An ESPN reorganization has put more of the network’s prized properties under the aegis of Norby Williamson. Plus: NBC Sports Washington has rebranded; the Orioles and Nationals have settled part of a long legal dispute, and more — including the return of Slamball.
ESPN reorganization expands Norby’s domain
ESPN executives Norby Williamson and Dave Roberts — who have been in charge of, among other things, ESPN’s debate shows and NBA studio coverage — will assume responsibility over all of the company’s live event and studio production, it was announced Wednesday. Williamson will now oversee all of ESPN football content, replacing Stephanie Druley on the NFL, while Roberts will add college sports (excluding football and baseball), Formula 1, ACC Network and the ESPYs.
ESPN has also shaken up its programming team, naming a replacement for recently laid off ESPN+ executive Russell Wolff (John Lasker) and adding oversight of MLB and NHL to Julie Sobieski, who was already responsible for the NFL, NBA, WNBA and UFC.
Adding to the turnover is the departure of Laura Gentile, who is departing her role as EVP of ESPN marketing after 20 years. She will be replaced by 30-year vet Tina Thornton. (ESPN memo via Deitsch/Twitter 6.21, Sports Business Journal 6.21 a, b)
NBC Sports Washington rebranding, adds Nichols show
NBC Sports Washington is rebranding as Monumental Sports Network, it was announced Wednesday. The RSN, which Capitals, Wizards and Mystics owner Ted Leonsis acquired majority control of last year, extends beyond a name and logo change and also includes a number of original series — including one hosted by Showtime contributor Rachel Nichols and new weekly series focused on the Capitals and Wizards.
The rebranded network is also pledging to travel sideline reporters to the site of all games and provide at least 100 alternate feeds of Capitals and Wizards games each season.
The rebrand is expected to occur ahead of the coming NBA and NHL seasons. (Monumental PR 6.21)
Orioles, Nationals, settle part of rights fee dispute
The Orioles and Nationals have settled part of a long-running legal dispute concerning the value of the Nationals’ media rights, which the Orioles control as part of an agreement allowing the then-Expos to move to Washington in 2005. The Nationals in 2012 accused MASN — the RSN controlled by the Orioles — of paying less for Nationals rights fees than they were worth.
Under the unusual agreement allowing the Orioles control of the Nationals rights, an MLB committee decides what the rights are worth if the teams do not agree. MLB determined that the Orioles owed $100 million, a figure that was affirmed in an appeals court after MASN sued. The Orioles have now pledged to pay that amount. There is still a dispute over the value of the rights beyond the 2016 season. (Washington Post 6.20)
Plus: Slamball, NBA All-Star weekend, Jeter debut
- Slamball, the soon-to-be-relaunched trampoline basketball league that has run on-and-off dating back to 2002, announced Wednesday that it has reached a two-year agreement with ESPN that will include 30 hours of live game programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+. The new league is set to debut July 21 in primetime on ESPN and run through August 19. (Slamball PR)
- Next year’s NBA All-Star Saturday Night is set to take place from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, though the game itself will remain in the smaller Bankers Life Fieldhouse, it was announced Wednesday. The NBA has not held any of its All-Star weekend festivities in a football stadium since 2010, when the game took place at Cowboys Stadium. (Fieldhouse Files 6.23)
- New Fox Sports MLB analyst Derek Jeter is set to make is on-air debut this weekend at the MLB London Series between the Cardinals and Cubs. Jeter will join Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and host Kevin Burkhardt on-site in London. (Fox Sports PR)
