The timeline on NASCAR’s new media rights deals has reportedly been pushed back a few weeks as negotiations with Amazon slow down. Plus: Disney has offered Sage Steele a six-figure settlement; Jason McCourty is joining CBS for select NFL games.
Timeline on NASCAR deal pushed back as streaming negotiations slow down
NASCAR is no longer expected to reach new media rights deals by July 4, with that timeline pushed back into late summer or early fall, Sports Business Journal reported Monday. Incumbents Fox and NBC Sports are still expected to renew their deals, but talks with Amazon on a streaming package have gone longer than expected. Amazon is said to remain interested in a deal, though price is a concern.
Per the report, NASCAR is also backing off of plans to shift its entire Xfinity Series schedule to a streaming service, instead opting for a split between linear TV and streaming. (SBJ 6.26)
Disney offers Steele $500K settlement
Disney is offering SportsCenter anchor Sage Steele $501,000 plus attorney fees to settle the lawsuit she brought against ESPN earlier this year, but her attorney told the New York Post Monday that the offer “misses the point.”
After being taken off the air and removed from some assignments in 2021 for comments she made on a podcast, Steele filed suit against ESPN last year alleging breach of contract and violation of a Connecticut law that prohibits private companies from punishing employees for exercising their first amendment rights. Her lawyer implied Monday that Steele would prefer an apology and change of policy to a monetary award. (NYP 6.26)
“GMFB” co-host McCourty to call games for CBS
NFL Network “Good Morning Football” analyst Jason McCourty will call select NFL games for CBS this season, the New York Post reported Monday. McCourty began his broadcasting career with NFL Network last year. His brother Devin is set to debut on NBC’s “Football Night in America” this season.
In other NFL analyst news, the Post also reported that Tiki Barber will call a full-time schedule of games for CBS this season. Barber has called select games for the network since 2019. (NYP 6.26)
