Erin Andrews reveals that she is in the final year of her FOX contract. Plus: The Masters announces expanded coverage plans on Paramount+; Portland tapped as the next city for WNBA expansion; Utah Hockey Club launches streaming service.
Erin Andrews is in contract year at FOX
FOX lead NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews revealed that she is in the final year of her contract with the network in the latest episode of her “Calm Down” podcast with co-host Charissa Thompson on Tuesday. Andrews publicly disclosed in 2022 that she had signed a 3-year extension with the network.
The sideline reporter has been with FOX since 2012 following an eight-year stint at ESPN. She has served in sideline roles for many of FOX’s marquee properties including the Super Bowl, World Series, Daytona 500, and college football. Andrews gave no indication whether she plans to reup with FOX or look elsewhere following the network’s Super Bowl coverage in February. (NY Post, 9.18)
The Masters to see expanded coverage on Paramount+
Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley announced in a press release Tuesday that The Masters will debut five hours of additional coverage during the 2025 edition of the tournament. CBS will air one additional hour of coverage during the third round on Saturday, with the new broadcast window starting an hour earlier than normal at 2PM ET. Paramount+ will air two new hours of exclusive coverage during the third round and final round from 12PM ET to 2PM ET.
CBS and The Masters have a unique relationship dating back nearly seven decades. Rather than charging CBS a media rights fee, The Masters grants the network broadcast rights for free to maintain a level of editorial control over the television product. This includes a limitation on commercial time to four minutes per hour, which will remain unchanged in the added windows. (The Masters, 9.17)
Portland to claim newest WNBA expansion franchise
Portland will round out the WNBA’s three team expansion, bringing the total number of franchises in the league from 12 to 15 by 2026. Golden State and Toronto have also been awarded franchises recently, with Golden State slated to start competing next season. The franchise will be owned by the Bhathal family who currently owns the NWSL’s Portland Thorns and are investors in the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Portland was home to a WNBA franchise — the Portland Fire — for three years from 2000-2002 before folding.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has publicly jockeyed for a 16th expansion franchise in recent days. The WNBA continues to have tremendous ratings success this season, with 24 telecasts surpassing the one-million viewer mark. (WNBA, 9.18)
Utah Hockey Club launches streaming service
The Utah Hockey Club announced plans to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service for the upcoming season on Thursday. The service, headed by SEG Media who launched a similar service for the Utah Jazz, will allow fans to stream every Utah Hockey Club game for an annual price of $69.99. There will also be a monthly option for $14.99 and single game options for $5 per game. Alternatively, fans can bundle UtahHC+ and Jazz+ for $174.99 annually — about $20 less than each service separately.
Both the Jazz and Utah Hockey Club have also struck deals with local over-the-air affiliates that fans can access for free via antenna. Jazz games will air on Sinclair’s KJZZ while Utah Hockey Club games will air on Scripps’ KUPX. (Utah Hockey Club, 9.19)
