The greatest identify in NASCAR is on the transfer.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is leaving NBC and heading to racing newcomers Amazon Prime Video and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, sources briefed on his determination advised The Athletic.
Earnhardt is anticipated to take this season off after which resume his broadcasting profession in 2025 when WBD Sports and Amazon start their protection.
The transfer figures to present WBD Sports and Amazon immediate credibility after they begin their sequence. Each could have 5 races a season. WBD Sports’ races will probably be broadcast on TNT, streamed on Max and have a Bleacher Report element. NASCAR enhances WBD Sports’ sturdy NBA, NCAA Tournament, MLB and NHL programming schedule.
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Amazon Prime Video’s subscription service already options unique NFL video games on Thursday nights and it’s a main contender so as to add the NBA when the league decides its companions in its upcoming negotiations.
Earnhardt knowledgeable NBC of his determination final week, in keeping with sources accustomed to the conversations. While Earnhardt is anticipated to take the 12 months off, he does personal the pliability to do one other take care of one of many two broadcast companions, that are Fox and NBC. There aren’t any substantial talks at this level with both.
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is beloved in the NASCAR world and has made numerous contributions to NBC Sports, from his work as an analyst on our NASCAR coverage to his experiences as a correspondent at major events like the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl and the Olympics,” an NBC Sports spokesperson advised The Athletic. “We thank Dale and we wish him the best going forward.”
Earnhardt mentioned on his podcast in early February that he hoped to stay with NBC, at the same time as he acknowledged he’s with out a contract for 2024.
“I definitely love being in the broadcast booth and want to continue doing that,” Earnhardt mentioned on his podcast, “Dale Jr. Download.” “We’ve had some great conversations with all of NASCAR’s TV partners. My home and my love is at NBC, and I’d love to be back with them. So we’ll see where it goes.”
Earnhardt, 49, joined NBC in 2018 instantly after retiring from racing.
NASCAR moved to 4 companions in its newest TV contracts, remaining with incumbents NBC and Fox, who will proceed to air 14 races in 2025 to associate with WBD Sports and Amazon’s mixed 10. The total NASCAR offers are for seven years and an estimated $7.7 billion {dollars} in complete. The present season stays solely on Fox and NBC.
In 2025, Amazon and WBD Sports will be a part of the protection and so they every will construct round Earnhardt.
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