ESPN will air a new “cinematic” version of Michael Jordan’s last NBA Finals game in 1998. Also: former NFL Today host Phyllis George has passed; the Preakness has been rescheduled for October 3.
ESPN to air “cinematic” version of Bulls-Jazz Game 6
ESPN announced Monday that it will televise a special enhanced “cinematic” rebroadcast of Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals on Wednesday night. The Associated Press first reported the news. The rebroadcast will be based on the original NBC telecast, and feature the NBC commentary from Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Isiah Thomas, but include added footage from NBA Entertainment cameras that captured the game in high definition.
The telecast, titled “Game 6: The Movie,” will follow re-airs of the final two episodes of “The Last Dance.” ESPN had been originally scheduled to re-air Game 6 of the 2006 and 2011 NBA Finals.
Bulls-Jazz Game 6 remains the highest rated and most-watched NBA game ever played, with a 22.3 and 35.89 million in its live 1998 airing. [ESPN PR 5.17, AP via Chicago Tribune 5.17]
Former NFL Today co-host George dies
Former CBS “NFL Today” co-host Phyllis George died Thursday at age 70 due to a blood disorder. George joined the CBS studio show in 1975, becoming one of the first women to hold such a prominent role in sports TV. She was part of an award-winning cast that also included Brent Musburger, Irv Cross and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, remaining with the show through 1983 (save for a hiatus in 1978-79). [CBS Sports PR/Twitter 5.16]
Preakness rescheduled for October 3
The Preakness Stakes has been officially rescheduled for October 3, the date originally reported by Baltimore NBC affiliate WBAL earlier this month. The race would take place just under a month after the rescheduled Kentucky Derby, which is set for Labor Day weekend. No date has yet been decided for the Belmont Stakes, which was originally set to take place June 6. [NBC Sports PR 5.16]
