Meyers out as Lakers TV voice, Spero likely replacement

[dockingsched]

http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/

Joel Meyers, who has been doing play-by-play on Lakers games since 2003, the last six of those seasons on TV, has been told he will not have his contract renewed for next season, according to several sources.

Meyers was added to the Lakers' broadcast team on radio when Paul Sunderland, who came in after the passing of Chick Hearn, was moved to a TV-only play-by-play call, eliminating the simulcast. Spero Dedes was hired from the NBA TV channel as the radio play-by-play job at the time.

Lakers media relations director John Black said: "All our announcers' contracts expire at the end of the season. We will respectfully decline commenting on or discussing any possible changes until the conclusion of our season."

Speculation is that Dedes, who for the last six seasons has established himself as one of the more sought-after young play-by-play voices in sports today, would be the most likely candidate to fill the Lakers' TV job. Sources confirmed that the Lakers and Dedes will soon begin contract discussions.

The Lakers' new long-term deal with two exclusive Time Warner Cable channels starts in the 2012-13 season.

The 31-year-old Dedes, who joined the Lakers in 2005, has done college basketball during the recent NCAA tournament for CBS as well as working on the NFL Network as a host and doing play-by-play, as well as doing the NFL on CBS.

Meyers, a resident of Hidden Hills, has a long established track record in Southern California sports, calling Angels games in the late 1980s as well as the L.A. Raiders, Dodgers game on cable in the early 1990s, and Los Angeles Lazers indoor soccer games for the old Prime Ticket.

Further speculation is that Bill Macdonald would be a front-runner for a Lakers' radio job opening, as well as a role with the Lakers-Time Warner channels. Macdonald, who has been with Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket for the last 25 years, has filled in on radio games for Dedes for the last couple of seasons when Dedes was excused to do national NFL or college basketball broadcasts.

http://twitter.com/#!/KevinDing

Spero Dedes will be new TV play-by-play voice. Bank on it.

sucks for meyers, but i've been waiting for this.

[RamonSessions7]

LATER MEYERS!!!!

[iamworthy]

This can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. Spero tends to question alot of things the lakers do on the court. It'll be interesting to see how he and Stu works out.

[kobeaki]

sucks for joel " i live in popovichs wine cellar myers" ...however, it seems as though shoved paul sunderland out, karma i suppose...

[So Gutta]

Just move Meyers back to radio. He was fantastic on the radio, IMO.

[kobeaki]

http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/

Meyers, a resident of Hidden Hills, has a long established track record in Southern California sports, calling Angels games in the late 1980s as well as the L.A. Raiders, Dodgers game on cable in the early 1990s, and Los Angeles Lazers indoor soccer games for the old Prime Ticket.

Further speculation is that Bill Macdonald would be a front-runner for a Lakers' radio job opening, as well as a role with the Lakers-Time Warner channels. Macdonald, who has been with Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket for the last 25 years, has filled in on radio games for Dedes for the last couple of seasons when Dedes was excused to do national NFL or college basketball broadcasts.

doesnt luke need a new job soon?

[snaquille oatmeal]

bring back Haley's comments!!!!!

[Imadogg]

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[joelafan]

[TyCobb]

Wow, crazy.

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

rather have harlan.

[DEEP3CL]

Perfect timing, had a feeling the Lakers were going to lose him soon. Spero is too damn good to leave on radio.

[LApwnd]

myers is annoying to me

[Hunter103]

I like Spero's voice but it's weird seeing how young he actually is on TV.

He'd probably get a sweet gig somewhere else if not for this though.

[CowsMoo]

I like Spero's voice but it's weird seeing how young he actually is on TV.

He'd probably get a sweet gig somewhere else if not for this though.

Agreed. His voice is great, and his calls are great.

I'm looking forward to this. Myers was good, but Spero is excellent.

[LA Forever]

Spero Dedes is an excellent replacement. When you hear him on the radio, it's as if you're really watching it, he paints a vivid picture.

[Leor_77]

As much as we made fun of Joel Meyers, we can't deny that the guy did a solid job while he was here. With that said, Spero really does deserve it. He's the one making the iconic quotes after huge Lakers victories. Should be good, although Mychal Thompson would have been good, too.

[Slava]

Never really minded Joel to be honest but if this Spero guy is really good like you guys say, this could be interesting. We already have one of the most bearable and fair announcers in the league.

[Dr Pepper]

So next season the Lakers are going to be without Phil Jackson and one of their voices to the fans of the past few years, Joel Meyers? The times are changing and damn I'm feeling old.

Kinda surprised to see some posters trying to put him down, always thought he was a professional sportscaster with a voice great for sportscasting.

[J Rob]

This can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. Spero tends to question alot of things the lakers do on the court. It'll be interesting to see how he and Stu works out.

This can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. Spero tends to question alot of things the lakers do on the court. It'll be interesting to see how he and Stu works out.

I think it will be great...Chick was way more critical than Spero so Stu's used to it.

The last two guys ball wash too much for my liking.