Ben Huddleston
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sportswithben.bsky.social
Ben Huddleston
@sportswithben.bsky.social
61 followers 22 following 66 posts
thunder, chiefs, sooners, dodgers
www.sportsmediawatch.com
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sportswithben.bsky.social
New for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

Exploring YouTube’s future in the sports world with the Chiefs and Chargers set to headline the platform’s NFL debut.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/09/yout...
Chiefs and Chargers put YouTube in the sports media spotlight
Examining the future of YouTube as a sports video platform ahead of its NFL debut, with Chiefs-Chargers set for Friday night.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Update on the Sunday Ticket lawsuit
—ESPN renews PLL rights
Plus: WTA, Chip Caray, and more:

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/sund...
News: Sunday Ticket, Lacrosse, and more
The long-running Sunday Ticket lawsuit continues; ESPN locks up lacrosse rights. Plus: WTA tennis, Chip Caray, Fox Soccer, and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
New for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

My recap of Game 7 from Oklahoma City, with some reflections on what a championship means for the city’s history.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/trag...
On tragedy and triumph in Championship City
What makes a Game 7 special is that it delivers on the promise to crown a champion. There are no more travel days, no more "if necessary", no more slanted
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
The latest for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—No consensus from latest CFP meetings
—Laura Okmin departing Fox Sports
—Streaming passes linear viewership, per Nielsen

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/cfp-...
News: CFP, Okmin, Nielsen
No consensus reached after CFP meetings; longtime Fox reporter to depart network; streaming tops linear TV for the first time.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—ABC to air player intros before Game 5
—WNBPA not included in renewal talks with Scripps
—Stops announced for SportsCenter tour

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/nba-...
News: NBA Finals, WNBPA, SportsCenter
ABC will show player intros during NBA Finals; the WNBA's union wants involvement in media rights talks; SportsCenter announces tour stops.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
New for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social

My recap after experiencing two games of the NBA Finals on-site; and what OKC has done to create a championship energy in the city:

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/insi...
Does it "feel like the NBA Finals" in person?
A championship event like the NBA Finals requires a championship presentation. Not to get too philosophical, but this is fundamentally just a basketball
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
What does the NBA think about its television ratings?

My report for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social from the commissioner’s press conference prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals:

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/nba-...
What does the NBA think about its television ratings?
Commissioner Adam Silver offered his thoughts on discussion of the league's television ratings during his NBA Finals pregame press conference.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle calls reports about Doris Burke’s uncertain future at ESPN “so sad” and adds “she has changed the game”.
June 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle calls reports about Doris Burke’s uncertain future at ESPN “so sad” and adds “she has changed the game”.
June 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—CBS to debut WNBA show with Dawn Staley
—Stephen A announces two new radio shows
—ESPN in the lead for UFC rights:
Plus: volleyball, softball, Bananas

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/wnba...
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
The latest for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Charles Barkley says his new TNT deal is for two more years
—“Sport Science” creator John Brenkus dies at 54
—Scott Hanson confirms return to RedZone
—CBS picks up UEFA Women’s Champions League rights

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/06/char...
www.sportsmediawatch.com
June 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
This week’s edition of “The Needle” asks: should the NBA be concerned about “market size” in the Finals?

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/nba-...
The Needle: Does the NBA have a market size problem?
On a special edition of "The Needle," SMW contributor and Oklahoma City resident Ben Huddleston takes a look at the Thunder's NBA finals berth and
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Friday news recap for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—NCAA exploring expanding men’s hoops tourney
—AU softball gets big investment from MLB
—CW looking to pick up more bowl games
Plus: Big 12/WWE, Swimming, CFB on TNT

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/marc...
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
SMW’s College Football Schedule Tracker is updated with details from today’s announcements, including a full week-by-week schedule:

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/03/2025...
2025 College Football Schedule Tracker
Sports Media Watch has fans covered with a comprehensive look at the ways to watch college football in 2025.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
The latest for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Disney is suing YouTube over its new sports exec hire
—Apple joins NBC, others in seeking Sunday Night Baseball
Plus: UEFA, Dan Le Batard, college volleyball, Mark Packer

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/yout...
News: YouTube, MLB, and more
YouTube's new sports exec faces lawsuit from former employer; Apple joins the list of parties interested in ESPN's MLB rights; and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Today’s news for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Stan Verrett, ESPN parting ways after 25 years
—Scott Hanson returning to Olympic “Gold Zone”
—Sports Emmy winners revealed
Plus: Good Morning Football, SportsCenter, and more

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/stan...
News: Verrett, Hanson, Emmys, and more
A longtime SportsCenter anchor to end his tenure; Scott Hanson will return to Peacock's "Gold Zone"; Sports Emmy winners revealed; and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Ex-Nuggets coach Malone will join ESPN’s WCF coverage
—TNT announces Roland-Garros schedule
—Julie Foudy to depart ESPN
And more…

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/news...
News: Michael Malone, French Open, Julie Foudy, and more
Denver's recently-ousted coach gets a TV gig; TNT's Roland-Garros schedule comes into focus; Julie Foudy out at ESPN; and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
New for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

ESPN reaches extension with Chris Berman to keep him on-air through 2029.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/chri...
Chris Berman reaches extension with ESPN
ESPN's longest-tenured employee is sticking around for a new contract through at least 2029.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 12, 2025 at 5:41 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Presenting: the Sports Media Watch NFL TV Schedule “Mock Draft”. NBC is on the clock with the first pick here:

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/nfl-...
2025 NFL TV Mock Draft
Sports Media Watch presents the 2025 NFL Television Mock Draft, predicting where all the top games will end up on next week's schedule.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:07 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Today’s news for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—John Skipper exiting Meadowlark Media partnership
—Fubo still planning sports bundle offering this fall
—NBA execs unsure of NBATV’s future
Plus: Joe Micheletti, Malika Andrews, Chris Haynes

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/05/john...
News: Skipper, Fubo, NBA TV, and more
John Skipper is leaving Meadowlark Media; Fubo still planning to launch a sports "skinny bundle"; and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
May 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social:

—Pac-12 sets new media rights deals with CBS, ESPN for 2025
—Fox exec named in recent lawsuits departs the network
Plus: Shaq, ACC hoops, BIG3

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/04/pac-...
News: Pac-12, Charlie Dixon, and more
Oregon State, Washington State announce deals with CBS, ESPN; the Fox executive named in recent lawsuits has departed the network; and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
The latest for @paulsen_smw:

—ESPN still hoping to renew UFC rights
—New documentary will cover TNT’s final NBA season
—MLS will not switch to fall/spring schedule yet
—Jeff Darlington nears contract expiration
www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/04/espn...
News: ESPN-UFC, TNT doc, MLS calendar, Darlington
ESPN hopes to secure rights to UFC events; a new documentary covers TNT's final NBA season; MLS sticking with the current schedule format.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
April 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
The latest for @paulsen_smw:

—Andre Agassi joining TNT for French Open
—Chiefs request permanent Christmas games
—USGA rights headed to open market
—TGL looks at expansion for next season

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/04/andr...
News: Agassi, NFL on Christmas, USGA, TGL
Andre Agassi joins TNT for French Open; the Chiefs request more Christmas games; USGA rights hit the open market; and TGL looks at expansion.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
Today’s news for @paulsen_smw:

—Peter Schrager nearing deal with ESPN
—ESPN adding live betting analyst to UFL games
—Labor strife puts tonight’s UFL opener in doubt
—NBA revisiting All-Star Game format again

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/03/pete...
News: Schrager, Erin Dolan, UFL, NBA All-Star
An NFL Network host nearing a deal to move to ESPN; the UFL's sophomore season at risk; NBA revisiting the All-Star Game format again.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
sportswithben.bsky.social
News roundup for @paulsen_smw:

—Comcast, YES Network far apart on eve of contract expiration
—Guardians secure cable distribution with hours before Opening Day
—NBA execs discussing European league
And more…
www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/03/loca...
News: YES Network, Guardians, International NBA, and more
Yankees nearing contract deadline with Comcast; Guardians TV options come down to the wire; NBA discussing new league in Europe, and more.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:35 PM