As previously reported, FOX Sports Ohio will carry 81 Cleveland Cavaliers games of the 2012-13 regular season. Plus, the network is excited to announce changes to the Cavaliers broadcast team!
The network’s coverage of the Cavs’ regular season begins Tuesday, Oct. 30th at 7pm when the Cavs host the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena. FOX Sports Ohio will also air a special hour-long Cavaliers Live Pregame Show that evening, starting at 6pm. The complete schedule can be found on Cavs.com. Cavaliers Live will return with commentary, features, and in-depth pre-game coverage of the Cavs 30 minutes prior to every game telecast. The Halftime Report, presented by KIA Motors, will break down the first half of the game and offer insights in preparation for the second half. And immediately following the final buzzer of each game, the post-game edition of Cavaliers Live, presented by Conrad’s Tire Express and Total Car Care, will feature highlights, player interviews, and analysis.
The network is excited to announce the broadcast team. Austin Carr will continue to spice up the color analysis for the entire FOX Sports Ohio schedule. Joining him on the floor returns veteran play-by-play man Fred McLeod, calling the games for his seventh season. This season will also mark McLeod’s 30th of broadcasting NBA games.
“After the departure of Dionne Miller, we were presented with the opportunity to look at our entire broadcast team and our focus went right to Jeff Phelps to see how we could maximize his talents,” stated Tom Farmer, Executive Producer, FOX Sports Ohio. “Having Jeff in a more consistent role instead of part-time here and part-time there, gives us a chance to really take advantage of one of the area’s top sports talents.”
Jeff Phelps, the previous sideline reporter, will return for his 10th season in a greater capacity with Cavaliers Live pre- and post-game shows. Phelps will not only host Cavaliers Live shows from The Q during home games, but he will now host the show from the FOX Sports Ohio studio when the team is on the road. Alongside him for all shows will be Campy Russell, the nine-year NBA veteran and All-Star, former Cavalier and member of the Cavalier’s All-Time Team. He has been a member of FOX Sports Ohio’s analyst team since 2005.
Phelps will also host Cavaliers in the Paint, premiering Tuesday, November 6th at 6pm. This show provides the most up-to-date news and highlights surrounding the Cavs.
“This change to Jeff’s role led to an extensive search for his replacement on sidelines. It was important for us to find someone who could not only carry the extensive workload of a full season, but provide a very high level of professionalism in tandem with great basketball and team perspective. Cavs fans expect and deserve this,” said Farmer.
FOX Sports Ohio is pleased to welcome new sideline reporter, Allyson Clifton.
With a bachelor’s degree in Sports Analysis and Communication and a master’s in Communications, Clifton has served as sideline reporter for the Toledo Mud Hens of minor league baseball’s AAA International League, sports feature reporter for 13 ABC Action News in Toledo, and color analyst and sideline reporter for high school and collegiate basketball, volleyball, and track and field on Buckeye Cable Sports Net in Toledo.
Clifton also has NBA experience running camps and clinics for the Atlanta Hawks and working along-side play-by-play and color analyst Bob Rathbun and LaChina Robinson for the WNBA Atlanta Dream game.
“I am so thrilled and very anxious to join FOX Sports Ohio as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers broadcast team,” stated Clifton. “I have a never-ending passion for the game of basketball, and have always been a huge Cavs fan. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity.”
“We were extremely fortunate to have found someone home grown with Allie’s credentials and talent,” stated Farmer. “With Fred, AC, Jeff, Campy, and now Allie, Cavs fans are in for some remarkable coverage as the team begins what will surely be a very exciting season to follow and watch.”
