardless, it is a pretty dramatic move for CBS to drastically overhaul the image, voice and feel of March Madness, one of their marquee properties. Meanwhile, other media members are in the news: Mike Francesa and Chris Russo discuss the future of their show during their first joint appearance in close to a month, and SI's Peter King says CBS is making a “major mistake” by not keeping Dan Marino on “Inside The NFL.”