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The Sports Media (Sports Radio, Podcasts, Shows, Networks, Etc.) Thread

Sports Illustrated has learned that Michael Smith’s last day as an ESPN SportsCenter host will be Friday.

Smith leaving the 6 p.m. SC6 edition of SportsCenter follows his former SportsCenter co-anchor Jemele Hill ’s decision to depart the franchise to join the staff of The Undefeated, the ESPN microsite that fuses sports, race and culture, as well as other additional assignments. Both Hill and Smith have multiple years left on their ESPN contracts so look for Smith to craft a new role at ESPN over the next couple of months.

https://www.si.com/tech-media/2018/03/08/michael-smith-espn-leaving-sportscenter-sc6
 
http://awfulannouncing.com/espn/dan-le-batard-reportedly-talks-siriusxm-leave-espn-radio-show.html

Dan Le Batard reportedly in talks with SiriusXM, could leave ESPN Radio show

Over the last decade or so, Dan Le Batard has gradually emerged across multiple platforms as one of ESPN’s highest profile personalities. His radio show enjoys a wide audience and a rabid cult-like following, while his television show Highly Questionable draws solid ratings each afternoon on ESPN’s flagship network.

With that in mind, we imagine ESPN executives are alarmed by the fact that, according to The Big Lead’s Ryan Glasspiegel, Le Batard is in talks with SiriusXM about jumping to satellite radio.

Dan Le Batard has had discussions about the possibility of moving his ESPN radio show exclusively to SiriusXM, The Big Lead has learned from two people with knowledge of the news. Unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter, they requested anonymity.

[…]

Le Batard’s contract with ESPN expires early this summer, and there are a number of possibilities about what will happen. He could be given the resources to build out his own SiriusXM station. Le Batard could also start out on Mad Dog Radio, and he and the company could gauge momentum for a little while before deciding whether to expand to a full station. This was the template successfully followed recently by Barstool Radio on the Rush channel before they got their own station. Finally, it’s also possible — likely, even — that his radio show remains at ESPN.

Given that ESPN just recently revamped its radio lineup, the network would presumably prefer not to lose one of its biggest stars. Le Batard can occasionally cause headaches for his bosses, but he produces compelling radio and has always drawn listeners. Plus, he takes up a lot of real estate on both TV and the radio.

If Le Batard is serious about leaving ESPN Radio or ESPN altogether (and not merely leveraging another outlet’s interest into a more favorable contract extension), his departure would leave some huge holes. Currently, The Dan Le Batard Show airs on ESPN Radio from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and is simulcast on ESPNU. Highly Questionable, meanwhile, airs weekdays at 4:30 p.m. ET, leading into Around the Horn and PTI. Developing new brands and building new audiences in those slots would not be easy.





As Glasspiegel points out, Le Batard greatly values editorial independence and would likely have more leeway on SiriusXM to discuss what he wants, how he wants. But as Glasspiegel also points out, Le Batard has warned colleagues in the past about the dangers of leaving ESPN.

With Le Batard’s contract at ESPN expiring “early this summer,” per The Big Lead, we shouldn’t have to wait too long to see what he decides.
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http://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/eber...val-league-impressive-backing-media-deal.html

Ebersol family announces new NFL, XFL rival league, with impressive backing and a media deal


Back in January, WWE owner and CEO Vince McMahon announced the revival of the old XFL, promising a faster game, an absence of politics and a policy excluding players with criminal records. Now, only two months later, Charlie Ebersol has revealed plans for yet another NFL competitor, which will be named the Alliance of American Football and reportedly has backing from some big names on both the football side and the financial side.

According to ESPN, former Colts general manager Bill Polian will help “steer the league,” while former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will oversee the players, former NFL receiver and XFL general manager J.K. McKay will oversee the teams, and ex-NFLers Justin Tuck and Hines Ward will serve as advisers, along with Dick Ebersol.

But where the AAF really seems to stand out is on the balance sheet. The league’s investors reportedly include Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and The Chernin Group, which owns a majority share of Barstool Sports. Meanwhile, a TV deal with CBS has already been worked out. Per ESPN, CBS will air the league’s debut game as well as its championship, while broadcasting one game a week on CBS Sports Network. Other games will be available to stream on the AAF’s app.

In an effort to keep contests to two and a half hours, the league will have no TV timeouts, will eliminate kickoffs and extra points, and will use a 30-second play clock (as opposed to the NFL’s 45-second one), according to the New York Times.

There’s a lot to unpack here, but the most fascinating element of the new league might be Charlie Ebersol’s involvement. Charlie’s father, Dick, was McMahon’s partner on the original XFL, and Charlie directed a 30 for 30 documentary about the XFL that aired on ESPN last year. At the end of the film, McMahon and Dick Ebersol discussed “trying again” with the XFL, with McMahon saying “I’m sure we can find a way.”

Given all that history, it’s a bit jarring to see McMahon and Charlie Ebersol launch competing leagues at the same time. Maybe the relationship there has soured and Ebersol and McMahon plan to duke things out against each other, or maybe there is some kind of plan for a merger. As of now, the XFL has the brand name, while the AAF has the television deal and financial backing. Combine the two and you could have something intriguing.

The AAF plans to debut February 9, 2019, the day after the Super Bowl, while the XFL says it is shooting for an early 2020 launch. Will they both last? Can either truly take a bite out of the NFL? Is a merger inevitable? Will they simply compete until one gives in? That interplay should be fascinating to watch over the next few years.
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the BOMM (black opinions matter monday) pod has been rebranded...AGAIN

its now the back to back podcast and they are doing the patreon thing offering a subscription option for "exclusive" content

the pods are still free....for now..but this is a slippery slope. I think eventually, they start charging for that

count the dings

http://toppodcast.com/podcast_feeds/back-to-back-count-the-dings/
 
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