Big news today, as ESPN announces that as part of its 30^th anniversary, it will honor long-time employees with a Walk of Fame at their Bristol campus. Just slightly less prestigious than the one in Hollywood, this Walk of Fame will feature a freshman class of 43 staffers, all of whom have been with the network since its first year. Except for that poor guy who Berman screamed at that time; he’s living in the jungle in the Philippines.

We wonder, will new ESPN employees be hazed for stepping on Bob Ley’s star? Who will clean the spit and vegetable matter from Dick Vitale’s? And what other commemorative attraction ideas were considered before the Walk of Fame was approved? Top rejected ESPN 30th anniversary ideas: Read more…

• Richard Jefferson got cold feet and decided to ditch his beautiful bride-to-be. Too bad the new Spur neglected to inform his wedding guests.

• What’s better than $1 beers at the ballpark? How about $1 beers at the ballpark with a buxom Playboy “Hot Housewife” model?

• A British tennis coach is caught doing a little drive-by wanking near a group of 14-year-old girls.

• Nice to see Erin Andrews, Heather Graham & Kristin Cavallieri all share the same fashion sense.

• Hard to tell what looked weaker last night - President Obama’s first pitch, or the NL All-Stars’ overall play.

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We suppose that we can forgive Dana Jacobson this minor transgression, but it’s hilarious nonetheless. During ESPN’s “First Take” this morning, Jacobson referred to college basketball analyst Stephen Bardo thusly: “St. Louis is considered one of America’s greatest sports towns, but is it the best? Skip and Stephen A. will debate that, coming up next.” No, Stephen A. Smith has not returned to ESPN (he left the network on May 1 when his contract was not renewed). Don’t panic.

It was just an on-air flub. As AWFUL ANNOUNCING points out, “First Take” has been shuffling co-hosts with Skip Bayless since the departure of the Cheesy Doodled One. Bardo was teamed with Bayless today, his first name obviously overwhelming Jacobson with a wave of nostalgia (or she was hung over. Choose one). Video following the jump. Read more…

You might have forgotten that Notre Dame was the target of Dana Jacobson’s vodka-fueled rant during the Mike & Mike Morning Show Roast back in January. To refresh your memory, Charlie Weis was in attendance that night, and got to hear a sloppy drunk Jacobson yell “F— Notre Dame” and “F— Touchdown Jesus“, before closing with, “F— Jesus!”

Jacobson later apologized publicly to Weis, Notre Dame, Catholics, Jesus and pretty much anyone else. But THE BIG LEAD is reporting that wasn’t enough for one person. According to one of their sources who is “close to Notre Dame,” Weis allegedly refused to accept a hand-written letter of apology from Jacobson and responded by writing her a scalding letter of his own ripping her professionalism.

Read more…

DEADSPIN by way of DRUNK ATHLETE catches a glimpse of Golden State Warrior Stephen Jackson living the “Glug Life”:

Jackson’s beverage of choice appears to be Belvedere vodka - the favorite spirit of another sloshed sports personality:

A liquor producer couldn’t ask for more ringing endorsements.

The NEW YORK TIMES projects news that ESPN is looking to broaden its broadcasting brilliance to the big screen.

The Worldwide Leader is focused on collaborating with Walt Disney Studios and Creative Artists Agency to produce & distribute sports-themed theatrical releases in the next few years. And the network is already making cinematic strides by hiring 30 filmmakers to produce one-hour mini-movies, set to start showing on the small screen in September 2009.

As the bigwigs try to brainstorm for feature film ideas, Mike Bianchi of the ORLANDO SENTINEL proposes remaking a Disney family favorite - featuring the ESPN Primetime Players. Read more…

• Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg bust their acting chops in “Guiding Light“:

Wonder if they’ll bring Dana Jacobson along to the Daytime Emmys?

• A-Rod is pumped at the thought of his daughters marrying Andy Pettitte.

• Knicks teammates Zach Randolph & Nate Robinson exchange words - then some water & towels.

• The Big Cactus needles Kareem & Wilt The Stilt about a lack of respect.

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We’re always keeping an eye out for Montreal moochers pilfering purses.

• Ashley Judd really knows how to rev up the engines at Daytona:

• Heads up, Alfred Aboya! Or should that be - “Face Up”?

• Buffalo fans have seen Richard Zednik’s terrible throat slash before - when it happened to Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk.

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We’re not sure how we missed this, but late last week Charlie Weis weighed in on the Dana Jacobson’s roast remarks and let us really know why ESPN took action against her.

Weis: “I was both personally and professionally offended by her comments. And if the situation were reversed, and that were me saying them, two things would have happened. I would have been the lead story on SportsCenter, and I would have been fired.” Read more…

Remember that hilarious video of Donyell Marshall forgetting his jersey last night for the Cavaliers? AWFUL ANNOUNCING has Stan Verrett of ESPN using the common slang term “wife beater” on SportsCenter to describe Marshall’s tank top undershirt during the highlights of the game.

Shortly thereafter, Verrett apologized on-air for using the term, as it was “clearly a poor choice of words and I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have offended with that term and we meant no harm.”

So Verrett has to apologize for saying “wife beater” on the air? What about Chris Berman, and his expletive-filled tirade that we enjoyed so much yesterday?

Oh, you say that was off-the-air. OK, well so was Dana Jacobson’s rant, and that was in the context of a Roast, which is all supposed to be off-the-record. So why does Jacobson get suspended and Everett get reprimanded (we’re assuming) but Berman skates (we’re also assuming)?