THE BIG LEAD's Bobby Burack reported Fox Sports has signed Chris Haynes, Ric Bucher and former NBAers Matt Barnes and Cuttino Mobley to "bolster their FS1 NBA coverage." They will all be "apart of non-exclusive deals with the network." With the NBA playoffs upcoming, the four "will be seen across FS1's daily studio shows and Fox Sports' digital platforms" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 4/10).
DOUBLE DUTY: With both MSG Networks and NBC being "involved" with the Islanders' first-round series against the Penguins, analyst A.J. Mleczko "will be in the booth alongside play-by-play man Kenny Albert for Games 1 and 2 on NBCSN and Game 3 on NBC." She also will "contribute to MSG's postgame coverage for Games 1, 2 and 3." For Game 4, Mleczko "will be an analyst and rinkside reporter for MSG" (NEWSDAY, 4/11).
BACK IN THE SADDLE: Univ. of Iowa radio broadcaster Gary Dolphin's "return to his seat behind the Iowa athletics microphone was expected," and now it is "official." Dolphin will "make his on-air radio return April 24 in Iowa City" when he hosts the "Hawkeye Football Spring Practice Report" radio show. Dolphin "hasn't been on the air representing the school" since a Feb. 19 men's basketball game against Maryland, after which he "referred to a black player as 'King Kong.'" Dolphin in a text message wrote, "Two months has seemed like two years" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 4/11).
MOVING ON: FS Oklahoma reporter Lesley McCaslin has "become a staple of Thunder broadcasts" over the last seven years, but she will now be "taking on a new challenge." McCaslin noted this will be her "final season covering the Thunder before assuming a new role" with FS Southwest "in different capacities" (NEWSOK.com, 4/9).
