Another new football league is ready to launch. In other news, Peyton Manning will reportedly decide this week if he is to enter broadcasting, Jayson Stark has a new gig, and the Pro Bowlers Association is changing channels.
Ebersol’s Son Launching New Football League
A new eight-team professional football league is launching next year with games airing on CBS Sports, it was announced Tuesday. Founded by Charlie Ebersol — the son of former NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol — the “Alliance of American Football” will debut next February 9 in primetime on the CBS broadcast network. CBS will also carry the championship game in primetime next April. CBS Sports Network has all the games in between.
With NFL ratings down in two straight years, competitors are apparently sensing some vulnerabilities. The “Alliance” marks the second new pro football league announced in the past three months. In January, WWE chairman Vince McMahon announced that a relaunched XFL will debut in 2020. Notably, Ebersol produced the ESPN 30 For 30 documentary “This Was the XFL” that premiered last year. The elder Ebersol and McMahon partnered on the original XFL. [PR Newswire 3.20]
Manning to Make Decision This Week
Former NFL QB Peyton Manning will decide this week whether to join Fox Sports’ Thursday Night Football team, Sporting News reported Monday. Manning has been highly coveted by the NFL’s rights partners since his 2016 retirement. Fox and ESPN both pursued his services this offseason. He has already ruled out a jump to ESPN’s Monday Night Football, according to earlier reporting by the New York Post. [Sporting News 3.19]
Stark Joining MLB Network
Former ESPN baseball reporter Jayson Stark is joining MLB Network as a regular studio analyst, the New York Post reported Tuesday. Stark was included in ESPN’s massive talent layoffs last year, ending his 17-year tenure with the company. As The Big Lead reported last month, Stark is also joining The Athletic. He begins both new roles next month, according to the Post. [NYP 3.20]
PBA Moving From ESPN to FOX
The PBA bowling tour is moving to Fox Sports, ending its 38-year association with ESPN, it was announced Tuesday. Under the multi-year deal, the Fox Sports networks will carry 29 events per year, up from 17 on ESPN this season. Four events will air on the FOX broadcast network. [Fox Sports PR 3.20]
