Media reporter Ed Sherman noted NBC golf announcer Johnny Miller on Thursday "put to rest any talk that with NBC losing the U.S. Open TV contract, it might cause him to call it a career when his own contract expires next year." The 67-year-old Miller said that he would "like to extend his deal for three more years," taking him through '18. He added, “I sure hope it is with NBC.” Though NBC lost USGA rights, Miller said that the net "still has a strong lineup of tournaments," including the Ryder Cup, Players Championship and FedExCup Playoffs. Perhaps an "even bigger factor, Miller cited the comfort level he feels in working with the NBC golf team, headed by producer Tommy Roy" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 5/1).
CHANGE OF PACE: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes the WNBA Sparks "replaced Larry Burnett on play-by-play" for Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA game telecasts, but "decided to wait until late this week to let him know." The franchise "employed Burnett for the past 16 seasons." Burnett said, “It’s extremely disappointing. Every year had been a one-year contract, and often settled very close to the start of the season, so I wasn’t expecting anything different. ... I didn’t even get a call or heads-up from anyone on the team. You would like to think loyalty means something." A Sparks spokesperson said that an announcement about the new broadcast team is "expected next week" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/2).
NOTES: In South Carolina, Aaron Brenner reported Clemson Creative Media Services Dir Don Munson will "step into a new role calling play-by-play for Clemson football." Greenville, S.C.-based WSPA-CBS Sports Dir Pete Yanity "had held that role for the past 11 seasons" (POSTANDCOURIER.com, 4/30)....In St. Louis, Dan Caesar reports KMOX-AM host Ron Jacober "is about to retire" after 44 years. Jacober "considerably cut back his duties 7 1/2 years ago," but still had been hosting "Sports on a Sunday Morning." He "plans to sign off after this weekend's production" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/2).
