In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes "instead of bending to NBC" in letting Mike Tirico call the net's new five-game "TNF" package, the NFL "held the network to a contract it signed." NBC is paying $225M for the five games, and Raissman asks, "Is that any way to treat a partner?" The NFL and its owners "pay lip service to being in the relationship business." For the NFL, "'relationships' are only good if the league holds the upper hand and makes money off them" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/26).
THERE'S THE DOOR: In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe cited sources as saying that WIP-FM host Josh Innes "has been fired" from the station. Innes was "fired just an hour before he was set to take the air" on Wednesday. The news comes after Innes earlier this week "harshly criticized" WPEN-FM's Mike Missanelli and the station "over a story involving a white producer creating a black character to call in to the show." Tornoe noted Innes had been "previously suspended by WIP back in January," and the "controversial host has had a history of using racially-offensive language on his show" (PHILLY.com, 8/25).
STAN'S THE MAN: Stan Verrett will replace the late John Saunders "as studio host of ABC's college football coverage on Saturdays this fall." ESPN also announced that it had hired former NFLer Jonathan Vilma "as a college football studio analyst." Vilma will "work on ESPN2 in studio" with Butch Davis, who coached Vilma for one season at the Univ. of Miami, and host Chris Cotter on pre-, postgame and halftime coverage. Vilma "was a studio analyst on the NBC Sports Network" last season (THEADVOCATE.com, 8/25).
CASEY AND THE SUNSHINE BAND: Turner Sports has signed a multiyear deal with studio host Casey Stern to work MLB, NBA and NCAA programming. Stern will continuing hosting TBS' MLB postseason coverage, and will add studio shows on NBA TV and during the NCAA men's tournament. Stern also will remain as host of SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio afternoon show "Inside Pitch" (Turner Sports).
