In N.Y., Phil Mushnick reports Brian Kenny is leaving ESPN next week "to become the primary studio anchor at MLB Network." Kenny, who regularly appeared on ESPN's boxing programming, "will be able to take a boxing gig" in addition to his work for MLB Network. HBO and Showtime "apparently are interested." Mushnick writes MLB Network has made "a great get" by adding Kenny (N.Y. POST, 8/26).
DIALED IN: The Predators announced that their games and programming will be broadcast on Nashville-area WPRT-FM this season "as part of the station's new all-sports format." The Predators and Cromwell Group Inc. "agreed to a multiyear contract extension." Last season, Predators game were carried on Cromwell Group's WBUZ-FM. Each game broadcast "will include a 30-minute or longer pregame show and an hour-long postgame show." The broadcast crew "remains the same -- Pete Weber, Terry Crisp and Tom Callahan -- with former Predators player Stu Grimson providing analysis for most home games" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/26).
GROWING PAINS: ESPN.com's Josh Gross discussed UFC's recent TV deal with Fox on his weekly podcast and said, "In the long run it’ll be good for everybody, but business as usual I don’t think flies anymore.” Gross: "Fox now has skin in the game. If the UFC does something, Dana White does something, and it reflects poorly on that, there’s a lot to play out here. I think we reached a milestone with the UFC in a sense that they have to grow up. ... They are a major company that has grown in so many ways, but still time to time revert back to that edge that made them so popular in their early going. Will it now finally be their detriment?" He added there is a responsibility for UFC to "represent the sport in a way they haven’t even considered before." Gross: "That’s just how big this deal is and how momentus this is for the sport" ("Gross Point Blank," ESPN.com, 8/23).
INSIDE JOB: THEWRAP.com's Lucas Shaw reported Deadspin Thursday "planted a spy in ESPN's annual all-company meeting," and the blog "posted a series of dispatches and photos from its man (or woman) on the inside." The first of eight blog entries reads, "I've already been spotted." Shaw: "Kudos to Deadspin for sneaking its way in" (THEWRAP.com, 8/25).
NHL MEDIA NOTES: The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin reported former NHLer Rhett Warrener "is joining the morning crew" at Calgary's CFAC-AM. In addition, the Winnipeg Jets have announced that "veteran announcer Dennis Beyak will be the voice for the team" on TSN's CFRW-AM. Beyak will be "responsible for doing TSN regional TV broadcasts and radio play-by-play," and Brian Munz will handle radio duties when Beyak is on TV. Montreal's CKGM-AM announced that John Bartlett "has been named the play-by-play radio voice" of the Canadiens (GLOBESPORTS.com, 8/25).
