In Raleigh, Luke DeCock notes Hurricanes play-by-play announcer John Forslund's contract was "set to expire" yesterday and his broadcast partner, analyst Tripp Tracy, "only agreed to his new deal Monday." These negotiations have been "unusual because the Hurricanes and owner Tom Dundon have offered substantially altered and reduced deals to the two broadcasters," both of whom are "employed by the team" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 7/1).
CHANGES AT NFL LIVE: In N.Y., Justin Tasch reports Laura Rutledge will be the "new host" of ESPN's “NFL Live,” replacing Wendi Nix. Marcus Spears, Dan Orlovsky and Mina Kimes will join newly re-hired Keyshawn Johnson as "daily analysts," while Ryan Clark will "appear on Fridays." Kimes will "no longer host the 'ESPN Daily' podcast, with that gig going to Pablo Torre" (N.Y. POST, 7/1).
HERE'S THE PITCH: All 30 games of the new Athletes Unlimited softball league “will be broadcast live.” ESPN will air 23 games this season across its various platforms, while the other seven will air on CBSSN. The six-week season begins Aug. 30 in Rosemont, Ill. (AP, 6/30).
