In addition to extending Ryan, ESPN hopes to sign Sam Ponder and Matt Hasselbeck to new dealsespn images
ESPN VP/Production Seth Markman said that the net's Rex Ryan is "closing in on a new contract" to remain on "Sunday NFL Countdown." In N.Y., Andrew Marchand notes ESPN also "hopes to agree to new deals" with Ryan's co-hosts, Samantha Ponder and Matt Hasselbeck. However, Hasselbeck "likely is going to have to accept a paycut." The ratings for "Countdown" this season are up 8% to 1.3 million viewers per show, and Markman "wants to keep everything together" (N.Y. POST, 1/30).
IRRESPONSIBLE REPORT: In N.Y., Joseph Wilkinson notes ABC News suspended Matt Gutman, the "correspondent who reported that all four of Kobe Bryant's daughters were in the helicopter crash Sunday." The length of his suspension is "not known." Gutman later "apologized for his inaccurate report, both on air and on Twitter" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/30).
ANGLE OF ATTACK: The AP's Doug Ferguson noted PGA Tour caddies and players can "sign up for 'Caddie Cam' during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am, which would be similar to the camera NFL referees wear on their hats." The idea is to "present a different angle" for viewers. There would be "no volume, and caddies and players in the entire group must agree to it" (AP, 1/28).
