In N.Y., Ari Gilberg notes ESPN has moved college football announcer Robert Lee off the Sept. 2 William & Mary-Virginia football game in part because he "shares the same name" as the former Confederate general. ESPN in a statement said it "came to an agreement with Lee to make the switch in the wake of the events in Charlottesville." Lee, who is not related to the general, will now call the Youngstown State-Pitt game that day (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/23). Also in N.Y., Matthew Haag notes the move by ESPN "drew swift condemnation online, from people who called the decision absurd and said it was political correctness run amok" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/23). Writer Yashar Ali posted on his Twitter account a note from an ESPN exec that the move came amid a "reasonable possibility" that because of Lee's name he "would be subjected to memes and jokes and who knows what else" (TWITTER.com, 8/23).
LEAVING THE FIGHT GAME: Fox UFC analyst Brian Stann announced his "departure from calling fights" with the promotion via Instagram. Stann wrote he has been offered a "leadership role with a fast growing real estate firm" and will be attending Northwestern for an executive MBA this fall. Stann: "I will continue to be a huge MMA supporter and attend many events. ... This move is to focus more on my family. I traveled 26 weekends last year for work while also working a full time job" (INSTAGRAM.com, 8/22).
LEAVING THE CAPITAL: In DC, Scott Allen cites a source as saying that Monday was longtime Capitals reporter Jill Sorenson's "last day" with CSN Mid-Atlantic. CSN "opted not to renew Sorenson's contract, which was set to expire at the end of the year." Sorenson joined CSN in '05 after a "brief stint" at DC-based WTTG-Fox and, before that, four years working alongside George Michael at DC-based WRC-NBC. She "served as an anchor, host and reporter at CSN" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/23).
DUAL THREAT: In Orlando, David Harris profiled ESPN college football analyst Rene Ingoglia, who during the week "serves as a police detective." Ingoglia said working college football is a "good diversion" from law enforcement. Ingoglia can be "seen on ESPNU or ESPNEWS." Mike Corey, his play-by-play partner, said that Ingoglia "doesn’t talk much about being a police officer." He said that it "comes up on the broadcast sometimes, but not much" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/19).
NOTES: The Undefeated's Mike Wise is "in trouble after making up a Nick Saban quote in a Tweet he later said was a joke." Wise later "deleted the social media post." Wise then posted on Twitter, "Anyone that took my sarcastic tweets about Nick Saban seriously, my apologies. I'll take them down" (AL.com, 8/22)....Tennis Channel is adding player Bethanie Mattek-Sands to its on-air team for its U.S. Open coverage. Mattek-Sands is currently recovering from a knee injury she sustained at Wimbledon. She will contribute to special segments with U.S. Open players and interact with fans through social media (Tennis Channel)....Former Falcons RB Michael Turner will be "covering the team" for its official website (AJC.com, 8/21)....Joe Becker, who "spent more than 30 years" at Portland-based KGW-NBC, is now a sports anchor at Portland-based KATU-ABC. Becker left KGW in April '16 (OREGONLIVE.com, 8/22).
