ESPN Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor The WNBA begins its 28th season tonight with more buzz and interest in the game from casual hoops fans than the league has enjoyed since its launch year in 1997. WNBA insiders and boosters know this is an opportunity to make the most of, especially for the tip-off tonight with a double-header of games that getting an unusually wide platformby airing on ESPN 2 and Disney+.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney CEO Bob Iger said that as the traditional pay-TV universe continues to shrink, the company is cutting its investment in content for linear TV networks while also amortizing that expenditure across streaming platforms. The strategy is “to reduce pretty dramatically our investment in content specifically aimed in those traditional networks,” Iger said Wednesday at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Media, Internet and Communications Conference in New York.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The 2024 WNBA season is just around the corner starting on Tuesday, May 14. This year, we can watch heated matchups featuring superstars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Nneka Ogwumike and Alysha Clark all coming up on the schedule.

Addie Morfoot Contributor ESPN Films’ sports docuseries “30 for 30” will launch five new docus this summer. The upcoming slate features docs about topics including gamer brand FaZe Clan, former track and field superstar Butch Reynolds, and comedy and sports YouTube creator company Dude Perfect.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The 2024 WNBA season officially kicks off Tuesday, May 14. Heading into Week 1 of the season, Las Vegas’s Aces still reign supreme at the No.

Katcy Stephan MTP and LaLiga Studios are partnering to develop a slate of soccer-centric projects. The details of the slate have not yet been announced, but the first of its projects is already in the works, led by MTP and Emmy-winning producer-director Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (“Rulon Gardner Won’t Die”). “I’m beyond excited about what we’ve been preparing.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. UFC returns after a thrilling UFC 301 with Alexandre Pantoja defeating Steve Erceg in the main event. For UFC Fight Night, American Derrick Lewis (27-12) battles Brazilian fighter Rodrigo Nascimento (11-1) as the main card’s marquee matchup.

EXCLUSIVE: David Duchovny is getting in the rink and into the podcasting business.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Although the NHL is in the middle of the playoffs, it’s never too early to start thinking about the next season — especially if you missed the post-season altogether. The NHL Draft Lottery 2024 is where teams can start dreaming of the future.

Disney will add select live games and studio shows from ESPN to its flagship streaming service Disney+ by the end of 2024, CEO Bob Iger announced this morning.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Disney doesn’t think it’s going to foul in its drive to score a new pact with the NBA. Speaking to investors Tuesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company was “optimistic or confident” that Disney would renew its agreement with the basketball league that would keep a sizable package of its games on ESPN and other Disney properties. Disney has also served as home to the NBA Finals, which typically air on the ABC broadcast network.

UPDATE: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Friday that the hated new uniforms unveiled this year will undergo changes for the 2025 season.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The UFC goes to the “Marvelous City” in Brazil for UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2024 features some of the world’s best race car drivers coming to the Magic City, including Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lando Norris and others. The race takes place at Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida starting on Friday, May 3 with a start time of 12:25 p.m.

Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise ahead of the summer transfer window. The France U21 international has impressed at Selhurst Park this season and is set for a blockbuster move in the summer.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Jessica Casano-Antonellis is exiting SiriusXM to join the new Disney, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery sports-streaming venture as head of communications.

Jason Kelce is heading to ESPN!

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. A few weeks after UFC 300, the mixed martial arts promotion company returns with UFC Fight Night, which has Brazilian fighter Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1) going up against American Alex Perez (24-8-0) in the main event. UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs.

EXCLUSIVE: TV anchor Sage Steele has replaced Candace Owens in the voice cast of The Daily Wire‘s upcoming animated sitcom Mr Birchum, following the latter’s recent exit from the right wing news platform.

A brand new F1 channel is launching for US fans!

Aaron LaBerge, who helped oversee Disney‘s expansion into streaming during two stints totaling 20 years, is exiting the company.

Good Morning Football is making a brief return to the NFL Network to cover the NFL Draft this week.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. One of the oldest rivalries in sports takes to the soccer pitch Sunday as Real Madrid hosts FC Barcelona for the 2024 El Clásico game. The La Liga Clásico takes place Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m.

Howie Schwab, a longtime ESPN producer and star of the ESPN trivia show Stump the Schwab, died today at 63, according to his family. No cause or location was given.

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. After a record-breaking Super Bowl, the 2024-25 NFL regular season begins with the NFL Draft this month, with a new slate of rookies entering the league. The Chicago Bears (via the Carolina Panthers) are expected to select USC-star quarterback Caleb Williams with the No.

Whoopi Goldberg is so over Travis Kelce…

Today, Andscape, the Black multimedia platform from Disney and ESPN, known as the premier platform for exploring the intersections of race, sports, and culture,” announced the new anthology franchise “&360,” which explores the massive influence of Black culture on American society. The franchise will premiere with the documentary feature “Hip-Hop And The White House, directed by Jesse Washington and featuring Jeezy, whose song “My President” was a significant hip-hop political touchstone.

Travis Kelce is in the hot seat after seemingly showing support for Donald Trump!

Rudie Obias editor If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. After 31 years, UFC 300 is shaping up to be a big milestone since “UFC 1: The Beginning” in 1993. For the main event, Brazilian Alex Pereira (9-2) is looking to defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship belt against American Jamahal Hill (12-1) at the top of the main card on Saturday, April 13.

EXCLUSIVE: ESPN Films today announced it has greenlit an upcoming 30 for 30 documentary to be centered around the extraordinary life of Stuart Scott. Andre Gaines will direct.