ESPN has hired active MLB pitcher C.C. Sabathia. Also: the latest on ESPN’s Monday Night Football plans, more exposure for the Alliance of American Football, and news on the Fox RSN bids.
Sabathia joining ESPN during final MLB season
New York Yankees P C.C. Sabathia has joined ESPN as a contributor, it was announced Tuesday. Sabathia, who is entering his final MLB season, will serve as an analyst for ESPN’s various shows, including SportsCenter, Get Up! and, to a lesser extent, Baseball Tonight.
Sabathia said Tuesday that he will make 15 appearances on ESPN under the contract, none of which will take place on days he is pitching. He also said he will not focus exclusively on baseball, opining on other sports as well. [ESPN PR 3.5, MLB.com 3.5]
ESPN could go with two-man booth for MNF
ESPN will reach out to Peyton Manning to fill the vacancy left by Jason Witten on its Monday Night Football broadcast team, the New York Post reported Monday. If Manning says no, as he did when ESPN pursued him last year, the network is reportedly satisfied enough with Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland to switch to a two-man booth. It could also choose one of the analysts it passed on last year — including Louis Riddick Jr. and NFL Network’s Kurt Warner — to take on the role. [NYP 3.4]
TNT adds two AAF games
Turner Sports announced Tuesday that TNT has added two Alliance of American Football League games to its schedule, Orlando-Birmingham this Saturday and Orlando-Atlanta two weeks later. Both games will begin at 2 PM ET, with the latter leading into NCAA Tournament coverage. TNT previously aired a game on AAF opening weekend and was not scheduled to carry another game until the playoffs. [Turner]
Ice Cube in talks with private equity firm for Fox RSN bid
Entertainer Ice Cube and his BIG3 basketball league in talks with the private equity firm Centerbridge to fund a bid for the 21 Fox-owned regional sports networks being sold to and divested by Disney, Bloomberg reported Monday. Ice Cube has been vocal about his interest in the RSNs and has been seeking investors for a bid. [Bloomberg 3.5 via Sports Business Daily 3.5]
