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North Carolina Broadcasters Plot Broadcast History Museum

BNM Staff
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Broadcasters leaders from the state of North Carolina have announced plans for a North Carolina Broadcast History Museum.

In a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion, leaders from around the state announced the museum will begin as a digital entity with future plans for a brick-and-mortar facility yet to take shape.

A distinguished group will serve on the Board of Trustees for the organization.

The group includes Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley, Curtis Media Group CEO Don Curtis, Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon, and North Carolina Public Media CEO David Crabtree. Additionally, broadcast executives Carl Venters Jr., Mike Weeks, Jim Heavner, Dave Lingafelt, Jim Babby, Cullie Tarleton, and Dr. James Carson will serve on the board. Media lawyer Wade Gargrove and Harold Ballard will also be on the Board.

The state features a robust broadcast history, tracing its roots back to 1902 when radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden transmitted a 127-word voice message from Cape Hatteras to a tower on Roanoke Island. The state was also home to the first digital television transmission by WRAL-TV in 1996.

The Museum is seeking the help of the general public in collecting artifacts — including documents, photos, and recordings — that relate to prominent broadcasting moments in North Carolina history.

The group’s website is now open and available to the public at NCBMuseum.com.

Gregg Giannotti: Aaron Rodgers Will Complain to Pat McAfee If He Can’t Play This Year

BSM Staff
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Four plays into the National Football League season for the New York Jets, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a tear of his left Achilles tendon, which usually equates to a season-ending injury. Rodgers, however, seems to be trying to make it back to the field this season and took a step towards that progress on Sunday afternoon when he emerged to have a catch with a football coach at MetLife Stadium. Although the 40-year-old quarterback was wearing a boot on his left foot, he was able to hurl the football in the air and seemed comfortable on the surface.

Rodgers, who is paid for his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, has expressed that he is recovering from his injury with unique rehabilitation methods after undergoing a “speed bridge” procedure to repair the tendon. During one of his first appearances following the injury, Rodgers conveyed that anything was possible in his rehab process, although the prospect of his return could dampen as quarterback Zach Wilson continues a stretch of improved play.

According to WFAN host Gregg Giannotti, Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers is the only player to ever return from an Achilles injury during the same season he sustained it. Even so, the rupture took place in July, and it took nearly six months for him to return to game shape and make it to the field.

Giannotti’s co-host, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, finds it hard to believe that Rodgers will eclipse this feat, but he does not rule anything out. The problem in all of this, Giannotti affirmed, lies in the Jets acquiescent approach towards Rodgers, especially since the organization did whatever was necessary to acquire him – including the hire of Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator and signing former Green Bay Packers receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

“In a situation like this, if he wants to prove everybody wrong and he wants to go out there and play but it’s not the right decision, what happens?,” Giannotti asked Monday morning on WFAN. “What happens? Does Woody Johnson tell him no? Who tells him no?”

Rodgers reportedly plans to regularly travel with the team following the Week 7 bye next week, which opens with a crosstown rivalry matchup against the New York Giants. If a request to return to the field near the end of the season is denied, Giannotti has no doubt that it would quickly become public knowledge because of his media intrigue and presence.

“Even if they think it’s the worst idea in the world, he’ll go out there,” Giannotti said. “[He’ll say], I want to do it. I’ll stand back there; I’ll get rid of the ball quick. I’m fine; I feel great; I feel 100%. He’ll be on McAfee – oh I just can’t wait for this. If the Jets do tell him, ‘No,’ then he’ll be on McAfee bitching about how, ‘I’m fine. I don’t know what they’re worried about. I figured I’d come back and we’d be in the playoffs.’”

The media attention a potential return of Rodgers could garner would likely be significant, which is accentuated by his Tuesday interviews with The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN. The Jets are scheduled to appear on four more prime time games this year, including a Week 9 Monday Night Football showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers and Week 10 Sunday Night Football tilt with the Las Vegas Raiders. “Gang Green” will also usher in the inaugural NFL Black Friday game (Friday, Nov. 24) when the team faces the Miami Dolphins on Amazon Prime Video at 3 p.m. EST.

McAfee and his eponymous digital program attained an average viewership of 1.4 million people per episode, accumulating a total of 242 million total views over the first month. ESPN licensed 235 episodes of his program in a multi-year, multimillion dollar deal as part of a new daytime programming lineup, which includes the addition to Shannon Sharpe to First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. Concurrent with the television lineup, ESPN Radio unveiled new national programs; however, McAfee’s program is not part of that rotation, instead remaining on television and digital platforms.

“The whispers are happening,” Giannotti said, who noted that he is averse to Rodgers returning this season due to his age and the risk of re-injury. “It’s out there; it’s out there!”

Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens Spar on Social Media Over College Protesters

BNM Staff
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Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens Spar on Social Media Over College Protesters

A post on X from 2024 Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy set off a social media war of words between SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly and The Daily Wire’s Candace Owens Sunday.

Ramaswamy argued that companies should not “blacklist” college students who are protesting in favor of Palestine after the brutal attacks levied against Israel by the Hamas terrorist organization.

Kelly pushed back on that insinuation, arguing that the protestors “sided with terrorists who murdered children and old women”.

The candidate then replied saying while he believes the students are wrong, on principle, he doesn’t believe that should limit their future employment. The SiriusXM host countered by saying that Ramaswamy was “open to hiring one of these lunatics”.

That is when Owens joined the fray, calling Kelly’s comments “incredibly disingenuous”.

Owens continued by saying that when she was younger she was “radically pro-choice” and glad she wasn’t blacklisted.

“Students are young and experimenting,” said Owens. “You are an adult woman who is advocating for their lives to be permanently pigeonholed because they have the wrong ideas which are likely being spoon fed to them in their classrooms.”

Kelly fired back by claiming the protesters were “taking to the streets to cheer murdered babies and blame said murders on the victims. But you go ahead and hire as many of them as you want Candace. I’m sure (The Daily Wire) will love that.”

In her retort, Owens claimed she hired many “reformed BLM activists” for her charity and “actually proved to be the most dedicated employees to the cause because the mission was personal to them”.

She continued by arguing that “students can change”.

“I am living proof of it. Cultural propaganda coupled with educational brainwash has proven potent, but not irreversible,” Candace Owens said.

Kelly snarkily replied to Owens that she “can’t wait to see you turn (pro-Palestinian protesters) lives around”.

The interaction continued with Kelly leveling an accusation that she offered Owens an opportunity to join her show to promote her true crime series, which Owens never accepted.

Megyn Kelly then alleged Owens had “attacked someone who has been nothing but nice to and supportive of you”.

The Daily Wire host ended the argument by stating that she wasn’t attacking Megyn Kelly, she was taking issue with her position, saying “I just don’t think you honest believe that”.

“I just patently and vehemently disagree with your take here which I should be allowed to express, free from you tagging my place of employment,” concluded Owens.

Jeff Van Gundy Joins Boston Celtics as Senior Consultant

BSM Staff
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Following reports of former ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy looking to re-join the National Basketball Association as a member of a team’s coaching staff, news has surfaced about his next destination. Van Gundy, a former assistant coach and head coach with a variety of franchises, is joining the Boston Celtics as a senior consultant, which could mark the end of his sports media pursuits. Both Van Gundy and analyst Mark Jackson were part of the network’s on-air talent layoffs, the latter of whom could join MSG Networks in a limited role to serve as an analyst on New York Knicks telecasts. Throughout the offseason, Van Gundy had reportedly been in discussions with the Celtics and other NBA teams about filling a position as a coach.

The NBA’s current national media rights deal expires following the 2024-25 season, which could coincide with potential expansion of the league. Prospective rightsholders are expected to emanate from linear and digital realms, some of whom could look to land one of the two experienced analysts. Although details of Van Gundy’s contract with the Celtics are unknown – including the presence of clauses that prohibit media activity – he will now be splitting his time between Boston and Maine to watch the Celtics’ NBA and G-League teams. Whether or not Van Gundy will resume work in sports media remains to be seen.

“Jeff has been an unofficial consultant for so many of us that grew up in coaching for a long time,” Brad Stevens, the Boston Celtics’ president of basketball operations, told The Boston Globe in a text message. “He’s so humble and approachable, and has always gone out of his way to spend time helping others.”

Van Gundy coached superstar center Patrick Ewing with the New York Knicks, who appeared in the NBA Finals under his leadership in 1999. A few years later, he worked with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming where he helped the team attain more than 50 wins in a season. Marv Albert pushed Van Gundy to become involved in sports media, where he developed long-standing friendships with his colleagues and maintained relationships around the Association.

Following 16 years with ESPN and a countless number of prime-time games from the broadcast booth, he will gain a new perspective and contribute his knowledge, insight and expertise to a Celtics organization aiming to win its 18th NBA title.

“Any time you get to add high-character, high-level, professional people, I think it’s a no-brainer,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said, “and [we are] so fortunate enough that he’s here, not just for the coaching staff, but for everybody.”

NBC News, Salem Radio Network to Host Next Republican Presidential Debate

BNM Staff
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NBC News, Salem Radio Network to Host Next Republican Presidential Debate

NBC News will host and televise the next Republican Presidential primary debate next month, and will partner with Salem Radio Network to do so.

The event will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and will start at 8 PM ET on Wednesday, November 8th.

The Republican National Committee has partnered NBC News with Salem Radio Network and the Republican Jewish Coalition for the debate. Additionally, the debate will stream live on Rumble.

The confirmation of the third Republican debate comes a month after reports surfaced that the television network would partner with Salem Media Group for the debate. The previous two debates were hosted by Fox News and Fox Business network. Ratings for the first two debates saw 13 million for the first, and just over nine million for the second.

In the last debate, seven candidates participated. It is not yet known how many will be on stage for the third debate, as the threshold for qualification has been raised.

NBC News did not name any moderators for the event, and a format was not described either.

Disney Reportedly Looking for Two ESPN Partners

BSM Staff
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Disney Reportedly Looking for Two ESPN Partners

The Walt Disney Company has initiated its search for an entity to purchase part of ESPN. According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the parent company is looking to find two partners, presumably digital and mobile platforms, to take on ownership stakes to ensure broad distribution of the “Worldwide Leader.” The company is reportedly looking to sell approximately 10% of ESPN. What encompasses that could become more clear once the company divulges its own financial results for the first time.

The palpable scenario of ESPN forging a partnership with Apple could allow the application to be preinstalled on devices, such as the iPhone and iPad. Apple has started its foray into sports media through Friday night Major League Baseball game broadcasts and a 10-year deal with Major League Soccer, which reportedly includes incentives for global phenom Lionel Messi.

The technology company is reportedly expected to inquire about acquiring a share of the National Basketball Association media rights, which expire upon the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Other platforms that could offer similar benefits include Google and Microsoft, the former of which reached a seven-year deal with the NFL for YouTube/YouTube TV to serve as the official home of NFL Sunday Ticket.

Combining a digital platform of this scope with a mobile distributor, such as Verizon or T-Mobile, presents the possibility of bundling aspects of the ESPN business with service contracts. Verizon reportedly expressed interest in a strategic partnership with ESPN this past summer. With the network engaging in “Project Flagship” to launch its own direct-to-consumer platform, an endeavor expected to be completed in the next two to three years, although the Post reports that 2025 is now most likely. The blend between digital and mobile platforms could prove advantageous in maximizing the breadth of potential dissemination, reaching consumers where they are rather than making offerings more difficult to find.

The network recently inked a multi-year, multimillion dollar contract with Pat McAfee to license 235 episodes of his digital show to its platforms. McAfee’s program produced record ratings within its first month, drawing 1.4 million people per program and 44.5 minutes of average daily viewing time. Its first four weeks across ESPN platforms garnered 242 million total views, demonstrating the power of a multiplatform, broad distribution strategy.

Moreover, Disney and PENN Entertainment are working to unveil ESPN BET, the company’s own sportsbook, within the National Football League season. The 10-year, $1.5 billion deal places ESPN branding across the user interface and contains various performance incentives that have the potential to render the deal more lucrative. Disney had reportedly been resistant to delve into the sports betting space; however, the company’s tune has changed in recent years, leading to the monumental deal. The transaction replaced the Barstool Sportsbook and transferred ownership of the titular entity back to Dave Portnoy, who purchased the company back for $1.

No timeline for a partnership has been reported, nor is it clear if a resolution will be reached ahead of the direct-to-consumer product reaching the marketplace. ESPN refined its executive leadership team under chairman Jimmy Pitaro earlier this year, instituting Burke Magnus as president of content and Rosalyn Durant as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. Tina Thornton oversees content production and operations, and is also reportedly assuming marketing responsibilities from Laura Gentile ahead of her exit from the company at the end of the month.

Spike Eskin, Mitch Rosen, Scott Shapiro, Don Martin, Jeff Smulyan, and Mark Chernoff to Speak at the 2024 BSM Summit

Jason Barrett
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Spike Eskin, Mitch Rosen, Scott Shapiro, Don Martin, Jeff Smulyan, and Mark Chernoff to Speak at the 2024 BSM Summit

It’s hard to believe that we’ll soon be delivering our 6th sports media conference, but that is indeed the case. The 2024 BSM Summit is returning to New York City on March 13-14, 2024 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater on West 55th Street. This was our venue for our 2020 show. It was fantastic. A big stage, big screen, and great viewing for attendees. We would have gone back here in 2022 if not for the pandemic. Unfortunately, they were shut down at that time. But, the world is somewhat back to normal now, and I’m eager to be back in the building to create another action packed agenda to benefit sports radio, television, podcasting, and advertising professionals.

Tickets are now officially on sale for the Summit. If you work in the industry and wish to attend, tickets are regularly priced at $274.99 each. However, as we do each year, we kick it off with a special sale. Prices are reduced through October 31st to $224.99 so if you want to save a few dollars on your ticket, this is a good time to get yours. We also have a special ticket price of $124.99 established for college students who are pursuing the media business and looking to attend and learn. To buy tickets, click HERE.

When March rolls around, we’ll have a full agenda featuring top speakers from across the country. I’ve already lined up some of them and will introduce them selectively in the weeks and months ahead. This event is the equivalent of a two-day masterclass covering multiple areas of importance to the sports media industry. A special focus is placed on programming, revenue, content, technology, digital/social and recognizing difference makers. The purpose of the event is to inform, inspire, celebrate, and innovate. I’m a fan of an old quote from Benjamin Franklin which says “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest“, and if you attend our conference and don’t leave the room in a stronger position to advance your career or improve your business, then I’d question if you paid attention or were even in the room.

Before I start announcing high profile personalities, executives, and the annual surprises folks have come to expect from our shows, I thought I’d do things a little different this year. Those who know me understand that I now work with brands in a consulting capacity but at my core, I’m a programming executive. I love strategy, brand building, the challenges associated with growing a business, and going under the hood to examine what’s working and what needs fixing. So too do these next four gentlemen.

I’m pleased to welcome back to the Summit the EVP of iHeartmedia Sports, Don Martin, Fox Sports Radio’s SVP of Programming Scott Shapiro, the VP of Programming for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio and Audacy’s VP of Sports Spike Eskin, and the VP of Programming for 670 The Score and the BetQL Network, Mitch Rosen.

In addition, one part of our show that’s been extremely popular over the years has been the awards presentation. Thanks to our friends at Premiere Radio Networks, that will continue in 2024.

For starters, each year we recognize an industry executive with the Jeff Smulyan Award, given to someone in leadership who has made a strong impact during the prior twelve months. Past winners have included Kraig Kitchin, Dan Mason, Traug Keller, and Julie Talbott. Jeff Smulyan will join us once again in NYC for the annual presentation, and we’ll announce the recipient of the honor at a later time.

The second award we will continue to feature is the Mark Chernoff Award, given to the sports radio’s top programmer for the prior year. Since introducing the award in 2020, Mitch Rosen, Rick Radzik, and Jimmy Powers have been named winners of this honor. Mark Chernoff will once again be with us to present the award that bears his name. The selected winner will be revealed in the near future.

The other two awards we will present at the show include The Champions Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor we introduced in 2023 and presented to broadcasting icon, Al Michaels. The Champions Award was created in 2020 to recognize those in the sports media industry who have used their platform to make a difference. BSM supports the award by donating One Thousand Dollars to the winner’s brand or selected charity. Prior winners have included Jay Glazer, Adam Schefter, and Keith Murray & Andy Fales of KxNO. More will be shared at a later time about this year’s recipient.

We have nearly five full months until the show takes place in the big apple so expect more announcements to flood your inbox, and social media. Given the rise in interest of speaking at the show, we can’t accommodate everyone. If you have an idea you want to pitch, send it in sooner rather than later by email to JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com.

Last but not least, we’ve created our content plan for 2024 and advertising decks are now available for those interested in exploring marketing opportunities with BSM. Summit opportunities are included in it. Stephanie Eads is running point on sponsorship requests so if you’d like to be involved, email her at Sales@BarrettSportsMedia.com. We had phenomenal support in Los Angeles for our 2023 show, and expect this one to be as strong or better.

I’ll have more information to share soon. In the meantime, I hope you’ll buy a ticket and join us in NYC this March for the 2024 BSM Summit. It should be a great show.

Dave Portnoy Turns Down Radio Show Offer From SiriusXM

BSM Staff
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Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was in advanced talks recently to host a daily sports talk show on SiriusXM, but Portnoy ultimately decided against it.

He was a guest last week on The Kirk Minihane Show, where he was asked about an update on Barstool’s status with SiriusXM.

“We came very close to getting a deal, actually,” he said, adding there was nothing SiriusXM did wrong to make him turn down a two-year contract. “They did everything right to get the deal.”

The show would have aired four days a week for two hours a day. Dave didn’t provide specifics regarding financials offered or what channel his show would’ve aired on, but he felt good about the package the company submitted.

“I was happy with what it was. Money was not the issue,” he said.

“They wanted to make sure if people wanted Dave Portnoy you go to Sirius,” he later added.

Minihane followed up asking if it was a location issue, where maybe part of the deal would’ve required Portnoy to be in a New York City studio. But Dave said he could’ve done it remotely.

Ultimately, Pornoty said committing to doing a daily sports talk show and making that a high priority would injure the work he was doing to make Barstool a profitable company again.

“If I’m going to spend that much time, I want to be doing it on Barstool stuff for Barstool. Whatever it may be,” Portnoy said. “It really I felt like would have hindered everything else I do.”

Dave took back full ownership of Barstool Sports over the summer, taking over the percentage in the company previously held by Penn Entertainment. He has been vocal about making sure Barstool no longer operates at a loss. Part of that action taken in recent weeks was laying off staff and not renewing contracts for certain talent. It’s something Dave said he absolutely hates doing, but it’s for the good of the company moving forward.

Paul Finebaum: SEC Fans Won’t Miss Gary Danielson

BSM Staff
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Paul Finebaum: SEC Fans Won’t Miss Gary Danielson

CBS Sports college football analyst Gary Danielson had an opinion on Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium that didn’t sit well with Paul Finebaum, and as CBS prepares to say goodbye to its SEC rights, Finebaum had some parting words for Danielson.

Gary did an interview with the Knoxville News Sentinel ahead of this past weekend’s Tennessee/Texas A&M game that he and Brad Nessler called. In it, Danielson brushed aside the notion that the Volunteers would benefit from a raucous environment from the 101,915 fans surrounding their home field.

“This is not a criticism, just an observation. It has nothing to do with Neyland, per se, or any other stadium,” Danielson said. “It is about the same every week. Whether you’re playing at Ole Miss or LSU or Florida in The Swamp or Georgia … for a football player, loud is loud.

“I don’t know if it makes any difference if there’s 80,000 loud people or 100,000 loud people,” he added.

Gary later said that the college football is life mantra in SEC country is something fun CBS embraces from a production standpoint, and he said that part of it is fun. He also reiterated that the experience in Knoxville doesn’t usurp any of the other environments in the conference.

“Tennessee doesn’t have to take a backseat to anybody,” he said. “But to me, it’s just about the same (as other SEC stadiums).”

Finebaum, a Tennessee alum, opened The Paul Finebaum Show on Friday with reaction to reading Danielson’s comments.

Finebaum said Danielson stuck his foot in his mouth “by not praising the greatest stadium in college football Neyland Stadium.”

“That’s the part I don’t understand,” he added.

Paul said Gary is going to have to keep that same energy in a new conference.

“Next year when he’s doing the ‘Big Ten Saturday’ afternoon game of the week with Minnesota at Purdue when he’s in a cornfield in West Lafayette, he’s going to have to say, ‘This is like any other Big Ten stadium,'” he said.

Paul Finebaum just found it odd Danielson would take that stance considering he was in the building for last year’s Tennessee/Alabama game. But he said Danielson’s also been in Neyland Stadium for countless other games throughout the years and should understand that going to games in Knoxville is truly a unique experience.

“It’d be one thing if Gary just got this job and he’d been doing Premier League soccer,” he said. “But it is a fact Gary Danielson was in the press box a year ago this weekend and saw very possibly the greatest scene in college football history when 100,000 of those fans stormed the field in a very respectful way.”

YouTube TV Already Eclipsing Previous NFL Sunday Ticket Subscribers

BSM Staff
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YouTube TV Already Eclipsing Previous NFL Sunday Ticket Subscribers

Six weeks into the first year of NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube, subscription numbers are an indication that the transition from pay TV to streaming has proven successful.

Bloomberg last week reported that it’s estimated that 1.3 million have signed up for Sunday Ticket this year. That figure already exceeded the subscriber count for the service when it was on DirecTV.

YouTube allowed fans to either buy Sunday Ticket as a standalone product or as part of a subscription to YouTube TV. About 41% of the 1.3 million subscribers to Sunday Ticket on YouTube added on YouTube TV.

YouTube parent company Alphabet Inc. bought the rights to Sunday Ticket last year. It’s believed YouTube is paying the NFL $2 billion a year over seven years for the rights.

So far, the change to streaming for Sunday Ticket has been praised. There have largely been zero technical issues that would prevent fans from tuning in games or experiencing interruptions.

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