YouTube’s new sports exec faces a lawsuit from his former employer; Apple joins the list of parties interested in ESPN’s MLB rights; and more.
Disney suing YouTube over exec hire
The Walt Disney Company is suing Google over its hire of former ESPN executive Justin Connolly, who left the network on Friday to join YouTube, according to The Athletic. Connolly, who is also a defendant in Disney’s suit, previously worked for the company for more than two decades overseeing content distribution platforms. He was under contract with Disney and was a key figure in the launch of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming product.
Connolly was also involved in renewing the company’s distribution deals with YouTube, among others. In the suit, Disney claims YouTube’s hire of Connolly would be “extremely prejudicial” given his involvement with deals between the two companies.
At YouTube, Connolly will serve as the digital giant’s global head of sports and media. His hire suggests YouTube intends to be a player in future major sports rights negotiations. YouTube announced last week they will exclusively carry the NFL’s International Series game in Week 1 of the 2025 season and is also the exclusive distributor of the Sunday Ticket out-of-market package.
Apple also in talks for Sunday Night Baseball package
Apple is engaged in “extensive” talks with Major League Baseball about acquiring ESPN’s rights package, according to John Ourand of Puck. Apple joins NBC Sports — whose interest was reported by the WSJ earlier this week — as well as other streamers: Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube.
According to Ourand, Apple’s existing relationship with MLB for its Friday night games has helped advance talks. ESPN has not engaged in talks since announcing in March it would exercise the opt-out in its current MLB deal, but was open to renewing at a lower price point.
It is unlikely Apple would be willing to pay the $550 million annual rights fee ESPN is paying, but the Ourand report implied that Apple is offering more than NBC. Any deal would be a short-term agreement, with all of MLB’s national rights (Fox and WBD) coming up for renewal after the 2028 season.
Plus: UEFA, Meadowlark, volleyball, Mark Packer
— Disney+ has acquired European rights to broadcast the UEFA Women’s Champions League in a five-year deal beginning with the 2025-26 season, according to The Athletic. ESPN will produce the telecasts. UEFA also plans to license select matches to free-to-air broadcasters in the region.
— The DraftKings betting platform has renewed its sponsorship deal with Meadowlark Media, including The Dan Le Batard Show, according to Front Office Sports. DraftKings will also handle ad sales and content distribution.
— ESPN announced Thursday the creation of a new ACC vs. SEC women’s volleyball series, highlighted by a neutral-site event in Fort Worth. The “Showdown at the Net” will feature 14 on-campus games on ESPN networks on September 9-10, plus Kentucky–Pittsburgh and Louisville–Texas in Fort Worth. The format is similar to the ACC-SEC challenge events ESPN has created for men’s and women’s basketball.
— ACC Network host Mark Packer announced his retirement on Thursday. Packer was one of the first hires when ACCN was created in 2019. Packer cited “personal and professional” challenges, but did not offer specifics.
