Was it money? Lack of performance by the two former quarterbacks who both worked at the network for over two decades? Executive ego? Or CBS wanting to get younger?

Some of the fingers pointed in CBS’ direction believe age — Simms is 68; Esiason, 63 — played a large part in the decision. Yet it’s hard to cry ageism considering CBS extended the contract of NFL Today anchor James Brown who is 73. Bill Cowher, another analyst on the show, is 67.

Nonetheless, if new CBS Sports boss David Berson, who replaced the recently retired Sean McManus, was fashioning a move to make the show younger, he would be ignoring what’s worked for CBS’ pregame competition at Fox Sports. The Foxies changed the landscape of Sunday pregame offerings by placing a high priority on entertaining.

In large part, the Fox Sports philosophy was successfully executed by three voices on the far side of 30. Howie Long, 64, Jimmy Johnson, who will be 81 when the 2024 season starts, and master showman Terry Bradshaw, who will be 76 when the season starts. Fox has stuck with its Golden Boys. The three have blended for some unique chemistry, giving the show a distinct personality.

The same kind of chemical balance Esiason and Simms had on CBS. Individually, their football insight and analysis were original but when they went one-on-one with insults, some subtle some not, that’s when they brought a different dimension to the X’s and O’s talk.

Apparently, this was of no value to those in charge of “The NFL Today.” The suits didn’t factor the uniqueness of the former quarterback’s on-air relationship into their decision. They also did not take into account that Esiason recently signed a three-year extension with Audacy to continue hosting his WFAN morning show, which has successfully attracted a young demographic.

CBS disposed of Simms/Esiason to bring in Matt Ryan, the former Falcons quarterback who worked in a three-person booth with Tiki Barber and Andrew Catalon. Ryan, 38, was workmanlike but straight-up X’s-and-O’s vanilla. CBS also retained J.J. Watt, who worked an abbreviated studio schedule in 2023.

Money can never be dismissed as part of the equation when management jettisons veteran talent. Yet industry sources say the move is not saving CBS Sports a significant amount of dough.

In the end, this could be just a case of Berson, the new CBS Sports boss, wanting to shake things up quickly and put his stamp on the sports department. This is not an unusual move for new management to make.

Still, the coming of Ryan is not exactly a blockbuster acquisition.  All the attention was on the guys kicked out the door. A big-time play for Berson would have brought Jason Kelce or Greg Olsen to “The NFL Today.”

Perhaps the only time-tested truism confirmed by the departures of Esiason and Simms is this: In the sports media business, in this case sports television, loyalty is in limited supply. After 19 seasons as CBS’ No. 1 NFL analyst, producing at the highest level, with Jim Nantz, Simms was unceremoniously replaced by Tony Romo in 2017.

And now CBS boots Simms off the studio stage for (pick your favorite dubious reason). Simms has the right to be ticked off. This episode reminds us of many moons ago when NBC Sports fired the former great Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson.

Back then, Dawson was asked if he knew anything was wrong with his TV performances?

“No,” Dawson said. “They kept saying everything was fine. Then they fired me.”

SPOTLIGHT ON CHRISTMAS

With the NFL draft in the rear-view mirror, ESPN, FS1 and the NFL Network can spend countless hours speculating on the release of the 2024 regular season schedule, which the league will reportedly distribute on May 15. It’s also going to be a very big deal to four teams who are going to be viewed as unlucky.

With the NFL’s decision to play on Christmas, a Wednesday this year, the league will force four teams to play Saturday, Dec. 21 on national TV and then reboot and play again on Dec. 25 in the national spotlight. The doubleheader matchups will alternate among the four teams.

Who gets chosen is going to be very interesting. The league doesn’t want to book teams that might be carrying only three or four wins and appear hapless. Division rivals are always spicy.

The Jets and Dolphins feel like two that could be selected. The most challenging aspect remains the fact the four teams need to already be on each other’s schedule in order to be able to be paired on both Dec. 21 and Dec. 25.

ALL REGGIE ALL THE TIME

Was TNT’s NBA crew so preoccupied with the presence of Reggie Miller during its Game No. 2 Pacers-Knicks coverage that it dropped the ball updating, and identifying, Jalen Brunson’s foot injury?

The play-by-play voice on the telecast, Brian Anderson, during a Thursday interview with SXM’s Adam Schein, bristled at the notion, saying Miller’s presence was not a hinderance.

The “notion” was first raised during the game by ESPN’s NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins on X. “Are we going to make this entire game about Reggie Miller?” Perkins asked. “Or can I know if Big Body Brunson is going to return or not?”

Anderson told Schein the perceived Brunson info blackout was a procedural matter. He said TNT was on the story.

“We were waiting for the Knicks for the [Brunson] information,” Anderson told Schein. “And without them [revealing the exact injury], we couldn’t get it. We can’t give it out [on the air] if we can’t get it. So that was a little bit unfair saying we were paying attention to Reggie and not Jalen Brunson’s injury. That’s a pretty ridiculous statement.”

Anderson could have also mentioned that broadcasters shouldn’t hold their breath while waiting for the Knicks to provide injury updates.

WILBON TAKES ON LEBRON

In a world full of alleged fiery takes, Mike Wilbon actually delivered one.

It was a real deal takedown of LeBron James and Anthony Davis for running as fast and far away as they could from recently axed Lakers coach, Darvin Ham.

Wilbon’s pointed soliloquy took aim at LBJ.

“If you [LeBron] want to be the GOAT and you want to tell everybody you’re the greatest player of all time, then take accountability like one. Do that!” Wilbon said on ESPN’s PTI. “….I don’t want to hear from anybody in a Lakers uniform that the primary problem was Darvin Ham.”

Wilbon’s words constructed the most meaningful, so far, rant of 2024.

AROUND THE DIAL

On ESPN-98.7 after Game No. 2 of the Knicks-76ers opening round series (NY beat Philly 104-101 to take a 2-0 lead), Gordon Damer declared that “the series is over.”

Then, before the Kentucky Derby he picked, via info from “a source,” eventual longshot winner (18-1) Mystik Dan. Damer, who teams with Larry Hardesty on 98.7’s nightshift, must be doing something righteous.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: MEL KIPER JR.

For igniting a cottage industry. Forty years of assembling mock NFL drafts is a considerable accomplishment. Especially since when the ESPN Draft guru started the process nobody cared. Kiper changed that and, in the process, created endless content for the NFL.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: PATRICK BEVERLEY

For his irrational behavior. The veteran agitator, now with the Bucks, thought it was a great idea to throw a basketball, hitting a lady, sitting behind the Bucks bench, in the head. Then, after asking for the ball back, Beverley threw it even harder at another Pacers fan.

DOUBLE TALK

What Josh Hart said: “I’m playing 48 [minutes] anyways. Ain’t s—t change.”

What Josh Hart meant to say: “[Expletive deleted] the Minutes Police. Some things just don’t change.”

It matters not what broadcasting platform he’s delivering the word from. Nor does it matter if SAS is involved in a non-sports controversy. As long as the Knickerbockers are alive in the playoffs, the time is right for Smith to hide his press credentials and go gaga for Team Dolan.

Yet it’s not like SAS ignores reality. Smith said the referees should have recognized a Knicks mugging of Tyrese Maxey down the stretch of Game No. 2 and put him on the foul line. This display of objectivity was not enough to placate Sixers fans who view SAS as a member in good standing of Knicks Celebrity Row. Philly viewers know what they are going to get from Smith when they watch ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.”

For those of us who don’t care who wins, SAS frequent Knicks Shill-O-Thons have become part of the on-air package he delivers. Smith’s pom-pom waving on ESPN’s “First Take” or his own YouTube show, two offerings driven by SAS’ personality and opinions, are easier to take. On these two shows shtick is valued as much (maybe even more) as substance.

But when Smith goes into his “orange and blue skies” routine on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” the game night studio show, it’s cringe worthy.

Here’s why: For years the program has featured a revolving door cast. The suits couldn’t get it right. This time around, Countdown’s priority was supposed to be about being an NBA news program that is journalistically sound. The show’s anchor, Malika Andrews, typifies that philosophy. So does reporter Adrian Wojnarowski and veteran columnist Michael Wilbon.

While SAS has a well-documented history as a sports columnist and NBA beat reporter in Philly (he also worked at the New York Daily News), his Knicks cheerleading on “Countdown” does absolutely nothing to enhance the credibility of the show, which also features Kendrick Perkins and Bob Myers.

The suits know the value SAS brings to “Countdown” through his opinions, humor and passion. Nonetheless, they can’t deliver on their promise to be “journalistically sound” when Smith is openly rooting for one of the participating playoff teams.

Although they are trying, ESPN brass can’t have it both ways.

REPLACING REDICK?

Reports claiming JJ Redick is interviewing for the Charlotte Hornets coaching gig are bad news for ESPN.

Redick, who, with minimal broadcast experience joined ESPN’s No. 1 NBA team after Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were dumped, was placed on a fast lane to stardom, now may have to leave TV immediately if he goes to Charlotte.

If Redick moves into coaching, ESPN should not replace him. Instead, the network should go with a two-person booth featuring current analyst Doris Burke along with veteran play-by-play man Mike Breen. The idea of bringing in a third wheel in at this stage of the playoffs would leave the impression that ESPN is using the NBA’s biggest stage to audition a third voice.

Not a swell idea.

MARK HIS WORDS

On his new “Talk 2 Me” podcast, Mark Jackson indicates his critique of NBA referees could be a reason why he lost his gig on ESPN’s No. 1 NBA broadcast team.

“What I don’t need and I’m tired of — and probably one of the reasons I’m not calling games anymore — is the Last Two Minute Report,” Jax said on the podcast. “…I hold players accountable for mistakes, I hold coaches accountable for mistakes, I’m going to hold referees accountable for mistakes.”

At the time of his, and Jeff Van Gundy’s departure from ESPN, Adam Silver said the league didn’t stick its beak into the national telecasts. It was hard believing that then and, with Jackson’s recent take, even harder to believe now.

RUSH TO JUDGE-MENT

When it comes to Aaron Judge, sports talk radio, aka The Valley of the Stupid, is environmentally sound.

Judge goes into a slump and the VOS recycles topics. Gasbags pull one from column “A.” They ask: Should fans boo Judge?

Then, miracles occur. Bloviators paid to talk mostly about sports suddenly become doctors. Like Keith McPherson. On FAN, he said “Judge has got to be hurt.” Unfortunately, he did not specify the Captain’s ailment.

Nor did Dr. McPherson reveal where he practices medicine.

GREAT RADIO? O-KAY

In a recent (but certainly not the first) celebration of himself, Michael Kay assessed his own radio skills.

“I’m the only one willing to go out on a limb and make great radio,” Kay said on ESPN-98.7. While other Gasbags would challenge that statement, we wondered what his “partners,” Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg were feeling?

For them, was this “Kay being Kay?”

“Kay pumping himself up?” Or, “Kay being delusional,” Or, Kay “doing shtick.”

After all, DLG, through his foaming-at-the-mouth rants, has been out on many limbs. And Rosenberg, who regularly mixes it up with the masses over positions he has taken, is no stranger to walking the high wire.

Conclusion: Me thinks DLG and Rosenberg should not hold their breath waiting for Kay to say he appreciates them. For he will be too busy “out on a limb” making “great radio.”

AROUND THE DIAL

One of the misplaced reactions to last Saturday’s John Sterling tribute at the Stadium, came from fans, and some media, who took the Yankees to task over the quality of gifts presented to the long-time radio voice. Very petty. … Well-spent hour-plus listening to Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo’s SXM interview with Peter King, the recently retired national NFL writer (FMIA, Sports Illustrated, Newsday). The scribe, who also made it on TV, was a regular on Doggie’s show since 2008. That spot is going to be missed. … The extent YES will go to put viewers inside the game was again on display Monday. Great audio (OK, the sparse crowd didn’t hurt) picked up the first inning argument between home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt and Aaron Boone after the manager was ejected over comments made by a fan sitting behind the Bombers dugout. … For all who care, let it be known that after the Knicks beat Philly in Game No. 2, Gordon Damer, on ESPN-98.7, said the “series is over.” … The Thursday SXM argument over Bill Belichick between Mad Dog Russo and Mike Lombardi was more compelling than Boone vs. Wendelstedt.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: ZACH WILSON

It wasn’t Wilson’s fault Joe Douglas misread the QB’s potential wasting a premium draft pick on him. Once reality set in, the media piled on the bewildered quarterback. Wilson, and Robert Saleh, were out front taking the heat while the GM hid under his desk.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: TOP GOLF HATERS

Turns out the Washington Commanders idea to take the top four NFL QB prospects to Topgolf was an inspiring and unique twist. No reason for haters to pile on just because they always slice.

DOUBLE TALK

What Brandon Tierney said: “The Islanders are so classy.”

What Brandon Tierney meant to say: “The Isles send me and Sal [Licata] a lot of free stuff.”

Sterling’s sudden sayonara now gives the powers that be, whether in the Yankees hierarchy (they have final say on who gets the gig) or Audacy, the parent company of WFAN, an entire season, (likely into next winter), to identify and anoint the next radio voice of the Yankees who will join Suzyn (Ma Pinstripe) Waldman in the booth. The suits are not under any pressure to make a quick decision.

That’s a good thing.

There is only one certainty: The next Yankee radiocaster will sound nothing like Sterling, who will turn 86 on July 4th. The days of his gratuitous gimmick home run calls, (Sterling’s stairway to fame and entrée to becoming a one trick pony), are over. So is his much-discussed flamboyant play-by-play, which emphasized drama over accuracy.

For Yankee loyalists who followed their team on the radio, or caught a few innings in the car, there are a few different ways to look at life without Sterling. Some fans will be sad. They, like Sterling, see the world through pinstriped glasses. They prefer home cooking.

Sterling was their beloved master chef.

He also was not stamped out of a cookie cutter, the birthplace of many of today’s play-by-play voices. Like Sterling, this particular Yankee fans’ mood is based on whether the Bombers are winning or losing. So, for all those seasons, they found a kindred spirit whenever Sterling opened his mouth. It didn’t matter if he was working with the late Jay Johnstone, Michael Kay, Joe Angel or Ma, Sterling was the fans self-indulgent homer. And they adored him.

On the other side of the aisle are Yankee fans who tuned in expecting to hear a detailed play-by-play account that allowed them to follow a game without wondering what the heck just happened.

Or what the score is.

Or if someone struck out swinging or looking.

Or where the infielders and outfielders were positioned.

Or why a fly ball was in one breath, “It is high…It is far…..” and in the next, “It is caught in front of the warning track.”

Sterling controlled the broadcast. Throughout his time in the Bronx, he rarely allowed his partners to do play-by-play. And if they did, their innings allotment was far less than his.

Sterling’s priority was his style (or shtick) over the “minor” details listed above. Sterling, a devotee of the Broadway theater, saw each game as a vehicle where HE could entertain. In Sterling’s version of a baseball radiocast he was everything. Sterling was the producer, director and, sometimes, even resident crooner.

We are not expecting either Justin Shackil or Emmanuel Berbari, the two broadcasters who worked with Waldman last season in Sterling’s absence and will split the remaining games on the 2024 Yankees schedule, to break into song during a game.

For that, they would have to live in Sterling World.

And after all these years enough proof exists to say only one baseball broadcaster ever inhabited that planet.

April 16, 2024: He is...gone!

TOM DESERVES RESPECT

There won’t be a shortage of cameras and microphones from ESPN, TNT and NBA TV covering the NBA playoffs.

Can someone, anyone, from these outlets explain why Tom Thibodeau, whose Knicks take on Philly in the opening round, gets no respect. Not only did he guide the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East, but his team is in their third playoff in four years.

Thibodeau went into the playoffs without a contract extension. Why? Would James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan make him his fall guy if the 76ers bounce the Knicks from the playoffs?

We would ask Knicks prez Leon (Sphinx) Rose about this but he doesn’t speak to the media.

PLAYING THE DRAFT GAME

A few years ago, Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo asked Phil Simms why he doesn’t ask NFL GM’s about players they are targeting in the NFL draft. Simms replied: “Because they all lie.”

The NFL draft is big business. In addition to ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network carrying the April 25 event live in prime time from Detroit, there is tons of programming dedicated to the draft for television streaming and radio. Plus, an endless stream of mock drafts for the print and internet media.

What’s extraordinary is how teams cleverly play the game. The Chicago Bears are taking USC star Caleb Williams at No. 1. Yet even though they are eligible to sign him right now, Chicago will keep playing the suspense game.

And don’t be surprised if the Bears eat up most of their allotted time on Thursday night when they are on the clock just to keep viewers in some state of anxiety/eagerness.

TIME TO DRAFT AIKMAN

For ABC/ESPN the NFL draft is a huge viewership event. And yet the two broadcasters most identified with their NFL property, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, sit out the festivities.

There is no need for Buck to plow through weeks and weeks of research. But Aikman played the game and was the No. 1 pick of the entire draft when he entered the league.

Every year, teams scramble to move up for what they pray is a franchise saving QB. So, you have to wonder why the network doesn’t take advantage of Aikman’s insight

AROUND THE DIAL

Pat McAfee, and his crew, won’t hesitate to verbally rumble with the media when their feathers are ruffled. Wednesday, they took strong issue with a story on why Bill Belichick failed to land a head coaching gig, written by ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler. Unfortunately, it was hard to determine what the Mac-Pack’s actual beef was. The closest we came to understanding the critique was when Boston Connor, one of McAfee’s colleagues, said the story “was kinda hard to believe.” Clarity? Yet, it should be mentioned Belichick is a McAfee fave. So much so he will appear Thursday night on McAfee’s NFL Draft Spectacular simulcast. Could this alliance be reason enough for McAfee’s attempt to discredit the ESPN story? … Dwight Gooden put his Mets Hall of Fame speech to good use. He used it to get stuff of his chest. He succeeded, marvelously. … Ryan Hurley, former program director at ESPN-98.7, moves to brand manager at WFAN, replacing Spike Eskin. In other words, Hurley is swapping one set of inflated egos for another. … YES’ John Flaherty recently broke out his play-by-play chops. Flaherty, an analyst by trade, continues to deliver on the play-by-play side. If he hasn’t already, why not have him try some radio play-by-play? We hear there are now some games available.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: TONY KEMP

For his display of class. When the Orioles called up phenom Jackson Holliday, Kemp lost his spot on the roster. Yet Kemp, the former A’s utility man, didn’t sulk. He told the story of seeing a young Holliday, years ago, when Kemp was in college, and urged the kid to “go get ‘em.”

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: RASHEE RICE

The Chiefs wideout has publicly taken responsibility for his actions on March 30 when drag racing in Dallas (he was driving 119 mph some 4.5 seconds before the crash, according to the arrest affidavit) triggered a harrowing collision. Now Rice is being sued. Just another sad/awful offseason moment.

DOUBLE TALK

What Joe Schoen said: “I think we’re not a player away or two players.”

What Joe Schoen meant to say: “We got a whole lot to do to make this roster right.”

Precise. Entertaining. Likeable. All the essentials bringing him to this moment in what has already been a star-shine career, were on display throughout the event known as March Madness.

Still, there was nothing maddening about the way CBS Sports, under the direction of its boss, Sean McManus, who will slip into retirement after Sunday’s scheduled final round of The Masters, handled the transition from Jim Nantz, the long-time play-by-play impresario of the NCAA men’s hoops fiesta and face of CBS Sports, to Eagle.

The move from Nantz to Eagle, first announced in 2022, was clean, efficient and, from the outside looking in, drama free. It was the smoothest, marquee transition in the history of TV sports. Or at least in our many moons of commenting on a business where anxiety flows freely and participants eyes are often trained to look over their shoulders.

Yes, history offers plenty of examples of big moves pitted with giant potholes filled with bad blood. One came in April 1990 on the eve of NCAA tourney championship game. With his five-year contract ($2 million per) at CBS Sports expiring, and his demands for even more power increasing, the suits cut Brent Musburger off at the pass, announcing the Sunday before Monday’s Championship Game between UNLV and Duke, that they would not renew his contract. It was a stunning development. Nonetheless CBS Sports brass still allowed Musburger, the prototypical Anchor Monster, to call the title tilt in Denver with his partner Billy Packer. No surprise the story of CBS’ Musburger machinations over shadowed the game, sucking up plenty of media attention.

One of the bumpiest, and bizarre, transition rides involved The Great Minimalist, Pat Summerall. Along with John Madden, he formed what still is the gold standard for NFL broadcast teams. Summerall and Madden were working at Fox Sports in 1999, their sixth year together at Murdoch Tech.

The Foxies were not happy with Summerall’s performance that season. They concocted a plan: The Foxies would convince  Summerall to agree to retire after the Fox-produced 2002 Super Bowl, which would mark his 50th season of being associated with the NFL as a player and broadcaster.  Summerall would be replaced by Joe Buck.

It was set for Summerall to announce all this at a hotel press conference in 2000. The night before the gathering it was leaked to the press that Summerall would be announcing his retirement. Fox suits believed they had Summerall boxed in. But at the press conference, Summerall, a tough SOB, reversed field. He told the gathering of notebooks and cameras he WASN’T retiring and “hoped to be working with John Madden in the years to come.”

An awkward moment. Embarrassing? To say the least. The questions about Summerall’s future continued for over a year. Before Super Bowl week in 2002, in a conference call set up by his agent, Summerall finally agreed to step down after the Supe telecast

There was no such fumbling the handoff from Nantz to Eagle. Not even close. If Nantz did have any reservations losing such a marquee assignment, it had to be tempered by the fact he still is the voice of The Masters and CBS No. 1 NFL play-by-play voice.

Which must be thrilling for Nantz, considering he still gets to partner with Tony Romo.

COACHING CRITICISM

Bill Raftery had an excellent tournament for CBS/TBS.

At least he dared, on national TV, to indicate that UConn coach Danny Hurley, who the college hoops media deifies, isn’t perfect.

Raftery was critical of Hurley’s sideline demeanor. And CBS/TBS cameras gave the Huskies coach plenty of facetime to capture his “personality.”

While Raf is generally coach-friendly, he does have a history of punching up.

His most memorable bit of analysis was directed at the late John Thompson. Raftery created a firestorm when he criticized the coach for Georgetown’s rough style of play.

QUOTABLE STEPHEN A.

There were some unexpected benefits of the eclipse.

Like Stephen A. Smith’s play-by-play of the phenomenon.

It was definitely one of a kind with lines from SAS, like:

“It’s giving me a headache actually looking up there.”

“It’s not a full blockage of the sun, but you know, I mean it reminds you how marvelous science is.”

“It was everything I thought it would be because I didn’t think anything about it.”

And finally. The line explaining it all to friend and foe alike.

“It’s the solar eclipse. Stephen A. style.”

SURREAL CONVERSATION

Even with rule changes that speed up the game, baseball broadcasters still have plenty of time to fill.

This leads to some unusual (some might think the chats are a waste of time) conversations.

Like the one Michael Kay and Paul O’Neill had on YES during the (April 5) Jays-Yankees game. For reasons known only to them, the two voices thought a discussion about the use of the word “surreal” was fascinating.

They tried to figure out if the word was overused. Nonetheless, we would have rather heard Kay (as he has on his radio show) explain why he’s so angry over Shohei Ohtani not answering reporters’ questions concerning the alleged gambling fiasco. Wonder what O’Neill has to say about that?

AROUND THE DIAL

Never been a fan of three-person booths. If it’s hard to get right on TV, it’s a bigger challenge to pull it off on radio where, for obvious reasons, the play-by-play voice gloms most of the airtime. For its Final Four radiocasts, Westwood One went three-man (play-by-play voice Kevin Kugler and analysts Clark Kellogg and Jim Jackson). The mouths brought insight but there was one too many voices, the presentation was, at times, awkward. And that’s being kind. … ESPN’s women’s hoops studio operation for most of the tournament was smooth. Yet when it got to the Final Four, the Bristol Faculty decided to roll with a cast of thousands (it seemed that way). This was a great example of overkill. … The iconic Stugotz, aka Jon Weiner, made a wise/brilliant decision to stay put in Florida with Dan Le Batard and turndown the Program Director gig at Radio Norman, aka WFAN. The station has too many headaches and not enough cash to pay for the aspirin. … Could not keep track of Keith McPherson’s FAN spiel on the Stadium’s Bleacher Creatures. The long, drawn-out soliloquy was, well, long and drawn out.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: WAYNE RANDAZZO

For a classic soliloquy/rant. The Angels TV voice delivered the word during a recent telecast. He outlined MLB’s current “scandals,” and how they have been mishandled. The former Mets radio play-by-play man was on target with his scathing critique heard coast-to-coast.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: MISCREANT METS FANS

Specifically, the ones who used social media to threaten Francisco Lindor and his family. The creeps who engaged in this twisted act are another brick in the foundation of a sports world gone mad. You think these deviants lost money gambling on the Mets?

DOUBLE TALK

What Aaron Rodgers said: “It’s hard to ask for help.”

What Aaron Rodgers meant to say: “It’s hard for ME to ask for help.”

It’s widely assumed if the financials can be worked out, the slugging first baseman wants his long-term baseball address to be in Flushing. Yet how can anyone be sure?

Especially when a segment of the fan base, along with sports-talk radio Gasbags, seem intent on making it hard on him. They speak more like their goal is to run Alonso out of town.

In return for daring to appear on stage with country music singer-songwriter Zach Bryan last Saturday night (March 30) at UBS Arena, Alonso was serenaded by a choir of Micro Managers including Norman Julius Esiason. They sang in the key of negative.

On his WFAN morning show, Esiason referred to Alonso as “Clueless Pete.” He magnanimously said Alonso had every right to go to the concert (thanks for the permission slip, pops) before lowering the boom, accusing Alonso of not understanding the big picture.

“But when you go on stage at a concert after you lost your first two games and have a game at 1:40 the next day, that’s a bad look and you’re going to get roasted for it,” Esiason said. “I’m sorry, that’s just not part and parcel to a winning athlete with a winning DNA and someone who wants to lead their team out of the abyss.”

That’s a mighty long leap to arrive at a dubious conclusion. What Alonso does with his own time and life is his business. Is staying locked in a room between games going to guarantee a Mets win the next day? Esiason may as well have told Steve Cohen to forget about signing Alonso to a new deal.

Yet is self-imposed confinement going to make Alonso play any harder? There isn’t anything in his Mets history leading us to question his passion for playing and his desire to win.

So, if the Mets didn’t lose coming out of the chute, the denizens of Panic City, including Esiason, would have had no problem with Alonso joining Bryan on stage, right? It sure sounds that way.

If Alonso adhered to his critics rigid rules it would be inconsistent with the live-and-let-live personality he projects. Alonso would not be Alonso. He is an entertainer.

When Cohen/David Sterns try reaching agreement with him, they should realize Alonso is currently the only must-see at-bat in the lineup. And outside of closer Edwin Diaz, Alonso is the only legitimate box office/ratings attraction on the Mets.

That particular fact of life is worth something. At least Zach Bryan recognized it when he invited Alonso on stage.

MORE KNICKS TRICKS

It’s no surprise the Knicks organization mislead the media when updating boss scribes on the status of Julius Randle’s shoulder injury. On Thursday, Randle, dealing directly with his own reality, told Bleacher Report he was finally opting for surgery.

The Garden organization, under the James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan regime, has always been fond of secrecy. Turns out the Randle situation was no different. We expected nothing less from Knicks management. When it comes to something like communicating in good faith, we have no faith in Knicks prez Leon (Sphinx) Rose.

Now it will be up to the organization, and the Fan Boys of sports-talk radio, to spin the possibilities of the Knicks succeeding in the playoffs without Randle.

There are other mouths who will keep it real. On Thursday’s PTI, while discussing the Randle situation, Tony Kornheiser said: “They [the Knicks] are done. They’re not winning anything without Julius Randle.”

WATCH OUT FOR SAL

In between screaming at schlubs on the other end of a telephone, WFAN/SNY’s Sal Licata shows he doesn’t lack confidence.

In the space of less than 24 hours last week, the Mayor of Panic City not only criticized afternoon drive mouth Evan Roberts but his own partner, Brandon Tierney.

Licata took issue with each Blabbermouth for putting family obligations ahead of radio show commitments. When a caller protested, telling Licata that Roberts is the straw that stirs the drink at FAN, the Talkie answered by saying he’s the man with a plan — and a goal.

“I’m knocking at the door and I’m not stopping until I get the top spot [at the station],” Licata said on the air. “Watch out….I’m coming.”

Considering Licata’s rough rise to the spot he now occupies, we don’t doubt his commitment (at times he sounds like he should be committed) or why he has so much faith in himself.

THE SUMMER OF CAITLIN

Caitlin Clark could be generating ratings juice for NBC’s Summer Olympic in Paris.

The WNBA takes a month off in mid-season to allow its top players to go to the Olympic Games. Clark is on the short list of players who were invited to USA Basketball Olympic camp. The team will play in Paris from July 26-Aug. 11.

Before that, Clark will likely start her pro career with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. The WNBA season starts on May 14. The WNBA Draft (on ESPN) is set for April 15 in Brooklyn.

MANAGING TO STAY CALM

SNY’s cameras were all in on dugout shots of Carlos Mendoza during the Mets string of Week 1 losses but the manager didn’t crack.

His face was stuck in neutral as he weathered the storm before the “calm” arrived in the form of a win in Game 2 of a Thursday afternoon double header.

At one point during the second game, with the Mets losing 1-0 to Detroit, Gary Cohen asked Keith Hernandez how the rookie manager was handling the opening week blues.

The camera was on Mendoza and Hernandez said: “He [Mendoza] can’t show any emotion. He has to stay with his players.”

Perfect caption for a revealing picture.

AROUND THE DIAL

For a guy who has often been billed as a basketball “expert,” by his employers, Charles Barkley has no use for the category. “There’s no such thing as an expert,” Barkley told Dan Patrick. “It’s just somebody’s opinion.” True. But these faux experts are more a menace now than ever. Networks involved in sports hype these mouths as gambling “experts” based on their ability to help you, the sucker, win money. … After sinking to 0-5, following a loss in the first game of a Thursday doubleheader, WFAN’s Tiki Barber said the Mets problem is “they lack ‘IT.’”  When asked what “IT” is, Barber said “urgency.” Why didn’t he just say that in the first place? … Some news that will rock the baseball world: The Yankees 6-5, 11-inning win over Arizona on Wednesday recorded 104,558 unique streams, the most unique streams ever on the YES App for a non-Opening Day game. Be still my heart!

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: RON DARLING

For (once again) showing common sense behind the microphone. No surprise the SNY analyst was on target, on the fly, after the Mets threw at Rhys Hoskins once he already had demolished New York’s staff. Darling: “You don’t throw at someone after he beat your head in.” Ouch!

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: NFL NETWORK EXECS

For looking to go on the cheap. No doubt it was a collective decision by NFLN bean counters to shut down the New York-produced and thriving “Good Morning Football” franchise and ship it to Los Angeles where costs can be lowered.

DOUBLE TALK

What Tom Thibodeau said: “He [Julius Randle] took it [postponing shoulder surgery] as long as he could and he felt this [getting the surgery] was the best course of action.”

What Tom Thibodeau meant to say: “The organization mislead the media as long as it could.”

It’s unlikely Manfred ever envisioned MLB’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, throwing baseball into turmoil through an out-of-the-blue betting “scandal” allegedly involving his now former aide-de-camp Ippei Mizuhara.

This dark side of gambling, which despite the proliferation of the legalized brand appears to be alive and well, is taking MLB down a crooked alley of serious allegations; featuring betrayal, illegal bookmaking operations and $4.5 million in gambling debts.

This web is more than tangled.

And it isn’t the kind of publicity Manfred, the owners and MLB’s TV partners wanted when they received all that sponsorship money to incorporate gambling (legal, of course) into a game that has a rich history of shunning betting.

This is the time of a season when baseball should be preoccupied with celebrating and selling hope to each fan base. It’s no time to be living out a nightmare. And this isn’t about some nondescript utility man. This is Superman. This is SHOHEI OHTANI.

If they could, does anyone doubt Manfred and ESPN would flex out of its Cardinals-Dodgers Sunday Night Baseball opener and replace it with another game? This celebration of another new beginning for baseball comes with baggage — and that’s being kind.

Even if it’s just through perception, the sleazy side of the game will be part of the “SNB” festivities. It gets its very own national TV platform. In a perverse sense, the Ohtani gambling controversy might attract more eyeballs to ESPN’s Sunday night opener. If he is DHing, how will he react at the plate? Will Ohtani feel any added pressure?

ESPN’s “SNB” voices can’t avoid the story. They probably will regurgitate the facts (and any new developments in the story) while wondering how Ohtani handles the situation moving forward. They won’t dwell on it, but will do just enough to cover the facts (and their backsides) during the game.

Depending how the story unfolds, national baseball voices will have plenty of chances to comment on it throughout the season. With Ohtani being baseball’s marquee attraction, on a team expected to win big, the Dodgers will get maximum appearances on ESPN, Fox and Turner Sports.

With investigations by the Feds and MLB investigators apparently underway, sponsors have yet to bail on Ohtani. Commercials that he appears in are still running. Yet any new advertisers contemplating doing business with Ohtani might be leery.

And so might Ohtani.

With his “trusted” sidekick, Mizuhara, exiled, Ohtani is basically left alone to deal with the media and listen to what everyone is saying about him. It all continues Sunday night.

MARCH BLUNDER

The men’s basketball selection committee, which chose only three Big East schools for the NCAA Tournament, apparently has a limited knowledge of basketball.

They are largely business people masquerading as athletic executives.

But it’s the television suits at CBS and Turner who scheduled the tip-off times for the West Region’s Sweet Sixteen to be earlier in the evening than the East Region games played in Boston.

This impacts both the ticket-buyers and the television viewers on both coasts. It was a blunder.

A GIANT TARGET

Is John Mara, perceived as the calm, steady rocking Giants president/co-owner, morphing into a media target?

Mara was recently torched on two-fronts. On Tuesday, Sal Licata, whose WFAN volume control must always be stuck on “high,” accused Mara of, among other things, “having too much impact on Giants decisions.”

How dare Mara have any “impact” on his team. Licata’s beef was strange. Mara’s co-owns the team. He’s bound to have an impact on the team’s direction, right?

The other arrow came from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. After Mara went public saying his coach Brian Daboll should “tone down” his bully-boy shtick, Florio said the owner airing his coach out publicly was a “sign of dysfunction.”

“John Mara should never say that publicly — ever should say that publicly,” Florio said on Pro Football Talk. “That’s something you should handle behind closed doors with a coach. You don’t embarrass him that way publicly.”

Unless Mara feels that embarrassing Daboll is the only way to stop him from throwing tantrums.

MONEY ‘KNOCKS’

It must be the money.

Why else would NFL owners approve new qualification rules, which increases the pool of teams available to appear on HBO’s “Hard Knocks?”

In the past, a team could decline appearing on “HK” if it made the playoffs at any time during the past two seasons. That rule has been dumped.

And any team appearing on “HK” in the past 10 years could duck participating in the show under the old rules. That number now has been reduced to eight years.

Over the past few years, there has been speculation that “HK” was on the verge of being cancelled. These new rules put that scenario to rest. Also, In Season Hard Knocks will continue. It will now feature four teams from the same division.

AROUND THE DIAL

YES cracked the seal on a new season Thursday in Houston with a Michael Kay essay on the great Yankee left-handed hitters who used the right field porch to their advantage. Of course, YES prematurely included Juan Soto in that category. The comparison only works if the Bombers sign Soto to a long-term deal. … Working on the fly Monday, MLB Network’s Ron Darling and Alex Avila brought perspective to Shohei Ohtani’s explanation of the uncomfortable situation he now finds himself in. … Speaking of gambling, what are the odds ESPN’s Mike Greenberg wishes he never said the UConn men’s basketball team could beat an NBA squad? His follow-up, that he was only kidding, was hard to process or believe. … The NFL owners know outlets will pay crazy money to acquire rights to televise games. The TV suits don’t care about further rule changes (like the banning of the hip-drop tackle) continuing to chip away at the hard edges that made NFL football a great TV product. … Those who were shouted down when they urged Draymond Green to get some help knew what they were talking about. … Speaking of anger management, do Robert Saleh and Woody Johnson need some help in that area? Or are they simply victims of a bogus report from people who have no use for the Jets organization, its owner and its coach? … As expected, Ian (The Bird) Eagle is delivering high quality performances during the NCAA men’s hoops tourney. But we need to know if he can “play” the harmonica like Jim Nantz?

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: UFC MMA FIGHTERS

For having onions. Yes, it takes guts to sue a corporate giant that controls your career, but the $335 million settlement reached last week with the UFC’s parent company for back pay is a resounding win for the athletes.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: ROGER GOODELL

For some bogus scheduling. It’s never enough for the commish and the owners. The league announced Tuesday it will force four teams to play on national TV Dec. 21 (Saturday) and Christmas day (Wednesday Dec. 25). This, of course, is in the name of revenue — not player safety.

DOUBLE TALK

What Brian Daboll said: “So you continue to grow, you continue to evolve and that’s what I try to do every year.”

What Brian Daboll meant to say: “Some folks want me to calm down, but I gotta be me.”

There is no such “luxury” in the Bronx. Despite the irrational ravings of Gasbags, the Yankee mission statement never changes. For those who pretend to have forgotten (or deny its existence), it’s: World Series or Bust!

Since 2009, “bust” is all this storied franchise, fans and the media covering the team, has known. The mantra is the same this season, which begins March 28 in Houston. But after missing the playoffs in 2023, the first time since 2016, the level of anticipation is even higher.

Will pinstriped eyeballs tune into the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network in record numbers to see if the Bombers can turn things around? Or will viewers bail if the Yankees don’t get off to a fast start turning YES into a must avoid?

Brian Cashman has fortified YES’ product with star power by acquiring a must-see-TV attraction, Juan Soto, to pair with another ratings magnet, captain Aaron Judge. And on the nights he (eventually) pitches, Gerrit Cole brings plenty of hardcore and casual eyeballs to TV sets expecting to see the Cy Young winner do something special.

Unfortunately, reality has a way of showing up to deliver uncertainty.

Cole was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his elbow and edema (swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues), speculation mounted that Judge is not 100%, and DJ LeMahieu goes down with a bone bruise. Then there’s health issues that invariably surround Giancarlo Stanton.

If anything, injuries, or just the perception of them, reveal how physically vulnerable the Yankees are.

Yet a negative vibe can’t lower expectations. And Bombers brass is hoping Soto gets off to a lot faster start than he did in San Diego last season. If, for whatever reason, the Yankees start slowly, the seat under Aaron Boone is going to start getting warm. After last season’s failure the Yankees won’t have much wiggle room.

This will create another type storyline and a different type of anticipation.

With so much at stake YES voices won’t be able to ignore any pressure surrounding the Yankees manager or general manager. See, after last season they know how quickly a road, paved with optimism can turn into a dead-end street.

YES BOSS DESERVES HALL CALL

The executive who sets the course for YES’ booth, win or lose, is John J. Filippelli, the regional sports network’s president of programming and production.

Last week, Filippelli celebrated his 50th anniversary in sports television. Since the sports TV business is pitted with giant potholes surrounded by massive egos, this is an incredible achievement.

Filipelli survived in the unpredictable environment. He thrived too, working for three network sports departments (NBC, Fox, ABC) before joining YES when it started in 2001. His broadcast roots are in producing baseball games, where his accomplishments could fill an entire column.

Yet when we think about a producer/baseball lifer like Filippelli, or guys who ran the show from the director’s chair, like the late legends Harry Coyle and Bill Webb, there is some sadness.

Absent from their accomplishments, is a place in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Cooperstown’s powers that be, for reasons known only to them, won’t make baseball producers and directors eligible for the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually to a broadcaster for major contributions to baseball.

During the longest of seasons, directors and producers make these contributions on a nightly basis. They construct the stories on live TV.

It’s time for the Hall to recognize them.

NEED GUS ON THE MADNESS

With Fox and Turner Sports, two of the founding members of the new sports streaming initiative (which includes ESPN) set to launch before the end of the year, there’s a move the Foxies should make.

It should be a no-brainer for Fox to lean into Turner next winter and get Gus Johnson assigned to March Madness broadcasts.

If there is one thing Gus should be calling each March, it’s the unpredictable world of college basketball’s postseason tournament.

THE BETS ARE IN

Had a vision the other night.

Rob Manfred was on a Zoom call with his MLB investigative staff, lawyers for the Los Angeles Dodgers and representatives of Shohei Ohtani.

They were discussing how to handle the gambling scandal featuring Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, when — suddenly — commissioner Manfred excuses himself from the discussion.

“Pardon me. I need to finish filling out my March Madness bracket,” Manfred said.

The same vision appears every time we hear a radio Gasbag, in one breath, talk about protecting the “integrity” of the game, and the next, read a commercial hyping parlay betting on some wagering service.

This Ohtani situation won’t stop MLB from partnering with gambling companies. And it won’t stop Gasbags and other “salesmen” from extolling the virtues of betting over your head.

AROUND THE DIAL

On the WFAN show he co-hosts with Sal Licata, Brandon Tierney, who also is the radio analyst for St. John’s basketball, called the NCAA hoops Selection Committee, “A room full of crooks.” That’s rather harsh. Unfortunately, BT provided no  evidence to prove the Committee did anything illegal. … Give Michael Kay and his ESPN-98.7 crew (Don La Greca, Pete Rosenberg) credit for not letting the consistent play of the Knicks blind them to the fact that Leon (Sphinx) Rose still won’t speak with the media. … On “X” Howie Rose wrote  “the New York media would not stand” for Shohei Ohtani freezing them out. Then how come they allow L. Rose (no relation) to do it? … What a difference a few days makes: During his Angry Dog segment on Wednesday’s “First Take,” Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo ripped the Selection Committee for picking six Mountain West teams for March Madness while only inviting three Big East squads. Yet last Sunday night on his SXM selection show with Steve Torre, Doggie conducted a very cordial interview with committee chairman Charles McClelland and even praised the man for providing quality answers to all his questions — including one about why the Mountain West received more bids than the Big East. … Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa had a creative beef with Big East administrators. On his podcast, The Pope said Bob Hurley Sr. should not have been allowed to sit in such close proximity to the Connecticut bench during the Big East Tournament. Francesa inferred that Hurley Sr. was helping his son Danny coach the National Champion Huskies.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: TOM CREAN  

For chiding schools that turned down an NIT bid. The coach, now an ESPN analyst, not only made a good case in under a minute, but delivered his spiel with passion. Among his reasons: Players, who may never play again, get a chance to produce lasting memories by appearing in a few more games.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: MARK DONOVAN

Is there a wealthier, or more successful, NFL franchise these days than the one in Kansas City? What a joke for Donovan, the Chiefs president, to float the notion that the team might slither out of town if $500 million in taxpayer funds are not approved for stadium renovations.

DOUBLE TALK

What John Calipari said: “I mean, they took it [the loss to Oakland] really hard, and I took it hard.”

What John Calipari meant to say: “Let the speculation about my future at Kentucky begin.”

His first Barber Blast came in 2007. As a highly touted member of the NBC (News and Sports) roster, the Giants all-time leading rusher, during halftime of a “Sunday Night Football” preseason telecast, called Eli Manning’s attempt to lead an offensive meeting in 2006 “comical.”

This rankled Manning. It also put Barber, his former teammate, on the wrong side of Giants fans for just doing his job.

Barber generated his second media tsunami last week (18 years later. Man, THAT IS a long time between drinks!) on WFAN, where he co-hosts an afternoon-drive show with Evan Roberts. On Monday, after reports surfaced that Saquon Barkley was headed to the Giants despised NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, Barber said Barkley, the most recent face of Big Blue, “is dead to us.”

“You’re dead to me,” Barber also said Monday on FAN. Barber initially made the comment on Thursday March 7. But after Barber’s Monday hammer job, Barkley responded on X (formerly Twitter), taking shots at the former Giants running back. His post fueled the flames.

After many years in the radio biz, the situation was a defining moment for Barber as a New York City afternoon-drive Gasbag. It was also a breakthrough for the “Evan and Tiki Show.” Nuance is a dirty word inside the Valley of the Stupid. In this rumble there was none. Either you were on Barber’s side, and viewed him as supporting Giants fans who now see Barkley as some sort of traitor. Or you came down on the side of Barkley, a beloved Giants who, in the end, revealed Joe Schoen to be Joey Scrooge.

While all this confrontation sounds serious, it’s really just Show Business. It’s entertainment. And everybody on the “inside” gets it. Barber claims he delivered the “You’re dead to me” line “tongue in cheek.”

He might even have been goofing, but fans who take the games people play — on and off the field — seriously, reacted with passion. So did national Bloviators, like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. He lined up with Barber, who deserves a bonus for generating a controversy (and coveted NFL content) lasting more than a day.

And unlike his partner Roberts’ beard of many colors, it was spontaneous controversy that was not based on a sophomoric gimmick.

This Barber-Barkley thing is not over. CBS Sports will try to get a piece of the action next season. Don’t be surprised if CBS suits, who Barber works for as a game analyst, send him to Philly to get a one-on-one with Barkley for “The NFL Today” pregame show.

Maybe around Thanksgiving. They can talk about forgiveness.  Admiration. And Show Business.

MORE TIKI TALK

PS: By late last week Barber also got into it with ESPN’s Ryan Clark, who said as an active player, Barber was never a “mentor.” Guess it’s open season on Tiki.

NOT SO SHARPE

If Shannon Sharpe says it, it must be so.

At least in his own mind.

Sharpe, the all-knowing Tower of Babble, appeared on a recent edition of “First Take” claiming LSU women’s hoops coach Kim Mulkey has “never” been taken to task for the things she says.

He insinuated his critique of Mulkey for her spiel after her team jostled (she said she would like to have seen Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso “push” LSU’s Angel Reese rather than a smaller opponent) with undefeated South Carolina, might have been the only time a voice fired back at her.

Sharpe must have forgotten (or didn’t have a clue) about the media fallout that crashed down on Mulkey when she coached Baylor. After an outside law firm reviewed Baylor’s handling of sexual assaults, the board of regents fired football coach Art Briles and many others.

Mulkey responded saying: “If somebody’s around you and they ever say, ‘I will never send my daughter to Baylor’ you knock them right in the face.”

Sharpe should know that back then, many in the media took Mulkey to task, including columnist Jane McManus who wrote: “As an example of absurdity, assaulting people concerned about assault works well.”

A DOC ON DECK

Instead of having one of his voices wondering if there’s a “doctor in the house,” YES’ president production/programming John J. Filippelli, might want to put an MD on retainer for this season.

With Gerrit Cole facing an uncertain-arm future and Aaron Judge, always a heartbeat away from his next injury, medical situations can be (some say they already are) a huge part of the Yankee season.

So why not have a doctor who can be brought on screen (and become familiar to viewers) during a game or on a studio show when there are medical questions or issues revolving around the Yankees.

On the fiscal side, it probably wouldn’t be hard to find an advertiser to sponsor these doctor appearances.

NEW VOICE OF MARCH

Ian (The Bird) Eagle flies on to center stage in the upcoming men’s NCAA basketball tournament showing primarily on CBS and the Turner Sports channels.

He will be paired with Bill Raftery and Grant Hill.

The transition from the long-time voice of the tourney, Jim Nantz, to Eagle will be seamless. Eagle has never made a broadcast about himself. He will give his two analysts plenty of space.

Nantz’s willingness to step aside as the top college hoops play-by-play voice is smart. Nothing goes on forever. He did the Final Four since 1991, when he took over the play-by-play from Brent Musburger.

Now Nantz can relax a bit and get fired up for the Masters.

AROUND THE DIAL

This just in: Michael Kay does not like Aaron Rodgers. Through all the controversy involving Rogers, Kay’s low tolerance for Gang Green’s apparent QB was made clear. The ESPN-98.7 Gasbag called Rodgers a “phony” who “thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room.” When a caller insinuated Kay’s use of “big words” puts him in the same “phony” category as Rodgers, Kay’s top popped. The talkie went loud on the dude before ending the call. Scintillating radio! … Tim Brando has always brought a consistent energy to any play-by-play microphone he works. His hoops portfolio for Fox this season provided ample evidence that for Brando, the beat goes on. … Can someone on ESPN’s “First Take” make sure Kendrick Perkins’ microphone is working before he goes on the air. … Reacting to his A-List of challengers to the Chiefs, Mina Kimes verbally KO’d Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo on Thursday’s episode of “First Take.” After taking it on the chin, Doggie went back to the SXM radio side, dusted himself off, and conducted a fast-paced, meaty interview with Deion Sanders. Nice bounce back.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: BAKER MAYFIELD

For his candor. The quarterback has had an up and down career, which he documented after signing a new 3-year contract worth $100 million with Tampa Bay. Yet when asked about earning less than Kirk Cousins, Mayfield said: “This is life changing money and I’m not going to act like otherwise.” Amen.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: JOHN TORTORELLA

He earned a two-game suspension for abusing officials and refusing to leave the rink, all on a night when Tortorella was being saluted by his former team in Tampa. Quite the hat trick, right? Yet the Flyers coach ultimately lands in this hallowed space for just being John Tortorella.

DOUBLE TALK

What Aaron Boone said: “I’ve decided who’s starting [on Opening Day]. I just want to let a few more days go off the clock. A lot can happen.”

What Aaron Boone meant to say: “I just want to make sure another guy doesn’t pull a Stroman and turn down the Opening Day assignment.”

By then, it had dawned on those interested in such weighty matters that the entertaining brother of Travis (Swift) Kelce would be entering the NFL’s TV marketplace at the same time as the enigmatic Bill Belichick, who only added to his mystique when no NFL owner would hire The Genius during their 2024 coaching searches.

Those who are bullish on Jason Kelce now believe his presence, and the prospect of multiple outlets having interest in him, will adversely impact Belichick’s TV opportunities (if the former Pats coach even wants to get into the broadcasting business) and squeeze him out of the market.

That particular notion is dubious. There’s plenty of room for both Jason Kelce and Belichick. After all, they bring two distinctly different personalities and skill sets to the microphone. One will not cancel the other out.

Kelce is blessed with a Maddenesque persona. When you chip away at all the angles he’s delivered on the “New Heights” podcast, and in other media moments, his love of the game runneth over. Football, and the NFL life, are his oxygen. The same stuff John Madden breathed. Kelce is everyman. He’s unpredictable, irreverent and easy to identify with.

Belichick is more complicated. It’s reported as a given that he will be back in coaching in 2025. While he’s never talked about it publicly, it has also been speculated that working in a booth (either two-person or three) would not appeal to him.

Nor would yucking it up on an NFL studio show. Nonetheless, Belichick in the booth would be fascinating. There would be much for him to reveal. His appearances would be must-see.

Some original thinking producer must be capable of creating a format for Belichick that gives him a chance to combine the history of the game, and its evolution, with a break-down of what’s working on the field today.

Pat McAfee has already publicly reached out to the coach, offering a weekly appearance on his ESPN/YouTube show. And there have been reports Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions unit is looking to team Belichick with Nick Saban on an alternative broadcast.

There could be room in CBS’ “The NFL Today” studio. Going into CBS’ Super Bowl Sunday telecast, only James Brown had agreed to a contract extension. The contracts of Phil Simms, Norman Julius Esiason, Bill Cowher and Nate Burleson have expired and yet to be renewed.

Could other networks like ESPN, Fox or NBC, also make room on their NFL shows for both Belichick and Kelce?

Bottom line: With two unique personalities available, anything is possible. Instead of cancelling each other Kelce and Belichick will only enhance the other’s value.

PATS DOC WORTH THE WATCH

Ever since the groundbreaking success of “The Last Dance” on ESPN, sports divisions and filmmakers have been banging out multi-part docuseries after docuseries for subjects that truly didn’t need seven or eight episodes.

If a Muhammad Ali doc can cover his remarkable life in two hours, then multi-part docuseries need to be produced occasionally. That is why the Apple+ presentation of the New England Patriots dynasty is a grand slam.

It’s compelling television because just like the Jordan series, it covers many events that happened 20 years ago. It provides great historical perspective. Equally impressive is seeing virtually all the key participants of the era sitting for interviews.

Even Bill Parcells. And the mysterious Ernie Adams.

INSIDE BOMBERS BOOTH

Joe Girardi, who will keep a close eye on Aaron Boone from the broadcast booth, will work 25-30 games on YES this season.

MLB sources say that when the idea to bring Girardi back to the Bronx was first broached by executives from YES to the front office, the idea was not unanimously blessed.

Yet after further discussions, the opposing side approved the move to hire the former Bombers skipper. And yes, Boone was made aware of the possibility that Girardi could be joining YES and was cool with it.

So, there.

A GIANT WARNING

Veteran Gasbag Chris Carlin (now of ESPN Radio’s “Carlin vs. Joe” Fortenbaugh) issued a stern Wednesday warning to John Mara’s Giants.

“The Giants can’t afford to continuously go through this cycle [of poor play, losses, coaching changes and uncertainty at the QB position],” Carlin said.

And yet, why can’t the Giants, or any NFL team, “afford to go through this cycle” of garbage?

Do the Giants lose their cut of the billions of TV dollars if the product is inferior? Are fans, used to shabby treatment and losing, going to stop watching the games on TV or not buy tickets?

Has losing and lack of positive continuity caused corporate sponsors to stop spending their marketing dollars on the Giants brand?

AROUND THE DIAL

Russell Wilson is not worth the $85 million hit in dead money the Broncos will absorb against its salary cap over the next two seasons, but he sure can tick bloviators off and stir emotions in the process. In what only can be described as a battle royal, Anthony (Booger) McFarland, Chris Canty, Robert Griffin III and Mike Greenberg got deep into a Tuesday “Get Up” debate on Wilson’s future and who is to blame for his Denver demise. This was a real-deal confrontation. You knew it when the usually steady-rocking Greenberg got bent and actually raised his voice. Shocking! … Ed Cohen, the radio voice of the Knicks, is back on the shelf working through some minor medical issues. Filling in on play-by-play for the MSG Radio Network has been Alex Faust, John Giannone and Pat O’Keefe. Rangers voice Don La Greca filled in for a few early season games but has not returned to the Knicks microphone. … NFLN’s Rich Eisen had the NYC market in a tizzy reporting, according to “rumors” he heard while covering the Combine in Indy, the Giants were “done” with Daniel Jones and suffering from “buyer’s remorse.” The usual Valley of the Stupid vultures picked up Eisen’s report and flew with it but only FAN’s Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber checked out his Five Top Rumors from the 2023 Combine to gauge Eisen’s credibility. Those rumors proved to be all correct. … Marc Malusis, on his FAN Sunday show, had sound advice for fans who are worried that Juan Soto will be one-and-done with the Yankees: “I’m not going to get hung up on the future of Juan Soto,” Malusis said. “If you do, you’re not going to enjoy the Yankees season.” Amen! … This just in: Judging by the amount of interest in an alleged heated telephone call confrontation they had several weeks ago, Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee are officially important people. … Yet we are just wondering why Jason Whitlock wasn’t conferenced into the call?

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: CAITLIN CLARK

For becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history. As important is the way the Iowa scoring machine carried herself while pursuing the milestone. She set an example for all basketball players who reach for greatness.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: BILL SELF

Geez, Kansas’ Self, a major college basketball coaching icon, rats out the head coach of one of his team’s arch-rivals (Kansas State) because its coach blew off the traditional end-of-game handshake line? What’s next? Detention for Wildcats coach Jerome Tang?

DOUBLE TALK

What Norman Julius Esiason said: “The likelihood of Matt Rempe playing in the playoffs is very unlikely.”

What Norman Julius Esiason meant to say: “Rempe won’t be playing in the playoffs.”

For if anything is apparent in all the consternation and controversy included in the fallout after Wake Forest fans spilled on to the court following their team’s 83-79 over Duke last Saturday, it’s that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue.

The many pontificators who preached for an end to these spontaneous hoopla sessions were challenged by those who vehemently support expressions of school spirit on steroids. And don’t discount the schools that use video of “controlled chaos” as recruiting tools for transfer portal players looking for some inspiration to go along with their NIL booty.

Absent in the debate were any edicts, at least publicly, delivered by executives of college basketball’s biggest TV partners. Apparently, no suit is ready to say: “If fans run on the court, we won’t be glorifying the moment. We won’t be airing pictures of the mob scene.”

It’s not as if TV outlets covering the games are not prepared to handle the chaos. There are many things to consider, including the safety of those working the game. Nonetheless, the options don’t currently include blacking out the celebrating stampeders, which could lead to accusations of an outlet ignoring significant news.

Still, if there was any doubt TV is a major catalyst for these “celebrations,” Jay Bilas, ESPN’s college hoops analyst, added credence to the theory during a recent appearance on “First Take.”

“Years ago, when fans would run out on the field or court during a game it was network policy not to show that because we didn’t want to encourage it,” Bilas said. “So, what does that say about how we in media use these images now. We can’t deny that we encourage it. Or at least tacitly approve it.”

On his radio show, Dan Patrick took it a step beyond. “Well, ESPN helped glamorize this [court-storming]. Because when it’s Championship Week and Leigh beats Bucknell and the students rush the floor it’s like ‘That’s awesome. Hey let’s lead ‘SportsCenter’ with that,’” Patrick said.

Would blacking out these celebrations prevent them? Would fans still risk being trampled if they weren’t being trampled on TV? Or are these celebrations more about acquiring five seconds of fame than celebrating victory?

Other TV outlets, covering MLB and the NFL, don’t give fans who run on the field any face time. Their broadcasters will often do a radio-like call of the extracurricular “action.”

Yet there’s too much at stake for the college basketball cameras to go dark on celebrations. Especially in a busine$$ where One Shining Moment can include a dangerous mob scene.

A FOUL FINISH

The chaos in their voices cut through the crowd noise.

For Alex Faust and Monica McNutt, on Knicks radio Monday night, the sounds reflected what was going down between the Knicks and Pistons in the final seconds at the Garden.

Unfortunately, the voices were overwhelmed by the frantic finish. Neither voice really zoned in on a foul that should’ve been called on Donte DiVincenzo near the end of the Knicks’ controversial 113-111 win.

Faust’s call, with McNutt interjecting, would’ve sufficed if they were on the TV side. But on radio, more description of the craziness and the DiVincenzo non-call was needed.

As time ran out, McNutt did ask two appropriate questions: “What just happened here? What just happened here?”

We were wondering the same thing.

MURPHY’S A HIT

Daniel Murphy’s low-key broadcasting approach may require some added volume, but his two-day trial in the SNY booth established what his niche could be behind a microphone.

Murphy, working last Wednesday and Thursday, gravitated toward detailed hitting analysis. On Thursday, answering questions from Gary Cohen, Murphy got very precise when describing his hitting approach while hyper-analyzing what other batters were doing.

He also displayed a subtle sense of humor. Murphy showed potential. The SNY crew should bring him back for a spring training encore.

HARD CONVERSATION

The drumbeat of dysfunction, perceived or otherwise, continues for the Jets.

This time it was former Gang Green wideout (and Super Bowl Touchdown Maker) Mecole Hardman providing the juice, albeit squeezed from sour grapes.

He also provided further evidence how Valley of the Stupid Gasbags are willing to simply use quotes from a podcast, where guys like Hardman sound off, and present them as fact.

Apparently, it didn’t matter that Hardman’s critique of the Jets culture and offensive coaching staff was self-serving. It gave the talkies something to bloviate about to fill four-plus hours of stale air.

AROUND THE DIAL

While it’s hard to agree with his take on the Wake fans court-storming, Chris Canty, on ESPN, had a unique angle. Canty actually took the “victim” Duke’s Kyle Filipowski to task. “He has to have more awareness of the situation and have urgency about getting the hell off the court,” Canty said. Filipowski was nearly knocked to the floor during the melee and had to be helped off the court. … In their debut last Saturday night (Celtics-Knicks), ABC/ESPN’s new No. 1 NBA broadcast team, Doris Burke, JJ Redick, Mike Breen, showed it might take some time for them to click. They provided viewers with a rough ride (as they verbally bumped into each other). The potholes will eventually be filled after they get more chances to work together. … One thing we will miss after Peter King leaves (the veteran NFL multi-media scribe announced his retirement last week) the world of football are his weekly Tuesday spots on SXM with Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo. King and Russo laughed, sometimes argued, but they always provided appointment radio. As he saluted the reporter last week, Doggie revealed that King, who started doing the one-on-one sessions with Russo in 2008, did not get paid for his SXM appearances. What a bargain! … King also appeared frequently on WFAN’s “Mike and the Mad Dog”  show throughout the 1990s. … The Jets have ended their long association with ESPN NY radio and are moving to iHeart Media’s Q104.3. The multi-year deal kicks in this coming season. Veteran Jets voices Bob Wischusen and Marty Lyons are expected to continue as the radio broadcast team.  The end of ESPN-98.7-Jets relationship means Robert Saleh’s weekly interview, during the season, on  “The Michael Kay Show” are over. Considering the pressure Saleh will be under this season, the Jets coach won’t be crying over losing what was an added media responsibility. … Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream 21 Yankees Wednesday night games beginning April 10 when the Bombers play Miami at the Stadium.

* * *

DUDE OF THE WEEK: DEMAR DEROZAN

For his new digital series “Dinners with DeMar,” which focusses on mental health issues. The groundbreaking work, available on DeRozan’s YouTube channel, attempts to bust barriers that have existed for years in professional sports. The Bulls star recently introduced the series at his alma mater, the University of Southern California.

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: JAY WILLIAMS

If the ESPN basketball analyst was looking to ignite controversy he succeeded. Yet knocking Caitlin Clark because she hasn’t won a championship is shaky, at best. If Williams has a problem with those who give Clark GOAT status, he should also include ESPN. The network is constantly reminding viewers of the Iowa star’s greatness, right?

DOUBLE TALK

What Josh Hart said: “We’re playing our asses off.”

What Josh Hart meant to say: “We need to get healthy.”