In Portland, Joe Freeman noted the Trail Blazers' future TV home "remains very much up in the air," as the team has until midnight tomorrow to "ink a deal" with a new partner. Team sources said that multiple potential suitors "are in the running and competition remains 'wide open.'" A source said, "Everyone is still in the race." But Trail Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan on Monday said those reports "are untrue." Freeman noted for weeks the "vibe inside the organization has been that the Blazers were leaving" CSN Northwest for either Root Sports or Fox Sports (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/28).
NEW COVERAGE: In L.A., Richard Wagoner noted both KSPN-AM and KSWD-FM will be the "local affiliates carrying every one of the Rams games as the team marks its return" to Southern California. The agreement is for "five years and covers pre-season, regular-season and post-season games." Each game day will feature a "full eight hours of programming," simulcast on KSPN and KSWD. This includes "three-hour pre-game and two-hour post-game programs along with play-by-play." KSPN "will have a one-hour preview show" every Thursday at 7:00pm PT during the regular season, a one-hour weekly coach’s show with Jeff Fisher on Mondays at 7:00pm, weekly segments with Fisher and various Rams players and daily reports. KSWD also will "create its own programming" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/28).
KNOW YOUR MARKET: In Salt Lake City, Scott Pierce notes Pac-12 Networks will "begin airing" e-sports competitions on its channels "beginning sometime later this year." The broadcasts are "aimed at the college crowd, who -- we're assured -- are interested in watching fellow students play video games." There is a "certain element of genius to this proposal," as it will "provide original programming to channels that are always in need of fresh shows." If college students "or anyone else ... actually tune in and watch, that's a bonus" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/29).
