ESPN yesterday announced analyst Ray Lewis will remain at home in Maryland rather than work the '15 NFL Draft in Chicago. Instead, Lewis will continue his efforts to help stop the violence in Baltimore. ESPN's Louis Riddick will replace Lewis on ESPN’s Thursday-night telecast of Round 1, alongside Chris Berman, Jon Gruden and Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN).
CHALLENGES AHEAD: In Detroit, Tony Paul reports FS Detroit analyst and former MLBer Kirk Gibson "has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease." The RSN said that it "will welcome Gibson back in the booth as soon as he wants, and is able, based on his treatment, which apparently he has begun." Gibson "returned to the Tigers broadcasting booth this season, a decision made by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch -- and a decision that was met with great fanfare." Gibson "appeared on the Opening Day broadcast," but "not since." He was "supposed to do" a four-game series at Comerica Park last week, but Rod Allen "had to fill in." The diagnosis for Gibson "caught many of his colleagues and former teammates by surprise" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/29).
SENSITIVITY TRAINING: In DC, Clinton Yates noted Wizards and Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis on his blog on Monday took aim at WJFK-FM host Chad Dukes. Leonsis wrote, "On Friday, in drive time rush hour radio ... the conversation wasn't about the Wizards upcoming game, it was about bacon and potato casserole recipes, and favorite Seinfeld episodes. ... These kids today." Yates wrote "criticizing the programming decisions of one show at a station that is paying you to broadcast games is strange." Leonsis' sign off on the post also is a "pretty odd shot at a guy who has established himself as a huge proponent of local sports." It all "seems like just an example Leonsis’s apparent insecurities about still being second fiddle" to the Redskins "from a popularity standpoint" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/27).
GO TO EXTREMES: ADWEEK's Michelle Castillo reported Vice Sports is "returning to its extreme sports roots with the appropriately-titled new section Action." The North Face is "sponsoring Vice Sports' latest section as well as its video series Off Day, which uncovers the story behind the action sports in hand with the athletes." The publication, "which had previously covered action sports, launched a dedicated sports section last summer." Vice on Friday "will unveil more new offerings at its Digital Content NewFront presentation" (ADWEEK.com, 4/27).
