A prominent New York sports radio voice may decide to call it quits. Plus: A surprise return for Vince McMahon may see WWE sold; XFL and ESPN release their 43 game schedule; and more sports media news
Michael Kay contemplates retirement
Prominent New York sports radio host Michael Kay is considering retirement according to New York Post columnist Andrew Marchand. Kay, 61, has been the host of the critically acclaimed The Michael Kay Show since 2002. The show battled with Mike & the Mad Dog for New York sports radio supremacy for years before the show’s end in 2009. And when Mike & the Mad Dog co-host Mike Francesca came out of retirement in 2019, Kay’s show reigned supreme, cementing his show’s status as the number one radio show in New York sports.
Although Kay might leave his radio show, he has reportedly made it clear that he intends to not only keep his Yankees TV announcer job, but also hopes to return to ESPN’s Kay-Rod broadcasts where he and former Yankee Alex Rodriguez did an alternative cast on select Sunday Night Baseball games, similar to the NFL’s Manningcast. (Marchand 1.5)
Vince McMahon plans to return, then sell WWE
After retiring from WWE in July 2022 following a Wall Street Journal report that he paid former female employees $12 million in “hush money” to cover up sexual misconduct and infidelity allegations, Vince McMahon is now attempting a comeback in order to sell the company, the Journal reported Thursday. McMahon, who still owns the majority of WWE voting shares, reportedly told the board that he was electing himself and former WWE co-presidents, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, as directors. In order for this to occur, three current board members would have to step down.
McMahon believes that with WWE’s Raw and Smackdown rights expiring in 2024, now is the best time to sell the $5.2 billion company. Following the news, WWE shares increased 10% to $79 per share in after-hours trading (Wall Street Journal 1.5)
XFL and ESPN release TV schedule
The XFL released its 2023 schedule in coordination with broadcasting partner ESPN. The season kicks off on Sunday, February 18 on ABC at 3pm when the Arlington Renegades host the Vegas Vipers. The 8-team league headed by Dwayne Johnson will have all 43 games televised with 7 games, including the championship game on May 13, on ABC. ESPN/ESPN2 will have 22 games including the XFL Playoffs, while FX will broadcast the remaining 15 games. All games will be streamed on ESPN+. (XFL 1.5)
Plus: McAfee megacast, Dana White’s slap league, Sean McVay TV rumors
Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show will return for the CFP National Championship on ESPN2 as part of ESPN’s MegaCast. … UFC president Dana White’s slap-fighting league – Power Slap – had its debut on TBS pushed back a week to January 18 following TMZ footage of White and his wife, Anna, slapping each other. … With the LA Rams’ elimination from playoff contention, rumors have once again started on head coach Sean McVay’s possible future TV career, as various networks have shown interest according to a Front Office Sports report. (ESPN 1.5, Front Office Sports slap league 1.5, FOS McVay 1.5)
