ESPN executives have met with Peyton Manning as the network gears up for another pursuit of the QB. Also: ABC’s Robin Roberts will host the network’s NFL Draft coverage; the Disney-Fox sale is closing Wednesday; ESPN has apologized for leaking the Women’s NCAA Tournament brackets.
Pitaro, Schell, meet with Manning
ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro and EVP/content Connor Schell met with former NFL QB Peyton Manning in Denver last Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. ESPN is widely assumed to be pursuing Manning for the Monday Night Football analyst vacancy left by Jason Witten. Along with Fox, ESPN pursued Manning last year, only to be rebuffed when he decided against a broadcasting career. [Hollywood Reporter 3.18]
ABC’s Roberts to host network’s NFL Draft coverage
Former ESPN SportsCenter and NFL Primetime anchor Robin Roberts will host ABC’s opening round NFL Draft coverage next month, ESPN announced Monday. Roberts, who left ESPN in 2005, currently co-hosts the ABC morning show Good Morning America. ABC is joining corporate sibling ESPN in televising the complete, three-day NFL Draft, and will produce its own separate telecasts on the first two nights. [ESPN PR 3.18]
Disney-Fox deal set to close on Wednesday
Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of most 21st Century Fox assets is scheduled to close just after Midnight ET Wednesday, with the remaining Fox properties set to relaunch under the new name Fox Corporation the previous day. Under the terms of an agreement with the U.S. justice department, Disney has 90 days from closing to divest the Fox-owned regional sports networks it is acquiring in the deal. [Variety 3.12]
ESPN sorry for leaking women’s NCAA brackets
ESPN apologized Monday after accidentally leaking the Women’s NCAA Tournament brackets on ESPNU earlier in the day. As a result of the mistake, ESPN had to move up its Selection Show broadcast by two hours. [ESPN PR 3.18]
