Fox Sports has indicated Michael Waltrip will remain an analyst of its NASCAR Sprint Cup races despite the scandal surrounding his race team from last weekend's Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Int'l Raceway. The net in a statement said, "We were disappointed in the events that occurred in Richmond Saturday night, and we applaud NASCAR for acting to rectify the situation swiftly. Michael has expressed his regret over what occurred, and we believe him to be a man of integrity. As a NASCAR on Fox broadcaster, he's demonstrated an ability to separate his roles as a driver/owner and an opinionated analyst of the sport, and we expect him to continue as an analyst for us going forward" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 9/12).
ON THE MONEY: CBS not only will showcase the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Canelo Alvarez PPV with promos during Saturday's Alabama-Texas A&M game, it also brought in Mayweather to do a scripted lead-in that will air to open the telecast. Mayweather drops his catch phrases -- hard work and commitment -- as he speaks about what it takes to be a champion as highlights from both teams run on the screen (Bill King, Senior Staff Writer).
FOOTBALL'S CRYSTAL BALL: NFL.com has launched "NFL 2020," an eight-part video series focusing on what the NFL will look like in '20, both on and off the field. The series, hosted by Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, will examine the background of future players, changes to the fan experience, the evolution of football equipment, and the perception and persona of NFL culture (NFL).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: In N.Y., Joe Pompeo reported the N.Y. Post's Lenn Robbins is leaving the paper for a job with the Nets and Barclays Center, where he will "serve as an in-house content producer covering the Nets and other teams who play at the arena." Robbins has "been with the paper for 16 years." His "swan song at the Post will be this weekend's Alabama-Texas A&M faceoff." Robbins said that he will "start with the Nets/Barclays later this month" (CAPITALNEWYORK.com, 9/10)....Time Warner Cable SportsNet has hired former NFL Network reporter Jaime Maggio to cover the Lakers. She will contribute to on-air programming including the net's "#LakeShow," "Access SportsNet: Lakers," and pre- and postgame shows (TWC).
