Patrick's dual contracts with NBC Sports and AT&T SportsNet are set to expire this monthGETTY IMAGES
SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy reported ESPN and former "SportsCenter" and ESPN Radio host Dan Patrick, who left the company in '07, have "explored a very big reunion." Patrick's dual contracts with NBC Sports and AT&T SportsNet "expire this month." But sources said that a reunion with Patrick is "unlikely to happen barring a miracle Hail Mary pass at the last second." ESPN VP/Corporate Communications Mike Soltys said, "We had conversations with Dan and he has many fans in Bristol. But our radio lineup is strong and we aren't looking to make a change" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 2/4). This comes after ESPN used Keith Olbermann, Patrick's "SportsCenter" partner in the mid '90s, on several Super Bowl week features (THE DAILY).
SPEAKING HER MIND: ESPN recently announced that "SportsCenter" host Jemele Hill would be taking a new role with The Undefeated, and Hill said, “This was definitely, 100% percent my choice. I approached my superiors about maybe making a change because I spent the majority of my career in print journalism. … I often wrote commentary, especially about issues revolving around race and sports, so The Undefeated is a natural home for me given that it’s a site about the intersection between sports, African Americans, race, culture." Hill added, "I had a great year doing this show, but it was not a fit for me because, ultimately, I had a lot of things that I really wanted to say and wanted to express, and the ‘SportsCenter’ vehicle is not necessarily set up for that” (“PoliticsNation,” MSNBC, 2/4). Hill made her final appearance co-hosting "SC6" on Friday and noted there were a “lot of people here to thank,” including co-host Michael Smith. Hill: “This year has been interesting to say the least. A lot of ups and downs." Smith said, "We’re all proud of you, and as your friend, I’m happy that you’re happy.” Hill: “Y’all still going to see me on TV” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 2/2).
HATS OFF: In Washington, Vince Grippi wrote ESPN's Robbie Hummel's "simple, easy analysis" of Gonzaga's victory over BYU on Saturday "helped the viewers make sense of it all." Working with Eric Rothman "has to help as well, as his play-by-play is succinct enough to give his partner plenty of time to explain what just happened -- although Rothman isn’t afraid to interject his opinion when needed" (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 2/4).
