SI's Peter King yesterday apologized for insinuating Browns preseason TV analyst Bernie Kosar was drunk when he made several unflattering comments about the Rams during Thursday night's broadcast. Noting he was "really over the top" in his criticism of Kosar, King said, "My one question after hearing these things was, ‘Bernie were you drinking?’ when I should’ve said, ‘What were you thinking?’ So I apologize" ("The Herd," ESPN Radio, 8/13). He also wrote, "No excuses. I could have been critical of Kosar without being crass. Altogether my fault" (MMQB.SI.com, 8/13).
NO NEED TO RUSH: In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis reports Univ. of Michigan AD Dave Brandon "is not in any rush to hire a football play-by-play radio announcer to replace Frank Beckmann." Brandon said, "We'll work as a partner with IMG to identify interested candidates, and we may reach out to people we may be interested in." He added the school will "make a decision over the next several months. We don't have to put an arbitrary deadline on this." Beckman is retiring this year after 33 years with the school (DETROIT NEWS, 8/14).
MEDIA MELEE? In S.F., Bruce Jenkins writes the Pac-12 has "resorted to belittling DirecTV" with its new ad campaign "asking viewers to 'compare' and switch to Comcast if they haven't already." Perhaps DirecTV is "being a bit too stubborn, but it's a simple fact that the Pac-12 is basking in wealth." Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott and staff "have to make this happen," it is as "simple as that" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/14).
SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES: LockerDome co-Founder & CEO Gabe Lozano said that the company "is now working to ink partnerships with TV players." BROADCASTING & CABLE's George Winslow noted the site "specializes is the pro-sports arena, helping athletes and teams connect with fans on social media by using contests, polls, quizzes and other content to boost social engagement." LockerDome "currently works with about 1,800 publishers, including USA Today, which inked a strategic deal earlier this year with the site" (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 8/13).
