VARIETY's Andrew Wallenstein reported while Cavaliers F LeBron James "has sworn off social media during the NBA Playoffs ... he’s making an exception for a new venture from Bleacher Report." He "will break his silence via Uninterrupted, a new video platform launched in January by the Turner Broadcasting-owned sports-news publication that lets athletes post messages directly to fans rather than through the filter of the media." Warriors F Draymond Green also "is expected to contribute" (VARIETY.com, 4/21).
STINGING SENSATION: In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell reports Hornets radio play-by-play man Scott Lauer "was told Tuesday he will not return next season." Lauer confirmed that he "was let go." Lauer "came to Charlotte after calling minor league baseball in Indianapolis, among other assignments." Lauer this season worked with analyst and former NBAer Matt Carroll "on home games." Lauer "did road games without a broadcast partner" on Hornets flagship station WFNZ-AM (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/22).
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: ESPN released a statement indicating new Eagles QB Tim Tebow would be welcomed back to the net upon the conclusion of his playing career, and PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Michael David Smith wrote it is "easy to see why ESPN would want to maintain a good relationship with Tebow, who still has a large fan base and can draw viewers with his presence." If you do not see him in an Eagles uniform this season, "you’ll see him in an ESPN studio" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/21).
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: Youth programmer Whistle Sports Exec VP Brian Selander said of being featured in YouTube's NewFronts campaign that launched last week, "We'll feature our relationships with brands and highlight our creators roster as well as pro-league partners like the NBA and MLB, which make us unique in the space." He said of what is attracting millennial males to The Whistle's properties, "There is this whole generation of athlete all-stars like Indi Cowie and Dude Perfect that don't play on pro teams or in big stadiums. But to people under 25, they are every bit the sports celebrities. Instead of sitting on a couch and watching them once in a while, young people are engaging with them a couple times a day online" (ADWEEK.com, 4/20).
