CBS’ Doug Gottlieb apologized after an attempted joke went awry Thursday night. In other news, former ESPN anchor Robin Roberts will be honored at the ESPY Awards, and ESPN UK host Rebecca Lowe has joined NBC’s coverage of the English Premier League.
Gottlieb Sorry
- CBS college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb apologized Thursday for a joke he made during studio coverage of the NCAA Tournament. At the start of the CBS pregame, Gottlieb said he was on the air to provide “diversity” and the “white man’s perspective” on a panel that otherwise consisted of African Americans Greg Gumbel, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Greg Anthony. In a statement, Gottlieb said the comment “was not a smart thing to say.” (AP via ESPN.com)
Roberts Honored
- Former “SportsCenter” anchor Robin Roberts will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards this summer, the network announced Tuesday. Roberts, who worked for ESPN from 1990 to 2005, battled cancer in 2007 and a rare blood disorder last year. (ESPN Media Zone)
Lowe Hired
- ESPN UK host Rebecca Lowe has joined NBC Sports Group as a studio host for its newly acquired English Premier League package. Lowe had been with ESPN UK since 2009, appearing on the domestic ESPN for coverage of the 2011 Women’s World Cup and Euro 2012. The deal reportedly lasts for three-years, matching the length of NBC’s EPL contract. (NBC Sports Group, Sports Business Daily)
