In Boston, Chad Finn writes the Red Sox should partner Lou Merloni, who has "spent plenty of time on the Red Sox and WEEI’s rosters," with radio announcer Joe Castiglione next year. Dave O'Brien is moving from radio to TV in '16, and there are hints that WEEI "is looking for someone with play-by-play polish to pair with Castiglione." Finn: "The hope here is that the search and the parameters of what WEEI and Entercom are looking for does not preclude them from recognizing an excellent fit who is already in their building five days per week." Merloni "has been a midday host on WEEI" since February '11. He has "truly thrived when he’s been part of the broadcast crew," and was "downright exceptional in an inspired three-man booth" with Castiglione and O’Brien during the '13 World Series (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/9).
CHANGING ROLES: CSN Northwest announced that Jason Quick is joining the net and CSSNW.com as a new Trail Blazers reporter beginning Oct. 19. He will appear on the RSN's pre- and postgame coverage. Quick previously worked at the Oregonian for 21 years, including 16 seasons covering the Blazers (CSN Northwest). Meanwhile, former NBAer Alaa Abdelnaby "has been added" to CSN Philadelphia's 76ers broadcast team. Abdelnaby will "provide color commentary alongside" play-by-play announcer Marc Zumoff and sideline reporter Molly French for the upcoming season. Abdelnaby, who "fills the void left by former Sixers commentator Malik Rose," previously was heard on CBS Sports Network and Westwood One Radio (PHILLY.com, 10/8).
STREAM TEAM: Wednesday's nights Rangers-Blackhawks NHL season opener delivered 64,000 unique users, making it NBC Sports Live Extra’s most-streamed regular-season NHL game ever. The game was up 56% in unique users versus last season’s opener. The game topped the previous regular season record set by the Capitals-Penguins Winter Classic in '11, which was unauthenticated, by 17% in unique users (NBC Sports).
