A Few Good Mics

A few ordinary guys, giving their unique views on the world of sports. Subscribe to the pod on iTunes Tweets by @thomas_mooney1

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

BREAKING: The NFL and ESPN have struck a deal giving the league equity in ESPN, potentially worth billions, in exchange for rights to key media properties, sources tell @AndrewMarchand.

ESPN is expected to get access to RedZone, NFL Network and more.

[MLB @MLB]

SHOHEI OHTANI TIES THE GAME!!! #NLDS

[Ian Rapoport @RapSheet]

Some alarming stats on #Eagles QB Carson Wentz, via @NFLResearch... including having one of the biggest dropoffs in NFL history compared to his passer ratings from the previous 3 years

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Wes Matthews is signing a one-year, $3.6M deal with the LA Lakers, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Free agent Goran Dragic is re-signing with the Miami Heat.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

ESPN Sources: MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo's 3-hour lunch with Bucks co-owner/governor Marc Lasry on Friday covered the season, how Bucks can improve roster, Lasry confirming willingness to spend into luxury tax and agreement they’ll talk again after Giannis returns from a vacation.

[Andy Slavitt @ASlavitt]

BREAKING: Great news.

SalivaDirect received approval this morning from the @US_FDA.

This could be one the first major game changers in fighting the pandemic. Rarely am I this enthusiastic. Here’s why.

Follow if interested.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

The New York Knicks and Tom Thibodeau are finalizing a five-year deal to make him the franchise’s next coach, sources tell ESPN.

[Ian Rapoport @RapSheet]

The #Browns and star pass-rusher Myles Garrett are closing in on a 5-year extension worth $125M, sources say. Another massive deal, this time for $25M in new money per year. Their top priority of this offseason and they are in the final stages. 💰💰💰

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

NFL clubs today received updated playing rules change proposals.

Most interesting: an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team a chance to maintain possession by going for it on 4th-and-15 from their 25-yard line. Sounds like support for the idea is growing.

[The Athletic NBA @TheAthleticNBA]

Developing - Orlando's Walt Disney World Resort is on track to win the bid to become the NBA’s playing site to resume the 2019-20 season, with hope emerging of games tipping off by mid-July.

Details from @ShamsCharania & @sam_amick ⤵️

[Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA]

I'm told from an NBA source: "Finishing the season at Disney isn't a done deal. But the fact that it is a private property and controlling access can be done far easier than other proposed sites is something we consider to be heavily in Disney's favor. That's very important."

[Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA]

Sources from Walt Disney World tell me: "We are confident we'll be hosting the NBA in some fashion. It may not be the entire league, but we believe the NBA will be here to at least finish part of their season. Still hurdles to cross, but we are preparing as if that is the case."

[Ian Rapoport @RapSheet]

Per @JimTrotter_NFL, owners approved a resolution saying teams can no longer block assistant coaches from interviewing for coordinator positions. For the first time, assistants have mobility without allowing their contracts to lapse.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

Story filed to ESPN: In municipalities where coronavirus testing has become readily available for at-risk healthcare workers, teams opening facilities for voluntary workouts will be allowed to administer Covid-19 tests to asymptomatic players and staff.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

The NBA has indefinitely postponed its NBA Draft Lottery and Draft Combine in May in Chicago due to coronavirus pandemic, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

The #Bengals are releasing QB Andy Dalton, source said.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

NBA has received significant pushback from teams about idea of re-opening practice facilities in selected states and municipalities, team officials tell ESPN. Competive balance hasn't been issue -- player/staff safety has. Teams are still awaiting a more detailed NBA plan today.

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

The #Redskins are signing Colorado QB Steven Montez, source said.

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

The #Lions are signing former Washington TE Hunter Bryant, source said.