NFL Network is now available to view through the ESPN App; a representative for LeBron James denies “Last Dance”-style doc; and Prime Video inks a sublicensing deal with Rogers for Wednesday night NHL games. Plus news on Netflix, ESPN, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the UFL.
NFL Network now available to view through ESPN App
NFL Network was officially added to the ESPN App on Thursday and is now available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers ahead of the start of the NFL preseason. The cable network, which ESPN acquired as part of an equity deal earlier this year, is scheduled to carry 19 out-of-market games starting with Packers-Steelers August 13. Those are part of a total 31 preseason games that will be available on the ESPN app between the NFL Network slate, ESPN’s linear channel, and 12 streaming-exclusive windows.
The official addition of NFL Network comes ahead of ESPN Unlimited adding sporting events carried by Nexstar-owned CW starting next Tuesday, and days after the ESPN Unlimited service reportedly became available to YouTube TV subscribers via authentication.
Aside from live game broadcasts, NFL Network will also carry coverage of “Back Together Weekend,” concluding with the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony a week from Saturday. The network also continues to offer a programming lineup with original studio programming such as “Good Morning Football,” “NFL GameDay” and “The Insiders.”
ESPN recently underwent a round of layoffs that primarily targeted NFL Network personnel, including Charles Davis and Tom Pelissero. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo sent to ESPN employees last week obtained by Sports Media Watch that “most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition” of NFL Network.
James’ rep denies plans for “Last Dance”-style doc
Maverick Carter, the longtime business manager for NBA veteran F LeBron James, denied Thursday that any plans are in place for a documentary series about James’ final seasons akin to “The Last Dance,” disputing a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic published earlier in the day. Marchand reported that ESPN was nearing an agreement with James to record his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, which is expected to be the last stop of his career. This new project would consist of footage from James’ career, per Marchand, who added that it would include “some never-before-seen footage” as well.
“The Last Dance,” the 10-part docuseries chronicling the conclusion of Chicago Bulls G Michael Jordan‘s career, was one of the only original sports programs to air during the COVID hiatus of spring 2020, and its resulting success in the ratings has inspired no shortage of imitators.
While James has continued playing in the NBA at an All-Star level, he has also launched several business and media ventures off the court. James worked with longtime manager Maverick Carter to launch the SpringHill Company in June 2020, which holds other assets the duo created such as SpringHill Entertainment and Uninterrupted. James also co-hosts a podcast with Hall of Fame G Steve Nash titled “Mind the Game” under a partnership between Uninterrupted and Wondery. James took part in a season finale edition of the program live at Fanatics Fest earlier in the month with Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton.
James recently signed a two-year deal with the 76ers containing a player option worth $8 million, according to a report by Shams Charania of ESPN. In a thread on social media last week, James described his move to the 76ers as his “last decision” and that he is “so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”
Prime Video inks sublicensing deal with Rogers for Wednesday night NHL games
Amazon’s Prime Video reached a 12-year sublicensing agreement with Canada’s Rogers Communications earlier this week to expand its NHL coverage to include Wednesday night regular-season, two first-round playoff series and one second-round series. The company had been airing Monday night games under a previous sublicensing deal, which started during the 2024 season. The deal includes a minimum of 26 national games during the NHL regular season that will be available for Prime Video members in Canada.
As it begins a new 12-year media rights deal with the National Hockey League this season, Rogers will no longer simulcast NHL games on CBC this season, which had continued to air “Hockey Night in Canada” under a sublicensing pact after losing direct rights to the package ahead of the 2014-15 campaign. Rogers retained the ability to sublicense rights in its new deal, such as French-language telecasts and one night of exclusive national games.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement that the league is “excited that Prime Video and Rogers are deepening their relationship through this long-term agreement.” Prime Video head of global sports Jay Marine said in a separate statement that the deal makes a Prime membership “more valuable than ever for Canadian customers.” The expanded inventory is just the latest for Prime Video in multiple territories, including “Thursday Night Football” and the NBA in the United States.
Talent and production details for the new Wednesday night broadcasts have not yet been revealed.
Plus: Netflix, ESPN, Columbus Blue Jackets, UFL
- Netflix is paying $200 million for rights to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament, according to a report by Vanessa Perdomo of Bloomberg. Comparable figures for previous tournaments were not available. The streaming platform will carry both next year’s tournament in Brazil and the 2031 event.
- Play-by-play voice Mike Monaco has signed a new multiyear deal with ESPN and will work alongside analyst Jordan Rodgers and reporter Dana Boyle on Friday night college football game broadcasts, according to a report by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. Monaco, who joined ESPN in 2019, has called a variety of sports for the network such as MLB, Wimbledon and NHL games, and he broadcast college football last season with Kirk Morrison and Dawn Davenport. Rodgers called games on SEC Network with Tom Hart and Cole Cubelic, while Boyle reported alongside Wes Durham and Steve Addazio.
- The NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets have will no longer provide a radio-specific play-by-play feed, opting instead to simulcast their television feed on radio beginning next season. The organization joins a growing list of teams deciding to eliminate the on-air radio product, which already includes the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. As a result of the move, the Blue Jackets did not renew the contract of radio broadcaster Bob McElligott, ending his tenure with the franchise after 17 years. Radio host Dylan Tyrer is going to continue in his role.
- The United Football League announced Thursday that it will depart Birmingham, Ala. and Houston, Texas, adding in two replacement markets next year. The league makes the decision as it prepares to expand to 10 teams by 2028, one of which will be a new franchise in Oklahoma City. “My mission is to build a league that is not only sustainable today, but also successful and thriving for decades to come,” UFL co-owner Mike Repole said in a statement. “Building a spring football league has required discipline and difficult decisions, which have been guided by our clear long-term vision. Every market evaluation begins with the same three principles I have said since day one – the right market, the right sized venue, and a passionate fan base.”
