Pro Football HOFer Len Dawson beginning this season will reduce his role as the Chiefs radio color analyst, calling only home games. Former NFLer Kendall Gammon will fill in for Dawson on the road (THE DAILY). In K.C., Brian Kaberline noted Dawson "began his broadcasting career" in '66 while "still playing for the Chiefs." He "went on to work games on television and radio after retiring from football." Dawson was named to the HOF in '87 as a player, and in '12 received the HOF's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/14).
LEAF EATER: The GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts wrote the "unbridled homerism" of former NHLer Jeff O'Neill on Toronto-based CHUM-AM is "why he became so popular so quickly." Despite the fact he played only two seasons with the Maple Leafs, the "key to O'Neill's success is that he is every bit the long-suffering, diehard Leafs fan, the guy who calls phone-in shows to vent about the team’s long run of mediocrity." O'Neill "makes no secret of his allegiance" and his broadcast persona "resonates with the public" (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/13).
BEHIND THE MAN: VARIETY's Daron James writes what few fans realize is that behind the broadcast of Vin Scully-announced Dodgers games "sits a tight-knit crew of more than 40 people working seamlessly." Since '89, stage manager Boyd Robertson and camera operator Rob Menschel "have been in the front row, and they're the first to tell you that a Scully game is different from any other game." Robertson said, "People are watching to hear what Vin is talking about. ... We're all listening to him, following his lead and reacting to the story by supporting him with something he may like." Everything "funnels through Robertson before making its way to Scully for consideration" (VARIETY, 7/12 issue).
SKIN IN THE GAME: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted Pro Football HOFer John Riggins is rejoining Red Zebra Broadcasting in a role that will "have him co-hosting the Redskins Radio Network's official pregame show and making regular appearances" on ESPN Radio 980 DC. Riggins "spent the last football season as a regular guest" on DC-based WJFK-FM. Red Zebra is the network of local radio stations controlled by Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder, who Riggins "has often criticized." Riggins will "co-host the team's pregame show with Kevin Sheehan; that show will also now be broadcast live at FedEx Field's Bud Light Pavilion before home games, allowing fans to watch the broadcast in person" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/14).
MR. HANDS: In Detroit, Tom Lang noted former NFLer Braylon Edwards since retiring in '14 has "done spots with ESPN, CBS and Fox, plus ... he had a small stint" at Detroit-based WMGC-FM. Edwards said, "I was hitting hard on the broadcast pavement. I went to broadcast boot camp through the NFL. ... I love it. It's a market that a lot of football players are tapping into. And it makes sense. It still gives us a chance to voice our opinions in sports and football." He added, "I like more variety. I think that's why I liked the afternoon drive time because it's not just football. That's the lane I'm challenging right now, a variety of some sort" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/14).
NOTES: On Long Island, Neil Best notes the Islanders "still do not have a television play-by-play man to succeed Howie Rose, who stepped down in May." MSG Networks President & CEO Andrea Greenberg said the goal is to hire someone in "the next few weeks." Greenberg "acknowledged the list has been whittled to a smaller group of finalists but did not say how many there are." Islanders radio play-by-play announcer Chris King and NHL Net's Steve Mears are "two presumed candidates" (NEWSDAY, 7/15).
