The dispute between Comcast Xfinity and Scripps involves regional NHL; executives move as ESPN takes control of NFL Network; and Fox and Sinclair submit comments on live sports broadcast distribution to the FCC. Plus news on March Madness, FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN and Gerry Sandusky.
Comcast Xfinity, Scripps, in dispute involving regional NHL
Comcast Xfinity blacked out several local stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Company Tuesday night after the two sides were unable to reach a new agreement. Sports Media Watch has learned that Scripps asked Comcast to agree to carry the stations that televise local NHL games, including those of the Panthers, Lightning and Mammoth, as an apparent condition for carrying the other stations across the country.
At the moment, Xfinity carries only the stations that air Florida Panthers games — WHDT-TV in West Palm Beach and WSFL-TV in Miami Dade and Broward counties. Both of those outlets went dark for Xfinity users on Tuesday night, which happened to coincide with a Panthers live game broadcast.
In addition to the stations that carry the Mammoth and Lightning, Scripps is asking Comcast to carry one of its stations that will broadcast Nashville Predators games starting next season as well, Sports Media Watch has learned. Scripps also has the Vegas Golden Knights in its portfolio; however, Comcast Xfinity does not serve the Las Vegas market.
Scripps issued a statement on its website that it was “negotiating in good faith” to try and reach an agreement fair for both sides and the viewers. A message from an Xfinity employee on the company’s Support forum said Comcast was trying to return the programming under “fair pricing, terms, and conditions for customers.”
Executives move as ESPN takes control of NFL Network
NFL Network officially became part of ESPN on Wednesday, part of a larger transaction that granted the league a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Charlie Yook will have oversight of NFL Network as a VP and EP of content production, and he will report to ESPN EVP/sports production Mike McQuade, Sports Media Watch has confirmed. Several other executives are making the move from NFL Media as well, including VP/executive editor Todd Sperry, VP/production operations Jessica Lee, VP/programming and acquisitions Sarah Parsons and VP/media operations Tony Cole.
Sperry is going to report to ESPN EVP/executive editor, sports news and entertainment David Roberts. Lee and Cole will be reporting to ESPN SVP/content operations Chris Calcinari. Parsons is going to report to ESPN SVP/league programming and acquisitions Julie Sobieski.
ESPN executives will be at the network’s headquarters throughout the week, and there will be events for the new employees. This included a breakfast and information session on Wednesday, along with a welcome package from the network. While it remains unknown if and how NFL Network will be involved in Disney’s coverage of Super Bowl LXI next season, the outlet will continue to have its own production of the NFL Draft.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a note to NFL Network employees Tuesday ahead of ESPN taking control over the network. Within the note, which was obtained by Sports Media Watch, Goodell commended the network’s evolution and voiced his appreciation for employees remaining with NFL Media and moving over to ESPN. Goodell: “We have no doubt that you will continue to drive unparalleled coverage of the NFL. And whether you are transitioning or staying, each of you will keep contributing to our greater football story, building on the relationships, sacrifice and teamwork that made this moment possible.”
Fox, Sinclair issue comments to FCC re. live sports programming distribution
Fox Corporation and Sinclair have submitted public comments to the Federal Communications Commission advocating in favor of distributing live sports rights via broadcast television rather than streaming, arguing that by acquiring and driving up the costs of sports rights, streamers could drive local broadcast television out of business.
“If stations are cut out of the distribution chain for live sports, local TV news may soon follow print newspapers into obsolescence,” Fox wrote, describing the presence circumstance as “an existential threat.” The company also said it is worth examining the antitrust exemption granted to professional sports leagues through the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
In its separate comment, Sinclair largely echoed those thoughts and argued that the SBA applies only to the context in which it was passed in 1961, which is broadcast television.
Fox and Sinclair submitted the comments as the NFL reportedly looks to renegotiate its media rights deal ahead of next season. Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch said during a recent quarterly earnings call that the company could “consider balancing or rebalancing” its sports portfolio to offset any increase in NFL rights. Representatives from Gray Media also met with FCC officers in early March and commended the regulatory agency for seeking comment on live sports programming distribution.
Plus: March Madness, FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN, Gerry Sandusky
- ESPN2 will air a new women’s basketball alternate broadcast for coverage of the Final Four hosted by Jess Simms featuring Olympic Rugby athlete Ilona Maher and contributor Katie Feeney. This broadcast, titled “Courtside,” will feature WNBA players Natisha Heideman and Courtney Williams as guest analysts for the semifinals, and Chelsea Gray for the championship game. The new presentation comes after ESPN SVP Meg Aronowitz said the network was going to “reimagine and rethink” its alternate telecast that had featured Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi for the previous six years.
- The “Golic & Golic” weekday sports talk program has come to an end at FanDuel Sports Network after 10 months on the air, it was announced via social media on Tuesday. Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. had hosted the show that preceded prime time game broadcasts after previously working together on a similar program on DraftKings Network. “We have made the difficult decision to end the Golic & Golic show, and we are grateful to the Golics and the rest of the team for their dedication and to the many viewers that have tuned in,” a FanDuel Sports Network spokesperson told Sports Media Watch.
- Longtime MLB RP Adam Ottavino has joined ESPN as an analyst this season, Sports Media Watch has confirmed, and he will make his debut on Thursday, May 7 when the St. Louis Cardinals play the San Diego Padres. The news of Ottavino joining ESPN was first reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. Ottavino returns to the network after previously appearing during the 2024 MLB postseason. In addition, Ottavino has appeared on two NBC MLB broadcasts and is scheduled to appear on this week’s “Sunday Night Baseball” game between the Cardinals and Tigers.
- Baltimore Ravens radio play-by-play voice Gerry Sandusky is retiring after two decades behind the microphone, it was announced Wednesday. Sandusky has also served as sports director of WBAL-TV 11 and will appear on his final 11 PM newscast on Friday, April 17, per station president/GM Dan Joerres. Ravens president Sashi Brown said in a statement that Sandusky called games “with a style marked by professionalism, passion and Maryland pride.”
