Ted Sarandos talks about Netflix’s interest in NFL rights; Jimmy Pitaro discuss ESPN’s future with The Walt Disney Company; and Jalen Rose will be on Friday’s edition of “Inside the NBA” on ESPN. Plus news on John Fanta, MLB Network, Hearst and 97.1 The Ticket.

Sarandos: Netflix interested in acquiring more NFL/sports rights if economics make sense

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said that Netflix is “always interested” in acquiring additional NFL and sports rights “if the economics make sense.” Sarandos, speaking after Netflix granted Warner Bros. Discovery a seven-day waiver to engage with Paramount on a potential sale, discussed the importance of Netflix acquiring something the company can own. As an example, he cited the company’s Christmas Day presentation, which has included a doubleheader and musical performance. Netflix is entering the final season of the three-year deal for these games, reportedly worth $150 million annually.

Sarandos’ comments come as the NFL is expected to explore early discussions surrounding its media rights. The league is able to exercise an opt out for most of its national television contracts following the 2029 season (after the 2030 season for The Walt Disney Company). John Ourand of Puck recently reported that the NFL has been meeting with streaming companies to sell a package of four international games and the Week 1 contest in Australia.

During an appearance at Bloomberg “Screentime” event last October, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said that acquiring a full NFL game package did not fit with its strategy based on the current understanding. Furthermore, he said that Netflix is “unlikely to bid” for NFL rights in 2029 when they will be available and also said that the company is trying to be disciplined in its investment. Since that time, Netflix has continued to lean into ‘eventizing’ sports, evidenced through its “Skyscraper Live” special and three-year deal for select Major League Baseball games.

While speaking with CNBC, Sarandos accused Paramount of “flooding the zone with confusion for shareholders” in its quest to enter into a deal to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery and signaled confidence in his company’s winning bid, which he reiterated is the “only signed deal.” Sarandos did not say if Netflix is willing to pay more than its current agreement, which is worth $27.75/share and keeps Discovery Global as a standalone company.

Pitaro believes ESPN to be “a big part of” Disney strategy/future

Appearing on CNBC last Friday, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro dismissed concerns about Disney potentially spinning off the sports media company, which he described as “a big part of The Walt Disney Company’s strategy and future.” He specifically cited next year’s Super Bowl on ESPN/ABC (“everyone in the company is mobilizing around this event”), the bundling of ESPN content on and in Disney+ and Hulu, and the inclusion of ABC in ESPN’s rights negotiations.

Pitaro was responding to questions about whether Disney’s approach to ESPN might change under incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro, noting that he had spoken to D’Amaro several times since he was named Bob Iger‘s successor and that they are “very much aligned” on the subject of ESPN. “He very much understands the power of live sports,” Pitaro said. “We all understand the power of live sports at Disney. All you have to do is look at our ratings and look at our digital growth and what we’re doing on social, but Josh especially gets it, so we’re very pleased.”

There has long been speculation that Disney could pursue a spinoff of ESPN, as Pitaro himself noted — saying that he has heard those rumors since he debuted as ESPN president eight years ago.

Pitaro said that ESPN looks to remove friction for sports fans and is interested in creating more options. ESPN has bundle options with other streaming platforms for its direct-to-consumer service, including Fox One and NFL+, and Pitaro said the company would also be willing to listen if the new owner of Warner Bros. Discovery was interested.

Rose appearing on Friday edition of “Inside the NBA” on ESPN

Former ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose will fill in for Shaquille O’Neal on Friday’s TNT-produced NBA studio shows on ESPN, it was announced Wednesday, marking his first appearance on ESPN since the network included him as part of its layoffs three years ago. Rose served as a guest analyst on TNT’s NBA shows multiple times last season. O’Neal will be back on the show this Saturday, as well as the Sunday episode airing on ABC.

The Friday episode of “Inside the NBA” marks the second time that the program will feature a guest analyst instead of all four regular cast members in Ernie Johnson Charles Barkley, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and the aforementioned O’Neal. Earlier in the season, Chris Webber was on an episode in place of Barkley.

Rose continues to work for TNT Sports as a college basketball analyst, appearing in studio for coverage of Big East and Big 12 basketball. He was previously part of the cast of “NBA Countdown” from 2012 to 2023 spanning multiple iterations of the show. During his ESPN tenure, he also co-hosted the “Jalen & Jacoby” show alongside David Jacoby and “The Grantland Basketball Hour” opposite Bill Simmons.

Rose was among the longest-tenured ESPN employees affected by the layoffs, which took place as the company aimed to slash costs by $5.5 billion. Some of the other ESPN personalities who lost their jobs included Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber and Max Kellerman among others.

Plus: John Fanta, MLB Network, Hearst, 97.1 The Ticket

John Fanta will make his play-by-play debut for the “NBA on NBC” on Tuesday as the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Portland Trail Blazers, Sports Media Watch has confirmed. Fanta, who joined NBC Sports in August as a play-by-play voice and reporter, will work alongside Jamal Crawford and Grant Liffmann on the assignment.
MLB Network will condense its annual series featuring behind-the-scenes access and interviews from all 30 MLB spring training camps in Florida and Arizona into eight days, ending before the World Baseball Classic, Sports Media Watch has learned. The network’s “30 Clubs, 30 Camps” series will officially launch Monday, Feb. 23 and air on consecutive editions of “MLB Tonight” at 6 and 7 PM ET. The series, which begins with the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Orioles and Royals and ends with Team USA, features Greg Amsinger, Robert Flores, Siera Santos, Lauren Shehadi, Yonder Alonso, Cliff Floyd, Jake Peavy and Chris Young.
Hearst president/CEO Steven Swartz wrote in his annual letter to colleagues that the company will be “on the lookout” for merger and acquisitions opportunities in the coming year, citing in part the fact that Netflix “doesn’t feel itself big enough without further acquisition.” Hearst owns 50% of A+E Global Media and an 18% minority stake in ESPN.
Audacy-owned 97.1 The Ticket has signed a multiyear broadcast partnership extension with the Detroit Lions to continue airing preseason, regular season and postseason games, it was announced on Wednesday. The station has been the radio home of Lions football since 2021 after a previous 11-year stint, and it will also continue airing the in-season “Lions Review Show.”