ESPN’s NFL preseason schedule includes both the Hall of Fame Game and the Rams’ return to Los Angeles. In other news, NBC will air Stanley Cup playoff games after the first two Triple Crown horse races, and the Notre Dame/Texas college football game will get a Sunday night timeslot.
NFL: HOF Game and Rams’ L.A. Return (August 7 and 13, 8 PM ET ESPN)
- With NBC airing the Olympics, ESPN will air the August 7 NFL Hall of Fame Game between the Colts and Packers — the first time the network has televised the annual exhibition. In previous Olympic years, the game aired on NFL Network. ESPN will also air Cowboys/Rams on August 13, the NFL’s first game in Los Angeles since the Rams’ return to the city. The other NFL broadcast partners will not begin preseason coverage until after the Olympics have concluded, with NBC, FOX and CBS airing six games in three days — including a rare tripleheader on NBC and FOX August 28. (ESPN Media Zone, NFL Communications)
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBC (May 7 and 21, 7:15 PM ET)
- The NBC broadcast network will air primetime Stanley Cup Playoff games after both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, NBC Sports announced Wednesday, the first time the network has aired coverage after the first two Triple Crown races. It has aired a Stanley Cup Final game after the Belmont Stakes in each of the past two years. NBC is scheduled to air two other primetime games before the Stanley Cup Final, including one first round game on April 23. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
CFB: Notre Dame/Texas (Sunday, September 4, TBA)
- This season’s Notre Dame/Texas college football game has been moved from Saturday, September 3 to Sunday, September 4, it was announced Friday. Time and network have not yet been announced, but the game will take place at night in what Texas athletic director Mike Perrin has called “an exclusive window.” It should be noted that the NFL season will not have started at that point. (Chicago Tribune)
