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Posts tagged as “ESPN”

Adrian Wojnarowski retires from ESPN to be the GM of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure   

September 19, 2024

Adrian Wojnarowski, posted on his X account (@wojespn)

I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from ESPN’s campus and only ever dreamed of making a living as a sportswriter. Thirty-seven years ago, the Hartford Courant gave me my first byline and I never stopped chasing the thrill of it all.

This craft transformed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry. I understand the commitment required in my role and it’s an investment that I’m no longer driven to make. Time isn’t in endless supply and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful.

I leave with overwhelming gratitude for countless mentors and colleagues, subjects and stories, readers and viewers. No one has benefitted more than me from the belief, trust and generosity of others.
The past seven years at ESPN have been a particular privilege. I’m appreciative of the company’s leadership – especially Jimmy Pitaro and Cristina Daglas – for the understanding and acceptance of my decision to make a life change.

After all these years reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m headed back to my own.

-30-

No more Woj bomb!:(

WNBA secures $2.2 Billion Media Rights Deals with the Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video and NBC Universal

July 25, 2024

The WNBA has secured a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal with The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal. This partnership will significantly increase the visibility of women’s basketball, with more games broadcast across multiple platforms. The 11-year media rights is reported to be worth $2.2 Billion or $200 million per year.

The new deal will start in 2026, WNBA fans can expect to see over 125 regular season and playoff games each year. Disney will air 25 regular-season games on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, while NBCU will broadcast 50 regular-season games on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. Amazon Prime Video will stream 30 regular-season games globally.

Disney will broadcast two first-round series each year, while NBCU and Prime Video will each air one. The Semifinals and Finals will rotate over the 11-year deal, with Disney airing more Finals and NBCU and Prime Video airing more Semifinals.

Additionally, Disney platforms will continue to telecast all events from WNBA All-Star, including the All-Star Game, and the WNBA Draft, while Prime Video will continue to stream the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase. Prime Video Channels will be the global channels store destination for WNBA League Pass, the WNBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games, in the U.S. and internationally.

Included in the deals, is the potential for WNBA and Media Partners to review and reevaluate the rights fees after three years, giving the league the chance to receive more money.

This announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking season for the WNBA, with increased viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales. The league is also expanding with new teams in San Francisco/Bay Area and Toronto. With the current crop of WNBA rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, and with the influx of generational talent from the college ranks like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, that $2.2 Billion could be a very good deal.

Kai Sotto signs with new G League team

May 14, 2020

It’s official, Kai Sotto signs with new G League team. He will join fellow high school recruits Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix on the new team, the team new will not connected to any NBA club or any existing G League franchise.

In a report by Spin Philippines, Kai Sotto and fellow recruits will receive $125,000 salary for the five-month season, as well as “year-long opportunities for on and off-the-court professional development.”

Kai Sotto also made the announcement on his official @kzsottolive twitter account.

More than the monetary compensation, being in the new G League team will give Kai Sotto the training and exposure that will ultimately make him the first Filipino born NBA Player.

Source: ESPN, NBA
Image: @kzsottolive