In Baltimore, Aaron Wilson reports Fox' Brian Billick "will no longer call games for the network" after "six years as a color analyst" on NFL broadcasts. Fox Sports VP/Communications Dan Bell last night confirmed that Billick's expired contract "won't be renewed." Billick has not coached in the NFL since '07 and has "drawn solid reviews" for his TV and radio work. He "has contributed to NFL Network for several years and is expected to continue working for that network." The Big Lead yesterday "first reported that Billick wouldn't return this fall" (Baltimore SUN, 3/24).
CALABRO'S CALL: SI.com's Richard Deitsch reports ESPN Radio's Kevin Calabro "recently signed a multi-year extension to stay as the lead play-by-play voice of the NBA for the network." Calabro "will call regular-season, All-Star and playoff games for ESPN Radio and work with lead NBA analyst Jon Barry as well as PJ Carlesimo and Stan Van Gundy." Calabro last week said that he also will "have the opportunity to branch out into college basketball" (SI.com, 3/23).
MARINO REMAINS MUM: Agent Marvin Demoff said that his client, Dan Marino, "is still 'formulating' what he wants to do with his life" after being dropped by CBS on its "The NFL Today" pregame show. In Miami, Barry Jackson noted Marino "has refused to speak publicly" after the move. A job with the Dolphins "remains a possibility, though not a powerful one." Simply being Marino "is still profitable; he commands more than $100 per autograph, according to his firm" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/23).
ELLIOTT EYES NEW DEAL: In N.Y., Emily Smith cites sources as saying that Josh Elliott, the co-host of ABC's "GMA," "is demanding" $8M a year to stay with the net. He currently makes about $1.2M annually. Elliott also is "in talks with NBC to possibly jump ship and take on a role covering both news and sports there." A source said that since Elliott started at ESPN, his agents at CAA "have been actively talking to NBC about a part-news, part-sports role, like a younger Bob Costas" (N.Y. POST, 3/23).
