Glenn
07-14-2008, 11:27 AM
I'm not a fan of his, but this is newsworthy.
After 34 years, CBS' Packer done with Final Four, reports say
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 14, 2008, 10:27 AM ET
Billy Packer's streak of Final Fours is over after 34 years.
Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, according to media reports Monday.
Jim Nantz will continue in his Final Four play-by-play role.
Packer, 68, will leave CBS after 28 years to pursue "other projects in basketball," according to The Miami Herald.
An announcement was expected Monday.
Speculation of Packer's exit was fueled amid widespread criticism during this year's tournament.
Early in the 2008 semifinal between Kansas and North Carolina, with the Jayhawks up 38-12, Packer declared, "The game is over."
North Carolina cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left before Kansas pulled away, winning 84-66.
The Jayhawks beat Memphis 75-68 to claim the national title.
Packer, who began his Final Four run at NBC, later defended the comment to USA Today.
"My job is to say what I see, not have some kind of subconscious feelings about offending anybody. ... It probably annoyed some people, but I don't concern myself with having some agenda that's contrary to what I'm seeing," he said.
After 34 years, CBS' Packer done with Final Four, reports say
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 14, 2008, 10:27 AM ET
Billy Packer's streak of Final Fours is over after 34 years.
Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, according to media reports Monday.
Jim Nantz will continue in his Final Four play-by-play role.
Packer, 68, will leave CBS after 28 years to pursue "other projects in basketball," according to The Miami Herald.
An announcement was expected Monday.
Speculation of Packer's exit was fueled amid widespread criticism during this year's tournament.
Early in the 2008 semifinal between Kansas and North Carolina, with the Jayhawks up 38-12, Packer declared, "The game is over."
North Carolina cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left before Kansas pulled away, winning 84-66.
The Jayhawks beat Memphis 75-68 to claim the national title.
Packer, who began his Final Four run at NBC, later defended the comment to USA Today.
"My job is to say what I see, not have some kind of subconscious feelings about offending anybody. ... It probably annoyed some people, but I don't concern myself with having some agenda that's contrary to what I'm seeing," he said.