Recent sports media news, including contract extensions for ESPN’s Max Kellerman and Jessica Mendoza and Turner’s Pedro Martinez. Also: a different role for Kevin Garnett on TNT, and an honor for former ESPN writer Jayson Stark.
Kellerman, Mendoza, Among ESPN Extensions
ESPN has reached a multi-year contract extension with First Take co-host Max Kellerman, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Under his new deal, as yet unannounced by ESPN, Kellerman will expand his role on ESPN’s boxing coverage. Per THR, that will include anchoring the network’s boxing telecasts and hosting a new weekly show devoted to the sport. Kellerman covered boxing for HBO until that network’s exit from the sport last weekend.
ESPN has also announced contract extensions with MLB analyst Jessica Mendoza and The Undefeated writer Jason Reid. Mendoza will continue in her current roles on Sunday Night Baseball and college softball and add extra studio appearances on SportsCenter and Get Up!. The network previously announced an extension with Mark Teixiera. [Hollywood Reporter 12.8, ESPN PR 12.11, 12.12]
Martinez, Turner, Reach Extension
The New York Post reported this week that Turner Sports has reached a multi-year contract extension with MLB analyst Pedro Martinez. According to the report, Martinez had some brief talks with ESPN for re-signing with Turner. He is also expected to re-sign with his other media employer, MLB Network. [NYP 12.11]
Garnett Moving Up to TNT Studio For One Night
TNT NBA analyst Kevin Garnett will fill in for Shaquille O’Neal on the network’s studio coverage Thursday night, marking his first on-set appearance since joining Turner in 2016. Garnett typically appears during Area 21, a weekly segment that is separate from TNT’s traditional studio show. [Turner Sports]
Stark Honored By Baseball Hall
The former ESPN MLB analyst Jayson Stark, now a writer with The Athletic, will be honored with the Baseball Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award at next year’s induction ceremony. Stark, who was laid off by ESPN in 2017, has been covering MLB since 1979, when he served as a Phillies beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer. [ESPN.com 12.11]
