ESPN NBA broadcasters will alternate between calling games on-site and from their homes. Also: NFL Network RedZone host Scott Hanson hopes to remain in the role, MLB Network’s Chris Rose is on his way out, and more.
ESPN NBA announcers will split between on-site and at home
ESPN plans to have its NBA announcers call games both on-site and from their homes this season, with slightly more games called on-site, a network spokesman confirmed to Sports Media Watch. The New York Post was first to report. For ESPN’s first preseason game Friday night, play-by-play voice Ryan Ruocco and analyst Richard Jefferson worked from their respective homes. (On the broadcast, Ruocco said he and Jefferson will work ESPN’s Pelicans-Heat and Clippers-Nuggets Christmas Day games, an indication that those will also be called remotely).
Games called on-site will also be produced on-site, while games called remotely will be produced from ESPN’s Bristol or Charlotte studios. For some games, one announcer may be on-site with the other working from home; those games will be produced either on-site or remotely.
According to the Post, ESPN NBA analyst Hubie Brown will be part of the broadcast rotation this season after skipping the NBA’s summer restart in Orlando over COVID-19 concerns. Brown will work remotely. His TNT colleague Marv Albert, who also skipped the NBA “bubble,” is also returning this season and is scheduled to call TNT’s preseason opener on Tuesday. Per the Post, TNT does not plan to send broadcasters to games at this point. [ESPN, NYP 12.11]
RedZone’s Hanson nearing end of contract
NFL Network RedZone host Scott Hanson is reaching the end of his one-year contract this summer, according to Front Office Sports. Hanson, who has hosted the NFL Network version of RedZone since its 2009 launch, says he hopes to continue in the role. [Front Office Sports 12.9]
MLB Network parts ways with Chris Rose
MLB Network has elected not to renew the expiring contract of Intentional Talk host Chris Rose, who said on-air Friday that he will be departing the network later this month. Rose, who had been with MLB Network since 2010, attributed the decision to COVID-19-related cost-cutting at MLB Network. [Awful Announcing 12.11]
Plus: Arizona Bowl, NASCAR, dog shows
With the cancellation of the December 31 Sun Bowl, CBS has picked up the same day’s Arizona Bowl as a replacement. The game was originally scheduled to air on CBSSN. If played, it will be the only bowl game not on an ESPN network. … Eighteen NASCAR Cup Series races are scheduled to air on broadcast television next season, up from 16 this year. The Bristol race, which next year will be run on dirt, will move back from FS1 to FOX. … ESPN announced a three-year agreement with the American Kennel Club this week that will make the ESPN networks the exclusive home of AKC-sanctioned dog shows. [MWC 12.10, NASCAR 12.10, ESPN 12.7]
