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Could Eli Manning be ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ wild card?
ESPN may lose Peyton Manning’s ManningCast as the Indianapolis Colts approach the Hall‑of‑Famer to run their front office with an ownership stake, according to Dan Patrick. The move would leave ESPN scrambling for a new Monday Night Football partner for Joe Buck, whose contract runs through 2031, especially as Troy Aikman’s renewal stalls and Greg Olsen is poised to replace him. Meanwhile, the ManningCast’s ratings have plummeted from its 2021 debut, dropping to just 705,000 viewers for the season‑opening Broncos‑Chiefs game. With the Colts’ interest and ESPN’s booth shake‑up, the network faces a pivotal decision on its MNF commentary lineup.
Disney+ adding Star Wars altcast for Super Bowl LXI
Disney and ESPN are debuting a Star Wars‑themed animated alt‑cast for Super Bowl LXI, dubbed "Star Wars Funday Football." The live stream will air on Disney+, the ESPN app, Disney Channel and Disney XD on Feb. 14, 2027, featuring characters from the Lucasfilm universe and C‑3PO voiced by Anthony Daniels. It joins the previously announced ManningCast and Pat McAfee Field Pass, extending ESPN’s family‑friendly Funday Football brand to the NFL's biggest game.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein joins 247Sports, will still appear on CBS broadcasts
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein announced that his daily written pieces will move to 247Sports while he continues as an on‑air personality for CBS Sports. Rothstein, who has covered the sport for CBS since 2010 and reported on the NCAA Tournament since 2021, said the shift expands his reach to dedicated college‑basketball fans. 247Sports head Adam Stanco praised Rothstein’s “unmatched” intel, promising exclusive team‑specific coverage for subscribers. Rothstein will still appear on CBS studio shows, sideline reports, and the Inside College Basketball Now podcast.
Jay-Z reportedly books himself for Super Bowl LXI halftime show
Sources say Roc Nation founder Jay‑Z has chosen himself to headline Super Bowl LXI’s halftime show, beating out Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Dave Brooks of Puck reports the decision felt inevitable after weeks of deliberation, even though the NFL typically announces its headliner in September. Roc Nation has staged shows for Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre’s crew, Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, the latter sparking political backlash and record viewership. Jay‑Z now faces the challenge of matching Bad Bunny’s 128.2 million‑viewer performance in February.
Dan Quinn denies video evidence he didn’t know it was fourth down
The Washington Commanders fell to the San Francisco 49ers as head coach Dan Quinn faces fresh criticism for a baffling 4th‑and‑2 play. In the second quarter, quarterback Jayden Daniels tossed the ball away on 4th down from the 12‑yard line, while video shows Quinn signaling for a field‑goal unit before realizing the down. Quinn later claimed he knew it was 4th down, sparking debate over who misread the situation. The mishap adds to recent game‑management blunders that have left the Commanders far from their NFC Championship form.
John Strong announced as new voice of Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Fox Sports' lead soccer play-by‑play announcer John Strong will take over as the in‑venue voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, replacing Michael J. LaFave after 25 years. Strong, who has called the FIFA World Cup and Masters Agility Championship, will announce the show’s 151st edition in February 2027, streamed live on Netflix. The event’s daytime breed shows will stream on the club’s website and YouTube on Jan. 30, with the Masters Agility Championship later on Netflix. Club president Dr. Donald Sturz praised Strong’s sporting pedigree and love of dogs.
Michael Robinson apologizes after implying Jalen Hurts was faking injury
Michael Robinson apologizes after suggesting Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was faking a blood clot injury. Hurts was diagnosed with a superficial clot before the London game, then a deep‑vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, sidelining him for the season. Robinson’s on‑air comments implying the team was using the injury as an excuse sparked backlash, prompting a public apology on October 20, 2026. The piece also notes other media takes on the situation, including Tom Pelissero, Mike Florio and Adam Schefter, and raises questions about the timeline and transparency of the Eagles’ health disclosures.
‘Intentional Talk’ coming to an end after 16 years on MLB Network
MLB Network confirms that 'Intentional Talk' will end after 16 seasons, with its final broadcast slated for Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, following the World Series. Hosts Siera Santos, former pitcher Ryan Dempster, and longtime co‑host Kevin Millar addressed the surprise announcement on Monday, sharing emotional reflections and gratitude for fans and staff. Millar, part of the show since its 2011 debut, delivered an extended farewell monologue, while the network praised the program’s role in delivering baseball personalities and humor to generations. The series concludes a notable era in MLB’s daily coverage.
Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Arch Manning has ‘got to go back to college for another year’
ESPN draft veteran Mel Kiper Jr. tells Texas quarterback Arch Manning he should stay in college another year before entering the NFL. After Texas rose to No. 1 with wins over Ohio State, back‑to‑back losses to unranked Oklahoma and Florida have intensified criticism of Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli. Kiper, on the First Draft show, compares Manning’s path to the Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love‑Aaron Rodgers model and suggests a three‑year stay. Despite posting a 63.9% completion rate, 1,295 yards, 11 TDs and five interceptions this season, Kiper says Manning still lacks consistency and needs to prove himself.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Amazon extension reportedly for three seasons, with yearly buyout options
Kirk Herbstreit signs a three‑year extension with Amazon Prime Video to stay as lead analyst for Thursday Night Football, earning over $10 million per year. The deal includes buyout options after years 1 and 2, letting Amazon replace him if they secure top target Sean McVay, who may move into broadcasting. While Herbstreit’s on‑air chemistry with Al Michaels ranks 8th in recent NFL broadcaster polls, insiders say the contract is solid for him given his other roles. Amazon is also weighing future talent moves, but McVay remains their primary goal.
NBC schedules USC-Ohio State on Halloween for fifth-straight Trojans primetime game
NBC slots the USC‑Ohio State showdown for Halloween night, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking the Trojans' fifth consecutive primetime appearance on the network. It's the first meeting of the two schools as Big Ten members and the Buckeyes' inaugural NBC game of the season. USC, now 6‑1 and ranked No. 16, has been NBC’s go‑to primetime team since a loss to Oregon, following wins over Washington and Penn State, with a primetime road game at Wisconsin on Oct. 24 preceding the Ohio State clash. The broadcast schedule reflects NBC’s limited Big Ten rights and USC’s evening‑slot availability.
Nick Sirianni met with media about Jalen Hurts’ health, didn’t have much to add
The Philadelphia Eagles confirm that quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the season after tests revealed multiple blood clots in his lungs, following an earlier diagnosis of a superficial clot in his calf. Head coach Nick Sirianni faced five minutes of questioning at a Monday press conference but repeatedly deferred to the team’s medical staff, emphasizing he is not a medical expert and that player health is the franchise’s top priority. Despite clarifications from Hurts’ agent about his sleep and travel, the Eagles have provided limited details, leaving many questions unanswered.
CBS’ Leger Douzable ponders message Eagles are sending with handling of Jalen Hurts
CBS NFL analyst Leger Douzable calls the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood‑clot diagnosis “disturbing,” questioning the message it sends to teammates and free agents. Hurts was reportedly forced to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London after a 36‑hour sleepless stretch, despite doctors warning of lung clots that later spread from his calf. Douzable argues the franchise should have prioritized Hurts' health over competition, highlighting the risks of playing with active clots and the broader cultural implications for the locker room.
Boomer Esiason concerned NFL game could inspire rioters in Paris
Boomer Esiason warns that the NFL’s International Series game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris could fuel the current civil unrest sparked by student protests. Amid reports of 1,500 damaged shops, over 2,000 arrests and an 11 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew, Esiason questions why Commissioner Roger Goodell is pressing ahead. The league says security plans remain on track, but the situation raises concerns about holding the first regular‑season NFL game in France during riots.
Mike Breen defends Fox’s Joe Davis over Dodgers call criticism: ‘I don’t see any bias at all’
During ESPN’s 2026-27 NBA season preview, veteran broadcaster Mike Breen defended Fox’s Joe Davis against claims of Dodgers bias in national baseball coverage. Breen, who called the Knicks’ first title since 1973, said he hears no partiality, citing Davis’s balanced calls during the Dodgers‑Mets NLCS and recent World Series. He noted fan passion often fuels perceived bias and compared it to his own experience navigating enthusiasm for the Knicks in the NBA Finals. Davis, on The Awful Announcing podcast, said he ignores the criticism and even deactivated his Twitter to avoid the noise. The exchange highlights the challenges announcers face when juggling team and national duties.
Bill Simmons doesn’t want to hear ‘the victim thing’ for Troy Aikman amid ESPN contract uncertainty
On the October 19 episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons pushes back against the narrative that ESPN abandoned Troy Aikman in favor of Joe Buck. He suggests the real issue may be Aikman's contract demands—potentially $25‑30 million—rather than any victim‑hood. Both broadcasters entered the final year of their 2026 deals; ESPN recently extended Buck with a six‑year, $108 million contract but left Aikman's future hanging. Simmons also points to Aikman's controversial Miami Dolphins consulting stint, which ended amid conflict‑of‑interest concerns, as a factor dampening sympathy. He proposes ESPN replace Aikman with the Manning brothers or eventually Greg Olsen. The discussion highlights contract negotiations, media narratives, and the shifting landscape of NFL broadcast talent.
Paved paradise: This past college football weekend is why we watch, a 24-team CFP makes it irrelevant
Saturday’s college football slate delivered the chaos fans love: No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 Alabama and No. 7 Texas all fell, with Texas and Alabama now perched on the CFP bubble and two Goliaths defeated by unranked foes. Writer Aaron McMann argues that the upcoming 24‑team playoff will nullify the stakes of such upsets, turning one‑loss teams into safe bets and eroding the “schadenfreude” that fuels fan engagement. He warns that this shift will make regular‑season games forgettable, likening them to NFL contests, and questions whether college football can retain its unique drama.
Aaron Glenn press conference goes dark after question about viral halftime interview
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn sparks controversy after a halftime CBS interview where he mistakenly said the team would "get the ball" to start the second half – only for New England to receive the kickoff and beat the Jets by a touchdown. When reporters pressed him about the gaffe at Monday's press conference, the live feed blacked out before he could answer, then resumed as he clarified he was discussing the Jets' offensive woes, not the kickoff. Despite a strong third‑quarter shutout of the Patriots and a four‑point comeback, the Jets fall short 24‑14, leaving fans questioning Glenn's awareness.
Dave Portnoy claims Fox wants ‘Wake Up Barstool’ to talk more Cowboys
Dave Portnoy says Fox executives are pressuring his Wake Up Barstool show to lead every segment with the Dallas Cowboys, even after the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Portnoy, who recently left Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, claims the network wants “more Cowboys talk” to mimic ESPN’s ratings‑boosting strategy that leans heavily on the franchise. He mocks the network’s “bat phone” directives and notes the continued media obsession with the Cowboys despite mixed results on Fox’s college‑football programming.
Tom Pelissero frames Jalen Hurts diagnosis as tough-guy story rather than organizational malpractice
Tom Pelissero, now with The Ringer and Netflix, first reported that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the season after new scans revealed multiple lung blood clots. He later portrayed Hurts’ decision to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London—while reportedly awake for 36 hours—as a heroic, ‘tough‑guy’ narrative, drawing criticism for ignoring possible organizational negligence. Critics question why the Eagles let a sleep‑deprived, blood‑clot‑afflicted player take the field, allowed him to fly home, and omitted the condition from the final injury report. The article argues the story is being misframed as inspirational rather than a serious safety failure.
Media revenue gains from CFP expansion will be minimal on per-school basis
ESPN and the College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next season, adding $345 million in payments—a 26% rise over the current $1.3 billion deal. After rebates from eliminated conference championship games, the net new revenue is about $155 million yearly. Distributing this across schools yields modest gains: SEC and Big Ten programs get roughly $2.8 M and $2.5 M extra per school, ACC and Big 12 about $1.5 M each, and Group 6 schools just $200 K. This increment covers barely 10% of the $21.5 M schools must allocate to athletes under the House v. NCAA settlement, raising questions about the expansion’s value.
Dan Patrick: Colts reaching out to Peyton Manning about GM job, ownership stake
The Indianapolis Colts, fresh off GM Chris Ballard’s firing, are reportedly reaching out to Hall‑of‑Famer Peyton Manning about a dual role as general manager and part‑owner. Dan Patrick revealed on his radio show that the team’s first call has already been made to Manning, who could also help select the next quarterback. The move would mark the first major hire under Jim Irsay’s daughters and could bring Manning back to Indy after years of media work with the ManningCast, which has seen declining viewership. Sources say Manning’s family’s preferences may be the final hurdle.
NFL is full steam ahead on Paris game amid civil unrest
Despite widespread protests and occasional riots over France’s cost‑of‑living crisis, the NFL confirms its International Series matchup proceeds as planned. The New Orleans Saints arrive Monday and the Pittsburgh Steelers later in the week for the league’s first ever game in Paris at Stade de France on Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network. The league says preparations continue, security is coordinated with local authorities, and no disruptions have occurred yet. The event will test the NFL’s ability to manage overseas challenges as it eyes a broader global schedule.
The Chase still has NASCAR chasing its former viewership
NASCAR’s revived postseason format, The Chase, fails to spark viewership growth, averaging only 1.62 million fans across six 2026 Cup Series races—a mere 1% rise from last year. The latest Charlotte race dropped to 1.48 million, a 15% decline and the steepest dip of the schedule, while even Prime Video’s summer lineup outpaced the Chase’s cable broadcasts. analysts, including COO Ben Kennedy, question the strategy of placing the bulk of the playoffs on USA Network, arguing it pits NASCAR against the NFL’s dominant Sunday window. The article suggests shifting more races to broadcast TV—perhaps Fox’s Friday night slot—or re‑timing events, citing MLB, PGA, and IndyCar as precedents, to improve reach before the next media‑deal renegotiation in 2032.
Jon Gruden torches NFL referees after controversial personal foul call against Rams
Jon Gruden detonates NFL officials after a contentious personal‑foul call that cost the Los Angeles Rams a win over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 18, 2026. With the Rams trailing 16‑15 and a late touchdown putting them ahead, a flag for unnecessary roughness on cornerback Josh Wallace gave the Cardinals a 15‑yard penalty and set up the game‑winning field goal. Gruden, on Wake Up Barstool, lambasted the replay official for not overturning the call, questioning the purpose of NFL replay technology. Both Fox analysts Greg Olsen and Mike Pereira echoed his criticism, calling the penalty a questionable judgment call.
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