SI.com's Richard Deitsch cited sources as saying that Katie Nolan is "negotiating an early release from her Fox Sports contract," and a "formal release is expected to come soon." Nolan's contract is "believed to officially conclude at the end" of '17. Nolan joined FS1 when the net launched in '13 as a digital correspondent and co-host of "Crowd Goes Wild." ESPN is the "logical destination," with Exec VP/Content Connor Schell and producer Erik Rydholm "known to be fond of Nolan's on-air work." There are also "spots open on ESPN's daytime lineup, including at SportsNation" (SI.com, 9/28).
SPEAKING THE TRUTH: Former NBAer Paul Pierce will join ESPN as a full-time NBA studio analyst, where he will "regularly appear on 'NBA Countdown' and 'The Jump.'" In Boston, Chad Finn writes the news had been "expected since Pierce drew rave reviews for his contributions to ESPN’s studio programming during the NBA Finals the past two years." Finn: "Candid and opinionated, he vastly improved in the role this past postseason" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/29).
CHEERS, KEVIN: In Seattle, Larry Stone notes Mariners Executive Radio Producer/Engineer Kevin Cremin is "signing off for the last time." His final broadcast, after 35 years and more than 5,500 games at the helm, "will be Sunday" at Angel Stadium. At age 65, "having witnessed for more than three decades all the ups and downs and twists and turns of the franchise from the vantage point of a small radio booth, retirement beckons" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/29).
ATHLETIC ENDEAVORS: The Athletic on Friday announced that baseball writer Peter Gammons will become a "contributing writer" (TWITTER.com, 9/29). Meanwhile, Darnell Mayberry, who has spent the past 12 years at the Oklahoman covering the Thunder and Hornets, has joined The Athletic Chicago as a Bulls beat writer (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/28).
