In a Public Notice, the bureau pointed to a longstanding tradition in which viewers could turn on a television and easily locate major sporting events without paying additional fees beyond a basic antenna or cable package, contrasting that experience with today’s environment, where fans often juggle multiple subscriptions to follow a single league or even one team across a full season.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show on Thursday afternoon, and explained why the commission is looking into the issue.
“In recent years, it’s gotten a lot more complicated,” said Carr. “People are having to sign up for bespoke streaming services. They can’t find the game they want to watch. They’re signing up for free trials of one platform just to get a playoff game, and then they have to remember to cancel it down the road. Many of them are paying more out of pocket. That’s a problem. It’s a real frustration.
“There’s a role for the FCC here, too, because when sports are broadcast over the air on television, that helps drive advertisers to local broadcasters, and that’s what ends up funding local news and local reporting,” continued Carr. “So we’re exploring this relationship between sports and broadcast … As more and more games start to go behind paywalls, it begins to tug at some of the underpinnings of that Sports Broadcasting Act. I think people are right to start asking whether we have the right regulatory framework in place right now.”
The FCC chairman continued by questioning if local television would be viable without NFL broadcasts, which will see its rights deals with over-the-air broadcasters CBS, FOX, and NBC be up for renewal in 2029.
“If too many of those games start to go behind a paywall, it’s a problem on many fronts. I think it’s a problem for local news and for broadcasters. I think it’s a problem for consumers who will continue to be frustrated by an inability to find the games,” Carr said. “And again, it starts to undermine some of the reasons why we have the Sports Broadcasting Act. Now look, there are some good things that come from this as well. There are more games available now, so there is some upside. But there’s also real consumer frustration. I hope the NFL ultimately finds the right balance where we still get these free over-the-air games that help grow the sport.”
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FOX Sports has officially entered the generative AI space with the launch of Sports AI with Colin Cowherd, an interactive chat feature built to deliver real-time scores, news, statistics, predictions and analysis directly inside the FOX Sports app.
Introduced Thursday via The Herd w/Colin Cowherd, the product leans into the voice and tone of Colin Cowherd, whose confident, debate-ready style anchors the marketing push with the tagline: “You’ve got questions. I’ve got answers.”
The experience mirrors the cadence and big-picture framing that have defined Cowherd’s work across FOX Sports Radio and FS1, while layering in live data and machine learning capabilities.
According to FOX Sports, the platform is an AI Agent with access to FOX Sports’ extensive content library and real-time sports data. Whether you’re seeking game predictions, player comparisons, historical context, or breaking news, Sports AI delivers relevant, accurate, and timely responses tailored to your interests. Experience sports knowledge reimagined – where cutting-edge AI meets the passion of sports fandom.
Unlike static scoreboards or traditional recaps, Sports AI functions through conversation. It allows fans to explore specific questions in real time. A user might ask how a quarterback’s recent play affects his long-term value. Another might question whether a coaching change signals deeper organizational instability. The response would arrive in a narrative-driven tone similar to the style Colin Cowherd often delivers on air.
FOX Sports positions the tool as an extension of its on-air programming rather than a replacement for it. Offering audiences another touchpoint with a recognizable brand voice beyond television and radio windows.
By embedding the feature directly into the FOX Sports app, the company ensures accessibility for users who increasingly expect on-demand, personalized interactions instead of one-size-fits-all content feeds.
The move also reflects a larger industry trend as media companies seek to pair proprietary content libraries with AI infrastructure capable of scaling personality-driven experiences. FOX Sports aims to ground the chatbot’s responses in verified data while maintaining stylistic consistency rooted in Cowherd’s established viewpoints and rhetorical approach.
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Former 93 WIBC midday host Rob Kendall is launching a digital show following his exit from the Urban One Indianapolis news/talk station.
Kendall exited the show he hosted alongside Casey Daniels earlier this month after noting that he had been off the air following a contract dispute with the organization. He shared that he had been working without a contract since late October of 2025. Kendall & Casey earned seventh place in the 2025 Barrett Media Top 20 News/Talk Radio Mid-Market Midday Shows category.
The Rob Kendall Show is set to debut on Monday, March 2nd. The program will air live from 10 AM to Noon ET on both YouTube and his personal website.
In a promotional video published on YouTube, Kendall shared what the new show will entail.
“You guys know this: no one takes on the politicians like me,” Kendall said. “Nobody advocates for better government like me. And most importantly, nobody fights for you like me. And that’s what we’re gonna do every weekday.”
During his contract dispute and subsequent separation from 93 WIBC, Rob Kendall had been hosting a daily live video commentary from his home on Facebook Live.
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Mike Francesa is opening up about the past — and making clear that while Mike and the Mad Dog is no longer on the air, his relationship with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo remains very much alive.
On the latest episode of The Mike Francesa Podcast, the former WFAN afternoon host reflected on whether he misses the groundbreaking show that helped define sports talk radio for two decades. Francesa admitted that there are moments when he looks back fondly on the run he shared with Russo, pointing to the longevity and intensity of a partnership that spanned 20 years in afternoon drive in New York.
“Yeah, I miss ‘Mike and The Mad Dog’ sometimes,” Francesa said. “It was fun. We had a lot of crazy days and had our fights. We had a lot of good times together. Remember we were together for 20 years. We weren’t together for a week, for two weeks. Some people do shows now for three or four years, and talk about how they have a legacy. Hey, we were together for 20 years.”
The duo launched their partnership at WFAN over three decades ago and quickly became a defining force in the format. Their mix of deep sports knowledge, combative exchanges and unmistakable chemistry turned afternoons into must-listen radio, influencing an entire generation of programmers and hosts. Although the show ended when Russo departed in 2008, its impact continues to be cited as a blueprint for successful sports talk duos.
Just as notable as Francesa’s nostalgia was his description of his current relationship with Russo, which runs counter to the long-held perception that the two have little contact.
“Dog and I do stay in touch,” Francesa said. “We try to get a golf game together now and again when we can. We stay in touch about life, stuff like the kids,” said Francesa.
According to Francesa, their conversations now center more on family, personal updates and occasional professional advice rather than daily sports arguments. He described a dynamic in which each might run an idea past the other, seek input or simply catch up, emphasizing that they “get along very well.”
“He might run something past me, I might run something past him. We might talk about something, a different thing. You might call about a certain thing. I’m thinking of doing this. What do you think about this? What do you think about that? We talk. We get along very well,” said Francesa.
For fans who followed every heated exchange on WFAN, the revelation offers perspective. On-air tension does not always lead to lasting personal conflict. Instead, Mike Francesa’s comments suggest something different. He described two longtime partners who remain in contact. Though their careers diverged, their communication has endured years after the split.
While Mike and the Mad Dog lives on as a touchstone in sports radio history, Francesa’s remarks suggest the story between its two principal voices did not end when the show did.
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For the first time since 2017, Bill O’Reilly will be behind the anchor chair for a cable news network next week.
On Wednesday, March 4th, O’Reilly will serve as the fill-in host for Chris Cuomo’s primetime show on NewsNation.
While appearing on Cuomo on Wednesday evening, Bill O’Reilly shared the news that he’ll step into the role for Chris Cuomo in one week. He said the format of the program will be familiar to viewers.
“I’m bringing back The O’Reilly Factor,” he shared. “I’m bringing it back a week from tonight. You can’t miss this. Wait until you see the cast that we’ve assembled.”
O’Reilly joked that Cuomo was “going to be jealous” about the performance of the program while the former Fox News host helmed the show.
The O’Reilly Factor was routinely the top-rated primetime cable news show during O’Reilly’s time with Fox News. He hosted the show from 1996 until his departure from the network in 2017.
The news of O’Reilly guest-hosting Cuomo comes weeks after he announced he would be away from his own show due to a medical issue. However, after a few days, that issue subsided and he was able to return to his digital program. He has served as a contributor to NewsNation, and makes a weekly appearance on Cuomo’s program.
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As international baseball prepares to take center stage once again, FOX Sports is positioning itself for a global spotlight when the World Baseball Classic returns Wednesday, March 4, with a broadcast roster designed to match the magnitude of the event and the star power expected to headline it.
The last tournament delivered one of the sport’s most memorable moments when two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani closed out a dramatic championship for Japan, securing the country’s third title and reinforcing the tournament’s growing stature as a true international showcase. That momentum now carries into 2026, where the event once again promises to blend elite competition with national pride and postseason-level intensity before the Major League Baseball season even begins.
To meet that moment, FOX Sports has assembled a lineup of broadcasters that mirrors the depth of its October baseball coverage, signaling how seriously the company views the tournament within its broader MLB portfolio.
Leading play-by-play duties for Team USA games and the knockout rounds are Joe Davis, Adam Amin and Kevin Kugler, each bringing extensive national experience across multiple sports and high-pressure stages. They will work alongside analysts John Smoltz, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Wainwright, while veteran reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci add insight from the field and clubhouse.
The network’s top MLB team of Davis, Smoltz and Rosenthal will handle both semifinal matchups and the championship game from loanDepot Park, reinforcing the event’s big-game presentation and providing continuity for viewers accustomed to FOX’s postseason coverage.
Meanwhile, pool play games will feature Major League Baseball announcers stationed internationally, allowing the telecasts to capture the atmosphere and cultural energy unique to each host venue rather than relying solely on a centralized production.
Studio coverage also reflects the event’s stature. FOX Sports will deploy Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and David Ortiz alongside World Series champion Alex Rodriguez and host Kevin Burkhardt on-site in Miami for the semifinals and championship.
Collectively, Jeter, Ortiz and Rodriguez bring five World Baseball Classic appearances representing the United States and the Dominican Republic, experience that offers perspective beyond traditional studio analysis and underscores the tournament’s impact on players who have lived it.
On the Spanish-language side, FOX Deportes will provide exclusive coverage of the 2026 tournament, extending its long-standing position in baseball broadcasting. Analyst Edgar Gonzalez, who represented Mexico in multiple WBC editions and later managed the club, anchors the coverage alongside Adrian Garcia-Marquez, Carlos Alvarez, Rolando Nichols and Jaime Motta.
The countdown to the #WorldBaseballClassic is on!@MLBONFOX is set to bring fans must-see coverage with an accomplished roster of broadcasters – taking viewers through the thrilling atmospheres and emotions that make this tournament so special.
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Day four of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by Strategic Solutions Research is upon us. Strategic Solutions Research is celebrating its 20th year providing strategic research, music testing and personality content testing for clients in the US and in 22 countries. Please reach out and give a special thanks to Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.
The next category to earn our attention in the Top 20 series is Adult/Classic Hits. A reminder, all results from this series are available on our website. We also encourage you to subscribe to The Nooner newsletter to receive the information in your inbox each day at 12pm ET. All results are promoted across our social media pages too including Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X.
The full schedule of releases is listed down below the images. After this series is done, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
Important Information
#1– These results represent the collective feedback provided by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information. Voting is based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports – voters vote on last season’s performance.
#2 – Music radio is a massive space. Shows appear on lists in multiple formats. Programmers run stations in different cities and formats. Changes occur under the radar and without stations updating key information. That makes it difficult when trying to issue proper credit to deserving programmers, hosts and/or brands. We try to get it perfect, but we’re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can fix it.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – This series showcases 320 images of radio shows and program directors. There are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. We understand you may not like the way your left shoulder looks in a photo but such is life. Thanks in advance for understanding.
The Voting Process
A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year’s voting. That beat last year’s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn’t weigh in who I’d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!
Be advised that our voters represent the following companies: iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Connoisseur Media, SummitMedia, Saga Communications, MediaCo., Buck Owens Production Company, Pamal Broadcasting, Times-Shamrock Media, Stephens Media Group, Guaranty Media, Lotus Communications, Cromwell Media Group, Midwest Communications, One Putt Broadcasting, Griffin Media, plus numerous consultancies. We involve a large group to assure input is received from all areas of the country and to prevent the results from favoring any one company.
Though 192 voters are involved, the number of people voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We want experts from each format voting on what they know best. Depending on their role and expertise, some vote on all eight formats, others vote on as little as one. For this category, 33 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows and Program Directors.
One hundred and fifty seven (157) Adult/Classic Hits radio shows appeared on ballots submitted by our voters. We use a point system for this process with a 1st place votes equaling 20 points, and each selection between #2-#10 earning two points less. It’s not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
And the Winner Is…
Broadway Bill Lee of WCBS-FM in New York City. The popular and uniquely talented longtime host earns top billing for a second straight year. Congratulations to Bill, PD John Foxx and all involved with WCBS-FM in NYC on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each Adult/Classic Hits voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
Broadway Bill Lee finished comfortably in front of Gary Bryan by seventy (70) points to earn the win. Lee also recorded a category best five (5) first place votes.
In spots 21-25 were JT Springer, Steve Stuart, Joanna, Jason & Ben, Rick Stacy, and Tall Cathy.
The closest contest saw Jenny Law edge Corinna Delgado by two (2) points for 12th place.
Of the One Hundred and Fifty Seven (157) shows to receive votes, twelve (12) earned at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Music Radio – Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
Friday February 27 = BM Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Radio Shows and Program Directors
Monday March 2 = BM Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors
Tuesday March 3 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
Wednesday March 4 = BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Day four of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by Strategic Solutions Research is upon us. Strategic Solutions Research is celebrating its 20th year providing strategic research, music testing and personality content testing for clients in the US and in 22 countries. Please reach out and give a special thanks to Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.
The next category to earn our attention in the Top 20 series is Adult/Classic Hits Program Directors. A reminder, all results from this series are available on our website. We also encourage you to subscribe to The Nooner newsletter to receive the information in your inbox each day at 12pm ET. All results are promoted across our social media pages too including Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X.
The full schedule of releases is listed down below the images. After this series is done, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
Important Information
#1– These results represent the collective feedback provided by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information. Voting is based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports – voters vote on last season’s performance.
#2 – Music radio is a massive space. Shows appear on lists in multiple formats. Programmers run stations in different cities and formats. Changes occur under the radar and without stations updating key information. That makes it difficult when trying to issue proper credit to deserving programmers, hosts and/or brands. We try to get it perfect, but we’re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can fix it.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – This series showcases 320 images of radio shows and program directors. There are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. We understand you may not like the way your left shoulder looks in a photo but such is life. Thanks in advance for understanding.
The Voting Process
A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year’s voting. That beat last year’s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn’t weigh in who I’d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!
Be advised that our voters represent the following companies: iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Connoisseur Media, SummitMedia, Saga Communications, MediaCo., Buck Owens Production Company, Pamal Broadcasting, Times-Shamrock Media, Stephens Media Group, Guaranty Media, Lotus Communications, Cromwell Media Group, Midwest Communications, One Putt Broadcasting, Griffin Media, plus numerous consultancies. We involve a large group to assure input is received from all areas of the country and to prevent the results from favoring any one company.
Though 192 voters are involved, the number of people voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We want experts from each format voting on what they know best. Depending on their role and expertise, some vote on all eight formats, others vote on as little as one. For this category, 33 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows and Program Directors.
Fifty eight (58) Adult/Classic Hits program directors appeared on ballots turned in by our voters. We use a point system for this process with a 1st place votes equaling 20 points, and each selection between #2-#10 earning two points less. It’s not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
And the Winner Is…
Todd Cavanah of WLS-FM in Chicago. This is Todd’s first category win. He finished third in last year’s series. Congratulations to Todd and the entire WLS-FM team on the well deserved recognition.
NOTE: Gregg Swedberg moved into a strategic advisor role in October after 34 years with iHeartMedia Minneapolis and K102. His contributions in 2025 though were recognized by our voting committee.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each Adult/Classic Hits voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further adieu, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Program Directors of 2025.
Additional Notes:
Todd Cavanah won a close race over last year’s winner Chris Ebbott. The leader of WLS-FM finished nine (9) points ahead to land the win. Both Cavanh and Ebbott scored five (5) first place votes, tied for tops in the category.
Ranked 21-25 were Rick Thomas, Sean Stevens, Chris Sargent, Paul Kelley, and Michael LaCrosse.
Ron Allen, Rick Stacy and Keith Kennedy held spots 16-18. One (1) point separated each position.
Of the Fifty Eight (58) programmers to receive votes, eleven (11) earned at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Music Radio – Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
Friday February 27 = BM Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Radio Shows and Program Directors
Monday March 2 = BM Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors
Tuesday March 3 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
Wednesday March 4 = BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
After nearly four decades of working together, ESPN and the Horizon League are extending a relationship that dates back to the late 1980s, announcing a new multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement designed to preserve the conference’s national visibility while expanding its digital footprint across ESPN’s ecosystem.
The renewed agreement keeps ESPN’s linear networks as the television home of the Horizon League men’s basketball semifinals and championship. The deal also includes six regular-season men’s games and the women’s basketball championship. The arrangement reinforces a consistent postseason presence. That exposure has helped shape the conference’s brand during March.
“We are thrilled to continue to provide major experiences for our incredible student-athletes through our continued relationship with ESPN,” said Horizon League Interim Commissioner Chris Neuman. “The significant exposure on ESPN’s platforms provides us a tremendous opportunity to showcase our nearly 4,000 student-athletes in great competition throughout the year.”
Equally significant, the deal ensures at least 500 Horizon League events will stream annually on ESPN’s digital platforms. The model began during the 2014-15 academic year. Since then, it has expanded as audiences migrated to the ESPN App and other streaming products.
From ESPN’s perspective, the renewal represents both continuity and strategic alignment, as Director of Programming and Acquisitions Mallory Kenny noted that the network values its long-standing ties to the conference and sees opportunity to further elevate the stories of its athletes and campuses while strengthening a partnership that now stretches into a fourth decade.
“ESPN is excited to continue its commitment to the Horizon League. This new agreement underscores our dedication to showcasing the success of Horizon League student athletes and member institutions, while expanding the reach of their stories to sports fans across our platforms,” said Kenny. “Our relationship with the conference has grown steadily over the years, and we are eager to strengthen that as our collaboration enters its fourth decade.”
Beyond game distribution, the new deal maintains ESPN’s role as the home of 15 Horizon League championship events each year and preserves revenue opportunities tied to commercial inventory and sponsorship assets in select contests, elements that remain vital as conferences seek diversified income streams in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
The collaboration traces its roots to 1988, when ESPN carried the Midwestern Collegiate Conference men’s basketball championship game, a broadcast that helped launch what would become one of the network’s longest-running conference partnerships outside the Power Five structure.
Looking ahead, the conference is preparing for additional growth, as Northern Illinois University is set to join the Horizon League on July 1, 2026, expanding membership to 12 institutions and potentially broadening the geographic and competitive scope of the league’s ESPN offerings.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Chris Berman doesn’t see a 10% ownership stake as a muzzle. During an appearance on the CNBC Sport Podcast with Alex Sherman, the longtime ESPN anchor addressed concerns surrounding the NFL’s acquisition of a minority stake in the network, pushing back on the idea that the league’s investment will dictate coverage or soften criticism.
“Ten percent, what does that mean?” Berman said. “I don’t think the NFL — OK, if we’re gonna own 10%, here’s the handbook. Here’s the three pages that thou shalt not, and then thou shalt. I don’t think that happens. If it did, I’d be really disappointed in the league as much as I am our place for agreeing. But that’s not the way it goes.”
While the optics of the NFL owning part of a major media rights partner have sparked debate, Berman suggested the concern is more theoretical than practical.
ESPN has long maintained a close business relationship with the league through Monday Night Football and expansive studio and digital coverage, and Berman indicated that a minority equity position does not automatically change the editorial mission inside Bristol.
“The lines have been blurred,” he said. “In a lot of ways this is an obvious whoh! The NFL owns ESPN by 10%. I don’t think that has a stake at all. I’m not saying it’s a bad question. Let’s see how it goes. Over two years, all of a sudden, we can’t say he dropped the ball? I’m kidding, right?”
Berman joked about altering language to avoid saying a player “fumbled,” underscoring what he believes would be an absurd level of interference.
“No, I don’t think so,” he added. “I’d be shocked if it was any dictation in that way.”
His comments reflect confidence that ESPN’s credibility remains intact even as media companies and leagues grow more intertwined financially. For Berman, the proof will be in the day-to-day coverage, not in speculation about hypothetical guardrails.
The conversation also turned to the league’s long-discussed 18-game regular season and why it has yet to materialize. Berman pointed to the January 2023 cardiac arrest suffered by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin as a pivotal moment in the public discourse around player safety and league expansion.
“I don’t know this for a fact,” Berman said. “We might have seen it [18-game regular season schedule] by now if Damar Hamlin [doesn’t happen]. There was a quiet down point, because they were talking.”
He noted that any schedule expansion would require extended negotiations with the NFL Players Association, particularly with the current collective bargaining agreement running through 2030 or 2031. Owners may see additional inventory and revenue, but the league must also weigh player health, public perception and long-term labor stability.
“None of those things get accomplished unless you have three or four years of ‘we gotta get the players. Let’s redo our deal,’” Berman said, adding that the optics of pushing for more games amid a player health crisis moment would have not been good for the league.
“After that, the public outcry. You want them to play more games? The NFL is not blind, those optics would have been horrible,” said Berman.
For now, Berman appears confident on both fronts: that ESPN’s journalism will stand on its own and that the NFL will move cautiously when it comes to adding more wear and tear to its players.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
