Weekend wrap: Assessing ESPN’s job cuts; Documentary coming on ‘Bad Boys’; latest podcasts

Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports media…

This week’s big news was ESPN eliminating jobs despite making a ton of money. Will Leitch of Sports on Earth writes “it is the cost of doing business.”

Eric Deggans of the National Sports Journalism Center says the ESPN cuts show that despite the big profits and job security don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. On the positive side, they have a new shiny bus for SportsCenter.

An ESPN 30 on 30 on the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys”? SI.com’s Richard Deitsch reports it will air next spring. Wonder if Michael Jordan will weigh in with his view? Wouldn’t count on it. He wouldn’t have anything nice to say.

Awful Announcing examines the unique lexicon of Mike Emrick.

Here’s a story Michael Bamberger did in Sports Illustrated on Ken Venturi’s final telecast in 2002. Very moving piece.

Awful Announcing has an interview with Ed Cunningham, the ESPN football analyst and award-winning filmmaker. Now there’s a unique combination.

Michael Bradley of the National Sports Journalism Center writes that sports talk radio hosts have “usurped the power” of local columnists.

Frank Deford’s weekly NPR commentary is on the retirement of David Beckham.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes about an ESPN poll to select the best NFL coach. How can it not be Lombardi?

Fang’s Bites has the details of the Tennis Channel’s coverage of the French Open.

Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Kevin Kennedy can empathize with the pressure on Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

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Sports Media Podcasts

The Big Lead: Jason McIntyre talks with Jay Williams about the NBA draft.

Awful Announcing: An interview with Eddie Olczyk.

The Sports-Casters chat with Kenny Albert and Sports Illustrated’s Ben Reiter.

Sports Media Weekly: Ian Eagle discusses the French Open.