Paramount is reportedly set for more layoffs; ESPN networks could be airing their last “Monday Night Football” doubleheader; and Bimal Kapadia is revealed as the new CEO for Meadowlark Media. Plus news about Michael Jordan, MLS on Apple TV, FanDuel and FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Paramount layoffs reportedly starting next week
Paramount Skydance is preparing for mass layoffs across the company beginning next week, it was reported by Anthony D’Alessandro of Deadline. The cuts will take place in multiple rounds through the end of this year. Company chairman and CEO David Ellison was said in August to be targeting $2 billion in cuts.
Paramount president Jeff Shell had previously signaled his preference to conduct the layoffs in one fell swoop “and then be done with it.” The expected job cuts would come after Skydance Investor Group added $1.5 billion to Paramount’s balance sheet to fortify operations and invest in new content.
Under Paramount’s final earnings report before the Skydance transaction, the company reported long-term debt of $14.2 billion. That came after the company cut 3.5% of its U.S. workforce in June. Paramount also laid off 15% of its U.S. workforce during the summer and fall of last year in an effort to lower annual costs by about $500 million.
The cuts come as Paramount is believed to be pursuing an acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery that could cost as much as $60 billion.
ESPN ‘Monday Night Football’ doubleheaders could continue if NFL deal delayed
ESPN could continue carrying “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders next season if the company’s nonbinding agreement with the National Football League is not finalized by spring, sources told David Rumsey of Front Office Sports. The Monday doubleheaders would be discontinued under the proposed deal, with the four extra games on those nights (three on ABC; one on ESPN+) becoming part of NFL Network inventory. (NFL Network will continue airing seven total windows, between the four aforementioned telecasts and three new game windows ESPN is acquiring from the NFL.).
But if the deal is delayed — and it still has to be granted approval by the federal government — ESPN would evidently continue operating under its current rights deal.
Should the deal close as constructed, ESPN would air one “Monday Night Football” game for the first 17 weeks of the NFL season. The company would then continue to have a doubleheader occurring on Saturday during Week 18 and present two playoff games.
ESPN and Disney-owned ABC will broadcast Super Bowl LXI to conclude the 2026 season from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Kapadia named CEO of Meadowlark Media
Meadowlark Media has named Bimal Kapadia as its next CEO, according to Alex Weprin of The Hollywood Reporter. Kapadia succeeds John Skipper in the role after he departed the company, although he remains on its board and has continued to appear on episodes of “The Sporting Class” podcast. Dan Le Batard, who co-founded Meadowlark Media with Skipper, said in an interview with Weprin that Kapadia possesses experience, care and vision to render their “weird spaceship a new kind of media machine as turbulence rattles the rest of the industry and country.”
Kapadia, who has worked for the media company as COO since its launch in 2021, is said to be focused on utilizing the foundation established through the DraftKings deal for “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and licensing agreement with The Athletic for “Pablo Torre Finds Out” to create both new and spinoff shows. The company has undergone various changes of late with the departure of Billy Gil, move of Jessica Smetana to New York City and reduced role of Jon “Stugotz” Weiner to build his own independent venture.
In discussing his new role, Kapadia said that his job is to allow Le Batard to focus on creating content and taking care of the business elements of the operation. Kapadia called Le Batard “one of the best storytellers, thinkers, creatives that’s out there.”
Prior to his time with Meadowlark Media, Kapadia worked as the head of global content and business development for The Players’ Tribune. In addition, he served as the senior director of ESPN FC and international digital media during landmark events such as FIFA World Cup 2014 and UEFA Euro 2016. Kapadia is a graduate of William & Mary where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Plus: Michael Jordan, MLS on Apple TV, NBA, FIFA Women’s World Cup
- NBC Sports announced Monday that it is launching a season-long interview series featuring NBA contributor Michael Jordan. Called “MJ: Insights to Excellence,” the first installment will feature Jordan being interviewed by Mike Tirico in a segment that will air during halftime coverage of Rockets-Thunder Tuesday night.
- Major League Soccer playoff matches will be available for all Apple TV subscribers to view for no additional cost, according to a report by Alex Silverman of Sports Business Journal. The championship game, along with select playoff contests, will air on FS1 and Fox Deportes in the United States, and through TSN and RDS in Canada.
- FanDuel will continue televising Euroleague Basketball games through 2028 under an extension of its media rights contract, it was announced Monday. The deal ensures that EuroLeague games will air on FanDuel TV Extra and FanDuel TV+, and select contests will also air on FanDuel-branded RSNs and the FDSN app.
- The football federations of the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica have announced a joint bid to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031, it was announced on Monday in New York City. Although the host countries have not yet been determined, the tournament will be streaming exclusively on Netflix in the United States and Canada.
