ESPN: Last News

As representatives come and go from Old Trafford this week, further details about the Manchester United sale process continue to emerge.

Former Inter Milan and Brazil defender Miranda has admitted he would have liked to have played for Manchester United during his professional career.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Pablo Torre is about to become a creature of two worlds. The veteran ESPN writer and on-air personality is leaving the Disney sports-media giant — and he’s staying, too. Torre is joining Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN chief John Skipper and the sports commentator Dan Le Batard. And yet, Torre is expected to remain a regular contributor to “Around The Horn” and “Pardon The Interruption,” two of the mainstay programs on the ESPN daytime schedule. “They are looking to build another show directly out of ‘The Dan LeBatard Show,’ which is a monster,” Torre says of Meadowlark in an interview. Torre envisions a digital program with audio and video components that will allow him to “tell original stories, do a bit of journalism and figure out how to make that show a home that can fit all of the things I aspire to do creatively.” Torre will also contribute to Meadowlark’s unscripted efforts.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Sonia Coleman, a 15-year Disney veteran, is taking on a new role as head of human resources. The Mouse House named Coleman as senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer of the Walt Disney Co., effective April 8. She most recently has served as SVP of human resources for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. Coleman takes over the the top HR job at Disney from Paul Richardson, who is leaving the company after more than 15 years. As head of HR, Coleman will report directly to Bob Iger, who is serving as interim CEO for a two-year term. Coleman will oversee Disney’s HR strategy, global talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, organizational design and cultural development, employee education and development, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, and global security.

Disney is promoting HR exec Sonia Coleman to Senior EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective April 8 and reporting to CEO Bob Iger.

live TV streaming service to catch all the action. From Selection Sunday to the Final Four and the National Championship game, the easiest and cheapest way to watch March Madness 2023 without cable is Sling TV. Since March Madness will be streamed on CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV and ESPN, new customers will want to subscribe to Sling Orange. With a Sling Orange subscription, you'll get access to TBS and TNT where you'll be able to watch 43 of the 67 games in the tournament.Don’t miss any of this year’s NCAA March Madness games live on TNT, TBS and TruTV with Sling TV for the lowest price. Get 50% off extensive regular-season action and complete conference championships coverage. Sling TV is currently offering your first month of streaming for half off, making it the most affordable way to watch March Madness. With Sling TV plans offering up to four concurrent streams, your family and friends can all watch the 68-team tournament from the comfort of multiple rooms. Get 50% Off Sling TVMore video and streaming platforms are currently slashing prices on subscription packages, too.

Disney CEO Bob Iger called succession top priority as he moves to turn the company around and, with the board, name a new chief executive before the end of his two-year contract.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Bob Iger, just over three months back as CEO of Disney, discussed major organizational changes he’s made at the company — and his optimism about making streaming, particularly Disney+, a profitable piece of the empire. “I’m generally bullish on streaming as a great consumer proposition, as a really robust platform to deliver high-quality content,” Iger said, speaking Thursday at the 2023 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in San Francisco. But “we have to better rationalize our costs” and “obviously we have to attract more subs.” In addition, he said, “In our zeal to grow global subs, I think we were off in terms of our pricing strategy, and we’re starting to learn more about it.” Iger also said Disney overall had a “disconnect” between what it was spending on content and how it was monetizing that — and that the company needs to become “more judicious” about content investment.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The Walt Disney Co. is once again leaning heavily into synergy across its divisions as it aims to bolster awareness and tune-in for Sunday night’s 95thOscars. That includes pop-up events at Disney parks and resorts; special program marathons on Disney-owned networks including FX, Freeform and Nat Geo; and Oscar-branded programming on ESPN, ABC News and ABC-owned stations. That includes everything from an Oscars-themed chocolate brownie milkshake at the Disney California Adventure eatery known as “Schmoozies,” to a binge of “The Simpsons” episodes featuring Oscar-winning guest stars, Hollywood and movie homages and more on FXX.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor With big U.S. media companies scrambling for soccer rights, Paramount Global wants to kick things up a notch. The company’s CBS Sports on April 11 will debut a 24-hour free streaming network dedicated to global soccer coverage. CBS Sports Golazo Network will launch with analysis, highlights, a range of game broadcasts, and its own morning program. “Morning Footy” will run weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. eastern and will be led by host Susannah Collins along with former U.S. Men’s National Team player Charlie Davies, analyst Nico Cantor and “The Cooligans” soccer personality and comedian Alexis Guerreros. Reporter Jenny Chiu will provide updates.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Dick’s Sporting Goods is getting ready to play a new game with the NCAA. The Pittsburgh company has been named the college-sports league’s official sporting-goods retailer, a new partnership that will become quickly visible during the NCAA’s “March Madness” basketball tournament and is part of a multi-million dollar deal that will give Dick’s on-court signage and exclusive access to select fan events. Commercials purchased in game inventory from CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, which televise the March Madness games, are a strong element of the deal. Dick’s also plans to have a presence at NCAA women’s Final Four Open Practices, which has not had an active on-site sponsor in the past. Dick’s plans to invest in media around the women’s basketball tournament on Disney’s ESPN.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Max Meyers has at least one firm rule about his new CNBC program, and it might surprise some of the business-news outlet’s die-hards. “I told everyone, ‘No earnings,’” says Meyers, a veteran producer at the NBCUniversal-backed cable network. “I don’t want to hear that.” No net income on CNBC? Such a dictate would be anathema on “Squawk Box,” the morning-news program that Meyers previously ran, but it might just stick on “Last Call,” a new 7 p.m. effort from CNBC executives that aims to keep business-news aficionados hanging out with the network until later in the evening. Over the past week, anchor Brian Sullivan, who is moving from a 5 a.m. roost on “Worldwide Exchange” to anchor the new evening show, has held forth on everything from Tesla to Salesforce during rehearsals, ready to give late-breaking news to CNBC’s market faithful.

live TV streaming service to catch all the action. From Selection Sunday all the way to the Championship Game, the easiest and cheapest way to watch March Madness 2023 without cable is Sling TV. Don’t miss any of this year’s NCAA March Madness games live on TNT, TBS and TruTV with Sling TV for the lowest price. Get 50% off extensive regular-season action and complete conference championships coverage. Sling TV is currently offering your first month of streaming for half off, making it the most affordable way to watch March Madness. With Sling TV plans offering up to four concurrent streams, your family and friends can all watch the 68-team tournament from the comfort of multiple rooms. Since March Madness will be streamed on CBs, TBS, TNT, truTV and ESPN, new customers will want to subscribe to Sling Orange & Blue.Get 50% Off Sling TVMore video and streaming platforms are currently slashing prices on subscription packages, too.

Road House remake.The day prior to filming the fight scene, Gyllenhaal attended the event’s weigh-in ceremony, where he and former UFC fighter Jay Heiron took the stage to film their own weigh-in scene. The scene culminated in both fighters facing off before getting into a scuffle and being separated.A post shared by ESPN MMA (@espnmma)On Saturday night, both men stepped into the cage before the live UFC 285 event took place in Las Vegas.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor ESPN is getting in on the biggest game at corporate parent Disney: shuffling top executive ranks in the wake of the return of CEO Bob Iger. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro handed oversight of content and newsgathering to Burke Magnus, a veteran executive who has helped the sports-media giant strike sports-rights deals with most of the major sports leagues as well as set in motion new content initiatives. Magnus has been named president of content, according to a new memo from Pitaro reviewed by Variety, and will supervise studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, talent, audio, digital, and social media. Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant, a Disney veteran who has been overseeing Disney facilities in its parks division, will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, the ESPN position that negotiates for the rights that keep a significant chunk of live sports on Disney’s media portfolio.

Julia MacCary editor Emmy-winning journalist Kelley L. Carter has signed a multi-year deal with ABC, elevating the ESPN Andscape senior entertainment reporter to a new role as entertainment reporter for all shows under the ABC and ABC News umbrella, including “Good Morning America,” “GMA3” and “ABC News Live.” In addition to her new duties, Carter will continue her work at ESPN Andscape — a media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity — where she currently hosts the celebrity interview series “Another Act.” Recent guests include Queen Latifah, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Viola Davis, Zoe Saldaña and Keke Palmer. She also interviewed the creators and the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” in the special program “Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter,” which coincided with the premiere of Hamilton on Disney+.

Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will settle their rivalry in the ring tonight with their hotly-anticipated fight taking place in Saudi Arabia. The contest follows a protracted war of words between the pair.

Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini has claimed that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is perfect and admitted that he was wrong to doubt his ability.

Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford has rediscovered the directness, aggression and ruthlessness in front of goal that made him so dangerous when he initially broke through at Manchester United.

He’s back. Aaron Rodgers has resurfaced after entering a darkness retreat to help him make a decision about his NFL future.

Lionel Messi's father Jorge has seemingly poured cold water on a sensational return to Barcelona.