Sports TV News
Legendary College Basketball Analyst Billy Packer Dies
Billy Packer announced 34 Final Fours between NBC and CBS. He served as a color commentator for every Final Four from 1975 through 2008.

Published
2 months agoon
By
BSM Staff
Legendary college basketball announcer Billy Packer has died.
In a tweet, ACC Network host Mark Packer announced the death of his father, sharing “We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb.”
The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed. We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/uFRixmgCcd
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) January 27, 2023
Billy Packer announced 34 Final Fours between NBC and CBS. He served as a color commentator for every Final Four from 1975 through 2008.
Packer played collegiately at Wake Forest, leading the 1962 squad to the Final Four. After briefly serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Packer began his broadcasting career as the analyst on regional ACC television games in 1972 before becoming a regular in 1973.
“I have had a chance to broadcast most of the great games since college basketball got on national television and I’m not interested in broadcasting any more games,” Packer told the Associated Press before his final assignment in 2008. “I enjoyed doing that but I won’t be any more.”
Packer’s son Brandt — a producer at the Golf Channel — also shared the news of his father’s death on Twitter, writing “Rest in Peace to the most incredible Dad, mentor and best friend. My entire life I always tried to emulate him – how to be a husband, father, to prep for a telecast, you name it, he was the bar for me. Just crushed.”
Rest in Peace to the most incredible Dad, mentor and best friend. My entire life I always tried to emulate him – how to be a husband, father, to prep for a telecast, you name it, he was the bar for me. Just crushed. But we have peace knowing Billy is in Heaven tonight with Barb pic.twitter.com/xdM6pi2a2P
— Brandt Packer (@BPACKERVOLS) January 27, 2023
The longtime analyst won a Sports Emmy in 1993 for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Event Analyst for his work with CBS Sports.
One of the pioneers of college basketball on television, Packer worked with legendary play-by-play men like Curt Gowdy, Brent Musburger, Dick Enberg, and Jim Nantz.
His storied career was not without controversy. Frequently referred to as a “negative” announcer, Packer was noted for criticizing strategy by various coaches throughout his career. In 1996, Packer called Georgetown guard Allen Iverson a “tough monkey”. Critics called the comment racist in nature, however Georgetown head coach John Thompson defended Packer by saying he doesn’t “have to explain to anybody about Billy being a racist because he’s not”.
Billy Packer was 82.
Tributes to the late broadcaster came pouring in late Thursday. With contemporaries and colleagues alike paying tribute to the college basketball broadcasting legend.
So sad to learn of the passing of Billy Packer who had such a passion for college basketball. My 🙏🙏🙏 go out to Billy’s son @MarkPacker & the entire Packer family.Always had great RESPECT for Billy & his partners Dick Enberg & Al McGuire-they were super.May Billy RIP .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 27, 2023
Prayers up, my friend. In our thoughts. Grew up with his voice watching hoop. https://t.co/r6Fjpr0qvz
— Ian Fitzsimmons (@Ianfitzespn) January 27, 2023
Very sad news. You knew it was a big game when Billy Packer was on it. Peace and condolences to his family and close friends. https://t.co/5EvyjJkMEG
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) January 27, 2023
Dick, Billy and Al. Most uniquely fun broadcast chemistry, perhaps ever. Sorry for your loss Mark. https://t.co/KzDOiGQ3G7
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) January 27, 2023
Sad, sad news from Mark Packer about his dad, Billy – an absolutely icon in the college basketball world.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 27, 2023
Billy worked every Final Four from 1975 to 2008. I loved him because he always shot people straight. Told it the way it is.
Prayers to you, Mark — and your entire family. https://t.co/wWzyuxUK0W
RIP Billy Packer — 27 years as lead college basketball analyst at CBS (1981-2008) and 8 years at NBC (1974-81)…covered every Final Four from 1975-2008. https://t.co/n6syHJbCCp
— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) January 27, 2023
My all-time fave college hoops game analyst. Learned tons about the game through his insights. #RIP https://t.co/Fl2ye7j74X
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 27, 2023
Very sorry for your loss. An iconic basketball legend https://t.co/iiXLUYSOG2
— Debbie Antonelli (@debbieantonelli) January 27, 2023
Billy Packer was one of the best color guys in any sport. RIP. https://t.co/6qYQB04wCG
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) January 27, 2023
Condolences Mark. Your father was part of my soundtrack growing up. https://t.co/1TLFeDka4Y
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) January 27, 2023
Prayers and blessings to my friend, @MarkPacker and his family. Billy Packer became a college basketball icon on TV, but was also incredibly proud of his family and their love of him reflected that. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/vOLrhbNtxz
— Wes Durham (@WesDurham) January 27, 2023
For me, Billy Packer belongs on the Mount Rushmore of basketball voices.
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 27, 2023
Was fortunate enough to sit across from him a dinner 15 years ago, the guy had epic stories. RIP https://t.co/xnzx5MXbPY
Our hearts go out to all of you especially his beloved Barb your Mom. ❤️💜your Dad’s impact on my life was immense and I’m one of thousands that can say that about your Father. May God Bless him and all of you. RIP Billy. https://t.co/no0xV361dJ
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) January 27, 2023
Sports TV News
ESPN Sees Larger Than Average Audience For Big City Greens Classic

Published
4 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff
ESPN aired Tuesday night’s New York Rangers and Washington Capitals game. DisneyXD and Disney Channel aired an alternate broadcast that included players being 3D animated to resemble the cast of Disney Channel’s popular cartoon Big City Greens. It turned into a ratings win for the networks.
The alternate broadcast featured players animated in real time to mimic what was happening on the Madison Square Garden ice. Players were equipped with special chips in the padding to aid the animation, and special pucks were used to ensure a smooth transition from video to computer-animated graphics.
An average of 589,000 viewers tuned into the game on ESPN. Meanwhile, nearly 175,000 watched the broadcast between Disney Channel and DisneyXD.
The figure for ESPN represents its largest NHL broadcast since a November 1st broadcast featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.
The combined total for the broadcast — 765,000 — outdrew the World Baseball Classic broadcasts but did not top the NCAA Tournament’s First Four round that was broadcast on truTV.
Sports TV News
Greg Gumbel: I’m Lucky That I’ve Never Been Fired
“I worked for some people who didn’t like me, I’ve worked for some people I didn’t like. It’s a strange business, there’s no doubt.”

Published
5 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
Ricky Keeler
This week, it was announced that Greg Gumbel will no longer be a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on CBS after working on CBS’s NFL coverage every year since 1998. Gumbel has had an illustrious career and he takes pride in the fact that one thing has never happened to him.
Gumbel was a guest on the Tell Me A Story I Don’t Know podcast with George Ofman (Part 2 from an interview back in September) and he told Ofman that while he has never been fired before, but he doesn’t think broadcasters should be embarrassed when they get fired because of what the business is.
“It’s the nature of the business. I honestly think I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I’ve never been fired in a business that is known for firings. Being fired in this business is no shame, no embarrassment because it’s a subjective business. Because this guy at this network likes my work, it doesn’t mean that this guy at that network does. It’s extremely subjective and if you can buy that and understand it the way it is, then it shouldn’t bother you at all.
“It’s never happened to me. If it had, it would not have surprised me. I worked for some people who didn’t like me, I’ve worked for some people I didn’t like. It’s a strange business, there’s no doubt.”
Gumbel has been the host of CBS’s NCAA Tournament coverage for the last 25 years and he knows it’s a job that he is very grateful to have.
“I know there are people who would give their right arm to be sitting there next to Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis on Selection Sunday or sitting next to Kellogg, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley when the tournament begins to talk about what we’ve just seen or what we are going to see. I am never, ever going to take for granted the fact that I have been very fortunate to be able to do that.”
One thing Gumbel tries to avoid whenever he is on air is the mispronunciation of someone’s name because he knows how it feels to have his name distorted accidentally by some people.
“Pronunciations are important to me. There’s been a lifetime of people who may not completely mispronounce my name, but distorting it a little bit from time to time. I never want to do that to an athlete. If I ever mispronounce an athlete’s name, I hear it from his family, I hear it from the school or the team and I apologize for it as soon as I can. I don’t think that is something light or should be taken for granted.”
Toward the end of the interview, Gumbel was asked by Ofman when he will know it will be time to end his career.
“Other people have given it more thought than I have. I think when that time comes around, it will hit me over the head more than I will think about it. There are people who ask me why I still do what I do. The very bottom line is I love it, I enjoy it.”

Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at RickJKeeler@gmail.com.
Sports TV News
Diamond Sports Group Misses Arizona Diamondbacks Rights Payment
It is believed that the missed rights payment by Bally Sports Arizona triggers a clause in the contract that reverts the television rights back to the Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball.

Published
6 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff
Last week, Diamond Sports Group — operator of the Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks — claimed it had paid every rights fee it was contractually obligated, except for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
At the time, the company said it had a grace period until it needed to make a payment. That payment was due by Thursday, March 16th at 11:59 PM. That time has come and gone, and the company failed to deliver its fee.
It is believed that the missed rights payment by Bally Sports Arizona triggers a clause in the contract that reverts the television rights back to the Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball.
The Diamondbacks are not the only team affected by the situation. Bally Sports — which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this week — has also reportedly entered a grace period with the San Diego Padres. According to a report from Sports Business Journal, that grace period ends on March 30th, baseball’s Opening Day.
Previous reporting claims that contract is one the network hopes to get out from under. The company loses a reported $20 million per season on its television deal with the Padres. The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians are the other two baseball franchises the network holds the rights to that it hopes to terminate deals for.
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