NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson will host a similar whiparound show for NBC’s Olympics coverage. Plus: an update on negotiations between ESPN and the NFL; the WNBA is reportedly looking to negotiate its next rights deal separately from the NBA; and more.
RedZone host Hanson to host “Gold Zone” Olympic show for NBC
NBC Sports announced Wednesday that current NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson will serve as one of the hosts for the “Gold Zone” Olympic whiparound show on Peacock during the Paris Summer Games. Gold Zone — as one would assume from the title — is modeled after Red Zone and will feature cutaways to as many as 40 live, concurrent events.
Hanson joins Andrew Siciliano — who hosted the DirecTV version of RedZone from 2005-22 — and “American Ninja Warrior” hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila in hosting “Gold Zone.” Siciliano previously hosted “Gold Zone” during the 2014 and 2016 Olympics.
Paris will be the first Olympic assignment for Hanson, who has hosted the NFL Network version of RedZone since its inception in 2009.
The “Gold Zone” show is set to run from 7 AM ET through 5 PM each day. Hanson will open each day of coverage, followed by Siciliano and then the pairing of Iseman and Gbajabiamila.
ESPN, NFL, remain in negotiations for equity stake
ESPN and the NFL remain in negotiations on a deal that would give the league an equity stake in the network and the network control of the league’s media apparatus, The Athletic reported Tuesday. The network is also pursuing a similar deal with the NBA, whose executives are said to be interested — if more focused presently on media rights negotiations. MLB and the NHL are also possibilities if the first two options fall through.
Per the report, ESPN and the NFL are haggling over the value both of ESPN and NFL Media.
Other notable items from The Athletic report include that ESPN and the NBA are “apart” on financial terms as they negotiate a new media rights deal, and that ESPN will weigh either opting out of or renegotiating its MLB deal after next season.
WNBA reportedly weighs negotiating rights deal separately from NBA
The WNBA is considering negotiating its next media rights deal separately from the NBA, Front Office Sports reported Tuesday. The league’s primary broadcast deal with ESPN, which reportedly accounts for two-thirds of its $60 million/year media rights revenues, is part of the NBA’s broader media rights agreement with the network. The WNBA is said to be willing to negotiate its own deal separately if it is not able “get what it wants jointly.” In a statement shared with this website, an NBA spokesperson said the two leagues are “are approaching the marketplace jointly but remain open to all options.”
While the ESPN deal accounts for the lion’s share of WNBA rights revenue, the league does have several other deals that were negotiated separately with CBS Sports, ION and Amazon. (via Awful Announcing 3.20)
Plus: Rutledge & Darlington, League Pass, IndyCar rights
— ESPN NFL reporters Laura Rutledge and Jeff Darlington have been added to the network’s coverage of the Masters golf tournament, it was announced Wednesday, marking the first time either has covered the event. Rutledge will host the two-hour “Welcome to the Masters” preview show that leads into ESPN’s first and second round coverage, filling a role held by Scott Van Pelt last year, while Darlington will serve as a reporter for SportsCenter and other programs.
— The NBA will begin offering League Pass subscribers the option to display betting odds on-screen as they watch games, The Athletic was first to report Tuesday. The betting information, which will be provided by Sportradar, will consist of point spreads, money lines and over/unders “for now,” and include links to FanDuel or DraftKings where users will be able to place bets. As gambling is not legal nationwide, the links to FanDuel and DraftKings will not be visible in states where betting remains against the law.
— Fox Sports is said to be a leading contender to acquire rights to the IndyCar Series, CEO Mark Miles told Front Office Sports in a piece published Monday. Incumbent NBC is in the final year of its current contract and is interested in renewing. Per the report, IndyCar is not looking to split its rights among multiple partners, as was the case for years when the series aired on ABC and NBCSN.
