Episode 78: Jim Nantz’s last dance and more RSN Armageddon

In this week’s Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast sponsored by WSC Sports:Jim Nantz’s final NCAA Tournament as lead announcer is the lead topic on this week’s podcast with Andrew Marchand and John Ourand also discuss Jay Wright’s first March Madness as a full-time announcer. Bob Iger said it was “inevitable” that ESPN would be offered as a direct-to-consumer service at some point, prompting Marchand and Ourand to continue their long-running debate on when that would be and how much it would cost. This is the week that Diamond Sports Group, which owns the Bally Sports regional sports networks, is expected to file for bankruptcy protection. The hosts talk about what that development means for fans. Other topics include changes inside ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” production truck and the trend of NFL hosts that publicize questionable information. Marchand and Ourand also answer questions from their mailbag on the pricing of the MLS Season Pass package and how to tell when announcers are past their prime.For more information about WSC Sports http://bitly.ws/AUVk Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.