News: Stephen A, Golic, Kugler and more

Oakland, CA - June 5, 2019 - Lake Chalet: Stephen A. Smith and Adam Silver during the NBA Finals (Photo by Matt Morning / ESPN Images)

Stephen A. Smith is joining the cast of NBA Countdown, again. Also: news on Mike Golic‘s new college football partner, Thom Brennaman’s FOX NFL replacement, and more.

Stephen A. joining NBA Countdown for rest of playoffs

ESPN announced Wednesday that it is adding Stephen A. Smith to its NBA Countdown cast for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs. Smith debuted Thursday on a special edition of the show focused on the league’s suspension of play.

Smith is no stranger to ESPN’s NBA studio coverage, having been a regular member of the cast throughout the 2000s. He also hosted a pregame edition of SportsCenter prior to ESPN’s Wednesday NBA games earlier this season. [ESPN PR 8.26]

Golic set to work with Pasch this season

Former ESPN Radio host Mike Golic is scheduled to work alongside Dave Pasch on college football games this season, the New York Post reported earlier this week. The pair will work games remotely. Golic, who was dropped from his longtime ESPN Radio role this year, has moved to college football coverage for the duration of his expiring contract.

Per the Post, Pasch’s former partner Greg McElroy will pair with former Monday Night Football voice Joe Tessitore on a team that will travel to games. [NYP 8.26]

Kugler gets Brennaman’s spot on FOX

The Athletic reported this week that Kevin Kugler will replace Thom Brennaman on FOX NFL coverage this season. Kugler, the lead NFL voice on Westwood One radio, has filled in on FOX in the past but never previously been a regular part of its NFL rotation. He will work alongside Brennaman’s old partner Chris Spielman.

It was not clear whether Kugler will assume Brennaman’s role as Joe Buck’s NFL fill-in during the MLB Postseason.

Brennaman has been dropped from FOX NFL coverage after he was heard on-air using an anti-gay slur during a Cincinnati Reds broadcast. [The Athletic 8.25]

Plus: Buck, Draymond, Marshall

MLB Network this week announced that it has hired Buck Showalter as an analyst. He debuted Tuesday on MLB Tonight. Showalter previously worked for ESPN from 2001-02 and again from 2008-10. … Golden State Warriors F Draymond Green has joined CNN as a contributor, becoming the latest active athlete on the cable news network’s roster. Saints S Malcolm Jenkins joined CNN earlier this year. Green earlier this summer served as a guest NBA analyst on TNT. … Former NFL WR Brandon Marshall joined the cast of FS1’s First Things First this week, the newest addition to the show. Kevin Wildes joined the cast earlier this year. [MLB Network, Front Office Sports 8.28, Fox Sports PR 8.20]

NBA postpones playoff games upon player protests

Jon Lewis

Jon Lewis has been covering the sports media industry on a daily basis since 2006 as the founder and main writer of Sports Media Watch. You can contact him here or on the social media websites X (Twitter) or Bluesky.

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Former Carolina player Luke Kuechly on the field prior to the start of the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons on November 16th, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

On the Air: How Luke Kuechly can become NFL TV’s newest star

by Armand Broady

3 hours ago

On the latest "On the Air," Armand Broady examines the broadcasting potential of new Netflix NFL analyst Luke Kuechly.

Netflix officially adds Kuechly as game analyst; Foles set to debut in studio

by Derek Futterman

2 days ago

Netflix has revealed that play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle and analyst Luke Kuechly will broadcast its Week 1 NFL game...

Kansas City, MO - April 28, 2023 - Union Station: Jason McCourty during the 2023 NFL Draft Presented by Courtyard by Marriott.
(Photo by Joshua R. Gateley / ESPN Images)

ESPN sets McCourty as apparent Ryan Clark replacement on “Countdown”

by Jon Lewis

2 days ago

ESPN has apparently found Ryan Clark's replacement on "Monday Night Countdown."

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 30: American broadcaster and former NFL quarterback, Tony Romo watches the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens warm up prior to their game on December 30, 2018, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)

On the Air: Can Romo recover at CBS?

by Armand Broady

5 days ago

Armand Broady examines whether Tony Romo still has a future at CBS, plus ESPN's sloppy handling of Karl Ravech's...

Comments 3

esl says:

6 years ago

I am fascinated that Kenny Albert is allowed to be contracted by 2 networks simultaneously. The guy does hockey for NBSCN and football/baseball for Fox. Shocked that this is allowed.
Years ago, the only time an announcer would be used for a different network, was when he was on “loan” or borrowed for a special event (I.e The Olympics, NCAA tournament). But, this Albert thing has been going on for many years now. How come the networks allow this?
Dale Moog says:

6 years ago

I think they will promote Kenny Albert to the top spot for NFL during Playoffs I think they will move Gus Johnson up as they will need to replace two play by play voices (Buck and Burkardt) they would have Kenny Albert, Adam Amin, Kevin Kuegler, Dick Stockton. Chris Myers, and Gus Johnson during the MLB playoffs The two college games they would have (only Big XII) would be called by Joe Davis and Tim Brando, If they had a third game those weeks it could be called by Aaron Goldsmith. The last person is right ESPN has two studio teams one in NCY under the banner of NBA countdown with Maria Taylor Jay Williams Jalen Rose and Steven A Smith and the other in LA (or Orlando Bubble) under the banner NBA the Jump with Rachel Nichols, Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce.
Nate Johnson says:

6 years ago

It would be odd for Kulger to replace Buck during the MLB postseason. It can’t be Kevin Burkhardt because he will be a part of the MLB postseason. Kenny Albert is a strong possible candidate, but won’t he coming off the Baseball coverage as well? Seems like it would be wise that he continues to work with new partner Jonathan Vilma. There is a guy by the name of Gus Johnson that would fill that role well for just 1 game or possibly 2. I’m just saying. Final point, it’s unfortunate that Chris Myers didn’t get a promotion as a play by play man.

Pasch and McElroy was a good pairing. Im not sure why ESPN split them up. Tessitore and Golic would’ve been good. I guess ESPN only care about their top commentators no matter what in regards to NFL or College Football.

I’m losing count. I believe SAS is replacing Jay Williams since, Williams now have a morning radio show. So ESPN pretty much has two studio teams one in New York (Maria Taylor, Jalen Rose, and now SAS). The other is in LA with Rachel Nichols, Paul Pierce, and maybe Matt Barnes under the Jump flagship. I’m sure Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, and Tracy McGrady had dibs over Pierce and Barnes, but I guess since Pierce and Barnes are LA natives they’re able to work the studio with Nichols. By the way, I believe Chauncey Billups could be in the rotation as well. That’s too many transactions. It’s important that we need to appreciate the current Inside the NBA crew because they’re constant, reliable, and excellent at what they do.