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Steve Nash: That’s a great point, because what you’re saying is—no matter what you have, you need more. No matter what. Like, it never ends. LeBron James: And it... I don’t know, man. It’s just like—you sit here and you tell me Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, and Steve Nash weren’t unbelievable? Like, oh, they can’t be talked about or discussed with these guys because that guy won one ring, or two rings, or whatever? That’s just weird to me. It’s like saying Peyton Manning can’t be in the same room with Brady or Mahomes because he only has one ring. They never discuss that in their sport. Or telling me that Dan Marino’s not the greatest slinger of all time, or that he can’t be in the room with those guys because he didn’t win a championship.
Sources said that ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro was the driving force behind the pursuit of "Inside the NBA" and was undeterred that Turner Sports would continue to produce the show in Atlanta and maintain editorial control. It is similar to the dynamic of the independently produced McAfee show, and it falls in line with the network’s ongoing distribution philosophy. It also is somewhat similar to its programming deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.
Why should comic book enthusiasts get all the fun? The first ever Fanatics Festival — a massive event billed as “the Comic Con of sports” — will be held at the Javits Center this weekend, Aug. 16 to Aug. 18. Over three days, fans will be able to meet and get autographs from top athletes such as Peyton and Eli Manning, Kevin Durant and Derek Jeter, attend dozens of panels and buy tons of merch to cheer on their favorite teams. “I walked into Comic Con … and thought this thing is insane… there’s quarter of a million people dressed in costumes,” Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, the $31 billion sports merchandise and collectible behemoth behind the event, told The Post.
Fresh off signing a contract extension with Adidas that pays over eight figures per year, Timberwolves All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards is apparently a major star of the new NBA show on Netflix set to release in the fall, according to industry sources. Edwards is expected to be the breakaway act of Netflix’s first NBA documentary series that includes LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Domantas Sabonis. James’ SpringHill Company led the production of the series along with Barack Obama’s Higher Ground Productions and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions. The show is modeled after Netflix’s NFL “Quarterback” series.
Stephen A. Smith wants Pat McAfee money
Will that be enough? Smith has reportedly been seeking some $25 million per year. While $18 million might seem like a ton of dough, I’m told Stephen A. wants McAfee bucks. Indeed, WME’s response to ESPN was to point to Pat McAfee’s deal, which nets close to $30 million per year between his studio show and College GameDay appearances. WME also had the chutzpah to use ESPN’s $700 million deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions as a comp.
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In one clip from the forthcoming podcast, viewed by The Athletic, the setting is very casual, with the hosts drinking red wine and talking in great detail about how to guard a pick play. “I love talking basketball, by the way,” James said at the end of the clip. James, 39, can pick the projects he wants, in much the same way Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have done after their legendary careers that created nearly unlimited media opportunities. “The way he talks about the game, the way he communicates the game, it’s beautiful,” Redick said.
Scott Agness: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game roster includes Metta World Peace, CJ Stroud, Micah Parsons and Conor Daly. and Peyton Manning coaching back at Lucas Oil Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ROnPQvTKkb
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game roster includes Metta World Peace, CJ Stroud, Micah Parsons and Conor Daly.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 7, 2024
and Peyton Manning coaching back at Lucas Oil Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ROnPQvTKkb
Kevin Hart is taking a leaf out of Peyton and Eli Manning’s playbook. The comedian is to host a Manningcast-style alternate broadcast for the NBA’s new in-season tournament. NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart, which comes from Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and Hart’s own Hartbeat, will air on ESPN2 on December 9
LeBron James working with Obamas, Peyton Manning on NBA docuseries
Between “Beckham,” “Quarterback” and the nationally captivating “The Last Dance,” we are clearly living in our peak sports docuseries era. And now four-time, NBA champion LeBron James and hall of famers Peyton Manning have combined with the Obamas’ production company to contribute their own sports series centered around the NBA, Variety has confirmed. James’ SpringHill Company (which he started with business partner Maverick Carter) will join Manning’s production company Omaha Productions and the Obamas’ Higher Ground. The series will divide up each episode following various NBA athletes as they live their lives, similar to the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback,” which followed three NFL quarterbacks during the 2022-2023 football season.
“OK, you do have to know your X’s and O’s to do this job,” said Malone, his explanation frequently interrupted by cigars being passed around the table and spontaneous recollections of how a zoom call with Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in 2020 contributed to the Nuggets’ championship mindset. But there are a lot of great X’s and O’s coaches that never won, because they didn’t have the ability to relate, communicate and get players to believe. I learned this from my father a long time ago: The greatest gift I can give any player is confidence. If (Nuggets rookie) Christian Braun doesn’t think I believe in him, he’s going to be tense in a Finals game. But if that same player knows I have his back, he’ll go out on the court and play free.”
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Assistant head coach David Adelman said that’s why the Nuggets coaching staff always plants that “keep-your-hands-ready” seed with new arrivals. Playing with Jokić is such a different experience, not only because he is a gifted passer at 7-feet, but also because he sees the game like few others. “Yes, first day we say it: Keep your hands ready. And then again in the early training camp practices,” Adelman said. “A lot of NBA players are used to just playing pick-and-roll, and they are not used to the fact that if they are cutting, it’s more than just because the coach is telling them to cut. Here, with (Jokić), it’s like, if you cut, you’re open. I imagine it’s like playing with (former NFL quarterback) Peyton Manning — just run your route, and you may not think you are open, but that ball is coming.”
During training camp two weeks ago, Williams credited Paul and Booker for being willing to play off the ball more this year. “The ability to say, ‘Okay, I’ll do that’ says a lot about them and how badly they want to win,” he said. “And what I’ve stressed to them is, as a team, we have to get comfortable with uncomfortable change. These are things that we feel like we have to do to be a better team.” Williams also compared Paul at this stage of his career to Peyton Manning’s tenure with the Denver Broncos.
Barry Jackson: Payton Manning's company will use Stephen A. Smith (and guests) to call four NBA games on alternate telecasts on ESPN2 this calendar year, much like the Manning brothers do on 10 MNF games last season and this season. Traditional broadcasts of those four games will air on ESPN.
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