ESPN Radio N.Y. today announced a multiyear extension of its deal with MSG Networks to carry Knicks and Rangers games. Specific deal terms were not released. The deal includes pre- and post-game coverage and allows ESPN to stream live games on ESPNNewYork.com (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
TRADE WITHIN THE DIVISION: In Pennsylvania, Dave Sottile reports Lancaster County-based WLPA-FM "stepped up to the plate" and will air Phillies games in '15, one day after Cumulus Media's Harrisburg-based FM station announced that it "would be carrying" Nationals games instead of the Phillies. Cumulus' WGLD-AM in York, Pa., also "will flip from the Phils to the Nats" (PENNLIVE.com, 2/3). Cumulus Media Regional VP Ron Giovanniello: "We were working toward a renewal with the Phillies and it just fell apart. When it did, we started looking at other options." In DC, Scott Allen noted Giovanniello gave several reasons for the switch, including Harrisburg being "almost equidistant" from DC and Philadelphia, the Double-A Harrisburg Senators being a Nationals' farm team and the MLB clubs' "recent performance" in the standings (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/3).
MARTY'S MOVE: In Charlotte, Mark Washburn reported former Panthers GM Marty Hurney, seven months after launching a career as sports commentator, "is moving into management, becoming co-operator" of Charlotte’s ESPN Radio WZGV-AM. Hurney, along with WZGV GM and on-air host Lanny Ford, on Monday said that they "have reached an agreement to lease the station from HRN Broadcasting." They also are "leasing from HRN Asheville station WZGM-AM, which has a sports and news talk format" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/4).
STEPPING AWAY: Chicago-based WSCR-AM's Patrick Mannelly on Monday said that he "is walking away from his duties as co-host of the 'The Spiegel and Mannelly Show' ... because his passion wasn’t there to do the work required to be able to chat about other sports." In Chicago, Ed Sherman noted Mannelly "joined WSCR in August as a replacement for Dan McNeil." Mannelly "is going to remain at WSCR, serving as a co-host of Bears pregame shows and a contributor on football." He also "will be a fill-in host from time to time" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/3).
