In Seattle, Larry Stone reports the Mariners “have decided to go another year without hiring a permanent replacement" for former play-by-play announcer Dave Niehaus, who died of a heart attack in November '10. Instead, they will “continue last season's format of using a revolving committee of announcers who have worked with Niehaus in the past to supplement their three core broadcasters, Rick Rizzs, Dave Sims and Mike Blowers.” Once again, Sims and Blowers “will work on the television side, while Rizzs will anchor the radio broadcasts as the primary play-by-play man, teaming with the revolving committee of announcers” (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/2).
TWEET THIS: In Oklahoma City, Darnell Mayberry reported Thunder F Kevin Durant “could soon visit the debate desk” on ESPN’s “First Take.” Durant wrote on his Twitter account Thursday “that he is just waiting for an invitation.” The topic came up after the show's panelists, Skip Bayless, Rob Parker, former NFLer Hugh Douglas and host Jay Crawford, “debated Wednesday night's flag football game between Durant” and Heat F LeBron James. Durant on Twitter wrote, “These guys on first n take kill me, lol smh especially hugh Douglas, who is the dude? I thought that was emmit smith on tv just now.” Durant has since “deleted the message, as well as a series of subsequent related tweets after ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith got involved.” Smith on Twitter responded to Durant, “My man, nobody's stopping you from showing up. The platform is yours if you want it. Why tweet when you can stand up and show up” (NEWSOK.com, 12/1).
DRIVING AWAY LISTENERS: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley reported radio station WAUK-AM “will no longer air” NASCAR races. Starting with the '12 Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races “will air on WOKY-AM.” WAUK “had carried MRN and PRN broadcasts for decades.” Craig Karmazin, Founder of Good Karma Broadcasting, which owns WAUK, said, “It got to the point where NASCAR, which has a really loyal, passionate, targeted group, isn’t necessarily a fit always with the rest of our audience. … Over 90% of our audience doesn’t listen to the races every week" (JSONLINE.com, 12/1).
AND THE WINNER IS: SI conducted an NFL Players Poll titled, “Who is your favorite NFL commentator?” Based on 282 responses, ESPN’s John Gurden finished first with 21%. Also receiving votes were Fox’ Troy Aikman with 9%, retired commentator John Madden with 9%, NFL Network’s Deion Sanders with 8% and ESPN’s Chris Berman with 6% (SI, 12/5 issue).
