NBC Had ‘No Choice’ to Sell Big Ten Championship to Anyone Except Fox, per Report
NBC’s seven‑year Big Ten deal forced the network to resell the 2026 championship to Fox, not a streaming partner. Fox, which owns the Big Ten Network, holds ultimate authority over the game’s rights and paid NBC between $45 million and $55 million—well below NBC’s $70 million streaming target. The agreement also gives NBC an extra regular‑season Big Ten game and leaves Fox with five of the seven rights years, while CBS retains the remaining two. The arrangement highlights the complex sublicensing structure that ties NBC’s college football portfolio to Fox’s control of the conference.
NBC Sports President Jon Miller Reveals How NBC Convinced MLB to Sacrifice Revenue in New Deal
NBC Sports clinched a new Major League Baseball contract worth roughly $200 million per year, less than half of ESPN's previous $550 million deal. NBC argued that nationwide broadcast reach and promotional power outweighed the higher fees streaming services could offer. The...
PGA Tour Leaving Hawaii with End of The Sentry, Sony Open
The PGA Tour announced it will drop its two Hawaiian stops—The Sentry at Kapalua and the Sony Open at Waialae—starting with the 2027 season. The Sentry was cancelled in 2026 after severe water shortages on Maui and the tour’s new...
Mike Tomlin Reportedly Joining NBC’s ‘Football Night in America’
Mike Tomlin, who resigned after a 19‑year, 193‑114 run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is set to sign with NBC as the lead analyst on its revamped "Football Night in America" studio. The network has already dismissed veteran Tony Dungy and...
All the Smoke Productions Expanding Rapidly After Launching Netflix Production Deal, New Unscripted Vertical
All the Smoke Productions, originally an arm of Showtime Sports, has accelerated its growth, expanding its team from five to over 40 employees and opening a new headquarters in Marina Del Rey, California. The company secured a production partnership with...
NBC Has Lengthy Break After Hawks-Knicks Before Joining Wolves-Nuggets in Progress
NBC lingered on a post‑game interview with CJ McCollum and a 3‑minute‑15‑second commercial after the Hawks‑Knicks Game 2 before cutting to the Timberwolves‑Nuggets matchup. The network didn’t resume live coverage until more than five minutes after the final buzzer, by which time...
Sophie Cunningham Admits Her New Indiana Fever Contract Is ‘Frustrating’
Sophie Cunningham, a six‑year WNBA veteran, returned to the Indiana Fever on a one‑year, $665,000 deal that she described as "frustrating" on her Show Me Something podcast. The contract comes amid a new collective bargaining agreement that raises league salaries...
Tyrese Haliburton Is Latest Athlete to Launch Production Company
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has entered the media business by founding Zero Doubt Creative, a production company that signed a multiyear development deal with Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Sports. The venture will produce original entertainment and branded content for both...
NBC Sports Finalizes Its WNBA Broadcast Team
NBC Sports completed its WNBA broadcast lineup by adding courtside reporters Ashley ShahAhmadi, Jordan Cornette and Caroline Pineda for the season that begins May 8. The play‑by‑play crew—Zora Stephenson, Noah Eagle and Michael Grady—and studio talent including LaChina Robinson, Sarah...
ESPN’s Andreas Hale Says WWE Denied His WrestleMania Credential Request
ESPN’s veteran wrestling reporter Andreas Hale announced that WWE denied him credentials for WrestleMania 42, preventing him from covering the flagship event for the network. The refusal comes after Hale gave WWE’s Premier Live Events (PLE) mixed grades under ESPN’s...
Adam Silver Could Foresee an NBA European Division, Notes Advancements in Supersonic Air Travel
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league could eventually field a European Division, building on plans for a standalone NBA Europe league. He cited upcoming supersonic jet technology from startup Boom, slated for 2030, as a potential solution to the...
TV and Streaming Viewing Picks for April 18, 2026: How to Watch WrestleMania Saturday
April 18, 2026 is packed with premium sports and entertainment, headlined by WWE's WrestleMania XLII at Allegiant Stadium. In the U.S., the event streams live on ESPN2 and ESPN Unlimited, while international viewers access it via Netflix. The day also...
Arlo White, David Feherty Refute Reports of LIV Golf’s ‘Imminent Demise’
LIV Golf launched its Mexico City tournament while broadcasters Arlo White and David Feherty publicly dismissed reports that the league faces imminent collapse. White claimed a recent conversation with CEO Scott O’Neil left him “very bullish” about LIV’s future, and...
LIV Golf Holds ’Emergency Meeting’ Amid Rumors of Shutdown
LIV Golf executives were summoned to an emergency meeting in Manhattan as rumors of a shutdown intensified. The league’s UK division posted nearly $400 million in losses for 2023 and its U.S. viewership continues to lag far behind the PGA Tour....
Fubo ‘Out of Nowhere’ Pursuing Local Rights for 13 NBA Teams
Disney-owned Fubo has entered the market with a last‑minute pitch to the 13 NBA teams that recently left Main Street Sports Group. The streaming platform proposes a hybrid direct‑to‑consumer and distributor model, offering rights fees around $10 million per team. Fubo...
Sen. Tammy Baldwin to Introduce Bill Ensuring Sports Broadcasts Remain Accessible
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is set to introduce the “For the Fans” Act, legislation that would require professional sports leagues to make games available for free in each team’s local market via over‑the‑air TV or ad‑supported streaming. The bill builds...
NBC Secures Rights to The Soccer Tournament
NBC Sports will broadcast The Soccer Tournament (TST) across its platforms, including four games on the NBC broadcast network for the first time. The event features three winner‑take‑all 7‑on‑7 tournaments—men’s, women’s and mixed—each offering a $1 million prize. Matches will air...
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Addresses if Agency Aims to ‘Influence’ NFL Rights Negotiations
The Department of Justice has opened an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s exemption under the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, prompting heightened scrutiny from the FCC. Chairman Brendan Carr told CNBC the agency is reviewing the exemption and may advise Congress...
Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Doc Rivers ESPN Return
Doc Rivers left the Milwaukee Bucks after a rocky fifth stint, ending his brief return to coaching. ESPN, already reeling from Michael Malone's departure and a series of analyst exits, faces a talent gap in its NBA broadcast lineup. The...
NFL Network Expected to Be on ESPN Unlimited by Start of 2026 Season
ESPN completed its acquisition of NFL Network on April 1, integrating the channel into its direct‑to‑consumer platform, ESPN Unlimited. The service, priced at $29.99 per month, will include NFL Network at no additional charge, though the channel is not yet available...
‘SNL’ Goes Hard at Tiger Woods with Ruthless Jokes About DUI Arrest
Saturday Night Live aired a cold‑open that paired a Donald Trump impersonation with a caricature of Tiger Woods in rehab, lampooning Woods' recent DUI arrest. The sketch referenced Woods’ real‑time phone call to the president while detained and followed with...
Seton O’Connor Signs Off From On-Air Role at ‘The Dan Patrick Show’
Longtime producer Patrick “Seton” O’Connor announced he is leaving his on‑air role at *The Dan Patrick Show* after 6,766 episodes, though he will remain involved behind the scenes. O’Connor framed the move as a chance to "build a new room"...
Albert Breer: ‘Of Course’ Dianna Russini Photos Raise Questions About Past Mike Vrabel Reporting
Page Six published photos of ESPN reporter Dianna Russini embracing NFL coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort, sparking renewed debate over insider reporting ethics. Sports Illustrated columnist Albert Breer acknowledged the images raise legitimate questions about Russini’s past coverage of...
Roger Goodell: NFL Has ‘Long-Term’ Plans to Play in Australia, Might Return in 2027
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league’s inaugural regular‑season game in Melbourne is intended to be the first of a long‑term presence in Australia, with a possible return as early as the 2027 season. He highlighted near‑sell‑out ticket demand...
Bill Simmons Calls Looming WNBA Expansion ‘Staggeringly Stupid and an Unapologetic Money Grab’
The WNBA approved a rapid expansion that will increase the league from 12 to 18 teams by 2030, adding Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in 2026, then Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. The move follows...
The Athletic Confirms ‘Scoop City’ Is ‘in Transition,’ Dianna Russini’s Future on Show Unclear
The Athletic’s NFL podcast Scoop City has entered a "transition" phase, halting new episodes after a March 4 season‑finale announcement. Co‑host Chase Daniel’s contract expired, leaving his future with the show uncertain. The future of lead host Dianna Russini is...
John Ourand: FCC Pressure, Lack of Bidding Market Could Hurt NFL’s Leverage in Media Deal Renegotiations
The NFL is renegotiating its broadcast contracts ahead of the 2026 season, eyeing a roughly 50% revenue increase from a new deal with CBS. John Ourand warns that the league’s leverage is eroding because there are no fresh bidders for...
Is the Last Sunday in February Too Late for the Super Bowl? The NFL Doesn’t Appear to Think So
The NFL has deliberately left the Super Bowl LXII date (Feb 13, 2028) unannounced to preserve scheduling flexibility as it eyes an 18‑game season by 2027. Adding a game would extend the calendar to 20 weeks, pushing the championship to Presidents Day...
AllCity Network Strikes Sales, Content Partnership with KC Sports Network
AllCity Network announced a strategic partnership with the Kansas City Sports Network, becoming its exclusive sales representative while collaborating on content and distribution. KCSN will retain editorial and production control, leveraging its 33,000‑subscriber YouTube channel and 20,000 Substack followers. The...
Judge Schedules Trial Between Jon Gruden, NFL for Mid-2027
Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden sued the NFL alleging a coordinated campaign to force his resignation, seeking more than $150 million in damages. After four years of procedural battles, a Las Vegas judge has set the civil trial for May 2027. The league...
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández Joining Fox Sports as Analyst for 2026 World Cup
Fox Sports announced that Mexican soccer legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernández will serve as a studio analyst for its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage. Hernández, Mexico’s all‑time leading scorer with 52 goals, retired in 2025 after a 17‑year career spanning clubs...
Holly Rowe Elaborates on Deleted X Post Criticizing Tennessee Athletic Department
ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe posted, then deleted, a scathing X message targeting the University of Tennessee athletic department for allowing the once‑dominant Lady Vols program to "disintegrate." She singled out Athletic Director Danny White and linked the criticism to...
Scott Van Pelt Says He’s Not Moving to 5 P.m. Slot
Scott Van Pelt used his podcast to quash rumors that he will shift to ESPN’s 5 p.m. slot, confirming he will remain on the late‑night SportsCenter. The network’s 5 p.m. gap emerged after the 23‑year run of Around the Horn ended, prompting...
Stephen A. Smith Urges ESPN to ‘Cherish’ Dan Orlovsky Before He Gets Poached
On Monday’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith urged ESPN’s leadership to "cherish" analysts Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Ryan Clark, warning they could be poached as the network integrates NFL Network talent following a merger. He highlighted Orlovsky’s recent multiyear...
Dexter Fowler Joins NBC’s MLB Studio Coverage
Dexter Fowler will join NBC Sports as a pre‑game analyst for the 2026 MLB season, making his debut on Easter Sunday during the Cardinals‑Tigers matchup on Sunday Night Baseball. The broadcast will air on Peacock and NBCSN, and Fowler is...
Troy Aikman: Dolphins Hired Me ‘Knowing that I Have Information that They Don’t Have or Can’t Get’
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman told a podcast that the Miami Dolphins hired him because he possesses league‑wide information that other teams cannot easily obtain. He admitted his consulting role creates a clear conflict of interest,...
Tom Brady Ponders Finding Balance Amid Professional Responsibilities
Tom Brady, retired NFL quarterback, is in the third year of his ten‑year, $375 million broadcasting deal with Fox and continues as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. In a recent blog post, he reflected on the difficulty of...
Bay Area Radio Station Clowned for AI-Generated ‘Fourth Period’ in Sharks Coverage
Bay Area sports station 95.7 The Game posted an AI‑generated caption claiming the San Jose Sharks rallied in a non‑existent fourth period, a factual error that quickly drew criticism. KNBR host Adam Copeland highlighted the mistake on social media and...
Bomani Jones: Young Journalists Can’t ‘Build a Brand Through Social Media Now Like I Did 15 Years Ago’
Bomani Jones says the era when journalists could build a personal brand solely through Twitter is over. Algorithmic feeds now prioritize video clips and aggregator accounts, pushing original text commentary into obscurity. Jones, with over 530,000 X followers, advises aspiring...
Shae Cornette Defends ‘First Take’s’ Affinity for the Dallas Cowboys
Shae Cornette, who took over as host of ESPN’s “First Take” after Molly Qerim’s departure, defended the show’s frequent focus on the Dallas Cowboys. She explained that the program’s reactionary, 24‑hour news cycle leads it to spotlight topics like Dak...
Ravens-Cowboys Reportedly Headed to Brazil in Week 3
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are slated to play a Week 3 NFL matchup in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first of three Brazil games scheduled over the next five seasons. This will be the third NFL contest ever...
Jason Kelce’s ESPN Career Is Not What Anyone Expected
ESPN signed former Eagles star Jason Kelce with expectations of a football‑centric analyst role, but his on‑air presence has been scattered across Monday Night Countdown, a short‑lived late‑night show, NHL coverage, and now golf events like the TGL and the...
Sage Steele Apologized to Her Children Before Suing ESPN: ‘Don’t Ever Feel Like You Have to Defend Me’
Sage Steele, former ESPN anchor, settled her 2022 lawsuit against the network and announced her departure after alleging she was sidelined for voicing COVID‑19 vaccine opinions. In a recent interview on Sean Hannity’s show, Steele revealed she apologized to her...
Ian Eagle Lauds NIL, Transfer Portal for Improving March Madness
Veteran broadcaster Ian Eagle once warned that NIL deals and the transfer portal could dim March Madness, fearing roster churn would erode team chemistry. He now says the opposite: player‑movement freedom and name‑image earnings have lifted on‑court talent and fan...
Bruins CEO Surprisingly Bullish on Future of Regional Sports Networks
Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs told The Athletic he remains optimistic about regional sports networks (RSNs) despite industry headwinds. He highlighted that pay‑TV households have dropped from over 100 million to roughly 62 million, eroding the traditional RSN revenue model. Jacobs pointed...
Pat McAfee Can’t Get Troy Aikman on His Show: ‘I Don’t Know How We Are with Troy, I’m Gonna Be...
Pat McAfee revealed on his live broadcast from the NFL owners’ meeting that he has been unable to book former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman for The Pat McAfee Show. Despite speaking with Aikman's Monday Night Football partner Joe Buck,...
Eagles Sideline Reporter Devan Kaney Out at WIP Amid Audacy Layoffs
Audacy announced another round of layoffs, cutting several on‑air personalities across its portfolio, including 94.1 WIP Philadelphia sideline reporter Devan Kaney. Kaney, who joined WIP in 2024 after Howard Eskin’s departure, also co‑hosted the station’s morning show. She will continue...
Roger Goodell Addresses NFL Network Employees Ahead of ESPN Takeover
Roger Goodell sent a note to NFL Network staff as ESPN finalizes its acquisition of the network and RedZone rights, a deal approved by regulators weeks after announcement. The rapid approval allows ESPN to integrate NFL Media assets before the...
Kevin Kiermaier Aims to Bring a Defensive Perspective to MLB Media
Kevin Kiermaier, a four‑time Gold Glove outfielder, has joined MLB Network as an analyst, dedicating his on‑air role to breaking down defensive play. He signed a one‑year contract and will appear three to four days each month, translating his field...
Fox to Air Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Doubleheader at Wrigley Field
Fox will broadcast a historic Big Ten/SEC women's volleyball doubleheader from Wrigley Field on Labor Day weekend, featuring Nebraska vs Missouri and Penn State vs Kentucky. The event caps a six‑day Challenge Week that pits all 18 Big Ten schools...