1. News broke earlier this week that NBC offered the NBA $2.5 billion to steal TNT’s (aka Warner Brothers Discovery) gaming package when current television contracts expire after next season.
The “A” game package is expected to remain on ABC/ESPN, according to Puck senior correspondent John Ourand, while Amazon is expected to get a “C” package in the new TV deals.
Appearing in an all-new episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast, Ourand said, despite the monster offer, it’s far from guaranteed that NBC will get TNT’s “B” package.
“I’m very positive about Warner Brothers Discovery’s chances of retaining the NBA,” Ourand said.
“I know they prioritize the NBA. I know their NBA contracts are a big part of why TNT and TBS get so much money from cable and satellite operators. I know the idea that the NBA has been around since the 1980s, it’s part of the DNA of the company. So even though the leaders haven’t been around that long, it’s just about who this company is. I think WBD will do everything it can to keep the NBA.
Ourand, who cautioned that negotiations are “fluid” and things could change at any time, also said the fact that WBD has matching rights to NBC’s bid is a “big plus.”
Ourand said he expects the NBA to announce the new television deals within a few weeks.
In addition to a comprehensive overview of the current status of the NBA’s negotiations for new television deals, Ourand also shares his thoughts on the impact of the new television deals on the future of the NBA. Inside the NBA crew consisting of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
Ourand also discusses changes at CBS The NFL today With Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms out and Matt Ryan entering, if the NFL Draft would ever move to a Wednesday-Thursday-Friday schedule instead of Thursday-Friday-Saturday, the status of the Marchand and Ourand Podcast and more.
After Ourand, Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include an NFL Draft, a major blow to an MLB superstar, Dave & Busters allowing gambling, Jerry Seinfeld turning 70 and much more.
2. Earlier this week, I said that Charles Barkley was on an incredible (even for him) run in the playoffs. This continued Wednesday when he attacked people on hot shows, or as he called them, “punks, idiots and morons,” who like to pretend that the Lakers and Warriors are good teams .
3. How pathetic is this? Philadelphia’s ownership group had to buy tickets for tonight’s Knicks-Sixers game in order to prevent New York fans from infiltrating the Wells Fargo Center like they did last Sunday for Game 3. So , not only does the team have to resort to sad tactics because Sixers fans won’t support their team, but there were still tickets available for the game! Double whammy.
4. Although it’s not as exciting as the sound captured by Aaron Boone after being thrown by a referee A few weeks ago, we had another solid audio moment during a Wednesday night baseball game.
After Pete Alonso was thrown out at the plate to end the Cubs-Mets game, resulting in a 1-0 victory in Chicago, New York contested the play. There were two things in question: whether Alonso was out and whether the catcher Cubs Miguel Amaya had illegally blocked home plate.
The replay ruled that Alonso was indeed out, but referee Chad Fairchild botched the call with word salad.
“After examination, two calls on the ground, the blockage is confirmed. There is no blocking. After examination, the field entry call is held. The runners are out.
When Fairchild said, “The block is confirmed,” Mets fans cheered, only to receive the punch from Fairchild saying Alonso was out.
That brought out New York skipper Carlos Mendonza, who started with Fairchild.
“I’m not playing again,” Fairchild said. “I’m telling you what they told me.”
“But the rule says you can’t stand at the plate without the baseball,” Mendoza argued.
“I’m not arguing with you, Carlos. But I say…”
“It’s bulls—,” Mendoza said.
“Talk to the office about it,” Fairchild said.
5. Regarding the Cubs’ victory against the Mets, Shōta Imanaga earned the victory after pitching seven shutout innings to improve to 5-0. It was the Japanese star’s first time playing in New York and he shared his impressions of the Big Apple after the match.
6. Peacock will air a three-part documentary series on the 1990 Yankees, Bronx Zoo 1990: Crime, Mayhem and Baseballwhich will premiere on May 16. Even if you hate the Yankees, as I know many of you do, you can’t deny that this looks extremely entertaining.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Happy 52nd Birthday to the People’s Champion, The Great One, The Brahama Bull, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Make sure you find previous editions of Traina Thoughts and consult the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify Or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter,Instagram And Tic Tac.
