In Indianapolis, Dana Hunsinger Benbow notes ESPN's Sage Steele has been "promoted to lead host of 'SportCenter on the Road,' which brings ESPN's program out of the studio and on site at sporting events." She will "debut her new position next month during the MLB postseason and at the World Series." Steele will also "go on the road to anchor programs at sports' biggest events." The new job is part of a "multi-year contract extension for Steele that ESPN announced Thursday, though financial details of the deal were not disclosed" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/9).
PRIOR ENGAGEMENT: USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweeted, "[Mets GM] Sandy Alderson acknowledges that Tim Tebow won't be available every day in instructional league because of Tebow's ESPN broadcasting job" (TWITTER.com, 9/8). ESPN Senior VP/Event & Studio Production Stephanie Druley in a statement said, "Tim is committed to his role at SEC Network and ESPN this fall. We have always been supportive of Tim's athletic pursuits. His schedule will allow him to continue as a college football analyst on SEC Nation this fall” (ESPN.com, 9/8).
ON THE CATWALK: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Steven Perlberg noted podcast producers including ESPN and Time Inc. on Wednesday "made their case" to advertisers at an "all-day event put on by the Interactive Advertising Bureau." Media companies "trotted out their talent" with athletes like Shaquille O'Neal, who joins a "growing group of celebrities drawn to podcasting" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/8).
