NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week "had informal conversations with TV network executives interested in a new eight-game Thursday night TV package," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. League officials and network execs "had early discussions about adding a new TV package earlier this year, but talks were put on hold" due to the labor situation. The "idea was to add eight early-season Thursday night games to complement NFL Network's eight-game package in the second half of the season." The league "expects to get as much as $700 million a year on that package." The talks "look to be back on the league's front burner," and execs "believe a new package could be awarded by the end of September." The "two front-runners for the new eight-game package" are Turner and Comcast. But Ourand notes a "potential venture with NFL Network" is what is "causing the most intrigue." Sources said that they expect the "future of the NFL Network to play a significant part in the talks." The NFL "has hinted at the possibility of giving up management responsibilities -- or even an ownership stake -- in the network to the winning bidder of any new package" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/1 issue).
NOT GETTING THEIR FEATHERS RUFFLED: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Marisa Guthrie cited NBC Sports analysts and execs as saying that they “were never really that worried” that the NFL “would be shelved for the season.” NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus said, “I always was certainly hopeful that cooler heads would prevail and there would be a season.” Announcer Al Michaels added that “we’ve averted a ‘national nervous breakdown.'” Michaels said the “real winners” of the lockout were the “lawyers who won the game about 71 to 1 billable hours.” Meanwhile, Lazarus said that the departure of former NBC Sports Group Chair Dick Ebersol earlier this year “would not be felt in the network’s coverage of games.” Lazarus: “The quality (of the telecasts) and the story arcs is something we’re all cognizant of. We want, wherever he is, for him to be proud of what we’re doing. That’s something that’s important to all of us. The one place that you will see some differences, is doing some more of what we do live when we can” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/1). Lazarus added the net "certainly prepared as if there was going to be a season." However, the net did have a "Plan B, which Lazarus wouldn't reveal" (K.C. STAR, 8/2).
SING A SONG: USA TODAY's Bianco & Levin confirmed the "second-season premiere" of NBC's "The Voice" will air after the net's telecast of Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 (USA TODAY, 8/2).
