2487 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

FanGraphs: We Still Need Your Help

[SBTarheel]

I'm a huge fan of MLB Network Radio, and Longtime listeners of their signature show, "Inside Pitch" may have noticed that Casey Stern has been on and off the air the last few years, and has only mentioned a "family situation" that he's been dealing with for a while. He has mentioned his divorce, but hadn't spoken out about what's been really going on. Until now.

 

https://nypost.com/2...-alleged-abuse/

[BSLChrisStoner]

SI: LeBatard rehires..
https://www.si.com/e...ter-espn-firing

[Mark Carver]

SI: LeBatard rehires..
https://www.si.com/e...ter-espn-firing

Dan is the man... and I agree with Belichick when asked...

 

Q: Why don't you drink coffee?

 

Belichick on @OMFonWEEI: [Long pause] Because I don't like coffee.

[BSLChrisStoner]

@JimmyTraina

Finale of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz will aire on Jan. 4. That will also be the last day Le Batard appears on Highly Questionable, which will continue without him.

[BSLRoseKatz]

Al Michaels wins the Ford C. Frick award https://twitter.com/...759443296546816

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Big Lead: 2020 Sports Media Awards
https://www.thebigle...rd-01em0mfwr7xy

[BSLChrisStoner]

SBJ: NBC Plans To Shutter NBC Sports Network By End Of Year
https://www.sportsbu...1/01/NBCSN.aspx

[BSLChrisStoner]

FanGraphs: Hello There

 

Nice addition.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Ken Rosenthal@Ken_Rosenthal·1m

 

The BBWAA has voted to remove J.G. Taylor Spink’s name from its award to a writer for “meritorious contributions to baseball.” Spink was publisher of the Sporting News at a time when the publication portrayed Blacks in racist and stereotypical terms. No decision yet on renaming.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Pedro Gomez of ESPN died.

[Russ]

I remember he was the dedicated Barry Bonds reporter in the early 2000s. He would follow him around everywhere. 58 is way too young.

[Russ]

Nice tribute to Pedro on SportsCenter tonight.

[BSLChrisStoner]

@PaulPabst

 

We have Adam (Schefter) on now. He said this was not a breaking report, but an "accumulation of information". He added Aaron Rodgers/Rodgers' camp was NOT the source of this story. He told us he chose to post this on draft day, but it's based on info since the season ended to draft day.

 

 

Posting here, as I think it's interesting to see how this story came out. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: The Future of the NBA on TNT

[The Epic]

Kenny Mayne out at ESPN.

[mweb08]

Kenny Mayne out at ESPN.

One of the best SC anchors to ever do it!

[Pedro Cerrano]

Damn. I really liked Kenny

[mweb08]

https://twitter.com/...5107594240?s=19

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and Major League Baseball Reach Long-Term Rights Extension for Fully Exclusive, Marquee Schedule

• New Seven-Year Agreement Highlighted by 30 Exclusive Regular Season Games, Home Run Derby, Alternate Presentation Rights for Every Live Event, Simulcast Rights for  ESPN+ and Rights for New MLB Content on ESPN+
• Potential Expanded MLB Wild Card Series Exclusively on ESPN Platforms, Including ABC
• Extensive Spanish Language Telecast Rights for ESPN Deportes Continue; ESPN Radio Rights Extended, Including for the World Series, All-Star Game and Entire MLB Postseason
• Increased Highlight Rights for ESPN Platforms 

The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and Major League Baseball today announced the entities have reached a long-term, wide-ranging rights extension for a fully exclusive, marquee schedule. The announcement was made by Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball, and James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content. The robust seven-year agreement begins in 2022 and extends through the 2028 season. 

As a result of the agreement, ESPN will exclusively televise 30 regular-season games annually, including 25 editions of Sunday Night Baseball, the national MLB game of the week, and the MLB Little League Classic. ESPN will exclusively televise five additional games each season, including the national Opening Night telecast. ESPN will continue to exclusively carry the Home Run Derby as part of its cross-platform MLB All-Star coverage. For each of its live events, ESPN will receive the rights to produce alternate presentations across its platforms, as well as the opportunity to simulcast all ESPN and ABC game telecasts on ESPN+.

Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball

“ESPN has been one of MLB’s longest and most important partners. This extension continues the evolution of our relationship with a focus on utilizing ESPN’s extensive assets to shine a spotlight on key match-ups throughout the year. With reach across broadcast, cable, streaming, and social, ESPN is able to deliver MLB action to our broad fan base across multiple platforms. As the way in which fans consume baseball continues to change, this partnership provides expanded opportunities for fans to engage with our content and we are excited to present those new opportunities.” 

James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content:

“ESPN’s longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball has been a driver of innovation for three decades. This agreement solidifies Baseball’s ubiquitous presence across ESPN platforms, including ESPN+. The impactful collection of exclusive content, including Sunday Night Baseball which has served as the signature MLB series for more than 30 years, will be amplified by the surrounding rights we have to make these live events even bigger. We thank Commissioner Manfred and the MLB ownership group for their partnership and commitment as we collectively uncover new ways to serve fans.”  

Wild Card

ESPN will exclusively televise the entire MLB Wild Card Series starting in 2022, if the event expands. ESPN carried seven of the eight MLB Wild Card Series in 2020. If the current Wild Card format remains consistent, ESPN will continue to exclusively televise one of the two MLB Wild Card Games, and will receive eight additional exclusive regular-season game telecasts each year. 

MLB on ESPN+

In addition to the new live event simulcast rights, ESPN has gained the rights to create new MLB content for ESPN+, including studio and highlight-driven programming. The streaming service will also continue to televise a Major League Baseball game, subject to local blackout restrictions, nearly every day of the regular season, as well as select Spring Training coverage. 

ESPN Radio and Spanish language

ESPN has kept its extensive audio and Spanish-language telecast rights per this new deal. ESPN Radio will continue to nationally broadcast the highest profile events in MLB, including the World Series and the full MLB Postseason, the All-Star Game, Opening Night, and Sunday Night Baseball. ESPN will also continue its robust Spanish-language telecast rights package for ESPN Deportes, including live events and studio coverage throughout the regular season and Postseason.

Increased highlight rights, studio content

This agreement will increase ESPN’s wide-ranging collection of highlight rights for all of its news and information platforms and digital MLB shows such as BBTN Live. Furthermore, Baseball Tonight will continue to serve as ESPN’s premier pre-event show for its season-long package of high-profile live events. Baseball Tonight will air prior to Opening Night, Sunday Night Baseball, Home Run Derby, MLB Little League Classic, Wild Card and will deliver content for All-Star Game and the MLB Postseason.

In addition to ESPN’s regular season and Postseason packages, it has the rights to nationally televise up to 10 Spring Training games each year. These telecasts will co-exist in the local markets.

The rights in this new agreement provide flexibility to maximize the current and potential future distribution of ESPN. 

ESPN and Major League Baseball signed its first rights agreement in 1989 which commenced with the 1990 season. Sunday Night Baseball, the exclusive, national MLB game of the week, continues to serve as an integral part of the agreement. The franchise has served baseball fans since 1990. 

The relationship has consistently generated broadcast innovations, including K-Zone, K-Zone Live, K-Zone 3D, Statcast-driven alternative viewing experiences, live, in-game mic’d up players, Hit Tracker, Sundays from the Seats, enhancements to in-field audio and Live From Home – Commentary technology.