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Mark Grace Suspended For 5 Games Over Ex-Wife Comments

“In a statement released by the Chicago Tribune, Grace later apologized for the story and insulting his ex-wife.”

Brandon Contes

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Starting an anecdote by saying you’re about to channel Archie Bunker, a TV character who was considered a bigot in the 1970s, probably isn’t going to end well in 2020. For former Chicago Cubs All-Star and current broadcaster Mark Grace, it ended in an apology and a reported five-game suspension. 

During the Cubs Saturday telecast on their new Marquee Sports Network, Grace offered a long-winded story where he repeatedly referred to his ex-wife as “dingbat” because she once used the parking space of former MLB commissioner Bud Selig. 

“My ex-wife, I’m going to go Archie Bunker on you guys a little bit,” Grace began the story. “I called her the dingbat.”

https://twitter.com/busblog/status/1294757184128000000

In a statement released by the Chicago Tribune, Grace later apologized for the story and insulting his ex-wife.

“During today’s game I referred to my ex-wife in a way that I absolutely should not have,” said Grace. “I want everyone to know how very sorry I am about that. My remarks were offensive and inappropriate, and I deeply apologize.”

But according to Paul Sullivan of The Tribune, the apology wasn’t enough for Grace to avoid a suspension, as he’ll reportedly miss five Cubs telecasts because of the comments.

Grace is in his first season working as an analyst for the Cubs and their newly launched Marquee Sports Network. He’s also the second broadcaster to make news while discussing their ex-spouse while on-air this month. 

During a Pelicans-Grizzlies game, ESPN’s Doris Burke said “I do like being right. Ask my ex-husband,” after correctly predicting a referee’s call. Burke’s comments were better received than Grace’s, but she still took time to apologize to her ex. 

Joining Pablo Torre on ESPN Daily, Burke offered an update on how that conversation went. “I will tell you what my ex-husband said: ‘I have the utmost respect for Doris. She’s a great broadcaster and a better mom.’ And I said, ‘you’re a sweetheart. You could have had a little bit of fun and certainly had some fun at my expense,’ but he chose not to go in that direction and kudos to him.”

The two instances show you can discuss your ex on a sports broadcast, just use some semblance of respect in doing so.

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Report: NFL to Put Christmas Day Doubleheader Up For Bids

Bidding is expected to start at $50 million among the current NFL media partners but some think the games could sell for $75 million to $100 million apiece.

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The NFL will reportedly put its Christmas Day games up for auction, allowing its current media partners to bid for the games. Now, it’s up to CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video to pay up for rights to one of these two marquee games.

According to Front Office Sports Michael McCarthy, preference will be given to linear networks, so Prime Video and Peacock may sit this one out. Bidding is expected to start at $50 million but McCarthy and his sources expect that number to rise. John Kosner, the former ESPN executive, thinks the new Christmas Day games could sell for $75 million to $100 million apiece.

The NFL announced a Wednesday Christmas Day doubleheader during its annual league meetings. The league originally said it wouldn’t force games on Christmas Day if the holiday fell on an odd day of the week, though as the NFL continues to put games on days outside of Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and sometimes Saturdays, we’re running out of days that don’t feature NFL football.

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Colorado Rockies & DirecTV Reach Agreement to Carry Games on TV

“Colorado sports fans have made DIRECTV the top destination for their favorite local teams. We will continue to work with MLB…so fans can get their games.”

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Colorado Rockies

Breathe easy, Rockies fans — you will be able to watch your club on linear TV this year. At the buzzer, DirecTV and the Colorado Rockies agreed on terms to distribute the team’s games throughout its local service.

Starting today, DirecTV Choice subscribers across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southern Idaho, Western Nebraska, and Northern New Mexico can now watch the Rockies on a special channel simply titled, “ROCKIES.” The games will be available on DirecTV and DirecTV STREAM via channel 683.

“Colorado sports fans have made DIRECTV the top destination to get all their favorite local teams,” said Rob Thun, chief content officer of DIRECTV. “We will continue to work with MLB, the NBA, NHL, and other top leagues and their local franchises so the most avid fans can get the games they want while other customers have more choice over the content they want to pay to have in their homes.”

Reports just days ago out of Colorado said there were “no guarantees” the Rockies would not find a TV home in time for Opening Day following the sunsetting of AT&T SportsNet. The only other way to watch the team is to use its direct-to-consumer Rockies.tv streaming service, which fans say is too pricey for a team that lost 103 games last season. Luckily, the team was able to secure a TV home for 2024, though the future is still uncertain.

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Erin Andrews Reveals Infertility Journey in Emotional ‘Today Show’ Interview

FOX reporter Erin Andrews sat down with ‘The Today Show’s’ Kristen Welker to discuss her journey, how Welker’s own journey inspired her, and more.

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Erin Andrews

FOX reporter Erin Andrews shared her story of infertility and surrogacy with NBC’s Today Show. Last summer, Andrews and her husband welcomed a baby boy via surrogate after trying for a decade to get pregnant via IVF, during which she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016. Today, she sat down with Kristen Welker to discuss her journey, how Welker’s own journey inspired her, and more.

Andrews says Welker’s announcement on the Today Show made her think a baby could be possible. “I remember Kristin Welker’s announcement on your show,” Andrews said last year, “and I actually watched that the morning Mac was born, because that just hit me.”

When they finally sat down, Welker asked Andrews why her journey resonated with the sports reporter so much:

“Because I see myself in you. Kristen, the video of you moderating debates after you’re waiting on bad news or maybe you just received it, that’s me. I can tell you every stand-up I’ve done at a football game where I’ve gotten the news that it didn’t work. I’d be talking about Tom Brady going for this record and my record is that I still was failing…I would have chest pains every time I was waiting for the call if it worked, and I knew it wouldn’t work.

Erin Andrews on ‘Today’

Andrews knew surrogacy was the only path to having a child. Although her family’s first attempt failed, her second attempt was a success, and she got to hear her child’s heartbeat for the very first time. The pair discuss the complex emotions that come with surrogacy, saying that bonds with their child could be affected because they didn’t carry their child. However, Welker assured Andrews that those feelings go away once you can talk to your child.

Once her son was born in June, who Andrews called, “a miracle,” she then talks about her child glowingly, talking about how he is just like mom — vocal. “He’s all me,” she says.

Andrews supports Baby Quest, a non-profit that grants money to families in need of IVF or surrogacy to have a baby but don’t have the funds to pursue these expensive treatments. Both Andrews and Welker acknowledged how difficult and unattainable their journies are for some families — and Andrews even used the NFL’s “My Cleats, My Cause” initiative to raise awareness for her cause.

“People don’t need to feel embarrassed that they have a surrogate or are looking for other help,” Andrews said.

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