Catching the area buzz

Jim Williams, The Examiner
Read more by Jim Williams
Jan 23, 2007 3:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 14,470 articles

WASHINGTON - What are people in our local sports media scene talking about these days? I’m glad you asked. After working the phones and chatting with sources, here are a few things to keep your eye on:

» Triple X ESPN has reeled in Tony Kornheiser.

Now that I have your attention, Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon will be heard every night at 7 p.m. and every morning at 5 a.m. as Triple X ESPN airs “Pardon the Interruption.”

Look for Kornheiser to be back on WTEM’s air by the first or second week of February. He will rejoin sidekick Andy Pollin in the morning block. How about 8-10 a.m. shift with “The Sports Reporters” following from 10-noon? That schedule is not locked down but makes the most sense.

» Word out of New York is that MASN’s Amber Theoharis is being courted by a major New York City TV station to be a weekend sports anchor and reporter. At this point, MASN wants her to be the in-game reporter on Orioles telecasts. The question is: Will MASN make Theoharis an offer she can’t refuse or will the lure of the Big Apple be too much?

» Speaking of MASN, the network will officially announce this week what we told you over three weeks ago: Former catcher Rick Dempsey will be a part of their pre- and postgame team for O’s games this season. MASN still needs an anchor and several field reporters to staff the shows. Look for the network to have a very busy January.

» Don’t look for CSN to hide during the summer. They will continue to give plenty of Nationals and Orioles coverage on all three of their newscasts at 6:30 p.m., 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The SportsNite gang is banking on the fact they have viewers accustomed to watching their high-quality news product and they can provide solid baseball coverage even if they don’t broadcast the games.

» Lastly, we wish a fond farewell to Sage Steele who has been a mainstay behind CSN’s desk. She is headed to ESPN as an anchor on ESPNEWS as well as SportsCenter. It is a well-deserved step up for Steele, who has proven to be a talented reporter and anchor.

Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.