Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has made two hires to fill newly created leadership roles within the organization.
Lacy Ekert has been named Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 1, and Curran Raclin stepped into the role of Senior Vice President of Strategy & Analytics last month.
Ekert will take on responsibility for all sponsorship, naming rights, and commercial partnerships across KSE’s portfolio — which includes the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, and Colorado Mammoth.
She will also oversee media sales integration for Altitude Sports and the organization’s radio assets. Before joining KSE, Ekert served as Chief Partnership Officer for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. Her previous experience also includes Vice President of Global Partnership Development at BSE Global — parent company of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center — as well as Director of Global Partnerships at Topgolf Entertainment Group.
Raclin, meanwhile, will lead data, business analytics, and business technology for the organization. He spent more than seven years at the NHL, most recently as Senior Vice President of Fan Engagement, Analytics & Research. Prior to that, his career included roles at the Madison Square Garden Company, Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, and the Boston Red Sox — giving him more than two decades of experience in strategy and analytics.
Both executives will report to Kevin Demoff, KSE’s President of Teams and Media Operations.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is taking a direct swing at building its next generation of fans. On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced the launch of MLB Clubhouse, a new youth-focused content platform built for YouTube. The initiative centers on introducing baseball and softball to younger audiences through entertaining, accessible programming tailored specifically for kids.
The platform features a mix of original series. That includes animation, player storytelling, highlights and educational content. MLB designed the lineup to meet kids where they already spend time while also showcasing the sport’s personalities and creativity.
MLB Clubhouse launches with several notable partners. The league is expanding its relationship with ABCmouse following a successful 2025 collaboration that generated more than 11 million views. Content from the educational platform will now live alongside new material on MLB Clubhouse. Meanwhile, Crayola joins as a partner on MLB Art Club, a series built to blend baseball with creativity.
The programming slate offers a variety of entry points for young viewers.
One of the flagship shows is The Doug Out!, a stop-motion animated series. The show follows a young fan named Doug and his friend Scout as they explore different aspects of baseball. New episodes began rolling out April 7 on YouTube Kids, including a debut installment focused on the Seattle Mariners and catcher Cal Raleigh.
Another key offering is MLB Art Club. Developed alongside Crayola, the series encourages kids to draw mascots and team symbols while learning baseball facts. The first season includes 34 episodes and mixes art tutorials with trivia and interactive elements.
MLB is also leaning into storytelling and player development. No Easy Outs highlights the challenges athletes face on their journey to the professional level. In addition, Let’s Play Ball serves as a resource hub for kids, parents and coaches. The series provides drills and tips from MLB and AUSL players.
Gregg Klayman, MLB’s senior vice president of product development and content strategy, said the league sees the platform as a natural evolution. He noted that reaching kids on familiar platforms creates new opportunities to build lasting connections with the sport.
“By creating content specifically designed for kids on a platform where they are already watching, we hope to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of baseball,” Klayman said.
MLB worked with an experienced creative team to develop the platform. That group includes Emmy Award-winning creator Adam Reid, who helped shape the animated series.
The league believes MLB Clubhouse can help bridge the gap between traditional fandom and younger audiences. With consistent content and recognizable partners, MLB is betting that digital-first storytelling will keep baseball relevant for years to come.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
WFAN host Craig Carton is drawing attention after candidly explaining why he skipped the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament during a recent edition of his The Craig Carton Show on SportsGrid.
Carton acknowledged he did not watch any portion of the tournament. He framed that admission as part of a broader issue surrounding the sport’s place in a crowded calendar. According to Carton, the biggest storyline from the weekend centered on behavior of Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley rather than the women’s title game itself.
“What’s sad about that. For me to come in here today and tell you that the number one story in sports this weekend has nothing at all to do with who won the championship game. It has everything to do with what the biggest name in the sport, how he acted after losing. That tells you a lot about, sadly, where the women’s game is for a lot of us,” said Carton.
That perspective led him to suggest the women’s tournament still has ground to gain with some viewers. He argued that his own viewing habits reflect how many fans prioritize events when multiple high-profile competitions overlap.
Carton also addressed Dawn Staley directly. He praised her while apologizing for not tuning in. At the same time, he offered a scheduling suggestion.
“Matter of fact, if I could give you guys some advice. I think the women’s tournament should come after the men’s tournament, and not at the same time,” said Carton. “I got too much going on and can’t watch it.”
Carton also acknowledged a personal factor. He said he does not regularly follow women’s sports, though he expressed respect for prominent figures within the game. Even so, he admitted that family time and other sports interests took priority.
“I’m not into women’s sports that much,” explained Carton. “Baseball’s already started. The men are playing. I got the NBA in the final weekend after that season. It’s just too much going on for me to tell my wife and family, nah, daddy’s got to watch women play basketball.”
In recent years, women’s college basketball has seen a surge in visibility and ratings. Star power, improved coverage and competitive games have helped elevate interest. That momentum has led many to view the tournament as a premier event in its own right.
Carton’s remarks highlight a tension that continues to exist. While the sport has made significant strides, it still competes for attention in an increasingly saturated environment. His suggestion about scheduling reflects one possible solution, though it is far from universally accepted.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Dan Le Batard is doubling down on his criticism of modern insider reporting, this time taking direct aim at a high-profile NBA story and the forces he believes are driving it. During Tuesday’s edition of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Dan Le Batard reacted to a recent in-depth report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania detailing the fractured relationship between the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The ESPN report painted a bleak picture of Milwaukee’s 2025-26 season. According to Charania, dysfunction stretched across the organization. Locker room frustration spilled into the open, with veteran Bobby Portis criticizing the team. One source described the environment as “like a funeral.”
Charania also reported that Antetokounmpo and his representatives approached the Bucks at least twice about parting ways. Those conversations reportedly occurred early in the season and again before the trade deadline. Antetokounmpo chose not to go public, believing the matter could be handled privately.
Le Batard did not hold back in his response to what he believes was a “press release” from Antetokounmpo’s camp instead of an in-depth investigative article.
“The information guys are compromised,” he said. “Shams is telling a story here on behalf of this entire agency. This might as well be a press release. What I’m telling you is this is an orchestrated thing. Giannis still has the commercials. Let’s go protect all this. Shams, go write this story”
Trade discussions failed to produce a deal. Several teams expressed interest, but talks stalled due to delayed responses and high asking prices. A potential package from the Miami Heat, including Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware, was ultimately declined. Tension extended to the sideline. Head coach Doc Rivers reportedly struggled to connect with players, highlighting what sources described as a season-long disconnect.
While Charania’s reporting offered a comprehensive look at the situation, Le Batard argued the framing served a specific purpose.
“Giannis just got his guy to do the story,” he said. “Giannis is at the height of the fight with the union and the league’s going to investigate. Giannis is getting out. This is what it looks like at the beginning. When you go get your gatekeeper, you tell him the story. You put Shams [Charania] to work to tell my story to protect my family’s economy. Like the machine is kicked to work here and Shams passes as journalist.”
Le Batard acknowledged Charania’s stature in the industry. He compared his rise to that of former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, noting the relentless approach required to build that level of access.
“He’s got all the contacts, all the sources,” Le Batard said. “I didn’t think anybody could do that job like Woj, but this guy is that. This guy learned at that tree, and I didn’t think anybody can do that. He writes the stories.”
Still, Le Batard believes that same access creates vulnerability. He argued that insiders can become conduits for carefully constructed narratives, especially during high-stakes situations. According to Le Batard, Antetokounmpo’s camp is preparing for a broader public relations battle as uncertainty around his future grows.
“The team of Giannis is in the mode right now, preparing for a public relations fight that they don’t have the apparatus to execute themselves,” he said. “They have to summon somebody who wants the story and then give it to the person who’s going to disseminate the story. To give it more reach than it would have under any other circumstances.”
Le Batard emphasized he was not accusing Charania of inaccurate reporting. Instead, he framed the issue as one of influence and intent in a media environment driven by access.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
ESPN is extending its global footprint through a major distribution expansion with Disney+, bringing its sports programming to new audiences across Europe and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
The company announced Tuesday that ESPN content is now available on Disney+ in 53 additional countries and territories. As a result, the sports brand now reaches viewers through the streaming platform in roughly 100 markets worldwide.
The rollout strengthens Disney+’s growing sports portfolio in Europe. Meanwhile, select Asia-Pacific territories — including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong — will receive an initial slate of English-language ESPN programming. Executives say the offering will expand over time.
“This launch builds on the strong engagement we’ve already seen from sports fans on Disney+,” said Alisa Bowen in a statement. She added that live events continue to play a central role in the platform’s broader content strategy.
For subscribers, the integration places live sports, studio programming and original content alongside Disney+’s existing entertainment and family offerings. That unified experience remains a key selling point as streaming platforms compete for audience attention.
From ESPN’s perspective, the move represents a continued push to deepen its international presence. Freddy Rolón said expanding on Disney+ allows the network to “extend our reach and provide greater access” to fans globally.
Programming will vary by region at launch, but the long-term plan includes a significant increase in live events. That includes coverage from major U.S. leagues such as the NBA and NHL beginning with the 2026-27 seasons.
Additionally, the package will feature a strong lineup of college athletics. Viewers can expect events tied to the NCAA March Madness, along with regular-season college basketball, football and postseason bowl games. Other programming includes the Little League World Series and exhibitions from the Savannah Bananas.
Beyond live competition, Disney+ subscribers will gain access to ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series and select studio shows, including ESPN FC. The soccer-focused program continues to serve as a global touchpoint for the network’s international coverage.
The expansion also builds on existing sports rights already available on Disney+ in Europe. Those include competitions such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League and LALIGA in certain markets. Additional offerings in Nordic countries feature tournaments like the UEFA Europa League and DFB Pokal.
In Asia-Pacific regions, the service will also include esports events, highlighted by KeSPA competitions scheduled for 2026.
ESPN’s broader distribution remains extensive, with 50 linear networks spanning more than 130 countries. The brand also leads the digital sports space, averaging more than 500 million unique users monthly.
ESPN via Disney+ (Courtesy of ESPN Press)
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Late last month, President Donald Trump made it clear he wasn’t a fan of Jessica Tarlov during his appearance on The Five. He’s continuing to make that known.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday evening, Trump sent a message directly to Fox News leadership: he doesn’t want to see Jessica Tarlov anymore.
“For Fox executives only, take Jessica Tarlov off the air,” wrote Trump. “She is, from her voice, to her lies, and everything else about her, one of the worst ‘personalities’ on television, a real loser! People cannot stand watching her. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
His criticism comes after his appearance on The Five, where Tarlov serves as a panelist. During that appearance, when Tarlov was absent, he was asked about how he feels about the liberal cast member. “I’m not a fan,” President Donald Trump said during the March 26th appearance. He also added that “I’m sure I’d like her. I’m sure she’s a lovely person.”
The Five routinely finishes as the most-watched program in cable news. It averaged 4 million viewers per day during 2026’s first quarter.
He also added criticism of Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, and her interview with Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) from this past week’s episode.
“Tell Shannon Bream of Fox News that it’s not the Save Act, it’s the Save America Act, a big difference!” President Donald Trump wrote. “Also, when she insists on having lightweight Democrat Congressmen, such as Jake Auchincloss, on her not very hard hitting show, she should correct them when they spew out Democrat propaganda and lies. She never does! I always close deals, unlike the Dems, and did great with China in every way, also, unlike the Dems!”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Warner Bros. Discovery may be out of the weekly NBA game business on TNT, but the company is still investing in basketball — just with a different spin. The media giant is teaming with Shaquille O’Neal and Authentic Brands Group to launch Dunkman, a new professional dunking league set to debut in summer 2026.
The venture will feature 24 athletes competing across four live events, culminating in a championship round with a $500,000 prize. Eli Lilly and Company has signed on as a founding partner on the new league.
O’Neal, who will serve as commissioner, believes the timing is right to elevate dunking into its own standalone sport.
“The dunk contest hasn’t been great for a while,” O’Neal toldVariety. “There are too many talented dunkers out there for it to feel stale.”
The concept builds on a six-episode test run produced last year. However, executives now see a larger opportunity to turn viral highlights into a structured competition. Craig Barry, chief content officer for TNT Sports, believes the league fills a gap between social media popularity and organized competition.
Appearing on last night’s coverage of the college basketball national championship broadcast, O’Neal expressed his appreciation for the creation of the new venture.
“We did a show about eight years ago that got over 200 million hits. So, I took that show over and called it the Dunkman show. Then I said, ‘You know what? We need a Dunkman League.’ Since the NBA guys don’t have enough pride to give us, the fans, what we want in the dunk contest, all of these professional dunkers have been created.”
The launch reflects a broader shift across the media industry. As rights fees for leagues like the National Football League and National Basketball Association continue to climb, companies are looking to create and control their own sports properties.
The Dunkman League is just the latest effort by Warner Bros. Discovery has attempted at that strategy. The company has ties to the Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 basketball league and produces The Match, a series of made-for-TV golf events. Dunkman will receive a wide distribution push. Live events are expected to air across TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max. Additional content will live on digital platforms, including Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and YouTube.
O’Neal added that fans should expect new faces, not just familiar names. He pointed to early participants, including an international competitor with a full-time medical career, as an example of the untapped talent pool.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Another round of layoffs is expected at ESPN, as the network continues to navigate shifting financial pressures tied to distribution and revenue performance.
According to Puck’s John Ourand, roughly 30 positions could be eliminated in the coming weeks. The cuts are expected to impact primarily off-camera roles, signaling a continued focus on streamlining internal operations rather than making on-air changes.
The anticipated layoffs reportedly come on the heels of a revenue shortfall tied to a high-profile carriage dispute with YouTube TV last fall. Historically, ESPN has leveraged its must-have sports portfolio to maintain favorable terms in such negotiations. Backed by its parent company Google, YouTube TV entered negotiations with increased leverage. That dynamic shifted the balance in a way ESPN had not encountered in previous disputes with distributors.
Ultimately, the two sides reached an agreement that favored YouTube TV’s position. In the aftermath, Disney acknowledged a significant financial hit tied to the deal. Reports have pegged that loss at approximately $100 million, creating a ripple effect across ESPN’s business operations.
Ourand indicates the upcoming layoffs are, in part, a response to that financial gap. While the number of affected employees is modest compared to prior rounds, the move underscores the continued economic challenges facing even the most established sports media brands.
The reporting indicates that there was push back on any connection between the layoffs and ESPN’s recent agreement with the National Football League. Earlier this year, ESPN reached a broader strategic arrangement with the league that included the NFL acquiring a 10% equity stake in the network. As part of that deal, ESPN also assumed full control of NFL Network operations.
Layoffs have become a recurring part of ESPN’s recent history. The most recent high-profile cuts came in fall 2024. That’s when ESPN parted ways with Samantha Ponder, Robert Griffin III and Zach Lowe among others. A year earlier, in the summer of 2023, ESPN executed a broader round of layoffs. That group included longtime host Suzy Kolber and veteran NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy, among others.
While earlier layoffs often featured recognizable on-air personalities, this latest round appears more focused on behind-the-scenes roles. With cord-cutting accelerating and streaming platforms gaining power, ESPN continues to adjust its strategy. Cost management and operational efficiency remain central as the network balances its traditional television business with a growing direct-to-consumer future.
Exclusive: ESPN is planning a new round of layoffs—roughly 30 cuts expected in off-camera departments within weeks. Sources tell @Ourand_Puck the $100M YouTube TV standoff is partly to blame. Full story: https://t.co/FDDSRnFDWA
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
MS NOW has announced the addition of Retired Admiral John Kirby as a national security analyst for the cable network.
Kirby previously served as the White House National Security Communications Advisor during the Biden Administration. He also worked as the Pentagon Press Secretary and as Spokesperson for the United States Department of State during the Obama administration.
John Kirby was promoted to rear admiral in May 2012.
It is not his first foray into the media space. From 2017 to 2021, Kirby served as a military and foreign policy analyst for CNN.
His first appearance on MS NOW came on Tuesday morning. He appeared on Morning Joe to discuss President Donald Trump setting a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Professional wrestling is sports entertainment. It is a scripted physical performance with predetermined outcomes and massive global influence. Professional athletes around the world mimic the moves and celebrations of their favorite performers. At the same time, sports leagues want to tap into the buzz surrounding professional wrestling. The business has never been more profitable, better attended, or more widely sold than it is today.
Professional wrestling is also content. It delivers weekly episodic stories through the lens of the performers themselves. Those outcomes and storylines fuel debate across podcasts and national talk shows. They also drive engagement on social media, both positive and negative. For professional wrestling, all buzz is good buzz when it comes to what appears on television.
Then there’s Pat McAfee. On Friday, WWE inserted McAfee into one of its biggest storylines heading into WrestleMania 42. With less than two weeks until the opening bell, his involvement will test whether all buzz is truly good buzz—not just for McAfee, but also for WWE and ESPN.
For those who missed it, here are the cliff notes.
The story goes that McAfee served as a “secret voice,” speaking to WWE wrestler Randy Orton and keeping him focused on what he needs to do to win his 15th WWE championship. He then revealed himself, kicked Cody Rhodes (the current WWE Undisputed Champion) in the groin, and launched into a rant that made little sense.
A reminder: this is scripted entertainment.
McAfee called the WWE product “absolute s**t” and said he was disgusted watching wrestlers “circle***k” each other on Netflix. He also claimed he was “stunned” that tickets remain available for WrestleMania 42. Additionally, he said last week’s WWE SmackDown on USA Network was the lowest-rated episode of all time.
WWE is no stranger to criticizing its own product. However, McAfee went much further, taking aim across multiple fronts. Even setting aside his words—because this is scripted—his involvement creates an interesting dilemma for both his show and ESPN.
The timing matters.
This week is Masters week, a huge week for sports fans and ESPN with the signature golf major airing on the network this weekend. Also, the NBA and NHL seasons are winding down toward the postseason the next two weeks. ESPN has media rights to both leagues and should receive a high amount of attention that’s warranted.
However, this same window leads directly into WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Remember, ESPN has no creative control over The Pat McAfee Show, which airs for two hours every weekday on the network. However, ESPN is also a WWE partner, with exclusive rights to stream premium live events, including WrestleMania, on its app.
That relationship has worked. McAfee’s show has regularly featured WWE content. His role as a commentator gives WWE a built-in promotional vehicle. WrestleMania is WWE’s Super Bowl, and McAfee provides a massive platform to amplify it both on social media and ESPN.
But now the stakes are different.
With McAfee positioned inside a co-main event storyline, the question becomes unavoidable: how far is too far? Two weeks of elevated WWE cross-promotion mixed with scripted storytelling inside a sports talk show is a different equation. Even with ESPN’s partnership, that balance matters.
Reports from wrestling media indicate WrestleMania 42 ticket sales have lagged. The two-night event still shows significant availability, even at far reduced prices than originally released.
Imagine if the Super Bowl were only 70% sold out. Consider the reaction.
Then there’s the fan response to McAfee’s involvement. WWE operates under TKO Holdings, led by CEO and executive chair Ari Emanuel—who also serves as McAfee’s agent. Reports suggest Emanuel pushed for McAfee’s inclusion in the storyline to drive up interest and potentially ticket sales.
Whether that is true or not, the audience reaction has been clear. It has not been good.
A quick look across social media shows widespread criticism. WWE often highlights its engagement metrics, but this time, the response tells a different story. Instead of intrigue, the angle appears to have created disengagement.
Which brings us back to the central question. Is all buzz still good buzz?
Right now, the answer appears to be no. That reality should give both McAfee and ESPN pause.
The business relationships make sense. The cross-promotion is logical. However, this particular execution feels forced. The reaction was overly negative, and continuing to amplify a poorly received moment in hopes of a different result is a risky strategy.
WWE and TKO likely hope McAfee’s involvement drives interest and ticket sales. ESPN likely hopes it boosts viewership and subscriptions, especially with the network airing the first hour of each WrestleMania night on cable for the first time. But hope is not strategy.
And right now, the buzz is not helping.
ESPN has been a strong partner for WWE. The network consistently features WWE talent across its daily programming to promote premium live events. It has dedicated website coverage and adjusted its editorial approach to better align with WWE content. It has also opened one-hour broadcast windows on both nights of WrestleMania to build interest.
However, good partnerships still require boundaries. At some point, synergy stops being smart business and starts becoming overexposure. That is the tightrope ESPN must walk over the next two weeks.
Because this is no longer just about promotion. It is about credibility.
It is about understanding the difference between enhancing a product and forcing it into spaces where it does not naturally belong. The audience can tell the difference—and in this case, it already has.
If The Pat McAfee Show leans too heavily into WWE storytelling, it risks blurring the line between what is real and what is manufactured. That line still matters in sports media. Sports talk programs thrive on authenticity. Wrestling thrives on illusion.
When those worlds collide too aggressively, one loses. And it is usually the one built on trust.
That does not mean WWE should disappear from the conversation. It should not. It remains as culturally relevant as ever. But there is a difference between covering wrestling and becoming part of it.
Right now, McAfee is not just a bridge between ESPN and WWE—he is part of the show. That changes expectations. It changes perception. Most importantly, it changes how the audience interprets everything he says.
So ESPN now has a decision to make. Lean all the way in and risk alienating part of its audience. Or show restraint—and protect the integrity of the platform that made this partnership valuable in the first place.
Because in sports media, just like in professional wrestling, timing is everything.
And knowing when to pull back matters just as much as knowing when to lean in.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
