MLB ExpPlayoff Coverage
September 30, 2026
Broadcast To Hit A Double, Peacock Going Deep In NBC Sports Coverage Of MLB Wild Card Playoffs
NBCUniversal has secured exclusive rights under a three-year, $600 million deal to broadcast and stream Major League Baseball’s wild card playoff games across NBC, NBC Sports Network, and Peacock. The expanded postseason coverage features four daily best-of-three matchups highlighted by high-profile rivalries such as the Red Sox versus the Yankees and both Chicago teams securing playoff spots. Network executives plan to leverage the marquee sports property to boost broadcast viewership, drive streaming subscriptions, and cross-promote company programming.
Deadline
Report: Islanders to sell stake in team at $3 billion valuation
The New York Islanders have agreed to sell approximately 15 percent of the franchise to a group of investors at a $3 billion valuation, including venture capital investor David Shuman. Pending NHL approval, the deal significantly boosts the team's overall value, representing a massive financial surge from when current owners Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky acquired the club in 2014 for $485 million. Despite the incoming new investors and the landmark valuation, day-to-day operations will remain unchanged with Scott Malkin staying on as the controlling owner.
Daily Faceoff
CBC/Radio-Canada announces return of Hockey Night in Canada in PWHL partnership
CBC's Hockey Night in Canada is returning for its 90th season this fall to showcase women’s hockey through a new partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Beginning December 5, the public broadcaster will air eight primetime Saturday night PWHL games featuring Canadian-based teams, alongside exclusive audio coverage for the Montreal Victoire. The deal follows CBC’s departure from broadcasting NHL games and coincides with the PWHL expanding to a 12-team league for its fourth season.
CBC
U.S. media market rankings: Nashville still rising as Midwest maintains status quo
The top 10 U.S. media markets remained unchanged for the 2026–27 TV season, led by New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Among major-league pro sports cities, Nashville experienced the largest upward movement in the rankings by jumping two spots to No. 23 while tying Charlotte for the highest percentage growth in TV homes at 4%. Overall market movement was led by smaller regions, with Wilmington, North Carolina, climbing four spots to No. 125, while markets like Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Tucson dropped by two or more positions.
Sports Business Journal
Let’s play two more: NHL features an 84-game season for the first time in decades
The NHL is expanding its regular season schedule to 84 games per team for the first time since 1994, resulting in a league-record total of 1,344 games. Agreed upon by players and owners under the collective bargaining agreement running through 2030, the expanded format aims to drive revenue growth while shortening training camps and exhibition games. To accommodate the extra matchups without overloading players, the season features an earlier late-September start date to spread out games over a 194-day stretch before the playoffs begin.
AP Sports
Nets sign Alibaba technology deal for Barclays Center
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment has entered into a multi-year partnership with Alibaba Group to make the Chinese technology firm the official cloud and technology partner of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. Starting in the 2026–27 NBA season, Alibaba's cloud capabilities will power a Real-Time 360º Replay system for arena broadcasts, alongside in-venue marketing and fan engagement features like the "Nets Figure Lab" for creating personalized digital collectibles. The agreement builds on the existing connection through Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai, who owns both the Nets franchise and Barclays Center.
Sports Business Journal
Clippers Interim President Announces Apology to Fans After NBA Punishment
Trent Redden, the interim president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Clippers, issued a public apology to fans following severe NBA sanctions against the franchise for salary cap circumvention regarding Kawhi Leonard. The league handed down heavy penalties, including a $30 million fine, the loss of five future first-round draft picks, a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer, and a six-month suspension for front-office executive Lawrence Frank. Moving forward, the team traded Leonard to Toronto, and with key addition Brandon Ingram sidelined due to injury, the franchise is relying on cap flexibility, player development, and remaining core talent to rebuild trust and competitiveness.
Yahoo Sports
USA Triathlon. Director Brand, Content & Fandom.
USA Triathlon is hiring a builder to lead brand, storytelling, and fandom across our brands: USA Triathlon, USA TRI, and our USA Triathlon Foundation brand, heading into the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For USA Triathlon, you'll celebrate the age group athletes, clubs, coaches, race directors, and youth who make up the sport. For USA TRI, our elite and development pipeline, you'll make our Olympic, Paralympic, and emerging athletes known and followed by a national audience. For our Foundation brand, it is meaningfully telling our stories to connect with donors – enabling philanthropy to support our organizational mission and our athletes. Apply Now.
Houston Rockets. Director of Arena Marketing.
Responsible for marketing all concerts, events and shows held at the Toyota Center. Develop and execute creative strategies to promote all arena events, working within established budgets and collaborating with promoters. Coordinate with Houston Rockets & Comets marketing department in leveraging team assets, resources and all external relations to support promotional efforts for all Toyota Center events. Apply Now.
Chip Ganassi Racing. Lead Race Engineer.
The Lead Race Engineer is responsible for supporting the Race Engineer and team by providing expertise in data acquisition, performance analysis, and optimizing race car operations. This role involves working closely with drivers, strategists, mechanics, and other engineers to enhance vehicle performance and ensure successful race execution. Apply Now.
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Senate passes Protect College Sports Act with sweeping bipartisan vote
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act in a 77-22 vote, granting the NCAA federal antitrust protections while imposing limits on athlete compensation, agent fees, and annual school spending. Champions of the bipartisan bill argue federal intervention is necessary to preserve competitive balance and protect non-revenue college sports from financial ruin. However, critics and opposing organizations contend that the legislation unfairly restricts student-athletes' earning potential and restores unchecked authority to major institutions.
The Hill
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