The Sports Media (Sports Radio, Podcasts, Shows, Networks, Etc.) Thread
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Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor will split the hosting role of ESPN’s NBA Countdown in some capacity, Richard Deitsch reports. He further notes that Michelle Beadle’s future is up in the air, tweeting: “She’s well-liked by the talent she works with and she’ll be working on-air somewhere. The Q is whether that will be for ESPN or elsewhere. To be determined.”
This is not particularly stunning news. Sports By Brooks reported similarly several weeks ago; in February we wrote that ESPN was in a bind with Beadle, who has several years and double-digit millions of dollars left on her contract, but had ceased being a capable leader for ESPN’s flagship NBA program.
Nichols, who will remain hosting The Jump, has deep roots with the NBA. Taylor is a rising star at the network who has excelled in every role she has been in.
It will be interesting to see who ultimately wins the job for the NBA Finals telecasts on ABC, or maybe if they go with something similar to Sunday Night Football on NBC where there are two hosts and separate sets.
This is not particularly stunning news. Sports By Brooks reported similarly several weeks ago; in February we wrote that ESPN was in a bind with Beadle, who has several years and double-digit millions of dollars left on her contract, but had ceased being a capable leader for ESPN’s flagship NBA program.
Nichols, who will remain hosting The Jump, has deep roots with the NBA. Taylor is a rising star at the network who has excelled in every role she has been in.
It will be interesting to see who ultimately wins the job for the NBA Finals telecasts on ABC, or maybe if they go with something similar to Sunday Night Football on NBC where there are two hosts and separate sets.
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The Kevin Garnett Area 21 segments on TNT’s Inside the NBA and digital platforms will not return for the 2019-20 NBA season, The Big Lead has learned from multiple people with knowledge of the news.
From what we’ve heard, this was not an acrimonious exit, and there could be ways that Garnett and TNT could collaborate on content down the line. Whether or not that winds up happening is to be determined at this point. Garnett had been contributing to TNT since 2016, and he has a number of other business interests.
Turner Sports is in a state of transition after their parent company Time Warner was acquired by AT&T. CNN boss Jeff Zucker replaced David Levy as head of the department, and there have been a number of other changes with talents and behind the scenes.
In the NBA, Mike Fratello and Ros Gold-Onwude will not return next season and The Starters are out at NBATV; Andrew Marchand has reported that Steve Nash, who has been in their Champions League studio, will do some features coverage and that they are close to snaring Stan Van Gundy from ESPN as a color commentator.
From what we’ve heard, this was not an acrimonious exit, and there could be ways that Garnett and TNT could collaborate on content down the line. Whether or not that winds up happening is to be determined at this point. Garnett had been contributing to TNT since 2016, and he has a number of other business interests.
Turner Sports is in a state of transition after their parent company Time Warner was acquired by AT&T. CNN boss Jeff Zucker replaced David Levy as head of the department, and there have been a number of other changes with talents and behind the scenes.
In the NBA, Mike Fratello and Ros Gold-Onwude will not return next season and The Starters are out at NBATV; Andrew Marchand has reported that Steve Nash, who has been in their Champions League studio, will do some features coverage and that they are close to snaring Stan Van Gundy from ESPN as a color commentator.
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Big Lurko
Im not here to read more than 2 lines..
Lmao cmon son! You gotta know that cant fly on ESPN. Then he tried to throw another nigga under then bus cuz he clearly used wordplay on homie last name smh.
Ha...
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Zach Lowe is staying with ESPN. The NBA talent is signing a multiyear extension with the network, The Big Lead has learned.
When reached by text, an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the news.
As The Big Lead previously reported, Lowe’s contract with ESPN was coming up and The Athletic had interest in adding him to their subscription service.
Lowe is used in a variety of ways across ESPN’s NBA programming. This includes his The Lowe Postpodcast, appearances on The Jump, television specials with Adrian Wojnarowski, and, perhaps most notably, his long-form NBA digital pieces.
Like with Bill Barnwell, David Jacoby, and Jalen Rose, Lowe has found his footing at ESPN since the conclusion of the Grantland era at ESPN.
When reached by text, an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the news.
As The Big Lead previously reported, Lowe’s contract with ESPN was coming up and The Athletic had interest in adding him to their subscription service.
Lowe is used in a variety of ways across ESPN’s NBA programming. This includes his The Lowe Postpodcast, appearances on The Jump, television specials with Adrian Wojnarowski, and, perhaps most notably, his long-form NBA digital pieces.
Like with Bill Barnwell, David Jacoby, and Jalen Rose, Lowe has found his footing at ESPN since the conclusion of the Grantland era at ESPN.