ESPN last week hired former Nuggets coach George Karl as a studio analyst, and he will be a "unique figure on television this year," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. Karl is the "rare coach-turned-broadcaster coming off a great season," and will "contribute to a number of shows, including NBA Coast 2 Coast, NBA Tonight, SportsCenter and various ESPN Radio shows." Karl said, "This gives me an opportunity to stay in the game and an opportunity to be a part of serious discussions whatever storyline comes up this year." Karl also worked for ESPN during the '03-04 season. Karl said that he "maintained relationships with ESPN employees during his time in the NBA and when ESPN did games in Denver, Karl enjoyed spending time with on-air and production staffers." ESPN Senior VP & Exec Producer Mark Gross "reached out to the 62-year old" after Karl parted ways with the Nuggets. Karl went to ESPN for a one-day rehearsal and "both sides came away impressed." Karl has a "multi-year deal with ESPN but likely has an out clause if he wants to return to coaching." Karl: "I don't think you will see me wild and crazy either way, but if someone calls and I think it is the right fit for me, I would be open to it." Karl, who has "overcome bouts with prostate and throat cancer, said his health is good." He gets a cancer checkup "every August and everything came back clean this year" (SI.com, 10/6). Karl said of ESPN's initial interest, "Obviously, I was intrigued. I've spent my life in basketball." In Denver, Dusty Saunders notes Karl will "debut the week of Oct. 20 under a schedule that will put him in Bristol three days a week, probably every other week" (DENVER POST, 10/7).
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote ESPN has "failed -- miserably -- to find a pregame studio team worth watching" for its NBA broadcasts. “NBA Countdown” is "still in desperate need of a host, a point guard to direct the flow of the show." The person "for that gig is under the collective noses of ESPN suits" in current analyst Magic Johnson (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/6).
