Longtime sports broadcaster Jim Simpson has passed away. In other news, comedian Conan O’Brien will host the NFL’s annual awards show, and ESPN has extended SportsNation co-host Michelle Beadle.
Fmr. ESPN, NBC Voice Simpson Passes Away
- Former NBC Sports and ESPN play-by-play voice Jim Simpson died Wednesday at the age of 88. Simpson was a prominent broadcaster for NBC, working events ranging from major tennis tournaments to the Olympics, but left in 1979 to join a week-old ESPN. He called a wide variety of sports for ESPN and during his first year even hosted an occasional SportsCenter. Beyond his time with ESPN and NBC, he also worked for the other major broadcast networks during his 50-year broadcasting career, as well as ESPN competitors TNT and SportsChannel America. (ESPN Media Zone)
O’Brien Hosting NFL Awards
- The NFL has tapped comedian Conan O’Brien to host this year’s NFL Honors, filling a role held by Seth Meyers last year and Alec Baldwin the previous two years. As always, the NFL’s annual awards show airs the night before the Super Bowl on the network broadcasting the game (this year CBS). (NFL Communications)
ESPN Extends Beadle
- ESPN has reached a multi-year contract extension with SportsNation co-host Michelle Beadle, who will continue in her current role and begin co-hosting a new national radio show with ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne. Beadle is in her second stint with ESPN, having rejoined the network in 2014 after three unsuccessful years with NBC Sports. (ESPN Media Zone)
