Tag: broadcasting

Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is honored at halftime of the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Brees won’t pursue broadcast gig to spend time with family

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Drew Brees said he’s staying on the broadcast sidelines this NFL season for four reasons: his kids.

The former New Orleans Saints quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Fame member spent the 2021 season with NBC, but it was announced earlier this offseason that he wouldn’t return for a second season. And despite speculation he’d wind up with another network, he told The Spun that he’s not taking another job now.

“The reason I didn’t do it this year, from a broadcasting perspective, is my family,” Brees said. “You have to be gone for the weekends, and that’s what I basically did as a player. These are such valuable moments for my kids. I want to be as active and involved in their weekend activities. That doesn’t quite mesh right now with a broadcasting career.”

Brees and his wife, Brittany, have three sons and a daughter.

He told the outlet, however, that he is open to a future career in broadcasting or pursuing a different second act.

“I’ve got so many opportunities and things I’m considering right now. Staying involved with the game of football is one of my priorities, whether it’d be broadcasting or some other capacity,” said Brees, 43.

Brees retired after the 2020 season following 20 NFL campaigns and one Super Bowl championship. He threw for 80,358 career yards and 571 touchdowns — second only to Tom Brady in both categories.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General overall view of the Pittsburgh Steelers logo at midfield at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers broadcaster, former player Tunch Ilkin retires due to ALS fight

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tunch Ilkin, a former player and longtime Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster, is stepping down from his announcing post to focus on his fight with ALS.

Ilkin, 63, a color analyst on radio broadcasts, announced his retirement Thursday in a statement released by the team.

“I want to spend this time focusing on my treatment and fighting this disease,” he said in the statement. “I would like to thank Steelers president Art Rooney II, the Steelers organization and the fans for their continued support and prayers at this time.”

A sixth-round pick of the Steelers in 1980, he played all but one of his 177 career games with Pittsburgh.

He started in 143 of those games, playing primarily at right tackle, and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Ilkin joined the broadcast team in 1998, becoming the lead analyst after Myron Cope retired following the 2004 season.

He announced his ALS diagnosis in September and finished the season as the Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns in a January playoff game.

The Steelers did not immediately announce any plans for the broadcast now led by Bill Hillgrove and Craig Wolfley.

–Field Level Media

Feb 4, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Perry Knotts/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

NFL broadcast deal done: more than $10B per year, big changes

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Brent Urban (92) runs off the field in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s media revenue will balloon to more than $10 billion per season with a new rights agreement announced Thursday with broadcast partners CBS, Fox, ABC/ESPN, Amazon and NFL Network.

The new distribution agreement begins with the 2023 season and runs through the 2033 campaign.

The league, which took in $5.9 billion per year with its current contracts, will bring in $113 billion over those 11 seasons, according to The Associated Press.

“These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We’re proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a release. “Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the league and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game.”

Sunday afternoon games will continue to air on CBS (AFC package) and Fox (NFC), while Sunday night games will remain on NBC and Monday night contests will stay on ESPN, with some games also airing on ABC.

The most noticeable change for fans is that Amazon Prime Video will become the exclusive home of “Thursday Night Football” games, to be streamed across compatible digital devices. The games will also air on regular channels in the competing teams’ home markets.

“NFL games are the most watched live programming in the United States, and this unprecedented ‘Thursday Night Football’ package gives tens of millions of new and existing Prime members exclusive access to must-watch live football on Prime Video,” Amazon Studios senior vice president Mike Hopkins said in a release.

The NFL Network will televise a select schedule of games.

The 11-year agreement gives three Super Bowls each to CBS (2023, 2027, 2031), Fox (2024, 2028, 2032) and NBC (2025, 2029, 2033) and two to ESPN/ABC (2026, 2030).

–Field Level Media