In L.A., Dylan Hernandez writes FS1's "Copa Tonight" studio show "is a complete disaster." The program "has a similar format to successful wrapup shows" produced for the most recent FIFA World Cups, but former U.S. men's national team player Alexi Lalas is "more cheerleader than analyst." If Fox thinks commentator Fernando Fiore "will attract Latino viewers, it should think again." Fiore "wasn't taken seriously when he hosted Spanish-language programs and he won't be taken seriously now." Fiore "appears to have minimal knowledge of the sport" (L.A. TIMES, 6/9).
SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE: THE BIG LEAD's Ryan Glasspiegel noted Joe Schad's contract "was not renewed at ESPN." He has been at the net since '05, and his last day "was this past Sunday." Schad said that "he was not offered a new contract at a lesser rate." Schad: "It was a great 11 years at ESPN. It was a great platform, the brightest light. I’m really proud of some of the work I did." Though he "declines to specify who, Schad says he is in talks with various web, print, and television outlets about what comes next." Before joining ESPN, Schad "covered the Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post." Schad: "There’s a part of me that thinks maybe it’s a good time to return to the NFL" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 6/8).
COVERING THE CREAMSICLE: Jenna Laine has joined ESPN as an NFL Nation team reporter, covering the Buccaneers. She has spent the past three years at WHBO-AM in Tampa, hosting "Sports Talk Florida Live" and providing coverage of the Bucs for SportsTalkFlorida.com (ESPN).
