Sportscasters Contracts

Brett Lewis, Channel 4's No. 2 sportscaster behind Fred Roggin, has been dropped by the station. Channel 4 news director Bill Lord said the station was not picking up the option on Lewis' contract and added that the reason was a confidential personnel matter. Lewis' last appearance on Channel 4 was Sunday night. Roggin said he was called in Palm Springs, where he was on vacation, and asked to return to work.

Brett Lewis, Channel 4's No. 2 sportscaster behind Fred Roggin, has been dropped by the station. Channel 4 news director Bill Lord said the station was not picking up the option on Lewis' contract and added that the reason was a confidential personnel matter. Lewis' last appearance on Channel 4 was Sunday night. Roggin said he was called in Palm Springs, where he was on vacation, and asked to return to work.

Brent Musburger, one month after being fired by CBS, was hired by ABC Wednesday. Although no terms were announced, industry sources said he received a six-year contract worth between $11 million and $12 million. Musburger, who worked for both CBS-TV and CBS Radio, was earning $2 million a year.

Former King coach Barry Melrose was hired Tuesday by ESPN and will make his first appearance tonight as an analyst on the Vancouver-San Jose game. He will work in the studio for ESPN2 in the first two rounds of the playoffs and in an unspecified capacity for ESPN in the last two rounds. His contract with ESPN runs through the playoffs.

Ten weeks before today's season opener, on a hot Los Angeles afternoon, the lobby of the Century Plaza hotel is humming with people who look like they've arrived at more than a convention. Here they come, striding purposefully in dark- suited teams of three or four, a blur of teeth and cuff links, slim briefcases and heels, the men and women who own, manage or sell time for the stations of the no-longer-upstart Fox network.

Al Michaels and ABC, after calling off a scheduled arbitration hearing in Century City, reached an agreement on a multiyear contract Wednesday. "It's a good feeling," Michaels said. "Now I can get on with life. "It's all history now. I've always been someone who looks ahead, and there's no better time to do that than right now." Brent Musburger, hired by ABC on May 2 and in line to take over Michaels' play-by-play job on "Monday Night Football" had Michaels left, said: "I think it's great.

Former King coach Barry Melrose was hired Tuesday by ESPN and will make his first appearance tonight as an analyst on the Vancouver-San Jose game. He will work in the studio for ESPN2 in the first two rounds of the playoffs and in an unspecified capacity for ESPN in the last two rounds. His contract with ESPN runs through the playoffs.

The San Diego Padres announced they will not renew the contract of broadcaster Rick Monday.

Jim Valvano, forced out after last season as North Carolina State's basketball coach, has agreed to a three-year deal with ABC for a reported $900,000. Valvano agreed to a buyout of his coaching contract April 7 after allegations were made by ABC News that N.C. State players were involved in fixed games. Valvano also was criticized about a lack of academic progress by players in the program, which was put on probation for violations involving sales of complimentary tickets and athletic gear.

In an apparent case of miscommunication, interim Manager John Wathan said Hubie Brooks has refused a minor league rehabilitation assignment because "he didn't say yes, so I guess that's no." Brooks said he has never refused an assignment. Senior Vice President Dan O'Brien said he has asked Brooks to go to the minors and is awaiting a response.

Ten weeks before today's season opener, on a hot Los Angeles afternoon, the lobby of the Century Plaza hotel is humming with people who look like they've arrived at more than a convention. Here they come, striding purposefully in dark- suited teams of three or four, a blur of teeth and cuff links, slim briefcases and heels, the men and women who own, manage or sell time for the stations of the no-longer-upstart Fox network.

Is John Madden worth $8 million per year? Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of the Fox television network, apparently thinks so. As expected, it was announced Monday that Madden will be Fox's lead football analyst beginning next season, and sources are now saying he got a four-year, $32-million contract. Initially, it was reported as a $30-million contract. If the $32-million figure is right, he will make $325,000 per game . Few network analysts make that much a year.

The Dodgers made the logical move Wednesday, naming Rick Monday as Don Drysdale's successor on the announcing team. Monday will join the crew today when the Dodgers play a doubleheader against the Mets at New York. Said Monday, who will also continue as host of KABC radio's "Dodgertalk" shows on the weekends: "I'm filling in to the end of the season because we've all lost a very dear friend in Don Drysdale."

NBC has rehired Magic Johnson as an NBA commentator. He will serve as a second analyst on nine of NBC's 26 regular-season telecasts plus the All-Star game on Feb. 21 and the playoffs. Johnson's first assignment will be the Christmas Day game between the Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs at the Sports Arena, NBC's first telecast of the season. Johnson will be teamed with Jim Lampley and Steve Jones. On most other telecasts, Johnson will work with Marv Albert and Mike Fratello.

The San Diego Padres announced they will not renew the contract of broadcaster Rick Monday.

The Detroit Tigers have re-signed broadcaster Ernie Harwell, ending the biggest public relations disaster in the club's history. Harwell, 74, was the Tigers' broadcaster for 32 years before being fired after the 1991 season. Rick Rizzs and Bob Rathbun were hired to replace him in the radio booth. About a month ago, Mike Ilitch purchased the club from Tom Monaghan and went to work immediately trying to bring Harwell back.

The Dodgers made the logical move Wednesday, naming Rick Monday as Don Drysdale's successor on the announcing team. Monday will join the crew today when the Dodgers play a doubleheader against the Mets at New York. Said Monday, who will also continue as host of KABC radio's "Dodgertalk" shows on the weekends: "I'm filling in to the end of the season because we've all lost a very dear friend in Don Drysdale."

In an apparent case of miscommunication, interim Manager John Wathan said Hubie Brooks has refused a minor league rehabilitation assignment because "he didn't say yes, so I guess that's no." Brooks said he has never refused an assignment. Senior Vice President Dan O'Brien said he has asked Brooks to go to the minors and is awaiting a response.