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Serena Williams Farewell Fueling Ratings Growth For US Open On ESPN

“Both of the matches she has played at the US Open have been must-see TV for fans with all levels of dedication to tennis.”
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Published

9 months ago

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It’s not every day that the GOAT in his or her sport decides to walk away. When that happens, fans rush to take in that player’s final moments. That is what is happening with Serena Williams right now and ESPN is reaping the benefits.

Both of the matches she has played at the US Open have been must-see TV for fans with all levels of dedication to tennis.

On Monday night, Williams opened what is expected to be her final event with a straight sets victory over Danka Kovinic. The telecast averaged 2.7 million viewers and peaked in the final quarter hour of the match with 3.1 million viewers. That is the biggest audience ever to tune in for the first day of the US Open.

Serena Williams delivered again for ESPN on Wednesday night. Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit is the second-ranked women’s player in the world and came into the match as the betting favorite. However, Williams pulled out a four-set victory seen by an audience of that peaked at 5 million.

ESPN has been cashing in on the interest even when Serena Williams is not playing. She did not play Tuesday night. The network still saw a 50% audience increase compared to the 2021 US Open.

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ESPN Colleagues Pay Tribute to Neil Everett

“It was universal praise from the people that knew and worked with Everett.”
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Published

3 hours ago

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June 9, 2023

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Courtesy: ESPN Images

Neil Everett has become one of the faces of SportsCenter. After 23 years at ESPN, he announced that he is leaving the network.

Colleagues at the World Wide Leader took to Twitter to share their thoughts. It was universal praise from the people that knew and worked with Everett. Chief among them was his SportsCenter partner of fourteen years, Stan Verrett.

Everett has spent the last two years as part of the television studio crew covering the Portland Trail Blazers. He told Front Office Sports that he will be seeking to expand his role with the team.

If Root Sports Northwest requires references, there are plenty ESPN colleagues past and present that were immediately ready to vouch for Neil Everett.

Everett was not laid off. He turned down a new contract that would have forced him to take a pay cut.

The Walt Disney Company is in the middle of layoffs effecting every division. CEO Bob Iger has tasked his leaders with reducing costs by $5.5 billion and cutting 7000 jobs.

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Bleav To Launch 2 FuboTV Channels

“Over 1,000 hours of original content is produced by Bleav each month.”
Jordan Bondurant

Published

11 hours ago

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June 9, 2023

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Sports and entertainment media production company Bleav has officially launched two channels available now on FuboTV.

Bleav Sports and Bleav Football will utilize content from its podcast network to comprise programming on the TV side.

“We are excited to be partnering with Fubo, one of the premiere companies for sports streaming,” Bleav president Eric Weinberger said.

Over 1,000 hours of original content is produced by Bleav each month. Former NFL and NBA standouts like Ahman Green, Rudy Gay, Lamar Odom, LenDale White, Ike Taylor and Jonathan Stewart are just some of the hosts for Bleav.

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Neil Everett Exits ESPN After 23 Years

“ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my life.”
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Published

17 hours ago

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June 8, 2023

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Courtesy: NBAE via Getty Images

Neil Everett’s SportsCenter days are over. Front Office Sports reports that the anchor has chosen to say goodbye to ESPN after 23 years at the network.

“ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my life,” Everett said. “Time to write a new chapter.” 

The network reportedly offered Everett a new deal. Had he agreed to it, the anchor would have taken a salary reduction.

This is a significant moment for SportsCenter. Everett moving on means one of the show’s longest-tenured partnership comes to an end. He had worked with Stan Verrett since 2009.

Everett’s exit comes in the same week that it was revealed Chris Chelios would not return to the network’s NHL coverage next season. The Walt Disney Company is currently in the middle of trying to cut 7000 jobs to save $5.5 billion.

As for the future, Everett says he will seek to increase his TV role with the Portland Trail Blazers. He has been part of the team’s broadcast crew on Root Sports Northwest for the last two years.

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