The NFL is exploring more markets for international games; Sinclair has interest in potentially merging with Scripps; and ESPN sets its “NBA Countdown” studio team. Plus news on NBC Sports, Terry Bradshaw, TNT Sports and Allen Sliwa.
Goodell: NFL exploring more markets for international games
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in an on-air interview Sunday that the league is close to finalizing plans to bring international games to “a couple more” markets next year. Speaking to Kimmi Chex on NFL Network ahead of Sunday’s game from Madrid, Goodell said that this season’s record seven-game slate of international contests have “been spectacular.”
Looking ahead to next year, Goodell said he believes the league will return to some of the markets from this season in addition to games already announced in Melbourne, Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Furthermore, Goodell confirmed early last month that the league would return to Mexico City, Mexico for an international game in 2026.
“We’re close, we’re getting there,” Goodell said about future international games yet to be revealed. “We have a lot of teams — the great thing about our success is so many other cities are reaching out and saying, ‘we want one of these,’ and that’s a great thing for us.”
Under a resolution adopted in 2023, the NFL can hold a maximum of nine league-operated games overseas. The league’s managing director of international games Gerrit Meier said in October that “the definite idea is to get ourselves more to the maximum.” The league has widely been expected to make a media rights package out of its international slate, with EVP/media distribution Hans Schroeder saying last month that such a move would “make sense” to help grow international exposure.
Sinclair eyeing potential merger with Scripps
Sinclair disclosed in an SEC filing Monday that it is trying to potentially merge with the E.W. Scripps Company and has taken an 8.2% stake in the media conglomerate worth $15.6 million. The entities have engaged in discussions over several months pertaining to “a potential combination of the two companies.” Sinclair estimated that its offer to Scripps is worth about three times more than the stock trading price during recent periods.
Scripps currently holds more than 60 local television stations across 40 markets and through its Scripps Sports division broadcasts an array of sports properties. The company recently inked a new multiyear deal to continue broadcasting the WNBA, has added the Major League Volleyball championship and presents regional NHL broadcasts in four markets. Sinclair owns 178 local television stations in more than 80 markets, several of which broadcast live sports, and at one point owned the RSNs currently branded under the “FanDuel Sports Network” banner.
Sinclair considers it essential to garner more scale in the broadcast television industry amid consolidation and competition in the sector. The company initiated a strategic review of its broadcast business in August and had attempted to merge with Tegna, but that effort fell short when Nexstar agreed to a pending transaction valued at $6.2 billion.
Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley believes the Federal Communications Commission will either raise or eliminate the 39% national audience reach cap in the first half of 2026. The company said that a potential transaction with Scripps could close in nine to 12 months and would not necessitate any external financing. Scripps acknowledged the disclosure and said its board would protect the company and its shareholders “from the opportunistic actions of Sinclair or anyone else.”
Malone, Windhorst officially join ‘NBA Countdown’ cast
Former NBA head coach Michael Malone and senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst are joining the cast of “NBA Countdown” on ESPN for the 2025-26 season and will debut this Wednesday, the company announced. Malone has already appeared on the show both during the preseason and for its previous regular season date earlier this month.
Windhorst has been a regular contributor on ESPN studio programming such as “NBA Today” and “First Take,” and he has made occasional cameos on “NBA Countdown” over the years. Prior to the season, he signed a multiyear contract extension to continue his role covering the NBA and offering analysis across multiple platforms. Along with Windhorst, ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania will continue to appear on the show to deliver news and information.
Studio host Malika Andrews and analyst Kendrick Perkins will be returning to the show this season. The duo worked alongside Bob Myers last season, who recently departed ESPN to become the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Stephen A. Smith is no longer a regular member of the “NBA Countdown” cast after starring on the program for the last several seasons.
The “NBA Countdown” team will assume studio coverage for the majority of regular-season games, but it will no longer serve as the studio program surrounding the NBA Finals. The TNT Sports-produced “Inside the NBA” will cover the NBA Finals, Eastern Conference Finals and playoff broadcasts on ESPN/ABC. In addition, the show will air for “Saturday Primetime” games on ABC and “Sunday Showcase” contests on ESPN starting later in January.
Plus: NBC Sports, Terry Bradshaw, TNT Sports, Allen Sliwa
- NBC Sports announced Monday that the “EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast” will stream live on Peacock in prime time on Thanksgiving Day as the Ravens face the Bengals. The collaboration with the NFL, EA SPORTS and Genius Sports first premiered last season for a Week 16 Saturday matchup between the Texans and Chiefs, and it will continue to blend “video game elements and live action.”
- Former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw was absent from the “Fox NFL Sunday” pregame show for Week 11 as he was dealing with a cold. Bradshaw, who has dealt with health issues in recent years, said on social media that he will be fine.
- TNT Sports next month will debut “Dunkman,” a six-episode dunk competition series in which Shaquille O’Neal will be among the judges. Adam Lefkoe, who will host the show, said in an upcoming appearance on the Sports Media Watch Podcast that it will feature “40 of the best dunkers from around the world competing for a lot of Shaq’s money.” The new series would seem to be a spiritual successor to TNT’s “The Dunk King” reality show that last aired in 2017.
- Allen Sliwa is joining iHeartMedia’s AM 570 LA Sports where he will serve as an on-air contributor for coverage of the NBA and Los Angeles Lakers. Sliwa, who hosts the “Hoops Talk” show on YouTube, departed ESPN LA 710 last September after 15 years with the company.
