- Professional Bull Riders has primary media deals locked in with CBS and Paramount+ through the end of this decade, but PBR CEO Sean Gleason tells me that his series is “getting ready to announce extensions” with other partners. The CW and Fox Nation had short-term deals over the last two seasons, but he said the deals should give PBR fans more consistency on tune-in through 2030. PBR, owned by TKO Group, typically has its media-rights deals done by IMG.
- On Monday’s SBJ Morning Buzzcast, my boss Abe Madkour gives ESPN “a lot of credit” for this year’s coverage of Wimbledon. His lesson? The behind-the-scenes access that the Grand Slams are granting its media partners is giving viewers more reasons to keep tuning in. He also credits Andy Roddick’s work as an analyst.
- On the latest SBJ Sports Media Podcast, I chat with Matt Vasgersian ahead of Monday night’s Home Run Derby. He’s calling Netflix’s inaugural presentation of the MLB tentpole event. We also chat about him being an original on MLB Network.
- Giants QB Jameis Winston has become a fixture of Fox Sports’ World Cup coverage. SBJ’s Irving Mejia-Hilario examines how he’s become such a social media magnet and “wild card” for the network when it comes to major events.
- John Lasker, one of the architects of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer strategy, is retiring from the company after 27 years. He will remain at ESPN through the end of September.
- The PGA Tour has not decided whether it will go to market early for its media rights, with its deals set to expire after the 2030 season, in the wake of its competition changes that kick in for the 2028 season, reports SBJ’s Josh Carpenter.
- The Bucks picked an over-the-air template for the 2026-27 season, notes SBJ’s Tom Friend: Rincon Broadcasting Group’s MY24 in Milwaukee. Sources call it a one-year solution until the NBA launches its centralized hub two seasons from now.
- CNN on Aug. 2 will roll out its latest effort in the “Decades” franchise, with a number of high-profile athletes, broadcasters, journalists and authors looking at the past six decades of sports.
Media speed reads
