ABC and ESPN have set telecast windows for the possible NBA playoff play-in games. Plus: ESPN’s MLB announcers will call games remotely this season; ESPN plans on airing College Gameday if the college season is played; Jeremy Roenick is lashing out at his former employer.
ABC, ESPN, set windows for NBA playoff play-in games
If any NBA playoff play-in games are necessary, one would air on ABC Saturday, August 15 (2:30 PM ET) and another on ESPN the following day (4:30 PM ET), per an advance ESPN schedule. [Related: NBA TV schedule.]
There could be as many as four play-in games — two in each conference — so it is likely that TNT has windows set aside as well. The play-in games would only take place if the ninth seed is within four games of the eighth playoff spot. [ESPN PR]
ESPN MLB broadcasters to announce games remotely
ESPN announced Friday that its Major League Baseball announcers will call games remotely throughout the season. The Sunday Night Baseball team of Matt Vasgersian and Alex Rodriguez will call games from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios, with reporter Buster Olney occasionally on-site at the game. For ESPN’s other broadcast teams, the play-by-play voice will work in Bristol and the analyst from his or her home. [ESPN PR 7.17]
College Gameday will air if there is a college football season
ESPN SVP/production Lee Fitting told the Associated Press this week that College Gameday will air if the college football season is played, but ruled out the possibility of having “thousands of fans behind our set” as is typical. Fitting said the show could originate from inside a stadium, on a campus, or even in ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.
While the goal is to have the show’s cast together “in one spot,” Fitting said that ESPN is willing to have analyst Lee Corso appear on the show from his home if that is what is necessary to safeguard his health. Corso, who suffered a stroke 11 years ago, is in the age bracket at most risk of COVID-19. [AP 7.15]
Roenick files suit against NBC
Former NBC NHL analyst Jeremy Roenick has filed a lawsuit against his ex-employer alleging wrongful termination and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, according to multiple reports Friday. Roenick was suspended from NBC last December, and later fired, for making suggestive comments about co-workers during a podcast appearance. [Variety 7.17]
