In N.Y., Andrew Marchand cited sources as saying that House of Highlights creator Omar Raja is "leaving Bleacher Report for a major role with ESPN," and he is "expected to get a multi-million dollar deal." Raja's position at ESPN was "described by sources as a 'multi-hyphenated role.'" House of Highlights has been "under the Bleacher Report umbrella the past four years" (N.Y. POST, 10/23). Also at ESPN, LaPhonso Ellis is being "promoted to the top of the network's hoops coverage as he will join 'College GameDay' with Rece Davis, Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg." The role opened up when Jay Williams "shifted to 'NBA Countdown'" (N.Y. POST, 10/24).
TUNING IN FOR THE WINS: In Buffalo, Alan Pergament notes the Sabres' "hot start" has led to an average 7.6 rating on MSG Network over the first nine games of the season. The first five evening games "averaged a 9.0 rating." Last season, the team "averaged an 8.1 rating," which was a 70% gain over the 4.8 average in '17-18. The Sabres now are "ahead of the pace of the first 20 games last season," which averaged a 6.9 (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/24).
MOVING ON: FS Ohio's Cayleigh Griffin is headed to Houston as the "new courtside reporter for Rockets games on AT&T SportsNet SW." Griffin "spent one season covering the Cavaliers" on FS Ohio (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/24)....Longtime Bulls radio host Steve Kashul has departed WSCR-AM to "focus on his expanding executive duties" with Naperville, Ill.-based Essex Hayes Insurance Group. O'Donnel spent 18 seasons and "more than 1,600 games as the team's wraparound host" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 10/24).
