For the first time ever for a Winter Olympics, NBC Sports will serve up its broadcast network’s Olympics primetime and Prime Plus shows in certain markets in the 4K Ultra High Definition format with High Dynamic Range and ATMOS sound. NBC’s primetime coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will also be presented in 4K HDR. Events which will be featured in 4K HDR during the Winter Olympics primetime and Prime Plus shows include figure skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, bobsled, and other sports. NBCUniversal will distribute the 4K HDR coverage to U.S. distribution partners, who will individually choose how to make the content available to their customers.

PROGRAMMING

Meanwhile, NBC Sports’ presentation of Super Bowl LVI locked in its talent lineup for Feb. 13, on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock. In all, a record 27 hosts, analysts, and commentators will be in eight locations around Los Angeles and at SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl Sunday. Al Michaels joins Cris Collinsworth, with Michele Tafoya and Kathryn Tappen as sideline reporters and Terry McAulay as rules analyst. The Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show features host Mike Tirico, while Maria Taylor makes her Super Bowl hosting debut, starting Sunday’s pregame show at the famed Santa Monica Pier, before heading to the field at SoFi Stadium

FOX Sports hits its 19th DAYTONA 500 and 22nd consecutive season of NASCAR coverage Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway, covering Daytona Speedweeks with more than 40 hours of live programming. Live prerace coverage begins on FS1 with NASCAR RACEDAY at 11a, before the show’s move to FOX at 1p.

Draymond Green inked a deal with Turner Sports with an exclusive, multi-year agreement that will see him make appearances on TNT’s Inside the NBA, among additional content initiatives throughout the Turner Sports and Bleacher Report portfolio, as an active player. “Draymond is an incredibly versatile talent, both on the court and in front of the camera,” said Tara August, Senior Vice President, Talent Services and Special Projects, Turner Sports. “He’s a team player in every sense, while offering a distinct perspective that is highlighted by his keen basketball IQ, charismatic delivery and forthright, thoughtful opinions that include and extend beyond sports. We’re thrilled to more formally welcome him to the Turner Sports family.”

In addition, Turner Sports is tapping the talents of musician and composer Jon Batiste to usher in the madness of the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship with his song “Freedom” serving as the musical backdrop of this year’s event. The video was filmed in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, La, Batiste’s hometown and location of the 2022 Final Four. This year, TBS will broadcast the NCAA Final Four National Semifinals on April 2, along with the National Championship on April 4.

The Loyola Project, a film from O’Malley Creadon Productions highlighting the historic 1963 Loyola Ramblers, is set to premiere on CBS Sports Network on Feb. 7 at 9p in celebration of Black History Month. A one-hour version of the documentary will air on the CBS Television Network and stream live on Paramount+ on April 2 at 1p.

NHL Network carries Henrik Lundqvist’s jersey retirement ceremony today, at 6:30p, followed by the Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers game at 8p. Part two of NHL Network’s interview with Lundqvist by NHL Network analyst and former Ranger Mike Rupp will air during Friday’s NHL Now and NHL Tonight, beginning at 4p.

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SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION

Hyundai signed on as a founding partner of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Hyundai’s multi-year sponsorship includes Hollywood Park, SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater and American Airlines Plaza, as well as team deals with both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. “Being an official vehicle sponsor of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, along with the Rams and Chargers provides us a tremendous opportunity to communicate about our products and future mobility innovations,” said Angela Zepeda, CMO, Hyundai Motor America. “Those attending games or events will not miss the Hyundai branding, while learning more about our commitment to a zero emissions future.”

Team USA athletes took off Thursday morning aboard a special Delta charter flight from Los Angeles to deliver them to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. “These athletes will be competing and representing the United States without family, friends or fans in the stands. So, we’re determined to make this first Team USA-only charter an unforgettable experience – one where athletes feel as special during their journey as we feel proud watching them compete,” said Tim Mapes, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

The 2022 Truly Hard Seltzer NHL Fan Fair at the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall will be the site of the seventh NHL Mascot Showdown presented by Upper Deck as part of the 2022 Honda NHL®All-Star Weekend, Feb. 3-6, in Las Vegas. Competition will range from Dodgeball to a Skills competition. “We are excited to bring puck fans of all ages together to experience the NHL Mascot Showdown like never before,” said Jodi Wasserman, Vice President of Marketing at Upper Deck. “Throughout the weekend we will be offering a variety of fun, family-friendly activities including Box Hockey, Pack Wars, Mascot BINGO, and more! Visit the Upper Deck Rink or Booth for a full schedule of events.”

The makers of Hormel Chili unveiled the first-ever Hormel Chili Cheese Keg, described as a gameday appetizer innovation that combines Hormel Chili and cheese inside a fully functioning half-barrel keg. From Jan. 26 to Feb. 6, 2022, fans can enter for the chance to win it head of the “Big Game.” “We know fans want to snack big when they watch the most important football game of the year, but they also want to add some excitement to their usual options,” said Corrine Hjelmen, Hormel® Chili Brand Manager. “We thought what better way to show our fans how Hormel Chili can pour on the excitement than by creating a never-before attempted innovation – the Hormel Chili Cheese Keg – that would become the life of their Big Game party.”

The Pac-12 announced that Paycor HCM, a provider of human capital management software, has been named the official HR software provider, and the official partner of the Pac-12 Football Championship Game, the Pac-12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, and the newly-created Pac-12 Baseball Tournament, slated to debut in Scottsdale this May. Paycor will also collaborate with the league on an annual Pac-12 Leadership Summit. The Paycor-sponsored event will focus on team leadership, and feature conference alumni student athletes and business leaders.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and Opendorse announced a partnership that will provide all NAIA athletes with access to the market’s NIL solutions. Additionally, Opendorse will launch a NAIA-specific marketplace, empowering student-athletes to connect with supporters for compliant NIL deals.

Menswear brand Swet Tailor teamed up with the Reese’s Senior Bowl for a second time to exclusively sponsor the off-the-field wardrobe for players, coaches and staff. “Everything we do here at the Senior Bowl is about creating a better experience for our players and that includes our partnerships,” says Jim Nagy, Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. “Swet Tailor is an incredible emerging brand and our players absolutely loved their SWET gear last year.”

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

EA SPORTS officially introduced playable women’s teams and full rosters to NHL 22 for the very first time with the inclusion of the IIHF Women’s Teams and World Championships in the latest patch update. “It has been such a privilege to lace up my digital skates for the very first time in NHL 22, and to get to do so while playing for my country makes it all the more surreal,” said Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin. “Representation matters, and I’m thrilled that every young girl who picks up a controller to play NHL 22 can feel like hockey is a sport for her, too.”

ESPN Enterprises and Vivid Seats announced a multi-year renewal of their relationship. As the Official Ticketing Partner of ESPN, Vivid Seats will continue to provide ESPN users and sports fans with access to tickets for sporting events. Since 2017. “Our partnership with ESPN will continue to leverage our state-of-the-art technology platform to ensure that it can provide ESPN’s impressive base of users with a highly personalized, seamless ticketing experience only Vivid Seats can provide,” said Geoff Lester, Chief Commercial Officer at Vivid Seats. “As we continue to partner with category leaders like ESPN, the extension of our relationship is another strategic step in solidifying Vivid Seats’ position as the marketplace of choice.”

Candy Digital announced the lineup of athletes headlining its inaugural “Candy Sweet Futures” college basketball collection: Gonzaga University’s Chet Holmgren, University of Memphis’s Jalen Duren, University of Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley, University of Alabama’s JD Davison and University of Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens. Each player will have four different rarities including a 1-of-1 auction, Epic, Rare and a four-day open Core edition.

ESPORTS

Fnatic and Nielsen Sports teamed up for ‘The ROI of Esports,’ research that states how some of the world’s leading esports teams have more than doubled their ROI for their sponsors in the past two years. Among the findings was data that esports’ audience base is growing at between 10-20% per year and that 73% of Gen-Z and millennials report using some level of ad-blockers. Meanwhile, leading teams in the League of Legends European Championships had more than doubled their ROI for their sponsors from 2019 (2.1x) to the present day (4.5x), as a result of the maturing ecosystem, while the average Return on Media Investment (ROMI) for sponsoring Fnatic was higher (4.5x) than sponsoring some high-profile traditional sports events and teams.

SPORTFIVE and Bad Moon Talent announced a new strategic partnership that will expand the capabilities for both companies in esports and gaming. As part of the partnership, the agencies will work together to provide properties and companies with customized strategic solutions to maximize their investments and activities in esports and gaming.

BLAST Premier announced a two-year partnership extension with premium audio peripherals provider, EPOS. EPOS became BLAST’s official audio partner in February 2020 and the extended deal will see the continuation of the ‘Push to Talk’ podcast series into a second season.

INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES

IMG Academy announced the formation of its Women in Sports Committee dedicated to improving accessibility and participation of young women in sports. Among the members will be athletes and personalities that include Cari Champion, Dany Garcia, Lindsay Davenport and Lindsey Vonn.

The Heisman Trophy Trust today announced the election of Dan Reed, Vice President of Global Media at Meta, and Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Kids & Family Entertainment Brand, ViacomCBS to the board of trustees. Reed and Smalls join the Trust as the organization looks to further its mission of utilizing sports and educational opportunities to enhance the lives of underserved youth in diverse communities across the country.

SPORTS BROADCAST JOURNAL w/David J. Halberstam

We’re all thinking football this weekend! Other things going on too. Baseball, football, hockey and more; youngsters on the way up and some old timers in the picture too.
Halby’s Morsels: The Mannings; What’s next for MNF and Thursday nights?; Garagiola; A-Rod and Kay

Rex Chapman is in at CNN; The thick voiced Ron Franklin passed at 79. Rex is picking himself up off the mat. Franklin, who conducted himself for his polite Mississippi tradition, was bounced by ESPN for uttering questionable words to women. He is being remembered as a southern gentleman.
Shoplifter Rex Chapman hired by CNN; Ron Franklin who died was booted by ESPN for sexist comments

Stamp and label the NFL’s last weekend of breathtaking games. The broadcasts were wonderful, one better than the rest. I have criticism for one of the play-by-players.
Unforgettable weekend of end-game finishes; 3 on FGs and one in OT; Voices differed but were remarkable

Noise and hearing loss can be a killer. It can lead to ringing in the ears. Fifty million Americans suffer from it. For announcers it’s one of the most annoying challenges you’ll face. Barbara Streisand and William Shatner are afflicted with it and so am I. There’s no cure. Dr. Tricia Scaglione of the University of Miami suggests treatment and more.
Are your ears ringing? Do you call games in loud venues? Is it tinnitus? Expert audiologist breaks it down

Happy Birthdays
Bill White 1/28 Former Yankees announcer
Katie Nolan 1/28 ESPN
Len Deluca 1/29 Former ESPN and CBS Executive
Ken Korach 1/30 Oakland A’s Radio voice
John Rooney 1/30 St. Louis Cards radio
Chuck Swirsky 1/30 Chicago Bulls
Mychal Thompson 1/30 Lakers radio
Jalen Rose -1/30 – ESPN
John Minko 1/31 St. John’s basketball
Rod Gilmore 1/31 ESPN
John Shorthouse 1/31 Vancouver Canucks
Dave Logan 2/2 Denver Nuggets
Michael Kay 2/2 NY Yankees/ESPN
Kenny Albert 2/2 Fox and Rangers
Marc Moser 2/2 Colorado Avalanche
Bob Griese 2/3 Ex-ABC Sports

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ON THIS DAY in
1960: The NFL announced franchises for the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.

IN THE KNOW
The main con in the movie “The Sting” revolved around what sport? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
The “Auld Mug” is the unofficial name for the trophy of what sporting event? Answer: America’s Cup. Kudos: Michael Ritz-Lenox Advisors/NY; Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton; Michael Narracci-New England Sports Network/Watertown; Roger Furman-Sports Marketing Communications/Greentown; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo

Cynopsis Team