IS THERE MORE BEHIND THE FEHERTY - CBS DIVORCE?

It was reported on Tuesday afternoon that long time CBS golf commentator David Feherty had failed to come to terms on a new contract with the network. Feherty had been part of the closest knit golf broadcast team of Jim Nantz, the late Ken Venturi and then Nick Faldo, Peter Costas, Gary McCord, Verne Lundquist and Ian Baker-Finch since 1997. But in the last few years, Feherty has also hosted his own interview show on The Golf Channel, whose parent Comcast acquired NBC Universal in 2011. The golfing broadcast world has been in a bizarre state since The Golf Channel obtained the rights to carry the first two rounds of the tournaments operated by the PGA Tour. Regardless of the network, primarily NBC and CBS, that carries the weekend rounds, the weekday coverage is shown on the Golf Channel. But for the most part, with the exception of the top talent, primarily Jim Nantz on the CBS side and Johnny Miller on the NBC side, the network commentators work with the Golf Channel announcers.

The point here is that at times it creates a bit of a conflict of interest, especially in Feherty's case, since his show on the Golf Channel, owned by the same parent as NBC, is a staple on the network. But he's also a mainstay on CBS, the other network that carries tournament golf. Other than John McEnroe, who works for CBS, NBC, ESPN and the Tennis Channel because of his unique appeal, it's pretty unusual for someone to be able to be under contract with competing entities. Although I''m not privy to the details, my guess is that CBS might have given Feherty an ultimatum that would have made him choose between his CBS gig, while constant and longstanding, and his Golf Channel work, which is probably more interesting to him because it gives him the opportunity to express himself and do more than whisper into a microphone from his green-side positions.

It wouldn't surprise me to see David Feherty quickly added to NBC's golf team. CBS' coverage is generally much more entertaining than that provided by NBC, which could definitely use a shot in the arm, especially after losing the U.S. Open rights to Fox. As for CBS, they still have Gary McCord for every tournament except the Masters, from which the outspoken announcer and ex-tour player has been banned for the last couple of decades. And there is no shortage of ex-players willing to forego the weekly grind of tournament golf to sit in a cushy greenside booth and take pot shots at their former competitors. But at the end of the day, Feherty's wit, Irish accent and well known battle with alcohol that eventually forced him off the course and into broadcasting will be greatly missed on CBS' telecast. The whole vibe is different on NBC, and while I'm sure it's easy to assume that the transition for Feherty, the network and the viewer will be seamless, it's not necessarily a given.

Don't forget to check out my new book, "Roughing the Passer - A PK Frazier Novel" and my first, "Illegal Procedure - A PK Frazier Novel", available in print and e-formats at Amazon.com, iBooks and Smashwords. The third installment, "Offsetting Penalties" is due out in the fall.