In Boston, Chad Finn cited sources as saying that NESN Bruins play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards "agreed to a new contract." A source said that the new deal was for "four years," which would take him through '21-22. There will be "no changes on NESN’s Bruins broadcast team in the coming season." Edwards will be joined again by veteran color analyst Andy Brickley and reporter Alex Kraemer, who "made a good impression last season, her first in the job." Edwards' style -- "decidedly pro-Bruins, and occasionally prone to soliloquy -- isn’t for everyone." But his "enthusiasm about the sport and the franchise is authentic" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 6/21).
FAMILY MATTERS: In San Diego, Tom Krasovic notes Chargers radio analyst Nick Hardwick will not return for the '18 season so he "can have more family time in San Diego with his wife and two sons." Hardwick worked as a color analyst in '17 after "reversing his original decision not to follow the team" to L.A. It was his "third season with the club’s radio crew." The round-trip is 228 miles between "where Hardwick lives in San Diego" and StubHub Center. Hardwick "will continue" his role as a co-host on San Diego-based KLSD-AM (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/22).
SOUTHERN CHARM: SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy cited sources as saying that SEC Network host Paul Finebaum's contract with ESPN "expires at the end of July" and there "haven't been many meaningful negotiations on a new deal." Finebaum "signed a five-year" with ESPN in '13. ESPN is "building out Finebaum's studio" in Charlotte, with an "eye toward signing him to a long-term contract extension" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/20).
DRIVING FORCE: Turner Sports has reached a multiyear agreement with Allie LaForce, who will be a reporter for NBA on TNT regular season and playoffs coverage. She will continue as a reporter for Turner Sports and CBS Sports' coverage of the NCAA Tournament. She will also host projects across the Turner portfolio along with select shows on NBA TV. LaForce contributed to NBA on TNT coverage on a part-time basis since '15 (Turner).
SAYING GOODBYE: In S.F., Ron Kroichick notes sportscaster Gary Radnich "announced his retirement Tuesday" from KRON-TV. Radnich, also a sports-talk radio host at KNBR-AM since '92, will "continue in his role at that station." He plans to "remain with the TV station through August" (SFCHRONICLE.com, 6/19). In San Jose, Jon Becker notes Radnich was "inducted" into the Bay Area Sports Radio HOF in '10. Three times the AP "named his KRON segment the 'Best Sportscast in California'" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 6/19)...
NFL NOTES: Fox analyst Daryl Johnston will "continue to call NFL games" for the net after being named GM of the Alliance of American Football team in San Antonio (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 6/21)....SI.com's Jimmy Traina cited sources as saying that new ESPN rules analyst Jeff Triplette's role "will be more behind the scenes to support" the crew, but he "will be on air when necessary." His hiring "makes little sense," but fans "should give Triplette a chance." Traina: "Maybe refereeing wasn't his thing and TV is? Who knows? But this is truly a head scratcher" (SI.com, 6/21).
