Eddie Pepperell qualified for the The Open with a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open.GETTY IMAGES
The BBC was "left with a last minute hole in its commentary team" for The Open after one of its pundits qualified to play. Eddie Pepperell, 27, signed up for commentary duties with BBC Radio 5 Live "reasoning that at least it would afford him the opportunity to witness the action and the atmosphere at Carnoustie." Pepperell's ambition to be a golfing pundit was "put on hold when he booked himself a coveted place at the championship" with a second-place finish at the Scottish Open last weekend (London TELEGRAPH, 7/16).
The Int'l Champions Cup renewed its rights deal with pay-TV broadcaster Premier Sports, which will show the preseason football tournament in the U.K. and Ireland. Under the terms of the deal with Catalyst Media Group, which distributes the broadcast rights to the ICC on behalf of tournament organizer Relevent Sports, Premier Sports "will show 23 matches live" (SOCCEREX, 7/17).
Syndicated sports show "In Depth with Graham Bensinger" signed three-year extensions with ESPN Int'l and Fox Sports Europe. It also signed a new, three-year deal with BT Sport for airings throughout the U.K. and Ireland. The show profiles global sports figures, with recent personalities featured including Bernie Ecclestone and John McEnroe (In Depth with Graham Bensinger).
GAA President John Horan and RTÉ Dir General Dee Forbes launched a "landmark three-part series" titled "The Game" at a screening in Dublin's Irish Film Institute on Tuesday. Produced by Crossing The Line Films for RTÉ and with the support of the GAA and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the series, recorded in cinema-quality 4K over two years, "celebrates hurling, exploring its origins from the mists of prehistory through to its tremendous growth over the last century and how it can justifiably claim to be the fastest/most exciting field sport in the world" (RTÉ, 7/17).
