SPORT TECHIE's Mark Burns reported Fox Sports in partnership with LiveLike will broadcast Saturday's Sounders-Toronto FC MLS Cup final "in virtual reality." The VR coverage "will have a sponsor for the first time ever on Fox as Audi -- also a current MLS league sponsor -- will have branded integration throughout the experience, including an in-suite Audi car." Unlike prior VR broadcasts on Fox, such as the Big Ten Championship, a "replay feature will now be integrated" into the MLS broadcast, "arguably the biggest difference from previous experiences" (SPORTTECHIE.com, 12/6).
WATCH YOUR WORDS: In Salt Lake City, Scott Pierce writes Fox play-by-play man Gus Johnson "completely deserves the criticism he's getting for his ill-timed, inappropriate and downright offensive comments" at the end of Saturday's Big Ten Championship. As Penn State wrapped up a win over Wisconsin, Johnson said, "With all that has happened with this program regarding the sexual abuse scandal, this is a reckoning, a revival, a regeneration, a milestone in the healing process." Pierce writes Johnson is "confused about who needs to do the healing," as Penn State "was not the victim" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/7).
DOCUMENTING HISTORY: HBO on March 1 will "debut an unscripted show" chronicling the UConn women's basketball team's '16-17 season. "UConn Huskies: The March to Madness" will air at 10:00pm ET "with a one-hour edition." In Hartford, Paul Doyle notes other episodes will last 30 minutes and "run on subsequent Wednesdays through the end of UConn's season." HBO, which is teaming with WME-IMG's original content unit, has been "filming behind the scenes all season and the show will focus on the program's pursuit of a fifth national title in a row" (HARTFORD COURANT, 12/7).
STEADY VOICES: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reported Rays radio broadcaster Andy Freed has "agreed to a new three-year deal" through '19. His broadcast partner Dave Willis is signed through the '17 season (TAMPABAY.com, 12/6).
