Guerrero Gets Monday Night Slot

ABC has signed Lisa Guerrero to a three-year contract to serve as the sideline reporter on “Monday Night Football.”

Guerrero replaces Melissa Stark, who spent three seasons on “Monday Night Football.” Stark, expecting her first child in September, is entertaining several offers, including one to join NBC’s “Today” show, once she is ready to return to work.

Guerrero, who grew up in Orange County and was a Ram cheerleader from 1983 to 1987, broke into sports television with Channel 2 in 1998. She went to Fox Sports Net as a reporter the next year and most recently was a regular on “Best Damn Sports Show Period.” She left that show in April.

Former Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders was among the finalists to replace Stark. Fred Gaudelli, the producer of “Monday Night Football,” called the search “exhaustive.”

“We have the best person for the job,” Gaudelli said.

Guerrero, in New York to sign the contract, said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled. Working on ‘Monday Night Football’ is the biggest job in sports broadcasting.”

Guerrero is engaged to injured Baltimore Oriole pitcher Scott Erickson. Guerrero said no wedding date is set, but they just bought a house in Malibu.

“Pinch me,” she said. “Could things get any better?”

-- Larry Stewart