The Notre Dame-NBC partnership will continue through at least 2029. Plus: the sports media controversy du jour and an update on the “Pac-2.”
Notre Dame, NBC, extend deal through 2029
NBC Sports announced Saturday that it has reached a media rights extension with Notre Dame to continue carrying the school’s football home games through 2029. The extension will bring NBC’s total tenure with Notre Dame, which began in 1991, to nearly 40 years. The deal also would seem to close the door on Notre Dame joining a conference in the near term.
There is little new in the deal, as NBC will continue to carry games on its broadcast network with some airing exclusively on the Peacock streaming service. One new element is a yearly documentary series about Notre Dame football that will air on Peacock starting next year. (NBC Sports PR)
Charissa Explains It All
Fox Sports and Amazon NFL host Charissa Thompson said on social media Friday that she did not, as she appeared to suggest on a recent podcast, fabricate interactions with coaches when she worked as sideline reporter earlier in her career. Appearing as a guest on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Thompson said she used to “make up” sideline reports if she was unable to get information from a coach. That disclosure prompted a multi-day news cycle of critical statements and commentary.
Thompson clarified on Friday that she would use information she gleaned from watching the game in creating her reports and did not attribute any of her statements to a coach or player. (The Athletic 10.17)
Oregon State, Washington State, get NCAA permission for “Pac-2”
The two schools remaining in the Pac-12 after this season, Oregon State and Washington State, have received confirmation from the NCAA that they can compete as part of a two-team conference, the San Jose Mercury-News reported Saturday. The NCAA requires each conference in FBS to consist of at least eight teams, but allows a two-year grace period in the event that membership falls below that number.
The so-called “Pac-2” won control over the Pac-12 board of governors after a Washington judge ruled in their favor on Tuesday, but that decision was stayed Friday by the state supreme court. (Mercury-News 11.18)
