A Laker legend and five-time NBA champion will have a brief stint on NBA Countdown, but a different one this time. In other news, Samantha Ponder is indeed ESPN’s replacement for Chris Berman on Sunday NFL Countdown, and Doug Gottlieb is moving — at least for now — to Fox Sports.
Bryant to Appear on NBA Countdown
- Former Lakers G Kobe Bryant will appear in-studio on Sunday’s NBA Countdown on ABC to present the second part of his “Canvas” video series, which debuted on the show Christmas Day. Titled “Canvas City: Musecage,” the ten-minute video will be broadcast in its entirety. In addition, Bryant will be a guest on the 6 PM ET SportsCenter tomorrow. (ESPN Media Zone 3.23)
ESPN Makes Ponder Move Official
- ESPN officially announced Thursday that Samantha Ponder will replace Chris Berman as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown next season. Ponder, who has not previously worked any NFL coverage for ESPN/ABC, joins Berman and Bob Ley as the only hosts of the 32-year old program. As previously reported, Suzy Kolber will host Monday Night Countdown and Trey Wingo will host the full NFL Draft. (ESPN Media Zone 3.23)
Gottlieb Officially Joins Fox, For Now
- Fox Sports announced Wednesday that it has hired former CBS Sports broadcaster Doug Gottlieb as Fox Sports 1 basketball analyst and Fox Sports Radio host. Gottlieb had been with CBS since 2012 and previously worked for ESPN from 2003-12. Gottlieb may well not even make it to his April 24 debut, however, as he is in the running for the vacant Oklahoma State basketball coaching job. (Fox Sports)
