Tonight in Unpacks: Caitlin Clark’s first pro outing draws 2.1 million viewers, making it the best audience on a Disney network since ESPN started broadcasting WNBA games in 1997, reports SBJ's Austin Karp.
Also tonight:
- Sources: Shared NBA package for NBC, TNT not in the cards
- NFL taps predictive analytics to build schedule and supercharge TV viewership
- Sports Media Podcast: Brian Herbst on NASCAR's media landscape
- Op-ed: Where does the PGA Tour-PIF agreement stand?
Listen to SBJ's most popular podcast, Morning Buzzcast, where SBJ's Abe Madkour delves into a host of WNBA news from last night's season openers, the Jaguars’ $1.4 billion deal to renovate EverBank Stadium, Topgolf’s switch from Coca-Cola to Pepsi and more.
Caitlin Clark’s debut is best WNBA game audience in almost 23 years
Caitlin Clark’s regular-season debut on Tuesday night marked the most-watched WNBA game in just under 23 years. Even with the game on ESPN2 with competition from the NBA and NHL playoffs on other networks, the Indiana Fever- Connecticut Sun matchup drew 2.1 million viewers in prime time, marking the best game for the WNBA (playoff or regular season) since L.A. Sparks-Houston Comets drew 2.5 million viewers on NBC back in late May 2001. While it is a record for any WNBA game since Disney/ESPN became a media partner in 1997, Fever-Sun does not rank among the 10 most-watched games in league history (all of those currently are from NBC). But Clark will have another chance to crack the top 10 on Saturday, when the Fever play the N.Y. Liberty on ABC at 1pm ET (that game would need to top 2.5 million to approach the top 10 all-time).
The previous record for ESPN/ABC since becoming a rightsholder was Phoenix Mercury G Diana Taurasi’s debut back in May 2004 (1.4 million viewers for a game on ABC against the Sun). No ABC/ESPN WNBA game (playoff or regular season) had topped 2 million viewers before Tuesday night.
Clark’s debut topped the 2 million viewers on ESPN for a crucial Game 5 of the Bruins-Panthers NHL Eastern Conference semifinals. Her debut was No. 3 on the night behind only Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference semifinals Game 5 (4.9 million on TNT/truTV) and T’Wolves-Nuggets Western Conference semifinals Game 5 (3.5 million on TNT/truTV).
In terms of some of Clark’s college games from this past season (NCAA Women’s Tournament excluded), her WNBA debut was behind only her NCAA-record setting game on March 3 (3.4 million on Fox) and the Big Ten Championship on CBS (3 million viewers on March 10).
Sources: Shared NBA package for NBC, TNT not in the cards
On the same day TNT Sports Chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser reiterated the network’s desire to retain NBA media rights, sources tell SBJ that Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal will not share a package -- meaning WBD has no choice but to outbid NBC’s reported $2.5 billion offer.
With the framework of deals currently in place with Disney and Amazon -- and with NBC in pursuit of a third major package -- there was speculation the league might consider a fourth, smaller deal with WBD that would perhaps allow TNT to broadcast Thursday night games only and maintain its popular studio show, "Inside the NBA."
Although it was widely presumed NBC would be against that scenario -- considering it would water down their package and hefty bid -- sources for the first time Wednesday confirmed it would be either NBC or TNT that end up with NBA media rights, not both.
While WBD has not yet been formally apprised of NBC's bid, sources continue to insist NBC is the frontrunner for a third package that would likely include a "Basketball Night in America" on Sundays following the NFL season on broadcast TV and two primetime weekly windows (alongside Peacock coverage). That potential reach, with a broadcast net like NBC, is above what WBD's universe has on cable. Sources also tell SBJ that WBD likely cannot match NBCU’s bid in total value. “NBC plus Peacock is a different animal," a source said.
The only factor in Turner’s favor, sources said, is its sentimental partnership with the league going back close to 40 years. "If you're WBD, there's the fact that you have been the home of the NBA for 40 years -- so what's that worth [to the NBA]?" the source said. "There's a name association among every sports fan when you ask them what network carries the NBA. They're probably going to say ESPN and TNT. But the most interesting things here on the NBC side is the broadcast piece, and how this helps propel Peacock to being a major service. Right now, they don't really have the critical mass. ... But for Turner, losing something you've had for 40 years will hurt a lot more than [NBC] not getting something they haven’t had for 20 years."
Other sources familiar with negotiations said Wednesday that WBD has had recent productive conversations with the league and expects those to continue.
However, in an interview with ESPN Chicago Wednesday, TNT studio host Charles Barkley described the tenuous situation at Turner. "It's 50-50 that we lose our part to NBC,'' Barkley told the show. "Am I concerned? 100% because as much as we have been partners with the NBA, for I think 40 years, you would think if it was close in a bidding war, we would get the benefit of the doubt. But clearly that's not happening...They're scared to death over here right now.''
NFL taps predictive analytics to build schedule for supercharged TV viewership
The NFL released its 2024 schedule yesterday evening with an increased emphasis on TV viewership, using predicted ratings as a foundational metric for the first time, Lemire also reports.
The schedule is the culmination of three months of analyzing more than 100,000 plausible options, an effort led by the NFL’s VP/Broadcast Planning and Scheduling Mike North and Director of Broadcasting Charlotte Carey, working with four tech firms: Optimal Planning Solutions for its scheduling software, Recentive Analytics for its predictive modeling, Gurobi for its optimization platform and AWS for its cloud compute. The schedule models are built on data inputs from 1,200 sources spanning TV schedules, ticket and merchandise sales, economic indicators, real estate trends, restaurant prices and more.
Wasserman's Chris Armstrong to be NHL Utah's top hockey decision-maker
Wasserman EVP/Talent and Innovation Chris Armstrong will be an alternate governor and the top hockey decision-maker for the NHL’s Utah franchise under owners Ryan and Ashley Smith (who also own the Jazz), reports SBJ's Josh Carpenter and Alex Silverman. His formal title has yet to be determined, and it is unclear how much of a role he will have in running business operations, though Utah GM Bill Armstrong, who came over from the Coyotes, will report directly to Chris Armstrong (the two are not related).
Chris Armstrong advised Ryan Smith in his acquisition of the Utah franchise as part of a three-way transaction with the NHL and the Coyotes. While Chris Armstrong has worked mostly in golf, he does have experience in the hockey world. The 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree was instrumental in building up Wasserman's business in Canada, including through the opening of the firm’s office in Toronto in 2011. In that capacity, he has assisted in the representation of several NHL players over the years. He most recently represented Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas during his 2023 negotiations with his previous employer, the Maple Leafs.
Sports Media Podcast: Brian Herbst on NASCAR's media landscape
In this week's Sports Media Podcast, SBJ' Austin Karp goes on the road -- a whole two blocks -- for this week's Big Get, NASCAR SVP/Media & Productions Brian Herbst at the circuit's Hall of Fame in Charlotte. They talk about All-Star Weekend and NASCAR's media landscape, such as its recent deals, its production facility and the benefits of having a Netflix docu-series.
The show kicks off with The Poynter Institute’s Tom Jones dropping in for Who's Up/Who's Down, and SBJ media writer Mollie Cahillane shares news and notes from the upfronts. David Cushnan of our sister outlet Leaders in Sport also makes an appearance, briefing us on how things are going across the pond.
Click the above image for the full audio
Topgolf takes the Pepsi challenge
Topgolf is switching to Pepsi at its 90 domestic locations after pouring Coca-Cola for the past 5 1/2 years, reports SBJ's Terry Lefton. A new eight-year deal with PepsiCo includes Frito-Lay and other food products, along with comprehensive beverage rights, water, Gatorade and Pepsi’s traditional carbonated soft drinks.
This week's SBJ Marketing also covers:
- Playfly brings on Nick Cartan as head of commercial strategy
- U.S. Sailing expands non-endemic sponsor roster ahead of Paris, with an eye on LA28
Settlements close in major NCAA legal cases
Discussions around a joint settlement in the House, Carter and Hubbard cases are heating up as legal teams from the plaintiffs, the NCAA and Power Five conferences (yes, for the purposes of these proceedings, the Pac-12 is still involved) are ongoing. Sources suggest a settlement could be reached as soon as next week as the conferences work toward signing off on a potential deal in the coming days. Does that mean things are resolved? Hardly, writes SBJ's Ben Portnoy.
Also in this week's SBJ College newsletter, Portnoy turns his attention to another legal matter facing college athletics -- the employee rights movement.
Op-ed: Where does the PGA Tour-PIF agreement stand?
Tonight’s op-ed is from Day Pitney attorney Joseph Ritter on where matters stand between the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF.
"However, since June 6, not much progress has been made in advancing toward what the future of men’s professional golf may look like. The parties agreed to reach a deal on the particulars of the agreement by Dec. 31 but failed to do so and further extended the negotiating period. Reports suggest that there remains tension between the two sides, all while espousing public cooperation and encouragement toward finalizing an agreement. With the professional golf world in limbo, a serious question arises: What’s next?"
Read the full submission for more.
Speed reads
- Netflix's next sports docu-series is that will center on the football life of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and how he transformed America's Team into not just a three-time Super Bowl champion but also a business powerhouse. It will develop the 10-part series with Skydance Sports and NFL Films. Also, SBJ's Rachel Axon reports that starting in July, Netflix and the IOC will air three new documentary series, including one on U.S. gymnast Simone Biles. The other two series will cover men's basketball and sprinters.
- Warner Bros. Discovery addressed the elephant in the room when it came to the NBA media rights deal during its annual upfronts presentation from Madison Square Garden, with sports chief Luis Silberwasser saying the company looks forward to another season with the NBA and “reaching an agreement that makes sense for all parties,” reports SBJ's Mollie Cahillane, who also recapped Disney's upfront presentation from Tuesday.
- In this week's Audience Analysis, SBJ's Austin Karp writes that the NBA's switch from prime time to Sunday afternoon did not pay off for the Draft Lottery, with the event seeing its lowest audience since 2006.
- The PGA of America is leaning into sports betting in Louisville this week through its new partnership with ESPN Bet, notes SBJ's Josh Carpenter, as it becomes the first of golf’s major championships to sign such a pact.
- Arena Americas and the PGA of America agreed to a second contract extension that will see Arena continue to provide temporary and semi-permanent structures and event solutions for the PGA through 2030, reports SBJ's Bret McCormick.
- The Pac-12 named Michael Molinari, a three-time Emmy Award winner and 30-year sports TV veteran, as the SVP/Business Development and Studio Operations for Pac-12 Enterprises, the broadcast production arm of the conference, writes SBJ's Ben Portnoy.
