Tappen usually pairs with Mike Tirico and Tony Dungy as part of the Notre Dame broadcasting crewGetty Images
In N.Y., Andrew Marchand reports Kathryn Tappen "will make her NFL debut on the sideline Sunday night with NBC shuffling its broadcast teams with two games this week." Tappen "will join Mike Tirico and Tony Dungy in Green Bay for the Packers-Bears game." The three typically "make up the Notre Dame broadcasting crew." For the Ravens-Steelers Thanksgiving night game, Tirico "will team up with Cris Collinsworth because Al Michaels is off this week." Michele Tafoya "will be on the sideline Thursday night." With Tirico in the booth for both games, Liam McHugh "will host 'Football Night in America' with Jac Collinsworth at the game on Sunday." For Thanksgiving, with no pregame, Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Tafoya "will handle halftime, along with the game action" (N.Y. POST, 11/24).
WRONG TIMING: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote CBS' Jim Nantz should "recognize he comes off greedy and lacking awareness" after reportedly asking for a salary above the $17.5M per year Tony Romo receives. Raissman: "While people are suffering, it’s not a great idea to publicly demand crazy money." Play-by-play voices are "not the stars of the show," as analysts, "traditionally, have been paid more." Raissman also noted the "timing of the published reports on Nantz's demand is curious" because CBS does "not even know if it will have pro football moving forward" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/22).
DIFFICULT MOVE: In DC, Russell & Allen wrote in the first big move since WJFK-FM and WTEM-AM became partners in a "radio station swap this month, three well-known figures were laid off from their roles" at the station: hosts Rick "Doc" Walker and Scott Linn and program director Chris Johnson. There are "no immediate plans for additional layoffs." Johnson "will continue to produce Washington Football Team game broadcasts as an independent contractor for WTEM" as he has since '18 (WASHINGTON POST, 11/22).
