Sports TV News

FS1 Goes Into Business With The Spring League

“The deal will see FS1 televise a total of eight games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights each week. It also gives FOX the right to take a minority stake in The Spring League.”

Published

2 years ago

October 12, 2020

BSM Staff

Have you been wondering what the market will be like for the XFL when the league tries to make a third go of it next spring? Well, if 2020 is any indication, FS1 could be willing to offer the league a home.

It has been a while since the United States has supported so-called minor league football, but FOX executives clearly believe there is enough of an audience there to make money. The company has gone into business with The Spring League and will air a new fall season beginning later this month.

A short four-week season will kick off at the end of October and culminate with a championship game near Thanksgiving. Six teams with logos and uniforms will be established with all games originating from San Antonio.

The deal will see FS1 televise a total of eight games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights each week. It also gives FOX the right to take a minority stake in The Spring League. If the deal proves successful, it is possible that FOX wouldn’t be interested in doing a new deal with the XFL and instead focusing all of its attention on the league that it has some equity in.

BSM Staff

Up Next

ESPN Deportes Gets Spanish Super Bowl Broadcast

Don't Miss

Hall of Famer Joe Morgan Dies At 77

Sports TV News

ESPN Announces The Return of Stephen A. Smith to First Take

ESPN announced Smith will be returning to First Take on Monday, August 15th.

Published

5 mins ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

First Take has been without it’s anchor since the day after the NBA Draft in June. That’s when the ESPN personality took some time off to undergo shoulder surgery and to rehabilitate. However, it appears the wait for his return is almost over.

ESPN announced with a tweet that Smith will be returning to First Take on Monday, August 15th. They also teased a guest appearance from Michael Irvin.

Monday, @stephenasmith returns to @FirstTake!

Don't miss a special, surprise-filled episode along with a guest appearance by #NFL Hall of Famer @michaelirvin88

10a ET | ESPN pic.twitter.com/8NchgPZ7sl
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 9, 2022

This comes a day after Smith tweeted that the countdown was on for his return and we are one week away from the event.

One week away from returning to @FirstTake…….and counting!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 8, 2022

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

Field Yates Re-Ups With ESPN

After the departure of Matthew Berry to NBC, ESPN has locked down fantasy expert Field Yates with a new contract to remain in Bristol.

Published

59 mins ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

After the departure of Matthew Berry to NBC, ESPN has locked down fantasy expert Field Yates with a new contract to remain in Bristol.

Yates, 35, would have been a valuable target for FanDuel or DraftKings, surmises Andrew Marchand of The New York Post — who first reported the news — due to his large following on Twitter.

Yates, who also works as a host of Fantasy Football Now and NFL Insider for the network, across multiple platforms including ESPN Radio, will continue in those roles in addition to an assumed expansion of fantasy football duties after Berry’s exit.

He has worked for ESPN since 2012.

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

Michael Smith Joining Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football Studio Coverage

“It’s a full-circle moment. It’s back to my roots in many respects. I always wanted to be a part of a national telecast … and here I am,” said Smith.

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

Michael Smith is joining Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football coverage, he tells USA Today.

“It’s a full-circle moment. It’s back to my roots in many respects. I always wanted to be a part of a national telecast … and here I am,” said Smith.

He will work as a “news analyst” for the streaming platform’s studio show, a role he similarly held for ESPN‘s NFL Sunday Countdown. Former Countdown producer Amina Hussein is the head of on-air sports talent development for Prime.

Smith becomes the latest of a growing cast Prime Video has assembled for Thursday Night Football coverage. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will work in the broadcast booth, Kaylee Hartung will work the sidelines, Charissa Thompson will anchor the studio show with Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman, Aqib Talib, and Andrew Whitworth, and Taylor Rooks will work as a feature reporter. Dude Perfect, a comedy group famous for social media “trick shot videos”, will reportedly offer a Manningcast-style alternate broadcast.

BSM Staff