Pat McAfee, who joined ESPN in a blockbuster 2023 deal, bridled at the question of whether “journalistic standards” should apply to his show. Appearing on a panel with other on-air talent during a media day hosted Wednesday by the Disney division at its Bristol, CT campus, McAfee took exception to…

Veteran unscripted agent Paul Barrutia has joined Arise Artists Agency. Barrutia will represent Unscripted on-camera, award-winning talent, including television and digital hosts, content creators, experts, and more, in addition to covering the creative and business interests of production companies…

EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Mendelovitz has stepped down as Head of Mattel Television Studios after nine months on the job. A rep for the toy maker confirmed Mendelovitz’s departure, declining further comment. According to sources, the role will be backfilled. Mendelovitz joined Mattel in late 2023 on the…

EXCLUSIVE: CAA has signed Arlette Amuli and Bolia Matundu, the Phoenix-based married couple best known for creating and producing the viral online dating show Pop the Balloon or Find Love. The couple will now work with CAA to expand their intellectual property across television, podcasts, and brand…

ESPN has signed a 12-year extension with the U.S. Tennis Association and will continue its coverage of the U.S. Open through 2037. The Disney-owned outlet said the new agreement begins in 2026. Along with the U.S., it includes Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN…

ESPN has come up with an answer to sports fans’ age-old question: Who is showing the game? The Disney-owned sports division has launched a new feature called “Where to Watch” on its main app and website. The service guides users to any sports event on ESPN platforms and elsewhere, including…

SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland was the highest paid among the Hollywood union leaders and the ninth highest-paid labor official in the country last year. The National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, who helped lead the actors union through a historic 118-day strike last year, earned a…

EXCLUSIVE: Actor Iqbal Theba (Glee) has signed with Buchwald for representation. The actor was previously signed to A3 Artists Agency, which recently shut its doors permanently. Stated Theba, “I am beyond excited to sign with Buchwald, an agency with decades of experience and history, and a group of…

A federal appeals court has revived Sarah Palin’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, finding fault with the way that a trial court judge announced that he planned to dismiss the case as a jury was deliberating. “The jury is sacrosanct in our legal system, and we have a duty to protect its…

Content Partners, the big independent owner of studio films, TV and related participations has launched Content Partners Capital, a new division headed by entertainment investment banker Alphonse Lordo to offer private capital for entertainment businesses and IP assets. CPC is targeting IP-heavy…

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Disney CEO Bob Iger but said he is not changing his leadership style in a bid to get promoted to Iger’s role. “I can say without hesitation that I’m sitting in my dream job,” he said. Asked if Disney’s succession process was altering his leadership style at ESPN, he…

An Arlington National Cemetery official and Trump campaign staffers had an “incident” earlier this week, apparently over the use of a photographer in one of the areas where recent fallen soldiers are buried. A spokesperson for the cemetery said in a statement, “Federal law prohibits political…