ESPN

ESPN to Exclusively Feature Iconic ‘Inside the NBA’ Show Starting in 2025

by
Is It the Braids?! Kendrick Lamar's "Euphoria" Soundtracks 'Inside the NBA'

Is It the Braids?! Kendrick Lamar's "Euphoria" Soundtracks 'Inside the NBA'

ESPN, in collaboration with TNT Sports and the NBA, announced a groundbreaking partnership today to bring the legendary Inside the NBA studio show to ESPN’s platforms starting with the 2025-26 season. This marks the first year of ESPN and the NBA’s 11-year rights extension, signed in July.

Produced independently by TNT Sports from its Atlanta-based studios, Inside the NBA will feature on ESPN and ABC during high-profile events, including pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, Christmas Day games, and more.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, calling Inside the NBA “one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports” and expressing excitement about integrating its team’s unique chemistry into ESPN’s NBA coverage.

Luis Silberwasser, CEO and Chairman of TNT Sports, emphasized the pride in continuing the show’s tradition while enhancing its reach through ESPN and ABC, ensuring fans enjoy its renowned mix of insight and entertainment.

In addition to this partnership, TNT Sports will air a new exclusive lineup of Big 12 football and basketball games starting in 2025, expanding its sports coverage. Meanwhile, ESPN will continue producing NBA Countdown and NBA Today, hosted by Malika Andrews with a team of prominent analysts, including Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and Shams Charania.

Debuting in 1989, Inside the NBA has earned 21 Sports Emmy Awards and received the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award in 2020. The partnership promises to enhance NBA coverage and elevate fan engagement across platforms.

The post ESPN to Exclusively Feature Iconic ‘Inside the NBA’ Show Starting in 2025 appeared first on .

DJ Akademiks Blames The Downfall Of ESPN On Skip Bayless

by

As DJ Akademiks watches rap star-turned-podcaster Cam’ron‘s sit-down interview with Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, he claims Skip Bayless is responsible for ESPN’s alleged downfall in sports media. Big Ak claims ESPN or Skip Bayless did not conduct the Tyson/Paul interview. In a clip of him commenting on the interview, Ak mentioned Skip, saying, “ESPN just completely fallen to shit? And I’m be honest with you: the fall of Skip Bayless was the pivot of sports media to podcasts. Because I’m shocked this face-off didn’t take place on ESPN.”

DJ Akademiks elaborated: “I listen to Gilbert Arenas, and I listen to usually former players sitting around nothing that resembles a sports desk; they’re just chilling. Talking about – not necessarily play-by-play – but they’re talking about it in a barbershop sense. But it’s way more engaging. I listen to Cam’ron and Mase talk about sports, tell their own personal stories, and relate them to the everyday man. Nobody wants to sit around with the highlights playing around them; it’s like, ‘Yo, watch the games on your own time.’ You got Cam’ron with chains on.”

Read more: Michael Rapaport Slams Akademiks Over “Dusty” Rapper Diss, Akademiks Responds

Big AK Says Skip Bayless Caused The Fall Of ESPN

Skip Bayless ended Undisputed, his long-running Fox Sports sports talk show, in August. The show featured an original theme song by Lil Wayne. During the show’s eight-year run, Wayne appeared many times. Popular sports analyst Shannon Sharpe was Bayless’s former co-host before leaving for ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith in 2023. Skip and Stephen were also former co-hosts before they split in 2016. The two have discussed the break-up several times over the years.  

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is Friday, November 15, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netflix will present the brand’s first-ever live event worldwide on the streaming platform. Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions will present the event. The fight will feature a co-headliner in Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor. There is no word if DJ Akademiks will attend the event yet.

Read more: Akademiks Challenges Rosenberg To A Duel

[Via]

The post DJ Akademiks Blames The Downfall Of ESPN On Skip Bayless appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jason Kelce Apologized For Viral Video Of Him Smashing A Heckler’s Phone

by
jason kelce
ESPN

Jason Kelce is more popular on a national scale now than he ever was as an All-Pro center with the Philadelphia Eagles — although, his Super Bowl parade performance cemented his status as a Philly legend. Kelce is on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown now and has a wildly popular podcast with his brother Travis, as the brothers have seen their stardom leap from the sports world to pop culture in general, due in no small part to Travis’ relationship with Taylor Swift that has brought her legions of fans to them.

While there are the obvious benefits of that popularity in the form of massive media deals, there are also the trappings of fame that come with the territory of being immediately recognizable to most any person. On Saturday, Jason was reminded of that when he was in State College for Ohio State-Penn State and had a heckler call Travis a gay slur for dating Swift while holding his phone out recording. That jackass was seeking a reaction and got one in the form of Jason grabbing his phone and spiking it on the ground, with videos from other nearby going viral immediately.

On Monday night, Kelce addressed the incident at the top of Monday Night Countdown and issued an apology, noting that’s not how he wants to act and that he doesn’t want to “greet hate with hate.”

The truth is, the majority of people saw him spike the phone and felt that was an extremely reasonable response, as we need to remind people that there are real consequences to saying vile things — something the internet has made far too easy to do with no repercussions. Still, Kelce felt bad enough about it to issue an apology on national television and seemed very genuinely upset by his own actions, even if the majority of people saw them as defensible.

Funk Flex Calls Out Shyne: ‘You’re a Stone-Cold Faced Liar’

by
Funk Flex on 6ix9ine's New Song: “I’m Not Going to Play This... BUT This is Thumping'

Funk Flex on 6ix9ine's New Song: “I’m Not Going to Play This... BUT This is Thumping'
Photo by MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Funk Flex calls out Shyne over the trailer for his documentary, The Honorable Shyne. Hitting the airwaves, Flex called Shyne a liar, referencing Shyne blaming Diddy for how the 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting went down.

“When somebody tries to say they the scapegoat or they was used… it’s been bothering me,” said Flex on Hot 97. “And I’m gonna keep it a buck. Shyne, I love you bro, and I know what you’ve been though—no I don’t—but you’re a liar. You’re a stone-cold faced liar, Shyne.”

You can hear the full rant below.

Andscape, Disney-ESPN’s platform focused on Black culture, debuted The Honorable Shyne trailer. The new documentary feature will premiere exclusively on Hulu on Nov.18th.

The documentary, directed by Marcus A. Clarke, chronicles the remarkable life of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, a Grammy Award-winning musician who transitioned from rap stardom to political leadership.

Shyne’s rise in the late 1990s was abruptly halted when he was convicted in a high-profile New York nightclub shooting involving rap mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs. While Combs was acquitted, Shyne was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2001. After his release, Shyne returned to his native Belize and pivoted from music to politics, ultimately becoming the Leader of the Opposition Party.

The film showcases Shyne’s journey of redemption and transformation, providing an intimate look at his evolution from an incarcerated rapper to a leader working to create a brighter future for Belize.

Produced by Jason Perez, The Honorable Shyne features executive producers Dwayne Bray, Talitha Watkins, and others, with co-executive producers David Dennis Jr. and Justin Tinsley. The documentary promises an inspiring narrative of resilience and purpose.

The Honorable Shyne premieres on Hulu on Nov. 18th.

The post Funk Flex Calls Out Shyne: ‘You’re a Stone-Cold Faced Liar’ appeared first on .

Disney-ESPN’s Andscape Unveils Trailer for ‘The Honorable Shyne’ Documentary

by
unnamed (1)

Andscape, Disney-ESPN’s platform focused on Black culture, debuted The Honorable Shyne’s trailer. The new documentary feature will premiere exclusively on Hulu on Nov.18th.

The documentary, directed by Marcus A. Clarke, chronicles the remarkable life of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, a Grammy Award-winning musician who transitioned from rap stardom to political leadership.

Shyne’s rise in the late 1990s was abruptly halted when he was convicted in a high-profile New York nightclub shooting involving rap mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs. While Combs was acquitted, Shyne was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2001. After his release, Shyne returned to his native Belize and pivoted from music to politics, ultimately becoming the Leader of the Opposition Party.

The film showcases Shyne’s journey of redemption and transformation, providing an intimate look at his evolution from an incarcerated rapper to a leader working to create a brighter future for Belize.

Produced by Jason Perez, The Honorable Shyne features executive producers Dwayne Bray, Talitha Watkins, and others, with co-executive producers David Dennis Jr. and Justin Tinsley. The documentary promises an inspiring narrative of resilience and purpose.

The Honorable Shyne premieres on Hulu on Nov. 18th.

The post Disney-ESPN’s Andscape Unveils Trailer for ‘The Honorable Shyne’ Documentary appeared first on .

ESPN Secures Multi-Year Extensions with Key Basketball Commentators Ahead of NBA Season and WNBA Finals

by
ESPN Reaches Multi Year Extensions with Several Key Basketball Commentators ESPN Press Room U S 10 18 2024 08 24 AM

ESPN Reaches Multi Year Extensions with Several Key Basketball Commentators ESPN Press Room U S 10 18 2024 08 24 AM

ESPN has announced multi-year extensions with several prominent basketball commentators as the NBA regular season nears and the WNBA Finals heat up. The network’s roster continues to grow, featuring some of the sport’s most influential voices.

Chiney Ogwumike, a trailblazer as both a full-time analyst and professional athlete, has expanded her responsibilities. She now provides studio analysis for the NBA, WNBA, and Women’s College Basketball. A regular on NBA Countdown, NBA Today, WNBA Countdown, and NCAA Championship In The Studio, Ogwumike also makes appearances on Get Up, First Take, and SportsCenter, while hosting NBA Today on select days.

Kendrick Perkins, who joined ESPN in 2019, has become a key figure on NBA Countdown and will now extend his presence to ABC editions of the show throughout the season. The former NBA champion is also a regular analyst on NBA Today and a frequent guest on Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter, and Hoop Streams.

Tim Legler, a 10-year NBA veteran, will expand his role by serving as an ESPN NBA game analyst. Having called NBA games on ESPN Radio, Legler has been a steady presence on SportsCenter, including SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, and more recently Get Up.

Monica McNutt, another key talent, has extended her contract with ESPN. She continues to provide coverage across NBA and WNBA live events and studio shows. A WNBA game analyst and studio analyst on WNBA Countdown, McNutt regularly appears on Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter, and Hoop Streams, while also serving as an NBA sideline reporter.

Additionally, ESPN has added Shams Charania as its new Senior NBA Insider, and Michael C. Wright, returning as the San Antonio Spurs reporter.

For more information on ESPN’s 2024-25 NBA coverage, visit ESPNPressRoom.com.

The post ESPN Secures Multi-Year Extensions with Key Basketball Commentators Ahead of NBA Season and WNBA Finals appeared first on .

SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Insider Shams Charania Joins ESPN Following Wojnarowski’s Departure

by
GZTkhMEXEAAm3M4

GZTkhMEXEAAm3M4

On Monday, the NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed on social media that he is joining ESPN, marking a significant shift in the network’s NBA coverage. Charania’s move comes just weeks after Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s longtime insider, left his role to become the general manager for the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.

Charania spent the last six years at The Athletic and Stadium and two years on FanDuel TV. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, his transition to ESPN is expected to fill the void left by Wojnarowski’s departure.

Known for his timely and accurate reporting, Charania has become a trusted source in NBA circles and will now be a key figure in ESPN’s basketball coverage.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Insider Shams Charania Joins ESPN Following Wojnarowski’s Departure appeared first on .

ESPN Faces Double Standard Backlash For Keeping Shannon Sharpe But Firing Paul Pierce

by

Shannon Sharpe’s accidental Instagram Live session that caught him at an intimate moment is still the talk of the town, especially with theories that this was no accident. Regardless, all of that fell under the rug once ESPN announced that they would not punish him for this incident. This raised a lot of eyebrows since the organization fired Paul Pierce in 2021 for going on IG Live with scantily clad women and what appeared to be marijuana. Some social media users think that this is a clear case of double standards, whereas others think that intent versus accident is a key differentiating factor. Wherever you stand, check out more diverse reactions in the post below.

Furthermore, a lot of other pop culture figures are speaking on this whole Shannon Sharpe incident, including some recent advice from Kai Cenat. “Hey, Shannon, stop being so freaky, bro,” the streamer said during Sharpe’s “roast” on the Nightcap podcast alongside Ochocinco, Snoop Dogg, Cam Newton, and more. “Next time, put your phone all the way in the next room, alright? Before you get that p***y, bro, put the phone in the next room, okay?”

Read More: Cam’ron Takes Trolling To New Heights With Insane Shannon Sharpe Sex Tape Parody

ESPN‘s Verdict On Shannon Sharpe Causes Controversy Over Paul Pierce Firing

“I’m very disappointed in myself I let a lot of people down,” Shannon Sharpe said of the incident, positing that it was unintentional and speaking on his embarrassment. “My kids, I reached out to them. I called my sister, my friends obviously reached out. […] I came in, threw my phone on the bed. And then engaged in an activity. […] I don’t know how [Instagram Live] works,” he added, explaining that this is the first time that he’s ever gone Live.

Amid the many reactions to Shannon Sharpe’s incident, Rick Ross’ roast was among the funniest. “Ayo, Shannon Sharpe,” he teased. “We forgive you ’cause we know you old n***as don’t know how to work that technology. You was vibing with your little shone last night. You were trying to film it and when you tried to sit that motherf***er down on that little dresser, that motherf***er went live.” We’ll see what other jokes, developments, and debates emerge concerning this situation and ESPN‘s controversial response.

Read More: Paul Pierce Ridiculously Suggests He’s Responsible For LeBron James’ Greatness

[via]

The post ESPN Faces Double Standard Backlash For Keeping Shannon Sharpe But Firing Paul Pierce appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Shannon Sharpe’s ESPN Fate Revealed After Sex Stream Fiasco

by

Yesterday, Shannon Sharpe left fans shocked and confused when he went live on Instagram while having sex. Nothing could be seen, but the audio said it all, and he quickly hopped online to claim he’d been hacked. “Beware my @shannonsharpe84 Instagram was hacked this morning, my team and I are working vigorously to figure this out — UNC,” he wrote at the time.

Of course, most social media users didn’t buy this and figured he’d actually just gone live by accident. Sharpe admitted this on Nightcap last night, describing how embarrassed he was by the unfortunate mishap. “Obviously I am embarrassed. Someone that is extremely, extremely private and to have one of your most intimate details — the audio — heard for the entire world to hear, I’m embarrassed for a number of reasons,” he said.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Sex Tape Gets Wild Reactions From Katt Williams, Snoop Dogg & More

ESPN Will Not Discipline Shannon Sharpe Over IG Live Mishap, TMZ Sports Reports

“There are a lot of people that count on Shannon to be professional at all times and I always try to be professional at all times, even when I’m behind closed doors,” he continued. “I’m very disappointed in myself, not for the act. I think there are millions and billions of people of consenting age that engage in activities, but for the audio to be heard I’m disappointed in myself. I let a lot of people down.” Sharpe added that the mishap occurred when he threw his phone on the bed. According to him, he doesn’t know how the feature works.

Luckily for Sharpe, however, he will not be facing disciplinary action from ESPN for the debacle. TMZ Sports reports that he’ll be back to his normal duties on Monday and that no punishment is coming his way. What do you think of Shannon Sharpe’s Instagram Live sex stream? What about him not facing disciplinary action from ESPN for it? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Receives Lucrative Offer From Adult Film Site

[Via]

The post Shannon Sharpe’s ESPN Fate Revealed After Sex Stream Fiasco appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

J Balvin to Curate Music for ESPN’s Monday Night Football 2024-25 Season

by
J Balvin

ESPN has announced that global superstar J Balvin will curate music for select ESPN Monday Night Football games throughout the 2024-25 NFL season. The curated tracks will feature in Monday Night Football promotional spots, live telecasts, and Monday Night Countdown for seven weeks, including two NFL Playoff weeks.

The curation schedule, subject to change, includes key matchups such as the New York Jets at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5, Buffalo Bills at New York Jets in Week 6, and Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. Additionally, J Balvin will curate music for Week 18’s doubleheader, the Monday Night Super Wild Card, and the Divisional round.

“J Balvin is a global icon whose influence hits with diverse cultures and genres,” said Curtis Friends, ESPN Vice President of Sports Marketing. His selections are set to capture the excitement of the football season.

J Balvin will kick off the collaboration with his new song “DOBLEXXO” featuring Feid, from his latest album, ‘RAYO,’ released on August 9. The track will feature in ESPN’s Week 1 Monday Night Football promotions.

J Balvin follows in the footsteps of previous curators, including Timbaland & Justin Timberlake, Marshmello, Drake, DJ Khaled, and Diplo, continuing ESPN’s innovative music strategy for Monday Night Football.

The post J Balvin to Curate Music for ESPN’s Monday Night Football 2024-25 Season first appeared on The Source.

The post J Balvin to Curate Music for ESPN’s Monday Night Football 2024-25 Season appeared first on The Source.