Leaf worked for Pac-12 Networks last season and has been co-hosting a show on SiriusXM's Pac-12 channelGETTY IMAGES
The AP's Ralph Russo reported former NFLer Ryan Leaf has been "hired by ESPN to be a college football analyst." Leaf will be "paired with play-by-play announcer Clay Matvick and will mostly call games on ESPN2 and ESPNU." Leaf "worked for the Pac-12 Network last season and has been co-hosting a show on SiriusXM's Pac-12 channel." He said that he "got the call from ESPN with the job offer about a month ago as he was driving to a meeting" in L.A. Leaf "expects to call games all over the country and do some studio shows" (AP, 7/14).
END OF AN ERA: In Portland, Joe Freeman reported Trail Blazers radio play-by-play announcer Brian Wheeler, who "missed most of last season because of health issues, will not return" for the '19-20 season, ending his 21-year tenure with the team. Wheeler started with the Blazers in '98, "replacing legendary broadcaster Bill Schonely in a controversial move that stung Rip City." Wheeler "battled obesity and health problems for years, which reached an apex last season, causing him to miss most of the year and virtually all of the Blazers' road games" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/14).
ACRIMONIOUS SPLIT: Longtime WEEI host Gerry Callahan said that he is "leaving" the station after 20 years. Callahan on Friday tweeted, "Unfortunately, this ain't a movie. Sometimes the bad guys win." In Boston, Jonathan Ng noted Callahan had "previously co-hosted alongside Kirk Minihane, who left the station in November." Minihane, in response to Callahan's tweet, said, "This is all on Entercom. They let (wealthy listener and critic of the show) Bob Murchison call the shots. A disgrace" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/13). Also in Boston, Chad Finn noted Callahan's contract was "set to expire in August." Ratings for the renamed "Mut & Callahan" show "nosedived after Minihane's departure." In the recent springs ratings book, "Mut & Callahan" was fifth, while rival "Toucher and Rich" from WBZ-FM was first (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/13).
