Not sure if Mickey Mouse approved this clip. During an appropriately named “Hot Mic Summer” segment of ESPN’s ‘NBA Today’ on Wednesday, host Malika Andrews, alongside Ramona Shelburne and Marc Spears, played a clip of Nets forward Mikal Bridges using not-safe-for-work language when discussing teammate Ben Simmons. “I’ve got big faith, big confidence in [Simmons] … Read more
The sports media bloodbath at ESPN apparently isn’t over. Bomani Jones appears to be the latest big-name sports personality to leave the Worldwide Leader. The network isn’t planning on renewing Jones’ contract when it expires at the end of the month, according to a report from Front Office Sports. The breakup comes weeks after HBO canceled … Read more
Molly Qerim took the “First Take” faithful to task. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was making his customary Wednesday morning appearance on the ESPN program with Stephen A. Smith when the debate turned to the Celtics. Smith believes the Celtics should be the favorites to win the 2024 NBA championship, while Russo was not buying the … Read more
Once again, Alex Rodriguez has said something he probably should have kept to himself. On Sunday’s edition of the “Kay-Rod Cast,” ESPN’s alternative broadcast for “Sunday Night Baseball” with Rodriguez and Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay, A-Rod made a baffling analogy when he was trying to describe a technique for hitting a baseball. “Posture up and … Read more
ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is recovering after he collapsed during a live broadcast on Sunday night in an unsettling moment. The former goalie fell toward co-host Dan Thomas while discussing AC Milan’s friendly with Real Madrid on the field at the Rose Bowl. “ Shak! Shak! We need some help,” an unnerved Thomas was … Read more
Stephen A. Smith wants The Playmaker back in the fold. Michael Irvin has been off-air at NFL Network, as well as his spots on Smith’s “First Take” program on ESPN, since Super Bowl week in February, when he was accused of making lewd comments to a hotel worker at a Phoenix Renaissance, owned by Marriott. … Read more
Skip Bayless’ exes could be teaming up. Shannon Sharpe, who left his post with Bayless on FS1’s “Undisputed” in June, could join ESPN’s “First Take” as a contributor alongside former Bayless co-host Stephen A. Smith, according to Front Office Sports. The Hall of Fame tight end, 55, told USA Today it would be “great” if … Read more
People have started to learn that if enough of them ask online for something to return, there’s actually a chance it could happen. This has been the case for numerous fast food items whose eliminations from menus were a minor setback for a major comeback — such as the Taco Bell Mexican pizza, the chicken … Read more
Stephen A. Smith is certainly enjoying his summer getaway. The ESPN personality relaxed on vacation in Barbados, where he was photographed at the beach with a mystery woman. Smith and the brunette were snapped closed together in the water before she appeared to lather him up with sunscreen on a lounge chair. NBA analyst for … Read more
In this week’s “Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast,” Bank of America securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich joins hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand to discuss ESPN’s future. Reif Ehrlich dissects Bob Iger’s CNBC interview from last week when he spoke about looking for a strategic partner for ESPN. Jessica Reif Ehrlich joined Andrew Marchand … Read more
ESPN has made its decision on the next host of “Monday Night Countdown.” Scott Van Pelt has the “inside track” for the job, The Post’s Andrew Marchand said on the “Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast” this week. Van Pelt, 57, and the network are discussing a new contract, Marchand added. He previously reported that … Read more
J.J. Redick is the front-runner to join ESPN’s top NBA broadcasting team alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and game analyst Mark Jackson, according to Front Office Sports. Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson and Doc Rivers are also reportedly still in the mix for the job. The Post’s Andrew Marchand and Ryan Glasspiegel previously reported that Redick, Burke and … Read more
Ashley Brewer refuses to be defined by a job. The former “SportsCenter” anchor, who was part of ESPN’s latest round of layoffs last month, discussed the matter in a recent TikTok video, during which she responded to an internet troll. “For now when you’re on your honeymoon, real world doesn’t exist once you get back … Read more
Ashley Brewer is doing just fine, thank you very much. In a video posted to her TikTok this week, the former “SportsCenter” anchor — who was part of ESPN’s latest wave of layoffs — responded to a user who pressed about her current state of being. “Has the depression from getting laid off set in … Read more
ESPN nearly got away with this attempt to take former host Will Cain out of context in a 2019 “First Take” segment on the gender pay gap. During the 2023 ESPY Awards on Wednesday, the company presented the U.S. women’s soccer team with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for its “equal pay” dispute to be … Read more
ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes has stormed through the sports media world since joining the network in 2014 as a magazine writer. While Kimes’ voice now spans print, digital, television, radio and podcasting, she has kept her personal life pretty private. Husband Nick Sylvester has been by her side –– albeit, behind the scenes –– … Read more
Pat McAfee had some deliberate words for one of his rival commentators during his opening monologue at the ESPYs. At the annual sports awards show, the new $85 million ESPN signee and ESPYs host slammed Skip Bayless for some of his most controversial behavior. “This year, we saw one of the most inspirational things in … Read more
ESPN’s Mina Kimes walked the red carpet at the 2023 ESPY Awards with an extra guest. The well-respected NFL analyst revealed Wednesday that she is pregnant with her first child in a tweet that included a picture of her with a noticeable baby bump. “At the espys, brought a date,” Kimes, 37, wrote on Twitter … Read more
Dick Vitale, the venerable ESPN college basketball analyst, revealed a new cancer diagnosis on Wednesday. Vitale, who previously battled melanoma and Lymphoma, had vocal cord tissue removed and analyzed at Mass General in Boston earlier this week. After the analysis, Vitale announced he will be undergoing radiation to treat vocal cord cancer. “I’m sorry to … Read more
Andrew Marchand returns from vacation to offer his perspective on ESPN’s layoffs, from which high-profile on-air departure is the most surprising to educated guesses on who will call NBA games given Jeff Van Gundy’s layoff. Marchand and John Ourand go on to discuss the New York Times’ decision to scrap its sports desk and move … Read more