Sports Online
ESPN Falcons Reporter Vaughn McClure Dies
“In addition to covering the Falcons for NFL Nation, McClure wrote for ESPN.com and appeared on various TV and radio programs for The Worldwide Leader.”

Published
2 years agoon

ESPN NFL reporter Vaughn McClure died this week, reportedly at his apartment in Atlanta. McClure was just 48.
Joining ESPN in 2013, the Chicago native was most recently on the Atlanta Falcons beat, which included covering their 2017 run to the Super Bowl. Prior to joining ESPN, McClure spent six years working at the Chicago Tribune, contributing to their coverage of the Bears.
“We all loved Vaughn,” said John Pluym, ESPN’s senior deputy editor for digital NFL coverage. “He had a heart of gold. He was so helpful to our reporters. In the last few hours, we’ve heard so many stories about how Vaughn had helped them with a story or how he put in a good word for them with a coach or player.
“Talking to Vaughn on the phone was always a joy. I loved how you could just sense the excitement in his voice for being able to cover the Falcons for ESPN. We will all miss him greatly. And I’ll end this the way Vaughn ended every phone call with a colleague: ‘Appreciate you. Love you.’ We all loved him, too.”
A 1994 graduate of Northern Illinois University, McClure’s career also saw him spend time with the South Bend Tribune, Fresno Bee and Chicago-Sun Times. In addition to covering the Falcons for NFL Nation, McClure wrote for ESPN.com and appeared on various TV and radio programs for The Worldwide Leader.
The friendships and relationships McClure built throughout the industry were on display after the news of his passing was announced, with many colleagues honoring the journalist on social media.
ESPN’s NFL Nation Reporter for the Atlanta Falcons, Vaughn McClure, died at his apartment in Atlanta. What a nice man he was. McClure was 48. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/2bjwwKUjhH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2020
Shocked…devastated…this has been a really tough day for all of us. Not just at ESPN, but journalists, coaches, players and executives everywhere. I know I’m forever indebted to Vaughn. He opened a lot of doors for me when he certainly didn’t have to https://t.co/CHQIW7VUDj
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 15, 2020
Deep grief over unexpected death of our dear friend and colleague Vaughn McClure, @vxmcclure23.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 15, 2020
Wonderful man
Pro
Humble
Diligent
Loving
Caring
Faithful
And much more.
Last text from Vaughn this week: "Be well and stay safe"
Before that, "I love you" and "God Bless you"
From South Bend through Chicago till our last conversation Tuesday, Vaughn McClure was uncommonly considerate, effortlessly charismatic and one of my best friends. He’d be so proud to see the outpouring. And then he’d ask how to improve his writing. RIP, buddy. You’ll be missed. https://t.co/tuScERspHb
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) October 15, 2020
Man, the news that Vaughn McClure who was the ESPN reporter for the Atlanta Falcons and a long time writer for the Chicago Tribune has died is devastating. He was a good friend and a tremendous person. May God bless you my friend. ❤️
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) October 15, 2020
Woke up to the News of Vaughn McClure passing. I have no words. He was a good dude .. 🙏🏿
— Hugh Douglas (@Bighugh53) October 15, 2020
For those who weren’t lucky enough to meet Vaughn McClure or have the privilege to call him a friend, I want to at least share with you how I’ll remember him. Rest in paradise, my brother. Until we meet again… pic.twitter.com/O3BkWMn0A6
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 15, 2020
Brandon Contes
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Mediaite. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
Sports Online
Media Reacts To Nick Saban’s Comments On Texas A&M, Jackson State
“Saban’s comments and the ensuing rebuttals will be used to fuel content on sports television and radio through the offseason and likely beyond.”
Published
12 hours agoon
May 19, 2022By
BSM Staff
Nick Saban had some choice words about recruiting in the NIL era on Wednesday night. The Alabama head coach didn’t just voice frustrations with the process. He called out three schools specifically for using Name, Image and Likeness payments to create an advantage for themselves in recruiting.
He said that Texas A&M, which signed the top-ranked recruiting class in 2022 according to a number of outlets “bought every player on their team.”
He said that Jackson State gave a player $1 million to come to the school. “It was in the paper,” he said. “They bragged about it! Nobody did anything about it.”
It is likely that he was talking about defensive back Travis Hunter, widely regarded as one of the five best players in the class of 2022. It should be noted that Jackson State Coach Deion Sanders has been adamant that Hunter did not receive a dime from the school or anyone else.
The comments created plenty of content on sports radio on Thursday.
The shot heard RAHND the WORLD from Nick Saban#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dgD96n5G2q
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 19, 2022
"Nick Saban needs to apologize… He ripped a coach, he ripped a program. It's unprofessional and he frankly is held to a higher standard."@ColinCowherd defends Jimbo Fisher pic.twitter.com/oDRSz9QAwT
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 19, 2022
Jimbo Fischer, the head coach of Texas A&M took the story to a new level with a press conference of his own in which he cryptically encouraged people to “dig into” Saban’s career history.
The commentary in the sports media came in all kinds of forms. Plenty took to Twitter to express an opinion.
Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher are both from West Virginia, both won (a) national title(s) as head coaches, coach in the toughest division in the sport and Fisher became the first former Saban assistant to beat Saban.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) May 19, 2022
This is Stone Cold vs. The Rock in the Attitude Era.
Nick Saban trying to make us believe that he believes Alabama has never paid a player is next level trolling. Almost have to respect it.
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) May 19, 2022
Nick Saban vs. Jimbo Fisher > Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) May 19, 2022
Coaches don’t like change. Nick Saban doesn’t like threats to his dominance. Every one of these comments from coaches is grounded in control freaks who have lost some of that and are trying to get it back as best they can. https://t.co/5xkdfokEzw
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) May 19, 2022
I love this new Nick Saban.
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) May 19, 2022
Others used the feud to create comedy.
Jimbo Fisher confronts Nick Saban pic.twitter.com/el4PQCa6TD
— Joey (@JoeyMulinaro) May 19, 2022
Its pretty funny the entire Saban Fisher dipsute is based on the fact that the only way to get a 18 year old to want to live in college station is to literaly pay him a million dollars
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) May 19, 2022
Finally, others did actual reporting. they made phone calls to get context and further the story.
Lane Kiffin to @TheAthletic about what was going thru his mind watching Jimbo light up Saban: “This can’t really be happening…is this real life?'
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) May 19, 2022
“I still haven’t moved from my seat. That should've been on Pay-Per-View." https://t.co/8TnXIij2jH
A&M AD Ross Bjork tells @SInow that Nick Saban’s comments violate SEC sportsmanship bylaws & he’s been in contact with Greg Sankey.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 19, 2022
Bjork calls the comments “a personal attack” & suggests Saban is “lashing out” because he’s threatened.
“This is personal”https://t.co/ShiVBp8Fzv
The coaches may be relatively quiet in public for a while. That doesn’t mean the stories and reactions are going away. Saban’s comments and the ensuing rebuttals will be used to fuel content on sports television and radio through the offseason and likely beyond.
Sports Online
Bleav Announces Partnership With SiriusXM
“The Bleav podcasts come with some serious star power. Each show features a former player paired with a host to discuss the latest news about their team. In adding Bleav, SiriusXM adds the likes of Eric Davis, Lorenzo Neal, Adam “Pac Man” Jones and others to its roster.”
Published
2 days agoon
May 18, 2022By
BSM Staff
A new partnership will see content from the Bleav Podcast Network come under the SiriusXM umbrella. All 32 of the network’s NFL team-specific podcasts will now be available on the SXM app. The satellite radio company will also have the ability to air Bleav content on its sports channels.
“SiriusXM is a leader in content. We’re very happy to be a part of their programming and continue to amplify the voice of our talent,” Bleav CEO Bron Heussenstamm said in a press release. “SiriusXM listeners will be able to regularly hear from athletes that played for their team, bringing fans insight and access that only a player can.”
The Bleav podcasts come with some serious star power. Each show features a former player paired with a host to discuss the latest news about their team. In adding Bleav, SiriusXM adds the likes of Eric Davis, Lorenzo Neal, Adam “Pac Man” Jones and others to its roster.
The deal will also lead to more content in the future. The companies expect to add to the Bleav content available on the SXM App, including shows focused on other professional and college sports.
“Bleav’s team-focused programming, hosted by many former stars from the league, give fans a unique and experienced perspective into their favorite players and franchises,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s SVP of Sports Programming and Podcasts. “Bleav’s network of shows deliver valuable insight for fans of every NFL team. They are a great addition to the selection of sports podcasts available on the SXM App and we look forward to adding other shows, focused on other sports, from the Bleav network to SiriusXM in the future.”
Sports Online
Dave Portnoy Offers Pat Beverley ‘Blank Check’ To Join Barstool
“Just say how many zeros and guarantee us once a week, you are hired.”

Published
2 days agoon
May 18, 2022
Minnesota Timberwolves player Pat Beverley turned heads with his comments about Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul after the Suns were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs.
Beverley told Mike Greenberg and Stephen A. Smith on Monday that he thinks Paul is a “traffic cone,” due to his poor defense and that on nights he knows he’s playing Paul he’ll have a nice steak dinner and wine the night before. He said he’s in bed by 8 p.m. and doesn’t want to hear from his mom or girlfriend if he’s playing Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Pat’s comments got the attention of Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy. Portnoy said Monday he liked Beverley so much that he would hire him to do a podcast for Barstool.
.@patbev21 has an open invite to join the pirate ship if he so chooses.@stoolpresidente @hen_ease @DoubleVodkaDon@BarstoolRundown presented by @SIRIUSXM pic.twitter.com/2DGVjkaYaQ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 16, 2022
“If Pat Beverley is a Barstool fan and he’s watching this, he has a blank check. You name your price for a podcast, and we will hire you — no questions asked,” Portnoy said. “Just say how many zeros and guarantee us once a week, you are hired.”
Portnoy made the push to sign Beverley to a podcast deal as the company seeks to scale back the number of podcasts it produces. Barstool CEO Erika Nardini announced the decision to cut shows last week.
No word if Beverley has responded to Portnoy’s offer.
Jordan Bondurant
Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.