ESPN has decided to keep “Mike & Mike” based at its Bristol HQ instead of moving the radio/TV show to N.Y. The net during its upfront last month announced plans to relocate the show next February, but ESPN Exec VP/Programming & Production John Wildhack yesterday said that would not occur. The decision to keep “Mike & Mike” in Bristol also has cast doubt on whether Molly Qerim will be added as the show’s third voice. Qerim left NFL Network to become part of the show. She will host “SportsNation” July 1-2 and will serve as the interim host of “First Take” starting July 13. An ESPN spokesperson said the net "will assess" Qerim’s future assignments following those roles (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
SEE YA LADA: In Chicago, Ed Sherman reported Comcast SportsNet New England's Jen Lada is leaving the RSN to "join ESPN, where she will be featured as a contributor on Colin Cowherd’s radio show." While her exact role "hasn’t been determined, Lada said she is looking forward to giving her perspective on issues and news in sports." Lada: "I’ve met with Colin. He’s great. We get along really well. This is a great opportunity to mix it up a bit." In addition to Cowherd’s show, Lada "also will make appearances on 'SportsCenter' and on other ESPN studio shows." Lada, who joins ESPN in August, was with CSNNE since '13, "serving as a reporter and anchor" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/24).
DECISIONS, DECISIONS: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted former "SportsCenter" anchor Bram Weinstein, who this week wrote a blog post indicating that he "left the network by choice ... has inquired about job opportunities in the DC market in recent weeks, but he is unlikely to return home." There "were rumors" that Weinstein was a candidate to replace DC-based WJLA-ABC sports anchor Tim Brant. Weinstein in the blog post wrote that he "had 'an incredible' stint at ESPN, that he turned down a multi-year offer to stay, and that the decision to leave was based on many factors" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/24).
