GOLF DIGEST's Alex Myers wrote Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee during this week's PGA Championship will "definitely" be talking about Tiger Woods, and there is a "good chance you'll think of Chamblee as that guy who hates Tiger." But Chamblee said, "I don't hate Tiger at all. I love Tiger. I think what he's doing is amazing. Taking four different golf swings to No. 1 in the world? Who would have thought of that? But why would you do that?" Myers wrote Chamblee has "remained one of Golf Channel's stars and for good reason." He is "smart, has a polished delivery and well prepared with knowledge and stats that back up whatever he says on whatever topic he discusses." Chamblee is "not a one-trick pony, and in particular, his knowledge of the golf swing ... has set him apart from other TV analysts." Chamblee said of of being recognized mainly for his perceived dislike of Woods, "Is it frustrating? To some extent it is, but it comes with the territory" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/12).
WHITE KNIGHT: In N.Y., Sam Borden writes with NBC retaining EPL rights through '22, lead announcer Arlo White can "sleep easy in the knowledge it is a job he can continue to do for the foreseeable future." White: "I’m fortunate to be part of a group of talented, diligent and conscientious people on both sides of the pond. We genuinely love Premier League football, and the long-term partnership with NBC Sports will only help it to thrive stateside." Borden notes NBC "could have used the international broadcast feeds on all its games -- which often feature acclaimed announcers like Martin Tyler -- but chose instead to produce its own broadcasts for the top games each weekend, with White as its signature voice." NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus said that he and other execs "felt White offered a rare combination: His British heritage (and accent) affords him an authenticity that many soccer viewers crave, while his attachment to American culture allows him to speak in a manner that makes more casual American fans feel as if they are not being lectured by a foreigner" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/13).
FACE TIME: In Miami, George Richards reported the NHL Panthers will be "moving long-time radio voice Randy Moller to the television side replacing Billy Lindsay." Moller will host the Panthers' pre- and post-game shows on FS Florida and "serve as in-game analyst." Moller "has been the solo radio voice the past six seasons." Steve Goldstein (play-by-play) and Denis Potvin (color analyst) return for TV, but the team "is currently looking for a new radio voice" with Panthers Exec Chair Peter Luukko "expecting it to pull plenty of national attention." The Panthers are "expected to continue to have one radio voice" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/12).
CURL ROUTE: In Indianapolis, Dana Hunsinger Benbow profiled ESPN's Sage Steele and wrote spending even a few minutes with the "fast-talking, funny, humble ESPN anchor" is enough to see her spirit "is infectious." But Steele as a kid was "so shy that her parents had actually consulted with doctors to make sure there wasn’t something wrong." Meanwhile, Benbow notes Steele is a spokesperson for Mixed Chicks, a product line for curly hair." Steele: "For so many years, I was asked about my hair. At one point, an agent admitted to me that I was not considered a finalist for a job because of my hair." She added, “So many years people told me I needed to change what I look like. But I have just owned it" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/12).
NOTES: ESPN is bringing back former MLB analyst Nomar Garciaparra to call Little League World Series games from Williamsport, including the Championship on Aug. 30 (THE DAILY)....SEC Network's Greg McElroy will join the desk of "SEC Nation," the net's traveling pregame show. McElroy had been a college football studio analyst for the network over the past year (ESPN)....The AP named FS Ohio reporter Joe Reedy to its Tallahassee bureau to cover Florida State sports and state gov't (AP)....NBC announced that Ryan Seacrest will serve as host for the net’s late-night coverage of the ’16 Rio Games. Seacrest was a correspondent for the net during the ’12 London Games (NBC).
