Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick will be ESPN's new three-man "MNF" booth this season, and THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch writes the net "has made a sound decision." The lineup "exists only because ESPN could not land Tony Romo or Peyton Manning." Deitsch: "But what I like about that grouping is that viewers will have three broadcasters not defined by personality or name recognition." The new booth gives ESPN a "fresh sound on-air and, of vital significance, 'Monday Night Football' will also have a new producer (Phil Dean) and coordinating producer (Steve Ackels)" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/3).
FOX NFL BROADCAST CHANGES: In Miami, Barry Jackson cited sources as saying that Fox Sports "shuffled some of its other network NFL announcing teams" beyond hiring Jonathan Vilma to replace Ronde Barber. Former NFLer Greg Jennings "will get a larger role and will work with Chris Myers." Adam Amin, a "strong pickup from ESPN, will team with Mark Schlereth." Daryl Johnston "will work on the No. 2 team with Kevin Burkhardt, keeping the seat warm" until Seahawks TE Greg Olsen retires. Meanwhile, 77-year-old Dick Stockton "will work fewer games and a part-time schedule" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/1).
MORE ACCOUNTABILITY: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote MLB TV broadcasters are "reluctant to hold players accountable for violating on-field coronavirus protocols." If broadcasters see that a player "violates the protocols" by spitting or chewing tobacco or high-fiving, they "should single out that player." They "should also ask, out loud, why one of the umpires isn't warning a player to stop spitting." Instead, what fans "usually hear is a Pity Party, a voice that reminds us how certain habits are hard for players to break" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/2).
