ESPN still hopes to secure rights to UFC events; a new documentary will cover TNT’s final NBA season; MLS sticking with the current schedule format, for now; Jeff Darlington approaches contract deadline.
ESPN still in UFC rights mix despite looming expiration of negotiating window
ESPN is still interested in renewing its rights deal with UFC, despite the upcoming expiration of the two sides’ exclusive negotiating window, according to Sports Business Journal. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told SBJ the network “remain[s] interested in trying to figure something out” with UFC. The country’s largest mixed martial arts promotion is reportedly targeting $1 billion in annual rights fees, an increase in the roughly $300 million ESPN is currently paying.
UFC remains open to splitting its rights between multiple partners to reach that target rights fee. There has long been speculation that Netflix would bid on a package of UFC rights, given the streamer’s worldwide reach and existing relationship with UFC’s sister company WWE.
TNT teases new “Inside” doc
TNT shared a trailer for an upcoming documentary on Thursday, the final night of the network’s more than 35 years of regular-season NBA coverage. The documentary, titled “Going Inside”, will release in May and chronicle the network’s final season of coverage, with a particular focus on the Inside the NBA studio personalities. No details were announced on length, format, or platform for the documentary’s release.
The network’s final NBA game telecasts will be the Eastern Conference Finals from May 19-June 2, but Inside will continue next season, as TNT brokered a deal to license the show to ESPN.
The show would be the second documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic studio show. In 2021, TNT produced “The Inside Story” and earned an Emmy nomination for the four-part series.
MLS pushing back plans for fall-to-spring schedule
Major League Soccer said Thursday that it will not switch to a fall-to-spring schedule — in line with major leagues around the world — until 2027 at the earliest. A previously-reported plan had been to begin a 2026-27 season in August, weeks after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held largely in the United States. In a statement, MLS said the league will continue exploring the concept, with a change coming no earlier than 2027.
Among the challenges with a switch to a fall-to-spring schedule would be the transition period itself. The league would either have to not play between the 2025 playoffs in December and the start of the new season in August 2026, or stage a mini-season beginning in February concluding in late May before the World Cup. Additionally, outdoor stadiums in Canada and the northern US make staging matches in the winter difficult.
Jeff Darlington approaching contract expiration
ESPN NFL and golf reporter Jeff Darlington is nearing the end of his current contract with ESPN, which will expire this summer, according to Front Office Sports. Sources indicated to FOS the network hopes to renew his deal. Darlington, 43, joined ESPN in 2016 and has earned praise for his coverage of breaking news events in the NFL and golf.
