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FanDuel Sports Network Layoffs Underway As Atlanta Offices Set To Close

BSM Staff
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FanDuel Sports Network Layoffs Underway As Atlanta Offices Set To Close

FanDuel Sports Network is preparing to shutter its metro Atlanta footprint, a move that will eliminate dozens of jobs and further reshape the regional sports television landscape at a time when teams and distributors continue recalibrating long-term media strategies.

According to multiple reports, Main Street Sports Group, owner of FanDuel Sports Network, has filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice in Georgia. The filing outlines plans to permanently close its offices at Colony Square and on Pleasantdale Road. Both sites have supported network operations tied to NBA and NHL broadcasts.

According to the filing, 74 employees will be affected by the shutdown, representing the full staff at both locations. This development signals a significant operational reset in one of the country’s most active regional sports markets.

The WARN notice indicates that layoffs would occur as part of the complete wind-down of those worksites, though leadership has stopped short of calling the reductions final.

In a statement provided to CBS News Atlanta, CEO David Preschlack emphasized that the network intends to continue televising NBA and NHL games while evaluating its next steps.

“While final decisions have not been made, we have issued WARN notices to employees, as required by law, in connection with potential workforce impacts that could occur in the coming months,” Preschlack’s statement reads. “Any and all aspects of the WARN notices can be revoked at any time. We remain committed to transparency and fair treatment of our employees.” 

The staffing cuts come just weeks after the Atlanta Braves ended their rights agreement with Main Street Sports Group. The team cited missed payments under the existing contract. At the time, the franchise acknowledged reports surrounding the network. It also said it had prepared for a potential separation. The Braves framed the move as the start of a new era in team broadcasting.

The company’s current structure dates to 2024. That year, Main Street Sports Group acquired the former Bally Sports regional networks. The purchase followed Diamond Sports Group emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Following the restructuring, Diamond Sports Group rebranded as Main Street Sports Group. It moved its channels under the FanDuel Sports Network banner. The shift aimed to stabilize distribution relationships and rebuild advertiser confidence. The regional sports network model continues to face pressure from cord-cutting and rising rights fees.

Where Atlanta Braves games will ultimately air remains unclear. However, Major League Baseball has previously stepped in to handle production and distribution for clubs that exited regional sports network agreements.

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Ryan Ripken Added to Baltimore Orioles Broadcast Team on MASN

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Ryan Ripken Added to Baltimore Orioles Broadcast Team on MASN

When Orioles fans settle in this season, a familiar last name will once again echo through Baltimore baseball broadcasts, though this time it won’t come from the batter’s box or the infield dirt at Camden Yards. Ryan Ripken, son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., will join the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) television booth as a color commentator for select Orioles games during the 2026 campaign.

The opportunity marks another chapter in the Ripken family’s longstanding connection to the franchise and positions the younger Ripken in a visible media role tied directly to the club synonymous with his last name.

Ripken is scheduled to make his television debut today during the Orioles’ Grapefruit League opener, working alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown.

While spring training broadcasts often serve as experimental spaces for teams to evaluate on-air talent, MASN’s decision to bring Ripken into the rotation reflects a broader strategy of blending baseball lineage with contemporary media sensibilities.

Unlike his father, whose record-setting durability defined a generation of Orioles baseball, Ryan Ripken carved out his own path within the sport before pivoting to broadcasting. He spent seven seasons as a minor league first baseman, navigating the developmental grind that shapes many professional careers but rarely guarantees a major league payoff.

That experience, however, now provides a layer of clubhouse credibility and player perspective that television executives increasingly value in modern baseball coverage.

After stepping away from playing, Ripken transitioned into media, building a digital presence through The Ryan Ripken Show, a YouTube program that has attracted more than 24,000 subscribers. In addition to his online platform, he has developed a following on Baltimore sports radio, frequently filling in as a host on 105.7 The Fan.

The combination of digital reach and terrestrial radio exposure has allowed him to cultivate a voice distinct from his father’s legacy while still leaning into the credibility that accompanies the Ripken name.

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Gordy Rush Elevated to VP of Business Development for Guaranty Communications

BNM Staff
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Gordy Rush Elevated to VP of Business Development for Guaranty Communications

Guaranty Corporation has announced that it is elevating Gordy Rush to the role of Vice President of Business Development for Guaranty Communications.

Previously, Rush served as the Vice President and General Manager of Guaranty Media. In his new role, he’ll be tasked with driving revenue growth across the entire Guaranty family of companies.

Rush is a veteran of Guaranty Media, spending more than 30 years with the company. As General Manager in Baton Rouge, he has overseen 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, Eagle 98.1, 100.7 The Tiger, and Talk 107.3.

“Gordy’s vision, energy, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in Guaranty Media’s growth,” said Guaranty Corporation CEO Flynn Foster. “This expanded role allows him to bring that same strategic leadership to the broader Guaranty Communications portfolio. His ability to build relationships and deliver results makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth.”

Gordy Rush will begin his new duties with the organization immediately.

“I’m honored to take on this new challenge,” said Rush. “Guaranty Corporation has always been committed to serving our clients with creativity, integrity, and measurable results. I’m excited to help expand that mission across all of our companies and continue building partnerships that fuel success.”

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OutKick Sees Unique Visitor Increase During January

BNM Staff
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OutKick Sees Unique Visitor Increase During January

OutKick saw a slight uptick in total unique visitors during the first month of 2026.

In January, the outlet founded by Clay Travis earned just shy of 5 million total desktop and mobile unique visitors. The 4.8 million visitors represented a 4% year-over-year increase.

Additionally, the outlet saw 24 million total multiplatform views, up 22% compared to January 2025. OutKick also saw a 15% increase in total multiplatform minutes, up to 21 million. All figures were provided via Comscore.

“OutKick kicked off the new year with strong growth by continuing to provide authentic and unfiltered content,” said OutKick Senior Vice President and Managing Editor Gary Schreier. “The platform drove the conversation on the two Supreme Court hearings around the transgender movement in sports and the College Football Playoff National Championships.”

The outlet saw 12.2 million total video views during January. That marked a 14% month-over-month increase. It also saw nearly 1 million interactions on social media between Facebook, X, and Instagram. That figure was 11% compared to the prior month.

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Mike Tirico Credits Marv Albert for Guiding Him on How To Call an NBA Broadcast

BSM Staff
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Mike Tirico Credits Marv Albert for Guiding Him on How To Call an NBA Broadcast

Mike Tirico has called some of the biggest events in sports, yet when the conversation turns to basketball, he sounds less like a veteran broadcaster and more like a student who never stopped studying the craft.

During a Thursday appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Tirico credited Hall of Fame announcer Marv Albert for shaping not only his approach to the NBA but the approach of an entire generation of broadcasters who grew up within earshot of Albert’s unmistakable voice.

“We are all disciples of Marv,” Tirico said, grouping himself with fellow NBA play-by-play voices Mike Breen and Ian Eagle. “There are pieces of the style of how Marv called the game in our own personality that in all three of us you can hear.”

Tirico compared Albert’s influence to a coaching tree, invoking Bill Walsh as an analogy for how philosophies branch out and evolve over time. For him, Albert’s reach extended far beyond catchphrases or signature calls. It represented a blueprint for how to structure a broadcast, how to manage tempo and how to elevate a moment without overwhelming it.

What made Albert unique, Tirico explained, was his command of the “30,000-foot approach,” a big-picture understanding of how a game unfolds over two and a half hours while still allowing room for spontaneity. Broadcasters learned to balance humor with information, to weave in statistics without disrupting the flow and, most importantly, to “make a big moment of big moments” in a way that felt earned rather than forced.

“All of that came from all of us for years growing up in about a 50-mile radius and listening to Marv,” Tirico said, underscoring how regional proximity to Albert’s broadcasts helped shape his early instincts behind the microphone.

Now serving as a lead voice for NBC Sports’ NBA coverage, Tirico has leaned into those lessons while refining them through his own experience across multiple sports. He emphasized that influence does not mean imitation, and he cautioned young broadcasters against trying to replicate another announcer’s cadence or persona.

“Steal what you think is great, but do it in your personality,” Tirico said. “You can’t be a clone of someone because there’s only one Chris Berman, there’s only one Dan Patrick.”

By referencing Chris Berman and Dan Patrick, Tirico reinforced the idea that individuality remains the currency of lasting success in sports media.

“The things they like to do in your personality and voice can be successful because that’s what you like to hear,” said Tirico. “That’s a little bit of the amalgamation of the people who I’ve loved covering and watch and hopefully bring to the set every day, every night that we do this.”

For Tirico, the goal remains consistent each night he sits courtside: blend preparation with personality, honor the game’s biggest moments and, in doing so, extend a broadcasting lineage that traces directly back to Marv Albert’s enduring example.

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Newsmax Inks Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie to Contract Extensions

BNM Staff
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Newsmax Inks Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie to Contract Extensions

Newsmax has announced it has signed hosts Greg Kelly and Carl Higbie to contract extensions.

Currently, Greg Kelly Reports airs at 9 PM ET, while Carl Higbie Frontline is seen at 6 PM ET.

“Carl Higbie and Greg Kelly represent the very best of what Newsmax brings to the American public,” Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy said. “Carl’s background as a Navy SEAL gives him unmatched credibility and a powerful perspective on national security and leadership. His energy and authenticity have fueled double-digit ratings growth and made his show a cornerstone of our evening lineup.”

“Greg Kelly, with his experience as a White House correspondent and seasoned journalist, delivers depth, context, and professionalism to our 9 p.m. hour,” Ruddy continued. “He goes beyond the headlines to provide clarity and accountability.”

Greg Kelly has been at Newsmax since 2020. He’s remained a key cog in the network’s primetime lineup, which includes Rob Finnerty and Rob Schmitt, in addition to Kelly’s program.

“I’ve always believed that journalism should inform, not obscure,” Kelly said. “At Greg Kelly Reports, we look past talking points and dig into the substance of the issues that affect Americans every day. I’m proud to continue this work at Newsmax and grateful for the viewers who rely on us.”

An extension for Carl Higbie comes after a lineup shuffle at Newsmax moved his program closer to the primetime lineup last year. Previously, his show was aired at 5 PM ET, before changing places with The Record with Greta Van Susteren.

“Serving as a Navy SEAL taught me the value of preparation, accountability, and mission focus,” Higbie said. “On Frontline, our mission is to give viewers the facts, challenge the spin, and stand up for the principles that make this country strong. I’m honored by the trust our audience places in us every night and excited to continue building this show with Newsmax.”

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ABC News Earns Top Spot in Nightly News Ratings, While NBC News and CBS News See Upticks

BNM Staff
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ABC News Earns Top Spot in Nightly News Ratings, While NBC News and CBS News See Upticks

ABC News has long been on top of the nightly newscast ratings, and that remained during the week of February 9th.

World News Tonight averaged 8.7 million viewers during the week, taking the top spot in the overall nightly newscast ratings. The ratings victory for the ABC News show marked the ninth consecutive week during an Olympics that the program earned the top spot.

NBC Nightly News remained in second place, seeing an average audience of 7.8 million viewers. During the week, the Tom Llamas-led program won the Adults 25-54 demographic, besting ABC News 1.2 million to 1.1 million.

Those figures represented the largest Olympic week total and key demo audiences for NBC News in eight years. It was also the largest weekly audience for the show in 80 weeks. The NBC News program was anchored by Llamas from Milan during the week.

CBS Evening News averaged 4.1 million viewers during the week. Through the first six weeks of the Tony Dokoupil era, the network has seen a 10% increase in total viewership and a 17% uptick in viewers from the Adults 25-54 demographic.

In the key demo, the CBS News show averaged 458,000 viewers for the week of February 9th.

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Nick Wright Named New Host Of PokerGo Program ‘No Gamble, No Future’

BSM Staff
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Nick Wright Named New Host Of PokerGo Program ‘No Gamble, No Future’

PokerGO is bolstering its on-air lineup with a familiar sports media voice, as FS1 personality Nick Wright has signed on to co-host the next season of No Gamble, No Future, giving the streaming poker platform another recognizable name with mainstream credibility and an established national audience.

Wright, who fronts First Things First on FS1 and hosts the What’s Wright? With Nick Wright podcast, will join longtime host Brent Hanks at the desk for the upcoming season, stepping into the role previously held by Jeff Platt, who exited to focus on his responsibilities with the World Series of Poker.

The Kansas City native has spent the better part of the past decade building a reputation as one of the more opinionated and polarizing voices in sports television, carving out a full-time presence on FS1 since 2017 while developing a digital footprint that extends well beyond linear TV.

However, Wright’s connection to poker is far from a novelty play, as he has steadily increased his involvement in the game over the last several years and demonstrated a willingness to compete against elite competition on highly visible stages.

In 2021, he squared off against Phil Hellmuth on PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel III, an appearance that introduced him to a new audience within the poker community while also reinforcing his comfort performing under pressure in front of cameras.

More recently, Wright competed in the 2025 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, where he won two matches before losing to eventual champion Sam Soverel, further solidifying his credibility as more than just a celebrity participant.

PokerGO has also leaned into Wright’s crossover appeal by featuring him as part of its 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event coverage, a move that signaled the company’s interest in expanding its reach through personalities who can resonate with both hardcore poker fans and sports viewers accustomed to debate-driven programming.

No Gamble, No Future, which debuted in 2022, has built a reputation across seven seasons for delivering high-stakes cash game action while blending entertainment with sharp analysis, often pairing seasoned poker pros with celebrity players and business figures to create compelling table dynamics.

Wright recently appeared on the show as a player, taking on Antonio Esfandiari in what became the largest pot of Wright’s poker career, offering a preview of the competitive energy and table presence he now brings to the broadcast booth alongside Hanks.

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Seattle Kraken Announce Multi-Year Extension With TEGNA

BSM Staff
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Seattle Kraken Announce Multi-Year Extension With TEGNA

The Seattle Kraken are doubling down on their free, over-the-air television model, announcing a multi-year extension of their broadcast partnership with TEGNA Inc. that keeps games widely accessible throughout the Pacific Northwest while reinforcing a strategy that has significantly expanded the team’s reach.

Since launching the Kraken Hockey Network ahead of last season, the NHL franchise has prioritized broad distribution over a traditional cable-first approach, and that decision has paid dividends in the form of sharply increased audience numbers across a five-state footprint.

Team executives say the agreement with TEGNA has tripled viewership compared to prior distribution models, while placing games in more than four million homes through a collection of local affiliates.

For Ryan Schaber, the team’s vice president overseeing KHN broadcasts, the impact has extended beyond metrics and into everyday conversations around Seattle-area youth sports fields and gyms.

“Just a huge amount of people have come up to me and said, ‘Oh, great, I can watch the games now! I didn’t have access before and now I do!’” Schaber said. “It’s really great. I actually hear that a lot and it makes me feel good because I think we’ve always done good work and put on a good product. But the fact so many people can see it now is just great.”

The extension ensures that all locally produced, non-national broadcasts will continue airing on KONG in Seattle, with select games simulcast on KING 5, the local NBC affiliate. Viewers in Spokane and Portland will also receive games on TEGNA-owned stations, and the company is collaborating with additional partners to broaden over-the-air access across Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Importantly, the arrangement does not alter the team’s separate streaming agreement that allows Amazon Prime members to watch games through Prime Video, a component that complements the broadcast model rather than replacing it.

The timing of the renewal comes as the Kraken resume play from the Winter Olympic break within striking distance of the Pacific Division lead.

In a statement, TEGNA’s senior vice president of sports rights, Brad Ramsey, said the partnership has delivered on its original promise of increasing access while providing advertisers with new opportunities tied to local sports programming.

“We have done exactly what we set out to do, giving more fans, in more homes, access to more games than ever before,” said Ramsey. “We are more committed than ever to serving local fans with the content they care most about, and our advertising partners with solutions that help them move the needle.”

KING 5, TEGNA and the Kraken will jointly handle advertising and sponsorship sales for local telecasts under the renewed agreement.

Beyond live games, ancillary programming such as the weekly Kraken Home Ice show on KING 5 will remain part of the package, helping integrate team storytelling with broader regional sports coverage. Schaber said collaboration with established on-air talent across TEGNA properties strengthens that connection, particularly in a market where the company also holds Seahawks rights and national sports inventory.

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Compass Media Networks Promotes Sydney Sperling to Director of Affiliate Sales

BNM Staff
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Compass Media Networks Promotes Sydney Sperling to Director of Affiliate Sales

Compass Media Networks has announced that it has promoted Sydney Sperling to the role of Director of Affiliate Sales.

Sperling will be tasked with helping the network expand its reach for shows like Anna & Raven, John Tesh’s Intelligence for Your Life, and Rick Dees, as well as its SPECai offering, among others.

Sydney Sperling originally joined the company in July 2023. She’s worked in the affiliate relations department, helping to enhance and grow relationships with current and new affiliates.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and excited to step into this new role,” said Sperling. “Compass Media Networks has an amazing team and a powerful lineup of content, and I look forward to continuing to support our affiliates and drive growth together.”

“Sydney has consistently demonstrated exceptional sales skills and a deep understanding of the affiliate marketplace,” added Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Content Nancy Abramson. “This promotion is well deserved and recognizes her ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results.” 

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