Regis Philbin could be one of the first hires at Fox Sports 1. In other news, Gus Johnson will call several soccer matches on FOX this year, and Dick Vitale will get to call the Final Four (though not in the U.S.) for the first time in his career.
- Regis Could Get Talk Show on FS1: Fox Sports is in negotiations with television personality Regis Philbin for a new talk show that would air on the Fox Sports 1 cable network, Sports Business Daily reported Tuesday. The show would be patterned after ABC’s “The View” and feature Philbin in the Barbara Walters role. Philbin co-hosted the syndicated talk show “Live! with Regis and Kelly” until November 2011; FOX NFL analyst Michael Strahan replaced him last September. According to the report, FS1 is also targeting comedian Jay Mohr, who hosts a show on Fox Sports Radio and once had his own show on ESPN. (Sports Business Daily)
- Gus Johnson to Call Soccer on FOX, Maybe World Cup: Fox Sports college football voice Gus Johnson, a self-described novice when it comes to soccer, is scheduled to call the FA Cup and Champions League finals in May as well as other high-profile matchups throughout the year. Johnson, whose first match will be the February 13 Real Madrid/Manchester United Champions League match on Fox Soccer, is under consideration to be the lead voice of the World Cup and Women’s World Cup on FOX once the network begins televising the events in 2015. (Sports Illustrated)
- Vitale to Call NCAA Final Four on ESPN International: For the first time in his career, ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will call part of the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Vitale, who has been with ESPN since 1979, will call one national semifinal and the national championship game on ESPN International, working alongside Brad Nessler on both telecasts. The ESPN International telecasts will be available in several countries, including Canada. (ESPN Media Zone)
