Charles Barkley is pushing his ESPN luck. The “Round Mound of Rebound,” a former NBA All-Star and current “Inside the NBA” analyst, wants to see what his employer is going to do after his viral Game 3 halftime take that rapper Cardi B should call herself “Cardi D’s” — a reference to her chest — … Read more
Pat McAfee could be in line for one of the biggest paydays in sports media. ESPN and McAfee’s representatives are discussing a contract extension that could pay him more than $60 million per year, according to The Athletic. The deal is not yet completed, and the final number could depend on McAfee taking on an … Read more
Much like the Madison Square Garden crowd on Monday night, Charles Barkley couldn’t keep his eyes off Cardi B’s NBA Finals Game 3 halftime performance. And he didn’t keep much of his thoughts to himself — nor could the rest of the “Inside the NBA” crew. “Knicks up seven, looking for a 3-0 lead. We’ve … Read more
Madison Square Garden is roleplaying as Fort Knox for the day. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was stopped by the Secret Service outside MSG in the lead-up to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday. “I was actually stopped by the Secret Service… because my AirPod fell and the Secret Service came up to … Read more
Fat Joe was having a moment where he was so excited before Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. The rapper and huge Knicks fan joined the “Inside the NBA” crew’s ESPN pregame show before the Knicks took on the Spurs in San Antonio, and he made his voice heard and felt. He … Read more
If the Spurs had played defense on Shaquille O’Neal like security staffers did Friday night, they may have prevented that Lakers dynasty in the early 2000s. O’Neal encountered some difficulties entering Frost Bank Center ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night in San Antonio, although the Hall of Famer laughed it … Read more
Who knew? We knew. Since Goose Gossage was a gosling, we knew. We always have. Wednesday’s Knicks-Spurs Game 1 was amazing for how the ABC/ESPN crew — the invisible, unheard crew, from cameramen to tape operators — treated it. It was treated like a basketball telecast, no reason to abandon it to press “look what … Read more
ESPN may have some explaining to do. Despite improved presentation during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night with vintage trademarks returning, the network is under scrutiny Thursday morning as keen-eyed observers caught something bizarre. ESPN aired an AI-generated image of former Spurs star point guard and four-time champion Tony Parker smiling and … Read more
Charles Barkley made time for an outdoor workout while on his work trip to San Antonio for the 2026 NBA Finals. During “NBA Tip-Off” on ESPN, Barkley explained that the now-viral video of him doing chairlifts on the San Antonio River Walk was all part of his workout before Wednesday’s Game 1 win for the … Read more
ESPN’s NBA Finals pregame show hit a rough patch before Game 1. During “Inside the NBA” before the Knicks faced the Spurs in San Antonio, the World Wide Leader’s Malika Andrews was derailed by audio issues while explaining Mitchell Robinson’s mysterious hand injury. The broadcast cut to footage of Robinson going through pregame work, showing … Read more
Pat McAfee is likely sticking around at the WorldWide Leader. The ESPN host and former Colts punter is in early talks to extend his contract with the network, Front Office Sports reported. McAfee, whose eponymous show has become a ratings hit for ESPN, previously joined the network in 2023 on a deal worth around $85 … Read more
Linsanity will be part of the NBA Finals. Jeremy Lin — the Knicks guard who captivated the city for about a month in February 2012 — is joining ESPN during his former team’s NBA Finals matchup with the Spurs, USA Today reported. His role will start Wednesday with Game 1 in San Antonio. Jeremy Lin … Read more
Stephen A. Smith opened up about his very tough year on his SiriusXM show. The normally upbeat and ready-for-a-debate Smith took a serious tone instead in his latest episode of “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.” He began to address a joke made at his expense by friend Kevin Hart during the Netflix roast that put … Read more
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek called out ESPN by name in an open letter he posted to social media, criticizing the scheduling for two early-season games for the Razorbacks while “formally” requesting the network and the SEC to “aggressively pursue an alternative solution.” Yurachek took issue with the fact that Arkansas is slated to play … Read more
Laura Rutledge’s “SEC Nation” replacement has been revealed. “SportsCenter” anchor Matt Barrie has been named the new host of the college football program, ESPN announced Wednesday. “I’m a college football junkie and beyond excited to host ‘SEC Nation’ from the greatest game day atmospheres in the South,” Barrie said in a statement. “It takes me … Read more
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins doesn’t hold back on TV, but he needed someone to do so for him at a youth basketball tournament. During one of his son’s games over the weekend on the AAU basketball circuit in Norman, Okla., things got intense and chippy. Both teams, YPG Perkins and Swaveway Playaz, were fouling each … Read more
Laura Rutledge announced Tuesday that she is leaving SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” after more than a decade on the show. The ESPN host and reporter penned a heartfelt goodbye to “SEC Nation,” sharing that “it became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life” in a release on ESPN Front Row. Rutledge will continue … Read more
Where ESPN is putting its microphones is a complete mystery. While broadcasting a softball game between Arizona State and Texas on Sunday, someone whispered obscene comments into a hot mic during a 0-1 pitch from Teagan Kavan. “Lick my ballsack,” a male voice said during the seventh inning, with the Longhorns leading, and eventually winning … Read more
ESPN has just accidentally declared war against the Swifties. Midway through the first quarter in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers on Saturday, the ESPN on ABC broadcast referred to Taylor Swift as “Travis Kelce’s fiancée,” which caused an uproar on social media. As the broadcast showed Swift and … Read more
Charles Barkley must’ve forgotten he’s an ESPN guy now. The “Inside the NBA” co-star, who used to be seen on TNT broadcasts before the show moved over to the Worldwide Leader this season, criticized ESPN’s lead NBA insider Shams Charania after he broke news on social media about the NBA MVP award before the official … Read more