Lesley Visser, bounced six weeks ago from her sideline reporting post on ABC's "Monday Night Football," was hired yesterday at CBS, where her broadcasting career began.
Visser, who was replaced on "MNF" in June by a tandem of ESPN reporter Melissa Stark and former running back Eric Dickerson, will contribute on CBS' NFL coverage, including its pre-game show and Super Bowl telecast, as well as on the network's college basketball package and its U.S. Open tennis tournament coverage.
"This is a real move forward for me," said Visser in a conference call. "After a tough six weeks, this is a great day."
Visser, who left CBS in 1994 after the network lost its NFL contract, had been a sideline reporter for "Monday Night Football" for four seasons.
But incoming "MNF" producer Don Ohlmeyer took her off the telecast six weeks ago in favor of Dickerson, who has no previous broadcasting experience, and Stark, a Baltimore native who, at 26, is 20 years younger than Visser.
Visser said yesterday that she bears no ill will toward ABC, which, she said, offered her a slot as host of "Wide World of Sports" and the chance to do some news reporting.
CBS Sports president Sean McManus said Visser also will have news opportunities at CBS.
