As one would expect, CBS is preparing an aggressive effort to keep Tony Romo. Also: Fox has reached a new deal with Concacaf, the coach of the Rams will be a guest analyst on ESPN’s Super Bowl pregame coverage, and every game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament will air nationally.
CBS to mount aggressive effort to retain Romo
CBS is planning an aggressive effort to retain lead NFL analyst Tony Romo, whose contract is expiring, the New York Post reported Monday. Front Office Sports previously reported that ESPN planned to offer Romo in excess of $10 million per year, which would be a record for a sports TV analyst. Per the Post, CBS is prepared for ESPN to offer Romo “a crazy salary,” knowing that it has the contractual right to match. [NYP 1.28]
Fox reaches new deal with Concacaf
Fox Sports announced Monday that it has reached a contract extension with Concacaf that includes the next two men’s Gold Cup tournaments and the men’s and women’s qualifying matches for the upcoming Olympics. Fox has held English-language rights to the men’s Gold Cup since 2007. [Fox Sports]
Rams’ McVay to guest on ESPN Super Bowl pregame
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay will serve as a guest analyst on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown prior to Sunday’s Super Bowl, ESPN announced Monday. McVay will join the main cast of Suzy Kolber, Louis Riddick, Steve Young, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. [ESPN PR 1.27]
ESPN to air every women’s tourney game nationally
ESPN announced last week that it will televise every game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament nationally, ending the practice of regional coverage in the first two rounds. Opening round games will air in 32 separate national windows across ESPN2 (14), ESPNEWS (ten) and ESPNU (eight), while second round games will air in 16 windows across ESPN (six), ESPN2 (six), ESPNU (two) and ESPNEWS (two).
In addition, the national semifinals will return to ESPN after airing solely on ESPN2 the past two years. [ESPN PR 1.21]
