ESPN and the WNBA are reportedly close to an expanded television contract. In other news, the Ravens may not host the NFL season opener, and the ACC is expected to replace the Big East on ESPN’s “Big Monday.”
ESPN, WNBA, to Expand TV Deal
- The WNBA and ESPN are “close” to a “significant expansion” of their television deal, the Sacramento Bee reported Sunday. ESPN, which has televised the WNBA since the league debuted in 1997, currently owns rights through the 2016 season. It is not known whether the “expansion” will represent a new television deal or an adjustment to the current contract. Of note, the last two ESPN/WNBA TV contracts (2003-08, 2009-16) have run concurrently with the network’s NBA TV deals. (Sacramento Bee)
Ravens May Not Host Kickoff Game
- The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens may not host the September 5 NFL Kickoff Game, as is tradition for the defending champions, due to a conflict with an Orioles home game. The NFL has suggested moving the Orioles game earlier in the afternoon and pushing the Ravens game later in the evening, but no agreement has yet been reached. Moving the NFL opener to Wednesday night, as was the case last year, has been ruled out. (Baltimore Sun)
ACC Expected to Replace Big East on “Big Monday
- The ACC is likely to replace the Big East on ESPN’s “Big Monday” college basketball coverage next season, conference commissioner John Swofford told the Hampton Roads Daily Press. Swofford also did not rule out that the ACC Championship Game could move into the Saturday night timeslot previously held by the Big East title game. While ESPN has held onto rights to the current Big East (which will be renamed at some point), the new Big East is expected to join Fox Sports. (Hampton Roads Daily Press via Sports Business Daily)
