Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal "revealed on Twitter Wednesday that he no longer had a writing home and would be posting his stories on Facebook until he finds one." In Boston, Chad Finn notes the realization that Rosenthal had been caught up in former Fox Sports National Networks President Jamie Horowitz' plan "brought bewilderment from all corners of baseball social media." Rosenthal’s situation is "one more blunt commentary" on the state of sports writing (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/14).
SCOOPS ON A PLANE: ESPN’s Chris Haynes discussed breaking the news of the Celtics signing F Gordon Hayward, which followed mass speculation amid contradicting reports over July 4 weekend. Haynes: "I had broke it right before I was boarding the plane. ... I was going back home to the Bay Area and so I had just got word from the final source that I needed right before I was about to get on the plane." Haynes said it was a good situation because he "didn’t have to constantly worry or check ... the misdirection people were throwing out there." Haynes said after he reports, he plays the "waiting game." Haynes: "You know you’re going to be vindicated, you just don’t know when" (“The HoopsHype Podcast,” HOOPSHYPE.com, 7/11).
JOINING THE BOOTH: In Baltimore, David Zurawik notes NFL Net's Brian Billick and CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn are joining WBAL-AM's Gerry Sandusky in "calling Ravens' preseason TV broadcasts" on WBAL-NBC. Billick "coached the Ravens to the Super Bowl" in '01, and "worked six seasons as a color analyst for NFL games on Fox" from '08-13. He has been an analyst on NFL Net since '09. Washburn will "remain with CBS Sports" this season" (Baltimore SUN, 7/14).
COLLEGE VOICES: Fox Sports will bring back play-by-play man Gus Johnson and analyst Joel Klatt for their third season together as the net's lead college football team. They will be joined by sideline reporter Jenny Taft. Also returning will be announcer Joe Davis with analyst Brady Quinn, and they will be joined by sideline reporter Bruce Feldman. Announcer Tim Brando and analyst Spencer Tillman will work with sideline reporter Holly Sonders. Host Rob Stone will be in studio for pregame, halftime and postgame alongside analysts Matt Leinart, Robert Smith and Dave Wannstedt. Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino will serve as rules experts (Fox Sports).
