Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 3, 1990 TAG: 9004030630
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
Brent Musburger, whose contract isn't being renewed by CBS, gave a brief farewell speech Monday night as he finished his final broadcast on the network - UNLV's 103-73 rout of Duke for the NCAA basketball championship.
"As you know, this was my last assignment with CBS after 22 years with the television network, radio network and the stations," Musburger said.
"I had an opportunity to work with the greatest directors, producers, technicians in the world. Not to mention analysts, like my good friend Billy Packer. Billy, we have shared some great memories."
Musburger then put his arm around Packer, his broadcasting partner on college basketball.
"Brent, we saw a great champion here tonight," Packer said. "It's been an honor for all of us to work with a great champion of broadcasting."
Musburger, CBS' signature sports voice for more than a decade, then delivered his final signoff for the network.
"Folks, I've had the best seat in the house. Thanks for sharing it," he said. "I'll see you down the road."
Host Jim Nantz, a possible replacement for Musburger on "The NFL Today," closed the broadcast with his own personal message.
"Brent, I just want to add thanks for tonight, thanks for everything," Nantz said. "We're all going to miss you. And we certainly wish you the best."
After the broadcast, fans in McNichols Arena shouted encouragement to Musburger.
"You're a pro, baby," one yelled.
"You're the best," another shouted.
Musburger saluted the fans with a thumbs up and pointed his index finger to signify "No. 1."
After shaking hands with Packer and much of the crew, Musburger was escorted out of the building by security men and declined to answer questions.
His personal assistant, Jimmy Tubbs, said the broadcaster would not discuss his departure from CBS while in Denver, but would be available later in the week.
Earlier, Musburger's brother accused CBS of distorting the events that led to the sportscaster's split from the network.
"Some of the things they're saying are far from the truth," said Todd Musburger, who represented his brother in contract negotiations.
The network announced Sunday that it wouldn't renew Brent Musburger's $2 million per year contract after it expires June 30.
The main issues were money and high-profile assignments. Musburger wanted more of both than the network was willing to give him.
The dispute came to a head Saturday night during a meeting in Denver between Todd Musburger and Neal Pilson, president of CBS Sports.
Pilson said the agent demanded an immediate decision on his brother's status with the network. After Todd was informed of CBS' decision, Pilson said, the sides agreed that an announcement should be made the following day.
"We were concerned about a [news] leak," Pilson said. "We wanted to stop the rumors before they got started."
However, Todd Musburger said he was upset by the timing of the release.
"[Pilson] told us he was going to prepare a release, but we didn't know he was going to send it out the day before the championship game," he said.
"It was not a mutual decision; it was a unilateral decision. We in no way urged them to do it."
When told about the remarks, Pilson said: "I'm not going to trade charges with Todd Musburger. The story here is the tournament, not Todd Musburger."
Speculation on Musburger's replacement continues.
Although he was host for "NFL Today" for 15 years and covered many other sports for CBS, the network's most pressing problem is to find another baseball broadcaster. Musburger was to have teamed with Tim McCarver on major-league telecasts.
Al Michaels is considered the top candidate to replace Musburger if ABC lets him out of his contract, which runs into 1993. Michaels, an experienced baseball announcer, is reportedly feuding with ABC Sports president Dennis Swanson and might be interested in the CBS job.
Michaels' agent, Art Kaminsky, declined to speculate about his client's chances of switching networks. Swanson also refused to comment on Michaels' status.
If CBS can't get Michaels, it could fill Musburger's roles with its own announcers. Pilson wants to give younger CBS sportscasters such as Nantz, Greg Gumbel and James Brown expanded duties.
"He's got a lot of talent there," Kaminsky said. "He can take care of this internally, if he chooses."
by CNB