CynopsisSports

Good morning. It’s Friday August 31, 2018 and this is your first early morning Sports briefing.

PBC landed a long-term home as SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions locked in a three-year boxing programming agreement that extends their partnership. The deal calls for a monthly series of events presented by PBC that will air live on the network an also calls for the promotion to deliver content for a significant expansion of live boxing programming from SHOWTIME Sports coming in 2019.

“Over the past seven-plus years, SHOWTIME has developed the most comprehensive slate of boxing programming in the world,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming for Showtime Networks Inc. “We have consistently been recognized for making the most significant contributions to the sport of boxing, both financially and editorially. Building off our industry-leading live event schedule, this long-term deal with Premier Boxing Champions ensures that SHOWTIME will remain the No. 1 destination for the world’s greatest fighters and their passionate and diverse fans.”

ON THE AIR

With the Eagles set to defend their first-ever Super Bowl title, Comcast NBCUniversal is going deep to celebrate NFL Kickoff 2018 on Sept. 6 when the season opens with the Eagles hosting the Falcons. That day will see NBCUniversal programs will broadcast from Center City Philadelphia, including NBC News’ TODAY, CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, CNBC’s Mad Money w/Jim Cramer while NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia provide all-day exclusive coverage to create the “Countdown to Kickoff.” In addition, the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs are in Philadelphia with Golf Channel and NBC televising all four rounds of the BMW Championship from nearby Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, PA, from September 6-9, while the Sunday Night Football bus returns and will appear at Aronimink’s Clubhouse on Sept. 6.

In ratings news, after three days at the US Open, ESPN reports that it’s overnight ratings – combining ESPN and ESPN2 – are up 20%, over the same period in 2017, hitting a 0.6 for 35.5 hours of live coverage. The highest-rated telecast so far was last night’s six-hour, 15-minute marathon featuring Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and more that lasted until 1:15a, peaking with a 1.3 rating from 8:30 – 9:15p Top markets through three days, according to Nielsen, include West Palm Beach at a 1.3, Columbis at a 1.1, and then Tampa, DC and Norfolk at a 1.0.

Meanwhile, ESPN also reports that average viewership for the 72nd Little League Baseball World Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods on ESPN’s linear grew 13% this year with 1,020,000 viewers compared to 900,000 average viewers during the 2017 tournament, according to Nielsen. The Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game on ABC was the most-watched final matchup since the 2015 championship with 3,248,000 average viewers.

The World Long Drive Association sees the Volvik World Long Drive Championship tee off from the Texas/Oklahoma border starting this weekend and culminating live in primetime on Golf Channel on Sept. 4-5 at 9p from WinStar World Casino and Resort. Production centering around live coverage of the Volvik World Long Drive Championship will utilize 13 dedicated cameras, capturing all angles from the hitting platform and the landing grid, including two SuperMo cameras as well as two craned-positioned cameras that will track the ball in flight. Jonathan Coachman will conduct play-by-play alongside Art Sellinger with Jerry Foltz offering reports from the teeing platform.

Pac-12 Networks announced the addition of former Stanford All-American running back and 2009 Pac-10 Player of the Year Toby Gerhart to its in-studio analyst team ahead of this weekend’s games. Other talent announcements include a multiyear extension for veteran play-by-play announcer Ted Robinson; the addition of Ryan Leaf and Sam Peszek to the on-air lineup.

Don’t miss the biggest esports business event of the year from Oct. 1-3. Get your tickets to the Esports Business Summit now, with five tracks of programming: teams/competition; media/content; sponsorship/activation; venues and investment. Plus: The Tempest Awards, killer field trips and deep-dive workshops. Panel spotlight: Join us for a general session on Oct. 2 with a special fireside chat between two industry pioneers: Brent Koning, EA’s FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner and Christian Volk, Head of Digital Marketing at FIFA to talk about the evolution of their alliance. Click here for tickets.

While some networks are moving quickly to embrace the legalization of sports wagering, Sports Illustrated writes that CBS President Sean McManus noted that the company’s broadcasters will not reference anything that has to do with gambling during NFL games this season, noting “The ruling has only affected a small handful of states so we don't think it affects the audience greatly, so right now we're not going to be talking about point spreads with our NFL coverage.”

SiriusXM announced that sports media personality Nick Wright will host a new daily show airing exclusively on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio channel. What’s Wright with Nick Wright will debut Tuesday and air live weekdays from 6-8p on the channel.

Finally, congratulations to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame class of 2018, which includes Gary Bettman, Mary Carillo, Bob Costas, Bill Fitts, Bud Greenspan, Peter Larsson, David Mazza, Gene Mikell, Jim Nantz, Neal Pilson and Dick Vitale. This year’s class will be inducted on Dec. 11, 2018 at the New York Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The 2^nd Annual Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival

The Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival is searching for the most cutting-edge creatives from individuals and teams worldwide, including: production companies/studios, producers, networks, composers, lyricists, animators, video game developers/producers, website developers, mobile & app developers/producers, marketing companies, PR firms and more . Submissions will be judged by a panel of industry experts and finalists will be announced in mid-November.

SUBMIT VIDEOS

SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION

Hyundai announced that the brand would become the new presenting sponsor of NBC’s Sunday Night Football Kickoff show and will have the marquee presence leading into the primetime game each week. Hyundai will also sponsor a custom-branded content series, “Cover 2,” that will provide fans with a closer look at some of the league’s best rivalries in a three-part series that will run during Ravens at the Steelers, Sept. 30; Rams at 49ers, Oct. 21; and Packers at Vikings, Nov. 25. For the fourth season in a row, Hyundai is the presenting sponsor of the NFL’s Kickoff celebration where the NFL Kickoff Concert Driven by Hyundai will be headlined by multiplatinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes.

Eckrich and the University of Southern California Trojans announced a two-year partnership for the brand to become the Official Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat of the USC Trojans. Eckrich and USC will highlight the official partnership throughout the football season with a presence across USC’s social, digital and radio platforms and will offer local consumers opportunities to win tickets to a select game throughout the season. In addition, Eckrich will host a $1 Million Challenge at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as part of their Road to the National Championship sweepstakes, for the fourth consecutive season.

Dos Equis, the Official Beer Sponsor of the College Football Playoff is unveiling new television spots featuring coaching staples Les Miles and Steve Spurrier as part of the brand’s Keep It Interesante. ” campaign. The ads consist of a series of :15, :30 and :60 second spots, 12 in total, which will begin airing on TV and online yesterday.

Minor League Baseball renewed its partnership with Uncle Ray’s as the “Official Potato Chip of Minor League Baseball” in a multiyear extension. Using MiLB ballparks as a launching pad, Uncle Ray’s will continue its coast-to-coast expansion with exponential growth anticipated in the coming years.

ESPN Deportes unveils a new This is SportsCenter campaign featuring Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez and undefeated WBC, WBA and IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin ahead of their upcoming rematch on Sept. 15. Titled “Shared Cube,” the commercial mirrors Canelo and GGG’s rivalry as their boxing instincts are triggered in an ESPN office setting by the ding of a microwave.

Major League Baseball on Thursday announced that for the third consecutive year MLB Clubs will dedicate a special "Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" at ballparks on Saturday in recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In partnership with Stand Up To Cancer, MLB and MLB Clubs will raise awareness for the fight against the disease by having Major League players, coaches, umpires and grounds crew members wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands.

DIGITAL & STREAMING

Former NFL player Martellus Bennett will take on a new role next week with Yahoo Sports as host of live internet talk show Mostly Football. The show will be produced by Yahoo Sports and Complex Networks and launch Sept. 6 at 7p, running weekly on Thursdays throughout the NFL season.

ESPORTS

EA is setting up a tribute fund and livestream to support the victims of the Madden NFL 19 shooting that took place in Jacksonville. The announcement includes a $1 million donation dedicated to supporting the victims in addition to a fund created for individuals can contribute and add to the donation made by EA. Meanwhile, the company is setting up a livestream for Sept. 6 that will pay tribute to the victims of the Madden NFL 19 Jacksonville, Florida shooting and help to bring the community closer together in this time of mourning.

THE MAIN EVENT

College football season is officially on deck. Don’t miss Washington/Auburn on Saturday at 3:30p on ABC.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Time to Tune-in to the Future Industry Leaders

The Fourth Annual Cynopsis Rising Star Awards is gearing up for its best year yet…Don’t miss this great opportunity to honor yourself or a colleague with a nomination. The groundbreaking work that these ambitious and creative young professionals have accomplished over the past year deserves to be celebrated – and we can’t wait to see what they have to offer!

ENTER NOW

Here’s a look at last year’s winners!

ON THIS DAY in 1990: Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. become the first father and son to play on the same team at the same time.

In the Know: Besides the Fighting Irish, which two schools in the ACC don’t have a team nickname that ends with the letter ‘S’? (Email chris-sports@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city.)

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question: Who is the last college football coach to win a national title in his first season (FBS level)? Answer: Larry Coker at Miami. Kudos: Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/Burbank

Later - Chris

Chris Pursell @VegasandVine
Roberta Caploe Publisher @robertacaploe	Diane K Schwartz Senior Vice President Media Communications Group	Cynopsis Ad Sales Mike Farina \| 203-218-6480 VP, Sales	Cynopsis Job Listings Sales Trish Pihonak \| 203-899-8459 Director of Operations

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