MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discusses league media rights; Versant is branding sports content on USA Network and Golf Channel; and Rich Eisen is making a special appearance on “SportsCenter.” Plus news about Stephen A. Smith, Colin Kaepernick, TGL on ABC and NASCAR.
Manfred: MLB media rights will be ‘resolved in the next few weeks’
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in an interview on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball that the league will have negotiations over ESPN’s expiring rights package “resolved in the next few weeks.” Manfred said MLB is having “very detailed conversations with a number of parties, including ESPN” and described the talks as “a little bit like a jigsaw puzzle we’re trying to put together.”
Manfred has been trying to find a solution for the existing ESPN MLB portfolio since the two entities agreed to a mutual opt-out of their existing deal after the season. In a February letter to league owners obtained by The Athletic, Manfred said that the league has “not been pleased with the minimal coverage” it has received on ESPN platforms and called the network a “shrinking platform.”
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported last week that NBC/Peacock and Apple TV+ are currently the “top contenders” to land the Sunday night package and first-round playoff games, while Netflix is said to have shown interest in the Home Run Derby. In addition, he reported that ESPN could consider adding weekday games and a larger digital presence.
Aside from the ongoing discussions, Manfred also mentioned potential expansion and subsequent geographic realignment, which could end up playing a factor in driving additional value for media rights down the road. “I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN because … that 10:00 timeslot where we sometimes get Boston-Anaheim would be two West Coast teams, and that 10:00 slot that’s a problem for us suddenly becomes a real opportunity for our West Coast audience,” Manfred said.
Versant branding sports content on USA Network, Golf Channel under new banner
Versant, the media company consisting of spun off NBCUniversal cable networks, said in an internal memo Monday that it plans to rebrand sports content that airs on USA Network and Golf Channel under the name “USA Sports,” according to a report by Alex Sherman of CNBC. In addition to this alteration, GolfNow and SportsEngine will be changing their names, CNBC is changing its logo to remove the NBC peacock, and the MSNBC news channel is rebranding as MS NOW.
Versant recently inked its first sports media rights deal as part of a larger extension between the USGA and NBCUniversal. Under the pact, USA Network and Golf Channel will continue broadcasting USGA events through 2032. Versant is also planning to explore partnerships with other companies in the market.
Matt Hong, the president of sports at Versant, explained in a recent interview that the company wants to continue working and partnering with NBCUniversal and Peacock for sports rights, but that Versant will also have new freedom to partner with other streaming companies.
Versant is not planning on creating its own streaming service, although the company could aim to reach deals to simulcast some of its content on other platforms.
Eisen to anchor special edition of “SportsCenter”
After more than two decades away from the “SportsCenter” anchor desk, Rich Eisen is making his return as host in a special 11 PM ET edition live from ESPN’s Los Angeles, Calif. studios Monday night. Eisen hosted the show from 1996 until leaving for NFL Network in 2003. His guest appearance comes ahead of Eisen’s eponymous daily program “The Rich Eisen Show” debuting on Disney and ESPN platforms starting on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Eisen’s return follows a preseason version of “Monday Night Football” as the Cincinnati Bengals face the Washington Commanders at 8 PM ET. ESPN NFL broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will join “SportsCenter” after the game, while ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes will be in the studio with Eisen.
The arrangement is not related to the pending deal that would give ESPN control of NFL Network and other league media assets in exchange for a 10 percent equity stake in the network. Despite his show moving to ESPN next month, Eisen will be retaining his role at NFL Network under the deal through which he anchors “NFL GameDay Morning” and on-site coverage of special events.
ESPN ceased production of “SportsCenter” from Los Angeles this past May when it aired its final show from the studios featuring Linda Cohn, Stan Verrett and Neil Everett. Versions of the program had been airing from the city for 15 years, but the network decided to move production to its Bristol, Conn. headquarters based on its business needs. ESPN continues to broadcast NBA studio programming from Los Angeles and also has office space for employees based in the metropolis.
Plus: Stephen A. Smith, Colin Kaepernick, TGL on ABC, NASCAR
- In a recent interview on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast Stephen A. Smith explained that his agreement with SiriusXM spans beyond hosting programming on Mad Dog Sports Radio. “It’s one thing to just get the dollars, and it’s another thing to share in the profits,” Smith said, who will begin hosting a weekday sports program on the satellite sports talk radio station beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
- ESPN will not be airing a multipart docuseries directed by Spike Lee about former ESPN NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In a statement provided to Reuters, ESPN explained that the decision not to proceed with the project came “as a result of certain creative differences.”
- The TGL golf league will debut its second season with its first ever broadcast network appearance as Atlanta Drive GC and New York Golf Club meet on ABC on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 3 PM ET. The broadcast takes place opposite Week 17 NFL games.
- O’Reilly Auto Parts is assuming the title sponsorship for the NASCAR secondary series, replacing Xfinity. Although Xfinity will not be an entitlement sponsor for the first time since 2015, the telecommunications entity will continue as a premier sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series.
