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Tech companies reportedly interested in NBA local media rights if Diamond Sports bankruptcy worsens
If the Bally Sports RSNs are dropped by Comcast and/or DirecTV, tech companies could be poised to strike.
Tech companies also rumored as possible ESPN strategic partners
Add a litany of tech companies to the list of possible “strategic partners” for ESPN. Per the New...
Comcast’s Mike Cavanagh says idea of them taking an ESPN stake is ‘very improbable’
ESPN ‘strategic partners’ seem likely to be private equity firms
John Ourand of Sports Business Journal found, after consultation with sources, that private equity seems likely to be the "strategic partner" ESPN might work with.
Bob Iger says ABC ‘may not be core’ to Disney, which could have major ESPN and sports implications
ESPN reportedly in talks with former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers
Myers would be a huge boost to ESPN's NBA coverage.
Nate Silver says Disney layoffs have ‘substantially impacted’ FiveThirtyEight, and he expects he’ll be leaving
"My contract is up soon and I expect that I'll be leaving at the end of it."
First round of ESPN layoffs starts, includes 43-year vet Mike Soltys
This looks to be the first of three waves of ESPN layoffs, with another one also focusing not on on-air talent by the summer, followed by cutbacks to on-air talent.
Pat McAfee launches speculation after posting photo with Disney CEO Bob Iger
"#UpToSomethingSZN"
ESPN layoffs reportedly set to come in three rounds, with massive paycuts also floated for on-air talent
"I do think they're going to go to some other people who make big numbers and say 'You can stay, but we're going to cut you in half.' People are going to have decisions to make on that."
Adam Silver denies interest in running Disney, says ‘I have no intention of going anywhere’
"I love my job at the NBA. I have no intention of going anywhere."
NBA’s Adam Silver reportedly on short list to eventually replace Bob Iger
The NBA commissioner is notably among a list of names already being put forward as Bob Iger's next successor.
ESPN executive moves may further reduce Disney spinoff or sale discussion
Disney+ cancels highly-anticipated ‘Mighty Ducks’ series & ‘Big Shot’
The two shows lasted just two seasons on the Disney+ streaming platform before they were given the ax.
A Disney spinoff of ESPN and ABC is again being floated, with one analyst calling it “reasonably probable”
"Spinning [off] ESPN/ABC is the best path forward, and we see it as a reasonably probable late-’23 event."
Anonymous Disney exec cites The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and Big Shot renewals as questionable Peter Rice decisions
"A senior Disney official cited Mr. Rice’s decision to renew two struggling shows on the Disney+ streaming service—“The Mighty Ducks” and “Big Shot”—as examples of questionable deal-making. Both shows cost more than $50 million and neither had shown the type of success that merited additional seasons."
LeBron James will produce series adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover at Disney+
The 2015 Newbery Medal-winning book has an official home for its television adaptation.
ESPN was in 76 million households at the end of Disney’s fiscal 2021, down eight million from the previous year
While linear ESPN saw large losses, ESPN+ added almost 7 million subscribers.
Hulu Live TV subscribers will have ESPN+ and Disney+ added to their account, along with a $5 rate hike
It's pretty easy to see what Disney's goal is here.
Emilio Estevez says “I am not anti-vaxx…I’m anti-bully,” cites “creative differences” for Mighty Ducks: Game Changers exit
Estevez says "My exit from the show was due to a myriad of creative differences – any other narrative is false," but he doesn't actually address if he met the vaccine mandate that would have been required for him to continue on the show.
Emilio Estevez is off “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” after refusing to provide assurances he’d comply with vaccine mandate
Deadline's Nellie Andreeva reported ABC Signature "made the decision not to pick up Estevez’s option for Season 2 after weeks of back and forth with his team over the show’s Covid vaccination requirement."
Allison Williams is leaving ESPN over COVID-19 vaccine mandate, says “I am so morally and ethically not aligned with this.”
"In addition to the medical apprehensions regarding my desire to have another child in regards to receiving this injection¹, I am also so morally and ethically not aligned with this. And I've had to really dig deep and analyze my values and my morals, and ultimately I need to put them first."
Disney extension with NCTC includes continued/expanded ACC Network carriage, ability to market ESPN+ and Disney+
"Our new deal with the NCTC will allow member operators to continue serving their customers across the country by delivering Disney’s robust and expansive portfolio of networks, which includes the addition of the ACC Network."
Alex Honnold will climb new routes in Greenland for Disney+ docuseries “On The Edge”
The show will touch on the effects of climate change while presumably delivering more Free Solo-style climbing scenes.