Richard Deitsch
- Host, Sports Media with Richard Deitsch
- Special Contributor, CBC Sports
- Special Contributor, Sports Business Journal
Toronto
Father of twins; fan of Toronto, NYC and Buffalo; Writer @theathletic; host of Sports Media Podcast; SI/Bob McCown alum. Part of two countries 🇺🇸🇨🇦
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Articles by Richard Deitsch
'Only up from here': Tempo's off-court success offers optimism after injury-ravaged inaugural campaign
It had been a long and trying season for the head coach of the Toronto Tempo and Sandy Brondello looked more exhausted than energized. One of the WNBA’s premier tacticians with two championships and two additional Finals appearances on her resume, Brondello had never missed the WNBA playoffs as a head coach over 13 seasons prior to this year.
From Brady to Brees, an inside look at how Fox Sports develops on-air talent
You could do much worse than spending a couple of days at the Terranea Resort, a 102-acre luxury resort in stunning Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and an endless supply of bliss.
From Brady to Brees, an inside look at how Fox Sports develops on-air talent
You could do much worse than spending a couple of days at the Terranea Resort, a 102-acre luxury resort in stunning Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and an endless supply of bliss.
Everything about WNBA star Caitlin Clark is outsized, from financial influence to impact on U.S. culture wars
If you wanted a moment that distilled Caitlin Clark’s current fame in the United States, you could not do better than a basketball practice last month during the WNBA’s All-Star weekend in Chicago.
MLB Roundtable: Play-by-play broadcasters share daily routines, thoughts on baseball’s future
They are a constant presence in our lives — literally the soundtrack of summer for millions of sports fans. The job of a Major League Baseball broadcaster is unique among all sports broadcasting jobs because of the sheer inventory of games each season. You feel like they are part of your family.
Geno Auriemma, sports broadcaster? UConn’s women’s basketball leader says he’d consider it in a post-coaching world
As the coach of the 12-time national champion Univ. of Connecticut women’s basketball team, Geno Auriemma has long been a familiar face for ESPN viewers. But on Tuesday night he’ll find himself on ESPN in a different role -- as a broadcast analyst. Auriemma will join Beth Mowins and Robin Roberts on Tuesday night at 8pm ET for the call of the Dallas Wings vs.
Grand Finale: ESPN enjoys its best Stanley Cup Final presentation
Less than 48 hours after a memorable Stanley Cup Final and shortly after a final wrap-up call with NHL officials, Linda Schulz admitted she was already thinking about her next assignment. Schulz, an ESPN vice president of production, oversees all aspects of her company’s NHL event and studio production, including the Stanley Cup postseason, but other sports fall under her domain, like tennis. It is a quick pivot from Jaccob Slavin to Jannik Sinner.
Media analysts believe FIFA's lucrative hydration breaks are here to stay
World Cup·Analysis What was designed as a safety play for players has become a financial bonanza for broadcasters. Estimated to provide an extra 10 hours of ad time over course of World Cup Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Jun 20, 2026 7:50 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 20 Listen to this article Estimated 7 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
MLB Network adds ex-Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to Draft Combine coverage
MLB Network has added a former GM to its talent roster. As part of its Draft Combine coverage on June 23, Mike Rizzo, who won a title in 2019 with the Nationals, will serve as an analyst for the event. Rizzo was the GM and president of baseball operations for the Nationals though the middle of last July, when he was let go by the team. He was the team’s GM when the club selected Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) with first overall picks.
Knicks’ title ‘means the world’ to Mike Breen, says Michael Kay
The relationship between Yankees play-by-play voice Michael Kay and ESPN/ABC lead NBA broadcaster Mike Breen dates back to 1979 when Kay was an outgoing sophomore at Fordham and Breen was a reserved freshman trying to find his way amid the private Jesuit university in the Bronx.
Michael Kay, Mike Breen bond from Fordham to NBA Finals
The relationship between Yankees play-by-play voice Michael Kay and ESPN/ABC lead NBA broadcaster Mike Breen dates back to 1979 when Kay was an outgoing sophomore at Fordham Univ. and Breen was a reserved freshman trying find his way amid the private Jesuit university in the Bronx.
ESPN green-lights docuseries on Toronto Tempo; Serena Williams among exec producers
A quintet of boldfaced names -- Serena Williams, Ryan Reynolds, Robin Roberts, Masai Ujiri and Lilly Singh -- are partnering to executive-produce a four-part series on the launch of the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo. ESPN will announce Monday that it has green-lit an original series on the building of Toronto’s expansion franchise.
Mike Breen sizes up ‘compelling’ Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals clash
Mike Breen has called 21 consecutive NBA Finals for ESPN/ABC -- the most for any network broadcaster -- but he readily concedes this year’s NBA Finals will be entirely different for him. First, he’s the longtime voice of the New York Knicks, a position that he has held between the team’s radio and television broadcasts since the 1992-93 NBA season.
With Tempo’s latest loss, Sandy Brondello reiterates process still a journey not a sprint
Basketball Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has consistently walked the line between publicly demanding excellence from her team and acknowledging the reality that they are a first-year franchise in a very competitive league.
Dream Team: The Toronto Tempo embody Larry Tanenbaum’s vision and represent all of Canada and its WNBA hopes
One of the perks of investing nearly $150 million in Canada’s first WNBA team is that it grants you a private tour of the century-old Coca-Cola Coliseum, an 8,000-plus seat arena in downtown Toronto originally built for agriculture fairs that has since morphed into a charming hockey barn for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres and the building’s latest tenant, the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo.
Larry Tanenbaum: ‘Sports is good business’
The pursuit of a WNBA franchise has been a multi-decade quest for Toronto Tempo owner Larry Tanenbaum. In 2002, he and Richard Peddie, then the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, examined the prospect of bringing a WNBA team to Toronto, but their research at the time suggested the market was not mature enough, given factors such as a large portion of potential customers leaving Toronto for the summer. That has changed. “Toronto is a big deal right now,” Tanenbaum said.
NBC Sports hires Dave Flemming for play-by-play
After bringing in Jason Benetti as its lead broadcaster for its MLB game inventory, NBC Sports is adding another accomplished MLB play by play voice to its roster. The company will announce on Tuesday morning that Dave Flemming, the longtime lead radio play-by-play voice on KNBR for the S.F. Giants as well as a college basketball and football and MLB and golf commentator for ESPN, has joined NBC Sports as a play-by-play voice for MLB Sunday Leadoff games on Peacock and NBCSN.
Al Michaels talks calling new NFL stadium openings, future at Prime Video
How’s this for a crazy sports broadcasting stat? When Al Michaels calls Amazon Prime Video’s opening regular season game on Sept. 17 -- the Lions at Bills at Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium -- it will be the 10th time in the broadcaster’s storied career that he is on the mic for an inaugural regular season game in a new NFL stadium.
NBC’s Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller discuss WNBA coverage as 2026 season gets underway
This week marks the return of the WNBA to NBC Sports for the first time since 2002. Seven regular season games will air on NBC and Peacock with the remaining 15 on Peacock and NBCSN. The debut comes this Sunday with a doubleheader starting with the Aces and Dream at 1:30pm ET on NBC and Peacock followed by the Fever hosting the Storm at 6 pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
Kelsey Plum to join Prime Video’s WNBA coverage as player contributor
Sports outlets have become increasingly fond of current athletes serving in a contributor role on broadcasts -- and Prime Video has added another well-known athlete to that growing subset. The company will announce Thursday that Sparks G Kelsey Plum will join WNBA on Prime as a player contributor. Plum, a four-time WNBA All-Star who won gold medals in 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Olympics and 5x5 basketball at the 2024 Olympics, will make select appearances during the 2026 WNBA season.
Cathy Engelbert says WNBA ‘not unique’ to fans’ media deal challenges
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was in Toronto on Friday to celebrate the Toronto Tempo’s first-ever regular season game in the WNBA. Speaking to a half-dozen reporters at the NBA’s Canada offices in Toronto three hours prior to Washington’s 68-65 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,210 at Coca-Cola Coliseum, Engelbert hit on a number of topics, including Canadian fandom of the WNBA.
The Toronto Tempo's inaugural game was a kaleidoscope of emotions
There has to be a beginning and here it was. Referee Clare Simmons moved to the centre of a sold-out Coca-Cola Coliseum, an arena originally built in 1921 for agriculture fairs that has since morphed into a charming hockey barn. The WNBA official brought the fire orange and white ball to the top of her hands. All eyes were now on the court, a slick floor draped in the team’s colours, Borealis Blue and Tempo Bordeaux.
The next Donna Brothers? Andie Biancone could be in line for NBC reporting duties
With Donna Brothers announcing last week that the 2026 Preakness on May 16 will be her last on horseback for NBC Sports following a 26-year broadcasting career as the reporter on horseback for the network’s coverage of the Triple Crown races and Breeders’ Cup World Championships, among other major racing events, the inevitable question is who will replace Brothers on the coverage.
Bell Media to broadcast Tempo games as official media partner
Fans of the WNBA’s Tempo have been waiting patiently for news on where the team’s games will air in Canada. Finally, that wait is over. Sports Business Journal has learned that Bell Media will be the official media partner of the Tempo. The formal announcement from both the franchise and the WNBA is expected to come Tuesday morning. As part of a multiyear deal, TSN will broadcast and stream Tempo games and the WNBA All-Star Game as well as the WNBA postseason, WNBA Finals and WNBA Draft.
NBC’s Donna Brothers to cover her last Kentucky Derby after 26 races
Donna Brothers, the former champion jockey who joined NBC Sports in 2000 to work as the track reporter for coverage of the Triple Crown races and Breeders’ Cup World Championships, among other major events, announced this week that Saturday’s Kentucky Derby will be her last on horseback for NBC. (She will also work the Preakness before stepping away.) Savvy horse racing viewers have long appreciated the professional work of Brothers.
Chris Simms won’t return to Football Night in America for 2026 season
NBC’s “Football Night In America” is going to have a significantly different look next season -- and that goes beyond the addition of former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Longtime studio analyst Chris Simms announced on “PFT Live” on Monday morning that NBC told him he would not be returning to “Football Night in America” for the 2026 season. A television source confirmed that news to SBJ.
Jason Benetti is ‘THE guy’ for the job
Shortly after his time had concluded at Syracuse University’s well-regarded SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, Jason Benetti did what many sports broadcast journalism hopefuls did in the mid-2000s: He sent out a CD of his play-by-play work to alumni of his school. The audio package included the 21-year-old Benetti calling a Syracuse near-upset of Florida in football, as well as a tight stretch between Syracuse and Rutgers in basketball.
Clarence Seedorf joins Fox as World Cup studio analyst
Over the past six months, Fox Sports has made a significant effort to enhance its World Cup studio analyst roster, given the additions of Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Javier (Chicharito) Hernández. On Thursday, the company plans to announce another addition with an equally massive name in the global soccer world. SBJ has learned that Fox has hired Clarence Seedorf, the Dutch footballing legend, to work as a World Cup studio analyst this summer.
Joe Buck hopes to remain at ESPN for ‘the rest of my career’
Joe Buck’s current ESPN contract concludes at the end of this coming NFL season, but he’s very clear on where he wants to ply his trade for the rest of his career. “If you reached through my computer screen right now and handed me a contract to continue my time at ESPN, I would sign it without even looking at it,” Buck said. “I’ve loved every second of it and I am hopeful that I’m at ESPN for the rest of my career.
Blue Jays begin what they and fans hope is the ultimate redemption arc after last year's Game 7 heartbreaker
John Schneider shook his head, laughing at the absurdity of it all, and then gave an honest answer. Was the Blue Jays manager still waking up in the middle of the night, jarred out of a deep sleep, replaying all the myriad moves he could have made during last year’s epic but excruciating loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series. "Baseball guys, we suck, you know?” Schneider said, smiling. “We're so weird.
Blue Jays begin what they and fans hope is the ultimate redemption arc after last year's Game 7 heartbreaker
MLB·Preview After an agonizing extra-innings loss to the L.A. Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series, what Blue Jays are hoping for in 2026 is the ultimate redemption arc. But history says that will not be easy.
NBC taps Zac Brown Band for ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ intro song
One of the hallmarks of NBC Sports when it comes to its Sunday night sports programming is a well-known recording artist delivering a theme song that brings the audience into the game event. Carrie Underwood has delivered this for more than a decade to “Sunday Night Football.” Lenny Kravitz was brought in this year to do an opening for “Sunday Night Basketball.” Up next: The Zac Brown Band.
A Life’s Journey: Kevin Harlan is one of the most well-traveled sportscasters of his era
If you ever have a chance to visit Kevin Harlan at his century-old home in Mission Hills, Kansas, ask the famed sports broadcaster if you can see the collection of weekly calendar books on the first floor of his house, just off the living room. Or maybe take a look at the older ones on the second floor, tucked away inside a file cabinet in a storage room. What you’ll discover on the pages of these 8-by-5 leather journals is the story of Harlan’s 40-year work life.
USA-Canada sled hockey gold medal game sets viewership record
Prior to the start of the Milan Cortina Paralympics, NBC Sports senior producer Alexa Pritting told SBJ that she hoped the planets would align so the sled hockey gold medal game last Sunday would feature Team USA versus Canada. Round 3, she called it, after the Olympic men and women’s hockey tournament concluded with USA-Canada meetings in the gold medal games.
NWSL on Prime adds former Angel City FC captain Ali Riley
One of the NWSL’s most iconic defenders is heading to the broadcast booth. Ali Riley, the New Zealand international who served as the Angel City FC captain for three seasons before retiring at the end of the 2025 NWSL season, has joined The NWSL on Prime coverage as an analyst. Riley appeared in five World Cups and four Olympic Games, part of an international career that included stops at Rosengard in Sweden, Chelsea and Bayern Munich before returning to the U.S. in 2020 to join the Orlando Pride.
Could Paralympics give us another U.S.-Canada hockey showdown?
Like most accomplished sports television producers, Alexa Pritting roots for a good story above all. So you can understand why Pritting, a senior producer at NBC Sports who oversees the Paralympic Games coverage for her company, has her eye on the Milan Cortina Paralympic sled hockey gold medal game on March 15. First, the game will air live on NBC at 11am ET, a showcase spot on a broadcast network.
Some of the special athletes who elevated these Olympics Original
New The Olympics has many issues, but what always remains true as every Olympics concludes — the athletes save the Games every time. From champion figure skater Alysa Liu to heroic Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 22, 2026 11:40 AM EST | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 5 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
All hail Klæbo, the King of Winter, and the rest of the best of the Milano-Cortina Olympics Original
New As he launched up the final hill with his herringbone-style uphill running technique, leaving countryman Martin Nyenget in the dust as if Nyenget was a Honda Civic stuck in snow, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo climbed forcefully to history. Handing out our own medals from the past two weeks Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 21, 2026 2:52 PM EST | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 8 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology.
Despite small population, Norway continues to dominate as Winter Olympic giant Original
Whether on the ground or in the air, the Norwegians Olympians exude technical prowess, endless enthusiasm and speed. The result is Olympic hardware — 37 medals at the Milano-Cortina Games. 'We try not to focus on winning too early,' says Norway's chef de mission Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 20, 2026 4:24 PM EST | Last Updated: 11 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology.
U.S. champ at 13, retired at 16, Olympic champ at 20; Alysa Liu's remarkable journey to top of Olympic podium Original
Alysa Liu walks away as one of the biggest stars of these Games after becoming the first American woman to find gold in women’s figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Japan’s Miho Takagi pursues Dutch legend Ireen Wüst's medal record in speed skating Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 19, 2026 5:55 PM EST | Last Updated: 8 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
Shiffrin's Instagram prediction shows she never doubted she'd win Olympic gold Original
The Olympics had been cruel, at least of late, for American skiing great Mikaela Shiffrin. Jordan Stolz goes for gold No. 3 in speed skating and ski-mo makes its debut Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 18, 2026 3:20 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Dazzling teen Ami Nakai leads trio of Japanese skaters poised to win 1st women's singles gold in 20 years Original
In a performance that makes you think big things might be coming in the free skate on Thursday, it was dazzling 17-year-old Ami Nakai of Japan who earned a season’s best 78.71 to take the lead in women's figure skating. 17-year-old takes the lead over countrywoman Sakamoto Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 17, 2026 6:33 PM EST | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology.
Let's hear it for moms Meyers Taylor, Humphries Armbruster, who produced an inspiring story in monobob Original
Forty-something American sledders win gold, bronze in the closest bobsled finish in Olympics history. 41-year-old American wins 1st gold medal in 6th Olympics Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 16, 2026 6:18 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella is the leader and futurist excelling in today’s sports media world
His body clock was off, his sleep patterns as messy as a Jackson Pollock painting. That was always the case for NBC Sports President Rick Cordella whenever he traveled internationally, especially to Europe.
NBC preparing for NFL media rights renegotiations
One of the jobs of a modern sports content executive is to be a futurist — and that’s especially true for places such as NBC Sports. Here’s an example: Late last year, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC that the NFL could begin renegotiating its media rights deals as soon as 2026. That would be four years ahead of the current agreement’s opt-out clause.
With 2 gold, Italian Snow Tiger Federica Brignone shows age is just a number | CBC Sports Original
Italian skier Federica Brignone, a senior citizen in her sport at age 35, could not have expected to land atop any podium after suffering a broken leg in a crash less than a year ago. 35-year-old flag-bearer suffered broken leg last April Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 15, 2026 4:12 PM EST | Last Updated: 7 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo's pursuit of a record 9th gold medal is the gift of greatness the Olympics provide Original
To watch your fellow human do something extraordinary is to travel to an elevated place that makes you appreciate your moment on the planet. Watching other humans accomplish the extraordinary elevates us all Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 14, 2026 3:50 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
As the Quad God fell to earth, Norwegian cross-country skier ascended to greatness Original
Ilia Malinin, the greatest male figure skater in the world, The Quad God, the surest bet for gold among all American athletes, fell apart on the ice in front of a standing room only crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. American skater stumbles away gold medal Richard Deitsch · for CBC Sports · Posted: Feb 13, 2026 6:01 PM EST | Last Updated: 7 minutes ago Listen to this article Estimated 6 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
Vladyslav Heraskevych exits Olympics with dream unfulfilled, but principles intact
The Ukrainian skeleton athlete, a medal contender at the Milano-Cortina Games, was not allowed to compete after refusing a last-minute plea from the International Olympic Committee to not race with the helmet that honours his country's athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia.
Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych is the most important athlete at the Olympics right now Original
The International Olympic Committee is not an organization that generally begs, but they are begging Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych not to compete in a customized helmet showing the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since Russian invaded Ukraine in 2022.
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