In N.Y., Keith Kelly reports it "will be at least 90 days" before new SI publisher The Maven "unveils plans on how it will run the iconic media property." The Maven is "paying the Authentic Brands Group for the licensing rights, but it is expected that Meredith will still be paid a fee to handle the print production -- even if Meredith will no longer have a stake in any profits." The Maven CEO James Heckman also said that he has "no plans to scrap SI’s print edition" (N.Y. POST, 6/19).
TAKING THE HIGH ROAD: YAHOO SPORTS' Jack Baer noted TMZ "got some additional comments" from ESPN's Molly Qerim following Monday's incident with LaVar Ball. When asked if she had "received an apology from Ball, Qerim deflected." She told TMZ, “I haven’t heard from anybody ... I shut my phone off after work." She added that her husband, ESPN's Jalen Rose, "would have just liked if [Ball] had apologized to me publicly." Qerim: "ESPN was really supportive, and I appreciate that all the executives had my back" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/18).
DUAL THREAT: Former NFLer and ESPN analyst Andrew Hawkins has joined NFL Media in a multi-platform role. He will host a variety of content on the company's digital and social channels. He will also appear as an analyst on various NFL Network shows, including "NFL Total Access" and "Good Morning Football." He will continue to host his Uninterrupted podcast alongside NFL Network analyst Joe Thomas (NFL Media).
