The final time we tried our hand at sports activities media predictions, we appropriately nailed down a number of strikes within the trade for the again half of 2023.

We had been proper about Shannon Sharpe becoming a member of Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take after six years as Skip Bayless’s sparring associate at FS1’s Undisputed. We additionally referred to as Smith grooming Sharpe as his successor if he leaves for late-night TV or leisure. And when Jeff Van Gundy obtained the ax, it was a layup to foretell Doris Burke would succeed him on ESPN’s No. 1 NBA saying workforce.

After a yr in media largely outlined by layoffs and expertise reshuffling, we’re getting the crystal ball again out. 

Here are our predictions for 2024:  

Stephen A. Smith Will Become a $20 Million Man 

As the face and voice of ESPN, Smith for a very long time was an excellent soldier, preserving silent whereas new hires like Troy Aikman ($18 million a yr), Pat McAfee ($16 million), and Joe Buck ($15 million) surpass his annual compensation determine ($12 million). But his persistence is coming to an finish.

The 56-year-old Smith made it clear throughout an interview with Clay Travis of Outkick that he desires to be the highest-paid expertise at ESPN. If chairman Jimmy Pitaro doesn’t come by way of, Smith appears able to go the independent route pioneered by McAfee, together with his personal podcast and manufacturing firm.

Smith’s present contract expires in 18 months. With his surging First Take dominating rival Skip Bayless’s Undisputed within the morning TV present wars, search for ESPN to lock up Smith with a long-term deal that pays him a file $20 million a yr.

The NBA Will Double Its Media Partners

Once the NBA’s unique negotiating window with ESPN and TNT expires in mid-April, it’s anyone’s ballgame. Look for the league to retain each as major tv companions, and for ESPN’s sister broadcast community, ABC, to maintain the NBA Finals. However, the NBA will add two extra media rights companions. 

Expect a newcomer within the type of deep-pocketed Amazon Prime to choose off a weekday streaming-only package deal and create the NBA equal of Thursday Night Football. And for these of us who fondly bear in mind NBC’s Sports’ “Roundball Rock” period from 1990-2002, don’t be stunned if the league’s ex-media associate elbows its method again into the rotation. 

Tom Brady Will Finally Kick Off His Broadcasting Career

After back-and-forth rumors of yet one more comeback, Brady will lastly take over as Fox Sports’ No. 1 NFL recreation analyst and name Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. But questions will proceed to swirl over whether or not the seven-time Super Bowl winner will really full his record-breaking 10-year, $375 million cope with the community. 

Fox has been on pins and needles ever since Brady introduced a spot yr earlier than beginning his profession within the sales space. At this level, Fox brass could be blissful to get a season or two out of the 46-year-old GOAT earlier than he sails off into the ranks of NFL homeowners, sources inform FOS. 

The large query for Fox is whether or not present No. 1 analyst Greg Olsen will likely be blissful shifting again into the No. 2 job.

ESPN Will Make a Run at Colin Cowherd

The once-dominant ESPN Radio will flip to a well-recognized face for salvation: Colin Cowherd. The host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd has a Fox contract that expires in early 2025. The former community star would immediately remedy ESPN Radio’s issues. His TV present might additionally slide up and down a every day schedule alongside Smith, McAfee, and Mike Greenberg.

But would the sensation be mutual? The 59-year-old’s startup media firm, The Volume, is already being circled by personal fairness corporations. Of course, Cowherd might promote all or a part of his fast-growing community, like Bill Simmons did in offloading The Ringer to Spotify for $200 million.

“The monster negotiation coming up for Fox is Colin,” one supply tells Front Office Sports. “His ratings are at an all-time high. And he causes zero issues—unlike Skip Bayless.”

The NBA Will Take a Stake in ESPN  

Ever since Disney chairman Bob Iger revealed in July he was open to discovering minority buyers and strategic companions for ESPN, talks have heated up between Disney and all 4 main American sports activities leagues, in line with CNBC.

Expect Disney and the NBA to affix forces after ESPN reups because the Association’s essential TV associate. ESPN desires to go direct-to-consumer by 2025, a aim far more possible with the NBA as a enterprise associate. Meanwhile, ESPN’s experience would increase the standard of NBA TV and enhance the league app.  

Netflix Will Remain on the Fence

Any Netflix subscribers hoping to segue from a miniseries binge to a dwell recreation will likely be disenchanted by our last prediction: The streaming big will proceed to be extra of a tease than a serious participant within the sports activities enviornment.

The streamer will roll out extra sports activities documentaries and occasional made-for-TV occasions, nevertheless it received’t match the billions of {dollars} Apple (MLS) and Amazon (NFL) have spent on live-game packages.

Early final yr, co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated Netflix was nonetheless determining bid on expensive live sports rights in a method that made fiscal sense. “We’re not anti-sports; we’re pro-profits.”

Bob Thompson, the ex-Fox Sports government, agrees the timing isn’t ripe but for the media big. “Netflix will not enter sports in a major way,” he tells Front Office Sports.