The Chargers yesterday announced their new radio broadcast team on L.A.-based KFI-AM for the upcoming season, as the team has retained Nick Hardwick as a color analyst while "replacing longtime voice Josh Lewin," who joined the team in '05, according to Jack Wang of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. Filling the play-by-play spot "vacated by Lewin is Matt 'Money' Smith, best known for co-hosting" the show "Petros & Money" on KLAC-AM. The Chargers also announced CBS NFL broadcasters Spero Dedes and Dan Fouts will "call the team’s three preseason games" on KABC-TV. Wang notes when the Chargers finalized their relocation to L.A. in early January, Hardwick "publicly declared his split with the team." He said that he had "no interest in extending the arrangement." However, Hardwick said, "After several months, it became clear that the Chargers are a part of who I am. It is in my blood." But by "pairing Hardwick with Smith -- who has play-by-play experience with NFL and college games -- means longtime Chargers fans will be without Lewin’s voice for the first time in 12 years." His years with the Chargers "coincided with one of the franchise’s most successful stretches" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/6). Lewin, who also calls games for the Mets and UCLA, tweeted, "The @Chargers have decided they want a fulltime LA announcer so a wonderful run ends today. Will happily continue w/Mets and UCLA and will cherish my memories" (TWITTER.com, 6/5).
FORGIVE & FORGET: In San Diego, Tom Krasovic notes Hardwick's return comes nearly six months after he "slammed" Chargers Chair Dean Spanos’ treatment of San Diegans in "pivoting to L.A." Hardwick said, "I’m just really thankful that my family accepted me back, as a former player, and one of the alumni, as a family member who lashed out. I was emotional, I was upset, I was scared. I was confused by the whole situation." Hardwick called the last six months a "wild, emotional ride." Hardwick said that in the weeks that followed his comments, four members of the Spanos family "reached out to him." Following the dialogues with the Spanos family, a "trip to the Super Bowl in Houston further tugged on Hardwick." Further "rekindling his affection for his former employer was the NFL draft, in late April." Wanting "back in the game," Hardwick "got in touch with the Spanos family to inquire about returning to his job as a radio analyst" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/6).
