The Pac-12 and ESPN are not communicating on a deal, the Oakland A’s let go of Glen Kuiper. Plus: Devin McCourty joins Football Night in America and Diamond Sports unlikely to make Padres payment.
Pac-12 and ESPN are not close to a deal
ESPN and the Pac-12 are not in “substantive” discussions regarding a new media rights deal, and its involvement in an eventual deal is “unlikely,” the New York Post reported this week. ESPN, which is in the midst of widespread layoffs mandated by parent company Disney, has of late shown a willingness to part ways with core properties like the Big Ten and has also failed in pursuit of other high-profile properties, such as NFL Sunday Ticket or the Premier League.
The company has also exercised a certain amount of restraint in the deals it has struck, securing the Big 12 “A” package for a modest increase over the current deal and scaling back its Major League Baseball coverage for a reduced rights fee. With NBA rights negotiations looming, ESPN may not be in a position to overextend for rights viewed as ancillary.
The Pac-12 has found limited interest from buyers in what will be a watered-down package with the departures of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten. (NY Post 5.22)
Glen Kuiper out as A’s broadcaster
The Oakland A’s on Monday fired play-by-play voice Glen Kuiper more than two weeks after an on-air incident in which he uttered what sounded like a racial slur while describing a trip to the Negro League Baseball Museum. Kuiper apologized later in the broadcast and later received a statement of support from museum president Bob Kendrick.
In a statement released Monday evening Kuiper said, “I will always have a hard time understanding how one mistake in a 20-year broadcasting career is cause for termination, but I know something better is in my future.” (NBC Sports California 5.22)
Devin McCourty heads to Football Night in America
Recently retired former NFL S Devin McCourty has joined NBC Sports as an analyst for Football Night in America. He joins his brother Jason, who appears on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, in entering the media space.
Last season, McCourty made appearances on NFL Today for CBS while still an active player.
McCourty work alongside the returning Tony Dungy, Jason Garrett, and Maria Taylor on NBC’s pregame. (NBC 5.23)
Diamond may miss upcoming Padres payment
There is a “good chance” Diamond Sports Group will miss a May 30th rights payment to the San Diego Padres, sending the team’s broadcast rights back to the MLB, according to Sports Business Journal.
Diamond is still making payments to teams amidst ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, but are looking to keep contracts with teams they find profitable while ditching contracts that are not.
Should Diamond miss payments for other teams, MLB is prepared to take over the production and distribution of those games. (SBJ 5.22)
