ESPN2 saw a 44% viewership increase for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm on Friday. The network drew 344,000 viewers for the Storm's 93-80 win. Viewership figures for Game 2 were not available. Game 3 is set for tonight at 7:00pm ET on ESPN (THE DAILY).
JET SETTERS: In Winnipeg, Ted Wyman reports Corus Radio has "acquired the rights" to broadcast NHL Jets games on CJOB-AM through the '26-27 season, "grabbing the contract away from rival" CFRW-AM. Jets games have been broadcast on TSN-affiliate CFRW since the team moved to Winnipeg from Atlanta in '11. The Jets "were a fixture on CJOB during their first incarnation as a franchise." CJOB station manager Brent Williamson said that it is "too early to say what the broadcast team for games will look like" (WINNIPEG SUN, 10/6).
FINDING NEW WORK: In Sacramento, Jason Anderson reports former Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear is "staging a comeback four months after leaving his television and radio jobs over a social media controversy." His "If You Don’t Like That With Grant Napear" podcast will "offer interviews and analysis across the sports world, but the first show was largely devoted to his belief that politics and social justice issues have no place in sports." In it, Napear "bemoaned the rise of 'cancel culture' and said many fans are turning away from sports because they don’t want to be inundated with social justice messages and demonstrations" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 10/6).
