Recent news involving sports media personalities, including Jim Gray being removed from The Golf Channel’s coverage of the Northern Trust Open, Bill Simmons getting a new website, and Kenny Smith serving as both a coach and analyst during Saturday’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
- Jim Gray: The Golf Channel reporter will no longer contribute to the network’s coverage of this week’s Northern Trust Open, following a “profanity-laced” confrontation with golfer Dustin Johnson‘s caddy. Golf Channel spokesman Dan Higgins, in a statement released Friday morning: “In order not to provide further distraction, we’ve decided to remove Jim from this particular assignment.” (The Golf Channel, USA Today)
- Bill Simmons: The ESPN personality will launch a new website that, while fully owned by ESPN, will not carry the ESPN brand. The unnamed site, which will focus on both sports and popular culture, is set to launch this spring. (Sports Business Daily)
- Kenny Smith: The TNT NBA analyst will pull double-duty for Saturday’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Smith will coach Clippers F Blake Griffin in the event, and will also be mic’d up for TNT. (Turner Sports)
