ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy said that he might "have to switch on his rarely used internal censor" when it comes to discussing Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau's "shaky relationship" with the front office. Van Gundy: "I've been asked by (Leon Rose of CAA, the firm that represents Thibodeau) to tone it down a bit. ... He asked that I not say anything bad about (Thibodeau's relationship with the Bulls). It was getting people upset. I told him I have a job to do, but at the same time, I don't want to do anything to hurt Tom." In Chicago, Ed Sherman notes Thibodeau "is one of Van Gundy's closest friends in the business" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/27).
MEAN MACHINE: In Texas, Brett Vito reports veteran Univ. of North Texas play-by-play announcer George Dunham during halftime of Thursday's game against UNC-Charlotte "offered words of thanks during the final game of his 25 years as the radio voice of the Mean Green." All the "pomp and circumstance that surrounded the retirement of the beloved UNT figure, including a halftime video tribute, made the night a special one." Video tributes from "more than a dozen Dallas-Fort Worth radio and television figures" were played throughout the night (DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE, 2/27).
RADIO WAVES: In Boston, Chad Finn reports WEEI-FM’s decision to "reunite longtime midday co-hosts Dale Arnold and Michael Holley in afternoon drive last March seemed to be welcomed by a significant consensus of listeners." The pair, "who had worked together for six years before being split up in February 2011, provided stability in a crucial day part." But there "were no initial assurances from WEEI or parent company Entercom Communications management that the Arnold-Holley reunion would be permanent" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/27)....In Dallas, Barry Horn reports MLB Rangers radio host Jared Sandler "will be making the move with the team from" ESPN Radio 103.3 Dallas to KRLD-FM, replacing Mike Peasley, who remains at ESPN Radio. Sandler "also will move to the booth for the dozen or so broadcasts" when Baseball HOF broadcaster Eric Nadel takes scheduled games off (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/21).
NOTES: CSN California announced that former MLBer Eric Chavez will join the A's broadcast team for 20 games this season as a color commentator and will also serve as a studio analyst for select "A's Pregame Live" and "A's Postgame Live" shows (CSN California)....ESPN Radio 710 L.A. has suffered "another defection" by way of Lakers pregame host and Operations Manager Dave Shore "leaving" to become Detroit-based WMGC-FM Program Dir, the Pistons' flagship home (DAILYNEWS.com, 2/26)....In Albany, Pete Dougherty writes currently suspended ESPN personality Keith Olbermann's week-long timeout is "not long enough." He "represents the brand every time he engages with the public," and it is "part of being a celebrity -- and why he makes the high salary that he does" (Albany TIMES UNION, 2/27).
