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Showtime Sports President Won’t Confirm Network is Cutting Boxing Telecasts

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Showtime Sports President Won’t Confirm Network is Cutting Boxing Telecasts

As speculation continues to swirl that Showtime will be scaling back boxing coverage in the near future, Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza isn’t divulging any details.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Canelo Alvarez/Jermell Charlo fight on Showtime PPV, Espinoza said word that the Paramount Global network will be getting out of the boxing space has been talked about for several years. The network just continues on.

“It’s the same rumor we’ve been hearing since 2018, and it’s usually guys who have a rooting interest against us who are spreading it,” he said. “You just shrug it off, we continue doing what we’re doing, we weren’t going out of business in 2018 when guys were saying it, our response then was, ‘We’re just going to keep making good fights,’ and that’s what we’re doing now.”

Espinoza has faced questions about Showtime’s future in boxing as his public war of words with UFC president Dana White flared up again this week.

White basically said if boxing on Showtime goes away, he’s not gonna care.

“F–k Espinoza, and it’s about time that shitty product is off the air,” White said.

Stephen fired back in a press conference on Wednesday, turning the focus on where it should be: Canelo’s fight. He pointed out that the fight has already done $20 million in ticket revenue, something White wishes the UFC could pull off.

“That scumbag has absolutely nothing to do with the success of Canelo, Ryan Garcia or Terrence Crawford,” White said. “Those guys are mega stars and they are the ones responsible for driving the gates in their fights. For him to even try and take any credit at all shows you exactly what an arrogant, delusional POS that guy is.”

Nick Saban: I ‘Appreciate’ Media Needs Access, But Locker Room Should be ‘Sacred Place’

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As sports media continues to try to appeal to a younger generation of sports fans that follow teams, games, and players differently than their parents did, a premium has been placed on where and when cameras and microphones get access. Nick Saban isn’t sure that is a good thing for the players and coaches.

The seven-time national championship winning coach made his regular visit to The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday. He was asked what he thought about Dan Lanning’s pre-game speech to his Oregon players ahead of their victory over Colorado.

Lanning told his team that Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes were “playing for clicks” while his team was “playing for wins.” Whether or not the line was disrespectful has been the subject of debate all week.

“I understand what Dan Lanning was trying to say and it’s probably good for his team to hear in some ways, but it probably wasn’t good for everybody else to hear,” Saban said. “And, you know, that’s always the argument. Where do you draw the line and say, ‘okay, there’s got to be some time when you can talk to your team and say what you have to say, and it’s really not for everybody else to hear’?”

Saban said that he understands that college football, like all sports, is a television product. The people on the field and in the locker room deserve some consideration though.

“I know the media wants to have access to all these things because it makes it interesting for the fans,” he told McAfee. “And I appreciate that and I understand that, but there’s still this sacred time where you should be able to talk to your team and say things to your team to motivate your team that maybe they’re not disrespectful about the other, but it’s not for somebody else to know.”

Jason Lee & Kluck Show Joining Audio 1 For Syndication

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Jason Lee & Kluck Show Joining Audio 1 For Syndication

Audio 1 has announced the Jason Lee & Kluck program will be nationally syndicated by the upstart media company.

The show featuring Jason and Warren “Kluck” has more than 40 years of combined radio experience. Currently, the program is heard on Federated Media owned 103.9 The Bear in South Bend and 98.9 The Bear in Fort Wayne. The program debuted in 2010.

“We’re beyond thrilled that a company as well-regarded as Audio 1 would show such a glaring lack of judgment in believing that our lunacy should be foisted upon a larger public,” Kluck stated.

“We are energized to find a show with irreverence and fun for everyone that not only plays on a rock format in the mid-west, but that can play on any format in any market,” Audio 1 Director of Programming Mike Ragz said.

The show will continue to be heard from 6:00-10:00 AM ET. Additionally, the pair will continue to produce the Here’s Your Freakin’ Podcast that Audio 1 will distribute.

David Haugh: Criticism of Braves Celebration ‘Jim DeShaies’s Finest Hour’

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David Haugh: Criticism of Braves Celebration ‘Jim DeShaies’s Finest Hour’

Braves fans were not pleased with the Marquee Sports Network crew for the way they reacted to Ronald Acuna Jr’s record breaking 70th stolen base on Wednesday night. They took to social media to call Blog Sciambi and Jim DeShaies crybabies and sore losers for the way they reacted to the game stopping for the Braves to acknowledge Acuna becoming the first player to have 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in the same season.

“Can we get the base after the game?” Deshaies said as a video montage role and the tenth inning was halted for the base to be removed and given to Acuna. “I mean, this is pretty absurd.”

On Thursday morning, a caller named Kevin told 670 The Score’s Molly & Haugh that despite being a Chicagoan, he agrees with Atlanta fans. 

“The Cubs would have done the same thing. The Cubs are the schmaltsiest, weirdest, creepiest organization that comes with stuff like that,” he said. “So don’t think they wouldn’t have done it? Because they would have. Jim The Shea’s need to shut up.”

David Haugh wasn’t having it. He agreed that stopping the game in the middle of extra innings for a celebration was not necessary.

“Jim DeShaies’s finest hour!” he declared after they replayed the audio from Wednesday night’s game. “Yes, absurd.”

Haugh admitted that his frustration was about more than just one game in Atlanta.

“Look, aren’t you tired of Chicago sports teams being used as props in these little entertainment productions?” He asked partner Mike Mulligan. “On Sunday it was ‘Oh, the Bears are there. And hey, there’s Taylor Swift. Isn’t this cute? Oh, the cuddly Bears are going to go away. That’s going to be a big show for Taylor Swift. The Swifties are out.’ And last night, it’s like, ‘okay, they’re a prop and Ronald Acuna Junior’s video montage.”

For his part, Sciambi defended himself and his and DeShaies’s conversation on Thursday to Ryen Glasspiegel of the New York Post.

“It’s an unfortunate example of what social media does. It’s like a 25-second clip, and then everyone has a take on how much I care or J.D. cares,” he said. “Or how salty we were. How much it bothers us. Nobody else gets to say how much I care other than me. You don’t get to tell me how much I care, and I’m telling you, I don’t really care.

“But the game was going on and that’s what I thought. That they shouldn’t have run the highlight montage. I just finished my salad from Sweetgreen. We’re fine. And I want the Cubs to win tonight.”

Bill Handel: Debate Moderators Should Have Control of Candidates’ Microphones

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The second 2024 Republican Presidential debate took place Wednesday evening. KFI-AM 640 morning host Bill Handel wonders why there haven’t been major changes to how debates operate.

During his show Thursday morning, Handel shared that he wasn’t surprised by the happenings at the event, but believes moderators should have more control over the candidates.

“It was contentious as you would expect. Everybody was talking over everybody else. And to this minute, I don’t understand why these moderators don’t have control of the microphone,” said Handel. “I don’t get that. It would just change the way the debates go. You have 30 seconds to answer the question. Boom, the light goes on. You have 10 seconds more and then the microphone is cut.

“Now, is that fair to someone who doesn’t do a really good job being able to put forth an idea within 30 seconds of a soundbite? Because, of course, your ability to put together an answer quickly, within 30 seconds is directly connected to your ability to become president United States.”

Handel later commented that he was surprised by how much moderators Fox News’ Dana Perino and Univision’s Ilia Calderón let the debate get out of control.

BetQL to Put ‘You Better You Bet’ on Stadium, SiriusXM

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BetQL to Put ‘You Better You Bet’ on Stadium, SiriusXM

You Better You Bet is getting better distribution than ever. Audacy’s BetQL Network has announced multiple partnerships that will put the show on new platforms.

“We’re thrilled to announce these strategic agreements with Stadium and SiriusXM, which will significantly expand the reach of You Better You Bet, solidifying its position as the No. 1 sports betting podcast in the U.S.,” Mitch Rosen, Vice President, of the BetQL Network, said in a press release. “Our commitment to delivering top-tier sports betting entertainment to a wider audience has never been stronger, and we look forward to introducing Nick and Ken to new audiences across multiple touchpoints nationwide.”

Hosts Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley will be seen on Stadium every weekday at 4 pm Eastern. It can be seen on WatchStadium.com/Live and Stadium affiliates YouTubeTV, The Roku Channel, FuboTV, Amazon, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi and more.

The show is also coming to SiriusXM. You Better You Bet will air in its entirety on Sirius channel 217 and XM channel 205. It will also be available on the satellite giant’s app to stream.

Paul Allen: Taylor Swift ‘Can Absolutely Call Some Plays’ on Vikings Radio if She Comes to Week 5 Game

BSM Staff
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The NFL is leaning hard into Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce. The pop star’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium last week lead to a 400% spike in sales for Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs’ jersey. Mike Florio even suggested that Swift fans are being counted on to give Sunday Night Football a ratings boost with her watching Kelce and the Chiefs take on the Jets from a suite at MetLife Stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings are hoping to get in on the Taylor Swift bump. Flagship radio partner KFAN and play-by-play man Paul Allen made their pitch on social media Thursday.

Greg Swedberg, iHeartMedia’s VP of programming in Minneapolis, posted a message to Swift on X (formerly Twitter) reminding her that they have known each other since 2006. He wrote that “If you decide to come watch a certain TE play in Minnesota on 10/8 I can get you into a suite. Maybe even the broadcast booth, wanna call the game with @PAOnTheMic? We can make that happen.”

He followed that up with a second message praising Allen and ensuring that the offer is indeed real.

Allen is on board with the idea. He followed up with a message of his own to the “Anti Hero” singer.

Some have questioned the legitimacy of Swift’s romance with Kelce. Plenty have suggested it is just a publicity stunt for the pair and for the NFL. 

Even if the romance is real, would Swift really travel to three consecutive games in three different cities? Maybe getting some reps in with Paul Allen is just the kind of enticement she needs.

Rich Zeoli Touts Podcast Success As 1st Anniversary of Afternoon Drive Return Approaches

BNM Staff
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Rich Zeoli Touts Podcast Success As 1st Anniversary of Afternoon Drive Return Approaches

1210 WPHT host Rich Zeoli touted his podcast success as his return to afternoons nears its first anniversary.

To open an hour of The Rich Zeoli Show, he noted that the show is close to surpassing 2 million downloads since returning to afternoons last October.

The Philadelphia-based host then joked that of those nearly 2 million downloads, 170 have come from Somalia.

“Were huge in Somalia. The pirates love us,” the ever-sarcastic host said. “If you’re listening in Somalia, would you please call the show and let us know?”

Zeoli returned to afternoons in October 2022, replacing The Sean Hannity Show in the station’s lineup. The move brought local programming to 1210 WPHT from 6:00 AM-7:00 PM. He was replaced in morning drive by Nick Kayal.

Amazon Prime Video Reportedly Set to End ‘Sports Talk’ Block

BSM Staff
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Amazon Prime Video Reportedly Set to End ‘Sports Talk’ Block

Just about one year after its launch, Amazon Prime Video is dissolving “Sports Talk,” a 12-hour lineup of daily talk shows covering sports at the end of October. The decision has been made on the precipice of media rights negotiations for the National Basketball Association, a property that the over-the-top (OTT) streaming service could reportedly have interest in as the rights hit the open market.

Programs were produced in tandem with Embassy Row, a television and digital production company owned by Sony, and concludes the company’s initial foray into this kind of studio programming to complement its live game broadcasts. News of the cancelation was first reported by Richard Deitsch of The Athletic in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The programming lineup had launched with the addition of seven new shows to the lineup, including programming hosted by Cari Champion, Madelyn Burke and Ben Lyons among others. Amazon Prime Video currently pays the National Football League a reported $1.1 billion annually for the rights to Thursday Night Football, along with the league’s inaugural Black Friday football game. Other sports coverage from the entity includes broadcasts of select New York Yankees baseball games, Overtime Elite and the WNBA, along with several documentaries.

“We are dipping our toe,” Marie Donoghue, vice president of U.S. sports content and partnerships at Amazon in an interview with Andrew Marchand of the New York Post ahead of the launch last November. “We’re testing and learning, but we are very excited about it.”

Future pursuits to expand Amazon Prime Video’s sports portfolio are largely unknown; however, the company is reporting overall viewership gains in the opening weeks of the second season of Thursday Night Football. Nielsen Media Research arrangement to implement internal data from Amazon into its final ratings numbers caused an uproar across the industry, leading the entity to walk back on its plans. Amazon reports its weekly viewership figures using both the traditional Nielsen metrics and the combined data with its own metrics. The property is up 26% year-over-year (YoY) in total viewership, a promising metric as the league looks to blend digital and streaming capabilities with traditional broadcast and cable television.

CNN Scores 10 News Emmy Award Wins

BNM Staff
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CNN Scores 10 News Emmy Award Wins

The first night of the 44th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards was held Wednesday, and CNN was the big winner of the evening.

The network took home 10 wins on the night, setting a new record for itself in the process.

Additionally, longtime CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career in news media. The network’s Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Vice President Sam Feist presented the award to Blitzer.

CNN won categories of Live Breaking News Coverage and Continuing News Coverage: Short Form for its reporting on the war in Ukraine. Additionally, Anderson Cooper 360 won three awards for Investigative News Coverage: Short Form, Hard News Feature Story: Short Form, and Live Interview: Short Form.

Christiane Amanpour was awarded the honor for Outstanding Live Interview: Long Form for her work with Russian Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Selina Wang took home the award for Outstanding Emerging Journalists.

Meanwhile, the network also won honors for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Graphic Design and Art Direction.

The second night of the awards ceremony will take place this evening and will center upon documentaries.

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