Data, dollars and dunks: why NBC, Amazon and ESPN paid $76bn for NBA rights
The world’s biggest basketball league had steady but unspectacular ratings last season but its blockbuster deal could predict the future of sports broadcasting
NBA jilts TNT Sports in new $76bn TV deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon
The league has agreed to an 11-year deal with networks. Warner Bros Discovery is considering legal action after holding the rights for 35 years
NBA agrees to record 11-year, $76bn media rights deal – sources
The NBA has agreed to a new media deal, a record agreement worth $76bn that assures player salaries will continue rising for the foreseeable future
March 2024
‘Best in the business’: NFL mourns death of ESPN journalist Chris Mortensen
Chris Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who covered the NFL for close to four decades, including 32 as a senior analyst at ESPN, died on Sunday morning
February 2024
Fox, ESPN and Warner Bros Discovery team up to launch ‘all in one’ sports streaming service
Joint venture drawing on portfolio that includes NFL, NBA, MLB and Fifa is expected to launch this autumn
January 2024
ESPN paid $85m to air Aaron Rodgers’ conspiracy theories
The broadcaster gave the quarterback free rein to spread misinformation on The Pat McAfee Show. And then he started taking aim at the network itself
December 2023
Has Josh Giddey gotten a pass from the media because he’s white?
A former NFL star has attacked ESPN’s coverage of allegations against the player as showing racial bias. But the reality of the matter is far from black and white
August 2023
BS High: a fake football school and the devastating effects of a conman’s lies
Disney and ESPN bet big on entering gambling arena – but will they win?
July 2023
Sportblog
Wembanyama’s rival and a team for Vegas: NBA summer league takeaways
The record crowds that flocked to Nevada were treated to lots more than the Victor Wembanyama Show. Our correspondent in the desert empties her notebook
June 2023
ESPN lays off about 20 on-air talent as part of ‘cost savings’ by Disney
ESPN has reportedly laid off about 20 on-air personalities, including some of the network’s most well-known commentators, analysts and journalists
March 2023
Police say brother of late Aaron Hernandez faces charges for ESPN incident
The brother of the late NFL player is facing criminal and motor vehicle charges in Connecticut, accused of throwing a brick at ESPN headquarters
January 2023
Witness says Fox execs in US conspired to bribe Fifa officials over TV rights
The star witness in a corruption trial over the TV rights to some of soccer’s biggest events testified Wednesday how Fox executives paid millions in bribes
October 2022
Jemele Hill: ‘I care and I’m passionate, but I’m not bothered by people’s opinions of me’
The ESPN alumna who took on Trump opens up about finding her voice and why attempting to keep sports separate from politics and culture is a fool’s errand
July 2022
Bomani Jones to Mina Kimes: ranking the NFL’s best analysts
The NFL is perhaps the most scrutinized league in the world. But who gives the best analysis of what goes on with the teams and players?
June 2022
Sportblog
Tennis Channel, NBC, Peacock? French Open TV mess leaves US fans adrift
Inside the NBA: the sports gabfest that became late-night TV’s best show
May 2022
Sportblog
‘JJ for president’: How Redick became LeBron and the NBA’s favorite pundit
The longtime NBA player has shined in his rookie year as a basketball analyst, but his viral takedown of Chris Russo this week on ESPN’s First Take showed what makes him special
April 2022
Sage Steele sues ESPN after remarks on vaccine mandate and Obama’s race
ESPN anchor Sage Steele is suing the network after claiming it curtailed her right to free speech over remarks she made last year
March 2022
Can the $100m duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman save ESPN’s Monday Night Football?
The broadcaster’s flagship show has had a rocky recent history. The company is looking for stability rather than fireworks from its new duo in the booth
