Red Sox Owner John Henry said of his role as owner of the Boston Globe, "I don’t get involved at all with baseball coverage. That would be completely inappropriate. I did get involved in pushing for Score, which was a standalone NFL section we created. ... I’d like to see more coverage of the Revolution because I think they are becoming a more important part of the community. Soccer is becoming more important as evidenced by the reception Liverpool received here this year. But I haven’t said anything to our editor or sports editor." He added, "Since the deal closed I have not initiated a single discussion on the Sox, Liverpool or baseball" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/10).
SECRET AGENT MAN: In California, Michael Lev writes NFL agent Leigh Steinberg's new talk show, launching next Monday on Yahoo Sports Radio, "provides another platform for him to get the word out." The show will "dive into the deep end of the sports world, examining issues such as NCAA reform, concussions and domestic violence." Steinberg said, "These issues come up every day. Hopefully we can give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the concepts that are operating here" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 8/12).
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: In Denver, Dusty Sanders wrote former MLBer Ryan Spilborghs "has shown a deep knowledge of the game" on the Rockies' pregame and post game shows on Root Sports, while "biting his tongue as he strains to be critical." Sanders suggests the Rockies "put Spilborghs into the broadcasting booth before the season ends to give him experience under difficult circumstances." Sanders: "I'm not advocating firing any of the current trio." But putting Spilborghs into the booth "might spur fan interest in the sinking Rockies" (DENVER POST, 8/11).
WHAT'S IN A NAME: THE BIG LEAD's Jason McIntyre cited sources as saying ESPN's "Numbers Never Lie" is "changing its name to 'His & Hers' this fall, probably in September." The name change is a "direct result of the podcast success of the NNL co-hosts, Jemele Hill and Michael Smith." The success of that brand "convinced ESPN brass to scrap the show’s original name," which dates back to '11 (THEBIGLEAD.com, 8/11).
