People & Personalities: Barkley Was Close To Joining NBC
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Barkley Says Ebersol Talked Him Into
Working On TV |
In a Q&A with YAHOO SPORTS' Nick Friedell, TNT's Charles Barkley said, "You know what's so weird about this job? I wasn't even going to come (to TNT). I was gonna to go to NBC. I had already (talked to them). [NBC Sports & Olympics Chair] Dick Ebersol was the first person to (suggest) I go into television. He's been great for me and helped me a lot. I was like 'Ok,' (I'll go to NBC). And then a friend of mine says, 'Just do me a favor, I'm friends with the TNT people, just go have dinner with them.' And I came down here man, and had just a really wonderful time. And one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life was to call NBC and say, 'Dick, I know it was your idea that I get into television, (but) I felt something with the TNT people" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/11).
STAR STRUCK: In Dallas, Tim MacMahon noted Cowboys WR Terrell Owens "claims that he doesn't watch ESPN," but Owens was "particularly perturbed about" ESPN analysts and former Cowboys players Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith. Owens: "Those two need their own show -- Dumb and Dumber." Johnson and Smith have "often been critical of the current" Cowboys, and Owens called Smith a "hypocrite for publicly calling the Cowboys a bunch of individuals, then leaving a message on [DE] Greg Ellis' cell phone to pass onto the team" (DALLASNEWS.com, 12/10). Meanwhile, Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant said that he "was disrespected" by Smith and ESPN's Trent Dilfer prior to Monday night's game against the Panthers. Bryant: "I'm a real person and that bull---- Emmitt said on the TV about 'get my life right,' Trent Dilfer mentioned something about getting my life right outside of football. Last time I checked, man, don't be a hypocrite, man" (TAMPABAY.com, 12/10).
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Leyritz Seeking Work As An
MLB Broadcaster |
NOTES: Patriots radio analyst Andy Gresh has "snagged a one-year gig on" Sirius XM Radio for a "nightly sports show but he'll still keep his Pats gig." The show will be called "The Gresh Show" and will begin in January (BOSTON HERALD, 12/12)....In Boston, Jessica Heslam reports WEEI-AM host Glenn Ordway, whose five-year contract with the station ends December 31, Thursday told listeners he was "going on vacation for the rest of year -- and that 'this could very well be my last day here.'" Ordway: "We are trying to come to an agreement and hopefully we'll be able to do that between now and the end of the year" (BOSTON HERALD, 12/12)....MLB Rangers radio announcer Victor Rojas has been hired by MLB Network, where he will be a studio host (DALLASNEWS.com, 12/10)....On Long Island, Ken Davidoff reported "ultra-popular" former MLBer Jim Leyritz, who will be on trial next month on two counts of drunken driving, this week was "at the winter meetings to look for a broadcasting job" (NEWSDAY, 12/11).
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