In San Diego, Kevin Acee writes Chargers GM A.J. Smith "didn't spend a second considering the possibility" that the team would appear this season on HBO's "Hard Knocks." The Chargers were previously approached to appear on the show in '06, and Smith "vetoed that overture." Smith Thursday had an "entirely playful" response regarding whether the team was approached again for "Hard Knocks" this season. Smith: "We were not contacted, because we are not eligible to be on the show. None of us have our Screen Actors Guild cards" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/1).
BEAT OF HIS OWN DRUM: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley wrote ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy “has maintained his engaging broadcasting style." Van Gundy has said that he “doesn’t think at all about how he sounds when he calls a game.” He is “not one to measure how an audience may be responding to his observations or what judgments they are making about him.” Van Gundy also “doesn’t seem to care about what you may think of him as a broadcaster,” and that “appears to be one source of his considerable appeal.” Wolfley: “He has that cold pro coach’s eye that lays bare a player’s weakness or a team’s strength. He cares enough to get peeved about some issues” (JSONLINE.com, 5/31).
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: BROADCASTING & CABLE's Michael Malone reports Bright House Sports Network "has signed an agreement with the Florida High School Athletic Association to become its official television partner." BHSN will "produce and distribute all FHSAA state quarterfinals, semifinals and final series games for the next three years." The net is "phasing out local college sports in favor of the high school games." BHSN airs "more than 200 regular season high school games throughout the season" (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 5/31).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: Charrisa Thompson will make her debut Monday as the new co-host of ESPN's "SportsNation" opposite Colin Cowherd (ESPN)....SiriusXM announced that former college football coach Rick Neuheisel has joined the satellite radio provider as an analyst on its College Sports Nation channel (SiriusXM).
