The Notre Dame/Michigan rivalry will end after 2014. In other news, MLB Network will continue airing playoff games under the new MLB TV deal, and Wednesday’s WNBA Draft Lottery will air live on “SportsCenter.”
- Notre Dame/Michigan to End: The Notre Dame/Michigan rivalry, which just three days ago led the college football ratings race, will come to an end after the 2014-15 season. In a letter to Michigan athletic director David Brandon, Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick said the move was a “necessary precaution” due to the university’s “new scheduling commitment to the ACC.” Notre Dame recently joined the ACC in all sports but football and hockey, and the football team is now required to play an ACC opponent five times per season. (ESPN.com)
- FOX Will Sell Two LDS Games Per Year to MLB Network: Fox Sports, which acquired the rights to two full Division Series as part of a soon-to-be-announced television rights extension with Major League Baseball, will sell two LDS games to MLB Network for $30 million per year. MLB Network already has the rights to two playoff games this season and next under the current MLB television contract. While $30 million may seem exorbitant for two playoff games, keep in mind FOX will reportedly pay $525 million/year for its portion of the TV contract. (Sports Business Journal)
- WNBA Lottery to Air on SportsCenter: The 2012 WNBA Draft Lottery will air on ESPN live Wednesday evening during the 6 PM ET edition of “SportsCenter.” The event, which like the WNBA Draft will take place from ESPN’s Bristol (CT) headquarters, has not surprisingly attracted more attention this year due to likely #1 overall pick Brittney Griner. (ESPN Media Zone)
