Sports TV News

Bill Walton Annoyed By Dave Pasch Pointing Out Lack Of Fans

“Pasch pointed out that players and coaches would like to play in front of a packed arena for the January 25 game against Arizona. Walton seemed surprised this thought could have even crossed people’s minds.”

Published

7 months ago

January 14, 2022

Will Dundon

Bill Walton got a little annoyed with his broadcast partner on Thursday night. Walton and Dave Pasch called the Oregon vs UCLA game, which was played essentially in front of no one. Due to rising COVID cases, UCLA has banned anyone besides family members from attending indoor sporting events.

Pasch seemed to be explaining to new viewers why there were no fans in the stands, which Walton took as a complaint.

“I’m tired of your complaining,” Bill Walton shot back.

Again, Pasch said he was simply updating new viewers on UCLA’s implemented policy and that he was not complaining. Walton however, seemed irritated.

“Oh yeah, THERE’S A PANDEMIC GOING ON!” Walton shouted. “There’s no fans in the building because people are DYING of Covid and people are concerned about that.”

UCLA has stated no fans other than players’ family members will be permitted to home games until at least Jan. 21, but that date is fluid and will continue to be monitored. Pasch pointed out that players and coaches would like to play in front of a packed arena for the January 25 game against Arizona. Bill Walton seemed surprised this thought could have even crossed people’s minds.

“Well, are we gonna listen to the doctors? Or not? Isn’t that kinda why we’re in this ongoing program because people don’t listen to the doctors? Are you part of the problem or the solution?”

Will Dundon

Will Dundon is a sports media writer for BSM, and producer for ESPN’s 102.5 The Game in Nashville, TN. Additionally, he hosts the Paydirt Sports podcast. You can find him on Twitter @williedundon or reach him by email at willdundon2@gmail.com.

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ESPN Will Honor Vin Scully By Airing Iconic 1988 World Series Game 1 Tonight

ESPN will air an encore presentation of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series as a tribute to Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scull

Published

6 hours ago

August 3, 2022

BSM Staff

ESPN will air an encore presentation of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series as a tribute to Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully. The network will air the game tonight, August 3 at 8pm ET on ESPN2.

The 1988 World Series was between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics. Scully was on the call for the classic game which is notable for an injured Kirk Gibson coming off the bench and hitting a walk-off home run.

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

Matthew Berry Joins NBC Sports

Berry is expected to host a daily podcast and have his own Sunday fantasy football show.

Published

7 hours ago

August 3, 2022

BSM Staff

Matthew Berry, the fantasy football expert that helped to elevate the niche to mainstay programming surrounding the football season, is joining NBC Sports.

Berry, who left ESPN less than a month ago, is expected to host a daily podcast and have his own Sunday fantasy football show, sources told The New York Post. The show might go against Fantasy Football Now, his previous show that airs on ESPN2.

The show is also expected to be on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, as well as possibly on some NBC affiliates. Berry could also make appearances on Sunday Night Football.

NBC Sports declined comment.

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

NBC Pushing for Big Ten/NFL Primetime Pairing in Media Rights Deal

“The Big Ten would have exposure in every TV home,” said one source to Front Office Sports. “It would also be a smart idea to follow the model of the most successful sports league in America.”

Published

7 hours ago

August 3, 2022

BSM Staff

Big Ten media rights negotiations are getting closer to being completed. The results could mean a minimum of $1.25 billion annual distribution for the conference’s soon-to-be sixteen members. One of the bidders in the process, NBC, has an interesting idea to make the Big Ten the “NFL of college football conferences.”

NBC has reportedly pushed the idea of combining Big Ten broadcasts with its existing Notre Dame coverage and would feature the Big Ten in its primetime window. With CBS, ESPN/ABC also bidding on coverage packages, such a series of deals would make the Big Ten the only college football conference that would be seen across all of the American broadcast networks. Something only few entities have done, like the NFL.

NBC is also pushing the allure of having primetime Big Ten football on Saturday night and primetime coverage of Sunday’s only NFL evening game with Sunday Night Football.

“The Big Ten would have exposure in every TV home,” said one source to Front Office Sports. “It would also be a smart idea to follow the model of the most successful sports league in America.”

The Big Ten’s current media rights deals expire after the 2023 season.

BSM Staff