ESPN's Holly Rowe on Thursday announced that she is again "battling cancer" just hours after news came out ESPN had signed her to a multiyear extension. The AP's Doug Feinberg notes Rowe will "remain on the sidelines for college football, basketball, volleyball, softball and WNBA games" as part of her new deal. She also will "keep her health insurance, which has been a vital tool in her fight against melanoma." Rowe has been with the net for two decades, and ESPN ran on Thursday a "first-person piece about her experience working through her diagnosis." With her most recent diagnosis, Rowe is "due for treatment every 21 days while trying a new amino therapy." She will continue to work as she gets treatment (AP, 5/19).
JOB WELL DONE: In N.Y., Justin Terranova notes ESPN has been "thrilled with the job" Michelle Beadle has done hosting "NBA Countdown," and plans to "make her the face of the show going forward." Beadle said of the NBA, "It's my favorite sport above and beyond, a million times anything else. ... It was a moment and a space that I love already, so it seemed like a no-brainer that I should want to do that. It's also a more serious job than 'SportsNation,' which I 1,000 percent love as well, but I get to wear a different hat." Beadle, who is paired with Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups on the studio show, will be joined by the recently retired Paul Pierce the rest of the postseason (N.Y. POST, 5/19).
STAYING CONNECTED: MLB Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow has "cut back on his travel this season" due to an ongoing muscle condition, and he said that missing road trips was his "biggest concern" in reducing his schedule to 120 games. He said, "I felt you had to be there every day to maintain your finger on the pulse of the team. ... So I'm watching every game, every pitch, and to be honest it's odd. I feel guilty not being there." When asked about his thoughts on his replacements, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez, Krukow said, "The're doing great. They're fun and interesting people. They've got great insights. They're also new to this, and you've got to give them time" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/19).
NOTES: Triple-A Int'l League Syracuse Chiefs play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown made his MLB debut after he "filled in" for National's radio play-by-play announcer Charlie Slowes on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pittsburgh (WASHINGTON POST, 5/19)....Nominees for the National Radio HOF include the "Fabulous Sports Babe" Nanci Donnellan, ESPN's Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, Royals announcer Denny Matthews and CBS Sports' Jim Rome. Honorees will "be announced in June" (HOUSTONCHRONICLE.com, 5/18).
