SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy cited sources as saying that Tony Romo’s representatives are "looking for a contract extension paying him 'eight figures' annually to remain as CBS Sports’ top NFL analyst" in '20 and beyond. The "most likely scenario is still this: CBS extends its star commentator's deal with a nice fat raise." However, Romo "could also play out his rookie TV contract and become a free agent." Romo currently makes $4M a year "under a three-year TV deal that expires after" '19 (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 3/25).
BREAK ON THROUGH: In Winnipeg, Ted Wyman noted broadcaster Leah Hextall -- the cousin of former flyers GM Ron Hextall -- will become the "first woman to do play-by-play on ESPN for the NCAA men’s hockey championship this weekend." It is a "major step for Hextall," who has been been "calling women’s hockey games on Sportsnet for the last two years and for the advancement of women in a severely male-dominated industry" (WINNIPEGSUN.com, 3/26).
MOVING UP: THE ATHLETIC's Ryan Clark noted Altitude Sports & Entertainment's Lauren Gardner, who "used her role as a host and sideline reporter to become" one of the RSN's "most well-known personalities, is leaving home." Gardner is moving from Denver to N.Y., where she "will be working for MLB Network, NHL Network and DAZN." She was "not actively looking to leave but this opportunity was presented to her a little more than a month ago" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/26).
USING THEIR VOICE: In DC, Des Bieler notes after U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed cutting funding for the Special Olympics, among those "decrying the funding proposal were several ESPN personalities," who took to social media to "laud the benefits of the Special Olympics." ESPN soccer analyst Julie Foudy tweeted the “world needs more” of the organization’s work. "SportsCenter" host Kevin Negandhi on Twitter pointed to "having been part of ESPN’s Special Olympics coverage for the past five years and said that 'watching the growth, confidence and true happiness from the athletes and their families has changed my life'" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/27).
