The South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman cited a source as saying that TNT "attempted to televise" next Tuesday's 76ers-Heat matchup, Dwyane Wade's possible final home game, but was "unable to get game moved up to 7 p.m. (with Wade ceremony scheduled for then" (TWITTER.com, 4/4). YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Cwik noted because TNT will also air Rockets-Thunder at 9:30pm ET that night, the net "would not have been able to accommodate" 76ers-Heat at 7:30pm. TNT will "instead air Celtics-Wizards as planned" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/4).
ABSOLUTELY PREPOSTEROUS: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said that he "deserves to make more money in comparison to other high-profile sports media personalities." At a Tuesday talk with ESPN's Bob Ley at Seton Hall, Smith said, "Those who are great get more than those who are not. Everybody at ESPN or in the world of sports media does not deserve to be paid what I get paid." The N.Y. Post's Andrew Marchand on Wednesday reported Smith could earn up to $10M per year "in a new deal with ESPN" (N.Y. POST, 4/5).
SOUND THE CANNONS: THE ATHLETIC's Tom Reed noted longtime FS Ohio Blue Jackets analyst Bill Davidge last week "announced his retirement, effective at season's end," almost five years "after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma." Davidge said that his "health did not factor into his decision to quit." Reed wrote in a field "dominated by former NHL players and coaches, Davidge has thrived as an analyst because of his passion for the game and his authenticity." Fans "connect to his deep-rooted appreciation of central Ohio hockey and identify with his causes and struggles" (THEATHLETIC.com, 4/4).
