Sloane Stephens said that she is "enjoying her commentary appearances for the Tennis Channel" while away from the WTA Tour. TENNIS.com's Kamakshi Tandon noted Stephens has "not played" since the '16 Rio Games after having foot surgery and is currently undergoing rehab. Stephens was the defending champion at last week's WTA Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C., and "served as a commentator at the tournament throughout the week." Stephens, who also did some features and interviews for the Tennis Channel in previous weeks, said that it "helps her stay in touch with the tour" (TENNIS.com, 4/7).
BACK ON THE AIR: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Michael David Smith noted NFL Network has "reduced" commentator Brian Baldinger's six-month suspension, as the commentator was "on the air" last Friday. Baldinger in November said that the Eagles should "put a bounty" on Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott. However, there has been "no official announcement" from NFL Net on Baldinger’s suspension being reduced (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/7).
ROUND OF APPLAUSE: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted longtime CSN Mid-Atlantic Wizards broadcaster Phil Chenier received an "ovation" during the team's final regular-season home game on Saturday, as it was revealed last week that this season will be his last with the RSN. There will be "precious few chances to publicly recognize" Chenier for his 33 years in the broadcaster's role. However, this was "by design," as Chenier and the net "did not want to announce the decision in the preseason, and then have it hover over an 82-game season" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/10).
NOTES: NBC's "Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge" has set its announcing crew for the upcoming eight-episode second season. Gold Medal-winning U.S. speedskater Apolo Ohno and ESPN's Kelvin Washington will serve as play-by-play broadcasters, while NBC Sports' MJ Acosta and former MLBer Nick Swisher will serve as sideline reporters (NBC)....On Long Island, Neil Best wrote there is "little doubt" viewers of the upcoming ESPN "30 for 30" documentary "Mike and the Mad Dog" will "get a nostalgic kick out of it." The "fast-paced look back" is "difficult to resist" (NEWSDAY, 4/8)....In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff reports "major changes" are occurring at Spectrum Sports KC, the cable TV station formerly called Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and originally Metro Sports. More than half of the staff of about 32 were told last week they "would not be retained" (K.C. STAR, 4/11).
