In Lexington, Mark Story wrote many people are "projecting stardom" for former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton now that he is "moving into full-time work as Sprint Cup race analyst for NBC." If anything, the "loquacious Burton" actually may need to be "a little less verbal to thrive on TV." Burton said, "We're going to tell it like we see it. It's not our job to wear rose-colored glasses." Burton said that to succeed as a color analyst, he must "start with being authentic." He said he has "tried to listen to a lot of people." Burton: "But, honestly, I'm going to be me. I think NBC hired me to be me, not to be Troy Aikman. So my goal is to be me." He added that what he "must stay on top of is NASCAR's constantly-changing technology" (KENTUCKY.com, 2/7). Meanwhile, ESPN formally announced it has hired Sporting News' Bob Pockrass to cover NASCAR, where he will produce news stories, features, analysis, columns, blogs and more for ESPN.com. Meanwhile, John Oreovicz has signed a contract extension to continue covering IndyCar for the website (ESPN).
SHARK ON THE PROWL: Greg Norman said his new job as lead golf analyst for Fox Sports is "one of the most important things" he has ever done. Norman: "I'll be helping the USGA step out of its box and be a leader on huge issues like sustainability and growing the game to millennials." Norman said that while he is in the booth, he will "take questions on Twitter and be 'totally upfront' in his answers" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 2/9 issue). Norman added,"I've been lucky in my life to do a lot of fantastic things, adventurous things, and I would put this Fox gig in the top 6. I'm really excited to be working with the USGA. They have stepped out of the box with the gutsy move going to Fox. They will make an impact. They want to reach down to the millennials. They want to grow the game of golf in a sustainable fashion" (USA TODAY, 2/10).
EVEN-KEELED STEPHEN?: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wondered if Stephen A. Smith after signing a new contract extension with ESPN will "become totally beholden to the Worldwide Leader." While there are "more 'personality driven' shows at the network than during his first time around, they all melt into similar opinions on the same topics." They are not "delivered with Smith’s passion, volume, and recklessness." Smith's challenge now is "staying on top." Raissman: "How can he do this without his shtick getting stale? Will the big bucks ESPN is paying him make him more inclined to do too much thinking (or think like a company man) before he speaks?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/8).
NOT GUN SHY: In Tampa, Tom Jones wondered if there is a color analyst "in all of sports more entertaining" than ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy. Jones: "Sometimes you get the feeling that the only reason he spent a few years ... coaching in the NBA was to set himself up to be a television analyst." His honesty is "what makes him so good." Van Gundy "doesn't do it in a nasty, bitter way, but more of a matter-of-a-fact way" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/9).
AROUND THE DIAMOND: The Tigers announced former MLBers Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris will serve as analysts on FS Detroit at varying points throughout the season. They will rotate with main analyst Rod Allen (FS Detroit)....The Cubs have hired Mark Grote to "handle pregame and postgame shows" on WBBM-AM. Grote also will "contribute reports on the Cubs" to WSCR-AM (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 2/9)....The A's are in talks with former MLBer Eric Chavez to serve "as the fill in" for TV analyst Ray Fosse for 20 games this season on CSN California. While the deal "has not been announced," it is "close to being finalized" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/9).
