ESPN has issued an apology for Brent Musburger’s on-air comments about A.J. McCarron’s girlfriend. In other news, “ESPN First Take” pundit Rob Parker is gone for good, and Fox Sports will use the broadcast team of Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick on playoff coverage this weekend.
- ESPN Apologizes For Musburger: ESPN has apologized after lead college football voice Brent Musburger made somewhat lecherous comments about Alabama QB A.J. McCarron‘s girlfriend during Monday’s BCS National Championship Game. After cameras showed McCarron’s girlfriend in the stands Monday night, Musburger made repeated remarks about her looks and added a “whoa” for good measure. In a statement, ESPN said the “commentary in this instance went too far and Brent understands that” (ESPN, 1/8).
- ESPN Will Not Retain Rob Parker: “ESPN First Take” talker Rob Parker will not return to ESPN, the network announced Tuesday. Parker, whose contract with ESPN expired at the end of last year, was suspended in December after controversial comments about Washington NFL QB Robert Griffin III. (ESPN)
- Brennaman and Billick to Call Divisional Round Game: Fox Sports will use the broadcast team of Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick on one of the network’s two Divisional Round broadcasts this weekend, replacing the usual ‘B’ team of Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa. Brennaman and Billick will presumably call Sunday’s Seahawks/Falcons game, as Packers/49ers would seem to be the logical destination for the ‘A’ team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. (Sports Business Daily)
