NEW YORK (AP) – A person with knowledge of the deal says Major League Baseball and ESPN have extended their television contract through 2021.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the official announcement had not yet been made. MLB and the network scheduled a conference call for Tuesday afternoon.
The deal combines rights for TV, radio, digital and international that had been separate. The new single contract adds new rights to air a wild-card game, along with additional rights to highlights and digital content. It also gives the network more flexibility to show games involving popular teams.
The previous contracts were worth close to $360 million a year combined. The new combined deal with the additional rights will be worth about $700 million a year over eight years.
The extension was first reported by SportsBusiness Daily.
PITTSBURGH (AP) – With less than two weeks before the start of the regular season, Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace reported to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wallace was at the team facility Tuesday morning. A restricted free agent, he had yet to sign his one-year contract tender worth approximately $2.7 million.
He also will undergo routine medical exams, but will not practice with his teammates until next week.
The Steelers conclude their preseason at home against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday and open their regular season Sept. 9 at the Denver Broncos.
Last season, Wallace has 72 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 24 receiving touchdowns in his three-season career.
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) – Tony Stewart says he doesn’t expect any drama between himself and Matt Kenseth, despite throwing his helmet at Kenseth’s car at Bristol over the weekend.
Although the three-time NASCAR champion was joking Tuesday about his two-handed toss of his helmet, he said he wasn’t proud of losing his temper Saturday night. Stewart and Kenseth had contact while racing for the lead at Bristol, and it led to a spin that damaged Stewart’s car.
Stewart said he and Kenseth have raced against each other with respect for a long time and he expects it to stay that way. The two have not spoken about Saturday night.
And as for that post-wreck promise Stewart made to run over Kenseth every chance he gets this season? Stewart said the racing will be clean.
UNDATED (AP) – Chicago White Sox hurler Chris Sale goes his 16th win tonight when the AL Central-leading White Sox visit the Orioles in Baltimore. The Chi-Sox enter with a two-game lead over second-place Detroit. The O’s are just 3 1/2 games back of the Yankees in the AL East.
The Yankees host the Blue Jays, while the Tigers are in Kansas City.
Tampa Bay and Texas play game two of their series tonight in Arlington. The Rangers won last night, 6-5, allowing them to maintain their 5 1/2 game lead over the Athletics in the AL West. The Rays are 4 games back of the Yankees and a half-game back of the Orioles in that AL East race. The Athletics are in Cleveland for the second game of their series with the Indians.
Another young pitcher gunning for his 16th win is Washington’s Stephen Strasburg. He and the Nationals are in Miami tonight for a game against the Marlins. Strasburg is 15-5 with 183 strikeouts.
The Nats top Atlanta by 5 games in the National League East and tonight the Braves are in San Diego for the second game of their series with the Padres.
Johnny Cueto tries to become the majors’ first 17-game winner when the Reds visit Arizona. The Reds have opened a six-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central.
The last divisional race to check is the NL West, where the Giants top the Dodgers by 2 1/2 games. LA is in Denver tonight to meet the Rockies, while the Giants are facing the Astros in the opener of a three-game series in Houston.
The remaining games tonight have Seattle at Minnesota, Boston in Anaheim against the Angels, the Phillies at home to the Mets, Milwaukee at Chicago and St. Louis at Pittsburgh.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chi White Sox at Baltimore 6:05 p.m.
Oakland at Cleveland 6:05 p.m.
Toronto at N-Y Yankees 6:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Texas 7:05 p.m.
Detroit at Kansas City 7:10 p.m.
Seattle at Minnesota 7:10 p.m.
Boston at L.A. Angels 9:05 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
N-Y Mets at Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
Washington at Miami 6:10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chi Cubs 7:05 p.m.
San Francisco at Houston 7:05 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado 7:40 p.m.
Cincinnati at Arizona 8:40 p.m.
Atlanta at San Diego 9:05 p.m.