In Boston, Chad Finn cites a source as saying that Bill Simmons' podcast as part of his HBO deal "will be called The Bill Simmons Podcast rather than the B.S. Report." Three podcasts per week "will be produced in the first six months." It "will be found in the usual places initially -- iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Spotify, and so on -- and a web page will eventually be created as a landing spot." It still has "not been revealed where his writing will be found or whether he will launch another Grantland-style site" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/25).
SPLIT LOYALTIES: YAHOO SPORTS' Leander Schaerlaeckens wrote Galaxy MF Steven Gerrard's move to become a UEFA Champions League analyst for U.K.-based BT Sport "was surprising." The decision means Gerrard is "in London for a few days every other week," so he will "go on regular 11,000-mile roundtrips from Southern California to London." This is "surely not helpful in an aging midfielder's attempt to find his feet in the first foreign league he has ever played in." Gerrard's deal with BT Sport was "probably made during negotiations" with the Galaxy, but did the team "really have to indulge him?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/24).
NOTES: Fox golf analyst Holly Sonders "will make her debut as an NFL sideline reporter" Sunday during Buccaneers-Texans alongside announcers Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston. Sonders is listed on Fox Sports' press site as a "rotating analyst" for '15 NFL coverage (GOLF.com, 9/24)....Former NBAer Doug Christie "has joined Comcast SportsNet California as an analyst" for the Kings' pre- and postgame shows. Christie will team with returning anchor Guy Haberman and analyst Bobby Jackson (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/25).
