• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
opinion
Tuned In

7 Sports Media Predictions for 2025, Including Interest in LeBron James

From networks showing interest in LeBron James to Tom Brady’s status at Fox and whether ESPN adds a third voice to its No. 1 NBA announcing team, we made seven predictions about the year ahead.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Happy Holidays! It’s time for an annual tradition: My Sports Media Predictions. We nailed some big calls last year, but completely whiffed on Netflix not entering sports in a big way. (Yes, I will eat crow along with my turkey while watching the streamer’s NFL Christmas doubleheader.)

1: NBA Media Partners Chase LeBron James 

King James turns 40 years old on Dec. 30. He hasn’t put a timetable on his NBA retirement, but the face of the NBA certainly raised the antennas of sports TV executives when he addressed retirement last month. 

“I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest,” James said following a Lakers win over the Grizzlies. “I don’t know how many years that is. If it’s one year or two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night, I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to be the guy who is disrespecting the game because I just wanted to be out on the floor. That won’t be me.” 

The timing is perfect for James to consider a future on TV. NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video will join ABC/ESPN as the NBA’s U.S. media partners starting in the 2025-2026 season. Even if the Chosen One does hoop for another year or two, media companies will likely start bidding for his services next year—and try to sign him while he’s still an active player. “After Tom Brady, LeBron’s the next big get,” predicts one sports TV executive.

2: NFL Auctions International Game Package

The NFL is masterful at creating new, lucrative rights packages out of thin air. Look for the league to take its first steps toward selling U.S. media rights to a package of international games in the UK, Germany, and other countries that could fetch $1 billion to $1.5 billion a year. Amazon Prime Video is on such a roll with Thursday Night Football that it would probably be a contender. However, this could also provide a golden opportunity for other tech companies with streaming platforms—like Netflix, Apple, and Google—to expand their NFL business. Will commissioner Roger Goodell dangle the first international Super Bowl as a carrot to drive up bidding?

3: Stephen A. Smith Joins Monday Night Countdown

The Queens, N.Y. native grew up idolizing Howard Cosell. And there are similarities between the two. The 56-year-old Smith is known more for his NBA analysis than football. Likewise, the late Cosell was known more as a boxing announcer—before becoming a household name at age 52 on Monday Night Football. Smith already told me at our live ‘Tuned In’ event that he’s eying a role on Monday Night Countdown. I’ve heard that such a gig might be part of his contract negotiations with ESPN bosses Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus. With Inside the NBA headed to ESPN and the fate of NBA Countdown uncertain, look for Smith to talk football with Scott Van Pelt & Co. on Countdown.

4: Tom Brady Returns for Year 2

Tom Terrific might be the most competitive person on Earth. How do you think he won seven Super Bowls? Despite many negative reviews of his performance as Fox Sports’ No. 1 NFL game analyst, my bet is Brady returns for Year 2 on the air in 2025. Calling Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9 will energize him. The Big Easy was the site of his first Super Bowl win in 2002. There’s also the little matter of Brady’s monster 10-year, $375 million contract. Who walks away from $37.5 million annually after one year?

5: Donald Trump Picks Fight With NBA/WNBA Players

During his first term as U.S. President, Donald Trump blasted the NFL and ESPN for their players’ and personalities’ outspoken support of social and racial justice.  Caitlin Clark and other WNBA players are already taking heat from conservative media. Trump lives by the feud. He hasn’t forgotten both King James and Steph Curry endorsed Kamala Harris. Or that James called him a “bum” on X/Twitter back in 2017. Get your popcorn ready.

6: Richard Jefferson Promoted To ESPN’s No. 1 NBA team

I think the most shocking decision from ESPN’s 2023 budget cuts was the media giant’s decision to dump both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, two-thirds of its lead NBA announcing team, while keeping Mike Breen. In the space of six months in 2024, ESPN tried to replace them with Doc Rivers and JJ Redick, only to have both decamp to the NBA for high-paying coaching jobs. I think ESPN is looking for stability now. It’s time for them to promote the promising Jefferson to the No. 1 team full-time alongside Breen and Doris Burke.

7: Colin Cowherd Stays with Fox 

There’s been plenty of coverage over Smith’s contract negotiations. But Cowherd’s future is almost as important. Like Smith at ESPN, Cowherd could become a free agent next year. This is an important negotiation for Fox. Cowherd’s eponymous weekday show is the glue holding FS1’s weekday lineup together. Within Bristol, the ultimate innings-eater is regarded as an instant solution to ESPN Radio’s problems. But I see Fox ultimately winning the bidding war for Cowherd’s services—especially if they pay to move his show to Chicago.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL’s Goodell Stands by Bad Bunny: ‘It’s Going to Be a Great..

The commissioner is undeterred by political criticism of the halftime show choice.

NFL Tries to Revive Pro Bowl Games by Moving It to Super..

The event will be held in San Francisco during Super Bowl week.

Amazon Plans to Stream NFL Black Friday Game Globally—for Free

The Eagles-Bears contest will be shown in more than 240 countries and territories.

NFL Ratings Are Up Big, and League Says It’s More Than Nielsen..

The league is seeing its best viewership in 10 years so far this season.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Welcome to Kinder, Gentler NBA Media Coverage

The media mantra for this season will be: Celebrate and educate.
October 21, 2025

TNT Sports Parent WBD Is for Sale As Comcast, Netflix, Paramount Circle

The TNT Sports parent said it has received interest from “multiple parties.”
October 21, 2025

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Sep 27, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Michael Jordan watches the first hole on the penultimate day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
October 21, 2025

Bob Costas: Michael Jordan’s ‘Mere Presence’ on NBC Is Big TV

Jordan “didn’t give boilerplate answers.”
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his players against the Florida Gators in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
October 20, 2025

Bruce Pearl: ‘The One Thing’ I Miss About Coaching

FOS interviewed ex-Auburn coach on his move to TNT Sports.
October 20, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Doubleheaders Will End—If NFL Equity Deal Clears

ESPN is broadcasting its fourth “MNF” doubleheader this season.
October 20, 2025

Early Data Shows ESPN, Fox One Are Off to Strong Starts in..

The two streaming services each surpass 1 million sign-ups in the first month.