The following is some of the sportscasting news that has been making headlines recently. We welcome your news, updates, comments and/or corrections for next week's edition.
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Happy belated birthday to ASA Hall of Famer Vin Scully. The legendary LA Dodgers announcer turned 92 on November 29.
Mike Francesa’s final day as WFAN Radio's afternoon drive host is today. The station has not decided on his replacement, but one scenario has midday hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Begnino moving into Francesa's afternoon slot. The sports talk pioneer is not retiring. Starting Jan. 6, 2020 he will have a half-hour show on The Fan from 6-6:30pm.
CBS has a lot to be thankful for, as the Cowboys-Bills game was the most watched Thanksgiving Day game on the network in the last 27 years. Buffalo's 26-15 win over Dallas, called by ASA Board member Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, was also the most watched regular season game on any network in three years.
Speaking of CBS, the network continues to revamp its golf broadcast team with the hiring of Michelle Wie. The five-time LPGA tour winner will serve as a contributor for several events, including the Masters. Other moves include ASA Lifetime Member Dottie Pepper being elevated to the role of lead on-course reporter and the addition of Trevor Immelman as an analyst. Andrew Catalon is also receiving a promotion, stepping into Bill Macatee’s role as fill-in host for Jim Nantz.
Tim Ryan, San Francisco 49ers radio analyst, was suspended by the team for one game after his comments regarding Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. “He’s really good at that fake, Lamar Jackson, but when you consider his dark skin color with a dark football with a dark uniform, you could not see that thing," said Ryan, during an appearance on KNBR, the team's flagship station. Ryan has since apologized saying, "“I regret my choice of words in trying to describe the conditions of the game. Lamar Jackson is an MVP-caliber player and I respect him greatly. I want to sincerely apologize to him and anyone else I offended.”
Tommy Edwards, longtime Chicago Bulls Public Address announcer, has retired. Edwards who is known for the famous introduction, "Aaand now...," called his last game on November 9 ending a 25-year career.
Interesting article by Sports Illustrated's Connor Grossman on the everlasting bond between the baseball fan and the sportscaster. You can read the article here: https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/27/appreciating-baseball-broadcasters
Jake Rongholt, ASA member and recent graduate of the Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting, made his debut on fellow ASA member Scott Morganroth's podcast, "The Sports Exchange," on December 2. Morganroth hosts the podcast every Tuesday and Friday from 5-7pm on www.weinetwork.com. Rongholt, who we have been working with through our Vets2Broadscasting program, also hosts his own podcast, "Turning Points," as he searches for a full-time position in the sportscasting field.
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