The BIG LEAD’s Jason McIntyre reported the "rumor in media circles" is that NBC Sports Net could make a splash similar to the Jim Rome-CBS Sports deal by hiring ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. A source said that NBC “is prepared to put the full court press on Van Pelt in the coming months” as his ESPN contract “is up at the end of April.” Another source said that ESPN is “already bracing for the tug-of-war.” Van Pelt said that “he has not talked to NBC.” McIntyre: “I suspect we’ll be hearing plenty more on the Van Pelt front in the coming months” (THEBIGLEAD.com, 1/12).
ROME IF YOU WANT TO: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth listed 12 people who “will make their mark on the Southern California sports scene in 2012” and said Jim Rome is one that might be “ready to make a bigger splash than any of us could imagine.” Rome has interests “in his horse racing business that could bring the sport another shot of exposure.” Meanwhile, his new deal with CBS Sports will give him “a new audience and inject new energy into a network that frankly needs it” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/12).
BACK WITH THE TEAM: MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli noted former MLBer Mike Bordick “has been hired by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network as a color analyst” for Orioles games this season. Bordick will join Baseball HOFer Jim Palmer as the net’s analysts for Orioles’ games and will be "paired with play-by-play announcers Gary Thorne or Jim Hunter for approximately 80 games during the season" (MLB.com, 1/12).
NOTES: The PBA announced Thorne will replace Rob Stone as the play-by-play voice for the three remaining PBA Tour majors this season. Randy Pedersen will remain as color analyst (PBA).... ESPN’s Keith Law on his twitter feed wrote, “I have chosen to stay with ESPN. It was a difficult decision, and I’m very grateful to the Astros for the opportunity.” Law two weeks ago interviewed for a spot in the Astros’ front office (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/10)....Boxing trainer Freddie Roach and boxer B.J. Flores will join Kenny Rice to provide commentary for NBC Sports Network's new “Fight Night” series. The first broadcast will be Jan. 21 at 9:00 pm ET (NBC).
