The NASCAR schedule will look very different in 2020. Also: ESPN is reportedly looking to cut salaries, Tony Romo is reportedly seeking a record payday, and Joe Girardi has joined Fox Sports.
NASCAR 2020 schedule includes many changes
NASCAR announced its 2020 schedule this week, with several significant changes. Homestead, which since 2001 has been the final race of the season, is moving to mid-March. The season will now end at Phoenix. The July race at Daytona is moving to the end of the regular season — late August — with the Brickyard 400 taking over the Independence Day weekend date. The two Pocono races, which typically take place several weeks apart, will occur on the same weekend as a doubleheader. The spring Martinsville race is moving from late March to early May, and from Sunday afternoon to Saturday night. Finally, Las Vegas is moving up to the weekend after the Daytona 500, with Atlanta dropped back to mid-March.
Notably, NASCAR has scheduled a rare two-week break during the Summer Olympics, when broadcast partners NBC and NBCSN will be otherwise occupied. During the 2016 Olympics, NBC scheduled Cup and Xfinity Series races on USA Network and CNBC. [NASCAR 3.26]
ESPN looking to cut costs, but no new layoffs
ESPN is looking to cut millions in salary but will not institute another round of layoffs, the New York Post reported Thursday. According to the Post, the company is expected to let some contracts lapse while renewing others for either a reduced rate or a small increase. ESPN laid off hundreds of employees in 2017, including dozens of front-facing talent. [NYP 3.26]
Romo seeking record payday
Sporting News reported Wednesday that CBS Sports NFL analyst Tony Romo is seeking a contract extension worth at least $10 million per year, which the publication says would be the highest annual salary ever for a sports TV analyst. Romo, who has been widely praised in his two years with CBS, is entering the final year of his contract. He just called his first Super Bowl in February and, if he renews with CBS, would call his second the season after next. [Sporting News 3.27]
Girardi joins Fox as MLB game analyst
Former New York Yankees manager and current MLB Network analyst Joe Girardi has joined Fox Sports as an MLB game analyst, it was announced this week. Girardi, who will continue in his MLB Network role, will make his debut April 27 calling Indians-Astros alongside Justin Kutcher on FS1. He will also be part of the the Baseball Night in America primetime regional package on FOX, starting with Cubs-Nationals on May 18. [Fox Sports]
