THE BIG LEAD's Burack & Glasspiegel cited sources as saying that Stephen A. Smith is in ESPN’s "plans for NBA studio coverage this upcoming season." Sources said that Wednesday night is the "most likely time for him to be involved," but plans are not yet "set in stone." The "likely scenario involves there being no episode" of "NBA Countdown" on Wednesday nights in which the tip time is 7:00pm ET, but there "still needs to be a studio crew during halftimes of the doubleheader and perhaps as a brief bridge" after 6:00pm "SportsCenter." On occasions when the game tips at 7:30pm, it is "very conceivable that Smith could fill the half-hour gap" after "SportsCenter." Whether this would be called Countdown or something else is "to be determined" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 8/19).
WINDING DOWN IN THE WINDY CITY: In Chicago, Robert Feder noted Bulls TV analyst Mark Schanowski is "cutting back his workload at NBC Sports Chicago." He is "stepping down" as host of Bulls "Pregame/Postgame Live" shows, but he will "continue to be a primary contributor on the Bulls" for the RSN. Schanowski, 62, has been a "mainstay on the Bulls beat" for NBC Sports Chicago and its predecessor since '06 (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/17). Schanowski "plans to remain a leading Bulls content contributor" for the channel’s "many platforms, including NBCSportsChicago.com and its MyTeams app with 'Bulls Talk' podcasts and TV specials" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/17).
MOVING ON: In DC, Ben Strauss noted Deadspin's top editor Megan Greenwell is "leaving the site." She was Deadspin's "first female editor in chief of the sports." Her last day is Friday. In a statement, Greenwell said she "chose to leave now after months of being undermined by G/O Media management." She added that she has "full confidence" in her Deadspin colleagues’ "ability to keep doing the incredible work they do" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/17).
NOTES: Kentucky-based sports radio personality Matt Jones "will no longer be the host" of "Hey Kentucky!" on WLEX-TV. Jones said the station made the decision "because he will be writing" a political book set to come out next year titled "Mitch, Please" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 8/19)....WEEI-FM commentator and columnist Alex Reimer is "leaving the sports radio station for a political gig." Reimer is "taking a job as communications director" for U.S. Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Mass.) (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/20)....ESPN has "no immediate plans to replace" Josh McCown with a new NFL analyst this season. McCown over the weekend signed a one-year deal with the Eagles (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/20).
