Parting Schotts: AFL signs deal with ESPN

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Schott

In addition to MY4 (WNYA), the Albany Empire games will be on ESPN3 and the ESPN app.

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Some TV notes for you.

The Arena Football League and ESPN announced Friday that ESPN3 will carry all of the league’s regular-season games. The games will also be available on the ESPN app.

The deal begins Friday with Philadelphia Soul-Baltimore Brigade game. All of the Albany Empire’s games will be on the app, as well as MY4 (WNYA).

“We are pleased for the AFL, its players, coaches and fans, to be able to announce that all of our games will be broadcast on ESPN,” AFL commissioner Randall Boe said in a statement. “We are pleased and proud to be working with ESPN and think they will be a great partner to help us grow the AFL.”

ESPN2 will televise ArenaBowl XXXII.

The AFL had its games on CBS Sports Network the past few years. ESPN previously carried the games.

“We are delighted to be the national media home for Arena Football League – the leading professional indoor football league in the country,” said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president, programming and acquisitions for ESPN. “The AFL complements our commitment to serve fans with the best available football action year-round.”

While we’re talking football, ESPN announced earlier this week that Booger McFarland will move from the field to the booth for “Monday Night Football.” He will take Jason Witten’s spot next to Schenectady native Joe Tessitore. Witten decided to return to the Dallas Cowboys after a one-year retirement from his playing career.

The crew was roundly criticized for its performance last season. Witten, in particular, was the big target because he seemed ill prepared for the job.

Lisa Salters will be the sole field reporter.

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. NBCSN will have coverage of the prep races starting at noon. NBC Sports will take over coverage at 2:30 p.m. It can be seen locally on NBC13 (WNYT).

On the radio side, WGY-AM (810) and WGY-FM (103.1) will have coverage starting at 5 p.m. Coverage will also be on SiriusXM: Sirius channel 219, XM channel 201, and channel 964 on the SiriusXM app

On Twitter, follow Associate Sports Editor Ken Schott @slapschotts and Daily Gazette Sports @dgazettesports. Email Schott at [email protected].