News: Chris Webber, LaLiga, NHL losses and more

TNT has parted ways with its top NBA analyst, Chris Webber. Plus: ESPN’s LaLiga deal is now official; the NHL’s losses this season are massive; and more.

Chris Webber done at Turner

TNT has parted ways with NBA analyst Chris Webber, the New York Post reported Thursday, ending his 13-year tenure. Webber’s usual partner Marv Albert worked Thursday’s Sixers-Heat game alongside Reggie Miller. Webber had previously backed out of his role on Turner’s secondary NCAA Tournament broadcast team on what was perceived as short notice, a move that reportedly did not endear him to his bosses. Per the Post, there were no contract negotiations between the sides. [NYP 5.13]

ESPN announces LaLiga acquisition

ESPN announced Thursday that it has acquired English and Spanish-language rights to the Spanish LaLiga through the 2028-29 season. The news was first reported by World Soccer Talk earlier this week. ESPN+ will carry all 380 matches per season live and on-demand, with some matches also airing on the ESPN linear networks. LaLiga rights are currently held by beIN Sports. [ESPN PR 5.13]

The Athletic: NHL to lose nearly $4 billion in gate revenue

The Athletic is estimating that the NHL will end up losing $3.6 billion in revenue due to COVID-19 related attendance restrictions, a figure that the publication says is backed up by league and team executives. The NHL has welcomed just over one million fans during the 2020-21 season, down from 18.8 million last season and 22.0 million in the last full season two years ago. [The Athletic 5.13]

Plus: Mayne, WNBA-Amazon, French Open, Callahan

Outgoing ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne told The Athletic this week the network offered him a paycut of 61 percent without a corresponding reduction in workload. Mayne: “They made an offer and I wasn’t exactly flattered and decided to reject it.” … The WNBA has reached a deal with Amazon, which will carry 16 games per season on Amazon Prime as well as the new Commissioner’s Cup midseason tournament. The WNBA will have games on Amazon, Facebook and Twitter this season. … The NBC streaming service Peacock has acquired rights to air the night sessions on the middle weekend of the French Open, it was announced Thursday. The French Open night sessions — which will begin around 3 PM ET — are a new addition to the schedule. … ESPN will hire NBC NHL studio analyst Ryan Callahan for its coming NHL coverage, the New York Post reported this week. Callahan’s role is likely to be a mix of studio and game assignments. [The Athletic 5.12, WNBA, NBC Sports PR 5.13, NYP 5.13]

New ESPN-MLB deal includes very few games

Jon Lewis

Jon Lewis has been covering the sports media industry on a daily basis since 2006 as the founder and main writer of Sports Media Watch. You can contact him here or on the social media websites X (Twitter) or Bluesky.

The Commissioners of the NCAA's power four conferences, SEC's Greg Sankey, ACC's Jim Phillips, Big 12's Brett Yormark and Big Ten's Tony Petitti speak with ESPN's Roddy Jones, left, and Dana Boyle, right, at the College Sports Day on Capitol Hill reception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, after they lobbied lawmakers earlier in the day for legislation to standardize name, image and likeness and other rules. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno )

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Comments 3

Nate Johnson says:

5 years ago

Was going to save my thoughts on C-Webb at the end of TNT’s season, but change of plans I see. When the NYP article came out that C-Webb was probably not returning, I remember looking at non-sporting articles on my phone that day and yet was suggested that article and later on that day I saw it posted on here. That was weeks ago and I didn’t believe this current news would come now especially with the start of the playoffs closing in and this being Marv Albert possible final run on broadcast (also in that same article I mentioned earlier). If indeed C-Webb bailed on CBS/Turner on late notice, that was very unprofessional. I understand he used COVID as a reason, but weeks before the Tournament he was in Atlanta calling the All-Star game. But the real reason it was unprofessional was because he announced that he wasn’t attending Indy very late to the point where the NCAA couldn’t announce the announcing team pairings at the press conference. Reggie Miller, on the other hand, gave the networks notice way ahead of time due to him having a newborn earlier this year. Sad it had to end like that. I enjoyed C-Webb for the most part. I remember when he started as a regular 4th member in the Studio with EJ, Chuck, and Kenny, & I thought he fitted very well with them. I was concerned when Shaq came on board, but at least they found a spot for him to become an in game analyst. Not sure if he will return to broadcasting, but if he does, he would be terrific for ESPN even though ESPN’s studio team continues to be a disappointment.

So as far as TNT coverage is going forward, I see they easily placed Miller with Albert and promoted Hill with Harlan. It will be interesting if they conduct a 3-man booth in the Eastern Conference Finals in Albert’s possible final broadcast. I believe Miller back in 2009 replaced Doug Collins as the color commentator for 1 game in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cavs and Magic (can’t remember why he had to miss a game) and while Steve Kerr was working in the Suns front office until his return to TNT (2007-2010) Miller worked plenty of games with Albert. So there’s some chemistry between the two.

It’s amazing how I haven’t heard from Greg Anthony since the bubble and he was doing work from the NBATV branch, not the TNT one. He was the color commentator for that epic Game 7 76ers/Raptors 2 years ago and I thought that would bring hope for Anthony climbing the latter, but Jim Jackson took the juice and Stan Van Gundy came in and had a spot ready for him and when he left to coach the Pelicans, it seemed like Grant Hill was picked to return as a color commentator for TNT. Now that C-Webb is gone, maybe he calls more playoff games.
Samuel says:

5 years ago

Strange to see a guy who was on the “A” team get dumped right in the middle of the season and not allowed to finish the season and playoffs. Was Chris Webber fired or did he have a contract that ended midseason?
- Paulsen says:
  
  5 years ago
  
  His contract was up at the end of the year, but I’d imagine this was a mutual decision to end things early.