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*Bryant Gumbel will join the NFL Network as a play-by-play announcer for all of its scheduled game braodcasts. The move, secured by NFL Network president Steve Bornstein, signals the channel’s intention to establish itself as a serious network, and not just a promo channel for the league. Gumbel told management that he would only take the job if he could speak freely without being censored. "I've never exactly been a shrinking violet when it comes to criticism," he told reporters Wednesday. "I'm not going to look for opportunities to take shots at the NFL. I will be honest where criticism is warranted." Gumbel, who will keep his current job as host of HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," says he has never called an NFL game in his life. "I obviously have a lot to catch up on," he said. "I will give it my best. I will work to improve each time out. I am looking forward to the challenge, and it should be lots of fun." Cris Collinsworth has also been hired to provide analysis, and will join Gumbel in the booth for six games during the season.
*Former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders will return to professional football as an owner of the Arena Football League’s Austin Wranglers, the team announced Wednesday. “Prime Time” joins fellow ex-NFL veterans Mike Ditka (Chicago Rush), John Elway (Colorado Crush), Joey Galloway (Columbus Destroyers), Ron Jaworski (Philadelphia Soul), and Neil Smith (Kansas City Brigade) as former NFL players who are active in team ownership or the front office of Arena teams. Sanders said in a statement: "I am excited to join the Wranglers organization and contribute to the growth of Arena Football in Central Texas. The Wranglers are committed to furthering their position within the AFL through excellence on the field and in the community." Tomorrow, the Wranglers host the Columbus Destroyers at 7 p.m. During the pre-game festivities, Wranglers Team President Doug MacGregor will introduce Sanders to the fans.
*Sports enthusiasts can now catch a play-by-play tour of their favorite athletes' homes through "AT&T Home Turf," a series of streaming video webisodes (available at www.seehowtheylive.com) in which players grant fans a behind-the-scenes peek of life off the clock. Upcoming segments highlight the homes of ballers Jermaine O'Neal, Tony Parker, Elton Brand and Chauncey Billups. Veteran Kenny Smith serves as the tour host. Site visitors who want to replicate the tech-savvy digs of their favorite players will have the chance to win a range of popular gadgets, including Dell laptops, Motorola RAZR phones from Cingular Wireless, digital cameras, iPods and PocketDISH players. Signed memorabilia and sports gear - jerseys, hats, baseballs and footballs - are also up for grabs in the sweepstakes. Details and rules are available at www.seehowtheylive.com.
*In Midway Games’ new "NBA Ballers: Phenom," players are given the option to choose paths that will either shape them into a basketball star with help from Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups or mold them into an entertainment mogul. Rapper/actor Ludacris lends his voice and likeness to the videogame, and tells Reuters that its mixture of sports and music is “just a great way to market music. People are very surprised how old the (video game) demographic is because you have grown-ups who love video games as much as children." Since debuting the song "Get Off Me," in Electronic Arts Inc.'s popular football game "Madden NFL 2000," Ludacris has also appeared in other video games, including EA's 2003 title, "Def Jam Vendetta," which was promoted as "hip-hop" meets "Fight Club" and starred other top rap acts from Def Jam Records.