Sports Online
Layoffs Hit NBC Sports Digital Properties
“The layoffs from NBC also spread to some of their regional sports networks.”

Published
3 years agoon

The return of Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL has people hoping better days are on the horizon, but it’s yet to stop the bleeding for the sports media industry. On Monday, NBC Sports was in cost cutting mode with their digital department bearing the brunt of the layoffs.
The layoffs hit a few of their sport-specific “Talk” websites, which followed the format of Mike Florio’s Pro Football Talk platform. Impacted by Monday’s cost-cutting moves were NBC’s Hardball Talk, College Basketball Talk and College Football Talk.
Longtime writer and editor of Hardball Talk Craig Calcaterra announced the site was being erased by NBC Sports, and his time with the company was coming to an end after more than 11 years. Also impacted by the end of Hardball Talk were writers Bill Baer and Nick Stellini. Baer joined the site in 2013, becoming a full-time contributor three years later. Stellini began writing for the platform earlier this year.
Some personal news: After 11+ years at NBC, @HardballTalk is officially no more and I'm out with it. I want to thank @NBCSports for a hell of a ride and HBT readers for riding along.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) August 3, 2020
My ride's not over, though. Updates soon, but you're not rid of my opinions just yet.
I only got to work with Craig and Bill at HBT for a few months before the pandemic and my furlough, but it was a real honor. I'm sad to see the site go and my thought are with everyone who's gotten laid off today. https://t.co/ZPHeK9lL3y
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) August 3, 2020
College Football Talk also appears to have been eliminated by NBC Sports, with a Monday post coming from John Taylor announcing his exit.
“CFT is no more. At least, when it comes to NBC Sports,” Taylor wrote, adding he was informed his position as writer and editor was being eliminated after almost 12 years with the site.
College Basketball Talk saw its last post from Rob Dauster Monday morning. Dauster, who was the managing editor and lead writer for College Basketball Talk, tweeted that he was laid off after a decade with the site.
Ten years ago, NBC Sports took a shot on me when I was nothing more than a bartender with a blog. It was a fun decade, and we did some really great things there, but COVID has come for me. Today was my last day running CBT. I was laid off this morning.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) August 3, 2020
Anyone hiring?
The layoffs from NBC also spread to some of their regional sports networks. Michael Jenkins was an anchor with NBC Sports Washington for 16 years, but unfortunately his tenure with the network came to an end Monday.
Boy, have I been dreading the day when I would have to write something like this, but here goes:
— Michael Jenkins (@JenksDC) August 3, 2020
This morning, I was laid off by @NBCSWashington after 16 years. pic.twitter.com/s5TeucL5Lu
Jenkins NBC Sports Washington colleague Sara Perlman also announced she was laid off. Perlman and Jenkins previously worked together on NBC Sports Radio’s The Daily Line, which was cancelled earlier this year when Westwood One decided to stop distributing the brand.
Thank you for everything @NBCSports ♥️ pic.twitter.com/0aKRhQomWF
— Sara Perlman (@saraperlman) August 3, 2020
UPDATE: Kelli Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area has confirmed on Twitter that she was laid off on Monday as well.
Some tough news to share… #2020GoAway pic.twitter.com/lzV3TVNqhd
— Kelli Johnson (@KJohnsonNBCS) August 4, 2020
The Chicago Tribune reports that layoffs have hit NBC Sports Chicago as well and will also impact the amount of original programming on the network.
NBC Sports Chicago is scaling back its programming and laying off employees as part of cuts across parent company NBCUniversal.
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) August 4, 2020
Among those let go are host Leila Rahimi and Laurence Holmes, and dropped programming includes “Sports Talk Live.”https://t.co/EuSNifFhWA

Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
Sports Online
WWE Legend The Iron Sheik Remembered By Sports Media
“Following the announcement of his death, many sports talk shows took time out to pay tribute.”

Published
5 hours agoon
June 7, 2023By
BSM Staff
The Iron Sheik is one of the legendary villains in the history of professional wrestling. While he reached the peak of his fame in the ring in the 1980s and 90s, he found new life on Twitter thanks to his often profane, sometimes vulgar, and always funny commentary on the world.
The Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri died on Tuesday. He was 81 years old.
While most know his professional wrestling career, his amateur career is no less impressive. He competed for Iran at the 1968 Olymipcs and served as a coach for the United States national team at the 1972 games.
Following the announcement of his death, many sports talk shows took time out to pay tribute. Pat McAfee called the Iron Sheik “one of the greatest heels of all time” before offering a moment of silence. In Boston, Felger & Mazz producer James Stewart took to the 98.5 The Sports Hub website to post a tribute.
On social media, tributes poured in from all over. It started in the wrestling world.
The legend. An all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business.
— Triple H (@TripleH) June 7, 2023
My condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.
REMEMBERING THE IRON SHEIK
— Mick Foley (@foleyispod) June 7, 2023
The wrestling world lost a true legend today, with the passing of Khosrow Vaziri, better known to fans across the globe as The Iron Sheik. Although I never got to know The Sheik well, I was fortunate to have been on hand for two of his most iconic… pic.twitter.com/mVMqTaeXtE
Our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik. pic.twitter.com/hQqVR7p0jB
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) June 7, 2023
RIP The Iron Sheik. Respect the Legend, always. https://t.co/4CeYqyTAfR pic.twitter.com/yEF1z38uYt
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) June 7, 2023
RIP to the legend… It was an honor to get to meet you.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 7, 2023
🗣🙏🏻 https://t.co/7FUu5jSn2c
RIP to the LEGEND. An all-time great character. https://t.co/ojnIEzErf4
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) June 7, 2023
RIP AND FUCK THE HULK HOGAN FOREVER, BUBBA https://t.co/QaD5oHP1Uc
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) June 7, 2023
💔
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) June 7, 2023
This is a tough one for all of us.
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) June 7, 2023
The legend has passed. One of the great villains in WWE history!
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) June 7, 2023
Sports Online
Joel Klatt Launching Big Noon Conversations Podcast
The subset of The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast, will premiere on Monday, June 12.

Published
6 hours agoon
June 7, 2023By
BSM Staff
FOX Sports has announced the launch of a new interview-based series as college football season quickly approaches. The series, titled The Joel Klatt Show – “Big Noon Conversations” will feature lead college football analyst Joel Klatt and contain compelling and intuitive conversation about the sport.
The subset of The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast, will premiere on Monday, June 12 with an exclusive sitdown interview featuring Colorado football coach Deion Sanders. FOX will also carry Sanders’ first two games as the leader of the Buffaloes on Big Noon Saturday – first on Saturday, Sep. 2 on the road against TCU and then, one week later, in Boulder, Colo. against the University of Nebraska.
Other guests set to appear on the series include Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey and UCLA football coach Chip Kelly. The endeavor is in collaboration with FOX Sports Podcasts, and a preview of the series was tweeted out by the podcast shortly after Wednesday’s announcement.
The biggest names in college football are coming to the Joel Klatt Show 🤩✨@DeionSanders, Nick Saban, @ryandaytime, Chip Kelly, @GregSankey and more join @JoelKlatt in Big Noon Conversations beginning next week! pic.twitter.com/FyLd3ASjl7
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) June 7, 2023
Klatt has worked at FOX Sports since 2013, concurrent with the launch of FS1, where he began as a studio analyst for college football coverage. In addition, he joined broadcasts as a game analyst on select Thursday night games and the 2014 Pac-12 Championship Game, while also hosting FOX NFL Kickoff.
Sports Online
Colin Cowherd: The Volume is Worth $100 Million
“In 18 months, my contract runs out. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I think the Volume will be a part of my life for the remainder of my broadcast career.”

Published
8 hours agoon
June 7, 2023By
Ricky Keeler
With all of the things that Colin Cowherd has done in his illustrious media career, he enjoys getting the chance to be a part of a team. He gets that from his podcast company The Volume. Even though Cowherd is already a big name talent himself, he always wants to try to find who the next one is.
Cowherd was a guest host on The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast filling in for John Ourand. He talked about how fun it is to work like a baseball scout.
“I like searching for talent. I feel like a baseball scout. It’s kind of a digital media company with podcasts…We have a pretty good staff. We will announce a couple names before the football season. It’s just really cool to be part of a team, to find talent. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had.”
As for how much The Volume is worth, Cowherd said he is not looking to sell the company anytime soon.
“I’ve had people who have explored buying it. Right now, we are not going to. In 18 months, my contract runs out. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I think the Volume will be a part of my life for the remainder of my broadcast career.”
CLIP: Colin Cowherd says The Volume is worth more than $100 million
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 7, 2023
POD: https://t.co/RDnuId2Iox pic.twitter.com/LKd68EArv4
When that time does come though, Colin Cowherd isn’t going to give The Volume up for just anything. He recently got a high valuation.
“I think I know what it’s worth. I’ve talked to LionTree, a couple of banks. We are in a very soft advertising market, so what your evaluation is can be very fluid. I feel very strongly about what we are worth and we are not looking to sell it. It’s over $100 million.”
With the latest news about the duo of Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe splitting up on UNDISPUTED, Cowherd believes that Shannon Sharpe is one of the few people in media who can migrate an audience in the opinion space.
“I think tandems are hard. I think they have an expiration date, but there’s not a lot of Shannons in the opinion space. There’s a lot of people doing it. There’s not a lot of people doing it at a high level and Shannon is theatrical, funny, handsome, and he is quick on his feet and he has stride and strong opinions. I think he is going to flourish wherever he goes.”
Cowherd did say some good things about Bayless. He admires Bayless’s passion for wanting to win the debate and he respects people who are passionate about anything that they do.
“I tend to like the search for theories, I’m not a debate guy. It’s just not my personality to debate. He was born to do it. He loves what he does. I found through the years in the media, I respect people who are passionate about what they do…He loves winning. If you told me he goes home and keeps a standings about the arguments he wins, I would believe it.”

Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at RickJKeeler@gmail.com.