In N.Y., Greg Bishop notes new Fox announcer Gus Johnson yesterday "described his split from CBS as amicable, a necessary step." Johnson "did not rule out returning to CBS in the future," and said that he "would miss the NCAA tournament." But Johnson "does not plan to watch next March," and he reiterated that he "did not fear leaving the tournament 'that made me.'" Johnson: "I believe in my ability to do my job, whether it be the NCAA tournament or the world tiddlywinks championship." He said that negotiations with Fox "started in early March, right before the tournament." Johnson noted Fox wanted to "mold some things around my style" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18).
TAKING ENOUGH KNOCKS: The Buccaneers have declined an invitation to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this season, and in Jacksonville, Hays Carlyon wrote there is "no way any team in the NFL should agree to be featured" on the show this year. Training camps are "chaotic enough in a normal preseason." Carlyon: "Consider the circumstances facing teams this year in the lockout-marred offseason. ... As compelling as 'Hard Knocks' would be in this odd year, regardless of which team was documented, it makes no sense for any franchise to subject itself to more distractions" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 5/17). ESPN's Bomani Jones said, "There's going to be a lockout. That's like seeing clouds in the sky and buying a baseball ticket at 6:45." But Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said, "Bad move. They haven't been relevant in Tampa Bay since they won the Super Bowl. ... They missed a big opportunity here" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/17). ESPN's Michelle Beadle: "It's a horrible move. Why would you want any exposure for a team that already has a hard enough time selling tickets?" ("SportsNation," ESPN2, 5/17).
ONE OF THE BEST: In Oklahoma City, Mel Bracht writes ESPN announcers Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and sideline reporter Doris Burke "turned in another excellent effort" during last night's Thunder-Mavericks Western Conference Finals Game One. Bracht: "Viewers need to hope that Jackson and Van Gundy don't get head coaching jobs in the league." Meanwhile, the NBA's "excellent access policy" deserves credit for "allowing ESPN to get shots of Thunder coach Scott Brooks addressing his team before the game and at halftime" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 5/18).
BACK WITH THE BEEB: In London, Lara Gould reported former tennis player Tim Henman will return to the BBC's Wimbledon coverage this year. Henman will earn about US$325,000 for the tournament, "more than doubling his fee last year," despite large cuts at the BBC and "criticism of his 'wooden' commentary." Henman "joined the BBC commentary team in 2008, a year after he retired from the professional circuit," and he has "struggled to win over viewers with his clunky commentary style" (DAILYMAIL.co.uk, 5/15).
