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Yahoo Sports Adds Taylor Twellman, ‘The Two Robbies’ To FIFA World Cup Coverage

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Yahoo Sports is expanding its soccer footprint ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The company announced adding high-profile talent and new programming designed to strengthen its video coverage during one of the most anticipated global sporting events.

The company unveiled its plans during its 2026 NewFront presentation in New York City. As part of that effort, Yahoo Sports is bringing in established voices while also leaning into partnerships that can help scale its reach across multiple platforms and audiences.

At the center of the announcement is the addition of Taylor Twellman, a former Major League Soccer standout who has become one of the most recognizable broadcasters in the sport.

Twellman will serve as a correspondent throughout the tournament, contributing analysis and commentary across Yahoo Sports shows and digital platforms, including appearances on Yahoo Sports Daily and The Cooligans.

Twellman’s resume includes more than a decade as ESPN’s lead soccer analyst. He has covered multiple World Cup tournaments and helped shape the network’s modern soccer presentation. He currently works as a match analyst for MLS coverage on Apple TV, and his addition gives Yahoo Sports an experienced voice capable of connecting with both casual fans and longtime followers of the sport.

In addition to adding on-air talent, Yahoo Sports is expanding its content lineup through its ongoing partnership with OneFootball. The collaboration will bring a new show, The Two Robbies and Friends, to Yahoo’s soccer hub, further diversifying the type of content available during the tournament window.

The program builds off the popularity of The Two Robbies, featuring former players and broadcasters Robbie Earle, Robbie Mustoe and Kyle Martino.

The new format will incorporate celebrity guests while exploring the broader culture surrounding the World Cup, including host city experiences, fan traditions and the global lifestyle elements that accompany the event. Episodes will be distributed daily across OneFootball’s network and Yahoo Sports’ digital platforms, with a premiere date expected later this spring.

Yahoo’s latest additions complement an already robust soccer content strategy anchored by OneFootball’s written and video coverage within the company’s dedicated soccer hub. Meanwhile, The Cooligans, hosted by Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco, will continue delivering match breakdowns with a blend of analysis and humor across streaming, podcast and FAST channel distribution.

The editorial side will also remain a key pillar, led by veteran reporter Steven Goff, who will cover the U.S. men’s national team and other major storylines throughout the tournament. Goff, recently named the recipient of the Colin Jose Media Award from the National Soccer Hall of Fame, will be covering his 15th World Cup, further reinforcing Yahoo Sports’ emphasis on experienced journalism to complement its expanding video offerings.

DAZN Renews Media Rights Agreement With Golden Boy Boxing

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Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN are extending a relationship that has become one of boxing’s most consistent content pipelines, with both sides agreeing to a renewed partnership that will continue to deliver high-profile fights while further investing in the sport’s emerging talent base.

The agreement, which builds on a collaboration that began in 2018, pushes the partnership closer to the decade mark. It reinforces DAZN’s long-term strategy of positioning itself as a primary destination for global boxing coverage. For Golden Boy, it maintains a steady calendar of premium events anchored by recognizable names and rising contenders.

“We’re firing on all cylinders right now,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “No one builds champions like we do. It’s a special formula mixed with a fighter’s talent, discipline and star power. As we approach a decade with DAZN, we’re going to keep setting the tone for the sport in 2026 and shaping the future of boxing.”

Golden Boy’s roster remains one of its strongest selling points. It features a mix of established champions and ascending fighters such as Ryan Garcia, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, and Gabriela Fundora among others. All of whom figure prominently into a schedule that will include pay-per-view cards. Also world title bouts and a structured contender series designed to elevate the next wave of stars.

Moreover, the two companies showed early momentum in 2026 by producing three major first-quarter events. Those events highlighted championship pedigree and long-term matchmaking strategy. A balance central to retaining audience interest in a fragmented sports landscape.

“We’re delighted to extend our partnership with Golden Boy,” said Pete Oliver, CEO Global Sports, DAZN.  “Oscar and the team consistently deliver world‑class events and develop some of the most exciting talent in boxing. This renewed agreement strengthens our shared commitment to growing the sport globally. Giving fans unmatched access to unforgettable fight nights. We’re excited for what comes next.”

That early-year stretch included Garcia capturing a WBC world title, the return of Arnold Barboza Jr., and title defenses from Collazo and Fundora. Together, they created a steady drumbeat of content that DAZN has used to maintain subscriber engagement across markets.

Looking ahead, the partnership will build toward tentpole events, including a Cinco de Mayo weekend fight card in Las Vegas headlined by David Benavidez and Ramirez. The matchup underscores Golden Boy’s ability to place meaningful fights in high-visibility windows that resonate with hardcore fans and casual viewers.

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MLB Network Announces Robust Lineup Including Added Programming for 2026 Season

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MLB Network is preparing for its most expansive season yet, as the league-owned channel enters its 18th year with a deeper programming lineup and an increased emphasis on live coverage and daily studio content.

Opening Night coverage begins Wednesday, March 25, at 9 a.m. ET with a full slate of studio shows, including The Leadoff Spot, MLB Central, MLB Now, Intentional Talk and MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show, all leading into the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.

The network will follow with Opening Day coverage Thursday, March 26, highlighted by a matchup featuring Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers against Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres at 4 p.m. ET, while also incorporating live look-ins from games across the league.

In addition to its traditional distribution, MLB Network continues to expand its direct-to-consumer offering. Positioning its daily lineup as a central destination for baseball fans seeking analysis, highlights and real-time access throughout the season.

The weekday schedule begins with The Leadoff Spot at 9 a.m. ET, as the network again simulcasts SiriusXM’s morning program featuring a rotation of analysts that includes Steve Phillips, Xavier Scruggs and Eduardo Pérez.

From there, MLB Central follows at 10 a.m. ET, with Mark DeRosa, Robert Flores and Lauren Shehadi providing a mix of highlights, analysis and personality-driven segments that have made the show a morning staple.

At noon, MLB Now continues its long-running focus on analytics and evolving trends within the sport. Host Brian Kenny leads a panel of contributors examining how data continues to shape decision-making across the game.

Later in the afternoon, Intentional Talk maintains its role as the network’s longest-running talk show. Ryan Dempster, Kevin Millar and Siera Santos blend humor with player-driven storytelling.

MLB Network’s evening coverage centers around MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show at 5 p.m. ET. Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac guide viewers through the day’s matchups with interviews, demonstrations and live ballpark access through the network’s camera technology.

The Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight continues throughout the evening with live look-ins, postgame reaction and analysis from a rotating cast that includes Lauren Gardner, Matt Vasgersian and Adnan Virk alongside former players.

The network will also bring back Quick Pitch. A nightly recap program hosted by Abby Labar, delivering scores, highlights and key moments from around the league.

Meanwhile, Big Inning is slated for an expanded presence in 2026, offering whip-around coverage designed to capture pivotal moments as they unfold across multiple games.

Beyond daily programming, MLB Network will again produce its MLB Network Showcase package, with the first telecast scheduled for April 2 featuring the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. The network is also continuing its push into digital and on-demand content, as the MLB Network Podcast returns for a second season with weekly episodes airing Saturdays and distributed across podcast platforms.

Additionally, Play Ball, the network’s youth-focused program, returns in April with Kait Maniscalco as host and Kansas City Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. serving as an ambassador. Reinforcing MLB Network’s ongoing effort to engage younger audiences while maintaining its core coverage for dedicated fans.

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New ESPN Documentary ‘Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN’ to Air April 6th and Explore the Origins of the Network

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ESPN is set to revisit its own unlikely origin story next month, as the network announced Tuesday that “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” will debut April 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET, offering a detailed look at the ambition, risk, and persistence that ultimately reshaped the sports media landscape.

The documentary centers on founder Bill Rasmussen, his son Scott Rasmussen, and a small group of early collaborators who pursued the then-radical concept of a 24-hour cable network devoted entirely to sports, despite widespread skepticism from industry observers who questioned both the financial viability and audience demand for such a venture.

Rasmussen, reflecting on the timing of the film’s release, pointed to the network’s foundational relationship with college athletics as a fitting backdrop for its debut during one of the sport’s most visible moments.

“With the NCAA playing such an important role in ESPN’s birth, I’m delighted our origin story will air this year at the cap of March Madness,” said Bill Rasmussen. “The film accurately captures the amazing story and fans will love it. My thanks to ESPN for their support in the production and all the pioneers who shared their stories. I am looking forward to watching it nearly fifty years after we created it.”

Director Greg DeHart emphasized the scale of the challenge facing the network’s founders, noting that the idea began without the traditional building blocks of television success, including established programming, advertising support, or significant capital investment.

“Imagine someone challenging you to start a new television network in an industry you know very little about. With no money, no programming, and no advertisers – and somehow turn it into one of the most recognizable brands in the world,” said director Greg DeHart. “Bill and Scott Rasmussen did exactly that in just 14 months. We’re grateful ESPN entrusted us with the opportunity to tell the remarkable and improbable story. How this bold idea became a network that transformed sports media.”

The film revisits 1978, when Rasmussen, recently dismissed from the New England Whalers, began developing a blueprint for continuous sports coverage as television options remained limited and cable infrastructure evolved. Operating from Bristol, Connecticut, the group secured funding, most notably from Getty Oil, while negotiating early rights agreements that helped legitimize the network’s presence.

Among those agreements, a deal with the NCAA proved especially significant. Providing ESPN with foundational programming aligned with its long-term growth strategy. The company also invested in satellite distribution, enabling national reach and positioning the network ahead of competitors in an emerging media environment.

When ESPN officially launched on September 7, 1979, its programming mix reflected both necessity and innovation, blending niche sports, highlights, and studio content into a format that would eventually become standard across the industry. Over time, that model expanded into a portfolio of live rights and signature shows that redefined how audiences consume sports.

“Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” features interviews with a wide range of figures connected to the network’s development. This includes Chris Berman, Bob Ley, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, among others. All of whom provide perspective on the network’s evolution from a high-risk startup to a defining force in global sports media.

Directed by DeHart and produced by Tenero Productions. The documentary positions ESPN’s origin not simply as a business success story, but as a case study in how unconventional thinking and calculated risk can fundamentally alter an entire industry.

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CNN Guest After Viral Clash: Scott Jennings ‘Mocks Trump During Commercial Breaks’

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On Monday evening, Miles Taylor appeared on CNN NewsNight alongside Scott Jennings. He says there’s a different side of Jennings behind the scenes.

Taylor, a former national security official who worked as the Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff for the Trump administration, clashed with Jennings on the air over the war in Iran and the deployment of ICE in American cities.

The disagreement went viral on social media after Taylor said that he has spoken to high-level officials in foreign governments — who classifed as “our allies” — which Jennings pushed back on. His reaction to the statements drew millions of views on the X platform.

Following the clash on Monday evening, Miles Taylor took to social media to criticize the CNN contributor and Salem Radio Network host.

In the post, Taylor called Scott Jennings “the perfect metaphor for the GOP.”

“A pundit who mocks Trump with us during commercial breaks — but fawns over Trump when the camera is rolling,” said Taylor. “Brave enough to speak out… in the green room.”

Scott Jennings has not publicly addressed the accusation.

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John Kobylt: Independent Creators Like Nick Shirley Are Filling the Void Left by Failing Media Industry

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John Kobylt, afternoon drive host at KFI-AM 640 in Los Angeles, used his platform recently to make a pointed case for the growing class of independent digital journalists, arguing that the decline of legacy media has opened the door to something he believes is genuinely better.

“The traditional media is shrinking rapidly,” Kobylt said. “And in its place there is a vacuum — and what’s developing in its place is something better.”

John Kobylt described a new generation of content creators as those who can grab an iPhone, hit the streets, and deliver news coverage without seeking permissions from anyone.

“They can take their camera, their phone, their microphone and go wander around and bring you all the news stories that, for whatever reason, the regular old media doesn’t do anymore,” he said.

Rather than relitigating how legacy outlets lost their way, Kobylt said he’s simply moved on. “They failed. They’re not interested in recovering. They may never recover. They don’t have the money to.”

Among those he highlighted as a standout in the movement is Nick Shirley. Kobylt noted he has earned millions of views across YouTube and social media. Shirley is now monetizing that audience directly.

Kobylt went so far as to say that if he were starting his career today, he’d skip the audition tape circuit entirely.

“I wouldn’t be sending audition tapes to idiot program directors,” he said. “I’d get some equipment, go in my basement, start recording myself, and put it online.”

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Craig Carton: WFAN Has Never Been Healthier in Many Aspects

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Craig Carton offered a sweeping endorsement of WFAN’s current trajectory Monday while also weighing in on the highly publicized back-and-forth between Gregg Giannotti and former WFAN host Brandon Tierney. He framed both the station’s overall health and the dispute itself within the broader realities of sports radio.

Speaking on The Carton Show with Craig Carton & Chris McMonigle, Carton described WFAN as operating from a position of strength. Emphasizing both its internal chemistry and its standing within the industry. He said that while the station has evolved over time, those changes have not come at the expense of quality or cohesion.

“Radio is alive and well. WFAN is right there at the top of the heap of all radio stations,” Carton said. “It might not be your daddy’s radio station. That doesn’t mean it’s worse. In the 14 years I’ve been at WFAN, this radio station has never been healthier. From a standpoint of the relationship between the on-air shows and hosts here. There has never been a moment in this station’s history, where every show got along in the manner that we all get along.”

Carton said those disagreements are inevitable and can enhance the product when rooted in good-natured competition rather than personal animosity. He described the dynamic between hosts as playful and mutually aware, elements he believes resonate with listeners.

“A little having fun at each other’s expense, I think it’s good for business and good for the on-air product,” Carton said. “We listen to them, they listen to us, and we poke fun back and forth.”

Carton’s comments come a day after Giannotti and Tierney have traded pointed remarks across platforms, with the dispute tracing back in part to a prank call involving Giannotti that Tierney recently revisited publicly.

While the exchange has grown increasingly personal, Carton indicated he had not been aware of the original prank when it occurred. Though he offered a candid reaction upon learning of it.

“I had no idea that Gio pranked that show,” Carton said. “I thought it was a pretty good prank. Matter of fact, I thought it was the funniest thing Gio has ever done.”

Despite the attention, Carton said he has remained on the sidelines, approaching the controversy as an observer rather than a participant. He added levity by comparing his role to that of a spectator enjoying the unfolding drama.

“I’m not involved at all, which is the best part of it,” Carton said. “Other people are fighting, and it’s got nothing to do with me. This is awesome. I was like Terrell Owens, made popcorn, put my feet up. I was like, who’s next?”

Ultimately, Carton’s remarks reflected a dual perspective, combining confidence in WFAN’s current position with an understanding that personality-driven conflict remains an inherent part of the format.

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Jason Benetti Explains Decision To Leave FOX Sports for NBC Sports MLB Play by Play Role

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Jason Benetti didn’t hesitate when the opportunity to call Major League Baseball on a national stage re-emerged for NBC Sports. As he recently explained, the decision to leave FOX Sports came down to timing, relationships and the rare chance to be part of something distinct.

Speaking about his transition, Benetti made clear that cooperation from his previous employer played a pivotal role in making the move possible. Especially given the contractual hurdles that often complicate on-air talent movement across major networks.

“I had to get out of my contract at FOX [Sports] a couple of months early. All credit to Brad Zager over there for being willing to let me pursue this opportunity,” Benetti said. “Had they not done that, it would have been very difficult to make this happen. So I thank Brad for doing that.”

However, beyond logistics, the appeal of the role itself stood out as a driving force behind his decision. Particularly the format NBC Sports plans to deploy with a rotating mix of local analysts throughout the season.

Benetti emphasized that the variety of voices and perspectives aligns with what makes baseball unique among major sports. Especially when storytelling and personality play such an integral role in broadcasts.

“All of the conversation you can have with different people about the teams. There’s so many personality types who love baseball,” Benetti explained. “To have all those different personality types representative over the course of the season in the booth, I think, is phenomenally interesting.”

That approach signals a departure from more traditional national broadcast structures, instead leaning into a hybrid model that blends national reach with local insight. Something that could resonate strongly with fans accustomed to regional coverage. Additionally, Benetti revealed that his connection with NBC Sports leadership dates back several years, long before the network officially secured MLB rights again, with conversations that planted the seed for what would eventually become a career-defining opportunity.

“Sam [Flood] and I always joked after 2022 — and he was serious, and it turned out I was, too. That if NBC ever got baseball back in this sort of state, that I would be on the list of people that he would call,” Benetti said. “I firmly appreciate that.”

That relationship with Sam Flood, combined with Benetti’s reputation as one of the most versatile and engaging play-by-play voices in sports, positioned him as a natural fit once NBC Sports finalized its plans.

Benetti currently serves as the television voice of the Detroit Tigers and previously held the same role with the Chicago White Sox, gaining widespread praise for blending storytelling, analytics and personality into modern baseball broadcasts.

Benetti had been rumored for months as a top contender to join the network’s roster for MLB play by play. When FOX Sports recently announced their World Baseball Classic announcer pairings, Benetti’s name was a glaring omission. According to sources, the regular season MLB schedule for FOX’s coverage had yet to be finalized but Benetti had been working for the network calling college basketball.

The move also reunites Benetti with NBC programming. He previously contributed to the company’s baseball coverage during the sport’s streaming era. In 2022, he called games for Peacock’s MLB Sunday Leadoff package. The broadcasts were an early attempt to experiment with exclusive streaming coverage. One year earlier, Benetti also served as a play-by-play announcer during coverage of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

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Kara Swisher: I’m Leaving CNN When Paramount Skydance Completes Purchase

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Paramount Skydance is working on completing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. That purchase includes CNN. And when it does, Kara Swisher says her time with the network will be over.

Currently, Swisher is preparing to debut a weekend showKara Swisher Wants to Live Forever — with the network that investigates the rise in anti-aging products and services. It’s release is set for Saturday, April 11th. She also serves as a contributor, appearing several times on the network’s political and election night coverage.

While speaking at the Toner Journalism Awards in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening, Kara Swisher was asked about her thoughts on the purchase of CNN by Paramount Skydance. She said that she’s “spent a lot of time with Larry Ellison” and that “he’s a terrible person.” Swisher said that no matter the outreach from the incoming company, she won’t be staying when Paramount takes over.

“They’ve been calling me,” Swisher began. “They’ve been very nice. They say ‘Kara, good show with Matt Bellamy.’ They’re doing a lot of friendly, friendly with me right now. Too bad, it’s not gonna work. It’s not gonna happen for you, as I say.

“I don’t think they’ll be good owners, I don’t,” continued Swisher. “I think they’ve already shown several times, including editorial choices, which Scott (MacFarlane) knows more about than I. They have no interest in journalism. And I refuse to work for an organization that doesn’t respect journalists.”

Swisher added that her point of contention doesn’t come from the layoffs enacted by the organization. She shared that she completely understands that the “costs were too high” and that they needed to slash spending.

But she disagrees with the way the Ellisons plan to operate the brand. Additionally, she said that due to the success of her independent media endeavor, she’s now in a place where she isn’t forced to work for anyone she doesn’t want to work for.

“I make a lot of money, so I don’t have to,” Swisher said. “And so for me to stand up and say, ‘I’m not working for you hacks. I’m just not doing it, it’s not worth it to me,’ it doesn’t hurt me. I can wander over to MS (NOW) if I feel like having a television show. I can wander anywhere else. It doesn’t matter to me because Pivot has a bigger demo in the 25 to 54 range than all the cable networks in primetime. Their median age is 69. Ours is 42. Which, if theirs is 69, it means there’s a lot of 92-year-olds hanging out over there.

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Stephen A. Smith Responds to Jason Whitlock: “You Lost, Bro”

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Stephen A. Smith is not backing down from his latest public feud, and his response to recent comments from Jason Whitlock made that abundantly clear during a pointed and highly personal rebuttal that underscored just how far the divide between the two media personalities has grown in recent years.

The ESPN commentator took direct aim at Whitlock following the former FOX Sports and ESPN host’s appearance on Cam Newton’s 4th and 1 podcast. Whitlock revisited long-standing criticism of Smith’s career, influence and approach to sports media, prompting Smith to respond with a fiery, unfiltered message that blended personal insults with a broader defense of his professional resume.

“In this profession, I have whipped your a**. You can’t touch me, bro. There’s levels to this, and you ain’t on it,” Smith said. “I got up and walked around studio. Not just to show off my suit and the relatively decent shape that I’m in, but because you never move from your seat. You don’t want people to see you with your walrus looking a** self.”

Smith framed the disagreement as one rooted in professional accomplishment. He argued that his sustained success across television, radio and digital platforms places him in a different tier within the industry. While also asserting that Whitlock has failed to match that level of impact. Despite receiving multiple high-profile opportunities throughout his career.

“It’s the jealousy. You can’t take the fact that I’m better than you, and can’t take the fact that I’m more successful than you,” Smith said. “ You had your chance in 2015 and you blew it.”

Beyond the insults, Smith repeatedly suggested that Whitlock’s criticism stems from frustration over his own career trajectory. Emphasizing what he described as missed opportunities during Whitlock’s previous stints with major media companies. These included a heavily resourced digital venture at ESPN that ultimately failed to gain traction.

“You’re completely irrelevant. You’re not owning up to the fact that you had your chance in 2015 and you blew it. A year and a half, you had to take the website [The Undefeated] off the ground, get black people to work for you, and build an organization. You blew it, and it was completely financed by ESPN, and you didn’t get it done,” explained Smith.

The commentary marked one of Smith’s most direct and aggressive responses to Whitlock to date, as he moved beyond industry critique and into a broader dismissal of Whitlock’s current relevance in the sports media landscape. Suggesting that the gap between the two is no longer debatable but firmly established.

“You lost, bro. Whitlock, I know it hurts, but accept it,” Smith said. “All this you’re talking is because I have whipped your a** in this industry. You are nothing.”

Jason Whitlock has yet to respond to Smith’s commentary.

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