The newest NCAA president has been announced. Plus: E.W. Scripps gets in the sports media rights game; the St. Louis Cardinals part ways with their play-by-play announcer; and more sports media news.
Mass. Gov Baker named new NCAA president
Outgoing Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker will succeed Mark Emmert as the next NCAA president, it was announced Thursday. Baker will start March 1, after finishing his second term as governor. Baker has no prior collegiate administrative or sports experience.
Baker’s political background was a driving force behind his selection, according to ESPN, as the NCAA seeks a federal solution to what it calls an “untenable patchwork of individual state laws” governing name, image and likeness.
While Baker has not taken positions on any pressing topics within the collegiate athletics world, he did say that his goal is to change with the times while preserving “one of the truly greatest human potential development organizations ever devised.” (ESPN 12.15)
E.W. Scripps Company goes after sports media rights
The E.W. Scripps Company announced Thursday that it has formed a new sports division — Scripps Sports — that will pursue local and national media rights for its local stations and national ION broadcast network. Scripps acquired ION (known long ago as PAX) in January of last year.
Per Sports Business Journal, Scripps is positioning itself as an alternate to cable and regional sports networks in an era of declining distribution, touting the reach of its over-the-air platforms. While Scripps is expected to compete for “Big Four” sports rights on a local level, it is also expected to pursue smaller properties on a national level — such as the NWSL, whose rights are up after next year. (Sports Business Journal 12.15)
Cardinals’ McLaughlin will not return
The St. Louis Cardinals and Bally Sports Midwest parted ways with play-by-play announcer Dan McLaughlin Thursday after more than two decades with the Cardinals. McLaughlin was arrested earlier this month for driving while intoxicated and charged with felony persistent DWI.
McLaughlin previously pleaded guilty to DWI twice, once in November 2010 and again in November 2011. While he was suspended after his second arrest, McLaughlin did return to the booth the next year.
In a statement Thursday, McLaughlin said he chose to step away from the Cardinals job as he has “come to the conclusion that my sole focus needs to be on my recovery … and that of my wife and children.” (The Athletic 12.15)
Plus: NBA, ESPN volleyball, Olbermann
The NBA on Thursday debuted a multi-part series exclusively on the NBA app titled “Pass the Rock,” a behind-the-scenes docuseries focused on Pelicans F Zion Williamson, Celtics G Jayson Tatum, Mavericks G Luka Dončić and other young star players. … ESPN’s NCAA volleyball semifinal and championship matches are being called by the team of Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak and Katie George, marking the first all-female team for the event. … Former SportsCenter anchor Keith Olbermann was one of several media members whose Twitter account suspended Thursday. (NBA 12.14, ESPN/Twitter 12.15)
