ESPN’s Sean McDonough will miss several weeks this summer to undergo surgery. In other news, Rangers announcer Dave Barnett is dealing with health issues of his own, and NBC Sports’ Michelle Beadle will make her on-air debut Friday.
- ESPN’s McDonough to Miss Weeks Due to Surgery: ESPN play-by-play voice Sean McDonough will have surgery in August to repair a hole in his inner ear bone. The surgery will require “removing a piece of his skull and lifting his brain to reach the bone,” a procedure that is “generally safe” according to the surgeon who will be performing the operation. McDonough, says USA Today, plans to return to the air after the start of the college football season. (USA Today, Boston Globe)
- Rangers’ Voice Barnett to Undergo Evaluation After On-Air Incident: Texas Rangers play-by-play voice Dave Barnett will miss his second straight broadcast Wednesday to undergo tests related to migraine headaches. The tests are the result of an incident Monday in which Barnett referred to “fifth base,” a “botched robbery,” and a “henchman” during the eighth inning of a Rangers/Padres telecast. (startelegram.com, AP via Yahoo! Sports)
- Beadle to Make NBC Debut Friday: Former ESPN personality Michelle Beadle will contribute to NBC Sports’ coverage of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials this week, her first assignment since joining NBC in May. Beadle will “be a reporter and contribute features” on coverage of the trials. (USA Today)
