The Phillies and CBS Radio's WPHT-AM and WIP-FM yesterday announced a multiyear broadcast partnership for coverage of the team's Spring Training, regular-season and postseason games. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Phillies radio announcers Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will continue to call the team's games (Phillies).
REPERCUSSIONS FOR REMARKS: In San Diego, Brent Schrotenboer reported XEPRS-AM host Scott Kaplan "has been fired after making disparaging remarks about a female broadcaster for the Mountain West's television network." The station "announced Kaplan 'has officially left the organization' without giving a reason for his sudden departure," but a station source said that Kaplan "was fired." On his daily sports talk radio show Jan. 25, Kaplan called Mountain West studio analyst Andrea Lloyd a "beast," an "animal," a "monster" and a "sasquatch of a woman." Kaplan's "longtime show with former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith is canceled." The station said Smith is "considering future projects" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/7).
SOCCER GAINING GROUND? In Miami, Michelle Kaufman noted it is “significant" that Fox aired the Chelsea-Manchester United EPL match Sunday morning "on such a huge American football day.” She wrote, “Does it mean soccer is gaining ground on the NFL? Not a chance.” But it is “another step toward respectability in a country that scoffed at the sport not that long ago” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/5).
30-DAY EXPIRATION? In Buffalo, T.J. Pignataro cites Time Warner Cable legal notices that show the agreements between TWC and the NHL Network “could expire in as soon as 30 days.” No deal “has yet been worked out” (BUFFALO NEWS, 2/5).
