People & Personalities: David Locke Named Jazz Radio Announcer

Locke Replacing Hot Rod Hundley

In Salt Lake City, Ross Siler reports KFNZ-AM host David Locke yesterday was named Jazz radio play-by-play announcer, becoming "only the second in Jazz history." Locke replaces Hot Rod Hundley, who is retiring after 35 seasons. Locke will call games by himself and will continue to host his afternoon radio show on the station. Jazz President Randy Rigby said that between the show and the Jazz broadcasts Locke "should be able to connect year-round with fans." Siler notes Locke previously was Sonics radio play-by-play announcer during the '06-07 season (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/21). In Utah, Loren Jorgensen notes Locke also spent "eight years as the host of 'Sonics Talk'" and also was WNBA Storm play-by-play announcer for seven seasons (DESERET NEWS, 7/21).

SEEKING IMPROVEMENT: New ESPN Ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer said he wanted the post because he has "always been interested in what I thought were intellectual challenges." Ohlmeyer: "I thought this might be an interesting way that I could engage in trying to make something better. ESPN has grown an incredible machine that has tremendous influence and a platform that people feel passionate about. I think they do a terrific job but my whole life I've always thought: No matter how terrific something is it can always be better." Ohlmeyer added the main role of the ombudsman is "as an interface with the viewer, to respond to their thoughts and feelings and observations." Ohlmeyer said his columns will be focused on the "news cycle, and I think it will also be focused on what grabs the attention of readers who communicate with the ombudsman" (SI.com, 7/20).

AS GOOD AS IT GETS: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Kaduk wrote the Mets have "one heck of a team announcing" their games. Play-by-play broadcaster Gary Cohen calls games "better than anyone not named Vin Scully," and with analyst Keith Hernandez "grilling the Mets' mishaps on the field, they're always worth a stopover when watching Extra Innings on any given night." Kaduk: "No matter what the situation. No matter the standings. And, really, that's the best compliment a baseball booth can be paid, right?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/20).

DESERVED HONOR: In a special to SPORTING NEWS TODAY, NBC's Bob Costas wrote Tony Kubek's induction into the broadcaster's wing of the Baseball HOF this weekend is "both deserved and overdue." Kubek is a "significant figure in the history of baseball on network television because he was the first true analyst, rather than former player turned color man." Costas worked with Kubek from '82-89 on NBC's MLB broadcasts (SPORTING NEWS TODAY, 7/21).

PERSONALITIES: Thunder sideline reporter Brent Weber "will not return for the 2009-10 season after the team decided to not renew his contract." It is "unclear who will replace Weber" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/20)....Bobcats President & COO Fred Whitfield confirmed that FS Carolinas has hired former NBAer Dell Curry as Bobcats analyst (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/17 issue).