Westwood One and the NFL Wednesday announced a new multiyear deal in which Westwood One will continue as the league's exclusive radio partner, as it has been since '87. Westwood One will continue to air the regular-season primetime package and all postseason games. The radio network's NFL broadcasts are streamed online at NFL.com and simulcast on Sirius XM Radio and NFL Mobile via Verizon's wireless service (Westwood One/NFL).
TIME TO GET SIRIUS: CBSSPORTS.com's Steve Elling reported the PGA Tour's deal with Sirius XM Radio "was set to expire Dec. 31 but will be renewed with different terms." A source said that the Tour "has agreed to cover some of the expenses involved with staffing tournaments, the key portion" of what the broadcaster wanted "as a concession in order to re-up." The source added that it is "unclear what the network is paying as rights fee, if anything," and that the Tour "will handle compensation of the on-air talent and help share production costs" (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/22).
WHO'S ON DECK? In Chicago, Paul Sullivan reports the Cubs and WGN-AM are "beginning the search" for a new radio analyst "less than three weeks" after Ron Santo's death. Play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes "will be a part of the process, which is expected to take three weeks." WGN Sports Dir Dave Eanet said that the "search is still in the preliminary phase," and will be a "joint effort between the radio station that will employ him and the Cubs." Eanet said that the "list of candidates will include those who have filled in for Santo in the past, but declined to address speculation on rumored candidates." Dave Otto and Keith Moreland, both of whom have filled in for Santo in recent years, will be interviewed (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/23).
EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN: Milwaukee's WISN-ABC President & GM Jan Wade Monday said that the station's request "to carry the Rose Bowl has been declined." With Wisconsin set to play TCU in the game on Jan. 1, WISN had "hoped to be allowed to broadcast ESPN's coverage of the game, as it does" when the Packers play on "MNF." But Wade in an e-mail said the decision came from the NCAA, which "does not operate under the same 'home market' rules that the NFL does" (JSONLINE.com, 12/20).
URBAN RENEWAL: In Gainesville, Pat Dooley cites sources as saying that outgoing Univ. of Florida football coach Urban Meyer "met with ESPN officials Wednesday to discuss the possibility of joining the network in some capacity." Meyer served as a guest studio analyst Wednesday during ESPN's broadcast of the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas (GAINESVILLE SUN, 12/23).
