In Montreal, Pat Hickey reports NHL analyst Pierre McGuire, who has worked for TSN in Canada, has "decided to concentrate on his duties" in the U.S. McGuire: "I'll be doing two games a week for Versus or NBC, and spend one night in the Versus studio." NBC and McGuire "have been working on a deal for several months, and the final negotiations were delayed by the sudden departure" of former NBC Sports Group Chair Dick Ebersol. McGuire said that he will "continue to appear on TSN's network of radio stations across Canada." Hickey notes there also have been "suggestions McGuire may be involved in some special projects for TSN, such as contributing to its draft coverage" (Montreal GAZETTE, 6/28).
NO TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wonders what Fox execs were "thinking Saturday as they hyped this Saturday's Yankees-Mets telecast." A graphic promoting the game "had a big Derek Jeter head with the number 3,000," in reference to his pursuit of 3,000 career hits. But there is "one problem: Jeter ain't likely to be playing in the game" due to a calf strain. Fox announcer Kenny Albert noted that Jeter's "return to the lineup was uncertain." But Raissman writes Fox still "should not have used Jeter in the promo" unless they knew he would play (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/28).
TAYLOR MADE FOR TV: In Ft. Lauderdale, Omar Kelly wrote free agent DE Jason Taylor was "articulate, opinionated, and easy on the eyes" yesterday during a guest appearance on ESPN's "NFL Live." Taylor "went into this lockout-stretched offseason unsure if he'd play another season, or enter the broadcasting, and possibly the acting world." Kelly: "I suspect there's better odds Taylor works for ESPN, or another television network in 2011 than for the Miami Dolphins" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/27).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: Former Nationals and Cubs manager Jim Riggleman "will be part of the pregame and postgame programs" on Comcast SportsNet Chicago this weekend for its coverage of the White Sox-Cubs series (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/28)....ESPN2's upcoming series "Numbers Never Lie" will be hosted by former Fox sideline reporter Charissa Thompson and feature "daily appearances from a former player and an expert." The half-hour show will air on weekdays at 3:30pm ET (SPORTSBYBROOKS.com, 6/27)....Univ. of North Carolina radio host and analyst Jones Angell "will assume the play-by-play duties for UNC's football and men's basketball radio broadcasts beginning this fall." Angell succeeds Woody Durham, "who retired in April after 40 years as the voice of the Tar Heels" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/28).
