I really didn't think that ESPN would tab a replacement for Steve Phillips, following his firing this offseason, but alas....I was wrong. Orel Hershiser will be joining Jon Miller and Joe Morgan this season for Sunday Night Baseball. Via ESPN PR....

Jon Miller, the recently announced winner of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2010 Ford C. Frick Award, and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will be joined by ESPN analyst and former Major League Baseball Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser in the Sunday Night Baseball booth this season. Miller and Morgan are entering their 21st consecutive season on Sunday Night Baseball.

“Sunday Night Baseball distinctly offers Jon’s Hall of Fame voice and the combination of Joe’s Hall of Fame approach to hitting and Orel’s profound pitching knowledge,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “Collectively, they will provide compelling analysis and debate during our national game of the week.”

In addition to his Sunday Night responsibilities, Hershiser will continue to serve as analyst during ESPN’s College World Series and Little League World Series coverage. He will also provide analysis for Baseball Tonight. Hershiser most recently provided analysis for Monday Night Baseball in 2009, and has contributed to Wednesday Night Baseball.

I've always enjoyed Orel in the booth, and now he'll get a chance to showcase it with ESPN's "A-Team". Some find him bland, but his knowledge of game situations will help out a pair that has basically forgotten everything they've ever learned about the game.

The Saints won a rather thrilling Super Bowl last night, and the majority of the East Coast got to drink themselves to sleep after learning of most business calling an audible day-off for workers because of snow. Now that the haze has worn off, there are three rather interesting stories that happened over the Super Bowl weekend that I'm looking at today. In order they are Michael Irvin's rape allegation and firing from ESPN Radio, Warren Sapp getting arrested and being dropped from NFL Network's coverage and Steve Phillips sitting down with Matt Lauer this morning. First up....Michael Irvin....
______________________________

On the same day that his former teammate Emmitt Smith was getting into the Hall of Fame, Michael Irvin was getting fired from his ESPN Radio job after another alleged rape charge was levied against him Dallas. Not only that but ESPN decided to fire the former Cowboy WR from his gig at 103.3 FM even though Irvin's contract was set to expire at the end of the week. There were reportedly no plans to renew it, but ESPN opted to fire him anyway. Irvin (unlike Sapp) made his appearances on NFL Network over the weekend, spoke briefly about the allegation to reporters, and then filed a $100 Million counter suit against his alleged victim. Via ESPN....

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin made his first public appearance since he was accused in a civil suit of rape. He filed a $100 million countersuit against his accuser.

Irvin worked the Hall of Fame ceremonies for the NFL Network on Saturday. He was subdued at times but also emotional, especially when former teammate, running back Emmitt Smith, was selected for induction.

"It's not about me, but that's it," Irvin told a small group of reporters before they had a chance to ask questions. Irvin said he would only talk about the Hall of Fame.

Irvin's suit, filed in Dallas County, Texas, asks for $100 million in damages for allegations filed in a lawsuit that claim Irvin raped a woman identified as "Jane Doe" at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., in 2007.

The countersuit claims that the civil suit filed by the woman caused him to be fired from his radio job.

It's interesting that ESPN decided to follow up with the story after taking no time in firing Irvin. Like the story said, no charges were filed against him and his contract was set to run out, so it really makes no sense as to why ESPN Radio decided to fire him right away.
__________________________________

The day after Michael Irvin got his walking papers, another analyst in Miami spent the night in jail. A crazy story came out of South Beach that NFL Network Analyst Warren Sapp had been dropped from the network's coverage of the Super Bowl, and after NFL-N confirmed the claims, Sapp spent the night in jail on a domestic abuse charge. Via the Sun Sentinel....

Police arrested Sapp on Saturday on one charge of misdemeanor domestic battery. An arrest affidavit says the incident happened around 5 a.m. Saturday in the former defensive tackle's hotel room at the Shore Club on Miami Beach.

Sapp's attorney said the former player is taking the matter seriously and will cooperate with authorities.

"He sincerely apologizes to the NFL family and fans for taking away any distraction from today's big game," Christopher Lyons said. "We ask that everyone reserve judgment on the matter until all the facts come out in a court of law."

The woman said she had been dating Sapp about two years. She told officers the two were partying with a large group of friends when she got tired and went to lay down.

Sapp entered hours later, pulled her out of bed and tried to get her out of the room, according to the complaint. The complaint says he yelled at the woman about men she had been hanging out with and men listed in her cell phone. The woman told police Sapp choked her, threw her down on a couch, then picked her up by her shirt and neck and threw her down again — injuring her leg. The victim had a swollen knee and bruises on her neck, the affidavit says. She was taken to the hospital.

Just a messy situation all around. According to Sports by Brooks, Sapp had been seen around Miami with a certain lady friend, but as of now the accuser wants to remain anonymous.
______________________________________

As far as Steve Phillips, the former ESPN Baseball analyst made an appearance on the Today Show this morning to talk about his sexual addiction. Phillips, who is giving his first public interview since leaving the same rehab clinic Tiger Woods reportedly has been staying at, told Matt Lauer that he, "I couldn't stop myself from doing the things I was doing, even knowing the consequences." Here's the clip....


Man, what a weekend!

Steve Phillips has gone into hiding after being dumped by ESPN for various "transgressions", but he could be making a return back into your lives real soon. No not on television, but rather as a voice for MLB 2K10. An early preview of the game has Gary Thorne as your play-by-play man, with John Kruk and Phillips the analysts. There is not word if it's too late to delete the former ESPNer from the game. Via Pasta Padre....

Included in the preview is talk about the My Player mode which appears to be primarily focused on clutch situations, the formula for pitching with the right stick being made more accessible, a defensive swing addition, and “hurry-up baseball” option which removes all the presentational elements. Also new is the “Batter’s Eye” which intends to provide the more talented hitters an advantage.

Just as in real life, standout hitters in MLB 2K10 can see certain pitches coming as the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. You’ll get a quick text pop-up that says “fastball,” “breaking ball” or “changeup” depending on the pitch and the hitter.

Of note is the commentary which has added John Kruk while keeping Steve Phillips along with Gary Thorne. The decision to hold onto Phillips will be somewhat controversial considering the circumstances of his firing from ESPN and that he is currently without any employment or association with baseball. Given that he remains it comes as little surprise that 2K did not advertise the commentary team in the features list.

Well that's convenient. Obviously it would take countless hours to go back and delete him, AND to make the commentary easy to follow, but it will be hard not to hear him in the game and get a little sick to my stomach. More on this when the game comes out on March 2nd.

First MLB 2K10 Preview (Pasta Padre)

Well it took the weekend for a decision, but late Sunday night, ESPN officially fired Steve Phillips citing his inability to be an effective representative for the network. VP Mike Soltys has the announcement on his Twitter page....

I really hope they didn't feel pressure from Deadspin's stunt near the end of last week, but there was really no other choice for the "Leader". You would think this line of reasoning would be used more often by ESPN. (More tomorrow when the full release comes out)

ESPN MikeS (Twitter)

(Top image via WEEI)

Leave it to an ex-College Basketball coach to equate "being on the bubble" to "getting fired from ESPN. Former Vermont Coach and ESPN Analyst, Tom Brennan has been let go by ESPN after three years, and with one year left on his contract. Via the Burlington Free Press....

Brennan said he had one year left on a three-year contract, but the sports network indicated it was not going to pick up his option. The Bristol, Conn., based network has been trimming staff and costs and Brennan said he believed he might get released.

"They are not renewing me. I kind of knew that I might not continue. I knew I was on the bubble," Brennan said Monday.

Brennan said ESPN was a great run, which began in 2005 when he signed a two-year contract. He later signed a three-year pact.

"I had four years. It was a long time. Every time I went there I pinched myself. Just to be part of that, they are so professional. It was wonderful."

ESPN announced earlier this year that it would lay-off about 100 Connecticut-based employees and leave about 200 vacant jobs unfilled, according to news reports. Some new jobs will be created as the sports giant moved into new areas. The network also implemented wage freezes. ESPN is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co. and has about 5,500 people worldwide, including about 3,400 in Connecticut.

That's a shame, because I actually enjoyed Brennan from time to time. He and Gottlieb, would have some epic debates about bubble teams, and it's rather ironic that he would use that term to describe his contract at ESPN. I suspect he'll go back into coaching, given the lack of College Basketball outlets, but someone should take a flier on him.

ESPN, Brennan part ways (Burlington Free Press)

Hearing the news that Stephen A. Smith was let go by ESPN must have hit the "SAS Society of Heckling Gentlemen" extremely hard, but that didn't stop them from having fun at the 2009 Draft. Get your Cheez Doodlez ready, and enjoy the latest installment from the "SASSoHG"! Via Rockin' Steady....

The Alanis song just put that one over the top. Too funny. It's also good to see that I wasn't the only person who found that Draft extremely boring. And always remember...."When life gives you Stephen A., make StephenAde."

Stephen A. Smith Heckled at the 2009 NBA Draft: The Final Chapter (Rockin Steady)

This isn't really groundbreaking news, but for those of you looking for a Stephen A. Smith fix, he's got a podcast on his personal website now. The best part about it? It's like ESPN's version of S.A.S., times ten. He's as boisterous as ever, and he would like to yell at you about Brett Lorenzo Favre!

Oh how I miss you so, S.A.S.!

Audio Podcast: NBA Finals Game 3 Analysis & More (Stephen A.)

Neil Best has been posting some interesting Michael Irvin quotes today, including one where he talks about the mile high club. While that is certainly interesting in its own right, the one that I'm most interested is the for ESPN Analyst saying that the "Leader" works its analysts "too hard"....

Irvin said there are no hard feelings between the company and him, as evidenced by the fact he has a daily radio show in Dallas on an ESPN station.

"They work people hard; that's the best way I can say it," Irvin said of ESPN. "They put you through the car wash. [He made a grinding sound.]

"And it's exclusivity. They don't let you do anything else. I had other movies and things I wanted to do.

"But I love ESPN. It was just a decision. With ESPN, they own everything. All the intellectual property, so I could never do this other stuff without being under their cover, or they would have owned it. So it works out best for everybody. And I thank them. They were great."

I can understand the aspect of wanting to do other things, and not being able to. But saying your employer works you too hard, just makes you look lazy. All work is hard, but working in Sports is one of the toughest fields. You get paid very little, work long hours and the team/network basically becomes your family. I respect that Irvin wanted to branch out, but you can't say in one breath that you wanted to do more work, and then say that they worked you too hard.

Michael Irvin says ESPN works its TV analysts hard (Watchdog)

It's a somber, yet hopeful day, at the "Leader". Stephen A. Smith is gracing ESPN's airwaves for the last time today, and has been oddly appearing across all of the network's platforms. He first appeared on First Take to talk about the NBA Playoffs, then went over to Shrutebag's radio show, and left without a goodbye on both shows. Here's some video and audio of the gloomy appearances....

Good lord that's depressing. One of the last moments on a network, and they're talking about meatball marinara subs from Subway! I mean, we're talking about a guy who once had a TV show, a radio show, a newspaper column and had a huge NBA analyst role on ESPN. Now he's out there looking for work. Even if you don't like the guy's schtick, you still have to feel just a little bit bad for him.

You would think that Stephen A. Smith would be a little bit more bitter after ESPN decided to not renew his contract, but he's surprisingly not. The outspoken one even penned a post on his blog to his soon-to-be former employer, and thanked them for the opportunity. Via StephenA.com....

My last day at ESPN is May 1. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride, filled with great accomplishments, great memories and, most importantly, great friendships. It’s difficult to express how appreciative I am to everyone at ESPN for all they’ve done for my career. But nothing lasts forever. It’s time to move on.

While my love for sports has never dissipated– of course, I’ll never let go of sports– my desire to venture beyond sports into the world of news, politics and entertainment has grown. Where that will take me? Who knows, but you can keep up with me right here on StephenA.com as well as on Twitter to find out! I’ll just be moving on with some degree of sadness, remembering all the friends I’ll leave behind.

Well that's big of him. To be honest, SAS had started to grow on me a bit. And while I can't stand some of his schtick, I can't say that he lacked the passion and know-how to cover Basketball for the "Leader". Godspeed Mr. Cheez Doodlez....your volume level will be missed.

Goodbye ESPN!!! (StephenA.com)

You knew the day was coming, but how could you prepare for it? Over the past few years, Emmitt Smith has stuttered, stumbled and made up words, for various programs on ESPN, but next season....that will be no more. ESPN hasn't made an official statement yet, but Pro Football Talk has gotten word from the inside, that Smith has been officially "blowed out" by the "Leader"....

After a two-season run featuring multiple new on-air additions to the English language, the greatest running back in NFL history ultimately has fared no better than Joe Montana as a broadcaster.

Yes, ESPN has advised us that Emmitt’s relationship with the network has ended.

There will be no formal announcement — and presumably no going away party. Or vodka-fueled roast.

“We thank Emmitt for his contributions to ESPN and work ethic the past two years,” ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer told us via e-mail. “We wish him all the best.”

Such a sad, sad day. I know that there are times when I wish people weren't on air, but there are some people that you pray stay on just for comedy's sake. Emmitt was one of those people, and I don't know what I'm going to do during Monday Night Football without him. As a tribute to Emmitt, I give you a countdown of my favorite Emmittisms, and the quintessential compilation video of his work. Godspeed my friend, and I hope you find the rites of patches you deserve!

AA's Top Ten Emmittisms:

Honorable Mentions:

"Not only does he have the NFC East record for touchdowns, but also the team record."
"Wes Worker is a possession receiver that make things happen."
"The NFC West is probably one of the weakest conferences in the whole NFC."
"The leadership definitely have to come from the leaders."
"I think it's his self-confidence in himself that make him so confident when it get down into the crunch time."

10. "Last year there was a lot of things the Colts had to address. They couldn't stop the run, and all those. That was one of the biggest things they had to address."
9. "You have to have the personality to match up with the Patriots."
8. "He's giving them all the confidences they need. He giving them the confidence that he need."
7. "They do a very good job of flying around the Football field and carousing the Football carrier."
6. "Don't worry about the game you just won or the team that we just blew out. Uhhh... blown. Blown out. Let's think about what we need to do going forward, and they had blown out."
5. "Eli Manning has been given the rites of patches."
4. "This kind of inconsistency, against a team like New England, will get you completely blowed out."
3. "You cannot change the stripes of a leopard."
2. "Go to Arizona, sharp as a whistle, and do some finishing touches, so we can go down in the Super Bowl and play our best football of the whole entire season."
1. "The strength of the Patriots, their offense, got debacled."



Emmitt Exits ESPN (PFT)
The Emmitt Smith Anthology (Walter Football)

A few months back, I posted the depressing news that Stacey Dales wasn't returning to ESPN, and the apparent reason was because the "Leader" wouldn't grant her first-class travel request. Well in an interview with the Daily Oklahoman, Dales confirms said rumor and said that she just "had to take a stand"....

In negotiating a new three-year contract in December, Dales said she reached an impasse with the network over a travel provision that she did not specify. However, an ESPN source confirmed an Internet report that Dales was unhappy with flying coach while many of her colleagues were flying first class.

"At some point, you have to take a stand at whatever you are doing in life,” Dales said. "That’s not sounding like a feminist. That’s not sounding like a spoiled, rotten kid. That’s making a business decision that affects the quality of your life. That was an important thing for me.”

"ESPN was a great launching pad for something new,” she said. "I had a great experience with them.”

Again, it seems like a petty detail on both parties behalf, but like Dales said....I guess you have to take a stand. If I was any other network, I'd jump at the chance to hire Dales. In fact, I wouldn't even waste her talent on the sideline. Find a studio or booth for her already.

Stacey Dales, ESPN fail to make a deal (News OK)

With all of the Ombudsman hiring talk that's been going on, this story comes as a bit of a shock. ESPN.com writer, Kyle Whelliston, decided to write about the fact that ESPN had decided to cut their College Sports writing in half, and because of that, "he has been relieved of his duties" with the "Leader". Here is the original post, and the subsequent "firing" update, from Whelliston over at The Mid-Majority....

No part of the Sports Bubble, not even the attached layer of media soap-scum, is immune to structural weakness. Just under a month ago, while staying in this very city, I was given advance warning that ESPN.com is planning 50 percent cuts to its college sports coverage, and I was put on notice that my contributions would likely be halved in the new year. Earlier today, I was notified that beginning in February, I will indeed be cut in half -- writing and chatting every other week instead of weekly.

Now, if I know my audience the way I think I do, I know what you're thinking. ESPN is not "screwing mid-majors." These were cuts ordered by faraway men in suits who have bottom lines and share prices to protect, and this situation is not unlike the ongoing bloodbath at Sports Illustrated. I'm not the only one affected, and I'm fortunate enough not to be cut completely -- a fate that will befall others.

Update: I have just received word, within the hour, that I have been immediately relieved of my duties with ESPN.com (all of them, not just half). I have truly enjoyed a period of almost four years working with the Worldwide Leader in Sports. I thank the staff for taking a chance on a blogger back in 2005. I also appreciate their (unknowing) subsidy of this website and its experiments, during what turned out to be a prolonged and protracted timeframe. ESPN and I worked together to create a new, unique type of college basketball journalism that served a traditionally underserved niche.

Seems like a drastic move to just drop someone for calmly commenting on the move, but if it was an internal edict, I can sort of understand the move. It's a shame during these economic times that ESPN has to decide what to cover, but that's not really any different than in times when the economy is thriving.

Good luck, Kyle. In all honesty, you're probably better off because of this.

The Sports Bubble (Mid-Majority)
Ex-SPN (Mid-Majority)

Le Anne Schreiber has once again pulled the curtain back on the most powerful Sports network in the World, and as she addresses perceived biases across the board at ESPN (including BCS rights and Chris Spielman's Michigan comments), she also hints at a committee being formed to write a book of standards for the "Leader's" personalities. It seems like a simple idea in theory, but after speaking with Bill Simmons on the matter, it might not be so easy to get put into action....

When I told Simmons about the guidebook in progress, he said, "You mean they are planning on cracking down?"

When I suggested he think of it as clarifying rather than cracking down, he said, "So I'm writing a column and I have to consult the rule book."

I reversed field and asked him what he found most troublesome about writing for ESPN.com.

"When you are supposed to push the envelope," Simmons said, "but you are afraid of the repercussions of every decision, I think it affects you. I don't really blame the editors, because those guys aren't really sure where the lines are anymore, so they're going to take stuff out that is anywhere close to the line. But if you're going to take something out, the reason can't be 'We'd rather be safe than sorry.' You have to put some thought into it and say, 'If this stays in, what are the potential repercussions?'"

What if guidelines meant editors didn't have to resort to the better-safe-than-sorry stance, because they knew and could articulate where the lines were, and didn't have to wait to see how PR would draw the lines after some genuine or manufactured public outcry?

"If these guidelines could help me do my job, great," Simmons said.

It still amazes me that a company as large and as prominent as ESPN, doesn't have standards in place, but I think it's more the penalties that people question. When you suspend a Jemele Hill for a Hitler comment, and then don't do the same for Lou Holtz, you come off as a tad hypocritical. And when you fire someone like Harold Reynolds (allegedly based on heresay), and then stories of multiple transgressions from various employees are leaked onto the Internet.....you almost solidify the hypocrisy.

I personally could care less what Chris Spielman says when he's not on ESPN's airwaves, or in print. But if you let things like that go when they happen, there's almost no way that someone might not bring that bias back to the network. Again, you don't have to start disliking a team you played for, or grew up liking, but catering to them on-air is just taking it too far.

I have a feeling that ESPN will be taking a closer look at itself in the new year, but changing a culture can be a huge undertaking. With all of the new league, and championship, acquisitions....I just don't think there will be enough time to hammer something out. Good luck though.

ESPN can define boundaries and keep its edge, too (ESPN Ombudsman)

Noooooo! As far as sideline reporters go, Stacey Dales has to be up near the top. She runs down coaches, asks meaningful questions and seems to know everything about the Sport she covers. Well that talent will no longer be gracing the airwaves of ESPN as she failed to reach a contract agreement with the "Leader". From an emailer to Deadspin....

According to an emailer, college basketball and football sideline reporter Stacey Dales could not reach a contract agreement with ESPN for 2009, so she'll no longer be chasing down coaches and players for the WWL. ESPN has confirmed that rumor.

Here's a portion of the email they most likely won't confirm: "Refused to sign her contract, even though ESPN management repeatedly kept re-offering her a chance to sign. Rumor is she had trouble dealing with the travel stipulations of flying coach; while she watched many of her talent colleagues pile into first class."

Obviously that last quote is just a rumor, they fact that she is gone is not. ESPN has since confirmed her departure, and if the rumor actually is true, that would be a crappy way for a company to lose one of their best employees.

Stacey Dales Out At ESPN, Turns in Long Pantsuits and Microphone (Deadspin)

I don't necessarily think that Bob Raissman would make an item like this up, but the more I try to figure out if the Miller-Morgan Breakup is going down, the more I find that it doesn't seem to be true. The latest bit of info comes from Miller himself who said yesterday on ESPN 710 in Los Angeles, that he hasn't heard a thing about the move. Via Sports by Brooks....

“The ESPN people, one of the executives, called me on Friday and said a reporter had called him an asked him about that, to let me know it was out there. He said ‘we thought it was kind of ridiculous because you both have it in your contract that you have to do Sunday Night Baseball. I don’t know the TV network can do whatever they want. Nobody said anything to either one of us about it.

“I don’t think there’s anything to it. But who knows? I’m not going to worry about it as long as they continue to pay my contract. With the stock market the way it is I’m going to be very content to get paid whether I do the games or not.”- Jon Miller

The two have been together for 19 years, and seem happy working together, so I really don't see this coming to fruition. With Miller not calling for the split, ESPN would be admitting that Joe Morgan isn't right for their number one team, and I don't see that happening. Well....they did just bench Stephen A. Smith, but at least S.A.S. seems to care about the Sport he covers. It should be an interesting offseason.

Miller And Morgan No Nothing Of Their Demise (Sports by Brooks)

Almost exactly a year ago, Joe Theismann was venting his feelings on being fired from his spot in the Monday Night Football booth. Theismann went on a media campaign to explain his displeasure with the new product and took every opportunity to bash Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski. It's not that his thoughts on the new booth weren't right, but rather how he went about it. He just couldn't move on.

Well he's back again, and is coming across even more bitter towards Tony and the "Leader's" new "focus on Football" policy. Via ....

"I still think Tony's out of place," he said. "Tony was hired to do a job in a football booth that, first of all, didn't suit him. And it didn't suit the venue, the venue being football, period. Tony doesn't belong in a booth. What he adds and what he brings, ok, has a place. But it doesn't have a place in the booth, and I think he's gonna retire after this year....

"And you've got to remember, I got fired from ESPN because I talked about football. And now, their main emphasis after two years of trying to do it the other way, is going back to talk about football."

So I asked whether that migration would be gratifying to someone who's been so vocal about keeping the broadcast focus between the lines.

"No, it's not gratifying at all," he said. "I built that product. Remember, I started there. I started there in year two, I spent 18 years going through the games in the studio, then doing Sunday Night Football, then doing Monday Night Football. So to watch the product and not be a part of it, it hurts a little. To say it doesn't bother me, I would be lying. But I'm slowly getting over it. I mean, they've gone their way, I've gone mine."

Waiiiiit a minute. First of all, Joe, you did the exact opposite of "building the product". In fact you destroyed. Second, I know you're upset about getting fired, we all would be, but jesus man....move on! Maybe....just maybe....they used the "not focus on Football" line as a way of letting you down easy? Sure you "talked about Football", but you talked about it like a four year old who has English as a second language.

I don't mind people expressing their opinion on Tony Kornheiser not being right for the MNF booth, but Joe Theismann bringing him up whenever he can get press, just rubs me the wrong way. Pot meet kettle.

Theismann on Kornheiser and the Booth (DC Sports Bog)
Joe Theismann Rips Into Tony Kornheiser (Awful Announcing, Oct. 2007)

It's no secret that I extremely despised Sean Salisbury as an analyst on ESPN. You never want to see someone lose their job, but with the way he handled himself at times, I certainly wasn't sad when it happened to him. After some trying times, Sean is trying to reinvent himself these days and in doing so actually talked to Deadspin at length about everything that has happened over the last two years. I'm sure you already read it, but it need a spot on this site....

On ESPN Not Renewing His Contract: "They gave me a platform . For a guy that was an average quarterback, to be a broadcaster for 12 years…whenever you do something for 12 years whether it’s marriage, or job, or family you’re drawn to it. So those people treated me great and I have no qualms about leaving it, at the time I needed to do some other things. But these last five months for me have probably been as peaceful as I have had in a long time. And this is the longest I’ve been without work for a while so it was time to go back and get a job. And fortunately with OPENSports, I’ve got the beginning of something special and this is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time."

On The Alleged Cell Phone Pics: "It NEVER happened. And I have written proof at my house on an ESPN document that states that it didn’t happen. And, A.j. …let’s think about this now: What in the world would anybody stupid enough…first of all, I wouldn’t know the difference between an intern and a p.a. I know they’re more talented than I am.....

Hey, I’m not perfect. As far as that one situation? Do I think that the suspension should have happened? Absolutely not. Was I suspended for “other stuff” than what other people speculate about? In my mind, yes. I can guarantee you, I know for a fact, had other situations surrounding that not had happened – I don’t know if I’d still be at ESPN because that was two years ago and I should have been long gone and somebody put legs on it. That had nothing to do with according to them and me with me leaving ESPN."

On The Infamous Super Bowl Party: "I don’t have that much game. Irvin, superstar, great guy. Stu Scott, talented guy, he’s won many Emmys and then….It’s like Sesame Street. "One of These Things is Not Like the Other"? Then there’s Sean. I’d like to say it was my ruggedly handsome good looks and my charming personality. I just think we were at a small place and there were people around, it was after Sports Center, and we go over there and are trying to help a guy out. Put it this way: I had a good time and had a lot of laughs. Nobody hates eye candy and I just wish I was a little more of it."

Again, I'm sure most of you have already taken the time to peruse the interview, which is why I tried to keep those quotes as short as possible, but if you haven't....it's a must read. The whole thing comes off like a conversation with someone who is just beyond manic at this point. He was always a high energy guy, but I can't even imagine what the phone call was like.

I honestly wish him the best of luck with Open Sports (whatever that is), but you really do get back what you put into this world. There are many documented cases of him being combative and unbearable to work with, but I think this clip sums up his time at ESPN the best.



Hopefully he's learned to channel that energy and aggression in a different way and can put it to good use at his new job.

Sean Salisbury Has A Lot On His Mind (Deadspin)
Back in your grill! (Open Sports)
Breaking News: Sean Salisbury Out At ESPN (Awful Announcing)

Neil Best of Newsday has been all over this for the past few weeks, but it's finally official. Stephen A. Smith has a new one-year deal with the "Leader" and his radio show ending is part of the deal. Here are his thoughts via Newsday...

Stephen A. Smith has lost his television show, his newspaper column and his radio show in the past 15 months. But on Friday, he did not sound like a man sweating career setbacks.

"I am relieved, because it will be a lot less crazy," he said by phone from Bristol, Conn. "But I'm still going to have multiple jobs."

By that he meant contributing in multiple ways at ESPN, including its Web site. But his announcement that Thursday's show would be his last signaled that his focus mostly will be TV, where he is best known as an NBA analyst.

"I have learned to love doing radio, but I don't love it as much as I love TV," he said. "I had to jump at the opportunity. It was their call to pick one or the other. Knowing me, I would have picked both."

Well at least you're rid of him on the radio NYC right? The bad news??? You'll have to deal with another head case (or druggie rather) on SNY in the coming months. None other than Daryl Strawberry will be an in-studio analyst for Met games. Via Newsday again...

Strawberry works for the Mets and will appear on SNY. "Can you imagine me on television commenting about the game? Of course. They asked me if I was going to criticize players. Of course not. I’m a former player.

And you wonder why I always get up in arms when networks hire coaches and players to be analysts. At least Straw is honest about it.

Darryl Strawberry's best memory of Shea Stadium (Newsday)
Stephen A. is 'relieved' (Newsday)

Most everyone knows that Sean Salisbury got his start in Broadcasting by being an "analyst" on the the show Battle Bots. If you didn't watch the show think 40 something nerds/geniuses making robots who's sole mission was to cripple another similar robot. There was even classes ala Boxing (Lightweight, Heavyweight, etc.).

ESPN, who fired/let go Salisbury a few weeks back is actually interested in bringing back the show. Via Deadspin...

ESPN has made BattleBots an offer: BattleBots will hold a Collegiate BattleBots Championship, featuring robots built by students enrolled in institutions of Higher Education. The Collegiate BattleBots competition will air as a series on ESPNU and ESPN2. This competition will be open to Colleges and Universities, and Student Teams who are enrolled in institutions of Higher Education. This will be a middleweight (120 pound) competition as governed under the current BattleBots rule set -- But, BattleBots is allowing an additional 40 pounds to be added as bonus weight, thus making the total weight 160 pounds! So get creative.

Dagger! You not only take away his job but you bring back his first love a few weeks after nixing him from your network. Evil, very evil....but hilarious none the less.

ESPN And Salisbury: The Unkindest Cut Of All (Deadspin)
ESPN & BattleBots: Gearing Up For College And Pro Competitions (Battle Bots)