Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 21, 1990 TAG: 9006210005
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
No, not the old series starring William Bendix. This time, the star will be Pat Riley and the subject will be pro basketball.
NBC announced Wednesday that the former Los Angeles Lakers coach will be host of the network's first year of NBA coverage next season. The announcement wasn't a surprise, but the role was.
Riley, who resigned last week after leading the Lakers to four NBA titles, was expected to join NBC as a commentator. Instead, he will anchor the network's pregame, halftime and postgame shows during the regular season and playoffs.
"Coaching the Lakers for nine years was a great challenge. Now I'm ready for a new challenge at NBC," Riley said at a news conference attended by NBC Sports executives and NBA Commissioner David Stern. "This season, I was coach of the year in the NBA. Next season, I hope to be rookie of the year for NBC."
Terms of Riley's multi-year contract weren't disclosed, but sources said he will be paid about $400,000 per year.
Bob Costas and Marv Albert will share play-by-play duties, but NBC has yet to announce its NBA commentators.
\ Isiah Thomas, the most valuable player in the NBA championship series, said he was deeply disturbed by reports that he was involved in an FBI gambling probe.
"It hurt," he said at a ceremony in a midtown hotel, where he was presented with the MVP trophy and a new car. "I can't say it didn't affect me at all."
After the story broke, the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan said Thomas was not being investigated.
by CNB