People & Personalities: Writers Question Vegas Setting Of Show
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Knight Says Gambling Aspect Of Show At
Wynn Sports Book Did Not Occur To Him |
In L.A., Tom Hoffarth writes of "Survive and Advance," a series of one-hour TV programs analyzing the '09 NCAA men's basketball tournament to be hosted from the Wynn Las Vegas sports book by Bob Knight and Billy Packer, "For Knight to say during a news conference this week that the gambling aspect 'never entered my mind' proves he either has no mind left or he's completely shoving this into the face of ... ESPN." Hoffarth: "And what about Packer, who has always preached about the purity of the college game, breaking it down with his supposed insider information for his own financial benefit?" NCAA President Myles Brand "may have more to say about this" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/16). In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley wrote of hosting the show in Las Vegas, "So cultural curiosity, not a promotional deal with a major casino, or money, had the most bearing on the decision. Right." The show could have been Packer and Knight "in Packer's basement doing a March Madness Wayne and Garth kind of show," or it could have been "in an educational setting like" the College Basketball HOF in K.C. But "however inappropriate or unseemly Brand or any other NCAA official may view Packer's choice of setting for his show, there's nothing they can do about it" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/15). Meanwhile, in Boston, Bob Ryan writes of Bob Knight's new "SportsCenter" segment: "Bob Knight working an ESPN game: Uh-uh. Bob Knight sitting in front of the big screen analyzing a player or a team? Give me more, lots more" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/16).
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR: SI's Jim Gorant reported Golf Channel announcer Kelly Tilghman will work 17 of the net's 46 PGA Tour broadcasts this season. And while rumors of her "imminent demise are untrue, all bets are off for 2010." Meanwhile, analysts Frank Nobilo and Brandel Chamblee this season will join Golf Channel's tournament coverage team to "add new views and voices." Also, golfer Paul Azinger will join the main booth for four events, partnering with analyst Nick Faldo "for at least a few of them." Gorant: "That should take the pressure to fill time off Faldo, letting him save his comments for when he's got something good to say, and it could also turn Kelly Tilghman into more of a traffic cop" (GOLF.com, 1/14).
SPLIT DECISION: In Philadelphia, Bernard Fernandez noted boxer Bernard Hopkins last Friday debuted as a studio analyst alongside host Brian Kenny for ESPN's "Friday Night Fights," marking the "first of 18 contracted appearances" on the show this year for Hopkins. Fernandez wrote Hopkins "clearly is preparing himself for life beyond his nearing-its-end career as an active fighter." Hopkins "admittedly is a work in progress," as he "realizes he has to master a different craft." But his debut "went well enough" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/13)....ESPN Deportes on January 23 at 6:30pm ET will debut "Golpe a Golpe," a weekly, live news and analysis boxing program to be co-hosted by former boxer Marco Antonio Barrera and ESPN Deportes' Jorge Eduardo Sanchez (ESPN Deportes).
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Mavericks Reportedly Unhappy With
Ortegel (l) Due To Old-School Approach |
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: In Dallas, Barry Horn reported Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban is reportedly "unhappy with analyst Bob Ortegel because he is too old school and they are looking to jazz up the presentation." Horn also noted while Mavericks ratings "may be down this season ... don't blame Ortegel." Meanwhile, sideline reporter Emily Jones is a "definite upgrade" over Laura Green (DALLASNEWS.com, 1/15).
FINAL CALL: In Iowa, Steve Batterson reported Univ. of Iowa football radio announcer Ed Podolak Wednesday "announced his retirement in the wake of photos surfacing of him partying with fans during Iowa's recent Outback Bowl trip." Iowa AD Gary Barta said that he "spoke with Podolak after the photos made their way onto several Web sites but said the decision to call it a career belonged to Podolak" (QUAD-CITY TIMES, 1/15).
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