Just days after his ESPN future was called into question, Bomani Jones has a new HBO show and an extension. Plus: Matt Vasgersian is leaving Sunday Night Baseball; Bob Costas’ NLCS role is now official; Adam Wainright is going from the pitcher’s mound to the broadcast booth.
Bomani Jones to host new HBO show
ESPN commentator and “The Right Side” host Bomani Jones will begin hosting a late night, sports-themed talk show on HBO next year, it was announced Thursday. Titled “Game Theory with Bomani Jones,” the new show will not affect Jones’ position with ESPN. Per the New York Post, he has agreed to add four months onto a contract that was originally set to expire in March. The Post reported earlier this week that Jones was expected to leave ESPN at the expiration of said deal.
Jones, who calls the new show his “professional dream,” already has ties to HBO as a contributor to Bob Costas’ “Back on the Record.” [HBO 10.7, Andrew Marchand/Twitter 10.7]
Vasgersian leaving Sunday Night Baseball
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball play-by-play voice Matt Vasgersian told the New York Post Wednesday that he will not return to the role next season. Vasgersian, who took the Sunday night role in 2019 as the preferred pick of partner Alex Rodriguez, said he wants to focus on his duties with MLB Network and the Los Angeles Angels. While Vasgersian and Rodriguez were a package deal when joining ESPN, the former’s departure does not necessarily have any implications for the latter. Per the Post, there is “enough” support at ESPN for Rodriguez to return. [NYP 10.6]
Costas officially named TBS NLCS host
Turner Sports officially announced Wednesday that Bob Costas will anchor its studio coverage of the National League Championship Series, which will be on-site. It will be Costas’ first time working a League Championship Series since he called the 2000 AL series for NBC. Costas will work alongside the existing slate of TBS analysts, Pedro Martinez, Jimmy Rollins and Curtis Granderson. The usual TBS studio host — Ernie Johnson — has NBA duties beginning October 19. [Turner Sports PR]
Cards’ Wainright, who pitched Wednesday, joins FS1
St. Louis Cardinals P Adam Wainright is joining Fox Sports as a game analyst for its remaining White Sox-Astros ALDS games, it was announced Thursday. The news came just one day after Wainright started, and pitched six innings of, the Cardinals’ NL Wild Card loss to the Dodgers. Wainright will form a three-man booth with Adam Amin and AJ Pierzynski beginning with Game 3 Sunday (Friday’s Game 2 airs on MLB Network). [Fox Sports PR]
