Chris Fowler promises ESPN ‘plays no part’ in pulling strings for CFP committee

Duke University and the University of Arkansas set a new 30-year college basketball viewership record during their Thanksgiving matchup, aided by a lead-in from NFL programming on Fox. The game attracted a significant audience, highlighting the growing popularity of college basketball during the holiday season.

Ja Morant responded to an ESPN report that criticized him, Trae Young, and LaMelo Ball, with unnamed scouts and executives expressing negative opinions about the All-Star point guards. The report suggested that these players might be potential trade candidates, which sparked Morant's rebuttal against the disparaging remarks.

David Cone is reportedly considering leaving ESPN following a new agreement between the network and Major League Baseball (MLB), which may affect his role as a commentator. This development comes amid significant changes in MLB's media rights landscape, including new partnerships with other networks like NBC and Netflix.

The New York Knicks have engaged in offseason trade discussions involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, with reports indicating a potential offer from the Milwaukee Bucks that includes Kyle Kuzma. This comes as Antetokounmpo's dissatisfaction with the Bucks escalates, leading to speculation about a trade request in the near future.

Tim Skipper, who served as the interim head coach for UCLA football, has been appointed as the head coach for Cal Poly's football program at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, as reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel. This transition marks a significant step for Skipper following his tenure at UCLA, where he navigated a challenging season.

Dan Le Batard expressed confidence that Bill Simmons is dissatisfied with Spotify's recent partnership with Netflix, which may impact Simmons' role and influence within the media landscape. This partnership aligns Spotify with a major player in streaming, potentially reshaping content distribution strategies in sports media.

Pat McAfee revealed that ESPN's 'College GameDay' considered broadcasting from Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship, highlighting the event's significance in college football. This consideration reflects the growing prominence of the Big Ten Conference in the national sports landscape.

Burke Magnus, ESPN's president of content, announced that talent will flow between ESPN and NFL Network once Disney's acquisition is finalized, indicating a collaborative approach to content and personnel sharing between the two networks. This development was confirmed during an interview with Jimmy Traina, highlighting the strategic alignment between ESPN and NFL Network.