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☆ Mark Cuban offered to introduce Taylor Swift to a Dallas Maverick. Travis Kelce wasn’t having it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —It appears that everyone wants in on whatever is going on between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team appeared on Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s “First Take” and had a message for Swift. Travis Kelce later said he “threw the ball in her court” and told Swift, “I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead. Swift and Kelce - now known as “Tayvis,” “Traylor,” “Swelce” or “K. “@mcuban Just sign me to a ten day!” Kelce responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, requesting a temporary Mavericks contract.

Persons: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Mark Cuban, ESPN’s, Swift, “ Taylor, Travis, ”, “, here’s, Jason Kelce, “ I’ve, ” “ Traylor, Kelce, James Dean, Swift’s, ” Kelce Organizations: CNN, Dallas Mavericks, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, People, Twitter, Mavericks Locations: Kansas, Arrowhead

☆ Travis Kelce on Taylor Swift: ‘I threw the ball in her court’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Travis Kelce is talking about the pop superstar, while still not confirming speculation that the pair may be dating. No one actually know what’s going on.”The athlete also called out his brother, Philadelphia Eagles football player Jason Kelce, for talking about it recently. “I threw the ball in her court and told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead. You might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit,’” Kelce said. “So, I was a little bit hurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.”When Jason Kelce asked his brother if he meant his jersey number or his phone number, Travis Kelce quipped, “You know which one.”

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, ESPN’s, Pat McAfee, Kelce, “, ”, Jason Kelce, Travis ’, ” Travis Kelce, ‘ I’ve, ” Kelce, Jason, Swift, Travis Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles Locations: Arrowhead

18 Colorado rallied to beat Colorado State 43-35 early Sunday in front of a full house packed with celebrities. Sanders connected with Harrison for an 18-yard score and then found an open Xavier Weaver on the 2-point conversion. After the game, Sanders and Norvell shook hands near midfield amid a sea of fans. “This rivalry has been going on way longer before I got here,” said Norvell, who's in his second season at Colorado State. Colorado State put a bye week to good use by finding ways to contain Sanders and the explosive Colorado offense for most of the game.

Persons: — Shedeur Sanders, Michael Harrison, Sanders, Harrison, Xavier Weaver, Trevor Woods, Brayden Fowler, Fowler, Nicolosi, Tory Horton, Jimmy Horn Jr, it’s, ” Sanders, Jay Norvell, Deion Sanders, Norvell, ”, who's, “ It’s, There’s, Shilo Sanders, ” Shilo Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Lil Wayne . Fowler, ” Fowler, “, Mohamed Kamara, Kamara, Hunter, GameDay ”, Lil Wayne, “ They've, They've, Ralphie Organizations: Colorado State, Colorado, Buffaloes, Rams, “, GameDay, The Buffaloes, AP Locations: BOULDER, Colo, Colorado, ”, Boulder, Arizona, Tennessee, . Colorado, Oregon

NEW YORK (AP) — All four Grand Slam trophies were there. The gilded cup given to the Wimbledon men’s titlist was escorted by two people associated with that tournament’s museum. Now, two years later, Djokovic and Medvedev will again decide the U.S. Open men’s champion. Djokovic is seeking what would be a 24th Grand Slam title, more than anyone in the sport’s Open era, and fourth in New York. “Every time in a Grand Slam final, it’s another shot for history and I’m aware of it, and of course I’m very proud of it,” Djokovic said.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Ashe, Djokovic, Rod Laver, Medvedev, “, Chris Widmaier, ” Widmaier, Michael Fiur, Widmaier, Norman Brooks, wasn’t, Laver, “ You’re, Roland Garros, John F, Ashe, Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, it’s, ” Djokovic, ” ___ Howard Fendrich, ___ Organizations: U.S . Tennis Association, USTA, Australian, Wimbledon, U.S, Associated Press, French, U.S . Open, des Mousquetaires, Brink’s Company, Kennedy International Airport, Flushing Locations: New York, Flushing Meadows, United States, Carlsbad , California, New, ESPN’s

☆ Why Charter and Disney Are Fighting, and What It Means for Viewers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | More About Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

On its surface, the quarrel is about how much Disney can charge Charter for its content, and how much Charter’s customers will pay for access to Disney’s streaming apps. Charter is positioning the blackout of Disney’s channels, including ESPN, as a fight over the future of TV. Disney has said it has “proposed creative ways to make Disney’s direct-to-consumer services available to their Spectrum TV subscribers.”How has Disney responded? Until Disney and Charter reach an agreement, the company’s TV channels, including ESPN, will be dark for the 15 million people who subscribe to Charter’s Spectrum service. There’s a chance that with Disney’s channels on Spectrum going dark, Charter’s customers might just cancel their subscriptions and opt for alternatives.

Persons: Disney, “, There’s Organizations: Disney, Media, ESPN, Spectrum, ABC, Charter, U.S, Disney Channel, YouTube, U.S . Locations: Disney’s

☆ A New Hulu Series Celebrates the Many Faces of Black Success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Christopher Kuo | More About Christopher Kuo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Seat eight highly successful Black people around a dinner table and prompt them to discuss reparations and hairstyles and Kanye West over crayfish bisque and roast duck. That’s the premise for a new television show, produced by ESPN’s Black-focused media platform, Andscape, called “The Conversations Project,” now streaming on Hulu. A hybrid of talk show and dinner party, the unscripted series explores the pride and peril of being Black in America. What does it mean to be authentic in a world that so often requires code-switching? What’s the difference between having influence and being a leader?

Persons: ESPN’s, —, Marc Spears, Elaine Welteroth, David Lawrence ., Lawrence Organizations: Kanye, Hulu, Harlem, Andscape’s Locations: America

☆ James Harden: Philadelphia 76ers star calls team’s president a ‘liar’ amid trade rumors
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden called his own team’s president Daryl Morey “a liar” in a surprising attack amid ongoing trade speculation surrounding the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/FILEWojnarowski reported on Saturday that the team broke off trade talks and expected Harden to return to training camp. “Harden has been emphatic in wanting a trade, so the Sixers are setting up an uncomfortable situation to start camp. Ultimately, Philadelphia wouldn’t make a trade that they believed would compromise their title hopes,” Wojnarowski posted on social media on Saturday. Just over a year later, he was traded to the 76ers from the Nets after rumors of his desire to leave Brooklyn had surfaced.

Persons: James Harden, Daryl Morey “, “ Daryl Morey, ” Harden, Daryl Morey, Morey, Harden, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, old’s, Tim Nwachukwu, “ Harden, ” Wojnarowski Organizations: CNN — Philadelphia 76ers, NBA.com, CNN, Sixers, 76ers, Saturday, Houston Rockets, Star, Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Nets Locations: China, Camden , New Jersey, Philadelphia, Brooklyn

☆ Penn Entertainment to create ESPN Bet, sells Barstool back to David Portnoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Casino owner PENN Entertainment has dropped Barstool, the sports website, agreeing to a $2 billion dollar deal with ESPN to create ESPN Bet. The online Barstool Sportsbook will be rebranded as ESPN Bet in the fall, PENN said in a statement Tuesday. It secured exclusive rights to the ESPN Bet trademark for 10 years, with an option to be extended for another 10. To get out of some its “non-compete and other restrictive covenants” with Barstool, PENN sold all of its Barstool common stock to the sports site’s founder, David Portnoy. PENN completed its acquisition of Barstool in February, after buying an initial 36% stake of Barstool Sports in 2020.

Persons: PENN, Jay Snowden, David Portnoy, ”, Portnoy, it’s, ” Portnoy, “ Penn, ” PENN, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN — Casino, PENN Entertainment, ESPN, ESPN Bet, Penn, Twitter, Barstool Sports, Barstool Locations: New York, Barstool

☆ ESPN Enters Sports Gambling in $2 Billion Deal With Casino Company
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Kellen Browning | More About Kellen Browning | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ESPN on Tuesday announced a 10-year deal with Penn Entertainment, a casino company, to create an online sports betting brand called ESPN Bet, catapulting the sports entertainment network into the lucrative world of online gambling. Penn will operate the online sports book and pay ESPN $1.5 billion in cash for the use of ESPN’s name, marketing, “access to ESPN talent” and other promotional tools, Penn said in a news release. Penn will also give ESPN options to buy $500 million in Penn stock, the news release said. Jimmy Pitaro, the chairman of ESPN, said in the news release that he believed ESPN’s strong brand, combined with Penn’s technology and experience running a sports book, provided a “tremendous opportunity to serve the ever-growing number of consumers interested in betting.”Jay Snowden, Penn’s chief executive, called the deal “transformative” and said it would help Penn continue to evolve into a “North American entertainment leader.”

Persons: Penn, Jimmy Pitaro, ” Jay Snowden, ” Organizations: ESPN, Tuesday, Penn Entertainment, ESPN Bet, Penn Locations: Penn, American

ESPN has been Disney’s financial engine for nearly 30 years, powering the company through recessions, box office wipeouts and the pandemic. With its dual revenue stream — fees from cable subscribers and advertising — the sports juggernaut continues to earn billions of dollars for Disney. In the first six months of the 2023 fiscal year, Disney’s cable networks division, which is anchored by ESPN and its spinoff channels, generated $14 billion in revenue and $3 billion in profit. Disney is now exploring a once-unthinkable sale of a stake in ESPN. Disney has held talks with the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball about taking a minority stake.

Persons: Century Fox, ESPN’s, Robert A, ” Organizations: ESPN, Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Century, CNBC, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball

☆ Stephen A. Smith speaks out about ESPN’s layoffs: ‘I could be next’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Michael Nam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is wondering if he too might soon be out of a job. ESPN’s cuts are only the latest layoffs across several media companies, including The Athletic, National Geographic and CNN. But a person familiar with the staff reductions at the sports network told CNN that ESPN’s layoffs were unconnected with Disney (DIS)’s larger layoff plans. Aside from those mentioned by Smith, cuts included “College GameDay” analyst LaPhonso Ellis and NFL sideline reporter Suzy Kolber. Smith also briefly touched on the issue of race in his discussion about feeling uncomfortable about his job security.

Persons: New York CNN — ESPN’s Stephen A, Smith, ”, —, Jalen Rose, Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson —, ” Smith, “, ESPN’s, LaPhonso Ellis, Suzy Kolber, “ Don’t, “ I’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, The Athletic, National Geographic, CNN, ESPN, Disney, “, GameDay, NFL Locations: New York

New York CNN —ESPN is laying off around 20 high-profile sports commentators as part of a cost-cutting initiative, a source with knowledge of the layoffs told CNN. “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries,” ESPN said in a statement. But the source stressed that the cuts were simply a matter of cost-cutting, and not related to job performance. Disney (DIS), which owns ESPN, is laying off 7,000 employees. The person familiar with the plans said that ESPN’s layoffs were unrelated to the broader layoffs at Disney (DIS).

Persons: Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, LaPhonso Ellis, Suzy Kolber, “, ”, ” Kolber Organizations: New, New York CNN, ESPN, CNN, ” ESPN, Twitter, Disney Locations: New York

☆ The N.C.A.A. Wants More Money From TV. Maxing That Out Could Prove Tricky.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Billy Witz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For more than 20 years, fans of college sports like softball, baseball, women’s basketball and more than two dozen others have known just where to find N.C.A.A. championships — on ESPN’s spectrum of channels. The arrangement has worked well for both parties: The N.C.A.A. A sign of how comfortable the N.C.A.A. and ESPN were with their partnership came in 2011, when they agreed to a 13-year, $500 million renewal without the N.C.A.A.’s ever taking the rights to market.

Persons: ’ Organizations: ESPN

☆ Nikola Jokić temporarily loses MVP trophy ahead of Denver Nuggets parade
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —For most people, after winning the NBA Finals MVP trophy, you wouldn’t let it out of your sight. But Nikola Jokić is not most people, and the Denver Nuggets star seemed to have misplaced his award. After dominating in the Denver Nuggets’ 4-1 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat, Jokić deservedly picked up the award given to the best player throughout the series. The Denver Nuggets' Championship Celebration gets underway Thursday. The Denver Nuggets’ championship celebration starts with a pre-rally at 11:00 a.m.

Persons: Nikola Jokić, Jokić deservedly, Jokić, ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Russell, Andrews, “, ” Jokić, Sparky Gonzales ’, ” Andrews, –, Isaiah J, Downing, ’ Jokic, Don’t, ESPN’s Lisa Salters, ”, Garrett Ellwood Organizations: CNN, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Serbian, USA, Reuters, Star, The Denver Nuggets, Union Station Locations: Serbia, Denver

☆ Damar Hamlin participates in full Buffalo Bills practice wearing a helmet and seemingly in good spirits
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Wearing a helmet and seemingly in good spirits, Damar Hamlin participated in full practice with the Buffalo Bills for the first time since his cardiac arrest in January. Hamlin (left) participates in practice on June 6. On the sideline, Hamlin threw his helmet to the ground in frustration and trainers looked at his right shoulder/arm area. CPR was performed on Hamlin when he lost his pulse and needed to be revived through resuscitation and defibrillation. The 25-year-old was cleared to resume football activities last month and said he has been planning to make a comeback to the NFL.

Persons: CNN —, Damar Hamlin, Hamlin, Brandon Beane, “, ” Beane, “ He’s, we’re, he’d, “ We’ll, that’ll, ESPN’s Alaina, John Wawrow, Getzenberg, Nyheim Hines, KeeSean Johnson, Kyle Allen, “ Hamlin, ” Hamlin, commotio cordis Organizations: CNN, Buffalo Bills, Bills, NFL, Hamlin, Cincinnati Bengals

☆ Yogi Berra: ‘It Ain’t Over’ documentary reassesses baseball great’s remarkable career and life
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Yogi Berra famously said “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” but one of the greatest careers in baseball history might have been over before it had even begun. He was injured during the attack, he pulled bodies out of the water, and he learned that in comparison to war, baseball would be easy. In a file photo -- September 28, 1955 -- Jackie Robinson (R) is safe under an attempted out by Yankee catcher Yogi Berra, on a steal home from third. I don’t think anything that anyone said or wrote took any of that joy away from him. I don’t think Grandpa meant to be a civil rights activist,” explained Lindsay, “He just did the right thing.

Persons: Yogi Berra, Berra, ”, Lindsay, “, Bob Costas, Granny Hamner, Don Larsen, Billy Crystal, Yogi, ” Berra, Joe Di Maggio, Mickey Mantle –, Jackie Robinson, Frank Kellert, Larry Berra, Barack Obama, Alex Wong, ” Lindsay, ’, ‘ we’re, ’ ”, “ There’s, grandpa, ESPN’s, he’d, Grandpa, you’ve, Jon Matlack, Robinson, “ Grandpa, Jackie, Kathy Willens Organizations: CNN, Yankee, Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, AP, Life Magazine, Bettmann, American, Observers, Dodgers, Getty, White, Mets, ” New York Yankees Hall of Fame, Toronto Blue Jays, Steinbrenner, “ Locations: Normandy, American, New York, Washington , DC, Europe, ”, Tampa , Fla, Maryland

☆ Will Levis, widely expected to be picked in first round of 2023 NFL Draft, suffers awkward moments as he isn’t chosen
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Those cutaways during the NFL Draft to hopefuls waiting for their names to be picked as other players are chosen ahead of them. Will Levis, the quarterback from Kentucky, was widely projected to be drafted in the first round, if not the top 10 selections. Levis waits in the Green Room with family at the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis waited, waited, waited and waited. But when the final pick was turned in and it Levis’ name wasn’t on that ticket, the waiting game was over.

☆ Drafting it: Sportscaster Rich Eisen on football and finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Sports commentator Rich Eisen poses for a photo on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. “I hung up the phone and became the owner of my own business,” Eisen recalls about buying back his show from DirecTV, which was shuttering its Audience Network. This year’s edition will kick off April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri, and Eisen will be assuming hosting duties once again. But when he thinks about his financial life, Eisen does not focus much on areas like stock picking. When I first got that call, I didn’t have the first clue about how to run a business," Eisen says.

☆ Aaron Rodgers: New York Jets general manager calls deal 'historic' for the franchise
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas called the deal to acquire four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers “historic” for the franchise. Douglas spoke Tuesday on how the trade – which has not yet been finalized as the two teams work out the details – came together. “Obviously, a long time in the making,” Douglas told reporters at a previously scheduled pre-draft press conference. Rodgers is joining the New York Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Kansas City, Missouri.

☆ Disney boss Bob Iger talks about the future of Marvel, ‘Star Wars,’ ESPN, and Hulu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Bob Iger’s vision for Disney is coming into greater focus. The CEO touched on a broad range of subjects, including Disney+, Marvel, “Star Wars,” and Hulu, among others. “We’re going to turn back to the Avengers franchise, but with a whole set of different Avengers,” Iger said. ► Imperative to be “very careful” with “Star Wars”: Iger said that the company is also being “very careful” in its approach to the “Star Wars” franchise. “In our zeal to grow profits, we may have been a little bit too aggressive about some of our pricing,” Iger said.

The massive audience makes it the most-watched “Monday Night Football” broadcast since the NFL moved the series to ESPN in 2006, surpassing the previous record of 21.8 million viewers for a Packers-Vikings game in 2009. Monday’s high-profile game, however, was suspended when Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter just moments after an open field tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. During game play, ESPN averaged 21.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings. That audience then grew to 23.9 million viewers between 9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. when ESPN aired news coverage of Hamlin’s collapse. But I just didn’t want to be speculating.”Before Hamlin’s devastating injury, the game was expected to be among the most-viewed Monday Night Football games in ESPN’s history.

☆ ESPN stands by report that NFL planned to restart game after Hamlin collapsed
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —ESPN is sticking by its reporting that the NFL had initially planned to resume Monday’s football game after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field – a claim the NFL vehemently denies. The NFL postponed Monday’s game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals following the on-field injury. But whether the NFL had at any point after Hamlin’s devastating injury planned to resume the game remains a subject of dispute and controversy. “There was constant communication in real time between ESPN and league and game officials,” the network said in a statement. All night long, we refrained from speculation.”Joe Buck, ESPN’s Monday Night Football announcer, told the New York Times in an interview Tuesday that he received reporting from John Parry, ESPN’s officiating analyst.

☆ Disney should spin off ESPN and ABC, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But one Wall Street analyst has an idea for how Disney could get back on track. Wells Fargo’s Steven Cahall thinks Disney should spin off cable sports giant ESPN and traditional TV network ABC… two slow-growth (and some would argue, dying) businesses. Cahall wrote in his report that “we think Bob Iger is returning to {Disney] ready to make big changes. ESPN, in theory, may have an easier time negotiating with sports leagues as part of a pure play media network. “We think ESPN and ABC are integrally linked as the broadcast [network] improves negotiations in sports rights, and we’re seeing more of those sports on both networks,” he wrote.

☆ Carlos Correa: San Francisco Giants and shortstop reportedly agree on 13-year, $350 million deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The San Francisco Giants and two-time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa have reportedly agreed to a franchise record, 13-year deal worth $350 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, citing unnamed sources. The deal is the largest for a shortstop in MLB history, according to Passan. Correa signed with the Minnesota Twins on a three-year, $105.3 million deal, according to the salary tracking website Spotrac, in March. He won his first ever Gold Glove, which is awarded to the best defender in each position, in 2021. The 28-year-old has batted .279 with 155 homers and 553 RBIs in eight MLB seasons.

☆ Fact Check-ESPN did not mistakenly publish image of Larry Fitzgerald in article on Brittney Griner release
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Users shared a screenshot of an ESPN report on Griner’s release that seemingly featured an image of Fitzgerald instead of Griner. The ESPN article features an embedded video news report preceded in some versions by a still image of Griner. In the video, an image of Griner can also be seen in the graphic across the bottom of the screen (here). A Twitter advanced search via ESPN’s official Twitter account showed Griner’s image linked to reports of her release, not Fitzgerald (archive.vn/wip/pVTh6). The ESPN report on Griner’s release featured an embedded video report with Griner viewable in a still image and in a graphic.

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