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Olsen & Brees Decide To Play Instead Of Broadcast In 2020

“With Olsen and Brees heading back to the NFL, if Romo returns to CBS the trio will have passed on shaking up the broadcast industry despite swirling rumors this offseason.”

Brandon Contes

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The NFL’s free agent crop of broadcasters got a little smaller after two potential candidates removed their names from the ring. Instead of joining a network for the 2020 season, Drew Brees and Greg Olsen will be on the field for at least one more year.

NFL tight end Greg Olsen has called games for FOX during his bye week in recent seasons. Currently, Olsen is in the midst of working a five-game slate of XFL telecasts on FOX, with the network reportedly interested in signing him to a full-time contract. A full-time offer will have to wait for at least one season, however, as the 34-year old tight end agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Brees doesn’t have one foot in the broadcast booth the way Olsen does, but the 41-year old quarterback did supposedly have his reps meet with network executives during Super Bowl week to discuss their mutual interest. Brees announced he’s returning to the Saints in 2020, but he will again receive plenty of interest about a second career in broadcasting once he’s done playing.

While the hottest broadcasting free-agent hasn’t yet announced what booth he’ll be sitting in next season, Tony Romo does sound like he knows what network he’ll be with.

“I think I’m already there a little bit, but we’ll see how it plays out, even though I think I already know, but I’m just not telling you guys,” Romo said with a laugh during an interview with Ben and Skin of 97.1 The Eagle in Dallas.

With ESPN heavily interested in landing Romo, the former quarterback is expected to land a deal that will pay him more than $15 million annually. CBS has the first right of refusal to match any offer he gets, keeping them as the favorite to retain Romo.

With Olsen and Brees heading back to the NFL, if Romo returns to CBS the trio will have passed on shaking up the broadcast industry despite swirling rumors this offseason. 

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Space City Home Network to Debut in Houston Tuesday

The rebranded regional sports network has been acquired by the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets from Warner Bros. Discovery.

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A photo of the Space City Home Network logo
Courtesy: Space City Home Network

Space City Home Network, previously known as AT&T SportsNet Southwest, will debut in Houston Tuesday.

The rebranded regional sports network has been acquired by the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets from Warner Bros. Discovery, with the two professional sports teams joining forces to form their own cable outlet. Both the Rockets and Astros have long held an interest in acquiring the network. A report from March of this year claimed the two franchises were working alongside WBD to gain control of the cable channel.

“The change will be a seamless transition for fans as they will be able to continue to access Rockets and Astros games on the same channels they currently utilize,” the Astros said in a statement. “The network will be owned by the Rockets and Astros going forward and will operate as a joint venture of the two organizations.”

“We’ve had a strong relationship with the talent and staff at AT&T SportsNet in broadcasting Rockets games over the years and are excited to have that live on as Space City Home Network,” said Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr.  “We’ve worked alongside the Astros and network personnel to ensure this will be a smooth changeover for our fans and look forward to the positive impact this collaboration and local ownership will have on our broadcast.”

The first live game broadcast will take place on Wednesday, October 10th, as the Rockets will open their preseason schedule against the Indiana Pacers. The Houston Astros will make their debut on the network in 2024.

Space City Home Network launches just days before the Astros begin their quest to win back-to-back World Series championships. The Astros will face the winner of the Minnesota Twins/Toronto Blue Jays series in the American League Divisional Series later this month.

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NBC Adding Jordan Cornette, Zora Stephenson, Noah Eagle to Big Ten Basketball Coverage

Peacock will exclusively carry up to 47 men’s basketball games and 30 women’s basketball games, varying between conference and non-conference matchups.

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Jordan Cornette; Zora Stephenson; Noah Eagle
Jordan Cornette – Courtesy: ESPN Images | Zora Stephenson - Courtesy: Milwaukee Bucks | Noah Eagle - Courtesy: Stroll Magazine

Last week, Andrew Marchand of The New York Post reported that Robbie Hummel would be leaving ESPN to contribute analysis on NBC Sports and FOX Sports’ coverage of Big Ten basketball. The Post now reports that he will be joined by several other established sports media personalities as the property reorganizes.

Jordan Cornette, a former college basketball analyst with ESPN and the ACC Network, will be joining NBC Sports as a studio analyst for Big Ten men’s basketball games. Cornette was laid off by ESPN as part of its round of talent cuts earlier this summer after spending almost five years with the network.

Additionally, he hosted an ESPN Radio program alongside his wife, ESPN host and reporter Shae Peppler Cornette.

Zora Stephenson will serve as the lead play-by-play announcer on Peacock, expanding her role with NBC Sports. She has previously been on the call for Milwaukee Bucks games and currently serves as the sideline reporter for the network’s presentation of Notre Dame football. Stephenson played collegiate basketball at Elon University.

Lastly, Noah Eagle will retain his role as the lead play-by-play announcer on Big Ten coverage, joining the basketball package throughout the season. Eagle currently serves as the voice of B1G Saturday Night and will also be calling several Brooklyn Nets games on YES Network throughout the season. Eagle, 25, is largely thought of as a rising star in the media industry, and his father, Ian, is set to become the new lead voice of the Final Four for CBS and TBS.

As part of the deal, Peacock will exclusively carry up to 47 men’s basketball games and 30 women’s basketball games, varying between conference and non-conference matchups. NBCUniversal reportedly pays the conference $350 million per year for broadcast rights, which includes a presentation of the Big Ten Football Championship Game in 2026.

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NESN’s Kevin Youkilis Gives Emotional Tribute to Tim Wakefield

Youkilis played with the Red Sox for eight seasons alongside Wakefield, who died Sunday after a bout with brain cancer.

Jordan Bondurant

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A photo of Kevin Youkilis
Courtesy: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox | Getty Images

The baseball world was saddened on Sunday to learn that beloved former pitcher and humanitarian Tim Wakefield had passed away at the age of 57. NESN analyst Kevin Youkilis memorialized his former teammate on the air after the announcement of his death.

Wakefield was a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox known for his knuckleball. He also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, given annually to the MLB player who best embodies community spirit.

Wakefield was also a studio analyst for NESN and had been in that role since 2012.

Kevin Youkilis on Sunday afternoon’s season finale broadcast in Baltimore reflected on the life of a wonderful person and teammate.

“He was a great competitor when he took that mound,” Youkilis said. “He was just a great teammate and just a great friend.”

“I had the luxury to play with him on the field, in the booth, and I’m just glad that I had the opportunity over the years to be alongside him,” he added. “And just an amazing husband, father, and a community leader. He really enjoyed people. He really enjoyed being around people, and today we lost one of the good ones.”

Broadcast partner Dave O’Brien concurred wholeheartedly.

“A very, very special guy,” he said. “He was just 57 years old. The condolences, of course, are pouring in. We thank all of you. And God bless the Wakefield family.”

MLB on FOX analyst and another former Red Sox teammate David Ortiz paid tribute to his former teammate on Instagram on Sunday, writing about how heartbroken he is.

“I can’t describe what you mean to me and my family,” Ortiz wrote. “My heart is broken right now because I will never be able to replace a brother and a friend like you.”

“Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader,” the Red Sox said in a statement. “He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.”

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