Joe Theismann Says NFL Has ‘Drifted Away From Tradition’ Amid Streaming Boom
Former Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann warned that the NFL’s shift toward streaming has eroded its traditional Sunday‑centric identity. He noted that the 2026 schedule now opens on a Wednesday and features games across every day of the week, driven by deals with Amazon, Peacock, Netflix and other platforms. Standalone streaming windows have climbed to 23, while Sunday afternoon games have dropped to 197, the fewest since 2016. Theismann acknowledged the broader accessibility but questioned whether the constant fragmentation undermines the league’s communal viewing ritual.
Gary Cohen on Why Local Broadcasts Offer Something National Broadcasts Can’t Replicate
Veteran Mets play‑by‑play announcer Gary Cohen explained to host Stephen Strom why local TV crews deliver something national broadcasts can’t. He argues that daily immersion in a team creates a depth of knowledge and personal storytelling that parachuting national crews...
LIV Golf Drops ‘Any Shot, Any Time’ Feature, Working to Refund Customers
LIV Golf has eliminated its $59.99 premium "Any Shot, Any Time" livestream, promising refunds to all current subscribers. The move follows reports that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is tightening its budget, creating payment issues with broadcast vendors. The league...
Rob Manfred Preaches ‘Reach and Discoverability’ as MLB Broadcast Setup Remains Fragmented
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told The Pat McAfee Show that the league’s new broadcast structure prioritizes “reach and discoverability.” The latest ESPN agreement moves six in‑market teams to the ESPN+ platform and leaves the out‑of‑market MLB.tv package on the same...
OffBall, Substack Partner for ‘OffBallFC’ Brand in Partnership with USMNT Star Folarin Balogun
OffBall, the sports‑culture studio, has teamed with Substack to launch OffBallFC, a new soccer‑focused brand aimed at American fans. The venture will deliver two newsletters per week, social content and live events, beginning this week ahead of the 2026 World...
Mike Elko Gets Real About CFP Expansion Talk: ‘None of Us Are Answering for the Good of the Sport’
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko told reporters that most SEC coaches support a 24‑team College Football Playoff for self‑preservation, not the sport’s good. He criticized the lack of a unified CEO to prioritize football’s health and called out the...
Tubi Announced ‘The Other Football’ Show Hosted by Rob Gronkowski and Jameis Winston
Tubi announced an eight‑part weekly talk show, “The Other Football,” hosted by NFL stars Rob Gronkowski and Jameis Winston. The series premieres May 27 and runs through July 17, featuring guests such as Tom Brady, Keegan‑Michael Key, and U.S. soccer players. The...
Gilbert Arenas Questions NBC’s Record Spurs-Thunder Viewership Numbers
NBC announced that Game 1 of the Spurs‑Thunder Western Conference Finals averaged 9.2 million viewers across its broadcast and Peacock streams, peaking at 12 million during double overtime, and called it the most‑watched opening game in series history. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas...
Fox Sports Re-Ups Media Rights Deal with New-Look TBT
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has secured a two‑year extension with Fox Sports, guaranteeing 20 games across Fox, FS1 and FS2, including the $2 million winner‑take‑all championship on Aug. 2. The tournament is overhauling its format, shrinking from 64 to 16 teams and...
Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Defends Keeping Local Broadcasts Over-the-Air Despite Poor Financials
The Phoenix Suns have renewed their over‑the‑air (OTA) broadcast partnership through 2030, even though the deal generates less revenue than traditional regional sports network (RSN) contracts. Owner Mat Ishbia says the move sacrifices short‑term profit to give fans free access...
Fox Sports Exec Confirms World Cup Halftime Interviews, ‘Conversations’ About Hydration Break Commercials
Fox Sports vice‑president Zac Kenworthy confirmed the network will run halftime interviews during the 2026 World Cup and is in active talks with FIFA about selling commercial spots in the three‑minute hydration breaks. FIFA has opened the door for mid‑match...
Prime Video’s Michigan-Duke Broadcast Still Not Fully Settled: ‘We’re Working Through It’
Amazon Prime Video announced a landmark agreement to stream three Duke neutral‑site basketball games, including the Dec. 21 clash with Michigan at Madison Square Garden. The Big Ten, however, asserts that its media rights agreement with the ACC gives it authority...
Netflix VP of Sports Confirms Streamer Wants to Be in ‘Conversation’ for FIFA World Cup Rights
Netflix’s sports division, led by VP Gabe Spitzer, confirmed the streamer will enter talks with FIFA about acquiring U.S. rights to the men’s World Cup once Fox’s current deal expires. The company already holds exclusive U.S. streaming rights to the...
NBC Audio Issues Strike During Game 1 of NBA Western Conference Finals
NBC returned to NBA coverage for the first time in 24 years, broadcasting Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Within the opening quarter, viewers experienced over a minute of static,...
Cheryl Miller Emotional After Brother Reggie Welcomes Her to NBC
NBC has re‑entered the WNBA broadcast arena with a new 10‑year media rights agreement that runs from 2026 to 2036, marking the network’s first WNBA game on its flagship channel in more than two decades. The league’s launch broadcast featured...