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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s Interview with Andy Katz
Outside the Lines (Friday 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2; Sunday 8 a.m. ESPN2, 9:00 a.m. ESPNEWS)
SportsCenter (Friday 6 p.m. and ensuing shows)
In his first year as NBA commissioner, Adam Silver has faced low moments – handing former Clippers owner Donald Sterling a lifetime ban from the league – and high ones – negotiating a record-breaking, multi-billion dollar NBA television deal. He has shown a willingness to bend on some issues, like legalized sports betting but has said he would stand firm on others, like a hard salary cap. As he wraps up his inaugural year as commissioner, Silver sits down with Andy Katz to discuss some of the most important issues the NBA faces today and how he plans to move the league forward.
ABC and ESPN will combine to present three Christmas Day NBA games: Washington at New York Knicks (ESPN, 12 p.m.); Oklahoma City at San Antonio (ABC, 2:30 p.m.); Cleveland at Miami (ABC, 5 p.m.). SportsCenter will have comprehensive coverage from each of the sites.
Mumps on the Ice
SportsCenter (6 p.m. Friday, ESPN)
Sidney Crosby is back on the ice practicing after suffering a bad case of the mumps. But the Penguins’ star is just one of as many as 14 players on six different NHL teams either diagnosed with the mumps or showing mumps-like symptoms. Outside the Lines’ Kelly Naqi talks with a doctor at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, as well as members of the Anaheim Ducks and Penguins about the spread of this disease throughout the league.
Wes Welker “Ready to Go”
ESPN.com (to post Friday)
Just 5-foot-9, Wes Welker was Mighty Mouse in shoulder pads, the slot receiver who could shake free of his own shadow to get open. And he bounced up from every big hit, head-bobbing and jaw flapping as he strutted back to the huddle. He is not that player anymore. In 2013, his first season with the Denver Broncos, Welker suffered two concussions in a four-game span. At the beginning of the 2014 season, Welker suffered his third concussion in less than a year, yet he has no intention of retiring. Kevin Van Valkenburg reports.
“As long as I’ve recovered the right way and everything like that, I’m ready to go. I really don’t see any problem with it.” – Wes Welker
espnW Impact 25: The Year of the Woman
espnW
From Becky Hammon being named the first female assistant coach in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs to the 70 m.p.h. pitching phenom known as Mo’ne Davis, 2014 has been a remarkable, historic year for women in sports. espnW reports on the 25 women who left the biggest mark on the past year.
ESPN’s Enterprise jOURnalism Release will take an editorial respite for the holidays, returning January 8. Happy Holidays to all, and thank you for your support.