Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo is joining CBS Sports as an analyst for the net's golf coverage beginning this year. He will work select tournaments, including The Masters and the PGA Championship. Nobilo will continue working for Golf Channel in covering the Champions Tour and PGA Tour, where he has been since retiring from full-time competition in '02 (CBS). GOLFWEEK's Martin Kaufmann wrote, "I suspect that Nobilo will provide an upgrade over the retired Peter Oosterhuis, but not a major one." Nobilo’s work on live tournaments is "significantly better than what we got from Oosterhuis," who was "overexposed and too often fell back on pet adjectives and odd verbal tics." While CBS "won’t confirm Nobilo’s role," he "most likely will fill Oosterhuis’ role in one of the towers." Nobilo "won’t be in a position where he can significantly impact the overall quality of CBS’ live shows this season," because he "simply won’t get enough airtime" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/27).
OFF-FIELD MARSHALL: In Chicago, Ed Sherman reports "the door is open" if Bears WR Brandon Marshall next year "wants to return to Showtime’s 'Inside the NFL.'" But Showtime Sports Exec VP & GM Stephen Espinoza "knows new Bears coach John Fox, and perhaps even Marshall himself, might shut that door" in '15. Espinoza said that he was "impressed with Marshall’s commitment to make as many shows as possible." He added that Marshall’s presence "took 'Inside the NFL' to another level by using a current player as an analyst." Espinoza "hopes he can work with Marshall again at Showtime," whether it is next year or when he is finished playing (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/28).
NO DEBATE HERE: ESPN's Skip Bayless on Monday said of broadcast partner Stephen A. Smith's new long-term contract extension with the net, "He earned this deal, and he deserves this deal." ESPN's Cari Champion said, "They can't get enough of you." Smith said the "faith and commitment" ESPN execs have "shown me, I am truly humbled by it." He added, "I have no desire to go anywhere else" ("First Take," ESPN, 1/26). Author James Andrew Miller reported Smith's new deal "has him in $3.1 million to 3.5 range annually" (TWITTER.com, 1/22).
DIVING BACK IN: USA TODAY's Nicole Auerbach reported former Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken "will return to the broadcast booth" for Friday's Cal-USC women's swim meet on the Pac-12 Networks, "seven months removed from a life-threatening ATV accident that left her paralyzed." Van Dyken said that it will be her "first time going back to work since the accident." She added that she has "spent a great deal of time preparing for Friday's meet, more than she has for past assignments since she wants it to be 'one of the best meets I'll call' because it's her first back from the injury." Van Dyken: "I want people to know that this injury affected my legs, but not my brain or my mouth. So, let's go and have fun with it" (USATODAY.com, 1/26).
SHIFTING GEARS: FOXSPORTS.com's Jay Pennell reported Kimberly Coon, after "serving as Miss Sprint Cup for the last four seasons," is joining Motor Racing Network's broadcast team. As part of her new role with the net, Coon "will handle reporting duties from pit road during qualifying sessions and interact with fans through social media and on air" (FOXSPORTS.com, 1/24).
