The NBA has announced its marquee Opening Week and Christmas Day schedule. Plus: Alex Smith is joining ESPN; Nate Burleson is adding CBS News duties; and more.
NBA releases Opening Week and Christmas schedule
The NBA on Tuesday released its Opening Week and Christmas Day schedule, with Nets-Bucks and Warriors-Lakers set for Opening Night on TNT Tuesday, October 19. Both matchups ranked among the ten most-watched of last season, not counting the NBA Finals. Bucks-Nets Game 7 ranked second (6.91M) and Warriors-Lakers in the Play-in Tournament finished seventh (5.62M).
ESPN is scheduled to begin its 20th straight year of NBA coverage with Celtics-Knicks and Nuggets-Suns the following night.
The Christmas Day schedule is highlighted by Nets-Lakers at 8 PM ET on ESPN and ABC. The much-anticipated game is set to air directly opposite Colts-Cardinals on NFL Network. ABC’s preceding Warriors-Suns game (5 ET) is set to face even more onerous NFL competition from Packers-Browns on FOX and NFL Network. The remainder of the Christmas schedule includes Hawks-Knicks on ESPN at Noon, Celtics-Bucks on ABC at 2:30, and Mavericks-Jazz on ESPN at 10:30.
The full 2021-22 NBA regular season schedule is set to be released on Friday. [NBA]
Alex Smith joining ESPN in limited role
ESPN on Monday announced that it has hired former NFL QB Alex Smith as an NFL analyst. Smith, a former #1 pick best known for suffering and overcoming a devastating leg injury, is set to make occasional appearances on ESPN’s various NFL shows. As first reported by the New York Post last week, Smith’s role could grow depending on how both he and ESPN feel about his progress. [ESPN PR, NYP 8.11]
Burleson gets CBS News gig
CBS announced last week that The NFL Today analyst Nate Burleson will join the cast of the CBS News program “CBS This Morning” starting next month. The move is part of a new deal for Burleson at CBS that will keep him on The NFL Today and add yearly appearances on Nickelodeon. Burleson was part of Nickelodeon’s simulcast of CBS’ Bears-Saints Wild Card game back in January.
Burleson will continue appearing on NFL Network, though his new role precludes him from continuing on “Good Morning Football.” [CBS]
Plus: Gameday, NHL jersey ads, Field of Dreams
ESPN will not fill the vacant position on College Gameday once occupied by Maria Taylor, Front Office Sports reported last week. … The NHL will begin allowing advertisements on jerseys beginning with the 2022-23 season, according to multiple reports Tuesday. … The second MLB “Field of Dreams” game will reportedly pit the Cubs against the Reds next year. [Front Office Sports 8.16, Sports Business Journal 8.17, NBC Sports Chicago 8.16]
