In San Antonio, Malak Silmi reports former ESPN personality Michelle Beadle debuted on Bally Sports Southwest on Wednesday for the Spurs' season opener as part of her role as a “special correspondent” for the RSN. She tweeted that it had been 28 months “since she's last spoken into a microphone.” Spurs VP/Content & Distribution Morgan Dewan indicated that Beadle's “comedic levity, fresh approach and passion for the Spurs are welcomed at the organization.” It is unclear if Beadle's contract with the Spurs “extends beyond the 2021-22 season” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 10/22).
NAPEAR TAKES TO LEGAL SYSTEM: In Sacramento, Marcos Breton reported former NBA Kings TV announcer Grant Napear is suing Bonneville Int’l Corp., the parent company of Sacramento-based KHTK-AM, “for an amount that exceeds $75,000 in damages for wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation.” Napear is claiming he “suffered emotional distress, a loss of wages, humiliation and public shame” when he was fired by the company in June ’20. Napear in the complaint “alleges he was terminated because he is a Caucasian man who published a phrase on social media that (Bonneville International) contends violated the company’s ad hoc (and unpublished) policy supporting Black Lives Matter” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 10/21).
SOME COOL CAMEOS: MLB Cardinals announcer Dan McLaughlin is appearing “in the anchor’s chair” for some early-season Blues pre- and postgame programs on Bally Sports Midwest. That is due to Erica Weston leaving the RSN “after the Cards’ season ended” combined with the “absence of studio stalwart Scott Warmann while he takes some time off after his baseball coverage finished.” Weston has indicated that he “has another sports broadcasting job lined up in L.A.” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/22).
