The last time we tried sports media predictions, we were able to accurately predict several movements in the industry for the second half of 2023.
Shannon Sharpe was right to join ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith first take After six years as Skip Bayless’ sparring partner on FS1 uncontroversial. He also called for Mr. Sharp to be groomed as his successor should Mr. Smith appear on late-night television or entertainment. And when Jeff Van Gundy took the ax, it was a layup that predicted Doris Burke would replace him on ESPN’s No. 1 NBA announce team.
After a year in the media industry largely defined by layoffs and talent turnover, we’re getting our crystal balls back.
Here are the predictions for 2024:
Stephen A. Smith becomes the 20 million dollar man
As the face and voice of ESPN, Smith has long been a standout, joining the likes of Troy Aikman ($18 million per year), Pat McAfee ($16 million per year) and Joe Buck ($15 million per year). He remained silent while new employees made more than his annual salary. Compensation amount ($12 million). But his patience is coming to an end.
Smith, 56, made the revelation in an interview with Clay Travis. out kick He says he wants to be ESPN’s highest-paid talent. Unless chairman Jimmy Pitaro agrees, Mr. Smith appears ready to take the independent route pioneered by Mr. McAfee and start his own podcast and production company.
Smith’s current contract expires in 18 months.With his surge first take Overwhelming rival Skip Bayless uncontroversial In the morning TV wars, ESPN is hoping to sign Smith to a long-term contract with a record $20 million annual salary.
NBA to double media partners
Once the NBA’s exclusive negotiation period with ESPN and TNT expires in mid-April, anyone will be free to negotiate. Expect the league to keep both as its primary television partners, with ESPN’s sister broadcast network ABC keeping the NBA Finals. However, the NBA plans to add two more media rights partners.
The hope is that deep-pocketed Amazon Prime newcomers will curate weekday streaming-only packages and create an NBA equivalent. thursday night football. And for those of us who fondly remember NBC Sports’ “Round Ball Lock” days from 1990 to 2002, don’t be surprised if the league’s former media partner takes an elbow to get back into the rotation. .
Tom Brady finally begins his broadcasting career
After multiple rumors of another comeback, Brady will finally be named Fox Sports’ No. 1 NFL game analyst and will call the first Super Bowl in February 2025. But questions will continue to swirl as to whether there will be a seventh Super Bowl.The winner will actually achieve the record-breaking feat. a 10-year, $375 million deal with the network.
Fox has been in trouble ever since Brady announced a gap year before starting his career in the booth. At this point, Fox executives would be happy to get the 46-year-old GOAT a season or two before joining the ranks of NFL owners, sources said. Foss.
The big question for Fox is whether current No. 1 analyst Greg Olsen will be happy returning to the No. 2 job.
ESPN pursues Colin Cowherd
Once-dominant ESPN radio will be looking to a familiar face for help: Colin Cowherd.Host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd The contract with Fox expires in early 2025. The former network star would instantly solve ESPN Radio’s problems. His TV show could also move up and down the daily schedule alongside those of Mr. Smith, Mr. McAfee and Mike Greenberg.
But are the feelings mutual? 59 year old startup media company, volume, is already surrounded by private equity firms. Of course, Cowherd could sell all or part of his burgeoning network, as Bill Simmons did with Offroad. ringer Spotify for $200 million.
“Colin is the monster negotiator for Fox,” a source says. front office sports. “His ratings are at an all-time high. And unlike Skip Bayless, he doesn’t cause any problems at all.”
NBA invests in ESPN
According to CNBC, negotiations between Disney and all four major American sports leagues have been ongoing since Disney chairman Bob Iger revealed in July that he was open to finding a minority investor or strategic partner for ESPN. It’s intensifying.
A partnership between Disney and the NBA is expected after ESPN re-installs as the association’s primary television partner. ESPN says he aims to go direct-to-consumer by 2025, but this goal is more achievable if the NBA is a business partner. Meanwhile, ESPN’s expertise will improve the quality of NBA TV and improve the league app.
Netflix will remain on the fence going forward
Any Netflix subscriber hoping to go from bingeing miniseries to live gaming will be disappointed with our final prediction. Streaming giants will continue to be more of a tease than a major player in sports.
The streamer plans to roll out more sports documentaries and occasional made-for-TV events, but it won’t match the billions spent by Apple (MLS) or Amazon (NFL) on live game packages.
Early last year, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said Netflix was still figuring out how to bid on expensive live sports rights in a financially sensible way. “We’re not anti-sports. We’re about profit.”
Former Fox Sports executive Bob Thompson agrees that the time is not yet ripe for the media giants. “Netflix is not going to get into sports in a big way,” he says. front office sports.