In N.Y., Keith Kelly notes an "explosive new report about FanSided and its reliance on low-wage contributors is drawing some unwanted attention to the site, which is part of the Sports Illustrated pending sell-off." A Meredith spokesperson said, "If these things took place -- and we have no knowledge that they did -- it was before SI bought the site in 2015 and prior to Meredith’s ownership in 2018. There is definitely a Deadspin agenda in play here." There is "no update on the sell-off of SI and other titles." However, sources said that the prices are "dropping far below" the $200M that Meredith was "hoping to snare for SI" (N.Y. POST, 9/7).
SUPER DEAL: Nielsen has "acquired gaming and esports market research company SuperData Research," which "specializes in analyzing gamer spending habits worldwide." The company will now be "referred to as SuperData, a Nielsen company" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 9/5).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: Digital sports network Overtime will open an L.A. office and hired Rachel DeMita to be an on-screen personality. DeMita will contribute to live event coverage and collaborate on a series where she will attempt to do the same workouts as pro and amateur athletes (John Ourand, Staff Writer)....WEEI host Kirk Minihane is "taking an 'indefinite leave'" of absence from the station. He tweeted, "Still battling mental health issues. Truth is I came back to work too fast." Minihane was "off the air for about a week in early August to undergo treatment for depression" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/7)....There is "optimism that Joe Benigno could be on WFAN by next week." But sources said that "nothing is concrete." Benigno has "been on leave since late July after he was named in a sexual-harassment lawsuit by a former employee of the station" (N.Y. POST, 9/7).
