Simply the considered Invoice Belichick having any curiosity in taking part in a “Hard Knocks” chronicling the machinations of his North Carolina squad is compelling however arduous to imagine.
Anybody leaning towards “hard to believe” was tilting in the precise path. Seems CBS Sports activities, which first reported the sturdy chance of Belichick’s Tar Heels starring in HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason” (the identical collection that captured Giants GM Joe Schoen slipping on Saquon Barkley’s banana peel), adopted up reporting the deal fell by over points regarding “creative control.”
Nonetheless, sources maintained that manufacturing firms, aside from HBO/NFL Movies, the producers of the “Hard Knocks” franchise, may attain a cope with UNC to provide “Project Belichick,” discovering a means across the artistic management “issue.” See, in circumstances like these, “creative control” is a catch-all, subjective phrase.
One which means might be this: An influence-player who doesn’t just like the deal, for no matter motive, shoots it down. Like Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft, who’s chairman of the NFL’s Media Committee. He may need a number of causes to be the impediment in the best way of his former coach getting such a useful alternative supplied by NFL Movies.
Based on Professional Soccer Discuss: “Multiple owners are not happy with Bill Belichick getting an NFL Films platform.”
If the house owners are the stumbling block let’s see considered one of them volunteer his group for the starring function in “Hard Knocks: Offseason.” That’s what led to HBO/NFL Movies reaching out to UNC.
Kraft and his brother house owners noticed the Giants cockeyed resolution to permit the Barkley state of affairs to play out on “Hard Knocks: Offseason” and didn’t need their GM/entrance workplace to get caught in an analogous “trap,” which may return to hang-out them.
The NFL didn’t need to see Belichick’s stuffy picture, which incorporates heaping helpings of paranoia directed on the media, proceed to be repaired big-time. His appearances on a number of media platforms, (Belichick caught with them even after agreeing to take the Carolina gig), revealed a likeable man keen to share his soccer knowledge (if not many smiles) with the unwashed lots.
But, enjoying himself in “Hard Knocks: Offseason” can be the piece de resistance, the function of a lifetime for Belichick, 72. So, possibly an NFL go well with went Godfather on UNC officers, channeling his internal Hollywood film mogul Jack Woltz and telling them: “Bill Belichick never gets that movie. That part is perfect for him. It will make him a big star.”
Nobody is complicated the Coach with (the) Don Corleone’s favourite crooner, Johnny Fontane, however Belichick starring in “Hard Knocks: Offseason” would additionally convey UNC’s soccer program a lot wanted publicity, particularly on the recruiting circuit. Apparently, they want some assist. Based on USA As we speak, UNC has seven commitments for the category of 2026. None are nationally ranked. All seven have a 3-star score.
Past the advantages it will convey to UNC’s soccer operation, it will be appointment viewing for all kinds of followers, particularly these searching for the chance of seeing Belichick at work in a distinct soccer surroundings.
Sure, it will be shameful if this venture, which would depart an indelible footprint in soccer historical past, will get completely scrapped over “creative control.”
Which actually is simply an ambiguous excuse.
NOT SO FRIENDLY FIRE
As said on this house earlier than, the choice to maintain “Inside the NBA” alive on ESPN subsequent season is a nasty one.
One other instance of the perils of the “partnership” occurred final week when Charles Barkley accused ESPN NBA operatives of waving pom-poms for the Lakers and Warriors whereas giving short-shrift to the Cavs and Thunder.
“I saw a fool, idiot on the TV talking about the Lakers saved the NBA,” Barkley mentioned Thursday on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.” “He’s an idiot and a fool, he knows who he is … [ESPN NBA analyst] Kendrick Perkins. … The Lakers have had a great two weeks. He’s talking about how the Lakers saved the NBA season. Them fools on the other network, who we’re gonna be working for next year, that’s all they talk about.” Ouch!
Does anybody actually suppose the transfer to ESPN, goes to silence Barkley? Or cease him from being Barkley? That’s why he’s Barkley. But, this might in the end imply that dishing and dumping on his new ESPN “colleagues” shall be a part of Barkley’s routine as soon as the transfer is made?
Too late to show again now. It’s both going to be an annoying distraction or an anticipated attraction?
SPENDING BAD
Each greenback Mets proprietor Steve Cohen spends on his roster is straight away in comparison with the moolah Hal Steinbrenner pulls out of his pinstriped pockets.
This (particularly with the Valley of the Silly caught on the Huge Apple QB conditions) has sucked up an excessive amount of airtime.
Nonetheless, 880-AM’s Michael Kay put a twist on the subject. “The Yankees have been spending money [since Hal took over],” Kay mentioned. “They have just not spent it well.”
Positive sounds just like the TV voice of the Yankees was taking a shot at GM Brian Cashman with out saying the phrases “Brian Cashman.” Hooray! Kay should assume us dummies are intelligent sufficient to know who he’s referring to.
A WARNING FROM RICK
The nearer St. John’s will get to copping its NCAA Match bid, the extra Rick Pitino is requested will the Johnnies be the final cease on his made-for-TV profession.
His reply will not be definitive (“I’m not looking anywhere else but the next practice”). Pitino, 72, all the time leaves the door cracked open. He’s Nonetheless Slick Rick. But along with his present group, Pitino appears to be dialing down expectations.
Not less than he has with FAN’s Brandon Tierney/Sal Licata. Pitino warned the 2 Gasbags. “This team is not a dominant basketball team. They are full of grit. [But] there are not any Chris Mullin’s on this basketball team,” Pitino mentioned. “Let’s not get carried away. Let’s be very thankful….This team is a fighting team but there is no lock with this team.”
Possibly so. Now, SJU followers are figuratively flying. Pitino’s warning won’t convey them down. It would give him a mushy place to land if St. John’s is ousted early from the NCAA Fiesta.
MORE PITINO
In the meantime, Vice TV is cashing in on Pitino Mania, extending its docuseries, “Pitino: Red Storm Rising,” by the size of SJU’s playoff run. The subsequent episode will air April 7.
AROUND THE DIAL
TV sports activities’ longest and most publicized contract negotiation ended this week with the New York Occasions reporting Stephen A. Smith inked a five-year renewal with ESPN reportedly value $100 million doughnuts. … The identical SAS has began referring to Giants GM Joe Schoen as “Joe Shame.” … Noah (The Nest) Eagle will name all first-round video games of the Huge East Males’s Match on Wednesday, and two afternoon quarterfinal video games Thursday, on Peacock. Donny Marshall is the analyst with John Fanta snooping on the sidelines. … Whereas he was in Knoxville working Alabama-Tennessee hoops, a bunch of UT gamers pooled a few of their NIL cash and offered Dick Vitale a donation of $10,000 for his basis for most cancers analysis. Class transfer by these Volunteers.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: JIMMY JOHNSON
The Corridor of Famer delivered a easy and definitive exit from the Fox NFL Sunday studio present, not like so many different messy and awkward departures.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: JORDAN SCHULTZ AND IAN RAPOPORT
Actually? A verbal confrontation in a Starbucks between NFL Insiders. Clearly each males must recalibrate precisely how vital they’re within the grand scheme.
DOUBLE TALK
What Aaron Boone mentioned: “The biggest thing is getting him [Giancarlo Stanton] right. If that costs us a little hit on the front end, so be it.”
What Aaron Boone meant to say: “I’ll be satisfied if he’s back in time for the playoffs.”
Initially Printed: March 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM EST
