ESPN's Brad Nessler To Be NFL Network Game Announcer; Andrea Kremer Leaving "SNF"

NFL Network today announced Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock as its announcer team for the eight-game late-season "Thursday Night Football" package this season (NFL Network). SI.com's Richard Deitsch notes Nessler has been at ESPN since '92, "most notably calling college football and college basketball games." He was the "lead announcer on the back end of 'Monday Night Football' doubleheaders in 2006 and 2010," and served as a radio play-by-play announcer for the Falcons and Vikings in the '80s. It is "expected Nessler will continue to have a role on ESPN's college football coverage." Meanwhile, Mayock, who last month was reported to have been selected to be the analyst for the package, is "one of the rising stars in sports broadcasting and amplified that standing with another terrific performance during this year's NFL draft coverage." Nessler and Mayock replace the three-man booth of Bob Papa, Matt Millen and Joe Theismann, though it is expected Papa and Theismann will "continue in some role with the NFL Network" (SI.com, 5/5). CBSSPORTS.com's Josh Katzowitz writes the selection of Nessler is "a bit of a surprise," as there were "rumors that ... Gus Johnson would be tapped to lead the broadcast" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/5).

KREMER LEAVING "SNF": Andrea Kremer yesterday said she is leaving her role as a sideline reporter on NBC's "SNF" on "totally, completely amicable" terms. USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand reports Kremer "might return to NBC for a role on its 2012 Olympic coverage.” She said that she is “exploring various opportunities and is talking with NBC about working on coverage” of the ’12 London Games. Kremer was a reporter on NBC’s coverage of the ’08 Beijing and ’10 Vancouver Games. She “will continue in her role as a reporter” on HBO’s “Real Sports” (USA TODAY, 5/5). Kremer's announcement comes after NBC yesterday officially announced that Michele Tafoya was joining “SNF” as a sideline reporter. The move had been anticipated since it was reported last week that she was leaving ESPN (THE DAILY).