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☆ Jenny Cavnar makes history as the first woman to serve as an MLB team’s primary play-by-play announcer
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a woman will be the primary play-by-play voice of a major team. NBC Sports California said Tuesday it has chosen Jenny Cavnar, a broadcasting veteran with nearly two decades of baseball experience, for the prestigious role. “It is a dream come true to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history,” Cavnar said in a release. Doris Burke is among the NBA’s most well-respected color commentators, and she has been broadcasting national games for ESPN for 11 years. And in 2018, Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm called an NFL game for Amazon, the first all-woman booth for a professional football national broadcast.

Persons: Jenny Cavnar, ” Cavnar, Cavnar, ”, Jenny, Matt Murphy, “ She’s, who’s, Suzyn Waldman, Jessica Mendoza, Doris Burke, Andrea Kremer, Hannah Storm, Chanda Rubin, CoCo Vandeweghe Organizations: New, New York CNN, Major League Baseball, NBC Sports California, Oakland Athletics, Oakland, “, Colorado Rockies MLB, NBC, MLB, NBC Sports, Yankees, ESPN’s, ESPN, Amazon, Tennis Channel, English Premier League, Sky Sports Locations: New York, Bronx

☆ Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Join Forces for Sports Streaming Service
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Kevin Draper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Tuesday, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. The companies announced a streaming service that will feature games from the major professional leagues and college conferences, which they hope will attract sports fans who have abandoned cable. The service will offer streaming subscribers all the channels owned by those companies that show sports, like ESPN, TNT and FS1, but also ABC and Fox. Subscribers will have access to 14 channels in total, as well as ESPN’s existing streaming service, ESPN+. The price, name and executive team behind the service have not yet been determined.

Organizations: Disney, Fox, Warner Bros, Discovery, ESPN, TNT, ABC

☆ To the dads, Brads and Chads who’ve taken issue with the amount of Taylor Swift shown during NFL games: Too bad
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The latter would likely please the dads, Brads and Chads of the world, who have taken issue with the attention being paid to pop star Taylor Swift when she attends NFL games to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce in action. “We wouldn’t give any direction to our broadcasters along the lines of, ‘we need more Taylor Swift or we need less Taylor Swift,’” Riethmiller told CNN. Taylor Swift and Blake Lively at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in October. It’s true that NFL games are the most-watched shows on television, with or without Swift. They’re asking me about Taylor Swift.”Kansas City Chiefs fans hold up a Taylor Swift sign during at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in December.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, ESPN –, Alex Riethmiller, ” Riethmiller, “ It’s, Blake Lively, Kevin Sabitus, ”, Kelce’s, Jason Kelce –, Peacock, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Taylor, Richard Deitsch, “ That’s, Kelce, “, ” Kelce, ” Swift, Tiki Barber, WFAN’s “ Evan, Tiki, ” Adam Teicher, “ They’re, Pat Mahomes, William Purnell, ” Jeff Fellenzer, It’s, ” Fellenzer Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, AFC Championship, Chiefs, “, NFL, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Bills AFC Divisional, New York Jets, MetLife, Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Nielsen, year’s Cowboys, 49ers, Ravens, Texans, Buccaneers, Lions, Packers, Globe, The Athletic, Gotham, Arrowhead, Sunday’s AFC Divisional, New York Giants, ESPN’s Kansas City Chiefs, ” Kansas City Chiefs, Game Broadcasters, Super, Practice, Business, Media, USC Locations: New Jersey, New York, ”, Kansas City, ESPN’s, Tokyo

☆ X is left with advertisers pushing dubious cryptocurrency and AI 'undressing' apps, users say after Musk's outburst
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some X users are complaining the site is overrun with ads pushing crypto and AI "undressing" apps. Social media experts say an advertiser exodus has left X reliant on less reputable buyers. AdvertisementElon Musk's war on advertisers seems to be having some unintended consequences for X. Business InsiderOther suspect advertisements have been spotted on the site, with users also complaining about a surge in ads on their timelines for "undressing" apps. "It also shows the race to the bottom that the X platform has fallen into," he added.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Elon, xqCDa7Ilgm, kevin harrish, Jeff MacDonald, Mekanism, Hamza Mudassir, Musk, Alex Jones, MacDonald, Linda Yaccarino, X, Matt Navarra Organizations: Social, Service, Business, Twitter, Media, Cambridge University, Apple, Disney, The New York Times, Times, IBM, Walmart

☆ Psychedelics, darkness retreats and ‘Pat McAfee Show’: How Aaron Rodgers became a divisive figure – while barely playing
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“I do not believe at all that he’s divisive in the Jets locker room and within their own building. While on the field he’s on a Hall of Fame trajectory, some of Rodgers’ behavior away from the sport shows a different side to the man. As Rodgers ran onto the field, carrying an American flag and with AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ booming out, Jets fans went wild. Rodgers’ arrival in New York during the offseason had looked like a masterstroke, on and off the field for the Jets franchise. But after missing out on nearly the whole season through injury, Rodgers’ season-ending media conference last week ended with him stressing winning.

Persons: Aaron Rodgers, psychedelics –, Jimmy Kimmel, he’d, Nancy Armour, Rodgers, Pat McAfee, McAfee, Kimmel, Jeffrey Epstein’s, Kimmel doesn’t, Epstein, Joe Douglas, Hymie Elhai, Christopher Johnson, Woody Johnson, Robert Saleh, Elsa, ESPN’s Rich Cimini, ” Cimini, “, ”, – Rodgers, –, Vince Lombardi, Brian Snyder, it’s, ’ ” Rodgers, ” Rodgers, Anthony Fauci, psychedelics, Cimini, Rodgers ’, Stacy Revere, I’ve, ender, doesn’t, ” Kimmel, …, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Pat McAfee’s, Achilles, ’, Jemele Hill, Getty, wouldn’t, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick Organizations: CNN, USA, Rodgers, Jets, CNN Sport, “, of Fame, Packers, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Reuters, White, FDA, CDC, ESPN, Carolina Panthers, Lambeau, Getty, MetLife, Buffalo Bills Locations: New York, Arlington , Texas, East

☆ Jason Kelce: Philadelphia Eagles center is retiring from the NFL, per reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Ben Morse | Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has told his teammates he is retiring from the NFL, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo both reported the news Tuesday morning, following the Eagles’ 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. CNN Sport has reached out to the Eagles and Kelce’s agent for comment. Kelce, 36, spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Eagles and won Super Bowl LII in February 2018. Yeah, obviously, we’re not there at that position yet – ready to talk about that, but he’s special and I love him.

Persons: Jason Kelce, ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mike Garafolo, Kelce, Pro Bowler, Travis Kelce, Travis, Brian Snyder, Jalen, ”, “, I’ve, it’s, He’ll, Nick Sirianni, we’re Organizations: CNN, Philadelphia Eagles, NFL, Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kelce, CNN Sport, Pro Football Hall of Famer, LII, Kansas City Chiefs, Reuters, Bucs, Philly Locations: Philadelphia

☆ Aaron Rodgers is off ESPN’s ‘Pat McAfee Show’ for the season after ugly remarks about Jimmy Kimmel, conspiracy theories
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Aaron Rodgers is done as a guest on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show for the remainder of the NFL season. “So ‘Aaron Rodgers Tuesday,’ season four, is done,” McAfee told his audience. The way it ended, it got real loud.”A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the decision to end Rodgers’ regular Tuesday appearances was due to his recent behavior, not the conclusion of the regular NFL season. During the previous two NFL seasons, Rodgers appeared on McAfee’s program as late as March. Rodgers’ remark about Kimmel prompted backlash not only because it was unproven and laced with innuendo but because McAfee permitted him to make the remarks on ESPN.

Persons: CNN — Aaron Rodgers, Pat McAfee’s, McAfee, ‘ Aaron Rodgers, ” McAfee, Rodgers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeffrey Epstein, Kimmel, Disney . Kimmel, ”, Rodgers ’, Bob Iger, it’s, “, I’ve, Aaron Rodgers, he’ll, We’ve Organizations: CNN, Pat McAfee’s ESPN, NFL, New York Jets, ESPN, ABC, Disney

☆ Behind the Scenes of the Most Spectacular Show On TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Jody Rosen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

On the possession that followed the Lions’ touchdown, the Chiefs stalled, punting with 5:07 left. And then drama turned to farce, as Mahomes’s receivers let him down and penalties pushed the Chiefs backward. Mahomes took the snap, rolled left and launched a throw that arced across the line to gain, reaching the fingertips of the receiver Skyy Moore, who couldn’t clasp it. On the air, Tirico said: “The Detroit Lions are right there.” In the truck, Hyland’s pronouncement was less circumspect. One measure of the success of “Sunday Night Football” is how “Sunday Night Football”-ish the competing broadcasts are looking.

Persons: ” Collinsworth, Campbell, Tirico, “, Jawaan Taylor, Skycam, Hyland, Esocoff, ”, Mahomes, Skyy Moore, Chiefs weren’t, Gaudelli, “ There’s, Tom Brady, Peyton, Eli, refigures Organizations: Lions, Chiefs, “, NBC, doleful Chiefs, Detroit Lions, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports, bros, NFL Locations: Detroit

☆ Jim Irsay: Indianapolis Colts owner says he was arrested in 2014 because he’s a ‘rich, White billionaire’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a newly released interview he was “prejudiced against” for being a “rich, White billionaire” when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2014. “I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, White billionaire,” Irsay said in an interview with Andrea Kremer on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is grateful to be alive after years of addiction nearly destroyed him. In his first in-depth interview, Irsay details his painful journey with our @Andrea_Kremer. When asked by Kremer if he was aware what his claims of prejudice might sound like to the public, the long-time Colts owner said he didn’t care.

Persons: Jim Irsay, ”, Irsay, “, ” Irsay, Andrea Kremer, Bryant Gumbel, DJ Schoeff, Kremer, ” “, Stephen A, Smith, ” Smith Organizations: CNN — Indianapolis Colts, HBO, Real Sports, Forbes, CNN, Colts, Carmel Police, Indianapolis Star, Police, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, ESPN Locations: Carmel , Indiana

☆ Victor Wembanyama enjoys first NBA win as he leads San Antonio Spurs to victory over Houston Rockets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Standing at 7-foot-4-inches with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama possesses a skillset which has been rarely seen before in the NBA. “I really, really love winning,” said Wembanyama, per ESPN. “It’s what I love most in life, so of course it feels great.”Victor Wembanyama celebrates after beating the Houston Rockets. “I said this after the first preseason game or scrimmage, but he’s going to make some amazing plays at least once a game, and tonight he probably had three or four,” he said, per ESPN. The Golden State Warriors secured a 122-114 victory against the Sacramento Kings, with Steph Curry contributing a game-high 41 points.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, Frenchman, ”, Wembanyama, ” Victor Wembanyama, Chandan Khanna, Devin Vassell, “, Luka Dončić, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokić Organizations: CNN, NBA, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Frost Bank, Spurs, ESPN, “, Getty, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies Locations: ”

Rivers asked, "let the season go on, and I’ll find that out. Political Cartoons View All 1218 ImagesAt least one ESPN executive believes Rivers' won't be returning to the coaching ranks anytime soon. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”As for what to expect this season, Rivers has defending champion Denver as the favorite. Rivers still has a desire to be competing for another NBA title. His most significant coaching success came in Boston when he led the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 during his nine-year tenure.

Persons: Doc Rivers, Rivers, ”, Mike Breen, Doris Burke, “, David Roberts, ESPN’s, “ There’s, Hey, Doc, ’, James Harden's, Joel Embiid, Joel, ” Rivers, Burke, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Jeff, ” Breen, Breen, “ Doc, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, “ It’s, Damian Lillard, I’ve Organizations: Orlando Magic, Turner Sports, ESPN, NBA, ABC, Orlando, Sixers, Denver, Boston, Boston -, Celtics, Bucks, Eastern Conference, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers Locations: Orlando Magic, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Boston, Milwaukee, Boston - New York, ”, Portland

☆ Media Companies Eye Cricket-Loving Diaspora in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Santul Nerkar | More About Santul Nerkar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He noted the affluence of Indian Americans, who make up a majority of the South Asian population in the United States. According to the latest census estimates, Indian Americans have the highest median household income of any group in the country. “This is what should be a powerful and lucrative and well-served audience,” he said. Before it started streaming cricket, ESPN bought Cricinfo (now known as ESPNcricinfo), a website dedicated to cricket coverage, in 2007. It’s also the media partner of the new domestic professional league, Major League Cricket, which played its inaugural season in July.

Persons: Satyan Gajwani, ”, Willow, —, John Lasker, It’s Organizations: of India Group, DirecTV, Dish, Comcast, South Asian, ESPN, Major League Cricket Locations: United States, India, Indian, ”, American

Baseball’s League Championship Series are producing solid ratings after seeing declines during the first two rounds. The late afternoon window on Fox averaged 26.09 million, including the New York Jets’ upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Division Series on TBS, Fox and FS1 were off 8.8%. The Phillies-Atlanta Braves series averaged 4.6 million viewers, making it the most watched NLDS on TBS in eight years. The Phillies’ 10-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Tuesday’s second game of the NLCS averaged 5.3 million on TBS, TruTV and Max.

Persons: “, Rob Manfred, ESPN’s, FS1, Max, ___ Organizations: Baseball’s, Nielsen, Houston, Fox, Fox Deportes, Rangers, New York Yankees, Astros, Yankees, NFL, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN, ABC, TBS, Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks Locations: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Texas, Tuesday’s

☆ How F1 and ‘Drive to Survive’ are changing way we watch sports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Leah Asmelash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“Hard Knocks” is a docuseries that focuses on a single NFL team as it prepares for the upcoming NFL season. F1 is already a dangerous and exciting sport on its own, but “Drive to Survive” transforms it into a soap opera. By the end, hopefully, they’re consuming the product; in this case, actually watching the live sport. But his strength on the field isn’t why Travis Kelce is a household name. In last season’s Super Bowl, Travis Kelce went head-to-head against brother Jason Kelce, when the Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles.

Persons: “ I’ve, it’s, Michael Jordan, Travis Vogan, Vogan, ” Vogan, Aaron Rodgers, isn’t, It’s, They’re, ”, “, Lewis Hamilton, Tom Brady’s, Sergio Perez’s, James Gay, Rees, “ It’s, ” Gay, weren’t, ” Haas, Mick Schumacher, Patrick T, Fallon, Cody Havard, Woods, Williams, Lance Armstrong, they’ve, “ They’re, they’re, Travis Kelce, Kelce, Jason Kelce, Travis, Taylor Swift, Swifties, Swift, David Eulitt, ‘, ’ ” Havard, There’s, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Rory McIlroy, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, ” Havard, Havard, Patrick McElhenney, Ted Lasso ”, Hannah Waddingham, “ Ted Lasso, — she’s, Marshawn Lynch Organizations: CNN, Sports, Studios, Chicago Bulls, Covid, NFL, HBO, Warner Bros ., NFL Films, University of Iowa, New York Jets, Netflix, Films, PGA Tour, de, Formula One United, Prix, Getty, University of Memphis, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Wrexham AFC, Welsh soccer, Los Angeles Lakers, AFC Richmond, Manchester City, West Ham United, English Premier League, Fox Locations: Europe, China, Brazil, Mexico, Austin , Texas, ”, Formula One United States, Wrexham, Welsh, United States, “

☆ 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

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