SI.com's Nick Zaccardi reported Gold Medal-winning U.S. speedskater Apolo Ohno will be "a correspondent for NBC" during the net's coverage of the '14 Sochi Games. Ohno acknowledged that it "effectively ends any chance of a short-track speedskating comeback." He said, "It's time to try some different opportunities." Ohno recently "finished four weeks of filming as a host for Game Show Network's 'Minute to Win it,' which will air its first season beginning in June" (SI.com, 4/24).
TEE TO GREEN: GOLFWEEK's Forecaddie notes Rich Beem "dipped his toes in the broadcasting waters for eight days after the Masters, doing several Golf Channel shows." He said that he "enjoyed the work and hopes his playful schtick sticks because he'd like to launch into a TV career." Beem: "I'd give my clubs away, no problem. I had a ton of fun doing this. I'm pumped. But I realize I have a long way to go" (GOLFWEEK, 4/26 issue).
OFFSIDE CALL? In Salt Lake City, Scott Pierce wrote NBC's decision to transition MLS announcer Arlo White to EPL coverage next season is "ridiculous," and the company is only doing so "because he's a Brit." White is "at best, repetitive," and "at worst, he sometimes seems utterly clueless." MLS Real Salt Lake announcer Bill Riley "calls a better game" on local TV than White does on NBC Sports Network. Pierce wrote, "Of course, the local productions of MLS games are better than most of NBCSN's national games, too." That is "sort of scary when you think that NBC will be the American home" of the EPL beginning in '14 (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/24).
REPORTING FOR DUTY: The Boston Globe on Tuesday "officially hired Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post as the replacement" for Greg Bedard, who is departing for SI's new football site led by Peter King (BOSTONSPORTSMEDIA.com, 4/24)....Former MASN and WJZ-FM reporter Jen Royle has "landed a weekend show" on WEEI-FM. Royle, who "used social media as well as anyone in Baltimore radio or TV to stir the pot" on sports issues, was "nothing if not a controversial figure" in the market (BALTIMORESUN.com, 4/23)....Columbia Tribune writer Dave Matter yesterday on his Twitter feed wrote, "I'll be joining the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in May to take over the #Mizzou athletics beat" (TWITTER.com, 4/24).
