The Thunder on Wednesday announced that Michael Cage is joining the team's broadcast team as an analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Brian Davis on FS Oklahoma. Sideline reporter and host Lesley McCaslin also will return for her third season (Thunder). In Memphis, Ronald Tillery noted Cage, who worked on the Grizzlies’ broadcast from '04-06, will replace former NBAer Grant Long "after spending the past seven years mostly as a college basketball analyst" for FS West. Long "resigned in July amid allegations about several unpaid loans" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/18). In Oklahoma City, Darnell Mayberry noted Cage "left the Grizzlies broadcast team eight years ago to be closer to his family" in L.A. Cage: "I’m at the point in my life that I’m ready to do something again for myself that I enjoy." Cage said that few opportunities "compare to what the Thunder could offer." He thinks that it "will be a smooth transition" (OKLAHOMAN, 9/18).
ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS: In Boston, Chad Finn writes the pending end of '14 season -- "and the end of calling the circuit -- is a bittersweet time" for ESPN's NASCAR crew, including play-by-play voice Allen Bestwick, as the net will pass rights to NBC and Fox in '15. Bestwick: "When the business of the business brings a separation of group that’s so close, that’s the bitter part. That one is going to be tough." Still, the "respected Bestwick need not worry about his status" as ESPN, as he will pick up duties that "include calling IndyCar races, as well contributing to tennis and golf coverage and anchoring programming on the new SEC Network" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/19).
BEAR NECESSITIES: In Chicago, Rick Telander wrote former NFLer Brian Urlacher, who left the job this week with FS1, "never looked comfortable doing TV." He "did a lot of endorsements and ads" during his career, but he "admitted he was 'uncomfortable appearing in commercials.'" He remains "uncomfortable doing just about anything that might be described as work, other than playing football." Urlacher called the travel the "main reason" he stepped away. Telander: "Main reason. Not the only reason. We don’t know what the other reasons may be. But I can assure you, being uncomfortable just talking about football was one of them" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/17).
NOTES: NESN on Thursday named Top Rank Boxing reporter and Senior Producer Nikki Reyes a feature reporter/anchor, initially appearing on "NESN Sports Today" and "NESN Live." She also worked as a correspondent for The Fight Network (NESN)....Longhorn Network on Thursday named Dallas-based KTVT-CBS reporter Jane Slater studio host and reporter. Along with reporting for LHN games and "Texas GameDay," she will also host "Longhorn Extra" (LHN).
