Lee Corso lack College game day due to illness on Saturday, but is said to be fine. Plus: The Big Ten are reportedly pursuing another media rights deal and more expansion; news on NBA broadcasters; and more.
Corso misses Gameday, but says all is well
ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso missed Saturday’s edition of ‘College Gameday’ because he ‘felt a little uncomfortable,’ per host Rece Davis. Corso has been examined by doctors and is said to be feeling much better.
Corso, 87, has been with “Gameday” since its inception in 1993 and with ESPN since 1987. Saturday marked the first non-Corso “Gameday” — and his trademark headwear choice — in recent memory. Two years ago, he spent the entire season contributing to “Gameday” from home but didn’t miss an episode.
Big Ten pursues additional rights deal and more expansion
The Big Ten is pursuing an additional media rights deal that would likely spark a new round of expansion, CBS Sports reported this week. The conference is reportedly interested in a deal with Amazon Prime which, if large enough, would result in the conference absorbing four more Pac-12 teams.
The Big Ten adds USC and UCLA in 2024 and next season begins a new media rights deal with Fox Sports, CBS and NBC.
Under a possible additional rights deal, the Big Ten’s fourth partner would be limited to lower-tier games each week — “the fifth, sixth or seventh pick” per CBS.
Crawford said to replace Wade on TNT; Redick gets an extension
Turner Sports should name Jamal Crawford Dwyane Wade’s replacement on his Tuesday NBA studio team, The New York Post reported this week. Crawford has made appearances on Turner in recent years.
The Post also reported this week that ESPN has agreed to a contract extension with the NBA analyst. JJ Redickwho will be working on an expanded game schedule this season.
In other news involving NBA broadcasters, lead ESPN/ABC play-by-play voice Mike Breen lost his home to a fire this week, but he and his family are unharmed.
Plus: LIV rights, Pro Bowl, Disney-Sling
golf week reported on Tuesday that LIV Golf was close to a time purchase deal with Fox Sports, but that was quickly denied. … The NFL announced on Monday that it would discontinue the Pro Bowl and replace it with a flag football game and other events. …Disney-owned channels, including ABC and ESPN, went dark on Dish Network and Dish-owned Sling on Friday night.