Recent sports media news, including ESPN’s first sports-betting themed simulcast, a new wrinkle for NBC’s primetime Olympics coverage, Adnan Virk’s WWE debut and more.
ESPN to air betting-themed simulcast of Nets-Sixers
ESPN plans to broadcast a sports-betting themed simulcast of Wednesday’s Nets-Sixers NBA regular season game on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The simulcast will be branded as a special edition of Daily Wager, with the cast of the ESPN2 betting show — Doug Kezirian, Joe Fortenbaugh and Tyler Fulghum — set to be joined by ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins. Daily Wager will also provide pregame and halftime coverage. ESPN says the effort is its “first alternate presentation fully driven by sports betting content.” [ESPN PR 4.12]
Tirico to host NBC’s primetime Olympic coverage outdoors
NBC Sports said Tuesday that it plans to have Mike Tirico host its primetime Summer Olympics coverage from an outdoor set overlooking the Tokyo skyline, marking the first time its primetime coverage has originated outside of an indoor studio. Tirico hosted from an outdoor set during the last Summer Games five years ago, but that was during NBC’s daytime windows. As Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of Eastern time, Tirico would host the primetime windows in the morning sun. [NBC Sports PR 4.13]
Virk debuts as voice of WWE Raw
Former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Adnan Virk debuted Monday as the new play-by-play voice on WWE Raw after reaching what The Athletic reported is a multi-year contract with the WWE. News of Virk’s hiring was first reported by Wrestling Inc. last weekend. Virk will remain in his current roles on MLB Network and DAZN. [WWE 4.12, The Athletic 4.12, Wrestling Inc. 4.10]
Plus: Reali, UFC-ABC, NFL Draft analysts
ESPN said Tuesday that it has reached a contract extension with Around the Horn host Tony Reali, now in his 20th year with the company. … ABC, which aired its second UFC main event this past weekend, is currently listed as carrying the T.J. Dillashaw-Cory Sandhagen card on May 8. … CBS NFL analyst Charles Davis and FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt are scheduled to contribute to NFL Network’s NFL Draft coverage later this month. [ESPN PR 4.13, ESPN PR, Awful Announcing 4.13]
