• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024
exclusive
Media

ESPN Wants Derek Jeter For TV

  • ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro is a huge Yankees fan.
  • MLB legend could make his own JeterCast.

ESPN is interested in Derek Jeter — if Derek Jeter is interested in TV.

Jeter stepped down as CEO of the Miami Marlins on Monday. The 47-year-old didn’t elaborate on his future plans beyond the Marlins front office.

But ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro just happens to be a huge New York Yankees fan and the Worldwide Leader in Sports would love to get into business with the former Yankees captain, according to sources inside ESPN who declined to be named.

ESPN has already established a relationship with the five-time World Series champion. 

ESPN Films announced a multipart documentary about Jeter called “The Captain” that will air on the network and ESPN+ later this year. 

Directed by Randy Wilkins, the documentary is being executive produced by Spike Lee, Mike Tollin, Mandalay Sports Media, Excel Media, and former ESPN content chief Connor Schell. It’s being produced in association with The Players’ Tribune and MLB.

Following Other Legends

Landing the Hall of Famer would mark another big win for ESPN. 

The network is poised to announce the hiring of Troy Aikman for “Monday Night Football” after 20 years at Fox Sports.

ESPN previously forged a unique talent-sharing relationship with Fox over Jeter’s former Yankees teammate, Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod calls regular-season MLB games for ESPN, then shifts to studio analysis for Fox during the MLB postseason.

If Jeter does want to follow the path into broadcasting blazed by other MLB legends like David Ortiz and Cal Ripken, ESPN could have plenty of competition.

Competition from Fox, Turner 

Fox and Turner Sports control TV rights to the MLB postseason. Fox will air the World Series through 2028. Don’t count out the Yankees’ own YES Network, which exhaustively covered Jeter’s 20-year MLB career. 

While ESPN could not offer Jeter a chance to call the Fall Classic, it could entice him with other roles.

ESPN recently announced a new “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech and analysts David Cone and Eduardo Perez. Adding Jeter to the mix, even on a limited basis, would create buzz for the network’s Sunday night game telecasts.

“It would be a no-brainer,” said one source.

A JeterCast Next?

Following the success of its “Monday Night Football” ManningCast with Peyton and Eli Manning, ESPN is planning a “Kay-Rod” alternate telecast with Rodriguez and Michael Kay.

But that duo is only expected to call about half of this season’s 25 “Sunday Night Baseball” games. ESPN could offer the Yankees legend the chance to do his own JeterCast on ESPN2 or ESPN+.

“There’s a lot of possibilities,” said another source.

Pitaro has shrewdly used his ESPN+ streaming platform to establish business relationships with superstars like Manning, Jeter and Tom Brady. 

In the case of Peyton and Eli Manning, ESPN used that relationship as a basis to forge a bigger, more extensive partnership. Is Jeter next?

Of course, it’s all contingent on Jeter wanting TV. But one of his first moves after retiring was to found his own media company, The Players’ Tribune. 

“I think he would be spectacular as a broadcaster,” said consultant Lee Berke. “With the advent of the ManningCast, there’s a variety of ways for athletes to get involved in media.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Oct 16, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field.

Manfred Urges Patience on Rays Ballpark, Eyes MLB Media Shift

The commissioner also sees a new era emerging in the sport’s local media landscape.

Comcast’s SpinCo: New Home for USA Network, Golf Channel, Sports Rights

The move by NBC Sports’ parent company reflects how dramatically the linear television business has changed.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
November 15, 2024

How Women’s Sports Could Change in the Next Trump Era

Under the president-elect, Title IX could change drastically.

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.
Nov 18, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.
November 19, 2024

Will NBA Flex Last-Place Sixers From National TV Games?

Philadelphia is 2–11, tied for last in the NBA.
Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers play during the second half at TD Garden.
November 20, 2024

Cavs vs. Celtics Draws Big TV Numbers in NBA Cup Showdown

The game averaged 1.94 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 19, 2024

Bills’ Dethroning of Chiefs Draws Highest TV Ratings of NFL Season

The massive rating continues Kansas City’s dominance as the NFL’s No. 1 TV team.
November 19, 2024

Netflix Stock Rises Again As Tyson-Paul Fight Sets Streaming Record

The streamer says it generated 108 million global viewers for the bout.
November 18, 2024

NFL Backs Netflix for Christmas Day Doubleheader Despite Recent Issues

The league checks in on the company’s ability to deliver its doubleheader.
Nov 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, UNITED STATES; Mike Tyson (black gloves) fights Jake Paul (silver gloves) at AT&T Stadium.
November 18, 2024

Netflix Exec Calls Tyson-Paul Stream ‘Huge Success’ Despite ‘Technical Challenges’

Netflix had streaming issues last year during the season finale of “Love Is Blind.”