Pac-12 Networks Senior VP/Production Leon Schweir said that they are "only beginning to tap into the potential of the network." BROADCASTING & CABLE's George Winslow noted starting this month, the nets are "exponentially increasing their remote productions to about 250 games per year." They also are "becoming more flexible in the way they use the network; some games are done remotely, while others can be produced either on-site or involving crews and announcing teams from both the stadium and the San Francisco studios." In addition, the Pac-12 is "expanding its use of stripped down, smaller mobile trucks" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 9/23 issue).
HIS LIPS ARE SEALED: On Long Island, Neil Best noted Red Sox Special Assistant to the GM Pedro Martinez will work as a studio analyst for TBS during the postseason and Martinez said that the job "would not prevent him from pointing out Red Sox mistakes." Martinez: "If someone doesn't execute on the field, of course I will be able to pick that up. But no more than that. I will just keep it baseball related." He added that he "must be careful not to reveal any team secrets on national television." Martinez said, "I know what the rules are and what goes on and I'll be strictly professional about what I say about players. I'm not going to give little tips to other teams" (NEWSDAY, 9/23).
TIME IS ON THEIR SIDE: The AP's Brian Mahoney reported the NBA is "revising its media guidelines, loosening some obligations on players and coaches while making some additions it feels will improve access and be more enforceable." The new rules "lessen the amount of times players are required to be available on game days but mandates they speak at least once while sidelined with a long-term injury." Coaches can "shorten the length of time they have to open practice to reporters and won't be required to meet with the media after morning shootarounds at home, but will still have to when they're on the road" (AP, 9/20).
