News: MLB ASG, Vitale, NFL deal, NCAA studio

Major League Baseball said Friday that it will relocate this summer’s scheduled All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to a controversial overhaul of Georgia’s election laws that opponents say is intended to make it more difficult to vote. In a statement, MLB said it “opposes restrictions to the ballot box.” A new site has not yet been selected. This is the second-straight year at the MLB All-Star Game will not take place as scheduled; last year’s game, set for Los Angeles, was canceled. [MLB 4.2]

Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that ESPN has reached a one-year contract extension with college basketball analyst Dick Vitale. The extension would keep Vitale with ESPN through the 2023-24 season, extending his tenure to 45 years. With the exception of last year, ESPN has tacked an additional year onto Vitale’s contract every year dating back to 2015. [Front Office Sports 3.31]

The NFL cannot opt out of its media rights deal with Disney until 2030, one year later than its other broadcast partners, according to The Hollywood Reporter, meaning Disney has eight guaranteed years of NFL rights compared to the other networks’ seven. That is in contrast to Disney’s current NFL contract, which expires a year earlier than the league’s other deals. [Hollywood Reporter 3.31]

The CBS and Turner Sports NCAA Tournament studio teams are set to co-mingle for the first time this year at the Final Four. Hosts Ernie Johnson and Greg Gumbel are scheduled to work alongside analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Clark Kellogg on-site from Indianapolis Saturday, with all-but-Johnson reconvening for Monday’s scheduled National Championship. The CBS and Turner teams have worked separately from their respective studios throughout this year’s tournament. [CBS/Turner]