The voice of the Sabres is recovering after a scare; Billy Crystal will call a Clippers game; ESPN has extended an MLB analyst; ESPN’s first anchor has died.
Sabres Voice “OK” After Scare
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play voice Rick Jeanneret told the Buffalo News Sunday that he is “OK” and feels “pretty good” after suffering a medical scare during Saturday’s Ducks-Sabres broadcast on MSG Network. Jeanneret, the voice of the Sabres since 1971, abruptly stopped giving play-by-play during the third period of Saturday’s game and briefly lost consciousness before being taken out of the broadcast booth on a stretcher. He told the News that doctors are unsure what caused the episode, but that he expects to be back in the booth for the Sabres’ next game this coming Saturday. [Buffalo News 12.23]
Actor Crystal to Call Clippers Game
Actor and comedian Billy Crystal will work alongside retiring Clippers voice Ralph Lawler as the game analyst on Fox Sports Prime Ticket’s Lakers-Clippers broadcast January 31, the Clippers announced last week. Crystal, a prominent Clippers fan, is one of several guest analysts set to join Lawler during his farewell season. Also joining Lawler in the new year will be Mike Fratello (Clippers-Heat on January 23) and ESPN’s Hubie Brown (Knicks-Clippers on March 24). [Clippers.com 12.20]
ESPN Extends MLB Analyst Ross
ESPN announced last week that it has reached a multi-year contract extension with MLB analyst David Ross, who will continue in his current roles as a game and studio analyst. Ross is entering his third season with ESPN. [ESPN PR 12.18]
First ESPN Anchor Passes Away
The former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Lee Leonard, who spent only six months with ESPN but was the first voice ever heard on its air, died December 16 at age 89. Leonard, who joined ESPN after being fired from NBC Sports in 1978, anchored the opening minutes of ESPN history on September 7, 1979. He left the network in 1980 to join CNN, which was also in its first year of existence. [New York Times 12.18]
