The NBA is closer than initially thought to reaching media rights extensions with ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery. Plus: Bill Belichick would become a regular “Manningcast” guest under a potential deal with Omaha Productions; JJ Redick is being termed a “serious candidate” for the Hornets coaching job.
NBA closer than expected to deals with ESPN, WBD
ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA made more progress during their exclusive negotiating window than initially thought and as of Monday were close to a handshake agreement on a new media rights deal, John Ourand of Puck reported Monday. In addition, per Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal and Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal, both ESPN and WBD are able under the existing contract to match any deal the NBA reaches with a third party like Amazon or Comcast. The NBA’s exclusive negotiating window with ESPN and WBD lapsed Monday and the league is now free to talk with other companies.
[Related: Taking stock of NBA media rights as exclusive negotiating window ends]
Belichick close to Omaha deal that would include regular appearances on Manningcast
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is close to reaching a deal with Omaha Productions to appear regularly on ESPN’s Peyton and Eli Manning-hosted Monday Night Football “Manningcast,” Andrew Marchand of The Athletic wrote Wednesday. Belichick’s dalliance with the Manning-owned production company has been well-documented. In addition to the “Manningcast” role, it is possible that Belichick would also be part of a separate Omaha-produced football program.
Redick a “serious candidate” for Hornets, may interview for other jobs
NBA reporter Shams Charania said on the FanDuel morning show “Run it Back” Wednesday that ESPN NBA analyst JJ Redick has completed his interview for the Charlotte Hornets coaching job and is a “serious candidate” for the position. He added that Redick has a “strong desire” to enter coaching and may interview for additional jobs in the current coaching cycle.
Redick joined ESPN’s lead NBA analyst team midway through this season as a replacement for Doc Rivers, who left ESPN just three months into his second stint with the company.
