In N.Y., Jared Schwartz notes ESPN's John Anderson made some comments during a highlight reel recapping the Clemson-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl that "did not sit well" with Urban Meyer's family. Anderson said, "Look at Urban Meyer. He was going to spend time with his family, but went to this game instead." Schwartz notes Meyer's family was with the former OSU coach in Arizona for the game. Meyer's oldest daughter, Nicki Dennis, tweeted, "How is this type of commentary even acceptable? The entire family including grandkids went to support my husband and the buckeyes. We had the best week in AZ. @ESPN have some class. This is bad." Dennis is married to OSU quality control coach Corey Dennis (N.Y. POST, 12/31).
CROSS-PROMOTION ISSUES: In California, Larry Bohannan notes there were new "promotion spots during Golf Channel's coverage of the Presidents Cup for the Augusta National Women's Amateur tournament." The April tournament last year "garnered so much attention from the golf world the same week as the ANA Inspiration, the LPGA major championship." By comparison, there were "no promo spots for the ANA Tournament which is broadcast on Golf Channel." Bohannan: "You have got to think the LPGA and ANA were less than thrilled that the amateur tournament continues to get better treatment from the television world than the venerable professional major" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 12/31).
JUMPING IN BEAN TOWN: In Boston, Chad Finn notes WCVB-ABC named Duke Castiglione "lead sports anchor," just over four months after "longtime anchor Mike Lynch moved into a part-time role in August." Castiglione has been a weekend news anchor and general assignment reporter for the station since coming to Boston from N.Y. in January '18. Castiglione has a "deep background in sports," and is the "son of longtime Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/31).
