Turner Sports is reportedly parting ways with Ros Gold-Onwude. Also: ESPN is looking to renew Zach Lowe; there will be no changes to Dan Le Batard‘s status at ESPN; Malik Zaire is headed to the broadcast booth.
Turner parting ways with Gold-Onwude
Turner Sports is not renewing the contract of NBA sideline reporter Ros Gold-Onwude, the New York Post reported Thursday. Gold-Onwude, who left Golden State Warriors broadcasts to join Turner, spent just two seasons with the company.
Turner is also reportedly parting ways with Mike Fratello, who for a time was TNT’s lead NBA analyst. Fratello had been used sparingly by Turner in recent years. Since AT&T took over Turner parent company Time Warner earlier this year, the network has also parted ways NBA TV’s Rick Kamla and the quartet of basketball aficionados known as “The Starters.” [NYP 7.25]
ESPN looking to extend Zach Lowe
ESPN basketball writer Zach Lowe is reaching the end of his contract soon and ESPN feels “very strongly” about retaining his services, The Big Lead reported Thursday. Despite that sentiment, the network is said to be unwilling to go beyond a certain price to keep him. Lowe has been with ESPN since 2012 after a previous stint with Sports Illustrated. [The Big Lead 7.25]
No changes to Le Batard’s status or ESPN’s politics rule
Following a “positive” face-to-face meeting between ESPN broadcaster Dan Le Batard and company president Jimmy Pitaro, there will be no change to Le Batard’s status at the network or to ESPN’s policy against speech it deems political, the New York Post reported Thursday. Le Batard both flouted and criticized ESPN’s policy on-air last week and had been in contact with Pitaro for much of last weekend, according to reports. Pitaro has made political speech the defining issue of his ESPN tenure. [NYP 7.25]
Zaire, two years out of college football, heads to TV booth
Former Notre Dame and Florida quarterback Malik Zaire, just two years removed from his last season of college football, is joining CBS Sports as a college football analyst. The Big Lead was first to report the news Thursday. Zaire, 24, will serve as a game analyst on CBS Sports Network. [The Big Lead 7.25]
