Sports Online
Layoffs Hit NBC Sports Digital Properties
“The layoffs from NBC also spread to some of their regional sports networks.”
Published
2 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
Sports Media Reacts To Tom Brady Retiring
“Plenty of the biggest names in the business rushed to Twitter to pay tribute to Brady’s career on the football field.”
Published
3 hours agoon
February 1, 2023By
BSM Staff Things seem a little more final this time. Tom Brady says he will not return to the field. The GOAT announced his retirement Wednesday morning in a video posted to social media.
While it is still unclear what happens next, plenty of people in the sports media had opinions to share. Plenty of the biggest names in the business rushed to Twitter to pay tribute to Brady’s career on the football field.
Tom Brady announced his retirement Feb. 1, 2022.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady announced his retirement Feb. 1, 2023.
As he said today, “for good.”
Watching Tom Brady get choked up announcing his retirement nearly brought me to tears. We’ll miss you GOAT 🥹🥹🥹pic.twitter.com/fke7UD0eFg
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) February 1, 2023
.@TedyBruschi shared an incredible story about Tom Brady's "addiction to winning" following his retirement from the NFL: pic.twitter.com/KOhxy03ihi
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 1, 2023
Five years ago, having watched all the games, looked at all the data, historical precedent and trends and *confidently* said Tom Brady was done.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) February 1, 2023
He played five more years and won two more Super Bowls, and nearly won another MVP.
A truly legendary & unprecedented run. 🫡
Tom Brady is the 🐐
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 1, 2023
There were other reactions as well. It is well-known that Tom Brady has a ten-year contract worth $375 million waiting for him at FOX. That means plenty of people in the sports media have questions about what today’s announcement means for Greg Olsen.
Olsen has won plenty of acclaim as the analyst in the network’s top NFL booth. Brady’s deal includes him taking over that spot, so several personalities and writers used the day to publicly question the logic in that decision.
Greg Olsen’s agents first call should be to Fox… are you really going to take a risk on Brady being bad?
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) February 1, 2023
Next call to NBC and ask if they’re still happy with Collinsworth.
We know Romo and Aikman are locked in.
Olsen deserves a prime time gig.
Greg Olsen seeing that Tom Brady retired pic.twitter.com/DLZAgbhbFY
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 1, 2023
Going to be FASCINATING to see what happens with Fox, where Greg Olsen has been superb
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) February 1, 2023
Most interesting aspect of Brady’s retirement is how he’ll have to met the bar set by Greg Olsen in the FOX broadcast booth this season.
— Joe Ovies (@joeovies) February 1, 2023
There was a third reaction too. Twitter was made for two things: reacting to breaking news and making jokes. Tom Brady announcing his retirement gave some members of the sports media the chance to do both.
If the Bucs need a new Quarterback.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 29, 2022
Sometimes you’ve gotta go back, to actually move forward. pic.twitter.com/HTTXFKWEEZ
I’m already in the @FoxSportsRadio parking lot waiting for 7pm ET! #ohhappyday https://t.co/bfZ9SYv0pm
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) February 1, 2023
Today's news
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 1, 2023
Brady retires.
Beyonce going on tour.
It's only 9:12 a.m.
"Hey guys, thanks for checking out BeachHacks. Don't forget to like and subscribe. First off – any boat can be a houseboat." pic.twitter.com/gC4IUMkUJf
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) February 1, 2023
Sports Online
Mike Francesa Has ‘No Idea’ What He’ll Talk About on First Take
“They’ll tell me today or tomorrow, I guess. Maybe we’ll wing it, I don’t know. You know I have no problem winging it.”
Published
22 hours agoon
January 31, 2023By
BSM Staff The much anticipated reunion between Mike Francesa and his former co-host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is set to take place Wednesday on First Take, and the former WFAN host admitted he doesn’t know what topics will be bandied about.
“I am going to do an ESPN visit with Dog and Stephen A. tomorrow. Been planned for awhile. Really, we’ve been talking about this last year,” Francesa said on The Mike Francesa Podcast. “I don’t know what we’re gonna chat about yet. I have no idea. They’ll tell me today or tomorrow, I guess. Maybe we’ll wing it, I don’t know. You know I have no problem winging it.”
The topic came up after an email into the podcast asked Francesa if he stayed in contact with many of his former WFAN colleagues. He admitted he doesn’t chat with as many as he would like to as often as he would like, but there are still several he’ll converse with when topics arise.
“(John) Minko, obviously. I hear from certain guys at certain times, but everybody’s busy. You don’t keep in touch as much as you should, let’s put it that way…I hear from certain guys from time to time. (Marc) Malusis, (Sal) Licata, guys like that from time to time. Sid’s (Rosenberg) always texting me something or other. I do hear from some of them, and you try to keep in touch.”
Francesa’s reunion with Mad Dog will air on First Take on ESPN from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Wednesday. Russo is a weekly contributor to the show on Wednesdays, with Stephen A. Smith putting a plan in motion to set February 1st as the reunion date during his recent book tour.
At the time of the revelation, Russo marveled at the idea of Francesa appearing on the show with him, pointing out “No other people. The three of us for two hours. Think about that. You talk about me being a fraud, Mike hated ESPN for 100 years!”
Sports Online
Super Bowl LVII Expected To Set US Betting Records
“PlayUSA projects that legal sportsbooks will take in a record $1.1 billion in bets on Super Bowl LVII.”
Published
23 hours agoon
January 31, 2023By
BSM Staff Even before sports betting was legal across the country, the Super Bowl would inspire even the most casual bettors to lay a little money down. This year, the game could help sportsbooks take in more money than ever before.
PlayUSA projects that legal sportsbooks will take in a record $1.1 billion in bets on Super Bowl LVII. That would make it the most bet on Super Bowl. It would also be the biggest handle any US sporting event has ever taken in.
The current record is held by last year’s Super Bowl. Bettors put just over $937 million down on the Rams and Bengals at legal books. The American Gaming Association projects that the total bet on the game is somewhere around $7.6 billion.
Nevada is still the king when it comes to legal sports gambling. That state is expected to take in the largest bets on the Eagles and Chiefs. Gamblers are expected to lay down $176.2 million in that state alone.
It is possible that projection is challenged. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the epicenter of Eagles fandom, have legalized sports gambling. Could that affect where the most money is laid down?
Last year, more than 9 million bettors participated in the Super Bowl at legal books. In total, it is estimated that 31 million people made a bet online.
Super Bowl LVII will take place in Arizona on February 12. The Philadelphia Eagles are currently a two-point favorite.