Another former Edmonton Oilers legend is going into U.S. television, this time on ESPN. Plus: more of NBC’s Olympic plans; the NFL could sell a stake in its media business; Jeff Gordon is officially out at FOX.
Messier joining ESPN
ESPN announced Thursday that it is hired former Rangers and Oilers star Mark Messier as an NHL studio analyst. Messier, who has previously made guest analyst appearances on NBC, VERSUS and Canada’s Rogers Sportsnet, will debut when ESPN/ABC begins its run carrying NHL games next season.
Messier joins his former Edmonton teammate Wayne Gretzky in joining an NHL studio team next season. Gretzky will be part of Turner Sports’ NHL studio coverage. [ESPN PR 6.24]
Peacock to stream marquee Olympic events
The NBC streaming service Peacock is scheduled to stream live coverage of several high-profile Olympic competitions, including gymnastics, track & field and basketball, it was announced Wednesday. With the exception of men’s basketball games, which would be restricted to the paid Peacock Premium tier, all events would be available to stream for free. In previous Olympics, streaming coverage required cable or satellite authentication.
Keep in mind the events would still be available to watch on NBC’s linear television networks.
In other Olympic news, NBC announced Wednesday that Today co-host Savannah Guthrie is set to anchor the Opening Ceremony alongside Mike Tirico. Guthrie was slated to co-anchor the Opening Ceremony of the last Summer Olympics in 2016, but pulled out due to the Zika virus.
In total, NBC plans to use 178 commentators on its Olympic coverage, most of whom have been previously reported. Along with Guthrie, recently announced personnel include Kenny Albert (working volleyball remotely), Lindsay Czarniak (hosting remotely on Peacock) and Milwaukee Bucks sideline reporter Zora Stephenson (working basketball games on-site). One name announced months ago but not previously noted on this site is Rich Eisen, who will host Peacock’s “Tokyo Gold” highlights show. [NBC Sports PR]
NFL seeking to sell stake in media business
The NFL is looking to potentially sell a stake in its media businesses — including NFL Network and Red Zone — but does not plan to cede control of the properties, according to multiple reports Wednesday. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the Wall Street Journal that the league is “not selling,” but instead “looking for investment partners.”
It is not unusual for outside companies to at least partially manage a league’s media properties. The NBA and Turner Sports jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV and NBA League Pass, while NHL Network is currently run by Disney Streaming Servies (formerly BAMTECH, which was formerly MLB Advanced Media). NHL Network will revert back to the league next season. [WSJ 6.23]
Gordon officially leaving NASCAR on FOX
Fox Sports NASCAR analyst Jeff Gordon is leaving the broadcast booth to become the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon had been with Fox since his final year as a full-time driver in 2015. His departure comes just two years after that of longtime FOX NASCAR analyst Darrell Waltrip. [AP via ESPN.com 6.23]
