In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes Nets TV analyst Jim Spanarkel was "dumped" by YES Network last week despite being "for years the best thing about watching Nets games on YES." Even during the Nets’ "most meager times, Spanarkel could sustain interest by seeing and speaking sensible, applicable basketball." Spanarkel "left us with at least one good lesson a game," and he "didn’t shout, he didn’t make up nicknames or try to draw attention to himself with neo-hip expressions." His "substance was his style" (N.Y. POST, 11/13).
BACK TO BUSINESS: Fox college football analyst Urban Meyer on Wednesday revealed that he "recently had COVID-19 and has since recovered." SI.com's Ben Pickman noted last weekend, Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" pregame show on-air crew -- which consists of Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Brady Quinn and Rob Stone -- were all "off-air due to COVID-19 protocols." Fox did "not say whether any of the broadcasters had tested positive for COVID-19." Meyer said that he was the "lone on-air member of the show to test positive for COVID-19." He said that he "would be back on the air this Saturday" (SI.com, 11/12).
SHAKE-UP IN SEATTLE RADIO: In Seattle, Adam Jude reports three veteran sports radio hosts from ESPN Radio 710 Seattle -- John Clayton, Jim Moore and Tom Wassell -- have been "laid off as part of the company’s larger cost-cutting measures." The moves were a "result of a steep decline in advertising revenue during the economic downturn this year." Clayton "began working Seahawks games as a sideline reporter for radio broadcasts on 710 ESPN Seattle" and will "continue to serve in that role during Seahawks games, as least through the end of this season" (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/13).
