In California, Bill Plunkett reported Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully is "not interested in a season-long series of tributes" during his final year in the booth. Scully said, "I'm not going to take me on a tour like I'm some Stradivarius or whatever. No, no tour. ... I don't want to get somehow out in front of it just because it's my last year. I would be very happy to have people come out and love every minute of an exciting game, period. That's enough for me." Plunkett noted that "means 'no guest appearances, no way' despite the fact that any network would hand over the microphone to Scully at his whim." Scully said, "There have been a lot of networks that have been very nice asking me to do an inning or two. Fox, for instance, they've been great. All the time, 'Come on in, do an inning.' Joe (Buck), Jack's son, said, 'Do the whole game.' No, no. I don't belong there. I belong at Dodger Stadium" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 3/26).
PRESSED FOR COMMENT: SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported FS1's Ariel Helwani, who has been part of the net's UFC coverage since '11, on Wednesday "tweeted a statement that he had parted ways" with Fox and would "no longer be appearing on 'UFC Tonight.'" This came across as a "very curious development given how much Fox Sports has invested in UFC content." FS1 has not responded to an inquiry as to why Helwani was no longer with "UFC on Fox" and if the UFC "was involved" in the decision" (SI.com, 3/27).
BRING HIM BACK: In N.Y., Bob Raissman cited sources as saying that ESPN NBA analyst Jon Barry's contract "expires at the end of this season." The net is expected to "sign him or risk losing one of its most appealing voices." Barry can "analyze analytics then segue into old school analysis." He also is "ready to roll when it comes to the NBA's off-court stuff, which is sucking much of the air out of the NBA's on-court product" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/27).
WHAT TIMING: In Connecticut, Scott Ericson noted Big East Network Digital Correspondent and sideline reporter Cayleigh Griffin has been in her position since September '14 when the Big East launched its "own branded channel" on the Fox Sports mobile app, providing live streaming video of Fox Sports content. The Big East was the "first collegiate conference" to join Fox' mobile platform, and it "just so happened Griffin was looking for work in the field" (STAMFORD ADVOCATE, 3/27).
COAST TO COAST: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth noted ESPN's Cari Champion "is heading back to L.A. as the co-host of a new bi-coastal" 9:00am PT show. As co-host David Lloyd stays in Bristol, Conn., Champion will "be in the LA Live studios starting April 5." Her last show "in the ESPN East Coast studios is April 1" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/27).
