In Boston, Chad Finn writes FS1's Rob Stone is an "obvious choice as a face of the network’s comprehensive monthlong coverage" of the '15 FIFA Women's World Cup. His appeal is "in part due to his genuine enthusiasm for the sport." But Fox is also "wise to lean on him in such a role because the daily grind of covering a World Cup is nothing new to him." Stone "covered four men’s World Cups for ESPN" beginning in '98 as "either a reporter or studio host, and served as the sideline reporter" for the WWC in '99. He is also the "prime-time host for Fox Sports’s various studio programs" surrounding WWC matches. Finn: "It’s to Stone’s credit -- as well as that of fellow host Kate Abdo -- that the chemistry and camaraderie among the various analysts is already evident despite the various backgrounds and levels of television experience" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/12).
INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson recently purchased the website D1baseball.com, and he said, "I thought college baseball fans and people needed a place to go for everything college baseball." Peterson: "I want it to be the online home of college baseball. It’s that simple. Online, the game doesn’t get the broad coverage other sports do. You had to search for it. We don’t want people to have to search for it" (OMAHA.com, 6/11).
SECONDARY COVERAGE: In Albany, Pete Dougherty writes "SportsCenter" has "earned a reputation for downplaying events for which ESPN doesn't own the live rights, but the network may finally be turning the corner." Its Belmont Stakes coverage, both before and after the race, "was thorough, even though NBC carried the race." The NHL, which has been off ESPN since '04, also is "getting prime attention." Dougherty: "The NBA Finals seems to get covered to excess, but it's better to provide too much coverage of something than not enough of others" (Albany TIMES UNION, 6/12).
