In DC, Tim Bontemps writes over the 11 years since ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy started calling games, he has "become basketball’s version of John Madden, an ever-present part of the sport’s biggest games and most memorable moments." Van Gundy's work in the broadcast booth "turned him into a household name for a generation of players and fans." He is "paid well, gets to work with people with whom he's had long-standing friendships and he has far less stress" than when he was coaching (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/3).
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: GOLFWEEK's Martin Kaufmann wrote the "uninterrupted coverage" for the U.S. Women's Open last weekend on Fox, "courtesy of Rolex, is groundbreaking stuff." It is the result of a "unique partnership between the USGA and Rolex." It is "not the sort of arrangement that will migrate to the professional tours." This is a "radical shift for golf fans used to the traditional network model." Instead of commercials, viewers have a "smattering of sponsored segments, some of which were quite good because they provided viewers with useful information" (GOLFWEEK.com, 7/1).
SWITCHING STREAMS: In Portland, Jamie Goldberg notes the NWSL will "stream the majority of its games on its website starting in August after Verizon discontinues its go90 platform at the end of July." The NWSL "signed an exclusive partnership with go90" at the start of the '17 season. Through the partnership, go90 "paid the NWSL a rights fee to stream its games, which was considered an important step toward growing the young league." Games that were "scheduled to be streamed on go90 in August and September will now appear on the NWSL website instead" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/3).
STAYING ON THE AIR: In Detroit, Tony Paul notes WXYT-FM sports radio host Mike Valenti has signed a multiyear extension to "remain the voice" of the Entercom owned station. Valenti was "considered a possible replacement" for WFAN's Mike Francesa. Valenti has been WXYT's "drive-time host" since '07. His agent is Mort Meisner (DETROIT NEWS, 7/3).
