You ask, we reply. The Publish is fielding questions from readers about New York’s largest professional sports activities groups and getting our beat writers to reply them in a sequence of often printed mailbags. In at the moment’s installment: sports activities media.
Did Steve Somers flip down a buyout? — @Justlucky32181
Steve Somers was not offered with a buyout by WFAN’s mother or father firm, Entercom, neither is he going anyplace, in accordance with sources. Somers, 73, can be schmoozing for the foreseeable future as a result of in contrast to, say, Joe Benigno, for example, who is continually speaking about shifting right down to Florida, Somers needs to maintain on maintaining on.
Beginning this week, WFAN put John Jastremski (7-11 p.m.) in an earlier time slot, whereas shifting Somers (11 p.m.-Three a.m.) for this month. When video games return doubtlessly, the 2 may swap again.
In the future, Somers may see a decreased work week, however that isn’t taking place proper now. Somers has been on WFAN for 33 years and he has considered retirement, however he’s not going anyplace proper now.
What have you ever heard in regards to the roles of announcers if leagues transfer ahead with single-site plans? — @McNuttMonica
In the mean time, this could apply to the NBA and the NHL, as MLB seems set on having video games at house stadiums. For the NBA, if regional sports activities networks do video games, then it’s anticipated their announcers can be in a studio.
For ESPN and Turner, this additionally could possibly be the case, however I’ve heard some current speak that it’s doable there could possibly be a restricted quantity of nationwide play-by-players/analysts in Orlando.
I do suppose that for ESPN and Turner, they may have sideline reporters on website. I feel the NHL may have an analogous setup because the NBA with its two-venue setup.
For MLB, the house workforce broadcasters may doubtlessly be on website, whereas the away announcers wouldn’t journey and be in studio.
Submit your sports activities media inquiries to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Fast query concerning what you might be listening to about “PTI.” Proper now, it looks like they’re putting random 15 minute or so variations of the present inside a “SportsCenter.” Looks like a better present to provide remotely as one in every of them are normally distant anyhow. And there’s sufficient content material to debate now as properly. — David Fischer
What ESPN has completed is develop “SportsCenter” to 2 hours from 5-7 p.m. to raised use its sources because it rearranges its workers due to the restrictions attributable to the pandemic.
“PTI” is mainly a stand-alone present from 5:30-6 inside “SportsCenter.” It additionally offers ESPN the choice to return to Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon for segments, which, in idea, retains viewers.
So there’s nonetheless round 30 minutes of Kornheiser-Wilbon, however only a bit extra unfold out. The opposite reveals (“Round The Horn,” “Extremely Questionable” and “Jalen & Jacoby”) have been decreased to 20 minutes within the pre-5 p.m. programming.
Do you are feeling like there’s going to be a delay within the broadcasts? I really feel just like the mics are going to choose up most of every thing mentioned on the sphere. I’ve heard some colourful language through the years. — Paul Reeves
Sure. The NBA, with the motion so shut and no followers, will seemingly must have a delay as a result of you’ll choose up every thing. What I do suppose may turn out to be a factor is a few nice audio of trash speak, and many others. being performed again. That could possibly be numerous enjoyable.
Will ESPN put “The Michael Kay Present” nationally within the afternoon to switch “The Will Cain Present?” Kay has a nationwide following and his present does speak about nationwide sports activities points. — @Amber_DFWGirl
That is an fascinating concept, however I might doubt it might occur. The Kay Present is usually native and, whilst you may attempt to do a New York-focused present, it seemingly wouldn’t work too properly nationally.
If the Kay Present modified its strategy and went extra nationwide, that may seemingly not work out both as it might damage it in New York. So, it’s a good thought, however I doubt it.
The place will Dan Fouts find yourself on TV this coming yr? Will or not it’s NFL or school protection? If school, Pac-12 Community? — Chas Glazer
I feel the Pac-12 would take advantage of sense as it’s the place his roots are in school (He performed at Oregon). That mentioned, the community is struggling and I’m undecided in the event that they wish to add. Plus, it’s unclear if the Pac-12 will play. In the event that they do, it might be a pure match. I’d be stunned if Fouts was doing NFL video games.