In July of 2023, recently returned Disney CEO Bob Iger shocked the media industry by indicating he might be open to divesting the company’s declining linear assets. By last fall, he’d changed his mind, declaring them not for sale. On interviews and earnings calls since, he’s explained why — most recently at the MoffettNathanson media
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Veteran ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Anderson said today that he will retire from the show at the end of June. Anderson announced his decision on his podcast, Inside Wisconsin, which he co-hosts with Trevor Thomas. “My contract runs out at ESPN at the end of June and I have decided that will be the end.
Oops. ESPN has apologized for airing a brief video clip of a woman flashing her breast during its broadcast of the Sugar Bowl Monday in New Orleans. The clip was shown following a commercial during the second half of Washington’s 37-31 victory over Texas in a semifinal game of the College Football Playoff. A group
EXCLUSIVE: With the 10th edition of the Playoff set to cap off a high-rated season starting on New Year’s Day, Disney says advertising inventory is nearly sold out for the semifinals and championship. “We have a lot of consistency with brands,” Deidra Maddock, VP, Sports Brand Solutions, Disney Advertising, told Deadline in an interview. “Not
Taylor Swift is no Yoko Ono, claims a prominent ESPN sportscaster. Reacting to the chatter that has arrived as the Kansas City Chiefs are no longer dominating opponents, angry fans are pointing to Swift’s appearances at the Chiefs games as the cause of the team’s swoon. Swift is, of course, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s
UPDATED with Thompson apology: Fox Sports‘ NFL Kickoff host Charissa Thompson is apologizing following an outcry of criticism from her peers after admitting that she “would make up” sideline reports at games. In an Instagram story, Charissa said she wanted to “address the elephant in the room.” “Working in media I understand how important words
Arnold Schwarzenegger is hoping to be useful to Peyton and Eli Manning. The Terminator and FUBAR star is heading to Manningcast on Monday night as Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers take on Zach Wilson’s New York Jets. He is the latest big-name star to appear on the Omaha Productions show after the likes of Barack
ESPN saw revenue of $13.2 billion and operating income of close to $1.5 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2023, Disney revealed ahead of earnings next month when it plans to break out Sports as its own business segment — part of a restructuring initiated by CEO Bob Iger. In comparison, the entire
The roller coaster of ESPN staffing news continued today, as NFL analyst Mina Kimes is set for what’s reported to be a massive new deal. The agreement is worth more than $1.7 million, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, and puts Kimes over seven figures for the first time. “Kimes’ role with ESPN
ESPN and more than two dozen other Disney networks as well as ABC stations have gone dark across Spectrum, the No. 2 cable TV service in the U.S. Charter Communications, which runs Spectrum, and Disney had been locked in a distribution dispute since well before the U.S. Open tennis tournament began this week. In the
Paul Finebaum, an ESPN contributor for a decade, is weighing in on the layoffs that saw about 20 on-air personalities exit the sports network. “It’s pretty tough, and I say that loving my job and loving the company,” Finebaum said during an appearance on The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast. “But it was the
Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s most heralded rookie since LeBron James entered in 2003, didn’t exactly light up the Summer League scorecard in his debut. But if opening night jitters held him back a tad on the scorecard, it didn’t matter on the scoreboard. The San Antonio Spurs topped the Charlotte Hornets 76-68, as former St.
Stephen A. Smith is opening up about the ESPN layoffs that saw about 20 on-air personalities become redundant at the sports network. “ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” the sports analyst said on The Stephen
Venus Williams, making her 24th appearance at Wimbledon, lost her first-round match Monday after rebounding from a twisted knee in the early going. Elina Svitolina beat Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. In the third game of the first set, Williams collapsed in pain after her right knee bent at an awkward angle. After a
Rob Ninkovich’s ESPN contract won’t be renewed, continuing cutbacks of ESPN’s television and radio teams. Front Office Sports reported the news Friday. Ninkovich joined ESPN in 2019. A former New England Patriot and two-time Super Bowl champion, Ninkovich was on-air personality on programs including “NFL Live,” “Get Up,” and “SportsCenter.” Front Office Sports reported his contract
Popular “SportsCenter” anchor Neil Everett is reportedly leaving ESPN after 23 years. Front Office Sports has written that the 61-year-old Everett is leaving, the latest on-air talent to depart the network. “Bartender…last call,” Everett said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my
ESPN cut ties with MLB reporter Marly Rivera after a heated exchange with fellow reporter Ivón Gaete. According to USA Today, the sports network said in a statement that Rivera “no longer works here.” Rivera’s social media accounts have been disabled and her bio on the ESPN website is not available and redirects users to
Undefeated and defending national champion Georgia takes on TCU in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, home of the Los Angeles Rams and L.A. Chargers and this past year’s Super Bowl. The game will air live on ESPN,