SI’s Jimmy Traina wrote when CBS lead NCAA basketball analyst Bill Raftery, 81, was asked about the thought of retirement, he said it is in “somebody else’s hands.” Raftery: “I enjoy it. I think I’m as industrious about getting ready for a game, maybe more so, than I was 15 years ago. I think they’ll tell you when it’s time.” When asked if he will stay as long as CBS will have him, Raftery responded, “Yeah. If they feel that I’m not up to, then it’s time to pack it in” (SI, 4/3).
LEGAL MATTERS: PUCK’s John Ourand noted a freshman at Ole Miss, Mary Kate Cornett, has threatened legal action against ESPN’s Pat McAfee for “broadcasting false rumors about her.” Both Disney and ESPN “have remained mum on the allegations,” but it “will be interesting to behold whether McAfee is punished, slapped on the wrist, or something in between.” Indeed, McAfee “isn’t actually a Disney employee, so the potential angles of a lawsuit could get interesting” (PUCK, 4/3).
JOINING THE BOOTH: In Knoxville, Adam Sparks noted former Tennessee football player and former NFLer Ramon Foster will join new “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith in the booth for the Vol Network in the 2025 season. The gameday broadcast team also features the return of broadcaster Brent Hubbs and former NFLer Jayson Swain. The new broadcast team “will provide a preview” at UT’s Orange and White Spring Game on April 12 at Neyland Stadium (KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL, 4/3).
BACK IN THE BOOTH: In St. Louis, Dan Caesar reported Blues radio play-by-play announcer Chris Kerber is expected to return to the booth Saturday, when the Blues take on Avalanche. He has missed just 13 games over his 31-year hockey broadcasting career, including two in February for his father’s funeral. Kerber, in his 25th season with the Blues, said Thursday that “all is great” following the surgery and “praised the person filling in for him this week,” Alex Ferrario (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/3).
