Fox Sports’ Thursday Night Football pregame will share much in common with Fox NFL Sunday, except for location. In other news, the former SI writer William Nack has passed away, former ESPN anchor Jay Crawford has a new gig, and MLB franchise values are on the rise.
FOX TNF Pregame Headed to N.Y.
Fox Sports announced at a presentation to advertisers last week that the FOX Thursday Night Football pregame show will be based in New York City with a cast of Michael Strahan, Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw, according to Sports Business Journal.
The New York Post initially reported the news earlier this month. According to the Post, Strahan will serve as host of the pregame show, joined by Long, Bradshaw and an analyst to be named later. [SBJ 4.16; NYP 4.6]
Fmr. SI Writer Nack Passes Away
The longtime Sports Illustrated writer William Nack passed away Friday at age 77. Nack wrote for SI from 1978-2001 covering a variety of events, most notably horse racing. After leaving SI in 2001, Nack made occasional appearances on ESPN. [SI 4.14]
Fmr. ESPN Anchor Crawford to Work Browns Games
Former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Crawford will serve as the play-by-play voice for Cleveland Browns NFL preseason games this year, his biggest role since he was laid off by ESPN last year. Crawford will work alongside former Browns QB Tim Couch [Cleveland Plain-Dealer 4.11]
MLB Franchise Values Up
The average value of a Major League Baseball franchise has risen to $1.65 billion, according to estimates released by Forbes last week. Average values have risen 7 percent from last year and match those of the rival NBA ($1.65B). MLB led the NBA by 13% last year ($1.54M to $1.36M). [Forbes 4.11]
