In N.Y., Bob Raissman reported the Mets are "moving closer to cutting a new radio deal" with WCBS-AM, meaning Entercom will "own radio rights to the city's two baseball teams," along with the Yankees. The move would mark the "end of the Mets' five-year relationship" with WOR-AM. Since the Mets have final say over their announcers, it is "highly likely veteran voices Howie Rose and Josh Lewin would make the move" to WCBS (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/22).
BACKWARD DIVE: The Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) has backed the IOC's move to have morning finals at the '20 Toyko Games, as Japanese broadcasters "lost out to the might" of NBC. NBC wants to stage the swimming finals in its primetime slot in the U.S., "which means morning finals in Asia." It is the second time that an Asian Olympics has "caved in to the American network," with the '08 Beijing Games also holding morning finals (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/21).
SAME FACES, DIFFERENT PLACES: In Boston, Chad Finn noted Patriots radio play-by-play man Bob Socci and color analyst Scott Zolak "will call the team’s preseason games" on WBZ-CBS. They "will be joined" by former Patriots player Rob Ninkovich as a sideline-based third voice. Dan Roche and Matt Chatham, who were part of WBZ' broadcast team the last few preseasons, "will handle the radio call" on WBZ-FM during the preseason. Socci and Zolak "will return to their radio roles for the regular-season games" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/21).
