NBC “like[s] the idea of” having reporters in the dugout as part of MLB coverage; ESPN-owned NFL Network will continue presenting the NFL Draft; and Scripps is set to launch a FAST channel. Plus news on Madelyn Burke, Netflix, David Yadgaroff and Rodger Brulotte.
NBC likes idea of analysts in dugout for broadcasts, will use reporters on ‘Sunday Leadoff’
NBC Sports “like[s] the idea of” using analysts “in the dugout” for its MLB coverage this season, taking a similar approach to its “On the Bench” broadcasts for NBA games, NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said Monday, but the network is still working out specifics and needs to have conversations “with a number of people.” While networks have traditionally had reporters near or inside the dugout during games, it has seldom, if ever, been carried out for analysts. Play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian said on an upcoming edition of the “Sports Media Watch Podcast” that he thinks NBC Sports has “kicked the tires on that for sure.”
Flood revealed that the network has an agreement with one more yet-to-be-announced play-by-play voice for its “Sunday Leadoff” MLB package. Earlier this year, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that NBC had interest in Orioles play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown, who has called games nationally for ESPN as well. Vasgersian will call many of the MLB Sunday Leadoff games, reprising his role from the 2023 season. The “Sunday Leadoff” game broadcasts will feature reporters as well, although it is not known if NBC is bringing on a dedicated person in the role.
Flood said NBC Sports will “maintain a consistent approach” between the NBC and Peacock telecasts of “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcasts this season, as it has for NBA games. The network is creating a musical open for “Sunday Night Baseball” NBC’s Sunday night games that will debut April 12 for Guardians-Braves. NBC broadcasts of “Sunday Night Football” have traditionally started with Carrie Underwood since 2013, and the network created an introduction sequence with Lenny Kravitz for “Sunday Night Basketball” this season.
The first-ever edition of “Sunday Night Baseball” to air on NBCU — Guardians-Mariners on Peacock and NBCSN this weekend — will feature Guardians TV analyst Rick Manning and Mariners TV analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith alongside Jason Benetti. While both teams are featured on “Sunday Night Baseball” again later this season, it remains unknown if the analysts will return for future NBC MLB games.
ESPN-owned NFL Network to continue airing presentation of NFL Draft
Although it is now under ESPN ownership, NFL Network will continue to air its own presentation of the NFL Draft taking place next month, Sports Media Watch has confirmed. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports was the first to report the news on Monday, writing that there had been “growing concern” ESPN would opt to eliminate the coverage.
Rich Eisen is reportedly expected to continue anchoring NFL Network coverage for a 20th consecutive year. He has usually worked with insider Ian Rapoport and analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt. Eisen, a former “SportsCenter” anchor, already has a presence at ESPN since his daily radio program, “The Rich Eisen Show,” moved to ESPN Radio, Disney+ and the ESPN App last fall.
Mike Greenberg is reportedly “poised” to anchor NFL Draft coverage on ESPN for a sixth straight year. The rest of the cast on ESPN and ABC looks to remain the same this year, which has included Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick, Laura Rutledge and Kirk Herbstreit among others in previous years. Pat McAfee is also reportedly expected to hold his “Draft Spectacular” for a third year broadcasting from his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa.
NFL Network first televised the NFL Draft starting in 2006 from Radio City Music Hall as part of coverage that included both Eisen and Adam Schefter, Mike Mayock and Kara Henderson. The coverage rivaled an ESPN presentation that included Chris Berman and Suzy Kolber as hosts with Kiper Jr., Tom Jackson and Steve Young in analyst roles.
Scripps to launch FAST channel with game broadcasts, other programming
ION parent company Scripps is launching a new FAST channel Tuesday that will air live games, documentaries and other programming. Scripps Sports Network will feature over 100 live game broadcasts from entities such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League, the National Women’s Soccer League and Major League Volleyball. The first of 10 regular-season PWHL games to air on Scripps Sports Network takes place this Wednesday at 7 PM ET. This is part of the partnership between Scripps Sports and the PWHL that places the Walter Cup Finals on ION this May.
Scripps Sports Network will also carry encore presentations of WNBA games on ION, plus content originating from other Scripps partnerships, including its local telecast deals with the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights.
In addition to game programming, the channel will also feature a series hosted by former ESPN anchor Suzy Kolber chronicling “trailblazers across the sports world.” Kolber was part of the layoffs at ESPN in June 2023 that also affected Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman and others. Scripps is also launching a conversation series featuring former Olympic track and field athlete Sanya Richards-Ross that will include “athletes, entertainers and everyday heroes navigating their next chapter.”
Scripps said Monday that it has ten series in development and that its new channel will import content as well, including the “Cold as Balls” series hosted by Kevin Hart. Scripps Sports Network also plans to host sports podcasts, although details of such have yet to be revealed. The company is hosting its “Upfront” event for advertisers from Barclays Center on Wednesday, March 25, one day after the FAST channel launches.
Plus: Madelyn Burke, Netflix, David Yadgaroff, Rodger Brulotte
- Madelyn Burke is joining ESPN as an anchor on “SportsCenter” beginning in April, the network announced Monday. Burke formerly worked in on-air roles for MSG Networks and the New York Giants website and also hosted for CBS Sports HQ.
- Netflix has announced that New York Giants QB Jameis Winston and WWE performers Jey and Jimmy Uso will be special guests on its coverage of MLB Opening Night on Wednesday. The company has taken an “eventized” approach towards live sports and has televised an NFL Christmas Day doubleheader for the last two seasons in addition to WWE “Raw,” which aligns with the special-guest appearances. Netflix also added former Giants OF Barry Bonds as a desk analyst for Opening Night, and he will be part of coverage for the Home Run Derby and Field of Dreams game later this season as well.
- Audacy Philadelphia SVP/market manager David Yadgaroff is retiring in May after 36 years with the company, it was announced Monday by Audacy regional president Mark Hannon. Yadgaroff has oversight of a cluster of stations in Philadelphia, including SportsRadio 94WIP, which has undergone significant change in recent years amid the departures of longtime voices Angelo Cataldi and Howard Eskin.
- Longtime Montréal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Rodger Brulotte passed away Friday at the age of 79. Brulotte, who was known as “Monsieur Baseball” by fans throughout his career, called games on various Canadian networks, such as CKAC, RDS and TVA Sports. Brulotte stepped away from the broadcast booth last September to undergo surgeries to remove a cancerous tumor in his spine and did not call the Blue Jays’ recent trip to the World Series.
