THE BIG LEAD's Ryan Glasspiegel noted former NFLer Chris Simms is "joining NBC Sports," where he will co-host "PFT Live" on NBC Sports Radio and NBCSN and will be "part of NBC's studio coverage for Notre Dame games." Simms will "continue to do NFL analysis for Bleacher Report" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 8/11). In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted NBC’s RSNs will be "another place to see Simms working on a variety of shows during the football season." The moves are "good for Simms who has kept busy expanding his brand." These new assignments will also "not interfere with the possibility of Simms potentially replacing" Mike Francesa on WFAN. Simms is "one of the candidates who have auditioned" for the job (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/13).
LEAVING ON HIS OWN TERMS: Longtime Chiefs radio voice Len Dawson last week announced this would be his last year with the club's broadcast team, but in K.C., Vahe Gregorian noted Dawson just only a few weeks ago "believed the time would be up before this one final season." Dawson had been told that there was "no money to pay him this year." However, there was a "late reversal and discovery of funds." Dawson: "I don't know whether the Chiefs got involved with it or not. I don't know why it turned around in a heartbeat" (KANSASCITY.com, 8/11).
COACHES' CORNER: SI.com's Richard Deitsch noted Steve Spurrier has "joined SiriusXM" as an analyst. Spurrier beginning tomorrow will "appear three times per week on SiriusXM College Sports Nation" (SI.com, 8/13). Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Christopher Dabe noted Les Miles will be a "guest analyst for the SEC Network studio show Sept. 2 ... leading into the season opener between Florida and Michigan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas" (NOLA.com, 8/10).
ROCKET MAN: Former NFLer Bruce Gradkowski will be the color analyst for the Univ. of Toledo radio broadcasts this year. Gradkowski, who played for the school from '01-05, will work with play-by-play announcer Brent Balbinot. Mike Robinson has been added as a sideline reporter (Toledo).
