Lee Corso is expected to return to “College Gameday” on Saturday. Plus: an update on NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations, NASCAR media rights and more.
Corso returning to “College Gameday”
ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso is slated to return to the network’s “College Gameday” pregame show Saturday after missing three straight weeks — and five of the past seven — dealing with a health issue. Corso, 87, initially fell ill prior to “Gameday” at Clemson October 1. ESPN released a picture of him Friday attending an on-site production meeting in Bozeman, Montana, where “Gameday” is making its first-ever appearance. (ESPN PR/Twitter 11.18)
NFL-Apple Sunday Ticket negotiations remain stalled
Negotiations between the NFL and Apple for NFL Sunday Ticket rights remain stalled and it is uncertain whether the league will be able to reach a deal by its owners meeting next month, The Athletic reported Friday. Apple is still believed to be the front-runner for the out-of-market package, but the company’s desire for rights beyond those specifically enumerated in the contract has been a sticking point. CNBC was first to report the stalemate last month. (The Athletic 11.18)
NASCAR seeking 10-15 percent increase in next deal, per report
NASCAR is seeking an increase of 10-15 percent in its next media rights deal, which would take its annual fee from $820 million to $900-950 million, Front Office Sports reported Friday. Negotiations are expected to begin early next year, with the current deals with Fox Sports and NBC set to expire at the end of the 2024 season. (Front Office Sports 11.18)
Plus: Warner layoffs, Bellator-CBS, Apple-MLS
Warner Bros. Discovery laid off 70 staffers from its sports division this week, cutting 10% of its workforce, according to Sports Business Journal. … The Bellator mixed martial arts series will air on CBS for the first time next year, getting a Saturday night slot on the weekend before the Super Bowl, Sports Business Journal reported Friday. … Apple’s Major League Soccer package will be titled MLS Season Pass and cost $15 per month or $99 per season, it was announced this week. All matches on the opening weekend of play February 25-26 will be available to watch for free. (SBJ 11.15 11.18; Apple 11.16)
