The Amount of Money It Costs Cord Cutters to Watch Sports Just Keeps Going Up and Up

1.

Given the major business events in sports media this week, I feel like its time for me to write yet another column in hopes of one of you being able to explain to me why cutting the cord makes sense if you are someone who likes several sports.

I have been screaming about this for years and years and years now, and, as I have said all along, its only going to get worse.

I couldnt have been more right, so I will be that jerk who says, I told you so.

If you dont think the cost of being a sports fan is completely and totally out of control, I dont know what to tell you.

If you like one or two sports, you are in decent shape.

If you like more than that, you need to take out a loan from your local bank.

Lets say youre someone who wants to watch the NFL, college football, NBA, NHL, MLB, golf, tennis, soccer and WWE.

And lets say you decided to cut the cord, get rid of cable and go streaming only.

Heres just some of what youd have to pay for access all of those sports.

It will cost you $30 for ESPNs upcoming direct-to-consumer app will get you a TON of content.

You need Peacock if you want to watch Sunday Night Football , the NBA and more.

That costs either $11 or $17 a month depending on the plan you choose.

Netflix now has the NFL on Christmas Day and Monday Night Raw .

That will cost you $18 a month.

A die-hard baseball and MLS fans need AppleTV, which costs $10 a month.

Fox, which carries the NFL, college football, Major League Baseball and more is launching an app on Aug.

21 that will run you $20 a month.

A sports fan who wants to watch the NFL and soccer needs Paramount for $8 a month.

Just those apps alone have you shelling out about $100 a month.

I didnt even count Amazon Prime in there, which costs $139 for the year, because whenever I mention that a sports fan needs to pay for Amazon in order to get Thursday Night Football, and now the NBA, everyone always screams at me, EVERYONE HAS AMAZON PRIME, YOU STUPID IDIOT.

You also still need access to TNT for a variety of sporting events.

Throw in ION if youre someone who likes to watch Caitlin Clark.

God forbid you want Sunday Ticket.

That will cost $480 a year if you dont have YouTubeTV.

You also still need access to NFL Network and MLB Network and NHL Network, so that would be another payment.

So, again, I need to ask: Can someone please explain to me how cutting the cord makes sense if you are a big sports fan? 2.

Fox announced its 2025 NFL broadcast teams Friday morning.

Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady Joe Davis and Greg Olsen Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez Chris Myers and Mark Schlereth Burkhardt and Brady will call Giants-Commanders at 1 p.m.

ET in Week 1.

3.

ESPNs latest edition of The Sports Reporters features a discussion about the life of an insider, with Shams Charania, Adam Schefter and Jeff Passan.

In discussing how their jobs are 24/7, therefore wreaking havoc on personal relationships, Charania got brutally honest.

Ive had to walk out on dates.

My friends dont really like me.

Its hard to have a consistent relationship.

4.

This was really good stuff from Dan Patrick on the issue of journalism regarding the NFL now having equity in ESPN.

5.

This is a very cool story about former NBA commissioner, David Stern.

6.

This weeks SI Media With Jimmy Traina features two interviews.

First up is Puck s sports correspondent, John Ourand, who shares insight into the blockbuster ESPN-NFL Media deal.

Ourand explains why each company wanted to make this deal, what it will mean for the presentation of NFL RedZone and the NFL Network and how ESPNs upcoming direct-to-consumer $29.99 app is the focal point of this deal.

Ourand also talks about how the NFL benefits from the deal by getting four games to sell, why those games will likely go to streamers and how this could mean some interesting changes to the NFL schedule.

Following Ourand, SiriusXMs Katie Nolan joins the show to discuss her new podcast Casuals , the sad state of getting accurate information these days, coverage of Bill Belichicks relationship, the trend of adult objects being thrown on the court at WNBA games , her annoyance with the infiltration of gambling talk on sports broadcasts and more.

Following Nolan, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV joins me for our weekly Traina Thoughts segment.

This week, we discuss the issues with the Yankees, ratings for the NFL Hall of Fame game, betting stories, Brent Musburger, my recent root canal and Sals recent experience with a skunk at his house.

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify .

7 .

RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY : The trailer for The Paper , Peacocks spinoff/sequel/reboot/whatever of The Office, dropped on Thursday.

The show debuts on Sept.

4.

What do you think? Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple , Spotify or Google .

You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram ..

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