Category Archives: ESPN

Big name hires: Roddick joins Fox Sports 1; Paul Finebaum to do radio show for ESPN

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Richard Deitsch of SI.com reports that Fox Sports 1 is adding Andy Roddick to its roster. The former tennis star will be one of the hosts of Fox Sports Live, the new network’s version of SportsCenter.

From Deitsch:

The 30-year-old Roddick said he will appear on Fox Sports Live nightly between Monday and Friday, working either four or five nights depending on the week. Fox Sports executives initially contacted him a few weeks after he announced his retirement from tennis at the U.S. Open in August. Roddick told Fox Sports executives he was not looking for a full-time job in television, but the two sides stayed in touch throughout the next couple of months, as Fox Sports executives told Roddick their vision for a competitor to ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“Throughout the interview process I was very honest,” Roddick said. “I was the way I have always been: pretty direct and pretty opinionated. I think that’s what they were looking for. I don’t know if they were looking for a typical, run-of-the-mill type of show or someone with fabricated opinions.”

The interview process heated up a couple of months ago as Roddick embarked on three in-person interviews with Fox Sports executives in Los Angeles and multiple phone interviews.

“It started with gauging interest on both sides and I don’t know that I was in a hurry to rush into anything that wasn’t a perfect opportunity in my mind,” Roddick said. “It was a fascinating process for me. I really haven’t had to earn my keep in a given job since I was 18 years old. Getting the gig is a start, but I am certainly prepared to put the work in and learn about this side of it, and try to prove my worth to the guys taking a shot with me.”

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Paul Finebaum might not be a nationwide personality, but few are bigger than him in the Southeast. The long-time Birmingham columnist and sports talk show host gets them fired up in SEC country.

Now Finebaum will his national platform. From the Wall Street Journal:

Finebaum, the polarizing personality of college football’s signature call-in show, is leaving the Birmingham, Ala., market where his contract expired in January, for Charlotte, N.C., and a national forum: ESPN. His multi-tiered platform will include a radio program on ESPN networks, 100 televised appearances annually on ESPN and a TV simulcast of his radio show on the ESPN-owned SEC Network launching in August 2014.

“It would be the understatement of my life to say I wasn’t thrilled,” Finebaum said. “It is incredibly exciting to be part of a new adventure, particularly one that involves the premiere brand in sports along with the pre-eminent conference in sports.” Finebaum has a five-year contract. Neither he nor ESPN would give financial details.

ESPN layoffs: Was it result of paying big money for sky-rocketing sports rights?

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Even though it makes a ton of money, ESPN laid off several hundred people today. There have been reports that it is in the 400 range, but I am told that number is high.

In a statement, the network said:

“We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs. While difficult, we are confident that it will make us more competitive, innovative and productive.”

The cuts appear to be part of a Disney Co. initiative to reduce staff. However, did those ESPNers lose their jobs because of the massive rights fees the network is shelling out?

Last month, Kirsten Aucuna of Business Insider wrote:

In February, the company revealed lower first-quarter results, attributing them in part to “rising costs of acquiring TV sports rights for its ESPN division,” something Iger previously predicted would occur at the end of 2012.

A correlation? Perhaps, given this text to Deadspin’s John Koblin.

btw…..we were told that the layoffs ARE tied to the profit margin that ESPN needs to meet and the fact they haven’t met that number. Your comments about them buying all of these live rights and now needed to reduce overhead costs is dead on.

For whatever the reason, definitely a tough day at ESPN.

 

 

Good move: U.S. Open tennis will be exclusively on ESPN

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CBS has had a good run with U.S. Open tennis, dating back to 1968. But it will be over after the 2014 tournament.

The United States Tennis Association agreed today to a new 11-year deal with ESPN, beginning in 2015. Not only is the money huge (a reported $825 million over the length of the contract), but the ESPN’s 24/7 promotion machine should help grow the audience. Having the entire tournament in one place makes sense.

From the Associated Press story:

“We expect the audience for the U.S. Open to increase, not to decrease, with all the platforms that we have digitally,” ESPN President John Skipper said during a conference call with reporters. “This sort of old canard that there’s something to be lost by going from broadcast to cable, I would submit, has it wrong. It is just the opposite. Moving to ESPN allows the opportunity to reach more people across platforms, and that’s what we believe will happen.”

He said ESPN eventually will give fans a chance to see action from all 17 courts at Flushing Meadows via television or computer.

“ESPN is the strongest brand in sports. It puts the U.S. Open at the center of American sports culture like never before,” USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith said.

 

Is ESPN really considering a late-night Letterman-Leno type show?

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Yes, they are, according to Jason McIntyre of the Big Lead.

McIntyre reports that ESPN president John Skipper actually tried to court Seth Meyers. It didn’t get very far since Meyers is slated to replace Jimmy Fallon on Late Night at NBC.

Skipper, though, is intrigued by ESPN having its own late-night vehicle in the mode of Letterman-Leno and the rest.

McIntyre writes:

Skipper went on to confirm one of the hottest non-Keith Olbermann rumors in Bristol: “We are interested in the late night spot. We’ve got all these lead-in games and … leading into what? But there is nothing imminent.” The other name floating around ESPN has been Craig Kilborn (formerly of Sportscenter), but Skipper told me they’ve had no talks with Kilborn.

Leading into what? How about leading into more sports.

Skipper and ESPN can try, but I don’t like the odds of them pulling off that kind entertainment type of show. ESPN should stick with what it does best: Sports.

 

Yes, SportsCenter is getting its own bus

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Now the big question: Who will be the driver?

Here are the details from ESPN:

SportsCenter on the Scene is a new feature that will travel to big events throughout the year. The bus is outfitted with satellite technology, bureau kit camera, lighting and equipment to do a live shot. It offers meeting space for a reporter, producer and crew to work, and an area to conduct interviews.

 

Preview: ESPN’s vast new set for SportsCenter and beyond

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ESPN had its big annual showcase for advertisers this morning in New York. The network wheeled out all the toys, including a preview of the new SportsCenter set that will be in its new digital center, which opens in 2014.

The area will be 10,000 square feet and approximately  350 video display units throughout with some as much as 15 feet high.

Apparently, the regulation that nothing can be higher than Mel Kiper Jr.’s hair has been waived.

Check out the preview. Note: No sound.

ESPN NFL Insiders to get their own show; Producer says no former players allowed

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Perhaps it was the wildy popular John Clayton TV commercial, or the fact that Adam Schefter has more than 2.2 million followers on Twitter, but ESPN has decided to give its NFL information gurus their own show.

ESPN will announce today that NFL Insiders will make its debut on Aug. 5. The one-hour daily show will be hosted by Suzy Kolber.

Schefter and Chris Mortensen will be the main players with aid from Clayton, Ed Werder, Bill Polian, and other contributors such as former GMs Phil Savage and Billy Devaney.

It won’t feature former players or coaches.

“We have one rule: If you played in the league, you’re not going to be on the show,” said producer Seth Markman.

Indeed, ESPN figures there are plenty of Xs and Os shows on the various networks. It wants a program strictly dedicated to information about the NFL. Who is doing what and why?

“I think the time has come for this kind of show,” Markman said. “It’s going to be different from anything else currently on TV. The thirst for information about the NFL is at an all-time high. If I walk down the street with Adam or Mort, people come up to them all the time. They ask, ‘Where is this free agent going? Who is this team going to draft?’

“It balances our schedule to have a show like this. I think the audience will be there.”

Markman said ESPN’s NFL insiders won’t sit on scoops so they can break them on the show. They still will be posted and tweeted immediately. However, he said he doesn’t expect them to stop reporting while the show is being aired.

“These guys never stop working,” Markman said. “A great scenario for us would be if they could break stories during the show. They could hold up their iPhones and say, ‘I just got this.'”

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Here’s the official release from ESPN.

ESPN will debut NFL Insiders, a new one-hour weekday pro football-themed show, in time for the 2013 season. The year-round program will focus on the biggest NFL news stories and information each day, including front office decisions, coaching moves, trades, free agency, the NFL Draft, and more.

NFL Insiders will examine the league from the perspectives of people who make decisions and from those who are first to report the news. Scheduled to debut Monday, Aug. 5 – the day after the Pro Football Hall of Fame game – the new show will replace NFL32.

Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter, two of the most respected reporters in the NFL, will be featured prominently on NFL Insiders and will have an even greater platform for breaking league news. Fans will also gain an inside look into how teams operate from six-time NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian, who has more than a quarter century of front office experience. Veteran host/anchor Suzy Kolber will host the show from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters.

“There is nothing more stimulating for a reporter than when you know you’re about to tell somebody something they haven’t heard until that very moment,” said Mortensen. “This is the essence of what Adam and I and this great team of contributors will bring each day to NFL Insiders, and we’re excited to get started.”

ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton and NFL insider Ed Werder will also have key roles, along with NFL Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, who will appear regularly in the offseason during the lead-up to the NFL Draft.

“Whether it’s in season or out of season, fans crave NFL news and that’s exactly what NFL Insiders will have every day with a smart presentation and some of the most connected people in the league,” said Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer, who oversees ESPN’s NFL studio shows.

In addition to ESPN’s popular television personalities, the daily four-person NFL Insiders panel will draw from a roster of accomplished journalists, former front office executives and other league experts as regular contributors, including:

  • Former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage;
  • Former St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney;
  • USA Today Sports NFL columnist Jarrett Bell;
  • Sirius/XM radio host Adam Caplan;
  • ESPN.com senior NFL writer Ashley Fox;
  • ESPN.com NFC East blogger Dan Graziano; and
  • ESPN Insider and ESPN Boston writer Field Yates.

NFL Insiders is the newest addition to ESPN’s comprehensive year-round NFL programming lineup. Other popular NFL-branded studio shows include Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live, NFL PrimeTime, NFL Kickoff, NFL Matchup and Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL. ESPN is also home to sports television’s longest running series Monday Night Football, entering its 44thseason this fall.

 

 

 

 

ESPN’s 30 for 30 becoming Martin Scorsese of Sports Emmys; Simmons not happy

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Earlier this week, Bill Simmons, as only he can, caused a stir with this tweet:

Anyone who hates ESPN should go to the Sports Emmys – it’s the one night that the industry can get us back by not voting for anything we do.

Being the team player that he is, Simmons was venting about ESPN, despite all of its bulk, winning only five Emmys. Meanwhile, HBO, minute by comparison, won six.

For the moment, let’s put aside whether there is a let’s-get-ESPN factor in the voting. I’m fairly sure Simmons doesn’t put out that tweet if his creation, the 30 for 30 documentary series, won an Emmy Tuesday.

And I’m not talking just about this year’s awards. As remarkable as it seems, not one of those tremendous 30 for 30 films through the years has been given an Emmy.

This year in the documentary category, 30 for 30 had nominations for The Announcement, the film about Magic Johnson’s shocking revelation, and for 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story. The winner was HBO’s Namath.

30 for 30 also was nominated for outstanding sports series edited/anthology. The winner was HBO’s Real Sports.

Once again, Simmons and the 30 for 30 folks had to feel like Martin Scorsese, the long-time best director never to win an Oscar. Remember how it seemed Marty got nominated every year (actually five times) and would walk away empty-handed?

Well, the same thing seems to be happening to 30 for 30.

The biggest problem is that 30 for 30 is in the toughest categories to win an Emmy. Arguably, you are talking about the highest levels of quality in all of sports TV. The competition is fierce.

The Namath documentary was excellent. It’s hard to argue about that choice.

30 for 30 might be a difficult fit in the outstanding edited sports series category. It doesn’t have a set schedule like Real Sports, which comes out once a month, or a thread of following a football team like Hard Knocks. Those factors probably cost 30 for 30 some votes there.

Still, it hardly seems right that 30 for 30 hasn’t walked away with at least one statue since the series started in 2009. These films have been landmark achievements. The frustration  boiled over for Simmons.

I’m sure Simmons has been told by now that his angry tweet probably wasn’t a good idea. It just sounds like so much sour grapes, and he has been ridiculed in many places. To make him feel better, Deadspin gave him its “Good Broadcastering Award.”

Simmons probably is best served following Scorsese’s lead. The director never complained about being passed over all those years. His time eventually came when he won the Oscar for The Departed in 2006.

30 for 30 also will get an Emmy one of these days. Until then, Simmons and the others associated with 30 for 30 will have settle for those documentaries being regarded as the best thing ESPN has ever done.

Not a bad consolation prize.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday flashback: Classic covers from ESPN The Magazine; Remember Ricky and Ditka?

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ESPN The Magazine is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week. Check out my interview with editor Chad Millman.

I thought I would roll out a few of the more memorable covers.

When it comes to all-time bizarre, nothing beats the beautiful couple of Ricky Williams and Mike Ditka. By the way, how long did that marriage last?

Here the first cover in 1998 featuring the next crop of sports superstars. Kobe Bryant and ARod did alright for themselves. Eric Lindros dominated, but his career got cut short. Kordell Stewart? Not so much.

 

This one just makes me laugh. Who should go first in the 1998 draft: Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf?

Here was a true Next: LeBron James’ first cover in 2002.

The full Serena from the first Body issue.

Sometimes you just need to run a cover with a unicorn.

New SEC-ESPN deal runs through 2034; SEC Network begins in 2014

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What’s the over-under on how many SEC national championships in football through 2034? I’m going with 17.

Here are the details:

Southeastern Conference sports — including football and basketball — will have a 24-hour-a-day home when the SEC Network launches in August 2014.

The SEC and ESPN announced a 20-year agreement and rights extension on Thursday. The deal includes a new television network and digital platform that will show SEC sports 24/7, including more than 1,000 events in the first year.

Included in the programming will be 45 football games, more than 100 men’s and more than 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games and selected events from the other 17 SEC sports. The network will also feature studio shows and coverage of special events such as signing day and football pro days.

The digital network, which will launch nationally with AT&T U-verse, will show hundreds of additional events. Each SEC school will have the opportunity to produce and develop content for various platforms. The network will be based in ESPN’s offices in Charlotte, N.C.

The extension means the SEC will have its games on ESPN’s family of networks, plus the SEC Network, through 2034.

“The SEC Network will provide an unparalleled fan experience of top quality SEC content presented across the television network and its accompanying digital platforms,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement. “We will increase exposure of SEC athletics programs at all 14 member institutions, as we showcase the incredible student-athletes in our league. The agreement for a network streamlines and completes an overall media rights package that will continue the SEC’s leadership for the foreseeable future.”

“The SEC is unmatched in its success on the field and its popularity with fans nationwide,” said ESPN president John Skipper. “The new network’s top-quality SEC matchups across a range of sports will serve all sports enthusiasts including the most passionate, die-hard SEC fans. Also, it will serve the needs of our multichannel distributors and advertisers by providing extremely attractive programming options across all platforms.”