Golf World’s Ron Sirak notes Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” co-host Erik Kuselias "is leaving the show but staying within the NBC/Golf Channel community owned by Comcast,” as he will move over to NBC Sports Net. Kuselias on his Facebook page Sunday said, “I have moved up from Golf Channel to NBC Sports. I am the new host of NBC Sportstalk 6-11pm EST.” Sirak notes Kuselias had been on "Morning Drive" since the program "debuted more than a year ago" and there was “no indication who might fill his spot, although Jerry Foltz hosted with Williams and Charlie Rymer May 13 and Butch Harmon was in the studio May 14.” The departure of Kuselias “could also give Golf Channel an opportunity to tweak the format of the show, moving it away from the ‘Mike & Mike’ ESPN structure” (GOLF WORLD, 5/18 issue).
CAMERA SHY: Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan yesterday on PFT Live said that he is “not inclined to open the doors to cameras and microphones,” of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series “because it keeps coaches and players from being themselves.” He said that he “declined an opportunity to do it in Denver during the first year of the series.” Shanahan said, “I just didn’t feel comfortable with being in that situation.” He added that a request “hasn’t come for 2012” (NBCSPORTS.com, 5/16)....49ers President Jed York said that the team “would not take part” in “Hard Knocks.” But CSNBAYAREA.com’s Matt Maiocco noted there were “at least two obstacles that did not make the 49ers' involvement in the program realistic.” First there is “ongoing construction, along with a lot of noise, around the 49ers' practice facility in Santa Clara that would make it logistically difficult for a TV film crew to operate.” Secondly, 49ers GM Trent Baalke and coach John Harbaugh “have closed media access around the team to virtually the minimum allowed by NFL rules” (CSNBAYAREA.com, 5/16).
BACK ON AIR: In Atlanta, Rodney Ho reported the dispute over retransmission fees between Dish Network and Peachtree TV “is over.” Braves fans who get Dish Network have “missed 10 games” this year, but after three months, the two entities “have resolved their differences and the network is back on Dish.” Ho noted Peachtree airs “45 games a year” with the next ones on the net scheduled for Friday and Saturday against the Rays (AJC.com, 5/16).
GET WELL SOON: Tigers radio analyst Jim Price said that he missed the team's May 7-15 road games against the Mariners, A's and White Sox at the suggestion of team Owner Mike Ilitch, "who was concerned the West Coast swing might tax Price's health.” In Detroit, John Lowe notes Price “had cancer surgery in January to remove his adrenal glands” and has “lost 42 pounds since mid-February because his medical treatments have reduced his appetite.” Price returned to the broadcast booth last night for the Tigers' home game against the Twins and said that he will "be on the 10-game trip that opens Tuesday in Cleveland” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/17).
NOTHING IS FREE: In Seattle, Jayda Evans reported the WNBA Tuesday “launched a fee for use to view games via its LiveAccess site.” The charge “is nominal, $4.99 for the entire season, but a switch none the less” as it was previously a free service (SEATTLETIMES.com, 5/16).
