In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote fired SNY Mets TV analyst Nelson Figueroa had "every reason to believe, whether it was true or not, that SNY had already greased the skids for his departure" before letting him go. He was fired Friday after showing up to work in a "discombobulated state" on Thursday. If observers "strictly judge" Figueroa by his on-job performance, he was "on the rise." Maybe other TV execs will "see the same upside." They also might realize that Figueroa on Thursday "had a very human reaction while working in an uncertain business" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/2).
GAME CHANGER? THE MMQB's Conor Orr wondered if it would "make a difference" in the "MNF" booth by having Peyton Manning or someone of similar stature there. Orr: "Would it change the viewing experience? ... Maybe the Monday Night Football franchise, after taking massive swings on the likes of Dennis Miller and Tony Kornheiser, should learn that sometimes good is great. Fine is just fine" (SI.com, 5/31).
COMING HOME: In Philadelphia, Jonathan Tannenwald noted Lori Lindsey, a former player for the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer Philadelphia Independence, has "come back to town and joined the Union’s TV crew." She will "work as a studio analyst on select broadcasts for the rest of the year," starting with yesterday's game at Minnesota United (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/1).
