‘Sports Machine’ host dies at 70

Broadcasting: George Michael, a mainstay on the Washington, D.C., sports television scene for decades who reached a national audience with “The George Michael Sports Machine” highlights show, has died. He was 70.

Michael’s daughter, Michelle Allen, said Michael was surrounded by family and friends when he died Thursday morning from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.

“Sports Machine” began shortly after Michael’s arrival at WRC-TV in Washington in 1980 as “George Michael’s Sports Final,” a late-night local feature. Then in 1984 it grew into the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show, eventually airing in 194 markets across the United States and in 10 foreign countries.

It was a trendsetting program, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available.

The show was also the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports such as NASCAR and professional rodeo.

Associated Press

Infected knee sidelines Pierce

NBA: Paul Pierce could miss at least two weeks because of an infected right knee, the severity of the injury catching the Boston Celtics by surprise.

The All-Star forward didn’t make the flight to Orlando for the Christmas Day game against the Magic.

The Celtics are on a six-day, four-game trip before returning home for a Jan. 2 game against Toronto.

Coach Doc Rivers said Thursday it was doubtful Pierce would join the team on the trip.

He couldn’t say for sure how long Pierce would be out.

“We just don’t know,” Rivers said. “The two weeks is a guesstimate by a doctor who has never played basketball before.”

Pierce was in so much pain he called team trainer Ed Lacerte on Wednesday about 3 a.m., Rivers said.

Lacerte went to Pierce’s house and took him to the hospital, where fluid was drained from the knee.

“What he’s going through is pretty significant,” Celtics guard Ray Allen said. “It is serious.”

Pierce, the 2008 NBA finals MVP, had played in every game this season, leading the team with 18.2 points a game. Pierce complained of soreness in his knee after Tuesday night’s game.

Associated Press