Pitaro said that there are now weekly discussions between the league and network executivesESPN IMAGES
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said that one of his top priorities since taking over for former President John Skipper earlier this year "has been to improve relations with the NFL," according to Ben Strauss of the WASHINGTON POST. Pitaro said he has "spent a lot of time with league executives." Pitaro also said that as "part of the network’s relationship with the NFL, he wants better games" for its “MNF” schedule. He noted, “We have 11 out of the 12 teams that made the playoffs last year. We are very pleased with the schedule.” Pitaro said that he has not "imagined ESPN’s future without the NFL." He said, “I believe they want to be in business with us. We’re optimistic not just about the next four years but about the long-term viability of this partnership” (WASHINGTON POST, 8/18). Pitaro also said that ESPN’s relations with the NFL "have 'positive momentum' after some tense years." He said, "The relationship, the partnership is incredibly important to us." Pitaro cited "weekly discussions between the league and network executives." He added, “That programming cuts across everything we’re doing. We’re feeling very positive momentum” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/17).
WILL STANDARDS SOFTEN? THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch writes with ESPN hoping to improve its relationship with the NFL, many company employees "are asking: What does the company’s newfound and very public declaration to heal its fractured relationship with the NFL mean for ESPN’s journalism involving the NFL?" ESPN is "undoubtedly going to continue to cover the NFL daily and will break plenty of compelling stories that involve players etc." But will viewers still "see deep investigative pieces on the issues that really chafe" at the NFL brass? (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/20).
