Sunderland Is Good Fit for Lakers

The Lakers need to make some changes. But changing television play-by-play announcers shouldn’t be one of them. What the Lakers need are more wins, not more one-liners.

Paul Sunderland is no Chick Hearn. But who is?

Sunderland was put in a difficult position when he was asked to fill in for Hearn for 56 games during the 2001-02 season, and again when he was asked to replace Hearn after his death in August 2002.

Following a legend isn’t easy.

An announcer’s performance is not based on wins and losses, at least it shouldn’t be. It’s mainly based on public reaction, and the feeling here is the public generally believes Sunderland is doing a fine job.

But is that good enough? Apparently not.

The Times reported Wednesday that Sunderland was notified the day before that the team might not renew his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

He got the word in the form of a letter from Frank Mariani, Laker executive vice president.

Mariani said he was required by Sunderland’s contract to send the letter because it stipulated that, if the Lakers were considering not renewing, Sunderland had to be informed before April 1.

Mariani said the Lakers want to explore other options and they couldn’t do that without notifying Sunderland. Mariani said one of those options was re-signing Sunderland.

Sunderland, who initially declined to comment, read this statement Thursday:

“Laker fans are the absolute best. My passion and affection for the team, the game and my job has never been stronger. The Lakers are a world-class organization, from the coaches and players to the front office. Every day I am privileged and honored to work for the Lakers and bring my enthusiasm for it all to the fans through the broadcasts.”

So what do the Lakers do now? Their television broadcast partners, Channel 9 and FSN West, will be involved, but it is ultimately the team’s decision.

One possibility might be radio announcer Joel Meyers moving to television, but Meyers, who considers Sunderland a good friend, said Thursday he’s happy where he is.

Also, Meyers’ radio contract allows him to do Sunday night football for CBS Radio-Westwood One and Big 12 football for FSN. If he were to switch over to television, he might not be allowed to do outside work.

Laker owner Jerry Buss and Mariani, who handles the team’s broadcasting deals, met with Marv Albert last summer. But a few weeks ago, Albert signed a four-year contract to announce 50 New Jersey Net games a year for the YES network, beginning next season.

It’s doubtful the Lakers would ever have been able to meet Albert’s salary demands anyway. The team has never spent a lot of money on announcers. Hearn never made more than $500,000 annually and Sunderland makes about $300,000. Albert will make more than $1 million a year for the 50 Net games.

Sunderland is liked by people in the Laker organization, and Mariani is among those who say that is the case. Sunderland is also liked by the television crew.

Marge Hearn is among his supporters and says her late husband was too.

“I think everyone likes Paul,” she said Thursday. “I called and left him a message asking him if there was anything I could do.”

It seems unlikely there is anything anyone can do. The decision has probably already been made. But it’s a decision the Lakers may end up regretting.

Short Waves

CBS is averaging a 6.3 rating and a 14 share for its NCAA men’s basketball tournament coverage, up from a 5.8/13 last year. The 6.3/14 is the highest average at this point in the tournament since a 6.6/15 in 1998.... This year marks the 30th anniversary of John Wooden’s 10th national championship, and CSTV is using the occasion to profile Wooden on its “Coach” series Sunday at 3 p.m. Many of Wooden’s former players appear on the show.... FSN offers a block of three Final Four-related “Beyond the Glory” episodes Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m. First is a replay of a recent Mike Krzyzewski profile, followed by a new episode on the 1992 Duke-Kentucky classic game and another on Michigan’s “Fab Five.”

The baseball season starts with a bang Sunday at 5 p.m. with the New York Yankees playing host to the Boston Red Sox on ESPN2. The game features pitcher Randy Johnson in his debut for the Yankees and former Yankee David Wells on the mound for the Red Sox.... Clipper radio announcer Mel Proctor is a front-runner for a TV announcing job with baseball’s Washington Nationals. Another candidate is Paul Olden, a Los Angeles native who, in 1978, asked that infamous question of Tom Lasorda: “What’s your opinion of [Dave] Kingman’s performance?” ... The Tennis Channel has named Steve Solomon as its chairman and chief executive officer. He replaces David Meister, who is stepping aside.

In Closing

FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” offers a live boxing card Thursday night from the Pechanga Resort in Temecula. Featured is former world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, who attended Tuesday’s Laker game at Staples Center.

Asked if he planned to again be a world heavyweight champion, Bowe said, “Let me ask you a question. Is there anyone in the heavyweight division who can beat me?”