WWE PLEs are coming to ESPN earlier than anticipated; John Wall is joining Amazon’s Prime Video as an analyst; and LIV Golf’s decision to revoke a media credential after a podcast interview. Plus news on Versant, ESPN Chicago, Yahoo Sports and TOGETHXR.
WWE PLEs to begin airing on ESPN platforms in September
ESPN announced Wednesday that it is debuting WWE premium live events on its platforms earlier than expected, broadcasting the first-ever edition of “Wrestlepalooza” through its direct-to-consumer platform on Saturday, Sept. 20 from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The company will also be airing the previously announced PLEs taking place in October and November with “Crown Jewel” and “Survivor Series,” respectively.
ESPN is slated to air WWE PLEs under a five-year media rights deal reportedly worth more than $1.6 billion, but the agreement was not originally going to begin until April. The company is launching its DTC streaming service and app enhancements this Thursday, which will stream the lineup of WWE PLEs in their entirety. Furthermore, portions of select WWE PLEs are going to be simulcast on ESPN linear platforms.
The WWE PLE taking place in September will feature appearances from John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch and several others throughout the night. It will go up against “AEW All Out,” a pay-per-view event emanating from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
WWE also announced a multiyear partnership agreement with Peacock under which the platform will stream “Saturday Night’s Main Event” four times per year in prime time. Peacock will be airing two editions of the show this year, including Cena’s retirement match on December 13. The partnership also enables the SmackDown library to remain on Peacock with a 30-day delay, and USA Network will continue presenting Friday night “SmackDown.”
John Wall joins Prime Video studio show
Former Washington Wizards point guard John Wall is joining Amazon’s Prime Video as an analyst on its NBA coverage, it was announced Wednesday. Wall, who recently retired after 13 seasons as a player, will be making appearances on the studio program as Prime Video commences the first year of its media rights deal with the league for a reported $1.93 billion per annum. Wall will contribute to studio coverage alongside former professional basketball players Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem.
“After 13 seasons in the NBA filled with unforgettable moments, I am excited to start a new chapter with NBA on Prime,” Wall said in a statement. “This change is not just a career move; it’s a chance to stay close to the game I love and share the insights I’ve gained throughout my career playing point guard at the highest level. Basketball has shaped my life, and now I can help fans see it from a new angle.”
This past December, Wall made his broadcasting debut by serving as a guest analyst for NBA TV. Under his new role, he will be part of Prime Video’s studio coverage throughout the year, which includes pregame, halftime and postgame programming. Prime Video will begin the NBA season with a doubleheader of games on Friday, Oct. 24 featuring the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Los Angeles Lakers. Broadcasting assignments for the opening slate of games have not yet been announced.
LIV Golf revokes media credential after podcast interview
Bill Hobson, a well-known golf podcaster and host of “Michigan Golf Live,” has reportedly had his credential revoked for the LIV Golf event taking place this weekend at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Mich. As first reported by Tony Paul of The Detroit News, Hobson lost his credential upon publishing a podcast interview with broadcaster and former LIV Golf player Pat Perez.
Hobson explained that LIV Golf “was not happy with two of the questions” that he asked during the podcast. Some of these points surrounded funding for the tour and the tenure of former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. LIV Golf confirmed that it offered Hobson ground passes for the tournament that would not grant him access to ask questions to players or other officials, but he ended up declining the offer.
“LIV Golf values open and honest dialogue with media partners and has welcomed a wide range of perspectives since our inception,” the tour said in a statement provided to The Detroit News. “We are committed to working with journalists who approach interviews with fairness, integrity, and respect for the players and the sport.”
Plus: Versant, ESPN Chicago, Yahoo Sports, TOGETHXR
- Versant has announced that Charisse Williams Larado has been named its vice president of talent strategy and recruitment for sports. Larado, who had recently been working at NBCUniversal News Group, will “drive talent relations, maintain a competitive roster of on-air voices, and define recruitment strategy.”
- Ahead of “The Rich Eisen Show” airing on ESPN Radio starting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, ESPN Chicago has announced changes to its on-air lineup. The Good Karma Brands-owned station is moving “Carmen & Jurko” to become a mid-morning show following “Kap & J.Hood,” creating a two-hour timeslot for Eisen’s program starting at Noon.
- Yahoo Sports has launched a free, ad-supported streaming television channel featuring more than 60 hours of original programming every week. The venture, titled “Yahoo Sports Network,” will feature shows hosted by Ariel Helwani, Josh Pate, Kevin O’Connor and more, and it is currently available on LG Channels and Sling Freestream.
- Kati Fernandez has been named the chief content officer of TOGETHXR, the women’s sports media and commerce company co-founded by Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird. Fernandez formerly worked as the head of content development at ESPN, and she also has experience as a producer at Hulu.
