Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has renamed its College of Media and Entertainment the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. The remaining for College honors Scott Borchetta, the founder/chairman, and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group.
The ceremony took place yesterday on the campus in Murfreesboro.
Borchetta told Billboard, “I am humbled and profoundly grateful to have MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment bear my name. The opportunity that this school affords to its students didn’t exist for me through college education in the 1980s. So it is an honor to now be part of building those bridges for young minds.”
“My goal is to inspire others and give back. Betting on the creativity of students who dedicate themselves to the entertainment field. The Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment represents the next generation of innovators and creators, whose bold ideas will transform the media landscape.”
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The renaming of the school had been in the works for the past five years.
In a Billboard article, Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel said, “I can’t overestimate how important this is to the life and history of the college. This propels us to international acclaim because Scott’s name is recognized and respected around the world. By partnering with Scott, we are exposing our students to cutting-edge ideas and perspectives.”
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Fox News anchor John Roberts has been missing from his program, America Reports. On Tuesday, he shared why he’s been absent.
In a post to social media, John Roberts shared that he has contracted malaria.
“I somehow came down with a severe case of Malaria,” Roberts wrote. “I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen.”
Trace Gallagher has been filling in for John Roberts, alongside Sandra Smith.
In his message on social media, Roberts thanked Gallagher for stepping into the role in his absence.
Thank you to Trace for jumping into the chair today! I somehow came down with a severe case of Malaria. I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen. Thanks to the folks at… https://t.co/6ZHiB5Dv8v
The 68-year-old Roberts has been with Fox News since joining in 2011 after previously working at CBS News and CNN, among other stops.
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Former FS1 host Joy Taylor was recently asked by former NFL MVP Cam Newton whether there were racial implications behind the network’s decision last month to cancel three of its shows. The exchange, which took place during Newton’s Freaky Friday digital program, highlighted the growing conversation around diversity and representation in sports media.
Newton, who announced a multi-year agreement Wednesday with ESPN, posed the question directly to Taylor. “It’s hard for me to see what happened at Fox and not really ask the question of do you think that there was some type of racial implication for a lot of [those] let go,” Newton asked.
Taylor, who previously co-hosted Speak on FS1 and has been a prominent figure in sports television for nearly a decade, responded with pause. She stopped short of declaring race as a factor but acknowledged the weight of the public perception.
“I think we will see,” Taylor said. “I think that the public reaction certainly would reflect that. I don’t know exactly what’s going to play out within the cancellation, so I can’t speak exactly to what their plans are. I think it’s premature for me to speak on that now. But I do think like with anything, actions speak louder than words. So we will see.”
Taylor was among many cuts at the network among the three shows. Outside of Speak, Taylor’s co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce were also let go by the network. The Facility was a newer addition to FS1’s lineup, launching less than a year ago. The show featured a rotating panel of former NFL players, including Emmanuel Acho, Chase Daniel, James Jones, and LeSean McCoy all of whom were cut by the network.
Newton pushed the conversation further, pointing out that several African American talents were among those who lost their platforms when FS1 scaled back its studio lineup. “This is what I see,” Newton explained. “I see African American talent being let go. I’m seeing murmurs of, ‘Where are you going from here?’ and it’s Caucasian advances. That’s what I see.”
While Newton described his view as an “outside looking in” observation, his remarks rang with Taylor in response saying, “We share the same eyes.”
For Taylor, who has navigated both national television and radio roles, the challenge lies in separating speculation from fact until Fox Sports itself provides clarity on its strategy. She repeated her belief that the ultimate story will be told not in statements, but in actions.
“There were three shows cut,” she said. “Like I said, I think actions speak louder than words. We’ll see what happens.”
The cancellations came as part of Fox Sports’ broader effort to streamline FS1’s daytime programming. FOX Sports announced a partnership with Barstool Sports in July forming a daily morning show titled Wake Up Barstool which debuts on Tuesday. The network also added another hour of First Things First earlier this week featuring former Breakfast Ball co-host Danny Parkins.
Taylor did not announce any future plans for returning to work in sports media.
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Hot AC Hot 97.5/103.9 KMVA – KZON in Gilbert/Phoenix, AZ, has added “Brooke & Jeffrey” to its morning lineup, effective September 1.
“Mornings just got hotter on Hot 97.5!” said J Steele, Brand Manager of Hot 97.5 and Power 98.3. “Having worked with ‘Brooke & Jeffrey’ for years, I know firsthand how remarkable their content is, and I’m confident they’ll win over Phoenix listeners in no time. I can’t wait to team up with them to make serious noise in the Valley… and yes, we’ve already warned José’s parents he’s back—so it might be time to change the locks!”
Brooke Fox, co-host of “Brooke & Jeffrey,” added, “Phoenix? With the Zelus Media Group? Are you kidding me? We are beyond thrilled! And to continue our relationship with J, who’s been a genuine supporter for so long, is the icing on the cake! We are so excited to start connecting with listeners in a city that already feels like home.”
“’Brooke & Jeffrey’ are true superstars in pop radio,” said Michael Cutchall, CEO/President of Zelus Media Group. “They’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with, and we’re confident they’ll make a major impact here in Phoenix—for both our listeners and our advertising partners. All of us at Zelus Media are thrilled about this partnership, and we’re ready to turn up the volume together.”
The show will be heard 6- 10 am MST. It replaces Maddie Reis, who exited the station this past week. (BMM 8/21)
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ESPN and The Walt Disney Company have laid out a massive slate of National Hockey League coverage for the 2025-26 season, announcing that fans will have access to 100 exclusive games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ and Hulu. All games will also stream on the ESPN App via direct-to-consumer subscriptions or Pay TV authentication.
The upcoming schedule reflects ESPN’s growing emphasis on hockey since regaining league rights in 2021. In addition to regular season coverage, the network will present the league’s marquee events, including Opening Night, the NHL Frozen Frenzy, the NHL Stadium Series and, beginning in mid-April, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season will wrap with the Stanley Cup Final in June, exclusively on Disney platforms of ABC and ESPN.
Before the first puck drops, ESPN’s NHL studio show The Point returns October 7 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. Hosted weekly throughout the fall on ESPN2 and ESPN+, the program will serve as a lead-in to opening night.
The season begins that same evening with a tripleheader dubbed “Face-Off” on ESPN. At 5 p.m. ET, Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks face the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, who will raise their latest Stanley Cup banner at Amerant Bank Arena. At 8 p.m., Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden, a storyline-heavy matchup that pits Crosby against his former coach Mike Sullivan. Closing the night, the Colorado Avalanche square off against the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m. in a Western Conference battle.
A few weeks later, the league and ESPN will spotlight every team during the second edition of Frozen Frenzy on October 28. ESPN will feature a tripleheader anchored by Penguins-Flyers, Capitals-Stars and Kings-Sharks. At the same time, 13 additional games will roll out on NHL Power Play with 15-minute staggered starts, ensuring wall-to-wall coverage. ESPN2 and ESPN+ will again carry a whip-around show providing live look-ins across all 32 teams in action.
Looking ahead to February, the 2026 NHL Stadium Series heads outdoors to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The primetime event will showcase the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Boston Bruins, continuing the NHL’s push to stage signature matchups in unique venues.
Beyond the national broadcasts, ESPN+ and Hulu will stream 47 exclusive games. More than 1,050 out-of-market contests will also be available through NHL Power Play on the ESPN App, which allows subscribers to choose between home or away broadcasts and even access Canadian feeds like Hockey Night in Canada.
With the Stanley Cup Final once again locked in for ABC and ESPN in June 2026, Disney’s platforms remain the league’s central media home.
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ESPN is deepening its connection with one of football’s most recognizable figures. The network announced that it has signed a new multi-year agreement with former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who will expand his role on First Take, the company’s flagship morning debate program.
Newton is set to make his official return Thursday during a live edition of the show at Norfolk State University, marking the latest stop on the First Take HBCU tour. His addition underscores ESPN’s continued push to integrate bold voices and high-profile names into one of its most visible daily platforms.
“Cam Newton is a unique talent who is authentically himself, and that’s a key ingredient for success on First Take,” said David Roberts, ESPN’s Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. “Cam is also an ultimate team player. All of us at ESPN look forward to watching Cam create a strong connection with his teammates and our fans.”
The former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots quarterback steps into an already star-studded rotation. He will work alongside Stephen A. Smith, host Molly Qerim, and longtime sports media veteran Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
For Newton, the move represents both a continuation of his growing media presence and a chance to further define himself outside of football. He previously appeared as a guest contributor on First Take, where his confident demeanor and candid takes on the game immediately drew attention.
“I am excited to be back with the First Take team and share my voice on all things sports,” Newton said in a statement. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to connect with fans and bring my passion and knowledge to a show I’ve always admired.”
Newton signed an extension with Blue Wire Podcasts back in March of 2025. His production company, Iconic Saga, announced an extension of its sponsorship, ad sales, and monetization partnership with the podcasting company as part of that announcement.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Newton’s podcasts, 4th and 1 with Cam Newton and Funky Friday, have continued for a second year on Blue Wire’s athlete-led podcasting platform.
Newton will continue to host his podcasts while serving in his new role with ESPN.
ESPN & former NFL MVP @CameronNewton have reached a new, multi-year agreement
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The NFL is doubling down on its push to expand how fans consume live games, announcing a multi-year extension with Cosm, the immersive entertainment company producing live matchups inside its high-tech dome venues. The agreement ensures Cosm will continue to deliver regular season and postseason NFL action in “Shared Reality” through at least the 2025 campaign.
The technology debuted during the 2024 season, allowing fans to experience games in massive LED domes designed to blur the line between the physical and virtual worlds.
“This multi-year partnership with the NFL and its broadcast partners underscores our shared commitment to fans – delivering an unforgettable live game experience that champions innovation and fandom,” said Jeb Terry, Cosm’s President and CEO.
Cosm’s production leverages 8K immersive feeds and 12K+ LED display domes, creating an environment where fans can take in the same broadcast angles seen on television while surrounded by a crowd atmosphere. The setup also incorporates broadcaster commentary and live TV feeds, pairing the visual immersion with food and beverage service to simulate a game-day environment without fans having to step inside a stadium.
Cosm’s lineup this year will once again include Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, Sunday Night Football on NBC, and a slate of Sunday afternoon matchups carried by CBS and FOX. The venues will also showcase playoff games for the second straight year, culminating with Super Bowl LX from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The season kicks off Sept. 4 when Cosm hosts the Dallas Cowboys against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at its domes in Los Angeles and Dallas. That game will air nationally on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The company plans to follow with a full Sunday slate on Sept. 7, including the Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills in primetime. Week 2’s matchup between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers will be the first Thursday Night Football contest shown inside Cosm’s dome.
Cosm launched its first venue at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles in July 2024, followed by a second site at Dallas’ Grandscape in August. Additional locations are already in the pipeline for Cosm. Openings are scheduled in Atlanta and Detroit in 2026 and Cleveland in 2027.
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The CW Network and the Pac-12 Conference have extended their media rights partnership, securing a deal that will keep the league’s games on the network through the 2030-31 season. The announcement comes ahead of the launch of the “new” Pac-12 in 2026, which will feature nine members following a wave of realignment.
As part of the agreement, The CW will carry 13 regular season football games annually, alongside an expanded slate of basketball coverage. That includes 35 men’s basketball games, 15 women’s games, and both the semifinals and championship of the women’s conference tournament. Pac-12 Enterprises, the league’s in-house production arm, will handle all broadcasts, totaling 66 events per year.
Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network, said the deal solidifies the network’s strategy of investing heavily in live sports. “The Pac-12 has been a key partner in the success of CW Sports, and we are thrilled to solidify our relationship with the conference for an additional five years,” Schwartz said. “We have experienced firsthand the passion of Oregon State and Washington State football programs and their dedicated fans, and we are eager to introduce an additional seven schools in the new Pac-12 to our nationwide CW Sports audience.”
The new version of the Pac-12 will debut in 2026 with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State. All nine schools participated in approving the extension with The CW.
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould highlighted the reach and exposure The CW provides. “The Pac-12’s partnership with The CW has been one of mutual growth and transformation,” she said. “From the development of our Pac-12 Enterprises’ broadcast production business to the significant added value and positive impact to our members via true national reach across 100% of U.S. television households, I am excited for the continued growth of both The CW and the Pac-12 in the years ahead.”
The CW first partnered with the conference for the 2024 football season and quickly found success in the college space. This year’s slate included the three most-watched college football games in network history, headlined by Washington State’s matchup with Oregon State in Corvallis. That game will reprise this November to close out the 2025 regular season.
The deal underscores The CW’s rapid transformation into a sports-heavy network. Beyond the Pac-12, it has added rights to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, which rebrands as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, along with WWE NXT, ACC football and basketball, AVP beach volleyball, PBR Team Series, and the PBA beginning in 2026. According to Nielsen, The CW has grown primetime ratings for five straight quarters and currently ranks eighth among broadcast networks.
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Ever since FOX Sports announced their content partnership with Barstool Sports on July 17, there’s been very little said about what the partnership will look like. No announcements about how Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy will be featured in Big Noon Kickoff. Yesterday, finally some details on the new daily FS1 Barstool Sports morning program calledWake Up Barstool. Through the long delays of silence, there was just rumor and speculation—until Monday night.
Just under a week from the season debut of Big Noon Kickoff, some news: Dave Portnoy will not be allowed on the field at Ohio State during the broadcast of FOX Sports’ flagship college football pregame show. While the report was disputed Tuesday morning by the university—saying the call was on FOX and not the defending national champions—controversy was brewing.
If controversy equals cash, will the Barstool brand and the controversy surrounding it be enough to bring in more viewers? It will, but only if FOX Sports decides to lean in.
There are several high-profile storylines entering Week One of the college football season. Bill Belichick makes his head coaching debut in North Carolina. Ryan Day returns to Ohio State, taking on Texas, the odds-on favorite to win the national championship. And what will Deion Sanders do without his son playing quarterback?
There are countless storylines, but the viewership battles between ESPN and FOX Sports promise to be the juiciest of the season. Can Big Noon Kickoff cut into the audience of College GameDay on Saturdays?
Serving Notice in the Attention Economy
Many consider the two programs head-to-head competitors. ESPN’s Desmond Howard doesn’t. I spoke with Howard last week about the addition of Barstool Sports to Big Noon Kickoff.
“This must be their move to try and offset what we have with [Pat] McAfee, I’m assuming,” Howard said about the addition of Portnoy. “They want to compete. I like those guys. To me, our competitor has been the NBA on TNT because we’re always battling them for the Sports Emmy. No disrespect to those guys [Big Noon Kickoff]; I’m sure they do a fantastic job.”
A jab? Surely. Over the line? Hardly. An opportunity for Big Noon Kickoff to lean into the comment, YES!
The fact is, Big Noon Kickoff doesn’t have the lineage of College GameDay. ESPN’s flagship program has built a rock-solid foundation as the Saturday morning destination. Conference-run networks may try to lure viewers, but there’s nothing like the GameDay experience.
FOX Sports had to try something different. Something authentic, bold, daring. Enter Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports.
The announcement of the partnership was treated differently by the two parties. FOX Sports highlighted the excitement of the comprehensive content deal. Barstool Sports, mainly Portnoy himself, treated it as an opportunity to ram his Michigan allegiance down the throats of Big Ten rivals: “Ohio State can’t beat us” and “the days of kicking Michigan when we’re not around are over.”
Honestly, did you expect anything different? Why not add another layer of controversy to the controversy already brewing? Enter Ohio State.
Ohio State Provided Opportunity
Reports surfaced Monday night that the university banned Portnoy from the field on Saturday and barred Barstool Sports from broadcasting their College Football Show on campus. Ohio State’s athletic director said the decision for Portnoy’s entry onto the field was FOX Sports’ call, since the network is not making him a desk participant on Big Noon Kickoff.
Thank you, Ohio State, for announcing what Portnoy’s role on Big Noon Kickoff will be.
No matter who you believe—Barstool, Portnoy, Ohio State, FOX Sports—here’s what we know: This controversy is doing exactly what it intended: taking attention away from Lee Corso’s final show on College GameDay.
I’m not saying this controversy was carefully crafted to do so by any of the parties involved, but timing is everything. No announcements from FOX Sports or Barstool Sports for a month, then a ban leading to a back-and-forth between a massively popular digital content brand and the home of the defending national champions? Perfect timing.
If controversy equals cash, FOX Sports needs to lean into it.
FOX Sports will likely spend plenty of time at Ohio State this season. They have the broadcast rights to Saturday’s game itself at noon. What better way, with college football fans locked on the biggest Week One game, than to lean into the controversy and act on it?
What better way to honor the legacy of Lee Corso than to embrace the mantra: “It’s entertainment, sweetheart. Football’s our vehicle”?
Can Portnoy sneak into the stadium for on-the-scene reports live on Big Noon Kickoff? Why not put him in Ohio State gear to win favor with the university?
How far can FOX Sports go? What lines can they play on both sides? Would Ohio State play along to stir attention on Saturday?
To prosper, you must change. FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff, through their new partnership with Portnoy and Barstool Sports, has a massive opportunity to lean into the fun that college football rivalries bring. By leaning in, you create attention. By acting on it, you create buzz.
“Dave [Portnoy] has built a one-of-a-kind brand that connects with a new generation of sports fans—authentic, bold, and original,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer of FOX Sports, in July.
This was the sole reason FOX Sports made the partnership: Authentic. Bold. Original. Big Noon Kickoff returns Saturday, with plenty of mystery still to be revealed—but once again, controversy can equal cash if FOX Sports allows it to.
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The life of a professional athlete is a grueling one. For all the training and preparation an athlete does to prepare for game day, immediate change is always a possibility. As the NFL wraps up its training camp and preseason preparing for another year of competition, rosters are extensively trimmed. Player movement is continually happening, trying to get the right people in place to execute the game plan on Sundays. A.Q. Shipley is no stranger to jumping in headfirst with a quick roster decision.
The 12-year NFL veteran, who played for five teams, knows the role of being prepared for when your number is called. Shipley received the call again earlier this month, when the Arizona Cardinals named him the new gameday analyst for the Cardinals Radio Network just over a week prior to the first preseason game.
“I’ve been in that mode before. You got to crash course it. You got to cram a bunch of information in your brain and be able to spit it out,” said Shipley. “My experience in the NFL having to do that at times obviously helped.”
Although Shipley has done work in media following his NFL career. The step up to the broadcast booth would be his first. He admits attempting to emulate the profession from his couch for many years. Shipley says he understands the importance the role of gameday analyst plays. It provides insight, knowledge, and the ability to convey that to the audience listening or watching. While a player working alongside those in the media, many believed Shipley had a future in the field in store post-career.
“There was a lot of people when I was getting interviewed in the locker room for my whole career that said you’d be good. You should go into that when you’re done,” explained Shipley.
Getting the Call To Follow a Legend
When the position became open with the Cardinals following the retirement of Ron Wolfley in February, Shipley says he never really considered applying for the position. He had been producing podcasts and making weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, but never anything aligned with an NFL team.
“It wasn’t even on my radar. Then a couple people reached out saying you should think about this,” said Shipley. “Then I felt let’s interview for this and see what happens. I reached out and the guys there were like we didn’t even know you were interested. But I told them I would love to.”
Following an interview and a mock broadcast or two, the decision was made by the organization to welcome Shipley to the team. He said he wasn’t nervous about taking on the role and following Wolfley, who spent twenty seasons in the booth for the Cardinals. Shipley understands the legacy that Wolfley built in the booth over two decades but is aiming to be only as he can: himself.
“Ron Wolfley is a legend. He’s a Hall of Fame type broadcaster. Don’t try and be them, just try and be yourself,” explained Shipley. “I’ve always been a type of personality where it’s you either like me, or you don’t. I don’t care either way. That’s kind of the approach I take with everything.”
Shipley is no stranger to Wolfley’s signature sound living in Arizona. He’s very familiar with the characteristics that made Wolfley one of the NFL’s most beloved analysts on the radio. While he’s not trying to emulate Wolfley, he has received plenty of feedback and coaching from the former broadcaster since accepting the position.
“I’ve talked to Ron [Wolfley] quite a bit. He’s been great. He still has the local radio show here and said some really nice words. He’s been very supportive,” noted Shipley. “Ron’s been very complimentary with open arms. Saying let me help you. Let me show you the way I prepared with some of the things I did.”
All Football, No Breaks
With his experience so far in the booth, there are some intricacies that Shipley is still working on understanding. Items like tempo, balancing analysis, timing, and different mechanics are still part of his education in the broadcast booth, as the preseason served as a perfect template to learn the craft.
With three preseason broadcasts under his belt, Shipley notes that being in the booth with Dave Pasch has been phenomenal for his growth into the role. He calls his play-by-play partner a “true pro,” balancing the role of calling games with the Cardinals while also doubling his duties calling national college football contests for ESPN.
A loaded schedule is something that Shipley embraces. Even with his new role with the Cardinals, he’s not slowing down any of his other plans for football season.
“I’ll be doing Wednesdays on the [Pat] McAfee Show, and doing the radio materials as well,” said Shipley. “It’s going to be a busy fall, but I like busy. I’ve always responded well and done better in the fall.”
Shipley plans, with his new role, it will allow him the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the Cardinals and the opponents on their schedule but also allow him time on Mondays and Tuesdays to dive into film for his appearances on The Pat McAfee Show.
“You can start with point A and end up at point Z very quickly, especially on The Pat McAfee Show. You never know where that is going to go, and that’s part of the beauty of it,” said Shipley of his Wednesday appearances on the program. “It makes you think quick on your feet. The same side of that is exactly what you must do when you’re calling games.”
Choosing Radio Over Television
The former NFL veteran is following in the footsteps of many of his contemporaries. Following a career in the NFL, many former players attempt to join the other side of the industry by entering the media sphere. For Shipley, he’s leaping into the radio broadcast booth instead of a route capitalizing off his television appearances on The Pat McAfee Show. While he makes his media debut on the radio, he understands why many former football players chase the light of the big screen first.
“We’ve been on TV our whole lives,” said Shipley. “That’s a big portion of it. We like the eyes; we like being in the spotlight. Also, we like to showcase that we do know the game on a deeper level than most. Obviously, that’s what allowed us to succeed playing at this level for as long as many of us have.”
Shipley referenced the grind of working in television versus working in radio as a factor into why he further considered the position with the Cardinals. With television requiring more time away from home for preparation and planning, versus radio where most weeks the prep for gameday can be done at home.
“There’s a positive to that especially with me. I got three kids under seven,” noted Shipley. “I travel for The Pat McAfee Show. For home games, I travel two days for Pat’s show then the rest of the week I’m able to go to my daughter’s soccer game. I think that’s an important thing.”
He noted that a future in television is by no means out of the cards, but he does envision continuing to call Arizona Cardinals football for a long time. Shipley is only experiencing the early beginnings of his first voyage into broadcasting, but he’s enjoying every step of the journey—one he never saw happening in the first place.
“You got to weigh what’s the most important thing,” explained Shipley. “When you do that, you’re on the road all football season four days a week. Is that the most important thing for me right now? Probably not. For right now, I love exactly where I’m at. I love exactly what I’m doing.”
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