NBC lands Indy 500, promises more exposure
The Indianapolis 500, an American staple on ABC for 53 years, will have a new television home next season.
In fact, the entire IndyCar package is moving to NBC in 2019 in what could turn out to be an exceptional deal for the series because of promised increased exposure across multiple platforms.
That's secondary, though, to another network ending ABC's stranglehold on the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
The Indy 500 on ABC is the second-longest partnership in television and sports events behind only the Masters, which has been on CBS since 1956. It's a jewel ABC did not particularly want to give up, and IndyCar wasn't unhappy with the network's production of its most important asset.
But IndyCar badly wanted its races on one network and made that clear in negotiations with both ABC and NBC. The networks have been sharing the series for several years, with ABC owning the Indy 500 and the broadcast rights. NBC got the leftovers and was allowed to air IndyCar only on cable.
IndyCar CEO Mark Miles worked out a threeyear deal assigning all media rights to NBC. The agreement announced Wednesday comes with an increased number of races on broadcast (NBC) and a subscription-only channel for IndyCar's diehard fans.
Serena Williams loses in first round of Miami Open
Serena Williams lost in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday, still rusty in her comeback from pregnancy and unable to overcome a tough draw against Naomi Osaka, who won 6-3, 6-2.
The 20-year-old Osaka, who earned her first career title Sunday at Indian Wells, showed no signs of letup and overpowered the erratic Williams. Osaka had the stronger serve and wore Williams down in rallies working her from side to side.
Bills WR Zay Jones released from jail
Zay Jones' father says his son will be fine, and online jail records show the Buffalo Bills receiver has been released two days after being arrested in Los Angeles following a naked, bloody argument with his brother.
Robert Jones, a former Dallas Cowboys linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion, posted a note on his Twitter account Wednesday saying his son "is with me and his mom," while adding "he's going to be fine!"
Zay Jones was arrested after officers were called to a disturbance in downtown Los Angeles, said police spokesman Luis Garcia.
Jones was found "breaking glass doors and windows" and arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, Garcia said.
The arrest was first reported by TMZ, which posted a video showing a nude Zay Jones pushing his brother, Minnesota Vikings receiver Cayleb Jones , in what appeared to be the hallway of an apartment building.