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Athletes have unparalleled opportunities to capitalize on their sports stardom these days by threading together business, advocacy and philanthropic ventures via social media and online communities.

Soccer superstar Alex Morgan and her longtime business partner Dan Levy discuss how Morgan is charting her transition off the pitch into business, content, foundation and nonprofit work on the latest episode of Variety podcast “Strictly Business.”

Morgan retired from professional soccer in September 2024 after 11 seasons with the National Women’s Soccer League, as a charter player from the league’s first season in 2013. For the U.S. Women’s National Team, Morgan played in 22 World Cup matches and scored nine goals. Over her 15-year professional career, she played in 16 Olympic matches and scored six goals.

Four years ago, women’s sports accounted for 4% of the total TV time devoted to live games and related coverage. In 2025, that number has spiked to 16% and it...

Prime Video has announced an August 7 premiere date and released the official trailer and key art for Taurasi, a three-part docuseries chronicling the extraordinary journey of basketball legend Diana Taurasi, whose relentless pursuit of greatness has transcended the boundaries of sport.

Taurasi will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, and is the latest addition to the Prime membership.

“Diana’s greatness isn’t just in her game, but in her grit, wit, and refusal to fit the mold,” said Taurasi director and executive producer Katie Bender Wynn. “From Argentina to UConn, six Olympics, to Phoenix, to post-Soviet Russia, she chased excellence—and respect—on her own terms. Taurasi is a cinematic portrait of an icon who never asked to be discovered—only understood.”

Pioneer. Iconoclast. G.O.A.T. These words—and more—describe the remarkable arc of basketball legend Diana Taurasi, whose personal...

With SiriusXM, subscribers get 24/7 expert analysis from the top names in sports. You’ll also get access to fantasy and gaming insight, exclusive interviews with athletes and coaches, and much more. Watch videos featuring professional athletes plus our hosts and analysts below.

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Sports Talk Shows with Popular Hosts & Icons

Stephen A. Smith announced that he will host and executive produce two new, original shows on SiriusXM beginning this September.

Legendary college basketball coach Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, who hosts “Basketball & Beyond with Coach K” on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio, praised former Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, who was drafted first by the Dallas Mavericks.

"Grant (Hill) is the best player to ever play at Duke, Laettner is the most accomplished…Cooper is definitely the best Freshman that has ever played."

Coach K talks to @DustyDvoracek & @dannykanell about how special Cooper Flagg's game is.

https://t.co/YgNNO9W71f@DukeMBB pic.

With SiriusXM, subscribers get 24/7 expert analysis from the top names in sports. You’ll also get access to live games from your favorite sport, fantasy and gaming insight, exclusive interviews with athletes and coaches, and much more. Watch videos featuring professional athletes plus our hosts and analysts below.

Sports Talk Shows with Popular Hosts & Icons

During an appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” Stephen A. Smith announced that he will host and executive produce two new, original shows on SiriusXM beginning this September.

Legendary college basketball coach Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, who hosts “Basketball & Beyond with Coach K” on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio, praised former Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, who was drafted first by the Dallas Mavericks.

"Grant (Hill) is the best player to ever play at Duke, Laettner is the most accomplished…Cooper is definitely the best Freshman that has ever played."

Coach K talks to @DustyDvoracek & @dannykanell...

Exclusive: The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, the most successful women’s program in the nation, has scored its own docuseries.

The UConn team, which is coached by Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma, who has the best record in college basketball, will be the focus of a three-part series from Apple TV+.

It comes on the back of their latest win as 2025 NCAA National Champions, beating South Carolina.

In 1985, the UConn women’s basketball program had one winning season in its history, but with the arrival of Auriemma as coach and an iconic collection of players that has included Rebecca Lobo, Swin Cash, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Breanna Stewart and 2025 No. 1 WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers, the Huskies became the gold standard in college basketball.

The series, which is in production, will explore the history and the recent win through a mix of archival footage and interviews.

Shane Gillis will host the 2025 Espys, ESPN announced Tuesday.

The comedian will take the stage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre to host sports’ biggest night on Wednesday, July 16. The 2025 Espys, which are presented by Capital One, will air live at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on ABC and will stream live on ESPN+.

Gillis’ appointment as host marks a switchup from recent Espys hosts, which have more recently seen beloved sports stars host the awards ceremony. Serena Williams hosted in 2024 and other hosts from recent years include Stephen Curry, Russell Wilson, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Danica Patrick and Peyton Manning, among others.

The “Tires” star and writer joins a slew of non-athletes who have hosted in the Espys, including Anthony Mackie, Tracy Morgan, Joel McHale, Drake and Jom Hamm.

“I’m excited to be at the Espys this year,” Gillis said. “I like sports so this should be a good time.

Having made the transition from star athlete to sports business executive, Paul Rabil is continuing to widen the aperture. The co-founder and commissioner of the Premier Lacrosse League is hosting a new ESPN+ series, Rabil’s Places, whose producers include Omaha Productions, Words + Pictures and Rabil’s own Two Point Productions. He is the author of The Way of the Champion, a memoir/inspirational book published in 2024 by Penguin Press imprint Portfolio. Its jacket features blurbs from the likes of Sony Pictures film boss Tom Rothman, Pivot podcast co-host Scott Galloway and Arianna Huffington.

Rabil spoke with Deadline as the Pll was getting set to kick off its 2025 season with a doubleheader this evening and another on Saturday. The games will stream on ESPN+ and Saturday’s opener will air on ABC. He talked about the state of the Pll’s talks with potential media rights partners as its...

For decades, barriers and biases have made it harder for women to receive the same opportunities and recognition as men in athletics. Title IX — a law that bans sex-based discrimination in education programs — wasn’t enacted until 1972. Yet, in the face of adversity, women have continued to shatter records and redefine greatness in sports. From Serena and Venus Williams to Simone Biles, Alex Morgan, Coco Gauff, and Caitlin Clark, some of the most remarkable athletes of our time are women.

To celebrate these achievements (and the new ones being set...

On Thursday May 8 2025, NBC broadcasts Today 3rd Hour!

Season 7 Episode 162 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Today 3rd Hour” on NBC promises a lively mix of topics and guests that viewers are sure to enjoy. This episode will dive into the latest spring real estate trends, providing insights into the current housing market. Experts will share valuable tips and advice for anyone looking to buy or sell a home this season.

Actor Josh Hartnett will be featured in this episode, bringing his charm and insights to the conversation. Hartnett is known for his roles in various films and series, and he will likely discuss his latest projects and experiences in the entertainment industry. Fans of the actor will not want to miss this opportunity to hear from him directly.

Additionally, the show will catch up with Sue Bird, a celebrated athlete and a prominent figure in women’s basketball. Bird...

Thursday’s “Today Show” presents a blend of practical advice, heartwarming tributes, and musical entertainment. Start your day with “Today’s Consumer” segment, which offers expert insights into summer travel planning, providing tips and recommendations for making the most of your vacation time. The show also recognizes National Nurses Week, honoring the dedicated professionals who provide care […]

The Today Show: Josh Hartnett, Sue Bird...

UConn and WNBA legend Sue Bird is getting deeper into business with Vox Media, launching a new podcast that will focus on women’s basketball.

The podcast, Bird’s Eye View, will offer an insider take on the WNBA, with its first episode debuting May 16. New episodes will drop on Fridays, and will be available on the major podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. ThreeFourTwo Productions and Togethxr are also producing the series.

The show will include Bird’s observations and analysis, as well as conversations with players, coaches, analysts and others.

“It’s definitely going to be rooted in the game. It’s going to be rooted in the ways in which the conversation that I can have might be different from an analyst or journalist. It’s going to be player to player, in a sense,” Bird tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And I also think there’s going...

Vox Media today announced a strategic partnership with Tefi Pessoa, who is joining The Cut as a special contributor. The influential host, content creator, and comedian will write a monthly advice column and launch a weekly pop culture podcast that builds on the signature takes she brings to her over 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. The column, called “Ask Tefi,” debuts on Friday, May 23rd, with the podcast set to launch this summer and publish across audio, video, and social platforms. Pessoa, who served as The Cut’s red carpet correspondent at the Academy Awards earlier this year, will also appear regularly on the Cut’s social channels.

“After years of connecting with people online, I wanted a space to go deeper,” said Tefi Pessoa. “This column and podcast are for anyone who's ever thought, ‘Am I the only one feeling this way?’ You’re not. Whether it’s breakups,...

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (Iadas) today announced the winners for the 29th Annual Webby Awards, which include the boundary-pushing cultural icons, companies, and organizations shaping today’s ever-expansive online world.

Among this year’s podcast winners are:

Podcasts Detail A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe won the Webby Award for Sports, Shows (Podcasts) Baby, This is Keke Palmer won the Webby Award for Interview/Talk Show, Shows (Podcasts) The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya won the Webby Award for Comedy, Individual Episode (Podcasts) Club Shay Shay won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Creator or Influencer Series, Features (Podcasts) Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend won the Webby Award for Best Host, Features (Podcasts) Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD won the Webby Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Limited-Series & Specials (Podcasts) The Golden Girls Deep...

Exclusive: Olympic Gold medalists Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe have inked with WME in all areas.

The sports icons will be working with the agency across brand partnerships, books, scripted and non-scripted TV, digital and podcasting, among other areas.

Bird retired from the WNBA in 2022 after a historic career spanning three decades as the world’s premier point guard, in which she won five Olympic Gold Medals, four World Championship Medals, two NCAA Championships, and four WNBA Championships, among numerous other accolades. In 2024, her jersey was retired by the Seattle Storm, becoming only the second player in franchise history to receive this honor; she officially joined the Seattle Storm ownership group, and it was recently announced that she will be inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Hall of Fame later this year.

Rapinoe is a two-time World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold medalist and soccer legend.

Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Walton Goggins, Gracie Abrams, Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon, Jason & Travis Kelce, Shannon Sharpe, Taika Waititi, and Simone Biles are among the winners of the 29th Annual Webby Awards announced today by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences.

The Webbys will also honor a group of individuals for their outstanding work this year with Special Achievement Awards. They are Dr. Fei-Fei Li will receive the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to AI, Snoop Dogg will receive the Webby Entrepreneur of the Year Award for expanding the playbook for how creatives can harness entrepreneurship to amplify their influence, Walton Goggins will receive the Webby Best Actor Award for his performances across streaming hits like The White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones, and Fallout. Other Special Achievement Award honorees include Amelia Dimoldenberg, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Jools Lebron, SNL‘s Marcello Hernandez, and The MeidasTouch Podcast.

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (Iadas) today announced the winners for the 29th Annual Webby Awards, which include the boundary-pushing cultural icons, companies, and organizations shaping today’s ever-expansive online world.

Among this year’s podcast winners are:

Podcasts Detail A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe won the Webby Award for Sports, Shows (Podcasts) Baby, This is Keke Palmer won the Webby Award for Interview/Talk Show, Shows (Podcasts) The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya won the Webby Award for Comedy, Individual Episode (Podcasts) Club Shay Shay won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Creator or Influencer Series, Features (Podcasts) Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend won the Webby Award for Best Host, Features (Podcasts) Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD won the Webby Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Limited-Series & Specials (Podcasts) The Golden Girls Deep...

On Sunday April 6 2025, ESPN broadcasts The Bird & Taurasi Show!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Bird & Taurasi Show” promises to be an exciting one for fans of NCAA Women’s Basketball. Airing on ESPN, this episode features longtime friends and basketball legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi as they dive into the latest tournament games. Their unique perspectives and chemistry make for a fun and insightful viewing experience.

In this episode, Bird and Taurasi will analyze key matchups and standout performances from the tournament. With their extensive knowledge of the game, they bring a fresh take on strategies and player dynamics. Fans can expect a mix of serious analysis and lighthearted banter, showcasing the bond that these two superstars share.

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament heats up, Bird and Taurasi will highlight the teams to watch and the players making headlines. Their commentary will not only inform...

On Sunday April 6 2025, ESPN broadcasts 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament!

Bird & Taurasi Show, Championship: Teams Tba Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of the “2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament” titled “Bird & Taurasi Show, Championship: Teams Tba” is set to air on ESPN. This exciting event will take place at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Fans can expect a thrilling atmosphere as the best teams in women’s college basketball compete for the championship title.

The episode promises to showcase the skills and talent of the players, with iconic basketball legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi at the helm. Their insights and commentary will add an extra layer of excitement to the game, making it a must-watch for sports enthusiasts. Bird and Taurasi are known for their deep understanding of the game, and their presence will surely enhance the viewing experience.

As the teams are yet to be announced, anticipation builds around...

If you want complete coverage of the conclusion of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, one streamer stands out above the rest.

Some of the best programs in all of college basketball are still standing in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. South Carolina is looking for its third title in four years and UConn is arguably the most prestigious program in women’s basketball history. Throw in to No. 1 seeds in Texas and UCLA and you are looking at one epic weekend of hoops action. The Final Four and Women’s Championship Game will air on the ESPN family of networks and will stream on ESPN+. That means that if you are looking for a live TV streaming service to make sure that you catch all of the action, there is really only one choice: Hulu + Live TV.

Why is Hulu + Live TV the best streamer for watching 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four,...

Nancy Dubuc, the former CEO at A+E Networks and Vice Media who exited Vice in 2023, has resurfaced in an executive role at a venture stacked with fellow travelers.

Women’s sports brand Togethxr (not a typo – it’s pronounced “together”) said Thursday that Dubuc has come aboard as executive chair.

Dubuc also is a board member at Flutter Entertainment, Webtoon Entertainment, and Warner Music.

Togethxr is known for creating the popular slogan “everyone watches women’s sports,” which has been seen adorning T-shirts, hoodies and tote bags over the past couple years. The company was co-founded by pro athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird and also has other media veterans in the mix, among them former Huffington Post exec Betsy Morgan and onetime Disney entertainment chief Susan Lyne. The company last year hired Westbrook Media alum Tina Tozzi to head development.

Morgan and Lyne, who have...

Exclusive: 20th Television has closed a first-look deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions to develop and executive produce scripted comedy, drama, adult animation and limited series for linear networks and streamers with an emphasis on content for Disney Entertainment Television platforms.

Omaha already is doing that with Chad Powers, the upcoming 20th TV comedy series starring Glen Powell for Hulu, which the company is producing. The first-look pact with 20th TV, part of Disney TV Studios, expands on that collaboration as well as Manning’s larger relationship with The Disney Company. Omaha has a first-look deal with ESPN for sports-related content. Chad Powers originated as a sketch produced by NFL Films and Omaha that ran on ESPN+ as part of the Eli’s Places series.

“Working with the incredible team at Omaha Productions while developing and filming Chad Powers has been pure joy,” said Karey Burke, President of 20th Television.

CBS Mornings sets the stage for a thought-provoking Wednesday morning with a lineup that includes powerhouse athletes Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, co-hosts of “A Touch More,” alongside the authors of “Autism Out Loud.” Journalist Adriana Diaz and author Caroline Darian will also contribute to the day’s conversations. Rapinoe and Bird are expected to offer […]

CBS Mornings Wednesday April 2: Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird...

“The Bird & Taurasi Show” is set to bring its unique flair to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on April 6, 2025, at 3:00 Pm on ESPN. Longtime friends and basketball legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will take viewers on a captivating journey through the tournament’s most exciting moments. With their deep knowledge of the game and undeniable chemistry, they create an engaging atmosphere that basketball fans won’t want to miss.

In this special episode, Bird and Taurasi will analyze the key matchups, highlight standout performances, and share their personal insights on the teams vying for the championship. Their experience as players gives them a unique perspective that adds depth to the analysis. Expect plenty of lively discussions and a few laughs as they break down what makes each game special.

Fans can look forward to a blend of expert commentary and personal anecdotes from Bird and Taurasi, making...

Exclusive: Selma filmmaker Ava DuVernay is hoping to make a television series about Los Angeles’ first Black mayor, Tom Bradley.

DuVernay would like to adapt an upcoming book by The Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell on the city’s longest serving mayor, who was in charge of the city between 1973 and 1993.

DuVernay revealed her desire on Gladwell’s new podcast, which he is launching with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.

The duo are launching The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell tomorrow via Audible. The podcast interview series sees them speak to extraordinary individuals from entertainment, sports, business and politics about their distinct paths to success.

DuVernay, who is behind series such as Netflix’s When They See Us and OWN’s Queen Sugar, was a guest on the podcast.

“I’ve been working on this book about Tom Bradley,” said Gladwell.

“I know you have and I’ve been tracking that thing.

With Fiscal Sponsorship, independent films and their creators can accept sponsorship as if they were a non-profit through Film Independent. The program supports an inclusive variety of projects, narrative and nonfiction, shorts and features, as well as the occasional new media project, special event or advocacy initiative. Our monthly Fiscal Spotlight column introduces new fiscally-sponsored projects worth supporting.

Naturally, we want to see the fruits of all that awesome sponsorship, so today we’re checking in with four sponsored projects to see how there doing with another FiSpo Update.

Row Of Life

Project type: Nonfiction Feature

Project status: Distribution

Filmmakers: Soraya Simi, Nicholas Weissman

Synopsis: Row of Life is a feature documentary that follows Angela Madsen, a former Marine, 3x Paralympian, and renowned ocean rower, on her attempt to solo row unsupported from LA to Hawaii. Row of Life captures the year before the row and her preparation alongside her...

This week on Jeopardy!, there was a new category that had the players struggling at times. However, while the players weren’t sure of many of the answers, it had many viewers at home “cringing” at the struggle. Many others said it was “hard to watch” as the players seemed clueless about the category.

Here is what the clues pertained to and how many of the questions they actually got right.

Jeopardy! Players Struggle To Name Female Athletes

The Jeopardy! game on Wednesday saw the players end up stumped when the category came to “Great Women In Sports.” While sports is not always a category that players do well at, they seemed especially stumped when it came to naming great female athletes.

Ken Jennings | YouTube

The questions saw one of the greatest of all time asking the questions. Billie Jean King was on video asking the questions. King is one...

Vox Media and Enjoy Basketball today announced that YouTube star and NBA superfan Kenny Beecham will bring his flagship show, Small Ball with Kenny Beecham (formerly The Kenny Beecham Podcast) to the Vox Media Podcast Network via a strategic partnership. On Small Ball, which provides year-round basketball coverage and publishes weekly on Fridays during the NBA season, Beecham will share his unique insights through game analysis, player stories, and more. Vox Media will assume sales, marketing, and distribution duties for the show, which is available on podcast and video platforms, and collaborate with Beecham on live event extensions and editorial crossovers with Vox Media brands like Sb Nation.

“I’m excited to team up with Vox Media and take Small Ball to the next level,” says Beecham. “This partnership allows us to continue delivering great basketball content to our fans, with even more reach and resources. The show has grown so much since we started,...

Fresh off the premiere of its new Fox drama “Murder in a Small Town,” Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment shingle is ramping up its development slate — next via a first-look pact with Daily Beast chief content officer Joanna Coles. Future Shack and Coles have multiple projects in development, including a take on MSNBC anchor Katy Tur’s memoir “Rough Draft.”

Wachtel and Coles are also shopping the drama “Base Camp,” which looks at the crowded — and dangerous — queue to get to the top of Mt. Everest. Playwright and screenwriter Anchuli Felicia King is the scribe behind that project.

Additionally, Future Shack and Coles have two more scripts in the works at 20th Television. Coles, who was previously chief content officer at Hearst, was the inspiration for the Freeform drama “The Bold Type,” which she also executive produced. “She’s a phenomenal producer, but primarily a magazine editor and tastemaker,...

Although Gayle King and Robin Roberts have achieved great success in their careers, not everyone considers the TV regulars significant stars.

Viewers see King regularly as one of the anchors delivering daily news on CBS Mornings alongside Tony Dokoupil, Nate Burleson, and Vladimir Duthiers.

Meanwhile, Robin is on ABC, co-anchoring Good Morning America with Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos.

Despite working on competing networks, the two women are friends and sometimes show up at the same events.

They recently attended the WNBA Playoffs in Brooklyn, New York, for the New York Liberty versus Las Vegas Aces game.

However, some sports fans reacted sourly after the morning show anchors were called “stars.”

Gayle and Robin enjoyed a courtside view at the Liberty’s WNBA playoff game

Gayle shared an Instagram carousel post from the WNBA game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. In her first photo, Gayle and Robin sit courtside with...

When Imagine Documentaries president Sara Bernstein pitched New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams on making a film about her career, even the veteran journalist didn’t understand why Bernstein was interested. “What do you want to make a doc about me for?” Adams asked the “Jim Henson: Idea Man” producer. “Everybody has a documentary. My dentist has a documentary!”

Good line — and she must have a great dentist.

An incomplete list of this year’s celebrity docs includes Simone Biles, Celine Dion, Steve Martin, Roger Federer, Stevie van Zandt, Brian Eno, Frida Kahlo, Devo, Christopher Reeve, Sue Bird, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Martha Stewart, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Paul Anka, Pharrell Williams, and Bruce Springsteen.

The appetite seems nearly endless, but producers say it’s increasingly difficult to find famous people whose lives haven’t flashed before our eyes. Said Bernstein, “The challenge today is, who hasn’t had a documentary?...

Top Hollywood producers Mary Parent (“Dune: Part 2”), Lucy Fisher (“Gladiator II”) and Sue Naegle (“Nightbitch”) join TheGrill 2024 for an exclusive Powerhouse Producers panel presented by Wrapbook Payroll, moderated by award-winning journalist Laura Holson.

The panel promises to deliver unparalleled insights into the ever-evolving landscape of film and television production.

Mary Parent is the chairman of Worldwide Production at Legendary Entertainment, overseeing all aspects of film for the company. While at Legendary, she has produced the Academy Award-winning film “Dune” and its follow up “Dune: Part Two,” as well as “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Enola Holmes,” “Detective Pikachu,” and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s virtual reality piece, “Carne y Arena,” which received a rare Special Achievement Oscar® for its groundbreaking exploration of fully immersive storytelling.

Upcoming highlights in 2025 include the live-action/animation hybrid comedy “Animal Friends,” starring Ryan Reynolds, as well as “Minecraft,” based on the world’s bestselling game,...

On Monday night Late Night with Seth Meyers welcomes musician Kacey Musgraves and athletes-turned-podcasters Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe to the show. In this episode, Seth Meyers sits down with Grammy-winning musician Kacey Musgraves, who is currently on her “Deeper Well World Tour.” The show also features a joint interview with Sue Bird and Megan […]

Late Night with Seth Meyers: Kacey Musgraves, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe...

In the late 1980s, when future “SportsCenter” legend Linda Cohn wanted to move up the ladder in her career from Long Island cable news, she made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies one day for her camera operator. It was a bribe to persuade him to stay late to help her film a spec sports report that she sent out to TV stations in pursuit of her dream job as a sports anchor.

Fortunately for Cohn, Kiro-tv, the CBS affiliate in Seattle, gave her a shot. The Long Island native covered sports in the Pacific Northwest for a little more than two years, until she got the nod that would change her life. There were no baked goods involved when Cohn moved back across the country in 1992 to join ESPN and the formidable bench of anchors who front its flagship news program “SportsCenter.”

“The label on women in sports before that was,...

Exclusive: Pablo Torre, who left his staff post at ESPN in 2023, is continuing his broader media presence as his Meadowlark Media podcast gains traction.

Torre is in discussions to expand his presence on MSNBC as the November election approaches, sources tell Deadline. Those appearances will coincide with ongoing guest host and panelist shots on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn.

Meadowlark, the John Skipper- and Dan Le Batard-led outfit where Torre moved after ESPN (following the trajectories of former colleagues Skipper and Le Batard) is also seeing returns on its investment in the host. Podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out has notched double-digit increases in YouTube views each month since its September 2023 launch and has also just scored an Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting.

The award recognized an episode titled “The Teenage Athlete at the Heart of America’s Culture War… Isn’t Very Good at Sports.

Vox Media today announced a partnership with reigning NFL Walter Payton “Man of the Year” and Pittsburgh Steelers team captain, Cam Heyward, who will bring his weekly show, Not Just Football, to Sb Nation. Each week on Not Just Football, Heyward and his co-host and best friend of 20 years, Hayden Walsh unpack the biggest stories from around the NFL and share their unfiltered thoughts on the latest sports and pop culture news. Welcoming a rotating cast of athletes, coaches, and celebrities, recent guests on the show have included Lil Wayne, Seth Meyers, Michael Keaton, James Harrison, and more. Vox Media will assume marketing, sales, and distribution for the show, which will continue to publish across platforms that include Apple, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The show joins Vox Media from ESPN, which was its home until earlier this year.

“Every week on Not Just Football, Hayden and I have unapologetic...

Two days after saving USA Basketball from what could have been a historic loss against South Sudan, Los Angeles Lakers star and two-time Olympic gold medalist LeBron James has been named Team USA’s male flagbearer at the Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday. A female flag bearer to join James will be announced Tuesday.

“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James said in a press release. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”

Nominated on behalf of the men...

Parks and Recreation actress Aubrey Plaza loves basketball. But it apparently doesn’t love her back.

The 40-year-old actress tore an Acl while playing a game of “knockout” at the Phoenix Mercury practice facility.

She was shown during Saturday’s ABC broadcast of the WNBA All-Star game with crutches and a huge ice wrap on her right knee.

Play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco revealed that Plaza tore her Acl, which happened between the skills event and the actual game.

This was the second Acl tear from basketball for Plaza.

On Friday, Plaza was featured on Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s podcast, A Touch More, and talked about her first Acl tear during a women’s recreation league in Los Angeles.

The actress mentioned she disguised herself so she could play on the same team as her sister, Natalie.

“And then, in the middle of the game, I went up for...

All-star games are usually known for being low-contact, injury-free affairs, but that didn’t prevent Aubrey Plaza — a spectator at this weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix — from tearing her Acl during the festivities.

The actress, an admitted hardcore basketball fan, attended the WNBA’s Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest crutches-free on Friday night, but when the actual All-Star Game took place Saturday at Phoenix’s Footprint Center, the actress had crutches and an ice pack (and a beverage) in hand and a brace around her leg.

The Goat...

Sue Bird, a 20-year WNBA star, said that the alleged hate toward Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is just trash talk that’s misinterpreted.

Clark takes the floor today at the WNBA All-Star game that pits the league stars against Team USA, the women’s basketball team for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“I think the majority of WNBA players with their play, with their talk, it was just competition, not hate for a person,” Bird said.

“Caitlin will go down as, whatever you want to call it, the one who made the change, this pivotal person,” added Bird, who retired in 2022. She was speaking during an appearance on the Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast on iHeart. “She will, 100 percent. But in other leagues … it was never like when LeBron (James) came, ‘Oh, Michael Jordan didn’t matter.’ And for some reason that happened, and it caused this whole thing.

Exclusive: Marketing executive and entrepreneur Akbar Hamid in collaboration with indie film distribution executive Evan Schwartz are set to launch F.L.U.I.D., a production company, film fund and community resource dedicated to centering Lgbtqia+ filmmakers, storytellers and artists.

F.L.U.I.D. will formally launch Friday with an event following the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ 25th anniversary screening and cast reunion of the 1999 cult classic Jawbreaker, written and directed by Darren Stein. F.L.U.I.D. is a community partner for the event, part of its mission is to showcase the growing demand for compelling queer narratives to the underserved Lgbtqia+ audience.

F.L.U.I.D. — the acronym stands for “Fierce, Liberating, Unique Intersection of Diversity” — is envisioned as a collective of exclusively Lgbtqia+ creators, producers, talent and community advocates who share a commitment to authentic representation for marginalized voices. The company plans to fundraise this year with efforts to invest...

The WNBA is taking the world by storm and not just because of the arrival of all-star Caitlin Clark. The WNBA has had a powerful influence over American culture for much longer than Clark’s first season. The new Prime Video documentary, “Power of the Dream,” tells the story of how the WNBA came together to influence the election of Democratic Georgia state Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock over the incumbent Georgia Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler after she criticized the WNBA’s embrace of the Black Lives Matter movement. The WNBA played a key role in Warnock’s election, and changed the landscape of basketball and U.S. politics forever. You can watch the documentary, “Power of the Dream” when it premieres on Tuesday, June 18 on Prime Video, which you can watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Amazon Prime Video.

How to Watch ‘Power of the Dream’ When: Tuesday, June...

Boldly highlighting the WNBA players' activism, Power of the Dream portrays their impact beyond basketball. The documentary seamlessly covers multiple issues and the evolution of the WNBA, making it a must-watch. Intimate and timeless, Power of the Dream captures the empowering journey of WNBA players creating history.

Fresh off a world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, Power of the Dream will land on Prime Video on June 18, making director and producer Dawn Porters latest documentary easily accessible to audiences. And, as any long-time WNBA fan (or player) will tell you, media accessibility is crucial. Powerful stories, like thrilling basketball games, are meant to be seen. It sounds clich to say, but Power of the Dream is required viewing and not just for sports fans.

Power of the Dream (2024)

Director Dawn PorterRelease Date June 18, 2024Cast Jemele Hill, Nneka Ogwumike, Sue BirdRuntime 133 MinutesGenres Documentary, SportMain Genre Documentary

Best known for directing and producing documentaries about revolutionary activists,...

Rock’n Robin Productions, a full-service, Emmy Award-winning production company, has hired Reni Calister as Chief Content Officer and Quanny Carr as Director of Development. Both media executives will work to elevate and expand the company’s portfolio of programming and further establish its reputation within the industry.

“Reni and Quanny are dedicated storytellers and a ‘dream team’ who are ready to take Rock’n Robin Productions to new heights,” said company founder Robin Roberts. “As we ready to celebrate our ten-year anniversary at Rrp, I am excited to embark on this new chapter with Reni and Quanny as they spearhead creative and continue our mission of impactful storytelling that inspires audiences and champions many stories that might otherwise not be told.”

Calister is a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and content executive who previously, from 2018 to 2022, served as Head of Development at Rock’n Robin Productions. In that role, Calister oversaw...

Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts is expanding her production company, Rock’n Robin Productions, adding two top executives in a move to increase its content output.

The company has hired Reni Calister to be chief content officer and Quanny Carr to be director of development, with each working to elevate and expand the company’s content portfolio.

Both Carr and Calister most recently worked at Togethxr, the media company founded by Olympians Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. Calister had been executive VP of content (and before that she worked as a development executive at Rock’n Robin); while Carr had been a director of current programming.

“Reni and Quanny are dedicated storytellers and a ‘dream team’ who are ready to take Rock’n Robin Productions to new heights,” said Roberts. “As we ready to celebrate our ten-year anniversary at Rrp, I am excited to embark...

Coming up in June, Amazon’s collective streaming services Prime Video and Freevee are delivering series, films, and documentaries about all sorts of heroes. From the evil, increasingly fascist superheroes of “The Boys” to the record-setting tennis icon Roger Federer to the journey back to the spotlight for one of the greatest performers of all time, Celine Dion, there are a multitude of inspiring and entertaining stories arriving on the platforms in June.

In addition to Season 3 of “The Boys” premiering with three episodes on June 13, Prime Video has a host of documentaries that shine a new light on some of our most beloved performers and athletes. On June 18, “Power of the Dream” debuts and highlights the struggles of WNBA team the Atlanta Dream who were fighting off-court battles on two fronts in 2020. Then, “Federer: Twelve Final Days” premieres on June 20 looking at the tennis legend as he ended his...

The 2024 Tribeca Festival has added 11 new feature films to its lineup — including a Hannah Einbinder standup special from Max — and has also set a world premiere of Michael Sarnoski’s A Quiet Place: Day One on June 26 in partnership with Paramount Pictures and Imax just ahead of the film’s theatrical release. The red carpet event is for Tribeca members as part of the organization’s push into year-round programming. It’s after the festival, which runs June 5-16.

Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go, features the actress and comedian best known for her role as Ava Daniels in the HBO hit Hacks with Jean Smart.

Other new word premieres include sports documentaries Federer: Twelve Final Days, directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia — a behind-the-scenes film of the 20-time Grand Slam tennis champion Roger Federer and his emotional decision to retire from the sport — as well as Power of the Dream,...

The 2024 Tribeca Festival has just unveiled new additions to its already star-studded lineup.

IndieWire can confirm that the New York premiere of “A Quiet Place: Day One” will take place as part of the festival, which runs June 5 through 16. The film will have a special screening June 26 in partnership with Paramount Pictures in IMAX.

The festival, presented by Okx, announced the addition of 11 new feature films, including eight world premieres. Documentaries “Federer: Twelve Final Days” and “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes,” produced by J.J. Abrams, are among the highlights, plus Dawn Porter’s “Power of the Dream.”

Hannah Einbinder’s first-ever stand-up comedy special “Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go” will also have its world premiere at the festival.

“At our core, we are an activist festival, united by the belief that art can inspire change,” Tribeca Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal. “We’re excited to add 11 new films to our Festival lineup,...

Former WNBA star Sue Bird and ex-u.S. Women’s Soccer captain Megan Rapinoe have teamed up with Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment to turn Meryl Wilsner’s novel Cleat Cute into a scripted series.

Bird and Rapinoe’s production company A Touch More and Future Shack have optioned the book and are in development with the project. No network is attached.

The book, which was published by Macmillan last year, is described as a mix of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own.

It follows two soccer teammates, who are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.

Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. 22-year-old Phoebe is everything...

Sports icons Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are getting in the game as TV producers.

Bird and Rapinoe’s production banner, A Touch More, has teamed up with independent TV studio Future Shack Entertainment to develop “Cleat Cute,” the bestselling novel from author Meryl Wilsner.

“Cleat Cute” is a contemporary queer romance that follows a young soccer player as she juggles being the new rookie, her goals of making the national team, and a budding romance with her team captain.

“Sports is a universal language and breeding ground for world class storytelling,” said Future Shack CEO Jeff Wachtel in a statement. “As women’s sports captivate audiences around the globe, we’re proud to partner with two of the most iconic athletes of our time, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, to bring Meryl Wilsner’s delightful world to life in a bold, sexy and fun ensemble show.”

Bird, Rapinoe and...

The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is already drawing to a close! The two Women’s March Madness Final Four games are both slated for Friday, April 5, starting at 7 p.m. Et when South Carolina faces Nc State. Iowa and UConn meet in the second game of the night at 9 p.m., and both games will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+, meaning that fans will be treated to the annual ESPN MegaCast surrounding the games. There are multiple ways to watch, but the best are via a subscription to ESPN+ or with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream.

How to Watch 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four MegaCast When: Starts at 6 p.m. Et (Megacast) on Friday, April 5 TV: ESPN, ESPN+ Stream: Watch with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream.

All live games and surrounding content of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four...