ESPN Uses AI to Animate Stills, Distorting Player Faces
ESPN seems to have used generative AI to turn still images into moving ones (and messing with Tony Parker's face in the process). You can see one of the Cavs in the background 'move' in the previous clip too. It's unclear if they'll bring this tech back in game two Friday. https://t.co/JBbSOweCNz
Too Many TV Deals Threaten Sports Fanbase Collapse
The NFL's (and other leagues') current TV talks aren't just about maximizing rights fees. I've been thinking for years about how a sport's fanbase could crumble. Here's what a doom loop driven by bad media deals would look like... 1. Leagues need...
MLB Catcher Salaries Jump
I built a simple website to see exactly how much each MLB backstop has changed over the last 10 years. Can you count the additional ads? All 30 comparisons below ⬇️ https://t.co/Y9glyNEMzP
WNBA TV Surge, yet $40 League Pass Still a Steal
There's a record 200+ WNBA games on national TV this year, but WNBA League Pass still looks like a good deal at $40/season. It'll include 167 games (minus local blackouts) by my math.
AI Reveals Decade-Long Surge in Home‑Plate Ads
Some people are using AI to automate their daily work tasks. Naturally, I used it to help me visualize just how many ads have been added behind home plate at each MLB stadium over the last 10 years. Results (and interactive...
NFL Likely Hands Three Games to Netflix This Season
If you're having trouble following the final NFL TV rights assignments this year, here's my understanding: The NFL has 12 games left throughout the season to divvy up on top of pre-existing commitments. Five are expected to go streamers/broadcasters, while the...
Fans Tolerate Extra Games, Hate In‑game Ads
I don’t think people are really going to be upset about a handful more games before the Round of 64. In-game ads and liquor commercials, on the other hand…
WSL Attracts Buyers Amid Olympic Boost and Digital Growth
Exclusive: The World Surf League could change hands. The WSL says it's seen "a significant amount of inbound interest." Talks are still early & could include smaller investments too. Olympic inclusion + digital media have given the sport new energy. https://t.co/rs5fUObUtC
Daily Giro D'Italia on TV Reshapes Office Programming
Wow - I was not expecting fully daily coverage of the Giro d'Italia on linear TV this year. This is big for office TV programming.
More Home Games Would Elevate Regular Season Value
Would the NBA regular season matter more if better seeds got 5 home games per series? 6?
Broadcast Limits Force Overlapping NBA Second-Round Games
NBA playoff games are going to overlap during the first 2 nights of the second round. Here's why: There are significant (but not insurmountable) limitations on airing live sports on broadcast channels before 8 pm on weeknights due to pre-existing schedules...
Navigating Fragmented Sports Streaming: Setup Tips & Apps
With the NBA Playoffs on Prime/Peacock/NBC/ESPN and NHL Playoffs on ESPN/TNT (and F1 on Apple TV and some Premier League on USA and MLB on Netflix, etc. etc. etc.), how are people keeping up? Have you changed your TV setups to...
Spot the Gap Between Newsletter Hits and Your Feed
Running a test, given the talk about X's algorithm and links Below: the 6 most popular stories from last week's @sundaylongread newsletter. How many of them did you see on social media? How many of them do you wish you'd seen? If there's...
Kentucky Derby’s Timeless Formula: Tradition Fuels Massive Viewership
How did the Kentucky Derby become THE Kentucky Derby? How does a horse race continue to draw 20 million viewers every year? I dove into the history and found some lessons for any sport that wants to present its own spectacle 🏇...
Thanksgiving Eve Becomes Sports' Biggest Night Across Platforms
The hottest day on the sports calendar is Thanksgiving Eve: - NBA scheduled a triple-header for the first time on ESPN in 2025 - Duke will play UConn on Amazon Prime this year - The NFL is considering scheduling a Thanksgiving Eve game,...