Recent sports media news, including a late change to CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament broadcast teams and a date for the unveiling of Sinclair’s “Bally Sports” branding.
Spanarkel off weekend NCAA
CBS and Turner Sports announced Wednesday that college basketball analyst Jim Spanarkel will not travel to Indianapolis for the opening rounds of the scheduled NCAA men’s basketball tournament due to “health and safety protocols.” Spanarkel was scheduled to work alongside Ian Eagle. Grant Hill, who typically works in a three-man booth with Jim Nantz and Bill Raftery, is set to fill-in. [March Madness TV/Twitter 3.17]
Sinclair RSNs to relaunch under “Bally’s” brand on March 31
The Sinclair-owned, Fox-branded regional sports networks will officially relaunch under the new “Bally Sports” moniker on March 31, it was announced Wednesday. The relaunch will include new graphics and music. Sinclair sold the RSN naming rights to Bally’s late last year. [Fox Sports 3.17]
NBC announces Brees hiring
NBC Sports officially announced Tuesday that it has hired recently retired former Saints QB Drew Brees, who will serve as a game analyst on Notre Dame college games and a studio analyst on NBC’s Football Night in America NFL studio show. The news was first reported by the New York Post 11 months ago. In addition to his football assignments, Brees is also slated to appear on NBC’s Olympics coverage. [NBC Sports PR]
Plus: Taylor, Barr, Jones
Front Office Sports reported this week that ESPN host Maria Taylor is nearing the end of her contract this summer and the network would like to retain her services. … ESPN has announced a contract extension with reporter John Barr. … ESPN said Wednesday that it is expanding the Bomani Jones-hosted podcast “The Right Time” from two to three days a week. [Front Office Sports 3.15, ESPN PR 3.17 a, b]
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