In Philadelphia, Jeff Blumenthal cited a source as saying that WIP-FM is "making a push to reclaim the rights" to 76ers games five years after the team departed for rival WPEN-FM. Another source said that WPEN is "currently locked in discussions" to keep the 76ers. The team left WIP, a CBS Radio property, for WPEN before the '11-12 season ended. Sources at the time said that it was because the 76ers "felt there was a breach of contract." Losing the 76ers "could be a financial blow" for WPEN, which was "bought last year by Beasley Group from Greater Media" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/30).
NO REST FOR THE WEARY: SI.com's Richard Deitsch noted ESPN NBA reporters Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst on Friday night "were on the air" from 6:00pm-2:00am ET on "various ESPN channels including ESPN2, and ESPNews" to discuss the beginning of free agency. Same goes for "SportsCenter" anchor Kevin Connors, who "led the two reporters down some interesting discussions" when the news that F Paul George was traded to the Thunder "broke prior to the start of the free agency period" (SI.com, 7/2).
GETTING WITH THE TIMES: In Michigan, Aaron McMann noted Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh "launched a YouTube account late Friday." Harbaugh in his introduction video said that he will be "uploading behind-the-scenes shots to social media." McMann noted it is "unclear how frequently Harbaugh plans to upload videos to YouTube," but it would "certainly be another instance of him bucking the trend." How Harbaugh "intends to use video remains to be seen, but it could prove uniquely significant given the lack of public access to the team and program during the season" (MLIVE.com, 7/1).
