People & Personalities: Mariotti, Tribune Co. End Discussions
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Mariotti Says Talks To Join
Tribune Co. Have Ended |
Former Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti yesterday said that his discussions with Tribune Co. "about a possible role at the media company have ended." Mariotti said that Sun-Times lawyers "threatened to sue if he joined [Tribune], claiming a jump to the competing news outlet would violate a non-compete agreement." Mariotti said he and Tribune "talked about television, about the Internet, about the newspaper." Mariotti added that talks about working for the Chicago Tribune "became a stumbling block." Tribune Co. sources confirmed that "conversations with Mariotti had been held," but Chicago Tribune Editor Gerould Kern yesterday said, "We have no plans to hire Jay Mariotti" (Jim Kirk, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/17).
THUNDER ROLLS: In Oklahoma City, Mike Baldwin reports Thunder officials today will name former Seahawks radio announcer Brian Davis the team's TV play-by-play announcer. Davis worked for the Seahawks from '00-04, and in recent years he has worked for FSN Northwest as host on Sonics pregame, halftime and postgame telecasts (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 9/17). Also in Oklahoma City, Jenni Carlson writes, "With the exception of the team name, this is the biggest decision to be made in the branding of [the Thunder]." Fans will "come to know the Thunder ... through the announcers' prism," and more than Thunder Owner Clay Bennett, GM Sam Presti, coach P.J. Carlesimo or "anyone else in the Thunder's employ, Davis and his sidekick will carry the message to the masses" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 9/17).
CONSPIRACY THEORY: In Orlando, Jerry Greene writes of ESPN's Tony Kornheiser's "MNF" comments regarding a Spanish-language clip, for which he later apologized, "It wasn't real funny but it shouldn't be real offensive either, especially when it doesn't actually touch on any Hispanic stereotypes. But, hey, how about this for conspiracy theorists: ESPN may have wanted the apology to cause next-day discussion as they try to turn Kornheiser into the reincarnation of Howard Cosell?" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/17).
NOTES: The Predators named AHL Peoria Rivermen radio announcer Tom Callahan as their primary radio broadcaster for this season (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/17)...."Into the Night with Tony Bruno" will air on The Content Factory beginning September 29. The show will air live from the West Coast from 7:00-10:00pm PT (Content Factory).
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