Time for some sports media thoughts on this Thursday. As usual, they come in bullet form.
- Well, the hires at Fox Sports 1 just continue to grow. Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead broke some news this week about one of the sports blogosphere’s most popular stars:
Not a huge surprise, but the very pretty @KatieNolan is going to Fox Sports 1. Been rumored for awhile. Unknown what she'll be doing there
— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) June 25, 2013
If you’re not familiar with Katie Nolan, you will be. Katie hosts a daily video called “Speed Round” for Guyism. It’s a fast-paced round-up of news, sports and other information. She has become popular among Guyism’s loyal readers. Her last day with Guyism is this Friday and readers are sad that she’s leaving. Just what exactly Nolan will be doing for FS1 is not known at this point.
An e-mail to Fox Sports seeking confirmation has not been answered at this time.
- Long-time voice of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Wes Durham announced last week that he’s leaving that position to take a job in television. Durham says he will continue his duties as radio voice of the Atlanta Falcons.
Durham is waiting for his new employer to make the announcement official, but we can definitely speculate that it will be either ESPN or Fox Sports 1. Durham tells the Augusta (GA) Chronicle that he will call football, basketball and baseball.
Wes’ dad, Woody, is a legend in North Carolina having called Tar Heels football and basketball between 1971 and 2011. Wes joined Georgia Tech in 1995.
No matter where he goes, Durham is a consummate professional and will do well in TV.
- On Sunday, I told you about two newspapers which are about to launch new online ventures. I couldn’t reveal them then. I can unveil one now. The Denver Post will begin online streaming in August and will include the Press Box Live show with hosts Mile High Radio’s Peter Burns and Post columnist Mark Kizla. The show will originate from the Post’s headquarters. The newspaper is building an all-new studio and it will be simulcast on two radio stations and be streamed through DenverPost.com. This is part of a new initiative by the Post to provide original content.
In addition, the Post and TV station KCDO will air a half-hour sports talk show at 10 p.m. Denver time to compete with the market’s late newscasts. This will provide fans with local sports for 30 minutes opposite local newscasts which can only provide three minutes or less. Expect some more information on this venture as well as the one in the Northeast in the coming days.
- I was saddened to learn of the passing of former New York Giants punter and broadcaster Dave Jennings. He died at the age of 61 after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
Jennings was an analyst on New York Jets and Giants games. He worked with legend Marty Glickman on Jets games beginning in 1988 and worked with various play-by-play men including Ian Eagle and Howard David. In 2002, he moved to the Giants and worked with Bob Papa. He left the broadcast booth after the 2007 season.
Jennings was not your typical analyst. He was quite cerebral in the booth and gave some excellent thoughts on the crosswinds in the old Meadowlands Stadium which could often give kickers fits.
- You may have noticed that I’m not tweeting. I decided to take an indefinite break from Twitter. I’m not sure how long the hiatus will be, but I’m determined to make this one stick for a while. My previous efforts never lasted beyond two or three days. I started late Monday night. Maybe the break will last for a week, maybe even longer. Who knows?
That will do it for now.
