ESPN bolsters its hockey coverage signing Greg Wyshynski and Arda Öcal to multi-year deals. Andraya Carter set to become analyst for “College GameDay.” Play-by-play announcer Mike Monaco signs extension with ESPN. Plus: Tennis Channel adds Nick Kyrgios for ATP Finals; Tiger Woods to co-own TGL team; USL inks deal with CBS
ESPN signs Wyshynski and Öcal for NHL coverage
NHL analyst Greg Wyshynski has signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN, the network announced Tuesday. Creator of the “Puck Daddy” hockey blog for Yahoo Sports, Wyshynski joined ESPN in 2017 as an analyst and writer.
Wyshynski’s role at ESPN grew to include more regular “SportsCenter” appearances after the network secured media rights for the NHL in 2021. The writer and analyst also hosts “The Drop” podcast for the network.
In other NHL on ESPN news, the network signed Arda Öcal to a multi-year deal on Tuesday. Öcal will continue to be a studio host for “NHL on ESPN” and “The Point,” while co-hosting “The Drop” with Wyshynski. (ESPN, 11.7 a, b)
Andraya Carter tapped for GameDay at ESPN
ESPN announced on Monday it will add analyst Andraya Carter to the basketball version of “College GameDay.” A rising star at ESPN, Carter earned high-profile assignments such as the NBA Draft and WNBA Finals this year, and will be the first woman to hold a permanent analyst seat on “GameDay.”
Carter will be flanked by returners Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, and Seth Greenberg while Jay Williams returns to the program after his departure in 2019. Notably absent from the desk this year is LaPhonso Ellis, who was apart of ESPN’s layoffs earlier this summer and was recently announced as a game analyst for Fox. (ESPN, 11.6, Fox Sports, 11.3)
ESPN and Mike Monaco agree to extension
ESPN has inked play-by-play announcer Mike Monaco to a three-year deal, per the New York Post. Monaco signed with ESPN in 2019 and has proven himself a versatile asset for the network covering everything from the Little League World Series to college football and lacrosse.
Outside of his work at ESPN, Monaco serves as a fill-in broadcaster for the Red Sox on NESN. Prior to signing with ESPN, Monaco had a stint from 2017-2019 with Fox Sports and Big Ten Network. (NY Post, 11.6)
Plus: Kyrgios, Tiger, USL
— Tennis Channel has added the polarizing former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios to its broadcast team for the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin, per release. Kyrgios is known for his fiery and confrontational personality on the court, a characteristic that could appeal to television viewers. The 2022 Australian Open Doubles Champion has battled injuries for much of the year, missing each of the four Grand Slams. Kyrgios will join Tennis Channel regulars Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, and Paul Annacone as analysts. (Tennis Channel, 11.7)
— Tiger Woods was named partial owner and player for the final TGL team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, announced Tuesday. David Blitzer, who owns stakes in the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, is also part of the ownership group. TGL is a team-based indoor golf league formed by Rory McIlroy and Woods’ TMRW Sports. Matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, with the inaugural match set for January 9th on ESPN in prime time.
— The United Soccer League — the second division league on the U.S. soccer pyramid — has agreed to a multi-year media rights deal with CBS, per release. The agreement will see 100 USL matches broadcast across CBS platforms, including the final on CBS broadcast channel. 75 matches will air on CBS Sports Golazo, the 24/7 FAST channel launched by CBS earlier this year.
