Hasselbeck signed a multiyear extension that will see him appear regularly on Scott Van Pelt's "SC"espn images
ESPN this week announced re-signings of several on-air talents and new responsibilities for others. ESPN.com writer and ESPN Radio host Mina Kimes has signed a multiyear extension and will debut an NFL-themed podcast, "Bootleg with Mina Kimes." NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck also signed a multiyear extension, adding appearances on the Scott Van Pelt-hosted "SportsCenter" following "MNF" games. Reporter Don Van Natta Jr. also will see his role expand as the host of two new series slated to debut in '19. Van Natta will increase his contributions to "OTL" and continue to appear across ESPN platforms (THE DAILY). Meanwhile, NBA reporter Dave McMenamin has signed a multiyear deal will see him stay with ESPN and return to L.A. to cover the Lakers (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 9/26). In N.Y., Andrew Marchand cites sources as saying that former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy, who "threatened to boycott" ESPN last season while coaching the Pistons, will be a "studio analyst across the network’s array of shows." Van Gundy six years ago was "nearly on ESPN’s air, but things fell apart, because in Van Gundy’s eyes," then-NBA Commissioner David Stern blocked the deal "due to Van Gundy’s outspoken nature" (NYPOST.com, 9/28).
ON THE GRIND: In Chicago, Teddy Greenstein profiled ESPN's Jen Lada and noted she has appeared in recent weeks on "Get Up," “Monday Night Countdown” and “College GameDay.” Lada originally "viewed herself as a failure in her early days" at the net after arriving in '15 after two years at CSN Chicago. A partnership with Colin Cowherd "ended before it began when he bolted for Fox Sports," while a radio show with Jorge Sedano "quickly fizzled." Lada "dodged ESPN layoffs and rebuilt her career by attending every ESPN self-improvement seminar and knocking on the door of practically every content producer" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/27).
PERFECT FIT: In Pittsburgh, Paul Zeise wrote former NFLer James Harrison made headlines this week for some "stupid things" he said about Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell while on FS1's "Undisputed," but the move really was Harrison "auditioning for a job as a television talking head or football commentator." The move "makes sense" for Harrison, as he is the "perfect candidate for ESPN or Fox Sports to hire for one of their football shows." He will "say controversial things, he will put players and coaches on blast and he will have no problem ripping the NFL for their rules about hitting quarterbacks" (POST-GAZETTE.com, 9/27).
GOING OUT IN STYLE: Legendary "HNIC" announcer Bob Cole will return to the franchise this season and "call 10 games in his 50th and final season." Cole’s first game will be Canadiens-Penguins on Oct. 6. Sportsnet said that "all of Cole’s games would be over the first half of the season, adding that further details of a tribute in his honour will be announced at a later date" (CP, 9/27)....Davidson College men's basketball announcer John Kilgo, a "long-time fixture on the Charlotte sports media landscape," is retiring. Kilgo said, “I feel good. But I just figured it was time for me get out while I was still enjoying it.” Kilgo has been Davidson's radio play-by-play man since '00, but his "influence on Charlotte sports goes back" to '53 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/26).
