Latest news with #ScottVanPelt
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Charles Barkley rips TNT for 'awful' treatment when 'Inside the NBA' future was in doubt
Charles Barkley heard from the co-workers who don't appear on screen during TNT's "Inside the NBA" as its future was in flux over the past year ‒ about how they were worried about paying their mortgage or for their children's education if they were to lose this job. The lingering uncertainty bothered the former NBA star, and it still bothers him now that TNT lost the broadcast rights to the NBA and "Inside the NBA" is being licensed to ESPN beginning with the 2025-26 season. Barkley blasted his bosses at TNT during an interview on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast released Monday because "they did an awful job keeping us abreast." "We were playing golf in the middle of the playoffs and we were reading the internet to find out if we were going to get fired or not," Barkley said. "And I was like TNT, our bosses, they suck, plain and simple. Yo man, just tell us. Shoot us straight because these are real people. ... And TNT never came to us like grown folks and said, 'Hey guys, we're probably going to lose the NBA,' which we could have understood. But I thought they sucked. I told them they sucked because there's a way you treat people." Barkley went on to reveal he found out TNT had licensed "Inside the NBA" to ESPN through congratulatory text messages from current ESPN hosts and analysts like Scott Van Pelt, Elle Duncan, Brian Windhorst and former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers as the news broke. Barkley said he only received a call from TNT executives about 90 minutes later. "I get a text from Scott Van Pelt, Brian Windhorst, Elle Duncan and Bob Myers welcoming me to the family. I'm like, 'What family?' " Barkley recalled. "Then, about an hour and a half later, I get a call from TNT that the story broke. I said, 'Well, you probably could have given us a head's up. You've traded us to ESPN. We have to hear about it on the internet.' I said, 'That's just not the way you do business.' Ernie Johnson deserves, because he's the godfather, Ernie Johnson should not hear he got traded from ESPN people or the internet." TNT officially lost its NBA rights in July 2024. The NBA announced a new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC and Amazon that goes into effect beginning with the 2025-26 season. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, agreed to a licensing deal in November 2024 that will allow "Inside the NBA" to be broadcast on ESPN. The talent on the show ‒ Barkley, Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith ‒ will remain employees of TNT. Barkley has been on "Inside the NBA" since 2000, 10 years after it debuted with Johnson as host and two years after Smith joined the show. O'Neal joined the regular cast in 2011. ESPN, in its statement announcing the licensing agreement, said "the legendary Inside the NBA studio team will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN's pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events." Barkley, however, remains skeptical about how ESPN will handle the Emmy-winning show. "I'm happy it's going on but it's going to be interesting," Barkley said on the podcast about "Inside the NBA" moving to ESPN. "It's going to be different, but you know that's the bad thing about it. We don't know how it's going to be different."
Cision Canada
22-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VDE Americas Verifies Successful Operation of GameChange Solar's Genius Tracker™ HailStow™
Demonstrating the importance of testing hail defense systems to protect solar farms globally NORWALK, Conn. and SAN JOSE, Calif., July 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- GameChange Solar (GCS) and VDE Americas, a global leader in technical advisory and catastrophic risk assessment services for the solar power industry, released a study on the use of GameChange Solar Genius Tracker's TM hail mitigation function. In the study "HailStow TM Performance in April 2025," VDE evaluated the operation of GameChange Solar's hail stow for a utility-scale solar facility in hail-prone Arkansas. The purpose of the study was to confirm the performance of GameChange Solar's hail mitigation system, which can be installed to protect solar assets from catastrophic hail damage. For the study, VDE reviewed operational data during six storms that passed near the study site over a three-day period and met the criteria to trigger a hail stow. In all cases, the system successfully went to the desired steep stow angle, where solar panels are tilted to deflect direct hail impact. In the report, VDE notes, "For this study period, the HailStow™ system worked as designed, including processing hail warnings, issuing activation emails, and moving the trackers to hail stow position." Hail mitigation has been a genuine concern for owners and insurers of solar power plants throughout the United States and other hail-prone locations. As one of the top three global manufacturers of solar trackers, GameChange Solar has worked closely with VDE to develop a rigorously tested hail mitigation system, delivering advanced protection that helps safeguard assets, reduce risk, and support long-term performance. "With hailstorms across the globe intensifying, it is critical to install hail mitigation systems – like GameChange's Solar Genius Tracker™ HailStow™ – which are effective in reducing solar panel damage due to hail," said Jon Previtali, VP and Senior Principal Engineer at VDE Americas. "In our role to protect and extend the economic value of solar assets, we continue to advocate for advanced weather alert services, proactive hail stow implementation and frequent testing of hail stow systems." "This successful validation by VDE is the result of a strong engineering partnership and a shared commitment to rigorous, real-world validation," said Scott Van Pelt, Chief Engineer at GameChange Solar. "We developed the Genius Tracker™ HailStow™ to provide a fast, reliable response that helps protect solar infrastructure from catastrophic hail damage. By working closely with VDE, we ensure that our systems provide top tier hail protection, long-term asset reliability, and insurability in hail-prone regions." About VDE Americas VDE Americas provides technical advisory and risk mitigation services to renewable energy stakeholders — from project owners and financiers to equipment manufacturers and those who construct, operate and insure large-scale solar power generation and energy storage facilities. A wholly owned subsidiary of the VDE Group, VDE Americas is recognized globally as the leading authority in solar project hail risk intelligence and loss prevention. The company's expertise and innovative solutions have facilitated billions of dollars of investment in renewable energy assets. For more information, visit: About VDE VDE, one of the largest technology organizations in Europe, has been regarded as a synonym for innovation and technological progress for more than 130 years. VDE is the only organization in the world that combines science, standardization, testing, certification, and application consulting under one umbrella. The VDE mark has been synonymous with the highest safety standards and consumer protection for more than 100 years. About GameChange Solar GameChange is one of the top three global providers of solar tracker solutions used in utility-scale and ground-mounted distributed generation solar projects around the world. We have delivered over 43 GW of solar tracker and fixed tilt systems that combine fast installation, bankable quality, and unbeatable value through superior engineering, innovative design, and high-volume manufacturing. Our products enable solar panels at power plants to follow the sun's movement across the sky and optimize plant performance while protecting the array from damaging weather conditions.
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt calls for NBA to fix 'hat situation'
Except when they know they'll never play a single game for the team that drafted them. The NBA has an odd custom where draft-day trades are officially announced by the commissioner after the picks are made. Which can lead to what ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt calls the league's uncomfortable "hat situation." "The league's too smart to have the moment that they've waited their whole life for be a picture in the wrong hat. It just doesn't make sense," Van Pelt ranted post-draft on SportsCenter. Scott Van Pelt: "I'm gonna scream about the hat situation. The league's too smart to have the moment that they've waited their whole life for be a picture in the wrong hat. It just doesn't make sense. I don't know why they can't fix it." #NBADraft #NBA — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 26, 2025 Awful Announcing picked up on the disdain, which was apparently shared by many other NBA fans. Of the 30 first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft, 10 were traded shortly after they donned their original team's hat - including No. 10 Khaman Maluach (from Houston to Phoenix), No. 11 Cedric Coward (from Portland to Memphis) and No. 13 Derik Queen (from Atlanta to New Orleans). "I don't know why they can't fix it," Van Pelt said. There's really no reason the NBA does things this way. Other sports reveal trades before draft picks are made, though Eli Manning ended up in an awkward situation at the 2004 NFL Draft, posing with a San Diego Chargers jersey when he was selected No. 1 overall - while awaiting an official trade minutes later that sent him to Giants for Philip Rivers, who New York took with the fourth pick.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Scott Van Pelt sounds off on NBA draft's 'hat situation'
One of the iconic moments of any pro sport's draft is when a just-picked youngster steps up on stage with the commissioner to pose for a photo with a jersey and hat from his or her new team. It's a symbolic start to a new career, one the players can look back on later with a sense of pride. Except when they know they'll never play a single game for the team that drafted them. The NBA has an odd custom where draft-day trades are officially announced by the commissioner after the picks are made. Which can lead to what ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt calls the league's uncomfortable "hat situation." "The league's too smart to have the moment that they've waited their whole life for be a picture in the wrong hat. It just doesn't make sense," Van Pelt ranted post-draft on SportsCenter. Scott Van Pelt: "I'm gonna scream about the hat situation. The league's too smart to have the moment that they've waited their whole life for be a picture in the wrong hat. It just doesn't make sense. I don't know why they can't fix it." #NBADraft #NBA Awful Announcing picked up on the disdain, which was apparently shared by many other NBA fans. Of the 30 first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft, 10 were traded shortly after they donned their original team's hat – including No. 10 Khaman Maluach (from Houston to Phoenix), No. 11 Cedric Coward (from Portland to Memphis) and No. 13 Derik Queen (from Atlanta to New Orleans). "I don't know why they can't fix it," Van Pelt said. There's really no reason the NBA does things this way. Other sports reveal trades before draft picks are made, though Eli Manning ended up in an awkward situation at the 2004 NFL Draft, posing with a San Diego Chargers jersey when he was selected No. 1 overall – while awaiting an official trade minutes later that sent him to Giants for Philip Rivers, who New York took with the fourth pick.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
ESPN legend names shocking NBA Draft error that makes him want to 'scream'
ESPN broadcaster Scott Van Pelt has named his biggest problem with the NBA Draft - newly selected players wearing the wrong team's hat moments after entering the league. The problem comes with the chaos of the draft, with teams trading their picks and prospects with little time for the league office to adjust. That leaves prospects getting a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wearing the hat of a team they will not play a game for. The problem happened a few times on Wednesday night, including 10th overall pick Khaman Maluach, who was visibly crying while wearing a Houston Rockets hat. Maluach is headed to the Phoenix Suns, as the team acquired the pick in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. 'I'm gonna scream about the hat situation,' Van Pelt said on ESPN's airwaves during the 'SportsCenter' broadcast that immediately followed the first round. 'The league's too smart to have the moment that they've waited their whole life for be a picture in the wrong hat. It just doesn't make sense. I don't know why they can't fix it.' The Washington Wizards selected Florida phenom Walter Clayton Jr. with the No 18 pick, only to deal him to the Utah Jazz moments later. Clayton, and who he was traded for, Will Riley, both took photos with Silver in the wrong team's hat. The move that thoroughly upset Van Pelt happened one more time during the first round with Liam McNeeley wearing a Suns hat despite the pick being traded to the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the evening. The hat problem has seen historic moments, like both Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander donning Hornets hats on draft night, with neither basketball great playing for Charlotte in their careers. That problem has rarely occurred in the NFL, with similar deals being made. However, league representatives have handed draftees their hats to wear seconds before shaking hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NBA has not commented on the hat dilemma or how it plans to avoid the problem in the future.
