With one vacancy official and another looming, ESPN has officially announced changes to its college football roster. In other news, the WWE’s John Cena will host the ESPY Awards and NBC has tapped a pair of Winter Olympians for its coverage of the Summer Games.
ESPN Officially Announces New Roles For Tessitore, Levy
- ESPN announced Wednesday that it has named Joe Tessitore the play-by-play voice for its Saturday night college football games, replacing Brad Nessler, who is widely expected to leave the network. The rest of the team — analyst Todd Blackledge and reporter Holly Rowe — remains intact. The network also named Steve Levy the replacement for Sean McDonough on its primary Saturday afternoon team, working with the returning Brian Griese and reporter Todd McShay. Not returning is Chris Spielman, who has departed for FOX. Both moves were previously reported by The Big Lead. (ESPN Media Zone)
WWE’s Cena to Host ESPYs
- Professional wrestler and actor John Cena will host the upcoming ESPY Awards on ABC, his first time doing so. He replaces comedian Joel McHale in the role. Depending on how one viewers the WWE, Cena is the first pro athlete to host the show since LeBron James co-hosted in 2007. (ESPN Media Zone)
NBC Adds Winter Olympians to Summer Roster
- NBC Sports announced Wednesday that Winter Olympians Apolo Anton Ohno and Tanith White will serve as reporters for its coverage of this year’s Summer Olympics. Ohno filled the same role during the 2012 Summer Games, but White is making her summer debut. Both have previously contributed to NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
