ESPN – North Platte Post Archive

Rece Davis Taking over as Host of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’

Posted on February 6, 2015

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Rece Davis is taking over as host of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” with Chris Fowler focusing on calling the Saturday prime-time games.

Davis has signed a contract extension through 2021, the network said Thursday.

“I’ve cared deeply about college football my entire life,” Davis said in a release from ESPN. “As a result, I’m humbled and grateful to join the brilliant men and women who have built GameDay into the sport’s defining show.”

Fowler had hosted “GameDay” since 1990. Last season, he became ESPN’s lead play-by-play announcer for college football, replacing Brent Musburger.

That meant sometimes hosting “GameDay” in one location in the morning and traveling to another site for ABC’s “Saturday Night Football.” Analyst Kirk Herbstreit does the same, but the double duty is more challenging for a play-by-play announcer because of the extra preparation involved.

Still, Fowler initially said he wanted to continue with both roles, as he did in 2014. Thursday’s announcement allows ESPN to keep Davis and give him a broader role, with Fowler still in a prominent position.

“It was important to me that GameDay be left in excellent hands,” Fowler said in the release. “It certainly will be with someone as talented and dedicated as Rece Davis.”

Davis, who joined the network in 1995, will no longer call Thursday night games.

“This agreement reflects our belief that Rece Davis is one of the very best in the industry,” said John Wildhack, ESPN’s executive vice president for programming and production.

ESPN Scores Big in College Championship Game

Posted on January 13, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ohio State’s victory in the first championship game of the College Football Playoff produced ESPN’s highest overnight rating ever.

The network said Tuesday that according to Nielsen the Buckeyes’ 42-20 win over Oregon generated an 18.5 overnight rating.

That’s a 21 percent increase over the 2014 BCS national championship on ESPN between Florida State and Auburn, which drew a 15.3 rating.

Monday night’s title game also topped the 16.1 overnight rating for the 2011 BCS championship between Auburn and Oregon that had been the previous best in cable history.

Columbus, Ohio, was the No. 1 overall market at 51.2 while Portland, Oregon, was fourth at 37.6.

Overnight ratings measure the country’s largest markets. The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use. Final ratings are to come later Tuesday.

Longtime ESPN Sportscaster Scott Dies at 49

Posted on January 4, 2015

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Stuart Scott, the longtime “SportsCenter” anchor and ESPN personality known for his known for his enthusiasm and ubiquity, has died at age 49.

The network says Scott died Sunday and had fought cancer since a diagnosis in late 2007, remaining dedicated to his craft even as he underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

ESPN president John Skipper says Scott was “a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure” and that his “energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.”

Scott is survived by his parents, O. Ray and Jacqueline Scott; his siblings Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney and Susan Scott; children Taelor and Sydni; and girlfriend Kristin Spodobalski.

Jon Gruden Agrees to Contract Extension with ESPN

Posted on December 15, 2014

CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Gruden has agreed to a contract extension with ESPN through the 2021 NFL season.

ESPN announced the deal Monday night.

Frequently mentioned for vacant NFL and college coaching openings, the Super Bowl-winning coach joined ESPN in May 2009 as an analyst. He teams with play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico on “Monday Night Football” and appears on other ESPN programs.

“There’s no place I’d rather be,” Gruden said.

ESPN’s NFL rights deal also runs through 2021.

Gruden became the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl at 38 when he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the title after the 2002 season. He also made a Super Bowl appearance with the Oakland Raiders.

10 Former College Athletes Sue Networks, Leagues

Posted on October 7, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A group of 10 former college athletes have filed a proposed class action, antitrust lawsuit against several television networks and college conferences, including ESPN, CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and the Southeastern Conference, for profiting off their names and likenesses without their permission in both ads and televising games.

The lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Nashville features former Vanderbilt safety Javon Marshall as lead plaintiff along with some former teammates, including Eric Samuels and Steven Clarke. The lawsuit wants a class action for all current and former players in the Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I men’s basketball. The suit was first reported by The Tennessean.

In the lawsuit, plaintiffs allege the release student-athletes are forced to sign is “unconscionable, and vague,” rendering it void and unenforceable.

Nine Games Picked up by ESPN Family of Networks; Two Under CBS Consideration

Posted on September 18, 2014

Lincoln – Fans who want to the see the 2014-15 Huskers in action on television or online will have ample opportunities this season, as the Big Ten, along with its broadcast partners CBS and ESPN, announced the remainder of their 2014-15 television packages for the upcoming season on Thursday.

In all, Nebraska will make 15 regular-season appearances on ESPN networks during the 2014-15 season, as six games had been previously announced, including Super Tuesday games at Michigan (Jan. 27) and vs. Wisconsin (Feb. 10).

The Huskers, who are coming off a 19-13 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance, will make nine additional appearances on the ESPN Family of networks in Big Ten play, including appearances on ESPN or ESPNU2 at Wisconsin (Jan. 15, 8 p.m.), against Michigan State (Jan. 24, 3 or 6 p.m.) and Ohio State (Feb. 26, 6 p.m.). Nebraska will made a pair of appearances on ESPNU, hosting Rutgers (Jan. 8, 8 p.m.) and traveling to Penn State (Feb. 7, 4 p.m.).

Four of Nebraska’s non-conference games will be available on ESPN3, including tilts with Central Arkansas (Nov. 18, 7 p.m.), Nebraska-Omaha (Nov. 25, 7 p.m.), Tennessee-Martin (Nov. 28, TBA) and Incarnate Word (Dec. 10, 7 p.m.). The evening start time against Tennessee-Martin will determined after the start time for the Nebraska-Iowa football game is announced.

In addition, Nebraska’s games against Iowa (Feb. 22) and Maryland (March 8) at Pinnacle Bank Arena are under consideration for Wildcard Weekend selections by CBS. If they are not selected for CBS broadcast, they will air on BTN. All of Nebraska’s 18 conference games will be available nationally and at least 29 regular-season games will be available on TV or on the Internet.

Day Date Opponent Location TV/Online Time

Tuesday Nov. 18 Central Arkansas Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPN3 7 p.m.

Tuesday Nov. 25 Nebraska-Omaha Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPN3 7 p.m.

Friday Nov. 28 Tennessee-Martin Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPN3 TBA

Wednesday Dec. 10 Incarnate Word Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPN3 7 p.m.

Thursday Jan. 8 Rutgers # Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPNU 8 p.m.

Thursday Jan. 15 at Wisconsin # Madison, Wis. ESPN/2 8 p.m.

Saturday Jan. 24 Michigan State # Pinnacle Bank Arena ESPN/2 3/6 p.m.

Saturday Feb. 7 at Penn State # University Park., Pa. ESPNU 3 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 22 Iowa # Pinnacle Bank Arena CBS/BTN TBA (2)

Thursday Feb. 26 at Ohio State # Columbus, Ohio ESPN/2 6 p.m.

Sunday March 8 Maryland # Pinnacle Bank Arena CBS/BTN TBA (3)

All times listed are Central; dates and times subject to change. # – Big Ten Conference games; All games carried on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network

2 – Feb. 22 Time and TV announced by Feb. 2

3-March 9 time and TV announced by March 2

The Nissan Heisman House Tour heads to Lincoln this Saturday

Posted on September 17, 2014

NEBRASKA HEISMAN WINNERS ERIC CROUCH, MIKE ROZIER, JOHNNY RODGERS

AND ESPN’S NEIL EVERETT

TO APPEAR AT THE “NISSAN HEISMAN HOUSE TOUR”

The tour heads to Lincoln, September 20,

when the No. 24 Huskers take on the Miami Hurricanes

WHO: Nebraska’s trio of Heisman winners, along with ESPN’s Neil Everett:

o 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers will appear from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., participating in a Chalk Talk session with ESPNanchor Neil Everett, followed by an autograph session with fans.

o 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier will discuss his legendary football career during a 3:30-4:00 p.m. Chalk Talk session withEverett.

o 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch takes the microphone at 4:30 p.m. for a Chalk Talk with Everett and will sign autographs from5:00-6:00 p.m.

WHAT: Nissan and ESPN invite fans to “Get to know the Heisman Trophy Winners” during a pre-game experience that celebrates college football’s most outstanding players. The Nissan Heisman House Tour is making stops at 10 marquee matchups this season, including its ultimate destination of North Texas for the inaugural College Football Playoff. Admission to the tour is free.

Fans will have the opportunity to:

o Take pictures with the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football

o “Catch a Ride with the Heisman Winners” in the all-new 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

o Participate in autograph sessions and photo opportunities with former football greats

o Win prizes by participating in interactive games, including a virtual QB challenge

o Test your college football knowledge by tweeting your answers to Twitter Trivia questions

o Create their own Heisman pose atop a trophy base

o Register for Heisman House credentials, which allows fans to check in and instantly share your experience via social media

o Keep tabs on the weekend’s action by viewing games and highlights on multiple TVs

WHEN: SATURDAY, September 20, 2014 – noon until 7:00 p.m. (all times Central)

WHERE: Inside Pinnacle Bank Arena

Located in the West Haymarket District, west of Memorial Stadium at 400 Pinnacle Arena Drive

All 14 Big Ten Football Coaches to appear at ESPN July 30-31

Posted on July 17, 2014

bo pelini — Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini

ROSEMONT, Ill. – All 14 Big Ten football coaches will visit ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters July 30-31 to take part in ESPN’s annual mid-summer college football coaches’ “car wash” – in which guests appear across multiple programs and platforms over one day.

The schedules for the Big Ten coaches will include a mixture of interviews with more than 25 different shows and writers across ESPN’s television, radio and digital media platforms. Outlets may include College Football Live, SportsCenter, First Take, SportsNation, Highly Questionable, Numbers Never Lie and E:60 on television and ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, SVP & Russillo, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Sedano & Stink, The Freddie Coleman Show, The Dan LeBartard Show and College GameDay Radio.

The coaches will also be interviewed by ESPN.com writers Travis Haney, Ivan Maisel and Brett McMurphy; appear on a variety of podcasts; participate in chats; and more.

The complete Big Ten schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, July 30	Thursday, July 31
Gary Andersen (Wisconsin)	Randy Edsall (Maryland)
Tim Beckman (Illinois)	Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)
Mark Dantonio (Michigan State)	Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
Kyle Flood (Rutgers)	Brady Hoke (Michigan)
James Franklin (Penn State)	Urban Meyer (Ohio State)
Darrell Hazell (Purdue)	Bo Pelini (Nebraska)
Jerry Kill (Minnesota)	Kevin Wilson (Indiana)

Guillen, Wedge Join ‘Baseball Tonight’ Crew

Posted on March 24, 2014

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Former managers Ozzie Guillen and Eric Wedge are in the ESPN lineup this season for “Baseball Tonight.”

ESPN also said Monday that perfect-game pitcher Dallas Braden is set to become a studio analyst for the nightly show.

The opinionated Guillen last managed with the Marlins in 2012. He will be part of the ESPN crew throughout the season and work with Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN Deportes.

Wedge will be on ESPN television and radio after managing Seattle last year. He is scheduled to make his debut Tuesday on a spring training game telecast.

Braden threw a perfect game for Oakland in 2010, and last pitched in the majors in 2011.

ESPN will take its pregame show “Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown” on the road several times this season, starting at Petco Park on March 30 when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit San Diego.

Two Big Ten Quarterfinals to Air on ESPN, Including NU-OSU

Posted on March 13, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten announced that Friday’s first two quarterfinal games of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be televised on ESPN. Eighth-seeded Illinois will take on top-seeded Michigan at Noon ET, while fifth-seeded Ohio State will face fourth-seeded Nebraska beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Illinois advanced to the quarterfinals after a 64-54 win over Indiana, while Ohio State defeated Purdue, 63-61, to move onto the quarterfinal round.

Friday’s evening session will feature two games on BTN. Second-seeded Wisconsin will take on either Minnesota or Penn State beginning at 6:30 p.m., while third-seeded Michigan State will face either Iowa or Northwestern at approximately 9 p.m.