ESPN, Netflix and NBC sign new media rights deal with Major League Baseball

ESPN has ranked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lower in their Week 12 power rankings, reflecting a negative sentiment regarding the team's performance. The exact position of the Buccaneers in the rankings has not been disclosed, but the drop indicates challenges faced by the team this season.

Cooper Flagg, a rookie for the Dallas Mavericks, is set to miss an upcoming game due to an illness. This news comes as the Mavericks struggle with a challenging season, currently holding a 4-11 record and facing multiple injury setbacks. Flagg's absence is expected to impact the team's performance further.

The Los Angeles Rams have placed veteran safety Quentin Lake, tight end Tyler Higbee, and tackle Rob Havenstein on injured reserve due to injuries. Each player will miss at least the next four games as a result of this decision.

Paul Finebaum has denied claims of bias towards the Southeastern Conference (SEC) while asserting that the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee favors Notre Dame. Finebaum's comments come amid ongoing debates about the fairness of playoff selections, particularly concerning teams like Miami and Notre Dame. His remarks highlight the contentious nature of college football rankings and the scrutiny faced by the CFP.

The Cincinnati Bengals have received positive news as quarterback Joe Burrow fully participated in practice, indicating he is closer to returning to the field. Conversely, Joe Flacco, who has been starting in Burrow's absence, appears on the injury report, raising concerns about his availability.

Major League Baseball (MLB) announced it will comply with a Senate committee's request for documents related to gambling investigations. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell sent a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred, requesting the information by December 5. This request follows the indictment of Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who are accused of accepting bribes to manipulate pitches for gamblers.

NBC has announced additional details regarding its Major League Baseball (MLB) deal, which includes a primetime game on Labor Day. This announcement highlights NBC's commitment to enhancing its sports programming, particularly with the inclusion of Sunday Night Baseball and other key events.

ESPN has secured the MLB.tv out-of-market package, while Netflix has acquired rights to the Home Run Derby and key games. NBC will take over the Sunday Night Baseball schedule. This development follows ESPN's earlier decision to opt out of its rights deal with Major League Baseball, which seemed to signal a potential split between the two parties.