ESPN's Dan Dakich on Thursday addressed his feud with Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, saying he "talked with the Michigan State people, and they're cool about it." Dakich, appearing on his daily talk show on Indianapolis-based WFNI-AM, said, "The whole thing to me is really, really overblown. Again, I don’t blame Tom Izzo. If Tom Izzo feels his program is coming under attack then he should come at me. That’s how I look at it. I just don’t like the fact he had to deal with it, because really, I think the context got lost. But that’s part of the world we live in and no big deal." Dakich will call Saturday's Michigan State-Purdue game (DETROIT NEWS, 2/17). Izzo on Thursday said that he had "not spoken to Dakich" but "downplayed the incident." Izzo: "It's no big deal. It is what it was, it's over. I'm not holding any grudges" (MLIVE.com, 2/16).
EVERYTHING GOES: In Houston, David Barron writes the "arrival of a new presidential administration makes this an interesting time for the off-the-court discussions that have become a staple" of TNT's "Inside the NBA" with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal. Smith said, "The NBA is never immune to what is going on. Any religious issue, any social issue, any sexual issue, is going to hit the NBA the same way it hits society. There is a like-mindedness that is common of people in the same profession, and there is a consciousness (among NBA players) that I'm grateful that is starting to become aware." He added, "Without question, we have set the precedent to be free-spirited and to talk things seriously or with fun. I think we have become enablers for that" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/17).
SPIRIT OF RADIO: In Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore reports the Hawks are "in the final stages" of signing radio play-by-play broadcaster Steve Holman to a new contract. Meanwhile, Holman will be one of five inducted into the Atlanta Sports HOF on Friday. He has "spent the past 32 years" as the Hawks' radio voice (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 2/17).
CHANGING TIMES: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reports FS Florida Rays broadcaster Rich Hollenberg was "not retained" by the RSN for the upcoming season. Hollenberg "handled pre- and post-game host, and occasional in-game reporting, duties for the last three seasons." A replacement is "expected to be named soon." Hollenberg "plans to expand his college basketball duties with ESPN" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/17).
