Colorado is the latest Pac-12 school to head for the exits; Comcast is unlikely to enter into a partnership with ESPN; Bomani Jones says his time with ESPN is up; layoffs hit the NBA.
Colorado makes it three Pac-12 teams exiting after this season
The University of Colorado on Thursday officially voted to leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12 next year, making it the third Pac-12 school set to depart the conference after this season. Colorado joined the Pac-12 after leaving the Big 12 in 2010. Hours after the news was made official, the Pac-12 said in a statement that it plans to expand as soon as it reaches its long-awaited new media rights deal. The conference would be down to nine members after next season without any expansion, assuming its remaining teams stay put. (Colorado 7.27, Pac-12 7.27)
Comcast president pours cold water on rumors of ESPN partnership
Comcast president Mike Cavanagh said in an earnings call Thursday that the prospect of the company entering a partnership with ESPN is “very improbable,” at least temporarily putting to rest rumors to the contrary. Since Disney CEO Bob Iger said earlier this month that his company was seeking a “strategic partner” for ESPN, Comcast has been mentioned as a potential candidate.
In the same earnings call, Cavanaugh reiterated Comcast’s interest in an NBA rights deal. Comcast-owned NBC held NBA rights from 1990-2002. (Hollywood Reporter 7.27)
Jones says his ESPN contract will not be renewed
Longtime ESPN contributor Bomani Jones said on the House of Strauss podcast Monday that he will not have his contract renewed, marking the end of his decade-long run with the company. (He specified that he is not part of ESPN’s recent wave of layoffs.)
Jones, who previously worked for ESPN from 2006-07, has most recently been host of “The Right Time” podcast. Earlier in his tenure, he co-hosted the since-cancelled ESPN daytime shows “High Noon” and “Highly Questionable.” (House of Strauss 7.24)
Layoffs hit NBA
The NBA on Thursday laid off “dozens” of employees as part of what the league is calling a “reallocation of resources” to higher-priority areas of its business, per Sports Business Journal. The layoffs were concentrated on non-revenue departments such as public relations. Among the cuts was longtime NBA PR representative Mike Wade, who handled communications for both the NBA and WNBA. (Sports Business Journal 7.27)
