Longtime DC-area sports radio commentator Andy Pollin on Thursday said that his contract at ESPN Radio 980 DC "won’t be renewed, ending his run there a few weeks shy of his 25th-year anniversary." In DC, Dan Steinberg notes Pollin and longtime partner Steve Czaban had reunited as “The Sports Reporters” in May '16. Pollin's contract was "set to expire in February, and he never got any indication that the Daniel Snyder-owned outlet was interested in a new deal." He said that he was told after Thursday’s show that it "would be his last, keeping him from saying a final goodbye on the air." Pollin "started at Washington’s first sports-radio station" in March '92, and "helped launch WTEM as the station’s original sports director two months later" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/20).
THEY PLAYED THE GAME: TNT next month will debut "Players Only," a new NBA Monday night franchise for five weeks of league doubleheaders. "Players Only" will see all commentator roles filled by former NBAers. Brent Barry will serve as the primary host and play-by-play announcer with analysts Derek Fisher and Grant Hill, while Greg Anthony will host with Kevin McHale and Richard Hamilton. Lisa Leslie and Dennis Scott will serve as reporters. The studio coverage from Atlanta will be led by Chris Webber, Isaiah Thomas and Baron Davis. Kevin Garnett will also be incorporated into game and studio coverage (TNT).
END OF WATCH: Charter Communications and NBCU "quietly finalized a new carriage contract this week, ending a dispute that threatened to disrupt NBC programming for 16 million homes in the U.S." The agreement "covers distribution" of L.A.-based KNBC and NBC Sports (L.A. TIMES, 1/20).
