03/01/18: Blackmun steps down from USOC

Good morning. It’s Thursday March 1, 2018 and this is your first early morning Sports briefing.

United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun has resigned, with the org stating that the move was due to ongoing health issues resulting from prostate cancer. Meanwhile, Susanne Lyons, a current board member, will serve as acting CEO. The news comes as the USOC unveiled a slate of reforms and initiatives designed to protect athletes from abuse and respond quickly following multiple abuses with NGBs. Blackmun served as CEO of the USOC since 2010. The reforms put forth by the USOC include: providing new funding and resources; forming an advisory group; launching a review of the USOC and NGB governance structure; revisiting USOC SafeSport procedures; effectively doubling USOC’s funding of the Center for SafeSport; ensuring that athletes have a stronger voice within the USOC; and working with USAG to address its governance issues.

“Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us,” said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. “The USOC is at a critical point in its history. The important work that Scott started needs to continue and will require especially vigorous attention in light of Larry Nassar’s decades-long abuse of athletes affiliated with USA Gymnastics. We will be working with key stakeholders to help identify a permanent successor to Scott. In the meantime, I am confident that Susanne is the right person to help us navigate this critical transition period.”

ON THE AIR

The American Flag Football League is teaming up with NFL Network under an agreement to broadcast 11 live AFFL games and distribute highlights from the AFFL’s 2018 U.S. Open of Football Tournament; a 132 team, single-elimination tournament. The deal marks the first-ever broadcast deal for professional flag football. Games will air from June 29-July 19, concluding with the Ultimate Final where America’s Champion and the Pros’ Champion will meet in a winner take-all contest for $1 million.

CBS Sports opens March with back-to-back weekends of conference tournament championship coverage highlighted by five automatic bids awarded to the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, including the Big Ten, Missouri Valley, American Athletic, Mountain West and Atlantic 10. The action will see two automatic bids earned this weekend starting March 3 at 2p with semifinal action of the Big Ten tournament.

Around the dial, ESPN will be home to more than 25 men’s conference championships, with exclusive coverage of 170 games over 12 days across all networks. Television coverage as part of Champ Week presented by Principal begins Saturday. Complementing game coverage, hosts John Brickley, Chris Cotter, Kevin Connors and Adnan Virk, with analysts Tom Crean, Dalen Cuff, Dan Dakich, LaPhonso Ellis, Seth Greenberg, Robbie Hummel, Chris Spatola and Jay Williams will discuss the matchups and latest news throughout Champ Week as Selection Sunday approaches.

On the women’s side, ESPN’s coverage of Champ Week will feature a record 184 women’s basketball games across all networks with more than 25 conferences playing across television and digital platforms, culminating with the exclusive reveal of the NCAA Women’s Championship bracket on Selection Monday on March 12. Complete coverage of every matchup for seven conference tournaments: ACC (14), American Athletic (11), America East (8), Horizon League (9), MAAC (10), Ohio Valley (7) and SEC (13). Host Maria Taylor will be in the studio alongside analysts Andy Landers and Rebecca Lobo on Sunday, March 4, discussing all the action on ESPN2.

FOX Sports announced that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will join analyst Joe Rogan and blow-by-blow announcer Jon Anik to call UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya from Las Vegas on Saturday. Reporter Megan Olivi interviews fighters on-site. UFC heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum, Marlon “Chito” Vera and Victor Davila call the Spanish language telecast on FOX Deportes.

ESPN is moving the MEAC/SWAC Challenge – an early season matchup of HBCU football teams from the MEAC and the SWAC – to Atlanta at “Pete Petit Field” at Georgia State Stadium beginning in 2018. On Sunday, Sept. 2, the ESPN Events-owned and operated game will see the SWAC’s Prairie View A&M take on MEAC team North Carolina Central live on ESPN2.

In international waters, GLORY and FOX Sports Latin America announced a multi-year broadcast deal that will allow stand-up combat fans in Latin America to watch live GLORY events. The media package was negotiated by MP & Silva and will see FOX Sports air every GLORY numbered event to over 50 million households in Mexico, Central America and South America, excluding Brazil.

Meanwhile, FIGHT SPORTS has come to terms to acquire exclusive rights to the Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker World Heavyweight Championship event. This event will be broadcast live on March 31 with FIGHT SPORTS securing rights in over 30 countries.

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SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION

A day after news brake that Papa John’s would be pulling out of its blanket deal with the NFL, the league ordered up a new agreement, locking in a partnership with Pizza Hut as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL. The multi-year agreement will offer Pizza Hut a “vast array of exclusive marketing rights, benefits and designations that will unmistakably connect the brand with the NFL and its teams, players, events, partners, properties and the many NFL experiences that capture the passion of consumers and football fans from all over the world.” “Pizza Hut has a history of bringing more entertaining food and experiences to the pizza occasion and we plan to continue that through our exclusive partnership with the NFL,” said Artie Starrs, President, Pizza Hut U.S. “NFL stadiums are packed every week but tens of millions of fans are also watching the game at home. We have an unmatched ability to bring those fans closer to the sport thanks to the power of our 7,200 restaurants and 150,000 football-crazed team members. The capacity for what’s possible is endless and that’s going to make this league partnership great fun for Pizza Hut, the NFL and everyone who loves pizza and football.”

National OREO Day is bringing in the big guns, announcing that Shaquille O’Neal will help the brand celebrate on March 6 as the company blankets the country with chocolate candy thanks to the #OREOBirthdayGiveaway, which has 1 million free OREO Chocolate Candy Bars up for grabs. Additionally, Shaq will be hosting a pop-up “Snack Shaq” in his hometown of Atlanta.

Pacific Pro Football and adidas announced a multiyear partnership with adidas to become a founding partner of the league. As a founding partner, adidas will embed with Pacific Pro’s management team in the formation of the league in addition to becoming the exclusive footwear and apparel supplier for Pacific Pro’s inaugural four teams. Together with Pacific Pro Football, adidas will lead on all aspects of branding, marketing, and uniform design, as well as contribute to league development.

DIGITAL & STREAMING

Amazon Prime Video is bringing UFC Pay-Per-View events to customers in the US starting Saturday. Events, including UFC 222, will be available for purchase on Prime Video on an event-by-event basis, with no Prime membership required. Beginning today, customers can pre-order UFC 222 for $64.99. UFC Pay-Per-View events on Prime Video will be available for pre-order and can be purchased up to four hours after the start of the live program. Customers will have rewind capability of up to an hour during the live event and will have access to replay coverage after its conclusion for 24 hours.

Olympic Channel opened the door to The Nagano Tapes, telling the underdog story behind the Czech Republic’s upset at the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998 in men’s ice hockey. The documentary marks the first film in the Olympic Channel’s signature series Five Rings Films and will run on olympicchannel.com and its mobile apps, in addition to telecasts on NBCSN in the United States, Eurosport in Europe and beIN Sports in MENA.

ESPORTS

In this week’s edition of Cynopsis Esports & Gaming…

Overwatch League’s Nanzer explores the future
Smash Masters League’s first punch
Betway sees ESL as safe gamble
TwitchCon heads north
Exploring the Mob mentality
Spotlight: G2 Esports
January brings gaming riches
DICE’s Wild winners

ROSTER MOVES

CSE announced a slew of promotions from within the sports marketing & sponsorship agency, including the promotion of Daniel Goldstein to Vice President. Other names include Cc Coleman elevated to Account Director, Dave Peters to Senior Account Manager, Stefanie Stephens and Anna Diez to Account Manager and Maddie Lockridge to Account Executive.

THE MAIN EVENT

Penguins/Bruins on NBCSN at 7p.

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ON THIS DAY in 1988: Wayne Gretzky passes Gordie Howe for the most career NHL assists with number 1050.

In the Know: Who has played the most NBA games as a member of the Nets? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city.)

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question: What is the name of Mr. T’s character in Rocky III? Answer: (James) Clubber Lang. Kudos: Rob Casalaina-ITN/NY; Brian Schweibert-Publicis Media/NY; Mike Polvere-Optimum Sports/NY; Michael Dittelman/NY; Rick Hensley-WCYB/Bristol; John Hein-Baltimore Golfing/Baltimore; Marcus Matthews-The Undefeated/DC; Anthony Stellato-Charter Communications/Stamford; John Ward-Tennis Media/Chicago; Andy Nelson-Heartland Industries/Richland; Kristin Staskowski-Spectrum Reach/Birmingham; Kevin Micklo- Pinnacle Advertising/Chicago; Larry Hutchings/Nipomo; Alex Falk-Endeavor/LA; Jim Himmel-TCB Media/San Clemente; Bob Ramsey/Palm Springs

Later – Chris

Chris Pursell @VegasandVine
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