In DC, Les Carpenter notes Larry Michael, the lead radio play-by-play announcer for Washington’s NFL team the last 16 seasons, "announced his retirement" yesterday. Michael, who started working on the team's broadcasts as a pregame and postgame host, eventually joined the club's front office, serving as its chief content officer and a senior VP "overseeing its video content and television shows." For nearly two decades, Michael was one of the organization’s "main public faces, hosting a daily 'Redskins Nation' show on NBC Sports Washington and a weekly show with the head coach during the season" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16).
FREELANCING BY DEFAULT: In Raleigh, Luke DeCock reports Hurricanes play-by-play broadcaster John Forslund -- whose contract expired last month -- is "headed to the NHL playoffs." Forslund yesterday confirmed that he will be "freelancing for NBC, with Hurricanes sideline reporter Mike Maniscalco expected to take over play-by-play" on FS Carolinas. DeCock notes there is no "official word from the Hurricanes on Forslund’s future." But the end of Forslund's three-decade tenure with the team "appears imminent," and there have been "no negotiations in July." Hurricanes GM Don Waddell has said that the door "remains open for Forslund’s return" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 7/16).
SKATING AWAY: In Toronto, Kevin McGran reports Maple Leafs broadcaster Paul Hendrick is "reluctantly, but deliberately," parting ways with the team to "spend time with his wife, Alicia, who has been battling cancer." Hendrick has "spent 41 years in the TV business," moving to Leafs TV (now Leafs Nation Network) in '01. Hendrick "hopes to continue to be involved with the Leafs on special projects" (TORONTO STAR, 7/16).
LAID OFF: In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes WBBM-AM reporter and sports anchor George Ofman was laid off Tuesday. Ofman was a fixture on the "local sports scene for 47 years on various radio stations" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/16).
