ESPN's Michelle Beadle early this week is expected to “make it official -- she’s going to NBC and joining the entertainment TV show 'Access Hollywood,'” according to Jason McIntyre of THE BIG LEAD. Beadle on Thursday said the initial report on Sports by Brooks about her move to NBC was "not accurate.” However, sources said that it is "virtually a done deal.” CAA's Andy Elkin, Beadle's agent, would not comment when reached Thursday. Sources estimate that Beadle “was making $250k-300 a year at ESPN.” With "Access Hollywood," she “is expected to have a salary in the $750k range.” Other responsibilities, including features for "Today," Olympic assignments and appearances on NBC Sports Network are “still being ironed out.” ESPN sources believe that the net “may have bricked in underestimating her value.” One source said, “It’s very difficult to find chemistry on TV, and other than Mike & Mike and Tony & Mike (on 'PTI'), who has better chemistry than Colin [Cowherd] and Michelle?” McIntyre noted once Beadle leaves the net, Cowherd will continue to co-host "SportsNation" "for the rest of the year while ESPN looks for a new tandem to take over in 2013.” Meanwhile, it “seems unlikely" anchor Scott Van Pelt will leave ESPN. McIntyre wrote, "Expect ESPN to announce he's staying early [this] week" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 5/11). In Tampa, Tom Jones writes ESPN is "so big that it can lose anybody and move along just fine, but losing Beadle would sting a little." She is "smart, funny, quick and has great chemistry with co-host Colin Cowherd” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/14).
BONNER LEAVING ESPN: USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand notes ESPN yesterday announced “an on-air staffer exiting: Michelle Bonner, an ESPNews anchor and occasional 'SportsCenter' anchor since 2005.” ESPN VP/PR Josh Krulewitz said Bonner “is moving on and we wish her the best in her new endeavors” (USA TODAY, 5/14).
