All articles tagged with #espn
ESPN and the ACC have released the 2026-27 men's college basketball schedule, featuring over 250 games across its networks. The season begins Nov. 2 with No. 18 Miami vs. No. 1 Florida. Key non-conference matchups include Duke vs. Michigan State and Louisville vs. Kentucky. Conference play starts Dec. 29, with Duke vs. North Carolina airing on ABC for the first time since 2002.
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson retired mid-season citing mental health, prompting a controversial and mocking monologue from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith that he later walked back after co-host Kimberley A. Martin called out the insensitivity.
Walt Disney Co. announced that Super Bowl LXI will be streamed on Disney+ in the U.S. and over 55 international markets, joining the ABC and ESPN broadcast. The game, ESPN's first Super Bowl production, will air on Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Disney+ will also carry two 'Monday Night Football' games this season, including a Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles matchup on Oct. 26. Ad inventory for the Super Bowl is already sold out, with 30-second spots priced at $10 million.
Disney+ will livestream Super Bowl LXI in the US and 55+ countries on Feb. 14, 2027, alongside two Monday Night Football games, expanding its live sports portfolio.
ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr. posted a celebratory photo and a mocking thread on X after the Indiana Fever lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs. He claimed the loss proved Clark is not a top-four guard. Clark had previously recorded a historic 27-point, 15-assist game in Game 2 but struggled in the decisive Game 3. The Fever, a heavy underdog, lost 94-83 to the Aces, who are favored to win their fourth title in five years. Clark received a technical foul in Game 3, bringing her postseason total to two, but avoided suspension. Critics argue Dennis’s celebration conflicts with ESPN’s role as the WNBA’s broadcast partner.
Wes Durham replaced Dave Pasch on the ESPN broadcast of the Notre Dame vs. North Carolina game on Saturday, Oct. 3, as Pasch traveled to London for an NFL Network debut. Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 37-26 in rainy conditions at Kenan Stadium, marking the Irish's first ACC victory of the season. Durham, a veteran ACC Network voice, joined his regular college football partners for the noon kickoff, while Pasch began his new role calling the Colts-Commanders game in London.
The College Football Playoff is nearing a decision on expanding from 12 to 24 teams, with executive director Rich Clark calling the effort 'more serious' than ever but not guaranteed for the 2027 season. The CFP management committee met in Rosemont, Illinois, to review ESPN negotiations and logistical hurdles, including the sunsetting of conference championship games and the Army-Navy game schedule. A December 1 deadline looms for format changes, though a 2027 start depends on finalizing details. The Big Ten and SEC, which control the format, are negotiating revenue terms, with the SEC seeking over $200 million to offset lost championship game income. If no deal is reached by October 9, the CFP may take the package to the open market.
ESPN has released its 2026-27 ABC television schedule for men’s and women’s college basketball, featuring 13 marquee matchups across the ACC, Big 12, and SEC. The lineup includes 17 ranked teams, with 12 top-25 games based on ESPN’s Way-Too-Early rankings. Notable women’s games include No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 5 USC and No. 2 UConn vs. No. 10 LSU, while men’s highlights include No. 1 Florida vs. No. 10 Arkansas and North Carolina vs. No. 2 Duke. The schedule spans from November 15 to February 27, 2026.
Negotiations between ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) are described as 'tough sledding' ahead of an October 9 deadline. The core dispute involves replacing the $250 million in revenue lost by eliminating conference championship games, with the SEC alone losing $100 million. If no exclusive deal is reached, CFP rights will hit the open market, potentially involving Fox, NBC, or Prime Video, to fund a 24-team expansion starting in 2027.
ESPN analyst Domonique Foxworth expressed frustration after Nick Saban used a 'Get Up' interview to promote the recently passed Protect College Sports Act without facing critical questions. Foxworth, a former NFLPA president, argued that the bill strips power from players and reverts to old NCAA structures. While Saban claimed the legislation prevents athletic departments from going broke, Foxworth noted that Stephen A. Smith later provided stronger scrutiny on 'First Take.' The bill, negotiated by Sen. Ted Cruz, passed the Senate 77-22 but faces uncertainty in the House, where leaders have indicated it will not be considered until after the midterm elections.
ESPN's College GameDay will broadcast from Iowa City on October 3, marking the show's first visit to the Hawkeyes' campus in 20 years. The pregame show precedes a Big Ten matchup between No. 14 Iowa and No. 5 Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium. This move ends a four-week run of SEC locations for the 2026 season. The game airs on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT, while GameDay airs from 8 to 11 a.m. CT on ESPN and Disney+.
Chris Spatola, a prominent ESPN college basketball analyst and son-in-law of legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, died unexpectedly on Monday at age 47. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Spatola was a former U.S. Army combat veteran, a West Point basketball standout, and a Duke assistant coach who was part of the 2010 national championship team. He leaves behind his wife, Jamie Krzyzewski, and three children. Tributes from colleagues and family highlight his humility, character, and dedication to basketball and his family.
Chris Spatola, a prominent ESPN college basketball analyst and son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, died suddenly at age 47. The network confirmed his passing on Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Spatola had a distinguished career as a West Point guard, U.S. Army combat veteran, and Duke assistant coach before joining ESPN in 2015. His death has prompted widespread tributes from colleagues, including Jay Bilas and Rece Davis, as well as official statements from Duke and ESPN.
Chris Spatola, a veteran ESPN college basketball analyst and former Duke assistant coach, has died at the age of 47. A U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, Spatola was also the son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. His sudden passing has prompted tributes from the basketball community, including from the Krzyzewski family, who requested privacy during their grief.
Chris Spatola, a veteran ESPN college basketball analyst and son-in-law of legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, has died at age 47. Spatola, who served as a Duke assistant coach from 2007 to 2012, was a former Army combat veteran and a key figure in the 2010 NCAA championship team. His sudden passing has prompted tributes from the basketball community, with the Krzyzewski family requesting privacy as they grieve.