Scott Hanson discusses NFL RedZone; Scott O’Neil comments on the state of golf; and The CW reveals a new Saturday college football show. Plus news about the NBA Schedule, Yahoo Sports, James Palmer and Mike Missanelli.
Hanson open to college “RedZone” role
NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson indicated that he may have interest in being part of a potential college football “RedZone” program if ESPN offered, he said on “The Rich Eisen Show” Monday. “If Bob Iger, Jimmy Pitaro, Burke Magnus want to hit me up, hey. I love college — I love college every bit as much as I love pros.” Hanson is heading into his 17th season hosting NFL RedZone after reaching a new contract during the offseason.
ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Media properties includes broad rights to the RedZone brand, prompting speculation about the name being used on other sports, including college football — which NFL commissioner Roger Goodell floated as a possibility during an interview with CNBC last week. The deal still has to be approved by the government, a process Hanson said could as mcuh as two years.
As for the present day version of RedZone, Hanson was unable to offer a direct answer when asked about the inclusion of ad breaks on the popular whiparound show. “There are people who can answer that question, and they’re not sitting in this chair right now,” Hanson said. “I host, they do the business, but I’ll tell you this. No matter what hand I’m dealt or we’re dealt, I’m going to give you the best experience that I possibly can.”
RedZone started experimenting with commercials for parts of last season, receiving some pushback from its fanbase. A report from Jacob Feldman of Sportico cited “someone with direct knowledge of the league’s thinking” as saying that any permanent change would be considered for the 2025 season at earliest.
O’Neil: ‘less scar tissue’ in golf industry
New LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said on “The Colin Cowherd Podcast” this weekend that there is “less scar tissue” in the professional golf industry due to the presence of new executives at the major tours. “I’m new, the LPGA commissioner is new, Brian at the PGA Tour is new, Mark Darbon at the R&A is new, so you have all these new people here. And why are we all here? Because the boards in all of golf looked around and said, ‘Huh, I don’t think this is good enough. I don’t think we’re heading in the right direction. I think we’ve got to find a way to put more players playing together. … Why are we competing against ourselves so much?'”
O’Neil and PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp attended Harvard Business School together and have a preexisting relationship. As these golf entities coexist and compete for shares of attention and notoriety both in the United States and worldwide, there has been speculation surrounding unification of LIV and the PGA TOUR.
The CW Network announces Saturday college football pre-show
Nexstar-owned CW announced Monday that it will create a new pregame show ahead of its Saturday college football broadcasts. Titled “CW Football Saturday Countdown,” the show will be hosted by Mike Yam alongside studio analysts Michael Bumpus and George Wrighster, debuting September 13 at 4 PM ET. The show will be produced by Pac-12 Enterprises, but precede both Pac-12 and ACC games on the network.
Outside of the new studio program, Thom Brennaman will be back for a second season as the lead play-by-play commentator for the ACC games with booth analyst Will Blackmon and sideline analyst Wes Bryant. Ted Robinson and booth analyst Ryan Leaf for Pac-12 games will be joined by sideline analyst Nigel Burton on Pac-12 contests.
Plus: NBA schedule, Yahoo Sports, James Palmer, Mike Missanelli
- The full NBA regular-season schedule will be released on Thursday, Aug. 14, but some of the signature games slated to air on ESPN, ABC, NBC and Peacock will be revealed on “Good Morning America” and “Today” on Tuesday morning. It was previously reported that NBC would feature an opening night doubleheader with Rockets-Thunder and Warriors-Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
- Yahoo Sports has announced that former DIRECTV “NFL RedZone” host Andrew Siciliano will anchor the weekday evening program “Inside Coverage,” which will break down the latest news and transactions around the NFL. In addition, Yahoo Sports premiered its new morning show on Monday, titled “Yahoo Sports Daily,” featuring hosts Caroline Fenton and Jason Fitz.
- James Palmer is joining the “Scoop City” podcast from The Athletic this season, he revealed in a social media post on Monday. Palmer will be on every episode of the show as it enters its second season alongside hosts Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel.
- Mike Missanelli has departed 97.5 The Fanatic amid larger cuts at stations owned by Beasley Media Group. According to Kevin Kinkead of Crossing Broad, Missanelli was let go by the station on Friday afternoon and under contract through the conclusion of the NFL season.
