USA TODAY's Gary Mihoces cites police as saying that NBC's Al Michaels "was arrested Friday on DUI charges after allegedly making a U-turn in Santa Monica, Calif., ... and spent several hours in jail." Police Sgt. Richard Lewis "declined to specify Michaels' blood alcohol level." He said that Michaels was "booked and released six to eight hours later" (USA TODAY, 4/22).
MANIC MONDAYS: SI.com's Peter King writes ESPN "got treated well" with its slate of "MNF" games for the '13 NFL season. The Sunday night NBC schedule is "always excellent, and this year's no different," but ESPN's "isn't always this good." King: "In fact, I wonder if it ever has been this good on Monday night." Of ESPN's 17 games, "only three don't feature at least one 2012 playoff team." The Saints, a "good draw, are in one of the others; another one, Dallas-Chicago, is not a shabby game" (SI.com, 4/22).
NORTHERN LIGHTS: The Maple Leafs have qualified for the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and SI.com's Allan Muir noted nothing "outside of the lockout has damaged the pot of hockey-related revenue that helps determine salaries more than the ineptitude of the Leafs" during that time. While the NHL "surely loves all 30 member teams equally," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman likely is "doing a happy dance at the thought of the ratings spike 'Hockey Night In Canada' will see with both" the Maple Leafs and Canadiens back in the postseason. This comes "just ahead of the negotiations for a new Canadian broadcast deal" (SI.com, 4/20).
LONG LIVE: In Chicago, Dan McGrath noted the "cheers for Pat Foley were loud and lusty at the United Center on Friday, when the Blackhawks saluted their TV voice for 30 years of distinguished service." Thirty years in one place "signifies remarkable acceptance in a fickle, demanding business, but Foley remains a pro's pro and an easy listen" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/21).
