NFL Adds To Its Own Media Coverage

The pro leagues and their attempts to take more control of media reporting continues to fly under the radar. Now, just before NFL training camps open and the constant flow of League news will begin, the NFL is adding more league hired "reporters" around the country.


The "NFL Media Group" has added James Palmer to its reporting staff, according to SportsBusiness Daily, with the former Comcast SportsNet Houston reporter to be based out of Denver for the NFL. The Media Group has already hired its own reporters elsewhere, including Stacey Dales out of Chicago, Desmond Purnell out of Dallas, Steve Wyche out of Los Angeles, Albert Breer in Boston, and Jeff Darlington in Miami, among others.


While we understand the need for content for NFL Network and its web site, it raises the question of why the NFL doesn't rely more on media reporters in its various markets. If and when the next controversy arises (arrest, scandal, etc.), it will be interesting to monitor the reporting angle taken by the NFL Media Group reports compared with those for the local market media.




Meanwhile, the NHL has been dealing with revising its TV offering for the upcoming regular season in order to offer individual games in addition to the regular season package deals. Much of this results from a recent lawsuit, which is explained in detail here:
https://www.hefflercases.com/cases/nhl/



LOS ANGELES: After 36 seasons of calling the Clippers games, Ralph Lawler continues to (finally!) get the recognition he deserves. Lawler will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the upcoming season, sharing the bill with the likes of Chick Hearn, Bob Miller, and Vin Scully. Lawler is expected to continue his Clippers duties again, now at the age of 77.




CHICAGO: For fans of the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks who still can't get enough, WGN 720 plans to re-air the broadcast of the Cup clinching game from June on the night of July 4th, at 6 PM CT.




CLEVELAND: During this week when a lot of listeners and air personalities are on vacation, WKRK 92.3 happens to have WEWS-TV 5 sportscaster Mike Cairns filling in on its morning show. Normally, not a big deal. When you consider that no replacement has been named yet for the recently departed Chuck Booms, chances are this week is really an audition.




TAMPA: University of South Florida football and basketball has a new home in time for the upcoming seasons. WWBA 820 has a new multi-year deal as flagship station, along with airing the coaches shows and even some women's basketball games.




OMAHA: University of Nebraska football and basketball moves to KXSP 590 in time for the upcoming seasons, with the sports station also airing the coaches shows as scheduled and "Sports Nightly" each available weeknight. This is a significant change in habits after more than 75 years of the games airing on KFAB 1110.




COLUMBUS GA: WZCG 1270 has dropped its sports format, which only consisted of Fox Sports Radio, and has gone to Spanish language programming.
Have a great Independence Day weekend!!