In N.Y., Bob Raissman reported MSG's relationship with radio partner ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y., which broadcasts both Rangers and Knicks games, "has hit rock bottom." MSG Chair James Dolan last Tuesday granted WFAN-AM, the radio home of the Devils and Nets, an exclusive interview, "leaving 98.7 high, dry and embarrassed." Sources said that MSG until Tuesday had an "understanding, an 'agreement,' with 98.7 to put its marquee personalities, especially Dolan, on the station first." Raissman: "There will be fallout from this rancid relationship. The Rangers’ and Knicks’ radio deals expire in a year. It would not be surprising if Dolan looked to take the teams to another station" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/8).
NEW WAVES: In Chicago, Dan McGrath wrote it is "not like Cubs broadcasts are disappearing from the radio waves," but rather they are "just moving three clicks up the dial to WBBM-AM." The Cubs are "leaving behind a ton of history" at WGN-AM, but "let’s not act surprised." Dollars and cents "trump tradition and nostalgia in the sports culture every time." However, broadcaster Pat Hughes is "staying" with the Cubs, and "that's good." WGN-AM retains its rights to the Blackhawks and Northwestern football and basketball, but that is "pretty light inventory for an outlet whose identity has long been linked to sports." TV is "the next shoe to drop," after the Cubs last year exercised an option to end their agreement with WGN-TV, and the "thud will be much louder" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/7).
OCEAN'S ELEVEN: The Pac-12 yesterday announced "the creation of a new television window," beginning at 11:00am PT, for college football games beginning this fall in "an effort to limit night games that fans and universities across the conference had loudly voiced concerns about." The conference in a release wrote that all games shown in the 11:00am timeslot "will be carried by Pac-12 Networks." In Portland, Andrew Greif noted the new timeslot will "take the place of an evening Pac-12 Networks window throughout the fall." The Pac-12 said that the number of games shown in the earlier slot "will be determined throughout the season as its other television partners, ESPN and Fox, pick their games and time slots" (OREGONLIVE.com, 6/8).
WELL, I'M SOUTHBOUND: SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported CBS Sports' Tony Barnhart "has moved from CBS to the SEC Network." He is "expected to have a dual role on both television and writing for the SEC Network's digital platform" (SI.com, 6/8).
