Stephen A. Smith is joining the cast of NBA Countdown, again. Also: news on Mike Golic‘s new college football partner, Thom Brennaman’s FOX NFL replacement, and more.
Stephen A. joining NBA Countdown for rest of playoffs
ESPN announced Wednesday that it is adding Stephen A. Smith to its NBA Countdown cast for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs. Smith debuted Thursday on a special edition of the show focused on the league’s suspension of play.
Smith is no stranger to ESPN’s NBA studio coverage, having been a regular member of the cast throughout the 2000s. He also hosted a pregame edition of SportsCenter prior to ESPN’s Wednesday NBA games earlier this season. [ESPN PR 8.26]
Golic set to work with Pasch this season
Former ESPN Radio host Mike Golic is scheduled to work alongside Dave Pasch on college football games this season, the New York Post reported earlier this week. The pair will work games remotely. Golic, who was dropped from his longtime ESPN Radio role this year, has moved to college football coverage for the duration of his expiring contract.
Per the Post, Pasch’s former partner Greg McElroy will pair with former Monday Night Football voice Joe Tessitore on a team that will travel to games. [NYP 8.26]
Kugler gets Brennaman’s spot on FOX
The Athletic reported this week that Kevin Kugler will replace Thom Brennaman on FOX NFL coverage this season. Kugler, the lead NFL voice on Westwood One radio, has filled in on FOX in the past but never previously been a regular part of its NFL rotation. He will work alongside Brennaman’s old partner Chris Spielman.
It was not clear whether Kugler will assume Brennaman’s role as Joe Buck’s NFL fill-in during the MLB Postseason.
Brennaman has been dropped from FOX NFL coverage after he was heard on-air using an anti-gay slur during a Cincinnati Reds broadcast. [The Athletic 8.25]
Plus: Buck, Draymond, Marshall
MLB Network this week announced that it has hired Buck Showalter as an analyst. He debuted Tuesday on MLB Tonight. Showalter previously worked for ESPN from 2001-02 and again from 2008-10. … Golden State Warriors F Draymond Green has joined CNN as a contributor, becoming the latest active athlete on the cable news network’s roster. Saints S Malcolm Jenkins joined CNN earlier this year. Green earlier this summer served as a guest NBA analyst on TNT. … Former NFL WR Brandon Marshall joined the cast of FS1’s First Things First this week, the newest addition to the show. Kevin Wildes joined the cast earlier this year. [MLB Network, Front Office Sports 8.28, Fox Sports PR 8.20]
