Regional Final games will once again be split by CBS and TBS. TBS will air the games on March 28 at 6p, while CBS will broadcast the games on March 29 starting at 2p. Coverage of the 2020 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will begin with a one-hour Selection Show on March 15, from 6-7p on CBS. NCAA Tournament game action will tip off with the NCAA First Four on truTV on March 17 & 18 starting at 6p.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports will also return March Madness Confidential, providing exclusive, behind-the-scenes access of select NCAA Tournament teams, with features airing during studio coverage and on NCAA.com, to chronicle their Tournament journeys.

PROGRAMMING

FOX Sports, meanwhile, unveiled its most expansive MLB schedule to date. For its 25th consecutive season of coverage. Highlights include an Aug. 13 battle between the White Sox and Yankees on the Dyersville farm site where Field of Dreams was shot in Iowa. June 13 will feature the Mitel & MLB Present London Series 2020 with the Cubs & Cardinals from London Stadium at 1p. FS1 is poised to carry a full slate of regular season games, beginning with the Nationals/Mets on march 28 at 4p. FOX carries regionalized action on nine Saturdays in primetime, beginning May 23 with a pair of regionalized telecasts featuring the Astros/Red Sox and Indians/Dodgers at 7p. In addition to regular season game telecasts the network returns MLB WHIPAROUND, its nightly in-season baseball-centric studio show, on March 26 at a special start time of 7:30p on FS1.

ESPN is beefing up coverage of the BNP Paribas Open from Indian Wells starting March 11. ESPN3 on the ESPN app will offer up to nine courts simultaneously and a total of more than 600 hours, featuring all ATP and WTA matches not on an ESPN TV network. The TV schedule will see 31 live hours (up from 25) and concludes with the women’s and men’s championships in an ESPN2 doubleheader March 22, at 4p. ESPN’s lead tennis host Chris Fowler will be joined by Cliff Drysdale, Chrissie Evert and Brad Gilbert.

NBC Sports will utilize an all-female crew to broadcast and produce NHL game coverage of the Blues/Blackhawks on Sunday at 7:30p on NBCSN, marking the first NHL game broadcast and produced solely by women in the U.S.. Kate Scott (play-by-play) will call the action alongside Kendall Coyne-Schofield (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) and AJ Mleczko (analyst) from United Center in Chicago. Studio coverage will start at 7p on NHL Live. Kathryn Tappen will anchor studio coverage with Jen Botterill. Game production will be led by producer Rene Hatlelid and director Lisa Seltzer. The first-of-its-kind broadcast will be in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8.

The USA Davis Cup by Rakuten Qualifier versus Uzbekistan is heading to CBSSports.com and on the CBS Sports app with Day 1 action starting at 10p and Day 2 getting started at 6p. Fans that miss the action live can also watch Day 1 action on CBS Sports Network on March 7 at 1a or March 8 at 6a.

On the local front, YouTube TV and Sinclair Broadcast Group completed a deal covering most of the FOX RSNs, keeping 19 of the 21 Sinclair-owned channel on the platform. Notably missing in the agreement, however, ate YES Network and Fox Sports Prime Ticket. “We are pleased that YouTube TV was able to agree to terms on 19 of our RSNs and that they will continue to provide subscribers with access to some of the most in-demand sports networks in the nation,” David Gibber, senior VP and general counsel of Sinclair, said in a statement.

YES Network, meanwhile, issued a statement about being dropped, noting, “YouTube TV, for its own selfish reasons and with total disregard for its YES customers, has refused to pay the market rate and accept market terms and conditions that other YES distributors have agreed to. In fact, YouTube TV sought a rate that was well below what other YES distributors are paying, and because YES keeps its word to all of its distributors, it could not make the deal.”

BTN which scored a record-breaking year for wrestling ratings with audience gains of 38%, announced its plans for the 2020 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. On March 7, sessions one and two will stream live on BTN+ with cameras on all mats and live commentary to accompany the broadcast. On March 8, session three, along with the third and fifth place mats, will stream live on BTN+, while the championship matches will air live on BTN and the FOX Sports app at 3:30p.

Finally, NESN reports that its coverage of the 2019-20 Boston Bruins season is the highest in four seasons with a year-to-date Household rating of 3.49 through 56 NESN telecasts. The 2019-20 Household rating marks a 49% increase versus the same number of telecasts last year.

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In addition, the United States Soccer Federation named squeezable snack pouch brand GoGo squeeZ as its official fruit snack. The multi-year deal will see the brand distribute fruit pouches and premium items to fans attending matches and US Soccer Development Academy events in addition to becoming the first official sponsor of the ball kids patrolling the sidelines at all US Soccer-controlled matches.

MotorTrend signed on as a sponsor for the FanShield 500 NASCAR Cup Series race in Phoenix on Sunday, serving as the lead sponsor for driver Corey LaJoie’s and Go Fas Racing team’s No. 32 Ford race car. The custom wrap, featuring MotorTrend’s logo, as well as branding for the MotorTrend App, will adorn the hood, quarter panels, decklid and rear TV panel of the Ford Mustang.

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a multi-year partnership agreement with Fuelster, bringing on-demand mobile fuel delivery to Dodger Stadium. “Fuelster is committed to revolutionizing the retail gas industry and we are honored to partner with the Dodgers, an iconic brand synonymous with the city of Los Angeles,” said Anita Siraki, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Fuelster. “Fuelster is on the cutting edge of technology with LAFD-certified equipment and a dynamic scalable platform to service the marketplace’s strong desire for on-demand solutions. Our goal is for Dodger fans to never again have to stop for fuel on the way to and home from Dodger Stadium.”

ESPORTS

As a result of worldwide health concerns regarding the coronavirus, Psyonix announced that the company was cancelling the Rocket League Season 9 World Championship live event scheduled from April 24-26 in Dallas. “We believe this is the right decision because the health and safety of our pro-players, fans, and employees are our top priority,” the company said in the statement.

Top-tier streamer Pokimane locked in a multi-year deal to remain with Twitch. Her deal was negotiated via United Talent Agency and financial terms of the deal weren’t released. Imane “Pokimane” Anys boasts more than 3.9 million followers, streaming since 2013. “Since I began my gaming career on Twitch six years ago, the platform has given me such an incredible opportunity to create content and connect with people around the world,” Anys said in a statement, per The Verge. “The community of streamers on Twitch, as well as the community I’ve built around my channel, both mean so much to me. I want to continue to make a lasting impact on the world of live streaming, and I truly believe there’s no other place that has the infrastructure and tools that will allow me to do so.”

Kwik Trip and Sprite teamed up to serve as official partners of Bucks Gaming, the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA 2K League team, for the 2020 season. Kwik Trip will provide the team with Sprite brand beverages at its downtown performance center and will receive virtual courtside signage during all Bucks Gaming regular-season home games. As part of the partnership, Bucks Gaming fans will have the chance to win a unique, behind-the-scenes trip to New York City for a regular-season Bucks Gaming matchup in July, where they’ll receive a VIP experience and meet Bucks Gaming players.

The Roland-Garros eSeries by BNP Paribas is teaming up with Team Vitality for its third outing. With the support of Team Vitality’s champion gamers, the world’s leading eTennis players will compete during the French Open in June. “Following the two previous editions of the Roland-Garros eSeries by BNP Paribas, we are looking to go even further in bringing sport and eSports together by calling on prestigious high-profile partners such as Team Vitality,” said Stéphane Morel, deputy CEO of the French Tennis Federation’s Marketing and Business Development Department.

INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES

Tennis Channel promoted Ross Schneiderman to full-time executive producer, vice president, from the senior coordinating producer role he has held since 2013. “Ross has been a principal member of our Tennis Channel family for years and the vision behind our coverage of the most important events in tennis,” said Whyley. “We’re excited that he’s agreed to join us full time and take the helm of our studio in L.A. in addition to his ongoing remote-production responsibilities. His wisdom in piloting a team of accomplished on-air and behind-the-camera talent through the course of a sports-championship event is second to none, and all while threading different narratives into a building storyline.”

The Premier Lacrosse League tapped Rachael DeCecco as the Head of PLL Academy. In her role, DeCecco will oversee all operations related to PLL Academy and spearhead the team in launching new verticals for the league’s youth initiatives.

BYUtv named Dave Phillips Jr. to oversee all studio and live event sports content and production as the network’s head sports producer. Prior to joining BYUtv in 2013, Phillips produced pre-game, halftime and post-game shows for the NBA’s Utah Jazz and Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.

SPORTS BROADCAST JOURNAL w/ DAVID J. HALBERSTAM

Madison Square Garden
MSG angers Spike Lee, the team’s most visible fan, over a formality, which door to use when he enters the building. Earlier, management didn’t invite Marv Albert to the 50-year anniversary of the team’s first title in 1970. It’s scheduled for March 21st.
Halby: In those pre cable days like 1970, Albert was the Knicks’ radio voice when there was practically no other way to follow the games. Marv was it. Fans hung on to his every word. From 1967-97 and 1998-2004, Albert called the club’s games on either TV, radio or both. Albert was not renewed by MSG Network in a dispute over money and editorial content. Imagine the Dodgers not inviting Vin Scully to a major team anniversary!
Halby’s Morsels: Ex voice, survivor of Wichita State’s 1970 plane crash, is 100!; ESPN’s analysts-only game

Tony Romo dominoes
So Tony Romo renews with CBS at $17 million per year. It makes him by far the highest paid sports announcer in television history.
Halby: Now the ripple effect. Romo in some way is being used as window dressing. Yes, it is all a matter of optics, a prelude to network negotiations with the NFL on new television deals. ESPN’s contract ends after the 2021 season, a year before the three on-air networks, CBS, Fox and NBC. All these rightsholders are eager to demonstrate to the league that they’re committed to the best talent when making billion-dollar rights proposals.
ESPN’s MNF team of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland has come under fire. Yesterday, the NY Post reported that ESPN might want to trade for NBC’s Al Michaels and potentially partner him with Peyton Manning in a dream team scenario. Rumors, rumors!
One source told me that Disney which owns ESPN and ABC is interested in retaining MNF, usurping Sunday Night Football from NBC AND running Thursday Night football in cooperation with the NFL Network. In other words, it has big plans and big dreams. As such, it would like to acquire the best talent it can.
Wackiness! Who know how it will play out! Stay tuned!
The CBS Tony Romo extension: While trillions were lost in the stock market, the popular voice hits the jackpot

For more features and sports broadcasting news click:
Sports Broadcast Journal

Birthdays (March 6-12)

Armen Keteyian March 6 Formerly The Athletic and CBS Sports
Lisa Salters March 6 ESPN reporter
Scott Franzke March 6 Phillies radio
Jacques Doucet March 8 Toronto Blue Jays announcer
Matt Lepay March 9 Voice – University of Wisconsin
Austin Carr March 10 Cleveland Cavaliers television announcer
Pam Oliver March 10 FOX Sports
Paul Burmeister March 10 Voice of Notre Dame football
Jerry Howarth March 12 Former Voice of Toronto Blue Jays
Matt Millen March 12 FOX Sports

THE MAIN EVENT

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In the Know
Who portrayed Jake Taylor in the movie Major League? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
What number did the Pacers retire to honor Reggie Miller? Answer: #31. Kudos: Keith Marder-Halstead Real Estate/NY; Scott Jenkins-Gracenote/NY; Michael Ritz-Lenox Advisors/NY; Sean Walker-OMG/NY; Tony Ferranti-MMSI/Warwick; Mike May-R2 Innovative Technologies/Wellington; Christopher Kull-The Nielsen Company/Oldsmar; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; Tom Doherty-Starcom USA/Chicago; Travis Wacker-ESPN Chicago/Chicago; Greg Moloznik-GLM Media/Scottsdale; Dan Weiner- Condé Nast/LA; Anne Wettig-FOX/FOX Sports S&P/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA