Question: What’s broadcast in color but white all over?
Answer: Altitude.
The sports-and-entertainment network brags that it is “the proud television home of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Springs Sky Sox and Colorado Eagles.” But the departure last week of analyst Will Jones leaves Altitude with 11 on-air personalties, not one of them African-American – unheard of in a world where there are dozens of high-profile black athletes.
There are black faces all over TV sports, particularly on those endless in-studio blabfests on ESPN and elsewhere. Not on Altitude. This has not escaped the notice of Amani Ali, president of the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.
“It’s been brought to my attention. Certainly, we’re going to take a look at it. To be at that point where we don’t have people of color is disconcerting.”
He’s willing to help. “We’re going to find out what’s going on. If they’re looking for some quality folks, we would offer to find some candidates.”
Matt Hutchings, executive vice president for Altitude, plans to talk to Ali. “The bottom line is we’re always striving to have diversity. We would welcome 100 percent their assistance to identify good, quality broadcasters for the network.”
Elevated at Fox
Bob Thompson, Denver-based president of Fox Sports Networks, is the new head of Fox National Cable Sports Networks, overseeing the network’s Speed, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, FUEL TV and three Fox College Sports networks.
He’ll continue as head of Fox’s international sports networks.
Two for DU
University of Denver hockey plays two key games against top-ranked Minnesota this weekend and, thanks to FSN Rocky Mountain, we get to see both. The Pioneers (17-7-2) and the Gophers (20-2-3) face off at 6 p.m. Friday and at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with Tim Neverett and Charlie Host at the mic. The games are also on ESPN Radio 1600-AM.
Around the dial
Vote now: Balloting under way for the 15 greatest Super Bowl commercials at cbs.com. The winner will be revealed Feb. 2 on CBS … Oak Hill Academy, the nation’s No. 1 high school basketball team, meets Simeon Career Academy of Chicago (7 tonight, ESPN) … Carmelo Anthony’s return to the Nuggets after a 15-game suspension adds excitement to Monday’s encounter with Memphis (7 p.m., Altitude and KKFN 950-AM) … Quotable: “My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” Hank Aaron
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
