In N.Y., Andrew Marchand reports Trey Wingo "is being let go" by ESPN after he failed to land a "significant role" following the end of his morning radio show. He has been at ESPN since '97, with hosting the NFL Draft being his "highest profile TV job." The idea of Wingo "just doing the draft was determined to not be enough of a job when ESPN has a lot of other options for that three-day gig." His next move is unclear, as sources said that "overtures to join NFL Network, his preferred destination, have been unsuccessful thus far." His contract expires at the end of the year (N.Y. POST, 9/4).
IT'S JUSTIN TIME: In Minneapolis, Michael Rand wrote Burt Blyleven on Wednesday called his last Twins game on FS North, and it feels like it is Justin Morneau's "time to shine." Morneau has "grown into the analyst role nicely since starting in 2018." It is "easy to imagine the Twins and FSN proceeding with Morneau as the lead analyst in 2021 and beyond," while Roy Smalley, Jack Morris and others "fill out the schedule." While Morneau was "already inching toward the role as primary analyst," it felt like as long as Blyleven "was still doing games, his presence ... was going to loom large" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/3).
HORNETS MAKE A CHANGE: In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell notes the Hornets "fired radio play-by-play announcer John Focke on Thursday, following an investigation into his using the 'N-word' in a tweet last month." Focke, who was initially suspended, has "said repeatedly he intended to type 'Nuggets' into his phone, tweeting about the shooting in a Jazz-Nuggets playoff game." The Hornets declined comment, citing the situation as a "personnel matter" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/4).
THE SON ALSO RISES: THE ATHLETIC's Christopher Kamrani notes Mike Golic Jr.'s rise at ESPN for some "has been exactly what they’ve been hoping would arrive on the scene: A former player who can comfortably, finally call out the lack of financial resources provided to the college athletes who make universities across the country billions of dollars in revenue." Others "share their dissenting opinions on social media to Golic Jr., who ensures more often than not they’re discussed, rather than sinking into the fray." Even with a platform "as massive as ESPN’s, Golic Jr. lives unafraid of talking about the realities of life as a college football player" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/4).
