Longtime ESPN analyst Kara Lawson is headed to the coaching ranks. Also: Jeremy Schaap will serve as the new lead host of Outside the Lines, and ESPN has hired an SB Nation writer to cover college football.
Lawson leaving TV for Celtics
Washington Wizards and ESPN basketball analyst Kara Lawson has joined the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach, ESPN reported Wednesday. According to the Washington Post, Lawson has resigned from the Wizards, ending her two season run with the team. It stands to reason she will also leave ESPN, where she has analyzed men’s and women’s pro and college games since 2004. She has been calling WNBA games this season, with her most recent assignment being Washington-Atlanta on ESPN this past Sunday. [ESPN.com 6.27, Washington Post 6.27]
Schaap new lead host of Outside the Lines
Sports Business Daily reported Wednesday that Jeremy Schaap will serve as the lead anchor of Outside the Lines in the wake of Bob Ley‘s retirement. The move is no surprise, as Schaap has been a regular fill-in for Ley on OTL. He has also co-anchored Sunday morning editions of E:60 alongside Ley since 2017. In addition to Schaap, Ryan Smith and Michele Steele will also continue to serve as hosts. [SBD 6.26]
ESPN hires SB Nation writer
ESPN has reached a multi-year deal with SB Nation writer Bill Connelly, it announced this week. Connelly will serve as a college football writer and also make appearances on ESPN’s TV and radio platforms. The company has also reached contract extensions with college football writers Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg. [ESPN PR 6.25]
