The most dysfunctional of the four major pro sports leagues canceled another round of games Thursday. In other news, soccer’s F.A. Cup will get broadcast TV exposure, and college football’s Cowboys Classic will remain on ESPN through the middle of the next decade.
- More NHL Cancellations: National Hockey League owners elected Friday to cancel regular season games through January 14 as part of their ongoing lockout of the players union. NHL owners have now canceled the first three months of the season, which was scheduled to begin October 11. Any future cancellations will begin to affect NBC’s Sunday afternoon “Game of the Week” telecasts. (NHL.com)
- F.A. Cup Matches to Air on FOX Broadcast: The FOX broadcast network will televise two F.A. Cup matches next year, including the F.A. Cup Final on May 11. The first telecast will take place in less than three weeks — a third-round match between West Ham and Manchester United on January 5. Both matches will air at Noon ET. (Fox Sports via Fang’s Bites)
- ESPN Locks Up Cowboys Classic Thru ’24: ESPN will televise college football’s Cowboys Classic through the 2024-25 season, the network announced Thursday. The new deal begins in the 2015-16 season; ESPN still has two seasons remaining on the current contract. (ESPN Media Zone)
