Chris Simms next month will join NBC Sports Group exclusively to contribute to its NFL and college football coverage across its broadcast, cable, and digital platforms. Simms is currently a studio analyst and contributor on various NBC Sports TV programs, including "Football Night in America," and "PFT Live." Simms will also produce daily NFL and college football content exclusively for NBC Sports (NBC Sports). In N.Y., Andrew Marchand noted Simms is "leaving Bleacher Report, where he gained digital popularity" and had "developed a strong following" alongside podcast partner Adam Lefkoe. Simms will "become a consistent part of 'FNIA,'" though he "won’t be on the level yet" of main analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison (N.Y. POST, 2/6).
GOING NATIONAL? In S.F., Henry Schulman noted NBC Sports Bay Area's Ahmed Fareed will join NBC Sports and NBCSN as a host and reporter on March 1. Fareed has "hosted the Giants’ pregame and postgame shows" during his six years at the RSN. Kelli Johnson will "replace Fareed as anchor of the Giants’ pregame and postgame shows," co-hosting with a "rotating team that includes former Giants players and coaches Rich Aurilia, Shawn Estes, Tim Flannery, Bill Laskey and Randy Winn" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/6).
THE REPLACEMENTS: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal noted with Bulls TV play-by-play announcer Neil Funk working a reduced schedule this season, NBC Sports Chicago has announced the "final group of five play-by-play announcers sitting in alongside analyst Stacey King for eight Bulls road games between this week and the end of next month." White Sox TV announcer Jason Benetti, college football personality Lisa Byington and Rams radio play-by-play man J.B. Long will all be "filling in behind the microphone" for Funk on various broadcasts. Additionally, Georgia Tech radio voice Andy Demetra will call Bulls-Hawks on March 1. Kyle Draper will call Bulls-Raptors on March 26 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/6).
NOTES: Former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis will be part of the Alliance of American Football's broadcasting team when the new league gets under way this weekend on CBS (CINCINNATI.com, 2/4)....K.C. Star reporter Lynn Worthy, who covered the Chiefs this season, will now "take over the Royals beat." Worthy joined the paper last July (KANSASCITY.com, 2/5).
