New Orleans-based WWL-AM on Wednesday announced that former NFLer Deuce McAllister "will permanently join Jim Henderson" in the Saints' broadcast booth this season. In Baton Rouge, Joel Erickson noted McAllister is replacing late Saints color analyst Hokie Gajan, who "died in April after a battle with cancer." McAllister "filled in for Gajan late last season when his predecessor was forced to leave the booth as he battled his cancer." Henderson "instantly felt a comfort level in the booth with McAllister." In addition to his duties as a color analyst, McAllister will be at Saints minicamps and training camp and will make appearances on WWL's "SportsTalk" with Bobby Hebert and Deke Bellavia (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 6/16).
STAYING OR GOING? SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy cited sources as saying that Darren Rovell's contract with ESPN is "up for renewal over the next couple of months." It will be "interesting to see if a cost-cutting ESPN renews its ace business reporter." Rovell "makes an estimated $500,000 a year from ESPN," though he is "believed to have a separate deal for his work as a contributor" to ABC. Leaving the net "would be a risk for Rovell" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/15). Meanwhile, ESPN's Brent Musburger said he is "not going to retire" as a broadcaster. Musburger, who turned 77 last month, said, "That's just not going to happen. I take those AARP mailings that I get frequently in the mail and throw them in the wastebasket. I'm honestly not sure I will know (when to retire). Maybe Arlene, my wife, will tell me it's time" ("SI MEDIA PODCAST," SI, 6/15).
CALLED UP: Double-A Texas League Corpus Christi Hooks broadcaster Michael Coffin this week filled in on the Astros' radio broadcasts for the team's two-game series against the Cardinals. Astros broadcaster Alan Ashby was "out with an illness, so radio broadcaster Robert Ford slid into the TV booth, with Coffin taking his spot on the radio" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/15).
