Alex Flanagan will not be returning this fall as either the "sideline reporter for NBC's national broadcast of Notre Dame football games" or as a correspondent for the net's "Football Night In America," according to sources cited by Jason McIntyre of THE BIG LEAD. Sources said that Julie Donaldson, Liam McHugh and Carolyn Manno are candidates to replace Flanagan on Notre Dame broadcasts. NBC Sports VP/Communications Chris McCloskey said the net will "reveal our plans closer to the start of the season." Sources added that Josh Elliott will be "shifting into Flanagan's spot on the NFL pregame show." Flanagan, who also appears on NFL Network programming, in an e-mail wrote she will "still work with NBC Sports on other projects" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 6/4).
A NEW CHATEAU: An ESPN spokesperson confirmed that Tim Brando has been hired "to do play-by-play of men's basketball games" on the SEC Network this coming season. Brando left CBS in January after 18 years. Among other duties, he called basketball games and served as the host for the net's college football studio show (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 6/5).
