NASCAR media rights renewal talks are underway. Plus: more details on the Pac-12’s timeline for their new media deal and possible expansion; the White Sox keep their broadcast booth in tact; and more sports media news.
NASCAR media rights talks begin
Per John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal NASCAR has began renewal talks with Fox and NBC. The two networks currently hold the rights and are at the beginning of their exclusive negotiating window. Ourand reports that although there is a significant inclination from all sides to continue their partnership, NASCAR also wants to create a third package deal for a streaming giant, most likely Amazon. NASCAR’s current contract is worth approximately $820 million annually and runs through 2024. Amid the decline in viewership for Cup Series races, Ourand expects the new contract to be a long term deal at a similar or slightly higher number, with negotiations unlikely to be finalized before this fall. (Ourand 1.30)
Pac-12 media deal and expansion timeline
According to a CBS Sports report, the Pac-12 is expecting to finalize its media rights deal in the first quarter of 2023. The report expects a deal to be made with a streaming service – most likely Amazon – and with ESPN. In addition, Jon Wilner of The Mercury News reported that the conference will not replace recently fired Pac-12 Networks president Mark Shuken. This would seem to indicate a change in content distribution strategy, one where Pac-12 games could be held by Amazon or ESPN+. Following the conclusion of their media rights negotiations, the Pac-12 is expected to pursue expansion to replace Big Ten-bound UCLA and USC. CBS Sports expects that San Diego State will be the first new addition to help paper the southern California hole in their current footprint. (CBS Sports 1.26, Wilner 1.26)
White Sox keep Benetti and Stone
The Chicago White Sox have announced they have reached an agreement with announcers Jason Benetti and Steve Stone to return to the broadcast booth for an 8th and 16th season, respectively. Benetti’s deal will include the ability to miss games to work for Fox Sports’s college football and basketball coverage. Benetti’s previous contract also included this provision. (Awful Announcing 1.26)
Plus: More MLS announcers, Copa America, NWSL expansion
MLS and Apple announced an additional 31 on air personalities including names such as Adrian Healey, Keith Costigan, and Danny Higginbotham, among others. … Per The Athletic, the United State will officially host the 2024 Copa America in addition to expanding the 2024 women’s Gold Cup to include four South American nations. … The NWSL will expand by 3 teams, with San Francisco and Utah entering in 2024 and Boston at a later date, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. (MLS 1.30, The Athletic 1.27, WSJ 1.27)
