ESPN yesterday announced that Michelle Beadle will be the new full-time host of "NBA Countdown" on ABC and ESPN. She will work NBA pregame and halftime shows, including for the NBA Finals on ABC. She also will host ESPN and ABC studio coverage throughout the NBA playoffs. Sage Steele had been serving as "NBA Countdown" host. The change takes effect for the remainder of the regular season. Beadle will continue to co-host "SportsNation" weekdays on ESPN2 (THE DAILY). In N.Y., Denis Slattery notes Steele will "continue to appear on ESPN’s 'SportsCenter on the Road.'" Steele "found herself in hot water recently as she weighed in on some hot button issues" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/5). In Miami, Barry Jackson writes though ESPN previously announced that Steele would be "more involved in anchoring 'SportsCenter' coverage of big events on-site, it was highly curious that ESPN did not mention Steele a single time in the news release announcing that Beadle would take over all NBA hosting duties." Beadle had "assumed some weeknight NBA host duties this year, with Steele handling ABC games before her removal from that job." This "marks the latest change on an NBA studio show that has been marked for years by instability and turnover." ABC and ESPN have "churned through numerous hosts and analysts, never quite able to find the right formula." Steele had "become a polarizing figure on social media in recent weeks, likely in part because of recent comments on race." However, Beadle also "has her share of detractors, partly because of her candor and sometimes cutting criticism." Though Steele was "polished and professional in the NBA host role, her interaction with her studio analysts often seemed clumsy and awkward and programmed, without much give and take." Conversely, Beadle "seems far more skilled in sustaining back and forth dialogue" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/5).
OTHER CHANGES COMING: In DC, Cindy Boren notes changes "aren’t restricted" to just ESPN's NBA shows. The network has" revamped its NFL shows in the wake of Chris Berman’s departure." There also are "expected to be further changes," with Mike Greenberg reportedly leaving his "Mike & Mike" radio show for a morning TV show on the net (WASHINGTON POST, 4/5).
