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ESPN

Adrian Wojnarowski
Dylan Byers • September 18, 2024

Woj’s Own Woj Bomb

It seemed implausible that Adrian Wojnarowski would leave more than $20 million on the table for the prospect of unlimited family time and his sanity—this is television, after all! But the craziest part of this story may be that there is no crazy part, after all.
John Ourand • September 5, 2024
Will NFL Media & ESPN Ever Tie the Knot?
nfl buffalo bills gabe davis
The league’s three-year attempt to unload the entity, which controls the NFL Network and RedZone, is the latest casualty of the declining cable business.
John Ourand • August 29, 2024
MLB’s Brewing Bidding War
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro warms up before catching a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston
I’m told that several of the world’s biggest media and technology companies—Amazon, Apple, Google/YouTube, and NBCUniversal—are checking in with MLB on a regular basis about the possibility of getting local rights as they come available.
patrick mahomes chiefs nfl
John Ourand • August 5, 2024
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venu
News and notes on the NFL’s CBS deal, Venu’s nine-year tour, and NBA rights with MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman.
stephen a. smith
John Ourand • June 24, 2024
The Stephen A. Plot Thickens
ESPN’s biggest star doesn’t simply covet McAfeebucks—he also wants a McAfee-style deal structure that would pay him out like he’s running his own production company. What should Pitaro do?
Stephen A. Smith
John Ourand • June 20, 2024
Stephen A.’s $18 Million Offer
ESPN and Pitaro have put an $18 million-per-year offer in front of their generational star. It’s an insane amount of dough for a TV personality… but it still might not be enough.
Jimmy Pitaro
John Ourand • June 17, 2024
All Eyes on ESPN’s Flagship
Fifteen months out from the launch of ESPN’s new streaming property, dubbed internally as Project Flagship, questions are mounting alongside expectations.
nba steph curry lebron james
John Ourand • May 6, 2024
NBA Hunger Games Enter the Fourth Quarter
I’ve got my hands on what Pitaro is getting, Jassy’s deal, and what Zaz and Roberts are putting on the table. Oh, and I’ve also got the skinny on that wild notion of breaking the third package into two, so that TNT and NBC would each get a cookie.
Adam Silver
John Ourand • April 22, 2024
Silver’s Spoons
As it turns out, the NBA did a whole lot more negotiating with ESPN and WBD during their exclusive rights window, which expires tonight, and now they appear closer than ever to a deal. As the clock strikes 12, the heat is on NBCU, Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube.
norby williamson
John Ourand • April 18, 2024
ESPN’s Norby Replacement Rodeo
Shockingly, given its traditional insularity and promote-from-within culture, ESPN is looking externally to replace Norby Williamson. And I’ve got names that should be on the list…