In DC, Dan Steinberg wrote one of the "great disappointments of the local Twitter scene" is that Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis "chooses not to participate." But Leonsis "apparently does dive into Facebook’s conversation with both feet." Leonsis at least three times in recent days "has chirped" ESPN Radio 980 DC host and Washington Times columnist Thom Loverro. The "first recent comment came when Loverro pointed out that the Wizards were 0-2." Leonsis wrote, "Tom being his monumental self." He later wrote, "Thom, you are making a fool out of yourself. Why are you doing so? What is the motivation?" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/4).
DAN IN REAL LIFE: In Miami, Barry Jackson reports WMEN-AM yesterday "dropped host Dan Sileo" after he posted on Twitter on Sunday "that he was offering $1,000" to any Univ. of Miami player who would do something to sideline Florida State RB Devonta Freeman in a potential ACC Championship Game between the teams (MIAMI HERALD, 11/5). ESPN.com's David Hale noted after fans "criticized the tweet, Sileo deleted it and suggested it had been a joke, but station management didn't accept the excuse." Sileo has a "history of controversy, having been suspended from another station for comments about several female reporters" (ESPN.com, 11/4).
STAN IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU WORK: SI.com's Richard Deitsch reports ESPN has reached an agreement with analyst Stan Van Gundy "to join ESPN Radio's NBA coverage team." He will serve as a game analyst "for 10 broadcasts during the 2013-14 NBA regular season and also work as one of the rotating guest hosts" on the Miami-based WAXY-AM program "The Dan Le Batard Show" (SI.com, 11/4).
TO THE LAST LAP: In Dallas, Barry Horn wrote "lame-duck status hasn't dulled the ESPN crew's passion for producing top-notch race coverage," despite NASCAR already deciding to leave ABC/ESPN for NBC/NBCSN in '15. ESPN race announcer Allen Bestwick said there remains "intense professional pride, and no question people are auditioning for the future" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/2).
