Some Sunday Sports Media Thoughts

Let’s provide a few sports media thoughts on this Sunday. You know they’ll be in bullet form.

• ESPN’s live coverage of Wimbledon has been a joy over the last two weeks. Most everything has been shown on the Family of Networks. And in the second week when both ESPN and ESPN2 were deployed for the Round of 16 and the Quarterfinals, viewers were able to switch in between matches on Centre Court and the outer courts for the first time. No longer did viewers have to wait through frustrating NBC tape delays or find illegal back door internet feeds. Everything was shown live.

  We’ve seen similar coverage on the U.S. Open with ESPN2 and Tennis Channel on the early rounds, but this could be a model for future Grand Slam tournaments. I’d like to see ESPN do this on the Australian and U.S. Opens for the later rounds as well.

  I’ve liked the Breakfast at Wimbledon studio shows. This has given SW19 a special big event feel on ESPN. Hannah Storm has done well as host and interviews conducted by Mike Tirico have gone smoothly.

  As far as the announcing is concerned, this is where ESPN needs some improvement. Chris Fowler talks too much and tries to steer analysts to his point of view. In addition, he attempts to do analysis which is the analysts’ job. I don’t mind if the play-by-play person challenges the analyst, but Fowler often makes loaded points and questions to ensure the analyst agrees with him. That’s not what he’s there for. During the Ladies Final between Agnieszka Radwanska and Serena Williams, there was a point in the second set with Serena leading 4-3 where Fowler asked Chris Evert if Radwanska was feeling the match was slipping away. Evert disagreed, Fowler kept pressing. Radwanska would eventually win the second set and I certainly felt Radwanska at 3-4 would not think the match was slipping from her grasp.

  I’d like for ESPN to utilize Mike Tirico in the booth in the Semifinals and Finals. While Mike is certainly a very good host as he’s proved these last two weeks, he’s also very good on tennis play-by-play. And while it’s obvious ESPN original Cliff Drysdale is being phased out, I still think he still can serve aces in the booth.

  As far as the analysts are concerned, bringing in John McEnroe was a very good move and Chris Evert has been decent, I am not enamored with Pam Shriver and she’s to the point of being very annoying.

  Also, during the first week, ESPN appears to be too much in love with the studio and doesn’t show enough action. There seems to be too many interviews and talk, and not enough play on the court.

  For the fortnight, I give ESPN a B minus for the first week and a B plus for the second week.

• Saturday night ended Fox’s eight week run of “Baseball Night in America”. While the ratings were a mixed bag, I think Fox may increase the number of primetime games next season. As Fox looks to provide sports the opportunity to program Saturday nights, why not go to primetime? And I like having the afternoons freed up for local games. Now if only Fox can provide fans with access to its out-of-market games either online or through the MLB Extra Innings package.

  Having national games starting at 7:15 p.m. ET has been quite enjoyable.

• Did you notice that NBC is airing the Tour de France live on both days this weekend? That’s to fill the holes left from losing Wimbledon to ESPN. Expect that to become a permanent fixture from now on. I just wish NBC had called it “Croissants and Cycling” or something to that effect.

Those are the sports media thoughts.

Doing Some Monday Linkage

Let’s bring out some Monday links today.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he talks with Fox’s Erin Andrews (weird to write that) about her decision to leave ESPN.

A.J. Perez of Fox Sports has Erin’s reaction to joining the network.

Jane Kellogg and Alex Ben Block of the Hollywood Reporter write about Erin Andrews leaving ESPN for Fox.

As for replacing Erin at ESPN, Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead seems to be in Samantha Steele’s corner.

Back to Hiestand at USA Today, he notes that the U.S. Olympic Trials scored for NBC this past weekend.

Michael says the CBS Sports golf crew did as best as they could in a difficult situation when heavy storms ravaged the Washington, DC area and affected the AT&T National PGA Tour stop.

John Ourand at Sports Business Daily talks with NBCUniversal’s CEO on how important the Olympics are important to the company.

Ryan Wilson at CBS Sports notes that the NFL has changed its blackout policy, reducing the requirements for local teams to ensure games will be seen in local markets.

Also at CBS Sports, Dennis Dodd writes that the Big 12′s TV contract has still yet to gain approval from the league’s presidents.

To Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report and he remembers the passing of Jack Buck ten years later.

Ed also looks at Erin Andrews leaving ESPN for Fox.

Scott Roxborough of the Hollywood Reporter notes that the EURO 2012 Final racked up the ratings in Europe.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that Comcast SportsNet Chicago has entered the game show arena.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says the broadcast networks are looking to sports and reality to attract viewers during the dead summer season.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life notes NBC’s plans for the London Olympics later this month.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost writes that NBC is mostly sold for the Tour de France.

Kevin Iole at Yahoo’s Boxing Experts Blog writes about NBC Sports expanding its boxing portfolio.

Evan Weiner of Examiner.com says no matter how you look at it, the NFL is a monopoly.

Jason Dachman from Sports Video Group notes the amount of cameras ESPN is using at the X Games.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after college athletics once again.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says a local minor league hockey announcer is moving on.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times-Herald Record talks with some area sports radio personalities about WFAN’s 25th anniversary.

The Scranton (PA) Times-Tribune notes that an announcer with local ties will be part of NBC’s Olympic broadcast team.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Chick Hernandez was hit by a Tiger Woods drive this weekend.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times still yearns for the faulty BCS.

Gary Brown of the Canton (OH) Repository notes that a Golf Channel crew was in town to do a story on a local golf pro.

At the Denver Post, Dusty Saunders says the U.S. Olympic Trials serve as an appetizer for the main course later this month.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.

In the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bruce Dowbiggin pays tribute to a colleague who’s retiring this month.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing looks at the free agent frenzy among the TV networks over the last year.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin has the video of gymnast Nastia Liukin doing a horrific faceplant off the uneven bars during last night’s US Gymnastic Olympic Trials.

Paul M. Banks at the Sports Bank says a popular Comcast SportsNet Chicago reporter picked up a lot of Twitter love when she joined the service a few days ago.

MediaRantz notes that WFAN’s Boomer and Carton could be nationally syndicated on CBS Sports Radio in January.

Joe Favorito talks about the growth of American soccer.

And those are all of the links I could squeeze out today.

It’s A Friday Megalink Day

And can you believe I’ve been able to do linkage for most of the week? Hasn’t been like that in a long while. Glad I’ve been able to get it done.

Time for your Friday megalinks. As usual, we provide the Weekend Viewing Picks which has plenty of MLB and U.S. Olympic Trials action.

Let’s go to the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at ESPN extending its current deal with the Rose Bowl.

Michael looks at Erin Andrews’ departure from ESPN.

Sports Business Journal has a sampling of what some sports business and sports media figures addressed to the graduating Class of 2012 at the nation’s colleges and universities.

At the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman explores the strange dispute between the Arizona Diamondbacks and TV voice Daron Sutton.

Ed also notes some media bashing of Chris Berman a few months in advance of his Monday Night Football debut.

Stuart Kemp of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the BBC has launched a new Facebook app to allow UK users to watch the Olympics online.

John Eggerton from Broadcasting & Cable says the Supreme Court has let stand a lower court ruling throwing out the FCC fine against CBS for the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. Man, that was a long time ago.

Tim Baysinger of B&C says NASCAR Digital Media has hired five executives in advance of the sport’s takeover of its digital rights from Turner Sports next year.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group notes ESPN’s X Games production evolution.

The Nielsen Wire blog ponders the question of whether NBA Draft picks can do well in marketing products.

Deadline reports that ESPN’s ratings for the EURO 2012 semifinals this week are way up from EURO 2008.

One more week of writing, “CNBC’s Darren Rovell”. Today, CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that with less than a month to go until the Olympics, a major ticket dispute has erupted.

Joe Favorito notes how Delta Airlines’ sponsorship of English Premier League team Chelsea shows that the company wants to go outside of the US to gain awareness.

Sports Media Watch has a look at some of NBC’s Olympic assignments for London.

The Big Lead notes that ESPN and Bill Simmons removed a potential offensive part of his NBA Draft diary that is way too long for anyone to read.

Ryan Yoder of Awful Announcing has the winners and losers from Thursday’s night’s NBA Draft coverage on ESPN.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes about a documentary on an Olympic hopeful who is attempting to gain a spot on the US women’s gymnastics team.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette talks with the Voice of the Worcester Tornadoes minor league baseball team.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY talks with WFAN’s Mike Francesa on whether he’ll return to the station when his contract expires in two years.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post is not happy about Chris Berman calling Monday Night Football.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that local sports anchor Andrew Catalon gets another Olympics assignment.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that the NBA Draft’s ratings on ESPN were down from the year before.

Pete looks at 25 years of WFAN.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record analyzes the NBC Olympic assignments.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks about the later start time for the NFL national Sunday afternoon game.

Keith has some fun facts about WFAN’s 25th anniversary.

Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com says Philadelphia Union voice JP Dellacamera will be calling Olympic soccer games for NBC.

DCRTV’s Dave Hughes in Press Box says the Baltimore Orioles’ ratings on MASN are up.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has the Nationals’ radio ratings.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner speaks with NBC’s Phil Liggett about the Tour de France which kicks off this weekend.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald culls media opinions regarding the Heat’s chances to repeat.

Jimmie E. Gates of the Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger says a lawsuit against ESPN over a 30 for 30 documentary can proceed in state court.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says the Rockets are changing radio stations.

David writes the person who helped launch Houston’s original regional sports network will be part of the team that launches the city’s newest RSN.

Mel Bracht in The Oklahoman says a local sports radio network will be slightly affiliated with the new CBS Sports Radio.

More links later.

UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: Time for more linkage.

Midwest

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley says Fox has replaced Daron Sutton from this Saturday’s Arizona-Brewers game.

Robert Channick of the Chicago Tribune says WMAQ sports anchor Mike Adamle who’s been on leave from the station is expected to return soon.

Paul Christian in the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin goes over the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012 series.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times talks with TBS’ Cal Ripken about the MLB All-Star Game.

Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star rails against the current format of the All-Star Game.

Jim reviews some of this week’s sports media news in his notebook.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times says the NFL has laid down guidelines for the league to return to the nation’s second biggest market.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News isn’t thrilled about NBC pulling tape delayed shenanigans for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Tom has more notes in his blog.

And we are finally done.

NBC Sports Group Announces Long-Term Extension For Tour de France

Announced today by the NBC Sports Group, the Tour de France will air primarily on NBC Sports Network and on NBC through 2023. The new agreement begins in 2014 and calls for a ten year contract. Most of the 21 stages will air on NBC Sports Network with some shown live on NBC.

NBC will own all television, digital and mobile rights for the Tour de France. Other events affiliated with the Tour de France including the Paris Marathon and the Dakar Rally will also be aired on NBCUniversal networks.

This year’s Tour de France will air on NBC Sports Network and NBC starting this Saturday at 8 a.m. ET. We have details of the new agreement below.

NBC SPORTS GROUP EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASO FOR MULTI-PLATFORM RIGHTS TO TOUR DE FRANCE THROUGH 2023

New Agreement, Beginning in 2014, Includes All U.S. Television, Digital and Mobile Rights to Tour de France Though 2023
NBC Sports Network Continues to be Home of Tour de France
NBC Will Air Live Stages in Each Year Beginning in 2012

New York – June 26, 2012 – The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and NBC Sports Group today announced a 10-year multi-platform extension that includes exclusive U.S. television, digital and mobile rights for the Tour de France through 2023. As part of the agreement, which begins in 2014, the NBC Sports Group will continue as the exclusive U.S. television home of the Tour de France, with live coverage of every stage, including live coverage on NBC each year.

Additionally, the NBC Sports Group will continue coverage of several other ASO properties, including the Dakar Rally and the Paris Marathon, as well as spring classic cycling events including Paris Nice, Criterium International, Criterium du Dauphine, Paris Roubaix, Fleche Wallonne, Liege Bastogne Liege and the Paris Tours.

“The Tour de France has long been one of the tent pole events on the NBC Sports Network schedule, and now will be an integral part of our NBC broadcast schedule, with live coverage each year,” said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the ASO on all of its properties for another decade.”

“We are very happy to see the Tour de France exposure growing in the United States,” said Yann le Moënner, Managing Director of ASO, organizers of the Tour de France. “Our long term agreement will give us the opportunity to work with the skilled storytellers at NBC to build a beautiful sports story during the next ten years. Beyond the Tour de France, this agreement continues NBC Sports Network’s coverage of all other ASO sporting events such as Paris-Roubaix, Dakar Rally and Paris Marathon, which will benefit from a large exposure on NBC Sports Group platforms.”

As previously announced, NBC Sports Group, the exclusive U.S. television partner of the Tour de France, will surround this year’s race with 295 total hours of coverage and robust digital offerings including:

• 19 of the 21 stages live on NBC Sports Network;
• Two stages (7 and 8) live on NBC; first ever live over the air coverage of the Tour de France;
• An average of more than 13 hours of race action per day, in full HD, throughout the 21-stage competition on NBC Sports Network including a nightly studio show;
• NBC recap shows on July 1 and July 22 for the first and final stages of the epic race.

The nightly studio show, 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight, as well as highlights from some of the most compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include analysis and strategy segments, as well as interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines.

NBC Sports Group’s live coverage of the 99th Tour de France begins on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, at the grand start in Liege, Belgium.

That will do it.

Your Tuesday Linkage

Let’s do some Tuesday links.

We’ll start with Matt Hayes of AOL Sporting News and he writes that the BCS is looking for a $5 billion TV deal over a decade for its new college football playoff.

In the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Michael Bradley says the new college football playoff still can be improved.

Eric Fisher and John Ourand of Sports Business Journal write that the Washington Nationals and MASN continue to be at odds over what the team’s TV rights are worth.

Maury Brown in Baseball Prospectus goes inside the Nats/MASN TV rights dispute.

Mark Buteau and Alex Duff of Bloomberg report that NBC has signed a long-term extension to lock in the Tour de France.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter says CBC and CTV are dropping their joint bidfor the 2014/2016 Olympic Games.

Charlie Warzel of Adweek says the PGA and Turner Sports are parting ways as the golf association will handle its digital rights in-house and no longer outsource it to Turner.

Tim Baysinger from Broadcasting & Cable writes that Ion will provide the WWE with a third night of programming.

In Multichannel News, Tim has an article about NFL Network’s NFL AM show.

Media Life Magazine notes that a Spanish language ad ran during ABC’s NBA Finals broadcasts.

Ty Duffy at The Big Lead says CBS’ Jim Nantz is now pimping his own wine label. Surprised it’s not called “Hello, Friends.”

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has the amazing video of Mike Tyson on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption giving a preview of his new one-man Broadway play.

Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that the KHL has officially announced plans to play in the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn while trashing New York’s Madison Square Garden in the process.

The ESPN Front Row blog fires a shot at the new upstarts CBS Sports Radio and NBC Sports Radio Network on behalf of ESPN Radio.

Ben Lee at Digital Spy UK says Wimbledon’s primetime coverage on BBC2 drew over a million viewers.

Tara Pringle Jefferson at Loop 21 has six questions for ESPN’s Sage Steele.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says NBA Draft prospect Anthony Davis has trademarked his unibrow.

Darren wonders if US Olympic 100 meter sprinter Justin Gatlin can be marketable once again after sitting out a four year ban for steroids.

Sports Video Group notes that NESN has signedanother content sharing agreement with a third New England TV station, this time in Vermont.

All Access interviews a radio industry analyst who feels the new CBS Sports Radio will do well for the parent company.

Ian Bethune at Sox & Dawgs has the funny video of NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy entertaining the viewers during a Red Sox rain delay last night.

Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston writes about the Red Sox being in no rush to replace their late public address announcer Carl Beane.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post reports that a positive FCC ruling for Tennis Channel in its carriage dispute against Comcast could lead to more viewers for the network and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Bob’s Blitz has WFAN’s schedule for Sunday when it celebrates 25 years as the Nation’s first sports radio station.

Kimberly A. Martin of Newsday notes that E! will air a special on New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow.

Neil Best of Newsday looks at ESPN’s start-to-finish coverage of Wimbledon.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has MLB Network’s live game schedule through the end of July.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call profiles a former local sports anchor who’s making his mark in Detroit.

Laura Nachman says a part-timer at Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is now part of the regional sports network’s starting team.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Washingtonian magazine readers aren’t enamored with the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times chastises readers who complained about weather alerts about Tropical Storm Debby that cut into sports action.

At the Miami Herald, Barry Jackson looks at anti-Heat media comments almost a week after the team won the NBA Championship.

Marc Weiszer of the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald writes that ESPN is producing a documentary on the 2008 SEC Tournament game between Alabama and Mississippi State that was interrupted by a tornado that ripped through Atlanta.

Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports that the Hornets will have the soon-to-be Fox Sports New Orleans to call their home. Fox Sports NO will replace Cox Sports which is getting out of the pro sports business.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NFL Network will air clips of a Brett Favre interview all week long.

Danny Ecker of Crain’s Chicago Business says the local Comcast SportsNet affiliate will launch a new trivia game show.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has a clip of Frank Deford’s appearance on last night’s Colbert Report.

Simon Houpt and Steve Ladurantaye of the Toronto Globe and Mail look at CBC and CTV ending their joint bid for the 2014/16 Olympics after two prices were rejected.

Ann Dempsey from the Toronto Star also has a story on the CBC/CTV disbanding.

Bill Harris in the Toronto Sun says Olympic viewing in Canada after this year is up in the air.

Monika Warzecha of Toronto Life wonders if Canadians will be stuck watching NBC for the 2014/16 Olympics.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes TSN did well in showing the NHL Draft and EURO 2012.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

Emmett Jones at Sports Business Digest says NBC and Shazam have teamed up to provide interactive coverage of the London Olympics.

And that’s going do it for our linkage.

NBC Sports Group All Over The Tour de France

It’s that time of year when we get notices on summer sports events. The Tour de France is no exception. When Versus was trying to get on the map, it was the Tour de France that helped the network gain a small foothold, especially when Lance Armstrong was in the midst of his run of victories.

Now, the NBC Sports Group will look beyond Lance and try to promote the event while the sport tries to recover from various doping scandals.

Starting next weekend and spanning through July 22, the Tour de France will run through 20 stages including various time trials. As usual, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will call the live action in the morning and during the nightly recap shows. Liam McHugh will act as the roving host and be accompanied by analysts Bob Roll and Scott Moniger.

Two stages, 7 & 8 will be aired live on NBC which marks the first time ever, that Tour de France stages will be aired live on network TV.

We have the details of NBC’s coverage.

NBC SPORTS GROUP SURROUNDS THE 99TH ANNUAL TOUR DE FRANCE – THE MOST GRUELING CYCLING EVENT OF THE YEAR

Stages 7 & 8 Live on NBC; First Ever Live Network Coverage of Tour de France
295 Total Hours Including Each of the 21 Stages Live, Nightly Studio Show and Daily Stage Re-airs
Multi-platform Coverage Available with Tour de France LIVE on NBCSports.com and through Tour de France LIVE Mobile App
NBCSports.com Will Live Stream the Stages on NBC
“After the recent Dauphine race in France, Cadel Evans has shot himself into the favorite category to win the Tour for a second time.” – NBC Sports’ Phil Liggett on 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans

New York – June 21, 2012 – NBC Sports Group, the exclusive U.S. television home of the Tour de France, will surround the world’s most grueling cycling race with 295 total hours of coverage and robust digital offerings including:

• 19 of the 21 stages live on NBC Sports Network;
• Two stages (7 and 8) live on NBC; first ever live network coverage of the Tour de France;
• Nightly studio show and re-airs of each stage on NBC Sports Network;
• An average of more than 13 hours of race action per day, in full HD, throughout the 21-stage competition on NBC Sports Network.
• NBC recap shows on July 1 and July 22 for the first and final stages of the epic race;
• Tour de France LIVE, at NBCSports.com, and the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app.

The nightly studio show, 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight, as well as highlights from some of the most compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include analysis and strategy segments, as well as interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines.

Coverage of the 99th Tour de France begins on Saturday, June 30, at 8 a.m. ET, live on NBC Sports Network, at the grand start in Liege, Belgium. Full schedule is below.

COMMENTATORS: Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the voices of cycling, will once again call all the race action for both the live and nightly shows, with Craig Hummer and Steve Porino contributing as field reporters. Liam McHugh, who will be on-site in Paris, will host NBC Sports Group’s coverage alongside former American cyclists Bob Roll and Scott Moninger. Robbie Ventura will report on the tech elements and equipment used by these elite athletes during the network’s three weeks of coverage.

PRODUCTION: Tour de France coverage will include exclusive live look-ins to team cars for Team Garmin-Barracuda, Team Sky, Team Omega Pharma-Quickstep and Team RadioShack Nissan Trek as they relay strategy and updates to their riders. New this year, reporters Hummer and Porino will be embedded with these teams, providing unprecedented access. NBC Sports Network will utilize several production features, including a pointer feature which will easily identify and focus on one rider in the peloton; exclusive, in-depth profiles and features on teams and riders; and an onscreen predicted time for the peloton riders who are trying to catch the leading riders. Individual rider profiles will include 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins, sprinter Mark Cavendish, and American riders Tom Danielson, Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie, who will be riding in his 17^th Tour, breaking the record he held with Dutch rider Joop Zoetemelk for the most starts in history.

LIGGETT ON 2011 WINNER CADEL EVANS: “After the recent Dauphine race in France, Cadel Evans has shot himself into the favorite category to win the Tour for a second time. If he does, he will be the oldest since Firmin Lambot in 1922. However, he has yet to work out how to beat Bradley Wiggins, who will be trying to become the first British winner ever of the event. Evans has a great competitive spirit and will still start as the favorite to win.”

Tour de France LIVE and Tour de France LIVE Mobile: NBC Sports Group will surround its on-air coverage with Tour de France LIVE, unprecedented cycling content online at NBCSports.com, and through the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app. The network will offer users two premium-subscription products which will give fans a multi-platform, all-encompassing viewing experience to the Tour. Tour de France LIVE offers live streaming video of every stage in full HD, with the ability to pause, rewind and slow-mo the video. While watching live coverage online, viewers will also have access to a live GPS tracking map to follow the riders’ progress or to see an enhanced interactive map for each stage. Also, subscribers can personalize their Tour experience by choosing their favorite riders and teams to track throughout the Tour. To experience the Tour de France on the go, fans can also purchase the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app, which is available for iPhone and iPad, as well as Android devices. All the features of the NBCSports.com online experience will be mirrored in the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app, including live video of every stage, and is sold separately from the online product. Stages 7 and 8, which will air live on NBC, will also be streamed live for free, on NBCSports.com.

Other elements available to cycling fans at NBCSports.com and through the mobile apps, are listed below.

Before the Tour:

• Stage-by-stage descriptions and previews, featuring historical stage information, technical information and interesting travelogue vignettes
• Breakdown of top contenders
• Historical top 10 lists
• Look back at the best of the 2011 Tour de France

During the Tour:

• Recaps and highlights of each stage
• Route previews, course and stage maps, elevation profiles and stage descriptions
• Interviews with the top riders
• Live stage results and detailed standings
• Rider profiles by country and team
• Live news stream during every stage
• Photo slideshows
• Tour de France Twitter stream, which will showcase the top race authorities, including riders, analysts, officials and fans

Additional Features and Elements:

• The Ultimate Access Sweepstakes will give away a trip to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (Aug 24 – 27) where one lucky fan and a guest will get the chance to get insider’s access to one of the world’s premiere cycling team, RadioShack Nissan Trek. Additional prizes include Trek bikes, and team autographed helmets and jerseys. Fans register at http://ultimateaccess.nbcsports.com/ and enter the code word “Colo” (for Colorado).

Social Media: Fans can also keep up with the Tour de France through NBC Sports social media platforms throughout the race. Content will include:

• Behind the Scenes: Through the NBC cycling Facebook page and @NBCSNCycling on Twitter, fans will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video clips.
• News: Fans can follow NBC Cycling Facebook and @NBCSNCycling Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date reports and stories from around the cycling world.

NBC Sports Group’s Live Schedule (all times Eastern and subject to change):

DATE	STAGE	TIME	NETWORK
Sat., June 30	Prologue: Liege to Liege	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 1	Stage 1: Liege to Seraing	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 1	Recap Show	4 p.m. – 6 p.m.	NBC
Mon., July 2	Stage 2: Vise to Tournai	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Tues., July 3	Stage 3: Orchies to Boulogne-sur-mer	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Wed., July 4	Stage 4: Abbeville to Rouen	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 5	Stage 5: Rouen to Saint-Quentin	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 6	Stage 6: Epernay to metz	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 7	Stage 7: Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles	8 a.m. – Noon	NBC
Sun., July 8	Stage 8: Belfort to Porrentruy	8 a.m. – Noon	NBC
Mon., July 9	Stage 9: Arc-et-Senans to Bescancon	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Wed., July 11	Stage 10: Macon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 12	Stage 11: Albertville to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles	7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 13	Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davezieux	6:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 14	Stage 13: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Le Cap d’Adge	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 15	Stage 14: Limoux to Foix	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Mon., July 16	Stage 15: Samatan to Pau	8 a.m. – Noon	NBCSN
Wed., July 17	Stage 16: Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon	6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 19	Stage 17: Bagneres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes	7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 20	Stage 18: Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde	8 a.m. – 11 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 21	Stage 19: Bonneval to Chartres	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 22	Stage 20: Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Elysees	8 a.m. – Noon	NBCSN
Sun., July 22	Recap Show	1 p.m. – 3 p.m.	NBC

That’s all.

Let’s Do The Friday Megalinks Again

Linkage has been scarce around the site this week, but I should be able to get a good set of megalinks in today as we head into NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday. You deserve the links and I thank you for your patience around some server problems this week.

As usual, you can check the Weekend Viewing Picks for all weekend sports and entertainment recommendations.

Let’s get to the linkage.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today profiles ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi who got a big endorsement from Louisville’s Rick Pitino this week.

Erik Spanberg at Sports Business Journal looks at Major League Soccer hoping for big returns from its new contract with NBC Sports.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch explores NBC’s new approach to airing soccer and reviews ESPN’s new documentary on Magic Johnson.

Karen Hogan at Sports Video Group looks at ESPN’s innovative plans for MLS games this season.

Lindsay Flans of the Hollywood Reporter says A-List celebrities have caught Linsanity fever.

And the Reporter provides a seating chart of where celebrities sit at Madison Square Garden to get a glimpse of Jeremy Lin.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Michael Bradley feels the mid-major conferences sacrifice regular season integrity in exchange for TV exposure with their post-season tournaments.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell is recovering after his alma mater, Northwestern, played its way out of the NCAA Tournament this week.

Joe Favorito says even in this day and age, the little guy can make a splash in sports marketing.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

SMW notes that NBC Sports will replace the departed Wimbledon with the Tour de France this summer.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing says ESPN Films is suffering from an identity crisis.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NBC’s innovation in hockey production is now extending to the soccer pitch.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth isn’t a fan of speculation.

At Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie blog, Dan Devine says Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made a gay joke at Bill Simmons’ expense with him present.

Erik Malinowski of Deadspin says Cuban has apologized for making that remark.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn looks at CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament.

Chad notes that a prodigal son is returning to WEEI this weekend.

Boston Sports Media Watch’s Bruce Allen at SB Nation Boston says the Boston Herald will miss Patriots beat reporter Ian Rapoport as he departs for NFL Network.

George Cain at Sports of Boston compares and contrasts the two sports radio stations ratings.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette says different generations watch sports differently.

Paul Devlin of the New Canaan (CT) Patch talks with ESPN High Grand Poobah of News Vince Doria.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Magic Johnson about ESPN’s documentary on his HIV announcement 20 years ago.

Neil notes the opening of a new Broadway play on the rivalry between Magic and former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird.

Neil says it’s time for our annual search to find truTV for the NCAA Tournament.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after the “gang mentality” in football.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY notes that MSG Network is about to unveil a new baseball-centric show.

Chris Boyle at the Merrick (NY) Patch says two alumna of a local high school, now ESPN personalities, made a visit to their old stomping grounds.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that Buffalo Sabres games are back on MSG after a technical glitch prevented fans from seeing their games for two weeks.

Pete talks with Uncle Verne Lundquist of CBS who’s going into his 49th year of broadcasting.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times-Herald Record says a local man has been chosen to take part in this year’s MLB Fan Cave.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks with ESPN’s Mike Tirico who says he’ll miss working with Ron Jaworski every Monday Night.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with tennis Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Chris Evert.

South

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer says for the first time, viewers in the ACC footprint can see ESPN’s coverage of the ACC Tournament.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald likes watching the ESPN/ABC NBA studio show.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle notes that Comcast SportsNet Houston is getting ready for its fall launch.

And David expands on his column on CSN Houston in his blog.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has a few Sooner State sports media news and notes.

Midwest

Jeff Moss at Detroit Sports Rag has a field of 64 to decide the Worst Detroit Sports Media Personality.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says CBS and Turner are enjoying their NCAA Tournament partnership.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reviews the one week experiment of Joe Buck and Tim McKernan co-hosting a radio show that could turn into something bigger down the road.

Dan says don’t expect too many changes for this year’s NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS and Turner Sports.

West

John Maffei at the North County Times writes that if NCAA Tournament coverage ain’t broke, then CBS and Turner aren’t going to fix it.

John says Fox Sports San Diego is set to launch any day now, provided MLB approves the Padres’ deal to air games on the network.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says the success of the CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament consortium surprised officials at both companies.

Jim says Peyton Manning’s former coach, Tony Dungy now of NBC, feels San Francisco would be a good fit for him.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at Magic Johnson’s life-changing announcement, 20 years later.

Tom explores how Time Warner Cable will present LA Galaxy games while it’s still in the process of launching its new SoCal regional sports network.

Tom has a few items that didn’t make his weekly media column.

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times notes that ESPN will air next year’s Pac-12 Basketball Championship Game.

Canada

Rosie DiManno of the Toronto Star says CBC’s Don Cherry and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke are acting like a couple of spoiled divas in their public spat.

And that’s going to do it for today. Enjoy your sports weekend.

NBC Sports To Air Coverage of Tour de France

Coming in July, NBC Sports will take some 12 hours of coverage, 8 of which will be live, of the Tour de France. Now this has been a signature event for Versus, now NBC Sports Network, over the past decade. Now, the NBC mothership will air live coverage of the event for the first time. It takes the place of Wimbledon which NBC lost to ESPN after last year’s tournament.

On July 7 and 8, NBC will air live morning coverage of Stages 7 and 8, both of which will be grueling mountain stages. Traditional Tour de France announcers Phil Liggett and Phil Sherwin will call the stages on NBC.

In addition to the live stages, NBC will taped coverage of Stage 1 on July 1 to kick off the race and then on July 22, it will have taped coverage of the final stage as the cyclists tour Paris to the finish line.

We have the details from NBC.

8 HOURS OF LIVE TOUR DE FRANCE COVERAGE MOVING TO NBC FROM NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Two Premier Mountain Stages to Air LIVE on Saturday, July 7, and Sunday July 8
Same-day coverage of first and final stages also added to NBC

NEW YORK – March 7, 2012 – NBC Sports Group, the exclusive rights holder of Tour de France coverage in the U.S., will move eight hours of live Tour de France coverage of two premier mountain stages to NBC from the NBC Sports Network during the weekend of July 7-8. This marks the first time that the Tour de France will be broadcast live on network television.

Same-day coverage of the first stage of cycling’s greatest event on Sunday, July 1 and the final stage on Sunday, July 22, when racers ride up the Champs-Elysees, have also been added to NBC’s lineup.

“We are excited to expose the thrilling competition and unparalleled beauty of the Tour de France to even more viewers by providing 12 hours of additional coverage on our national broadcast platform, including live coverage of two of the premier mountain stages,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.

“We are extremely happy that the television coverage of the Tour de France is growing year after year in the United States,” said Yann le Moënner, Managing Director of Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.). “This is a great example of how the interest for cycling is increasing, and will improve even more thanks to the updated broadcast schedule. We are extremely happy with our partnership with the NBC Sports Group and look forward to our continued alliance in the coming year.”

“The Tour will finish its first week of competition when Stages 7 and 8 are broadcast live on NBC Sports,” said Phil Liggett. “It is usually by this time that the finger points to a half a dozen riders who feel they can win the race as they battle each other to the head of the overall classification. Stages 7 and 8 will introduce even more viewers to one of the greatest sporting events on earth as it airs nationally on NBC, a giant step forward for cycling coverage. The finishes are new to the race at La Planche des Belles Filles and Porrentruy, and will provide the platform for an excellent weekend of dramatic race action.”

Following is a breakdown of Tour de France coverage that will air on NBC this year:

Sunday, July 1 Stage 1 Liege-Seraing 4-6 p.m. ET Tape
Saturday, July 7 Stage 7 Tomblaine-La Planche des Belles Filles* 8 a.m. – Noon LIVE
Sunday, July 8 Stage 8 Belfort-Porrentruy* 8 a.m. – Noon LIVE
Sunday, July 22 Stage 20 Rambouillet-Paris Champs-Élysées 1-3 p.m. ET Tape

*Mountain Stage

NBC Sports Network will continue to present nearly 14 hours of coverage per day. Additional coverage details regarding NBC Sports Network and NBCSports.com will be released at a later date.

That will do it.

It’s A Monday Linkfest

For some reason, I’ve been out of the office a couple of times today and it’s pissing me off. Anyway, I’m back in the office now and barring an unforeseen interruption, I should be able to give you linkage here.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has the local MLB TV ratings for the first half of the regular season and notes that the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are in trouble.

This next story from Sports Business Daily is behind the dreaded paywall, but you can still get the gist of it as yesterday’s compelling Brazil-USA game at the Women’s World Cup received a 2.6 overnight rating for ESPN. CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that the rating is better than this year’s NBA Draft!

Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg reports that Brazil-USA was the most watched Women’s World Cup Soccer game since the 1999 Final which the USA won over Communist China.

Lacey Rose of the Hollywood Reporter confirms what The Wrap reported over the weekend, that ESPN Classic will pick up the entire Friday Night Lights series.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that the NFL could see as much as a $600 million rights fee for a new 8-game Thursday Night Football package.

Adweek’s Rebecca Cullers has a story on sports apparel outfitter K-Swiss continuing its storyline of utilizing HBO’s Eastbound & Down’s Kenny Powers character in its ad campaign.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with Fox Sports’ Joe Buck about his vocal cord troubles that have plagued his voice this year.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says cable providers could be crowing this year with some big name boxing pay per view fights.

Jon Lafayette at Broadcasting & Cable writes that Golf Channel has relaunched its website.

My good friends at SportsGrid have just launched a redesign of their excellent sports media website. Dan Fogarty explains.

SportsGrid has brought on Timothy Burke of the Mocksession site which provides vidcaps and videos. He’s been providing videos to the under the byline “SportsGrid Video”, but now can reveal himself publicly as of today. Tim has this funny post of the WGN Cubs announcers exposing their cameramen as pervs.

One more from SportsGrid. A look at how it would cast the movie based on the ESPN tome, “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside The World of ESPN.” The choices are pretty much dead on.

Cam Martin at SportsNewser has video of one of the media cars getting too close to one of the cyclists in the Tour de France and causing a horrific crash.

Also from SportsNewser, Marcus Vanderberg tells us that an estimated one billion people watched last year’s World Cup Final between Spain and the Netherlands. That’s a lot of people.

The London Telegraph has ESPN UK’s English Premier League schedule for the upcoming season.

Chris Fedor from Sports Radio Interviews has a link to Dan Patrick’s interview with reporting bulldog Jim Gray about “The Decision”, one year later.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks about Tiger Woods “special announcement” that he made on Golf Channel, that he’ll be following his agent, Mark Steinberg to a new agency.

Paul Devlin at the New Canaan (CT) Patch talks with CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that YES cleaned up in the ratings with Saturday’s Rays-Yankees game during which Derek Jeter got his 3,000th career hit.

Neil talks with women’s soccer legend Mia Hamm who’s doing work for espnW and ESPN for the Women’s World Cup about USA-Brazil.

Neil has a review of the HBO doc on Curt Flood that airs Wednesday.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun loves baseball, but can no longer stand watching the Orioles on MASN.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg looks at the Nationals’ attendance and TV ratings at the halfway point of the regular season.

Dan has Wizards’ TV analyst Phil Chenier explaining why he shaved off his trademark mustache.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ Tim McCarver about calling the MLB All-Star Game for the last 20 years.

In the St. Petersburg Times, Tom Jones lists some of the things in sports and sports TV that he has missed.

The Tampa Tribune notes that Rays outfielder Sam Fuld will be working for ESPN tonight during the MLB Home Run Derby.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers local ratings are amongst the highest in MLB.

Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune gives praise to former Minnesota Twins manager Tom Kelly who pinch-hit for regular Fox Sports North analyst Bert Blyeven last week.

Jeff Korbelik of the Lincoln (NE) Journal Star says former local sports anchor Dari Nowkhah heads over to ESPNU full-time.

The Dickinson (ND) Press picks up a story from Brad Schlossman on the new college hockey superconference talking with Versus about a TV contract.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post reviews the HBO documentary on Curt Flood.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has your SoCal sports calendar.

Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle says Showtime is hoping that “The Franchise” will become a sports franchise for the network.

Cathall Kelly of the Toronto Star is an asshole.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says a CFL on TSN analyst gave a compelling interview on his post-concussion syndrome.

Matt Hartley in the Financial Post says NBC will be handling all US ad sales for the NHL.

Wayne Friedman in MediaPost also writes about the NBC Sports Group/NHL ad sales joint venture.

Sports Media Watch has some news and notes on various sports media personalities.

SMW also has some local MLB ratings news.

That’s going to do it for today.

Bringing You Sunday Linkage

I’m at work again, but I’m trying to cope by flicking on the Watch ESPN for the Women’s World Cup game against Brazil. I’ll give you what linkage I can find today.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today says Turner Sports has reportedly hired Shaquille O’Neal for its NBA coverage. Still no official comment from Turner.

John Eggerton of Multichannel News reports on an FCC Enforcement Bureau recommendation to an administrative law judge about carriage for Tennis Channel.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel recaps YES’ special postgame show on Yankees shortshop Derek Jeter after he achieved baseball immortality on Saturday.

Mike writes that YES saw a ratings season high for the Jeter 3,000th hit game.

From Advertising Age, Brian Steinberg asks if Wimbledon is willing to put its matches all under one TV roof, will other sporting events follow its lead?

Yahoo Sports’ Michael Silver talks with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen about how the channel is handling the lockout.

Stephen Douglas at The Big Lead wonders if the LPGA should be selling sex to help market its stars.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser says Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has issued a statement about berating a caller with a gay slur late last month.

Marcus points out that CNN is no longer into sports.

Jesse Sawyer from the Avon (CT) Patch notes that ESPN’s Kenny Mayne will be hosting a football skills clinic this week. Before ESPN, Kenny was the starting quarterback at UNLV. The story also reveals that Kenny is moving back to Seattle, WA where he lived before hitting it big with ESPN.

Newsday’s Neil Best has the transcripts of both the radio and TV calls of the Jeter 3,000th hit.

Neil talks about a new era of TV coming into Wimbledon for next year.

George Vescey of the New York Times says the best way to view the Tour de France is from your TV.

Karen Crouse of the Times talks with an LPGA Tour rookie Ryan O’Toole who prepared for life on the tour through Golf Channel’s Big Break reality show.

Brent Briggeman of the Colorado Springs Gazette also spoke with O’Toole about her time on Big Break.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says ESPN2 will have the replay of today’s dramatic USA-Brazil Women’s World Cup game which had a lot of twists and turns.

Adam Sichko of the Albany (NY) Business Review notes that a local company will help produce live horse racing from nearby Saratoga for NBC.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks about Showtime getting into the sports reality TV realm with the new MLB TV series, “The Franchise”.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with ESPN’s Nomar Garciaparra about the Home Run Derby.

From the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn discusses the Longhorn Network making some on-air hires.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle tries to reassure readers about the availability of the Longhorn Network.

Kevin Benz at Culture Map Houston wonders if ESPN is making the Longhorn Network all about ESPN instead of University of Texas sports.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Bengals talks with ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden about the NFL lockout.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says TBS and MLB Network analyst John Smoltz still has a dream to be a professional golfer.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks with Fox’s Joe Buck about his recovery from an ailment that affected his voice. And many of you have either tweeted or e-mailed me about this and have noticed how he has sounded since the Super Bowl. Dan’s story pretty much explains what happened.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Joe Buck didn’t mince words when it came to the Dodgers ownership debacle.

That’s going to do it for today.

Unveiling The Thursday Links

Been a busy day at work once again. Doing these late and I’ll try to put forth as many links as I can before being told to leave the office.

Sports Business Daily takes a look at the one year anniversary of the infamous “The Decision” that made LeBron James a pariah in Cleveland and most of the country.

Patrick Kemp at the Buffalo News reports that ESPN NHL analyst Matthew Barnaby will perform 500 hours of community service as he was sentenced Wednesday for a domestic disturbance case involving his estranged wife and her boyfriend. I asked ESPN for a statement on this matter and received this response: “Now that its (sic) gotten to the point in the process, we need to regroup and have follow up conversations.” This means that ESPN is evaluating Barnaby’s employment for the upcoming NHL season.

At The Sweet Science, boxing writer Thomas Hauser remembers fellow colleague and former Boston Herald columnist George Kimball who has passed at the age of 69.

Michael Woods of The Sweet Science also pauses to reflect on Kimball.

Another former Kimball colleague, Michael Gee gives his thoughts on his friend’s passing in the Boston Herald.

Lesley Goldberg of the Hollywood Reporter has a preview of Showtime’s MLB reality show, “The Franchise” focusing on the San Francisco Giants.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable looks at CBS’ Jim Nantz getting an award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times says ESPN winning the Wimbledon media rights is just a small part of a big battle between ESPN/Disney and Comcast/NBC.

Sheldon Spencer at ESPN Front Row talks with original ESPN’er Bob Ley on who he follows on Twitter. I’m honored to be one of those to be followed by Mr. Ley.

Last night, comedian Artie Lange made his first radio appearance since his suicide attempt and subsequent departure from the Howard Stern Show. Dylan P. Gadino of Punchline live blogged the guest spot Artie did with fellow comic Nick DiPaolo on Fox Sports Radio. Reading Gadino’s writing, it’s apparent he is not a sports fan.

Fox Sports Radio host Ben Maller writing in Yahoo’s The Post Game chronicles how he lost 200 pounds.

Dan Fogarty has audio of ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd blaming Canada for its health care system and insinuating Tiger Woods takes steroids.

CTV has finally relaunched its Olympics site for the 2012 London Games.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell marvels at how 2018 Olympics host Pyeongchang, Sout Korea is already halfway finished in building venues and it was just awarded the Games on Wednesday.

Marc Berman at the New York Post writes that Spero Dedes’ deal to become the radio voice could be in limbo stemming from his DWI arrest over the weekend.

Newsday’s Neil Best says ticket prices remain high for upcoming Yankees games as fans try to see the contest where Derek Jeter gets his 3,000th career hit.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that a Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic anchor gave a tongue-in-cheek motivational speech to interns.

Writer John Feinstein explains why he quit doing Navy football radio broadcasts effective immediately.

Gary Dinges of the Austin American-Statesman says the ESPN-owned Longhorn Network has chosen the site for its studios and named three of its on-air staffers.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Bengals writes that former radio voice Brad Johansen will call the team’s preseason games on TV starting this season, provided there is a preseason.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Pro Football Hall of Fame is ready to say hello to CBS’ Jim Nantz.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News feels the Pro Football Hall of Fame redeemed itself with Jim Nantz after selecting Chris Berman as its TV-Radio Award recipient last year.

Tom transcribes what Colin Cowherd said about the Dodgers today.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes that former CBC Hockey Night in Canada Radio host Jeff Marek has officially joined Rogers Sportsnet.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog writes about Jeff Marek’s role with Sportsnet.

Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that TSN has picked up the Canadian rights to Wimbledon starting next year.

And Canadian Sports Media tells us that TSN’s arrangement to air The Championships, Wimbledon is similar to ESPN’s.

Barry Pachesky of Deadspin says ESPN’s deal with Wimbledon is the future of sports television.

Deadspin’s Brian Hickey notes that Versus had a big, blue phallic symbol creep into its Tour de France coverage.

SportsbyBrooks has word on some college football network TV on-air hires.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes here and here.

SMW notes that the ratings for last weekend’s NASCAR Daytona 400 on TNT fell from last year.

EPL Talk notices that FIFA is considering to break up the 2022 World Cup in Qatar into three 30-minute periods due to the oppressive heat and humidity.

The latest Awful Announcing podcast has the great Darren Rovell of CNBC.

That’s going to do it for today.

A Few 4th of July Links

Let’s provide some linkage on this 4th of July holiday. I hope you’re having a great day wherever you are.

Aaron Couch of the Hollywood Reporter writes about ESPN taking over the Wimbledon TV contract after a 43 year association with NBC.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC wanted to use Versus as part of its Wimbledon coverage.

Diane Pucin from the Los Angeles Times notes that NBC pledged to end the Wimbledon tape delays by 2014, apparently not soon enough for All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union is not a fan of ESPN2′s tennis crew.

Back to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times and he has a good background story on how Fox has played a role in the whole Los Angeles Dodgers-Frank McCourt ownership debacle.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with Versus’ Paul Sherwin about the Tour de France.

Ron Morris of The State wishes ESPN would cut down the time in-between innings at the College World Series.

Brandon Marcello of the Shreveport (LA) Times speaks with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive about the state of the conference and the league’s TV contracts.

Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram looks at how Fox Sports Southwest has teamed with an organization to help troubled teens.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says comedy and sports can be mixed.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says an e-mail exchange with a reader over soccer bordered on racism.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the SoCal sports calendar for this week.

The extremely uninformed Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN and Rogers Sportsnet failed to get the job done on NHL Free Agent Frenzy on Friday and at the bottom, he writes “hot rumour of the weekend is ESPN snatching rights from NBC for next year’s (Wimbledon).” It’s not rumor, Bruce!

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes that talented CBC Hockey Night in Canada Radio Jeff Marek is leaving and heading to Rogers Sportsnet. I have enjoyed listening to Jeff on HNIC Radio over the years on Sirius Satellite Radio. He will be missed on the show.

On this day of the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Luke O’Brien looks at the Competitive Eating Champion-in-Exile, Kobayashi.

Mike Silva’s NY Baseball Digest speaks with ESPN Radio New York’s Brandon Tierney who’s heading out West.

Joe Favorito looks at the collateral damage from the NBA and NFL lockouts.

Awful Announcing says Jon Sciambi drew the short stick in having to call the Harlem Globetrotters on ESPN.

The Ringside Report speaks with former CNN Sports anchor Fred Hickman about his friend, the late Nick Charles.

That will do it.

Some Quick Thursday Links

Trying to squeeze linkage in while I can. This won’t be a full set of links. I will do the megalinks tomorrow, but today will be a quickie links day.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today reports that the ratings for the USA-North Korea game in the Women’s World Cup drew decently for ESPN.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News says industry analysts expect 3-D TV sales to be very slow this year, but eventually ramp up by mid-decade.

Edmund Lee of Advertising Age talks with the publisher and co-founder of The Awl, Bill Cho, who’s leaving to go to join Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions explains why the sales of TV’s in the 3rd dimension are tanking.

David Goetzl from MediaPost says NBC Sports is raising its profile for the Tour de France which begins this weekend.

The St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says David Tyree’s anti-gay stance brings some strong challenges for journalists.

This story has been burning up the sports blogosphere since Wednesday afternoon. A.J. Daulerio of Deadspin says Hollywood movie producers are thinking of making a movie from the tome, “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside The World of ESPN”.

Alexandra Kuczynski-Brown of SportsGrid says the BBC has developed a product that will reduce the grunting and shrieking at Centre Court in Wimbledon.

Andy Blesser at Beet TV talks about the Watch ESPN mobile app.

Brandon Costa of the Sports Video Group discusses ESPN 3D going live from Wimbledon this week.

Dave Nagle of ESPN’s Front Row PR blog talks with ESPN2′s Chris Evert on her return to TV at SW19 for the fortnight.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at what lies ahead of NBA Communist China Sympathizer David Stern as the lockout is now in full effect.

Kurt Helin of NBC’s Pro Basketball Talk has the organizers of last year’s “The Decision” starring LeBron James and his talents, surprised by the backlash against the made-for-TV event. Really? C’mon, man.

All Access reports that personalities from Philadelphia’s sports radio WIP will guest host Comcast SportsNet’s Daily News Live starting next week.

The Around the Rings blog says BBC Sport has been named as the UK rightsholder for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir writes about General Electric’s increased sponsorship of the Olympics.

Newsday’s Neil Best wonders why NBC did not air today’s Maria Sharapova-Sabine Lisicki Wimbledon semifinal match live.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the MLB Network live game schedule for July.

The Centre Daily (PA) Times previews tonight’s ESPN presentation of Penn State coach Joe Paterno and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

From Capitol File magazine, ESPN’s Erin Andrews answers a few questions.

KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa says a local cable company will pick up 16 extra Minnesota Twins games ending a dispute with Fox Sports North.

Jay Heater of the Idaho State Journal says a Pocatello radio station is changing its affiliation from ESPN Radio to Fox Sports.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News previews tonight’s ESPN program with Penn State’s JoePa and Duke’s Coach K.

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area notes that Bob Costas and Al Michaels will make a guest appearance on its local broadcast of July 8th’s New York Mets-San Francisco Giants game. The pair will call most of the game on MLB Network, but will slide over to CSN Bay Area for a half inning.

The Maui News says NBC golf reporter Mark Rolfing will no longer be the organizer for a PGA Tour event.

Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form talks with NBC’s horse racing reporter Donna Brothers.

Noel Murray at the A.V. Club looks at the ESPN book.

The Football Girl is not a fan of a full NFL Thursday Night Football schedule.

Stars Entertainment speaks with Tennis Channel anchor Angela Sun. The story mentions that she worked for ESPN, but I have never seen her on ESPN. Yahoo, yes. Tennis Channel, yes. ESPN? No. I’ve never seen her there. Maybe you have.

Sports Media Watch notes that the U.S. Open’s ratings were down for all four rounds.

SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

And SMW has some news and notes on some coming attractions.

Barry Janoff from The Big Lead speaks with prolific reality TV producer Mark Burnett.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs reviews the latest in sports media.

And I found more links than I thought and that’s a bonus for you. Back later tonight.

Getting The Wednesday Linkage In

Let’s do the Wednesday links while I can. It’s going to get busy the next couple of days as I try to wrap things up for the 4th of July weekend so blogging may get sparse through the weekend. Just giving you a heads up.

Here are the links for this Wednesday.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says ESPN is going all out for the Women’s World Cup whether we like it or not.

Karolos Grohmann of Reuters reports that General Electric has pledged to sponsor the Olympic Games through 2020 as part of the deal that kept the US media rights with NBC.

Lindsay Powers of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Tiger Woods has signed his first endorsement deal since his marital troubles began in November 2009.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says the NFL wants Congress to leave the silly TV blackout rules in place.

Tim Baysinger of B&C notes that Fox Soccer received its highest audience ever for last Saturday’s Gold Cup Final between the US and Mexico.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News notes the improved ratings for TNT halfway through its NASCAR season.

Mike also recaps the ESPN/espnW Women’s World Cup viewing party in New York’s Times Square on Tuesday.

Mike discusses NBC Sports Group providing full coverage of the Tour de France.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi says the NBA playoffs steered TNT to a cable ratings win in the 2nd quarter of this year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek really likes DirecTV’s Football Cops ad starring Peyton and Eli Manning.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred provides a lesson on just who Grantland Rice was and why he’s so revered.

Robert Niles of the Online Journalism Review at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism looks at the limits of free speech citing ESPN’s Jemele Hill defending David Tyree’s anti-gay marriage stance.

SportsGrid has video of Charles Barkley visiting the Sportsnet One booth during last night’s Pittsburgh-Toronto game.

SportsGrid’s Glenn Davis wonders if ESPN’s Robert Flores was caught napping on the job today.

SportsNewser’s Cam Martin writes that video game producer EA Sports plans to build a new studio in Texas.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell speaks with Nike’s CEO and President Charlie Denson on a myriad of sports business topics.

SportsbyBrooks is reporting that former Indiana and Texas A&M coach Bob Knight is preventing ESPN from hiring former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl as an analyst. I didn’t know coach Knight wielded that much power.

Andrew Gauthier of TV Spy notes the return of Len Berman to the Today Show this morning. And no one got hurt!

The lovely Kristi Dosh of the Business of College Sports explains how she got into the sports blogging business.

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times reviews USA Network’s new football-based series.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Derek Jeter haters will like one new internet product that allows them to ignore the Yankees shortstop.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says tonight’s Red Sox-Phillies game originally scheduled for ESPN2 will now be seen on the ESPN mothership.

Ken says New York’s Capital Region will be blacked out on July 8 when Bob Costas and Al Michaels team up to call their first baseball game ever.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that NBC golf reporter Dottie Pepper reaches out to the community when she’s back home.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom says handouts to sports owners are not a good thing.

John George of the Philadelphia Business Journal says MLB Network’s Mitch Williams will be seen on a DIY Network show.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog recaps a visit from consumer advocate Ralph Nader to the WaPo offices to discuss sports coverage and a new venture he’s helping to organize.

Graham Cawthorn of the Shelby (NC) Star looks at ESPN wanting to stream the American Legion World Series.

Danny Aller of the Albany (GA) Herald says Braves fans will finally be able to watch Peachtree TV games through the Fox Sports South affiliate.

Joel Hammond of Crain’s Cleveland Business says the Browns will launch a nightly radio show on the market’s dominant sports radio station.

Steve Brandt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says local officials are denying that there’s a potential bid for the 2020 Olympics in the works.

The Syracuse (NE) Journal-Democrat reports that ESPN3 will stream all games of the American Legion World Series under a new four year contract.

Andrew Blankstein of the Los Angeles Times says former Chicago Sun-Times writer Jay Mariotti must stand trial on stalking and assault charges.

The Elk Grove (CA) Citizen notes that a local high school rejected ESPN’s request to air a football game this season.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail talks about HBO hitting the ice once again next season.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on TNT’s ratings were up again this past weekend.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says viewership for the NHL Draft was up from last year.

The Big Lead wonders if NASCAR fired an in-house blogger for mentioning Kyle Busch’s marital problems.

That’s all for now.

Versus Airs Tour de France; NBC To Air 1st Two Stages

To signify the increased synergy throughout the NBC Sports Group, Versus will air the Tour de France as usual, but NBC will air the first two stages for the first time. During the last two weekends of the Tour, CBS would air highlights under its Sports Spectacular program. I’m thinking with this announcement, that arrangement is over. Of course, Versus will have daily coverage with as many as 14 hours combined with live morning coverage and expanded primetime highlights.

Liam McHugh who finished his first year as NBC/Versus NHL host will be the front man for the Tour. Legendary cycling announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin will be back to call the Tour for Versus. We have The Group’s press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP GIVES CYCLING FANS 360-DEGREE ACCESS TO THE GREATEST CYCLING EVENT OF THE YEAR – 98TH ANNUAL TOUR DE FRANCE

Multi-platform Coverage Available On-Air, Online at NBCSports.com and Through Mobile Apps
For the First Time Ever, NBC Sports will Air Stages 1-2 on July 2 & 3; VERSUS to Average 14 Hours of Coverage Each Day
“This year’s race is built for the climbing specialists. Everyone is expecting a battle for a third straight year between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, but there is every indication that this will not be the case. This has the makings of a vintage Tour.” – NBC Sports Group’s Phil Liggett

New York (June 27, 2011)— NBC Sports Group, the exclusive television home of the Tour de France in the U.S., will begin its coverage of the most grueling event in all of sports on VERSUS on Saturday, July 2, at 8 a.m. ET, live at the grand start from the Passage du Gois in France. Additionally, for the first time ever, NBC Sports will broadcast coverage of the opening two stages on July 2 at 2 p.m. ET and July 3 at 3 p.m. ET, respectively. VERSUS will air an average of 14 hours of race action per day in full HD throughout the 21-stage competition that covers more than 2,000 miles, including live coverage every morning of competition at 8 a.m. ET.

VERSUS’ production continues to evolve, and this year’s daily coverage will have a new look and feel to the race action. The most notable changes will be to the enhanced primetime show each night from 8-11 p.m. ET, which will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight as well as highlights from some of the compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines, analysis and strategy segments as well as other content designed for cycling fans and those who are new to the sport. Additionally, the network will collaborate with Gripped Films, producers of the critically acclaimed Tour de France documentary “Chasing Legends,” for daily, behind-the-scenes footage from the team that wins each day’s stage, to the night before they start in the next day’s competition.

The network will also give viewers the best coverage with bonus features such as: cameras on many of the team’s buses, including Garmin-Cervelo, HTC-Highroad, RadioShack, and Leopard Trek; a pointer feature which will easily identify and focus on one rider in the 195-plus peloton; exclusive, in-depth profiles and features on teams and riders; and advanced on-screen statistics/biometrics to illustrate the intensity at which the riders are competing; among others.

Legendary announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the undisputed voices of cycling, will once again call all the race action for both the live and nightly shows, with Robbie Ventura and Craig Hummer contributing as field reporters. New host Liam McHugh and analyst Bob Roll will contribute to the pre-race coverage and helm the primetime studio show each night with contributing analyst Todd Gogulski. Gogulski, a former professional cyclist, has covered various cycling events, including the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a España and the World Road Championships for Universal Sports since 2009.

Tour de France All Access: VERSUS will surround its on-air coverage with Tour de France All Access, unprecedented cycling content on many different platforms, including tourdefrance.nbcsports.com for the first time since NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com combined forces to create a single, robust destination for sports fans. The network will offer users both a free and premium-subscription product which gives fans a multi-platform, all-encompassing viewing experience to the greatest cycling event of the year. Tour de France All Access offers live streaming video of every stage in full HD, with the ability to pause, rewind and slow-mo the image. While watching live coverage online, viewers will also have access to a live GPS tracking map, to follow the riders’ progress or to see an enhanced interactive map for each stage. Also, subscribers can personalize their Tour experience by choosing their favorite riders and teams to track throughout the Tour. Additionally, all the features of the NBCSports.com online experience will be mirrored in the Tour de France All Access apps for the iPhone, and for the first time this year, on iPad and Android devices.

There are also many free elements available to cycling fans at NBCSports.com and through the mobile apps, which are listed below.

Before the Tour:

• Stage-by-stage descriptions and previews, featuring historical stage information, technical information and interesting travelogue vignettes
• Breakdown of top contenders
• Historical top 10 lists
• Look back at the best of the 2010 Tour de France

Once the Tour begins:

• Recaps and highlights of the day’s big events and story lines
• Expert predictions for each stage
• Route previews
• Interviews with the top riders
• Video highlights of each stage
• Live stage results
• Detailed standings, including overall and classifications
• Rider profiles by country and team
• Course and stage maps, elevation profiles and stage descriptions
• Live news stream during every stage
• Photo slideshows
• Tour de France Twitter stream, which will showcase the top race authorities, including riders, analysts, officials and fans

Additional Features and Elements (more information available at tourdefrance.nbcsports.com):

• Le Tour Challenge: Users can ride their bikes on any given day of the Tour de France to see how they compare to the pros and other cyclists from around the world. They can create a team, join a team, or ride solo, and enter to win great prizes.
• Fantasy Cycling Challenge: A traditional fantasy game where users select their own team of cyclists and compete with others for daily prizes and grand prize trip to the 2012 Tour de France.
• Race for the Podium Watch & Win Sweepstakes: During each stage, VERSUS viewers are given an on-air code word that they can use for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Tour de France and Cervelo Bikes.

Social Media: Fans can also keep up with the Tour de France through VERSUS’ social media platforms throughout the race. Content will include:

• Behind the Scenes: Through the VERSUS Cycling Facebook page and @VSCycling on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video.
• Commentator Tweets: VERSUS commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will provide Twitter content throughout race.
• Fan Questions: Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions to VERSUS commentators, including Bob Roll in the “Ask Bobke” segment, via Facebook and Twitter.
• News: Fans can follow VERSUS Cycling Facebook and VSCycling Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date reports and stories from around the cycling world.

Working on the linkage. It should be up later this morning.

The NBC Sports Group Receives 25 Sport Emmy Award Nominations

Combined with NBC Sports, NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com and Versus, the Group can say it received 25 total nominations from the Sports Emmys. By itself, NBC Sports received 20 nominations including those for Bob Costas and Dan Patrick (Outstanding Studio Host), Al Michaels ( Outstanding Play-by-Play), Cris Collinsworth (Outstanding Game Analyst), Football Night in America (Outstanding Weekly Studio Show), Sunday Night Football (Outstanding Live Series) and the 2010 Winter Olympics (multiple nominations).

The Group also adds Versus’ nomination for the Tour de France (Outstanding Live Sports Special) along with those for NBC’s Internet nominations for the Olympics and you have 25 nominations total. Let’s take a look at what NBC is saying about the Sports Emmys.

NBC SPORTS GROUP CAPTURES 25 SPORTS EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

NBC Leads All Broadcast Networks with 20 Nominations
NBC Olympic Coverage Leads All Programs with 11 Nominations
Costas, Michaels, Collinsworth, Emrick & Patrick Nominated
Vancouver Winter Olympics Nominated for Outstanding Live Event Turnaround
“Sunday Night Football” Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Series
“Football Night in America” Nominated for Outstanding Studio Show-Weekly
Ryder Cup Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Special
Al Michaels to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK – March 22, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group received 25 total Sports Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Live Event Turnaround for the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games; Outstanding Live Sports Series for “Sunday Night Football”; Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly for “Football Night in America”; Outstanding Live Sports Special for the Ryder Cup; and nominations in individual talent categories for Bob Costas (Studio Host), Al Michaels (Play-by-Play), Cris Collinsworth (Event Analyst), Mike Emrick (Play-by-Play) and Dan Patrick (Studio Host). The announcement was made today by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The winners will be announced by the Academy on Monday, May 2.

NBC received 11 nominations for coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the most for any program, four for its NFL coverage, four for NBC Sports promotional campaigns and two each for NBCSports.com and NBCOlympics.com. VERSUS received one nomination for Outstanding Live Sports Special for its coverage of the Tour De France.

MICHAELS TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD:

Legendary broadcaster Al Michaels will receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Michaels, one of television’s most respected journalists, has been the voice of NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” since its inception in 2006, and has covered more major sports events than any sportscaster, including 20 years as the play-by-play voice of “Monday Night Football.” He is the only commentator to call the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and host the Stanley Cup Final for network television. He has appeared on network primetime television for more hours (2,100+) than anyone in history.

Among his many accolades, Michaels has captured six Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-play (1986, 1989, 1995, 2000, 2007 and 2008) and has three times (1980, 1983 and 1986) received the NSSA Award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association; he was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame in 1998. Michaels was named Sportscaster of the Year in 1996 by the American Sportscasters Association, and, in 1991, the Washington Journalism Review named him Sportscaster of the Year.

“Al Michaels is the most versatile play-by-play voice in sports television history, having called Olympics, NBA Finals, the World Series, Super Bowls and, of course, the NFL’s premier weekly primetime game for the last quarter century,” said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “He is relentless in his preparation, is always teaching the audience, and often serves as a second analyst in the booth. It’s no miracle that the man responsible for the most iconic call in the history of sports television is being acknowledged for his lifetime achievement. Congratulations, Al.”

“This is a wonderful honor and I’m extremely grateful,” said Michaels. “I’ve had the good fortune to work with and for some of the most talented people in the history of sports television, and this honor speaks to the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to have been a part of some phenomenal teams.”

Last year, Michaels’ long-time broadcast partner and former “Sunday Night Football” analyst John Madden was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Ebersol received the honor in 2009.

NBC SPORTS GROUP NOMINATIONS:

• Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games

• Outstanding Live Sports Series: “Sunday Night Football”

• Outstanding Live Sports Special: The Ryder Cup

• Outstanding Live Sports Special: 2010 Tour de France (VERSUS)

• Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly: “Football Night in America”

• Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host: Bob Costas

• Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host: Dan Patrick

• Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Al Michaels

• Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Mike Emrick

• Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Event Analyst: Cris Collinsworth

• Outstanding Open/Tease: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games – Discovery

• Outstanding Graphic Design:
  • “Sunday Night Football”
  • Vancouver Olympic Winter Games

• Outstanding New Approaches Sports Event Coverage: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Beyond the Broadcast – NBCOlympics.com

• Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming:
  • Sunday Night Football Extra – NBCSports.com
  • The Science of Sport – NBCSports.com

• Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming – Short Format: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games – NBCOlympics.com

• Outstanding Technical Team Studio: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games

• Outstanding Camera Work: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Discovery

• Dick Schaap Writing Award: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Discovery

• Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Remember the Titans

• Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Institutional:

• • NBC Sports Championship Season
  • NHL Winter Classic – Classic Rivalry/Classic Spectacle
  • Vancouver Olympic Winter Games – One Day/Dream it, Win it/One Dream

• Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Episodic: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games – One Day/Olympic Showdown/Dancing Stars

And we’ll be back with more network press releases regarding the Sports Emmy Award nominations.

Some Late Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning Links

My plans to provide a full set of linkage got shot to hell when the car I was riding in got stuck in a snow bank during the ice storm in RI on Wednesday. So I spent three hours trying to get the vehicle out. Eventually, I got AAA to pull it out, but also spent a lot of time chipping the ice from the driveway, so it was exactly how I wanted to spend my day. Anyway, I’ll give you a short set of links here.

Brian Costa, Matthew Futterman and Michael Rothfield says the New York Mets may sell part of its stake in SNY if can help attract a minority buyer for the club.

In a related note, CNBC’s Darren Rovell reports that the principal owners of the Met who are being sued by a Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme victim, say they don’t owe any money. Donald Sterling and Saul Katz recommended Madoff to several clients.

At Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski explores any potential complications or non-complications regarding the NHL’s new US TV deals.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser feels it’ll be a long time before Dallas hosts another Super Bowl.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media speculates as to why the NHL All-Star Game saw a ratings increase from when the game was last played.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse goes over the new management structure at NBC Sports/Comcast.

Brad Cohen in SportsGrid feels Charles Barkley’s new website is just what the doctor ordered.

The Big Lead points out that the Pro Bowl did better in the ratings than Game 3 of the 2010 World Series.

Karolos Grohmann of Reuters reports that the Tour de France won’t be shown live in Germany starting in 2012 due to lack of interest and doping problems.

Kimberly Nordyke from the Hollywood Reporter has viewing alternatives for those who don’t want to watch the Super Bowl.

Have your first look at Volkswagen’s mini-Darth Vader Super Bowl ad.

And here’s the Volkswagen Black Beetle Super Bowl ad.

Michael Malone at Broadcasting & Cable reports that a group of local stations are back on DirecTV ensuring subscribers will see the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says thanks to the BCS, ESPN swept the January cable ratings.

Bill Cromwell from Media Life Magazine notes that after Pizza Hut dropped out of the Super Bowl, Fox found another advertiser to take its place ensuring a sellout once again.

Amy Austin of the Washington City Paper has written a public response to DC NFL Team owner Daniel Snyder’s threats to sue the publication after what he perceived was an unflattering profile.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner looks at the new NBC Sports management team.

Gary West from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks with Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle who’s been co-hosting ESPN2′s SportsNation live from Sundance Square.

Mitchell Schnurman of the Star-Telegram says the ESPN live productions from downtown Fort Worth have been promoting the city better than any advertising campaign.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business says a Windy City media company is busy at the Super Bowl this week.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News continues his series on asking various play-by-play men on what they can learn from Vin Scully.

First, we get answers from LA Kings Hall of Fame voice Bob Miller.

Then Tom speaks with Kings radio voice Nick Nickson.

Tom finds UCLA Bruins voice Chris Roberts to get his response.

Tom turns to Clippers voice Ralph Lawler.

Tom gets a response from USC basketball voice Chris Fisher.

Tom makes contact with minor league baseball announcer Jeff Lasky.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the Super Bowl Sunday programming from both CTV and Fox.

Sports Media Watch notes that the rematch of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final did slightly better than last year’s NHL on NBC debut.

SMW has various ratings news and notes.

Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing has a very good interview with the multifaceted Kevin Harlan who will be calling the Super Bowl on Westwood One Radio this Sunday.

And that’s going to do it. I need to sleep.

TSN Acquires Two International Sports Properties

TSN, one of Canada’s two cable all-sports networks, has gained the rights to two international sports events. First, TSN acquired the Canadian rights to Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 just as ESPN did earlier today.

TSN Acquires Rights to Euro 2012 and 2016

– Deal includes comprehensive English and French multimedia rights in Canada –

Toronto, ON (February 1, 2010) –TSN announced today it has reached a broad multimedia rights agreement with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for the upcoming UEFA European Football Championships (EURO). TSN and TSN2 will be the exclusive home in Canada for UEFA EURO 2012 and UEFA EURO 2016, which will feature the top European national teams competing in one of the world’s most prestigious championships.

RDS and RIS will be the exclusive French-language television broadcasters for both championships.

The agreement allows TSN to provide extensive and exclusive live coverage of UEFA EURO 2012 and 2016 across a variety of its multimedia platforms. This includes in-progress and post-match highlights across key CTVglobemedia outlets.

The deal also includes media rights for the UEFA European Under-21 Championships as well as for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2013.The agreement extends TSN’s relationship with UEFA, the governing body for association football in Europe, having served as one of the Canadian broadcasters of UEFA EURO 2008.

“Nothing beats international competition and the success of EURO 2008 proved that this tournament has become a must-see event for Canadian sports fans,” said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. “We are looking forward to working with UEFA to not only give fans world class coverage of these marquee events, but to help build the sport of soccer in Canada.”

UEFA EURO 2012, Friday, June 8 – Sunday, July 1, in Poland and Ukraine, will include a total of 31 matches featuring the top-16 European national teams. The field will expand to 24 teams and 51 matches for UEFA EURO 2016 in France.

“Following a very successful experience with UEFA EURO 2008, we are extremely pleased to extend our partnership for UEFA EURO with TSN for the next two tournaments,” said Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director of UEFA Events SA. “With interest in football growing significantly in North America TSN will no doubt provide great visibility for UEFA’s national team competitions through their promotional and programming capacity. This long-term partnership demonstrates the strength of the EURO as a global property and, together with TSN, we are committed to further enhancing it in the future.”

(continue reading…)

Univeral Sports Quotage on Alberto Contrador’s Positive Test Results

It broke today and when people heard the news, there didn’t seem to be much surprise. On Thursday, Tour de France champion Alberto Contrador’s test results from the race came up positive for a banned substance. Contrador is making a preposterous claim that the positive test results came as a result of eating bad beef. However it got into Contrador’s system, this result could cause him to be stripped of the Tour’s title and further taints a sport that doesn’t need any more black eyes.

On Thursday, Universal Sports aired a one hour special on Contrador and this is the quotage that came from the program.

RECAP OF UNIVERSAL SPORTS’ SPECIAL REPORT ON ALBERTO CONTADOR’S DOPING ALLEGATIONS

“Unfortunately, it’s very sad. It’s sad for cycling and for him.”

Don Catlin, M.D. about Alberto Contador in an exclusive interview with Universal Sports’ Steve Schlanger

September 30, 2010–Los Angeles–Universal Sports aired a LIVE special report tonight surrounding the doping allegations against three-time Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador. The show featured Universal Sports anchor Steve Schlanger and cycling expert Todd Gogulski talking about the news that the Spaniard failed an anti-doping test for the banned substance clenbuterol. Consequently, the International Cycling Union (UCI) suspended Contador indefinitely pending a further investigation.

Don Catlin, M.D., CEO and President of Anti-Doping Research, Inc., joined Schlanger and Gogulski for an exclusive over-the-phone interview providing expert analysis of clenbuterol and Contador’s future. Dr. Catlin is a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission and serves as Professor Emeritus of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the UCLA School of Medicine.

To view this special report and read an extended Q & A with Dr. Catlin, go to www.universalsports.com.

INTERVIEW: Below are a few excerpts from Schlanger and Gogulski’s interview with Dr. Catlin. If used, please note the mandatory credit: “In an exclusive interview that aired on Universal Sports.”

Schlanger: What is clenbuterol and why is it considered a performance enhancer?

Dr. Catlin: It’s a drug that has been around for many years. It does two things, it enhances performance by being anabolic and also it has stimulant activity. It is a very unusual drug because it has these two effects.

Gogulski: When you think about it, the amount that was found in Contador’s system is a very small amount; do you think that could have actually increased his performance?

Dr. Catlin: That’s really hard to say. We don’t have that kind of data. We don’t have studies of this. You rarely find very much clenbuterol under any circumstances, it is a very potent drug and little tiny bits can show up. But, we don’t have data that says yes this is an amount that can increase performance.

Schlanger: Well doctor, in terms of clearing his name and continuing into the sport, that he obviously has a huge presence and a large stature, how much of an uphill battle does Contador now face?

Dr. Catlin: Well it’s about as enormous as you can get. Unfortunately, it is very sad. It’s sad for cycling and for him. Everybody knows cycling has had troubles, but they seemed to be on the right track lately. But, this is a big, big setback, because unless somebody can come up with an explanation that makes a whole lot of sense, and I haven’t heard that yet, then you know it is another case of doping. Unfortunately, you know even if the athlete is innocent, the WADA rules are going to kick him out.

Certainly some bad timing for cycling which has been under suspicion and it’s biggest star, Lance Armstrong, is also coming under Federal scrutiny. We haven’t heard the last of this.

Weekend Programming Press Releases

Let’s give you some weekend programming releases. Asides from baseball, NASCAR and golf, there are some slim pickings, but you may find something you like in the following announcements. Don’t let me influence your viewing.

Tomorrow, CBS airs the finale of the Tour de France plus has a special on the road to the PGA Championship.

CBS SPORTS AIRS ARMSTRONG’S AU REVOIR TO “TOUR DE FRANCE” WITH HIGHLIGHT COVERAGE OF FINAL STAGES ON SUNDAY, JULY 25

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR’s coverage of the 2010 TOUR DE FRANCE highlights the final stages of the 2,600-mile race on Sunday, July 25 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET; SD TAPE) in this hour-long recap on the CBS Television Network.  Seven-time Tour winner and one of the greatest cyclists of all-time, American Lance Armstrong makes the final Tour de France appearance of his legendary career as coverage also highlights what could be a dramatic finish between two-time defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain and last year’s runner-up Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.  American Levi Leipheimer, currently in seventh place, also pedals for the prize of wearing the yellow jersey at the end of the 23-day trek that started in Rotterdam, Netherlands and ends in Paris.  Craig Hummer hosts the show, while Vic Frank serves as coordinating producer of CBS Sports’ coverage.  Production support will be provided by Versus.

CBS SPORTS TRAVELS ANOTHER PATH WITH “ROAD TO THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP” ON SUNDAY, JULY 25

CBS Sports travels a slightly different path than it usually takes each March as it airs THE ROAD TO THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP on Sunday, July 25 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET). The road to a golfing major title has many twists and turns. For 312 PGA professionals, it began at the 43^rd PGA Professional National Championship in French Lick, Ind.  Only the top 20 survive and move on. Hosted by CBS Sports Bill Macatee, THE ROAD TO THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP chronicles their journey into golf’s final major of the year.  CBS Sports’ Chris Svendsen serves as coordinating producer.

Harold Bryant is Vice President of Production, CBS Sports.

Universal Sports has live gymnastics and the return of Alicia Sacramone to the sport.

UNIVERSAL SPORTS PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2010 COVERGIRL CLASSIC

Action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 24 from UIC Pavilion in Chicago

Alicia Sacramone makes her first competitive appearance since 2008 Olympic Games

July 21, 2010 – Universal Sports presents exclusive live coverage of the 2010 CoverGirl Classic on Saturday, July 24 at 8 p.m. ET at the UIC Pavilion on the University of Illinois-Chicago’s campus. David Michaels, Executive Producer of Universal Sports, will be directing the production, which will feature commentators Tim Daggett, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, and Tasha Schwikert, 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist. In addition to the television coverage, fans can visit www.universalsports.com for live web coverage of the event and click on the gymnastics section for up-to-date broadcast schedules, breaking news, video highlights, special features, photo galleries and more. This marks the second consecutive year that Universal Sports will produce this national championships qualifying competition.

Highlighting this year’s CoverGirl Classic is the return of 2008 Olympic silver-medalist Alicia Sacramone. In her first competitive appearance since announcing a year ago that she was coming out of retirement, Sacramone will look to perform well, just three week away from the 2010 Championships. The competition will be fierce as the reigning world champion, Bridget Sloan, and world silver-medalist, Rebecca Bross, both of whom have already qualified for nationals, will be sure to bring their best in hopes of perfecting their routines for nationals. 

The CoverGirl Classic, formerly known as the U.S. Classic, is the final qualifying event for the 2010 Championships, the U.S. National Championships for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline and tumbling. Universal Sports will broadcast the 2010 Championships live on Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13 at 7 p.m. ET, while NBC Sports will show live coverage on Saturday, August 14 at 8 p.m. ET and taped coverage on Sunday, August 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Of course, having Alicia back gives me the excuse to post this video of her knocking out a guy at Brown University.

NBC Sports and USA have coverage of the Dew Action Sports Tour.

DEW TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND WITH NIKE 6.0 BMX OPEN, ON NBC & USA

NEW YORK – July 22, 2010 – The world’s top BMX freestylists will be decided this weekend during NBC Sports’ coverage of the Nike 6.0 BMX Open, the only BMX-specific event of the season from Soldier Field Festival Lot in Chicago. NBC Sports’ live coverage of BMX park airs Saturday and taped coverage of BMX vert airs Sunday, at 4-6 p.m. ET both days. USA Network will air late-night coverage of BMX park on Saturday, midnight-1 a.m. ET, and BMX vert on Sunday, 2-3 a.m. ET.

Athlete analysts Jamie Bestwick and Dave Mirra join host Todd Harris, analyst Todd Richards and correspondent Tiffany Simons from Chicago.

Over 190 of the best BMX athletes from 11 different countries will compete in Chicago in vert, park and dirt disciplines. Highlighting the vert roster includes five-time, undefeated Dew Cup champion Bestwick and Chad Kagy, who placed second in Chicago at last year’s BMX Open.

BMX legend Mirra took the BMX park win last year in Chicago. He will again look to repeat his win in the Windy City, but will have to contend with the likes of defending BMX Park Dew Cup Champion Garrett Reynolds, three-time Dew Cup champion Daniel Dhers and the youngest rider on the tour circuit, Brett Bansaniewicz.

Complete 2010 Dew Tour Schedule:

Aug. 12-15: Wendy’s Invitational – Portland, Ore. – Rose Quarter

Sept. 16-19: Toyota Challenge – Salt Lake City, Utah – Energy Solutions Arena

Oct. 14-17:  Dew Tour Championships – Las Vegas, Nev. – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Versus begins coverage of the final 7 races of the IndyCar season on Sunday with the event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sunday.

VERSUS ROARS INTO HOME STRETCH OF INDYCAR SEASON WITH INCREASED RATINGS, TIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RACE AND NEW RIVALRIES

Overall Points Leader Will Power Seeking His Third Consecutive 2010 Road Course Win When IndyCar Series Visits Edmonton July 25; Coverage Begins at 5 p.m. ET

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 21, 2010)-VERSUS, the exclusive cable television home of the IndyCar Series, will air the final seven races of the 2010 season beginning on Sunday, July 25, with live coverage of the Indy Edmonton race. VERSUS’ HD coverage of the event will begin at 5 p.m. ET from the City Centre Airport and pre-race qualifying coverage will air on Saturday, July 24, at 6 p.m. ET.

VERSUS is heading into its second half of the season with tremendous momentum based on ratings and viewership growth over its inaugural year of coverage in 2009. The first five races of the 2010 season on VERSUS averaged a .5 HH rating and 428,000 viewers, which was up 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively, as compared to the first five races of 2009 (.4 HH and 345,000 viewers). Additionally, the network also recorded viewership increases for all key male demos over 2009: Men 18-34 (up 32%), Men 18-49 (up 8%) and Men 25-54 (up 26%).

The 2010 race in Edmonton marks the third consecutive year that IndyCar has held a race at the approximately 2-mile track. The course features 95 laps, including 14 turns, and totals a distance of nearly 190 miles. Scott Dixon was the first driver to win the race in 2008 and Will Power was victorious in 2009. While Power is looking to secure his second win on this course, and third straight street course win this year, he faces tough competition from Dario Franchitti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Justin Wilson-all have had strong showings on road courses during recent events.

The remaining seven races of the season will undoubtedly feature an intense and tight battle for the points title, with the second through fifth place drivers trailing Power by less than 100 points each: Dario Franchitti (-42), Scott Dixon (-78), Ryan Briscoe (-85) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (-91). In addition to the excitement surrounding the quest for the top position, wrecks during last week’s Honda Indy Toronto race are creating heated rivalries, both on and off the course, between Graham Rahal and Ryan Briscoe as well as Tomas Sheckter and Alex Tagliani.

VERSUS’ REMAINING INDY CAR SERIES SCHEDULE FOLLOWS (subject to change, all times ET):

July 25 – Indy Edmonton, 5:00 p.m.

August 8 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 2:30 p.m.

August 22 – Infineon Raceway, 5:00 p.m.

August 28 – Chicagoland Speedway, 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 4 – Kentucky Speedway, 8:00 p.m.

Sept. 18 – Twin Ring Motegi, 11:00 p.m.

Oct. 2 – Homestead-Miami Speedway, 6:00 p.m.

Pre-race qualifying coverage airs the day prior to each live event, visit www.VERSUS.com for schedule.

That will do it. One more release coming.

Some Sunday Night Links

My plans to provide linkage this weekend went up in smoke when I had to run errands for my family, but I’ll do some this evening. My day has been planned for me on Monday so I don’t know when I can blog, but I’ll do my best.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk has NBC’s Cris Collinsworth saying he would still choose football knowing the risks about concussions. Collinsworth says he also wants to call the next World Cup, but since it’ll be on ESPN in 2014, that’s unlikely unless Collinsworth moves to the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Nick Bromberg of Yahoo’s From The Marbles blog says TNT chose not to mention an incident at the NASCAR Sprint Cup race during night’s coverage.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News feels Fox is talking about Stephen Strasburg in the All-Star Game out of self interest.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post can’t get excited over the LeBron James sweepstakes.

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News says not everyone can be right in reporting on where LeBron James will end up.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner speaks with Versus cycling voice Phil Liggett about the Tour de France.

Over to Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel who got ESPN’s Lee Corso’s comments on the Big 12 and the conference machinations last month.

Stu Durando in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has ESPN’s Lou Holtz declaring independence for Notre Dame.

Bruce Pascoe from the Arizona Daily Star says impending media deals for the University of Arizona through the Pac 10 and on its own could lead to some windfalls for the school

Jon Weinbach of the Los Angeles Times is not a fan of the LeBron James Watch.

Artie Gigantino of the San Francisco Examiner feels former NFL Supervisor of Officiating Mike Pereira going to Fox is a good move.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says the Blue Jays announcers are a portrait in contrast.

The Sports Media Watch has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

SMW has various ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito says there’s an opportunity for a sports organization to own the 4th of July.

We’ll end it there.

Friday Megalinks, Part I

I’m going to do the Friday megalinks in two parts once again. I’m going to leave the office before 4 p.m. ET so I can get a few things done at home and then I’ll do the rest of the megalinks tonight then post some press releases. Once again, I’ll post the National and Northeast links first and the rest tonight.

July 4th weekend is a busy weekend with plenty of baseball, the World Cup quarterfinals, Breakfast at Wimbledon and NASCAR at Daytona. Check out when and what channels are showing the respective events in the Weekend Viewing Picks.

Now to your links.

National

Michael Hiestand in USA Today looks at the World Cup from a different perspective.

Fanhouse’s Milton Kent asks why are the Lakers’ Lamar Odom and wife Khloe Kardashian being considered for a reality TV show?

Milton also has some NFL TV and Radio news. 

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the value of arena naming rights especially when LeBron James is playing in said arenas.

Darren also looks at a big hot dog. This is not just any big hot dog.

The Nielsen Wire blog says that after the England-Germany World Cup game, there were plenty of calls worldwide for soccer to institute instant replay.

And Nielsen notes that official World Cup sponsors have gotten the attention back from ambush marketing conducted by Nike.

Mark Dolliver of Mediaweek says a new survey shows that most Americans aren’t following the World Cup very closely.

Gavin J. Blair of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the very first 3-D TV baseball game will be produced and viewed in Japan, just days before the first 3-D MLB broadcast in the US.

Glen Dickson of Broadcasting & Cable reports that a TV production company is unveiling a second 3-D truck that will be primarily used by ESPN 3D.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says Versus is prepping for multiplatform coverage of the “final” Tour de France for Lance Armstrong.

The Sports Media Watch has some various news and notes.

David Goetzl of Mediapost reports that Hispanic radio is seeing record ratings for World Cup broadcasts. 

Joe Favorito says the iron is hot for U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan to expand his brand.

Bill Gorman at TV by the Numbers says ESPN will once again air the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest live from Coney Island on the 4th of July.

Deadspin notes that ESPN is moving its magazine operations from New York to Bristol, CT next year.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Bob Raissman in the New York Daily News says MSG Network’s NBA free agent show turned out to be a mouthpiece for the Knicks’ effort to sign LeBron James.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post writes about beloved Cubs radio analyst Ron Santo.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says Time Warner Cable is moving YES and Golf Channel to more favorable channel positions.

Ken McMillan in the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says Army is shifting around its broadcast teams.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News writes that Donyell Marshall is leaving Comcast SportsNet to join the George Washington coaching staff.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV writes in Press Box that the Baltimore Ravens have penetrated the DC market with two radio affiliates in the District.

Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun says Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams is happy to have a DC radio affiliate for his school.

The Washington Examiner’s Jim Williams talks with Tennis Channel/NBC/ESPN2/BBC/7 Network tennis analyst John McEnroe about Breakfast at Wimbledon.

We’ll end it there for now. Links from the rest of the country and Canada coming up tonight.

Some Wednesday Links

Let’s do a few links on this Hump Day.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he looks at former NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira joining Fox Sports this fall.

Sean Leahy at USA Today’s The Huddle blog notes that ESPN is bringing back NFL Matchup in the fall. 

The Sporting News picks up a story written by John Ourand of sister publication Sports Business Journal about the upcoming bidding war for the Pac 10 TV rights.

Brian Lowry of FoxSports.com isn’t feeling World Cup fever.

Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reports that ESPN will utilize announcer Martin Tyler for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. 

Milton Kent of Fanhouse is critical of George Wayne’s interview of Erin Andrews in the latest issue of Vanity Fair. I gave my take on this last night.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Hoffer remembers the old Home Run Derby TV show.

Elizabeth Guider of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the NFL and kids network Nickelodeon are teaming up on a new animated, short form series that will run during football season.

Andrew Stewart of Variety says the movie companies are mildly surprised that they haven’t taken as big a hit as expected during the World Cup.

Marisa Guthrie from Broadcasting & Cable talks about Versus’ multiplatform coverage of the upcoming Tour de France.

Radio-Info.com says an ESPN Radio program director is leaving his post and moving back to his native Ohio. 

Us Magazine reports that former CBS Sports/Access Hollywood/Insider host Pat O’Brien (NSFW) is writing an autobiography about his tumultuous life.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says this year’s World Cup is definitely a TV hit.

Also from the Times, Jere Longman looks at Brazilian journalists who are not happy with restrictions in South Africa which prevent from their normal access to the national soccer team.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has ESPN’s MLB schedule through next Wednesday.

Pete also talks with NBC’s Dottie Pepper who will be home more often under a new schedule worked out with the network. 

Jerry Milani of the New Jersey Newsroom talks with the head of CBS College Sports. 

Jane M. Von Bergen in the Philadelphia Inquirer reports on University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Institute which is studying how people are accessing ESPN’s World Cup coverage. 

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with John Riggins about his return to DC radio and his MASN simulcast.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun Sentinel looks at the economic impact Super Bowl XLIV had on Miami and the surrounding areas.

Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel says it’s TV that made the power plays with the college conferences. 

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman reports that Ron Franklin, who had thought about retiring after last college basketball season, has signed a new deal with ESPN.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says local sports radio host Andy Furman gets another hosting opportunity with Fox Sports Radio.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business remembers former White Sox announcer Lorn Brown who passed away last week.

Doug Haller from the Arizona Republic says Arizona wants to host the Pac 10 football championship game and mentions that the conference’s football coaches will meet en masse with ESPN next month just before Media Day.

Jon Wilner in the San Jose Mercury News has the complete Pac 10 football TV schedule.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star writes that the NHL Draft on TSN made a run at the World Cup on CBC in the ratings.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the Raptors have signed a TV and radio deal that puts the NBA franchise on the combined Rogers Sportsnet/FAN 590 combo.

Sports Media Watch notes that Fox saw some poor numbers for last Saturday’s MLB games in primetime.

SMW has the weekend overnight ratings.

SMW has news on various network TV personalities.

And SMW has more ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NHL Network will be airing a whole slew of Stanley Cup clinching games this summer.

Dave Kohl at the Major League Programs blog says BBC Radio’s 5 Live will air its first MLB game ever on July 4.

That will do it.

Versus To Provide Multiplatform Coverage of Tour de France

With the Tour de France about to start, Versus gets out of NHL mode and into cycling mode. In addition, Lance Armstrong alleges that this will be his last Tour and we’ll all believe it when we see it. But here is Versus’ press release about the coverage that will span television, online and cell phones.

ON-AIR, ONLINE AND ON iPHONE-VERSUS’ 10TH YEAR OF TOUR DE FRANCE COVERAGE PROVIDES FANS WITH AN ALL-ACCESS PASS IN HD TO THE MOST EPIC RACE EVER

New York, N.Y. (June 29, 2010)-VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country and the exclusive television home of the Tour de France in the U.S., will begin its tenth year of wall-to-wall coverage of the most intense and grueling event in all of sports on Saturday, July 3, at 11:30 a.m. ET, live from Rotterdam, Netherlands. The 97th edition of the Tour de France is highlighted by cycling legend Lance Armstrong, riding for U.S.-based Team RadioShack, competing for his last chance to capture his historic eighth win.

On the heels of the hugely successful 2009 Tour which saw average viewership nearly double (up 98%) over the 2008 race, VERSUS will air an average of 14 hours of race action per day in full HD throughout the 23-day, more than 2,000-mile competition. Daily coverage includes live race action and an expanded primetime show. A complete schedule is available at www.VERSUS.com. Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the undisputed voices of cycling, will call all the race action and Frankie Andreu and Robbie Ventura will return as the field reporters. Craig Hummer and Bob Roll will host the pre-race and primetime show each day and night.

In the quest to deliver unprecedented access via unique production enhancements, VERSUS will have cameras on all U.S.-based team’s busses-RadioShack, HTC-Columbia, BMC and Garmin-Transitions-to give viewers an insider’s look at the team’s daily meeting as they prepare for the day’s stage. VERSUS will also have cameras in U.S.-team cars during race action showing viewers how the strategies and tactics are carried out. Other enhancements include a pointer feature which will easily identify and focus on one rider in the 200-plus peloton; exclusive, in-depth profiles and features on teams and riders such as Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck; advanced on-screen statistics/biometrics to illustrate the intensity at which the riders are competing; among others.

www.VERSUS.com, a critical part of the network’s un-matched and all-encompassing coverage, will once again be the official Tour website in the U.S. and the site has redoubled its 2010 offerings based on the huge surges in online usage during last year’s race. The 2009 Tour de France saw site traffic increase 117 percent over the 2008 race and served over 16 million videos, more than doubling the total for the 2008 competition (6.5 million) and nearly fives times as many from the 2007 race (3.4 million).

During the 2010 competition, for $29.95 via the “Tour Tracker” on www.VERSUS.com , viewers can access live streaming-offering a different perspective from the on-air coverage-from any computer and in full HD. The Tracker will allow viewers to pause and rewind live action and even access the full stage upon its completion via the on-demand feature. While watching online, viewers will have access to a live map, complete with GPS tracking, minute-to-minute updates on overall standings and rider positions, live chat and Twitter capabilities.

The network is also offering an iPhone app for cycling fans to access the Tour on-the-go on their 3.0 and 4.0 phones. The free app will provide access to highlight videos, detailed race results and standings as well as full course profiles. An app upgrade is also available for $14.99 in which fans can access live streaming video-on 3G or WiFi-without commercial interruption and the ability to access the full stage immediately following its conclusion via the on-demand feature. The live streaming is enhanced by real-time GPS tracking showing where the riders are on the course, including time gaps and breakaways, as well as minute-by-minute updates for each stage. While the application is currently available for download on iTunes and the iPhone app store, streaming video, live updates and rider lists will become available once the race begins on July 3.

VERSUS has partnered once again with MapMyRide.com (MMR) for the “Le Tour Challenge”-a competition which allows viewers to get on their bikes and compete “virtually” against actual race competitors and against other cyclists around the world during any given day’s stage for daily prizes.

More coming up.

Some Monday Press Releases to Post

I’ll provide some press releases while I can.

Here’s the interview CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta conducted with Lance Armstrong. This interview aired on today’s edition of American Morning.

In an interview that aired on today’s American Morning, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke exclusively with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, just after he took third place at the Tour de France this weekend. Armstrong spoke candidly about the challenges he faced after a four year break, drug tests, his critics and why he has committed to race in 2010.

Full transcript:

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Today has been a remarkable 22 days for Lance Armstrong right here in France. Tour de France started in Monaco, ended right here in Paris. Fans, cancer survivors from all over the world really cheering on the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Now I set on the board of Lance Armstrong, and I can tell you, after a four-year hiatus it was a big decision for him. I caught up with him just a few hours after he took third place at the Tour de France to talk about some of the challenges, to talk about some of the criticisms that have been waged against him, and how he responds to those and to simply ask him why he decided to get involved in all of this again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (on camera): Coming in first, is that something you thought about? I mean, did you care? You write it’s not about the bike. But do you care if you come in first or not?

LANCE ARMSTRONG, THIRD PLACE AT TOUR DE FRANCE: Well, I wanted to come in first. But sometimes in sports there’s somebody that’s better.

And I was that guy for seven years. And I never understood what it felt like to get second or third. I’m 38 now. And you race guys that are 24 or 25 or 26, and they’re fast, they’re strong. They have acceleration.

They have all of the things that you had at that age. And you get third. That’s what the great thing about the Tour is that the best man always wins.

GUPTA: How was this race different for you in terms of how you trained, what you ate? Were there differences compared to five years ago?

ARMSTRONG: Well, I used a lot of the same training, the same idea with diet. I mean, the only difference, I guess, is that I’m now 38 years old. So a 38-year-old man does not wake up every day like a 28-year-old. But I can’t even complain. I mean, I think I rode well.

GUPTA: Why come back after four years? What inspired this?

ARMSTRONG: Obviously, I have to have a love for the bike. I have to have a love for the Tour. Otherwise, this is too hard. It’s just way too damn hard to go out and do this. But my passion for fighting cancer and fighting it not just in Texas or the United States but around the world.

GUPTA: When you look at you the man, Lance, and the issue of cancer, do you think that people separate that? I mean, do they understand why you’re riding and why you came back?

ARMSTRONG: Yes, I think so. You know, these days it’s easy to get feedback. When people have a comment or have an issue, they let you know. And most of them are regarding cancer. So that tells me that the people understand. They’ve been affected either themselves or a loved one and they understand it. And then they say keep going. You know, pedal hard for them tomorrow. Pedal hard for my mom or my neighbor or my co-worker.

GUPTA: One of the things you mention — you talked a lot about during the whole tour was surprise test for doping. They just come and surprise you.

ARMSTRONG: They’re not surprises any more.

GUPTA: Not surprising — 40, I think over 40 tests.

ARMSTRONG: They’re 50 — they’re 50 now.

GUPTA: What do you say to the critics? What do you say to the skeptics now at the end of the tour?

ARMSTRONG: Look, I’ve done this a long time. And I’ve been at the highest level now since 1992 until 2009. I’ve been tested more than anybody else. If I can take four years off and come back at the age of 38 with more controls than anybody else on planet Earth and get third in the hardest sporting event in the world, I think we’ve answered the questions.

In what has become a cliched and hackneyed feature not just on ESPN, but on any media outlet, ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen will be reporting from 20 training camps in a span of 24 days.

Mort Goes to Camp: July 31- Aug. 23
Live Reports from 20 NFL Training Camps in 24 Days
Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen to Take Three-Week Road Trip

Senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen will take a three-week road trip to cover 20 NFL team training camps in 24 days, July 31 – Aug. 23. Mortensen will travel by bus across the country and provide news and information updates from around the league daily on SportsCenter, NFL Live and other ESPN platforms.

“This trip will give me the chance to see the country and many of the teams in the league up close, said Mortensen. “I look forward to visiting with coaches, players and the front-office staff of the teams, and interacting with many passionate football fans as they get ready for the new season.”

“Mort Goes to Camp” coverage will include daily appearances on SportsCenter and NFL Live, as well as Monday Night Countdown (before ESPN’s Monday Night Football preseason games on Aug. 13 and 17); reports on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (simulcast on ESPN2); blog items, video, interactive maps and daily post cards on ESPN.com; and regular updates on Twitter (@mortreport).

Mortensen’s tour will span some 6,400 miles, beginning with a visit to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 31. The tour will conclude Aug. 23 in Miami, which will host Super Bowl XLIV in February.

“Mort Goes to Camp” Schedule:
7/31 Dallas/Arlington, TX
8/1 Dallas Cowboys (San Antonio, TX)
8/2 New Orleans Saints (Metairie, LA)
8/3 Travel to Minnesota via Hattiesburg, MS
8/4 Minnesota Vikings (Mankato, MN)
8/5 Green Bay Packers (Green Bay, WI)
8/6 Chicago Bears (Bourbonnais, IL)
8/7 Indianapolis Colts (Terre Haute, IN)
8/8 Detroit Lions (Allen Park, MI)
8/9 Cleveland Browns (Berea, Ohio)
8/10 Pittsburgh Steelers (Latrobe, PA)
8/11 Philadelphia Eagles (Bethlehem, PA)
8/12 N.Y. Jets (Hempstead, NY)
8/13 ESPN (Bristol, CT)
8/14 N.Y. Giants (Albany, NY)
8/15 New England Patriots (Foxboro, MA)
8/16 Baltimore Ravens (Westminster, MD)
8/17 Washington Redskins (Ashburn, VA)
8/18 Tennessee Titans (Nashville, TN)
8/19 Atlanta Falcons (Flowery Branch, GA)
8/20 Jacksonville Jaguars (Jacksonville, FL)
8/21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Tampa, FL)
8/22 Miami Dolphins (Davie FL)
8/23 Miami, FL

We continue with ESPN and the motorsports events it will air this week.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Live from Pocono on ESPN

ESPN will have live, flag-to-flag coverage in high definition as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competes for 500 miles at the “Tricky Triangle,” Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., on Sunday, Aug. 2. The telecast is presented by Old Spice and begins with NASCAR Countdown at 1:00 p.m. ET. The race’s green flag is at 2:18 p.m.

The final 17 races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will air on the ESPN Networks, with the first six on ESPN and the final 11 on ABC, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

ESPN’s coverage from Pocono includes a live telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, July 31, at 3:27 p.m., and telecasts of two practice sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars on the 2.5-mile track, all on ESPN2. The first practice session airs Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m., while final practice airs at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

Also this week, ESPN Classic will air highlights of the 1988 Budweiser 400 from Riverside International Raceway on Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. The event was the final NASCAR race ever run at the famed California road course and was won by Rusty Wallace.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Makes Iowa Speedway Debut

ESPN continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend as the series races for the first time ever at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. The live, flag-to-flag telecast airs on ESPN on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. ET. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.

Also on Saturday, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie. Reporting from the pits will be Jack Arute, Mike Massaro and Rick DeBruhl.

ESPN Pit Reporters on NASCAR Now Roundtable

The four reporters who work the pits in ESPN’s coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Aug. 3, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Joining host Allen Bestwick will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch.

Mike Massaro slides into the host role for half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at 5 p.m., and then Nicole Manske hosts episodes airing Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m.

Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at 10 p.m. Marty Smith will report from Pocono for both programs. .

NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

NHRA Lucas Oil Series Action Monday on ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic airs two hours of drag racing action featuring the NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series on Monday, Aug. 3, beginning at 11 a.m. ET.

The first hour includes highlights from racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. A second hour airing at noon presents action from Englishtown, N.J.

These are the tournaments that Golf Channel will air this week.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

July 27 – August 2, 2009

Buick Open

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)/2 – 5 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday 1 – 2 p.m. (Live)/9:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live)/9:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Rich Lerner (Play by Play)

Frank Nobilo (Analyst)

Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)

Gary McCord (Tower)

Mark Lye (On Course)

Scott Walker (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes: Golf Central will recap the news and storylines from all of the tours, preview the Buick Open and deliver news and insight. Thursday – Sunday, Golf Central will broadcast live from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, delivering all of the comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the 2009 Buick Open in addition to the latest news from the Ricoh Women’s British Open and all golf’s major tours… Hosted by Kraig Kann and Brandel Chamblee on-site from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Golf Central Pre Game will prepare viewers for all of the action on the various golf tours with news, interviews and analysis. Saturday and Sunday, Golf Central Pre Game will air from 12:30 – 1 p.m. ET prior to GOLF CHANNEL’s lead-in coverage, and return for a second show from 2:30 – 3 p.m., preparing viewers for CBS Sports’ weekend action.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: The Ohio State University Golf Club, Columbus, Ohio

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Replay)/12:30 – 2:30 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday 7 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Jerry Foltz (Play by Play)

Curt Byrum (Analyst)

Kay Cockerill (Tower)

Phil Parkin (On Course)

Stephanie Sparks (On Course)

Moravia Silesia Open 2009

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: Prosper Golf Resort, Celadna, Czech Republic

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 9 a.m. – Noon (Live)

Friday 9 a.m. – Noon (Live)

Saturday 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Live)

Sunday 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Live)

HBO SPORTS DOCUMENTARY “ASSAULT IN THE RING” REVISITS THE ILL-FATED 1983 JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT BETWEEN BILLY COLLINS JR. AND LUIS RESTO WHEN IT DEBUTS AUG. 1 ON HBO

HBO Sports presents ASSAULT IN THE RING, a documentary about the ill-fated junior middleweight bout between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 1 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, the special explores the events that profoundly impacted the New York sports landscape and the world of boxing, and changed the lives of two athletes.

“This film will revisit one of boxing’s saddest days,” says Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. “But it’s a compelling story that we feel needs to be told, because so many lives were changed forever on that night at Madison Square Garden. This is an in-depth, comprehensive examination of that tragic event.”

“There were so many unanswered questions surrounding what really happened and who, if anybody, was responsible. What we discovered was much worse than had ever been imagined,” says director and producer Eric Drath. “However, what we ultimately found was a story that went far beyond fact-finding; what unfolded before our cameras is a story of redemption.”

ASSAULT IN THE RING revisits a boxing scandal considered one of the sport’s darkest hours, and traces a man’s despairing journey following his alleged involvement in a criminal plot. The documentary examines new evidence about this boxing match turned 30-minute assault, and reveals much more about the pre-fight activities of Luis Resto, his trainer Panama Lewis and the athletic commission representatives.

On June 16, 1983, undefeated prizefighter Billy Collins Jr. set out to fulfill every boxer’s dream of fighting in the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden. Collins’ opponent, Luis Resto of the Bronx, moving up from welterweight, had his own dream of rising to the occasion in front of hometown fans. But what began as a match that Nashville native Collins was favored to win changed both athletes’ lives – ending Collins’ career dreams and landing Resto in prison.

Resto seemingly reached a fighter’s ultimate goal by upsetting Collins, but his post-fight victory celebration was short-lived when it was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer, Panama Lewis, before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral. Resto gives his account of the story in the documentary.

Lewis, whose official career as a trainer came to an end that night, was also subsequently banned, and speaks for the first time in ASSAULT IN THE RING about the events of the fight and their impact. Others interviewed include: former New York State Athletic Commission chairmen Jack Prenderville, Randy Gordon and Ron Scott Stevens; members of the prosecution, defense and jury from the 1985 trial in New York, including former New York prosecutors John Bicks and Thomas Moore; attorneys Robert Beecher and Mickey Joseph; referee Tony Perez; New York State forensic scientist Charles Pampa; former New York City police detective James Rodriguez; Luis Resto’s sisters, Marta Resto and Susan Lopez; Luis Resto’s sons, Brian and Luis Jr.; and Billy Collins Jr.’s former wife, Andrea.

HBO Sports presents a Live Star Entertainment Production; director and producer, Eric Drath; for HBO: executive producers, Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; executive producer, Barry Murphy; supervising producer for HBO, Joe Lavine; writers, Aaron Cohen and Eric Drath.

CNBC will air a documentary this week in Ultimate Fighting.

The documentary will re-air on Friday, July 31st at 1AM and Sunday, August 2nd at 10PM ET.

It’s a hit business like no other. And CNBC is ready for a rematch.

Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premiere name in the sport of mixed martial arts.

CNBC takes a new look inside the biggest brand in brawling with “Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars,” a fresh take on CNBC’s original Emmy-nominated documentary from 2007.

Correspondent Scott Wapner travels to Germany for the UFC’s first-ever event in mainland Europe, and goes inside the Octagon with Dana White, the controversial front man, as well as billionaire backers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. Wapner also profiles a stable of skilled fighters who have helped the league grow from a dying franchise to a global sensation in less than a decade.

It’s not just the sport’s growing legion of fans who’ve taken notice, but Madison Avenue, too. In 2007, marquee brands were reluctant to advertise with a league that had a no-holds-barred reputation. Despite continued controversy, the UFC has gone mainstream, and Fortune 500 companies like Budweiser and Harley-Davidson are big-time backers.

The sport is becoming so popular and profitable that billionaires Mark Cuban and Donald Trump are throwing their hats into the ring. Their league, Affliction, promises top fighters and revenues to match, but Dana White tells Wapner that it’s just another in a long list of competitors he’s ready to take to the mat.

CNBC takes a look at the range of promotions, endorsements and movie deals tied to the sport, as well as at TapouT, the successful apparel company created by three hardcore fans who turned their passion for mixed martial arts into a $100 million dollar business.

It’s a mix of muscle and mayhem that is making money hand over fist.

“Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars” premieres Wednesday, July 29.

That’s going to do it for now.

Back to the Grind Links

As many of you return to work today, time for some linkage.

Starting with USA Today’s Michael Hiestand, he says ESPN will conduct an announcing experiment during tonight’s Dodgers-Cardinals game.

Mike Freeman from CBSSports.com, who wrote a book about problems at ESPN, writes that ESPN has put together a list of 100 banned reporters in regards to the Erin Andrews story. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Journal has an extensive look at the rise and fall of Nashville Predators co-owner Boots Del Biaggio.

Dan Steinberg of On the DL recaps an interview Fox Sports and MMA enthusiast Jay Glazer did with WNYC’s On the Media in his Sporting News column.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir recaps the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks about Nick Peters who was inducted into the Writers wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Neil loves Batting Stance Guy.

The angry Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says there’s no hiding the empty seats at Yankee Stadium.

To Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner who talks with Versus’ Phil Liggett about the 2010 Tour de France.

And Jim discusses the premiere of a new sports radio show on the local ESPN Radio affiliate.

Travis Sawchik from the Charleston (SC) Post and Courier says with the ACC starting its media days this week, the conference is now looking ahead to its TV negotiations in hopes of increasing its rights fees.

Paul Strelow of The State says ACC Commissioner John Swofford hopes to bridge the gap in TV rights money between the super rich SEC and the ACC which is now fallen to fifth of the 6 BCS conferences in TV money.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks back at the weekend in TV sports.

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel profiles ESPN Dictator George Bodenheimer.

From the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn congratulates former NBC/TSN/MSG Network analyst Tony Kubek on his enshrinement to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post talks with an FSN Rocky Mountain anchor/reporter who originally wanted to go into international business.

Jerry Crowe of the Los Angeles Times has Dodgers voice Vin Scully recalling the day where he caught his big break during a cold afternoon at Fenway Park back in 1949.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says there’s a double standard when it comes to judging female sportscasters.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star feels the Canadian Open deserves more TV coverage.

In the Batter-up with Bruno blog, Amanda Bruno talks about Gordon Edes of Yahoo! giving shoutouts to his former Boston Globe copy editors during the Orioles-Red Sox game on NESN.

Kristine Leahy has a new edition of The Five on WEEI.com.

That’s going to do it for today.

Some More Sunday Links

Here are some more links on this Sunday as I try to watch True Blood and not get attracted to Anna Paquin. Ever since I saw her in “The Piano”, I never gave her a thought as she was only a kid. Then I saw her in “Almost Famous” and couldn’t believe how much she had grown up. Now in True Blood, she’s so sexy, even with that gap in her teeth. Never thought I would think that about her, but man. Anyway, I’ll do the links before I get distracted.

Rob Oller of the Columbus (OH) Dispatch talks about the SEC Network encroaching into Big Ten Conference territory.

The Princeton (KY) Times-Leader writes that three local TV stations have signed up to show SEC Network games.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says swimming’s governing body’s decision on the LZR swimsuit could have far-reaching implications.

Stuart Levine from Variety says Versus’ new deal with the Tour de France is already paying off.

Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable says TV stations in Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York are getting ready to battle ESPN’s local websites when they start launching this year and next.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says prepare to watch Mel Kiper, Jr. in primetime next year.

The Daly Planet blog was disappointed in ESPN’s coverage of the Brickyard 400 today.

That’s it for now.

Videos of the Week – Tour de France

As the Tour de France ends today, I thought I would take a look back at how the Tour was covered on US TV some two decades ago. Thanks to Lance Armstrong, the popularity of the Tour has led to wall-to-wall coverage on Versus.

When CBS had the exclusive rights, it would only show coverage on weekends and maybe an hour recap on CBS Sports Spectacular. For many viewers, it was the only way to see the Tour. There was no cable coverage, ESPN had not seen the viability of the event. When ABC Sports took the rights of the Tour in the early 1990′s, it did similar coverage, only on the weekends.

Then a network called OLN, Outdoor Life Network got the rights in the late 1990′s and with the rise of Lance Armstrong, showed coverage every day and when he started winning, the awareness of the Tour rose as well. And of course, OLN became Versus and the Tour is a mainstay of the network every July.

But let’s take a look at how CBS covered the Tour de France in 1988, 21 years ago. Tim Brandt was the host in this segment. And the music was done by John Tesh, who many of you may not know began first as a TV news reporter, then moved to CBS Sports in the early 1980′s, then when on to Entertainment Tonight and called the 1992 and 1996 Olympics gymnastics competition for NBC.

See how different the coverage was back then. This is how Tim sets the scene for CBS’ start of three weeks of coverage.

This is where we see the legendary Phil Liggett explaining the players and what we’ll see coming into the 1988 Tour de France.

We continue with the scenesetters. In this part, we have interviews with former Tour winner Greg Lemond, the first U.S. winner of the Tour.

Here’s more of the scenesetter from CBS. Tim Brandt again is the main host.

CBS recaps the first week. Tim and Phil are your narrators.

Here’s more from Week 1 of the Tour.

Here’s another opening montage for CBS. This is leading to the final prologue to Paris. Of course, some things never change at the Tour as you’ll see.

And we move to the final week of the Tour with Tim and Phil. Again CBS recaps from the beginning. The music is from John Tesh.

CBS now goes to the Final Stage.

And we conclude the Final Stage.

That concludes your look at the Tour de France on CBS from 1988.

The Thursday Press Release Post

There are quite a few press releases to give you on the waning minutes of Thursday. Let’s give them to you.

First, the Big Ten Network prepares to hit the road in August to visit all of the schools in advance of football season.

‘Big Ten Football Tour’ Hits the Road Starting August 11

Revsine, DiNardo, Griffth go all-access with every Big Ten football team

CHICAGO – Eleven teams. Fifteen days. And 3,000 miles.

That’s how far the Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will travel to bring fans Big Ten Football Tour, a series of 11 90-minute shows devoted to a preseason football practice at every Big Ten university. The shows, which begin Aug. 11 and will air the same night as the practices at 10 PM ET, will feature a true, behind-the-scenes look at individual and team drills as Big Ten teams prepare for the 2009 season.

“As the new season approaches, Big Ten fans will love getting an all-access look at their team,” Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. “This will be a great opportunity to see how every football program is gearing up for the season.”

Revsine, DiNardo, Griffith and the Big Ten Network production crew will criss-cross the conference’s eight states in a customized, chartered bus. The bus will be branded with logos and air times for the network’s “Four Pack,” a quartet of new football shows that debut in September. The shows include Breakdown (Tuesdays, 10 PM ET), Sites & Sounds (Wednesdays, 10 PM ET), Behind the Schemes (Thursdays, 10 PM ET) and Big Ten Football and Beyond (Fridays, 10 PM ET).

Revsine will host the Big Ten Football Tour, while DiNardo and Griffith will provide on-the-field analysis of each team’s top newcomers, rising stars, important position battles and schedule. A coach or player will wear a wireless microphone during practice to give fans another perspective on the team’s preparation for the season.

The tour begins at Ohio State (Aug. 11), and continues at Penn State (Aug. 13), Michigan (Aug. 14), Michigan State (Aug. 15), Indiana (Aug. 17), Purdue (Aug. 18), Illinois (Aug. 19), Northwestern (Aug. 20), Wisconsin (Aug. 21) and Minnesota (Aug. 22), before wrapping up at Iowa (Aug. 25).

In addition to the on-the-field aspects, shows will include interviews with head coaches, coordinators and position coaches. Reporters Mike Hall, Rick Pizzo and Charissa Thompson will have post-practice interviews with key returning players, newcomers, former players or other special guests.

Fans along the Big Ten Football Tour route will have a chance to win football tickets and other Big Ten Network prizes by getting updates through the network’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The Big Ten Network also will produce a separate 30-minute football preview show for each Big Ten school. Those programs will premiere during the last week of August. The network will also air a two-part conference-wide preview show at 10 PM ET on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Preseason coverage for each school is listed below.

Illinois:

Aug. 19 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 29 – Illinois Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Indiana:

Aug. 17 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 28 – Indiana Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Iowa:

Aug. 25 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Iowa Football Preview (9:30 PM ET)

Michigan:

Aug. 14 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 26 – Michigan Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Michigan State:

Aug. 15 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 27 – Michigan State Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Minnesota:

Aug. 22 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Minnesota Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Northwestern:

Aug. 20 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 29 – Northwestern Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Ohio State:

Aug. 11 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 26 – Ohio State Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Penn State:

Aug. 13 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 27 – Penn State Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Purdue:

Aug. 18 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 28 – Purdue Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Wisconsin:

Aug. 21 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Wisconsin Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Old school NFL fans will remember the original incarnation of the NFL Today on CBS hosted by Brent Musberger with Phyllis George, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder and Irv Cross. From the late 1970′s through the late 1980′s, it was a ratings juggernaut beating NBC’s NFL pregame show like a drum every year. Of course, having the NFC package had a lot to do with that. The reason why I’m mentioning this is the fact that Irv Cross will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work on CBS.

FORMER CBS NFL ANCHOR IRV CROSS TO BE HONORED BY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

IRV CROSS, a nine-year defensive back with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, made history in 1971 when he became the first African American sports analyst on national television with CBS. Four years later he began a 15-year run as the first anchor of the network’s Emmy-Award-winning The NFL Today pregame show.

For his exceptional work on NFL telecasts, Cross will be honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement weekend in early August with the PETE ROZELLE RADIO-TELEVISION AWARD.

“The game means a great deal to me and I have a high regard for the people who made pro football what it is today,” Cross said. “I am humbled to have been selected as one of those in the radio-TV business to have had an impact on the game.”

Cross, currently the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, joins past Rozelle Award winners including ROONE ARLEDGE, JACK BUCK, DICK ENBERG, FRANK GIFFORD, JOHN MADDEN, and PAT SUMMERALL.

Next, Golf Channel tells us what it has in store programming-wise for the next week.

COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… July 27 – Aug. 2, 2009

Rebirth of New Orleans and Rehab for Wounded Warriors on Golf in America

Original Programming Premieres and Highlights

(All times eastern)

Golf in America

Video Preview: Golf in America

Time: Tuesday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Host: Anthony Anderson

The sixth episode of the 10-week series will feature:

· Bayou District Foundation: Rebirth in New Orleans– City Park was once home to 54 holes of municipal golf in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the facility. Four years later, the North Course is again open to the public, the first step of a rebirth for City Park and St. Bernard Parish. By following the model created by the revival of East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, New Orleans hopes to establish City Park as a championship golf course facility and revive the community. GOLF CHANNEL’s Rich Lerner gets a first-hand look at the facility and the vision for the community.

· Golf As Therapy for Wounded Warriors – For wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, golf serves as both mental and physical therapy. The National Amputee Golf Association teaches golf professionals, rehabilitation professionals and parks and recreation professionals, techniques and drills for teaching golf to veterans with disabilities. GOLF CHANNEL’s Steve Sands will visit with National Amputee Golf Association president Bob Wilson and the professionals at Fort Belvoir Golf Club near Washington, D.C., where they work the front line to help our wounded warriors get back into the swing of everyday life.

· Oakhurst Links – Established in 1884, Oakhurst Links is the oldest golf course in the United States. The fairways are maintained by grazing sheep, the tee-boxes are made of sand and the players wear knickers and use hickory-shafted clubs. Restored in 1994, the West Virginia course hosts the annual National Hickory Championship. Golf in America will give viewers an inside glimpse into the history of Oakhurst Links and will showcase how golf was played before modern technology took over during the 2009 National Hickory Championship in June.

Golf in America takes viewers coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people in capturing the spirit of the game of golf. The series, hosted by film and television actor Anthony Anderson, chronicles stories in stunning HD from celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump to everyday people across the country that are unified by the sport.

Playing Lessons from the Pros

Time: Monday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Host: Stephanie Sparks

PGA TOUR professional Rory Sabbatini and host Stephanie Sparks will play a round of golf at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, on a new episode of Playing Lessons From the Pros. Sabbatini will show viewers the keys to his stellar golf game and will delve into how he deals with pressure.

Top 10: Tiger Short Game Shots

Time: Tuesday 9 – 9:30 p.m.

Host: Lauren Thompson

Tuesday’s new episode of Top 10 will count down Tiger Woods’ top 10 short game shots, featuring insight from JB Holmes, Sean O’Hair, Chris DiMarco Rocco Mediate, Dan Hicks and Roger Maltbie. Notable shots to be featured include Woods’ chip-in on the 16^th hole at the 2005 Masters, his birdies on the 72^nd holes to win the 2008 and 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational tournaments and his birdie on the 72^nd hole to force a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open.

PGA TOUR Primetime

Time: Thursday-Friday 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.

GOLF CHANNEL’s Thursday and Friday coverage from the Buick Open will re-air on PGA TOUR Primetime from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. ET. Saturday and Sunday, GOLF CHANNEL will re-air CBS Sports’ weekend coverage from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. ET.

News and Talk Show Programming Highlights

Golf Central

Live Airings: Monday – Thursday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Friday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 1:30 – 2 a.m.

Saturday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Sunday 6 – 7 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Golf Central will recap the news and storylines from the RBC Canadian Open and all of the tours, preview the upcoming tournaments and deliver news and insight.Thursday – Sunday, Golf Central will broadcast live from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, delivering all of the comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the 2009 Buick Open in addition to the latest news from the Ricoh Women’s British Open and all golf’s major tours.

Golf Central Pre Game

Live Airings: Thursday – Friday 2:30 – 3 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday 12:30 – 1 p.m.; 2:30 – 3 p.m.

Hosted by Kraig Kann and Brandel Chamblee on-site from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Golf Central Pre Game will prepare viewers for all of the action on the various golf tours with news, interviews and analysis. Saturday and Sunday, Golf Central Pre Game will air from 12:30 – 1 p.m. ET prior to GOLF CHANNEL’s lead-in coverage, and return for a second show from 2:30 – 3 p.m., preparing viewers for CBS Sports’ weekend action.

The Golf Fix

Time: Monday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Michael Breed

GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced interactive instructional show will feature the key shots from the weekend, and highlight call-ins and emails from viewers during the show. GolfChannel.com will include a bonus segment following the conclusion of the live show on Monday.

The Approach with Callaway Golf

Time: Tuesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Hosts: Kraig Kann/ Analysts Andrew Magee and Alex Miceli

Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will recap the RBC Canadian Open, the Senior Open Championship and the Evian Masters and preview the Buick Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open in an entertaining and informative manner.

Grey Goose 19^th Hole

Time: Wednesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Vince Cellini/Analysts Jeff Rude and Rex Hoggard

Grey Goose 19^th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show will feature debates on the hot topics in golf coming out of the RBC Canadian Open, Senior Open Championship and the Evian Masters.

CBS SPORTS BULLETIN BOARD

CBS SPORTS PEDALS TO PARIS ON SUNDAY, JULY 26 AS LANCE ARMSTRONG TRIES TO WIN FINAL STAGES OF 2009 “TOUR DE FRANCE” FOR HISTORIC WIN

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR’s coverage of the 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE pedals into Paris for its final stages on Sunday, July 26 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; SD TAPE) in this hour-long recap on the CBS Television Network. American Lance Armstrong, making a comeback after winning seven consecutive Tours and falling to fourth place 3:55 behind Astana teammate Alberto Contador after 17 stages, looks to try and overcome three other riders ahead of him for an improbable and unlikely eighth win. Craig Hummer hosts the show, while Vic Frank serves as producer of CBS Sports’ coverage. Production support will be provided by Versus.

Harold Bryant is Vice President of Production, CBS Sports.

Not that you’ll watch, but ESPN wants you to know that the WNBA All-Star Game will be on ABC on Saturday in High Def, no less!

2009 WNBA All-Star Game in High Definition Saturday on ABC HD
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 to be Announced

The best-of-the-best from the East and West will face each other in the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Sunday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. ET, in high definition on ABC HD. Dave Pasch will call the ninth All-Star Game alongside analysts Nancy Lieberman and Carolyn Peck, with courtside reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo.

The Eastern Conference will feature All-Stars Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics, Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas of the Indiana Fever, and Candice Dupree and Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky. The Western Conference All-Stars will be led by starters Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Silver Stars and Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm.

Asjha Jones of the Connecticut Sun will be one of five former UConn stars suiting up for this year’s All-Star Game, the most by any university. The others include Western Conference All-Stars Sue Bird and Swin Cash of Seattle, Charde Houston of the Minnesota Lynx and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.

Lin Dunn, head coach of the Indiana Fever, will lead the Eastern Conference, while Dan Hughes, head coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars, will coach the West. Both head coaches, one player from each team and the lead referee will wear live microphones during the telecast. ABC’s production will also include the exclusive live announcement of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

To supplement ABC’s telecast of the game, ESPN.com will provide robust coverage of the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game with pre-game features from columnists Mechelle Voepel and Graham Hays, plus a new interactive social media site, which will include live-blogging from Voepel and Hays, tweets from ESPN TV personalities @RebeccaLobo, @NancyLieberman and @CAROLYNPECK and WNBA All-Stars, WNBA fan questions and comments, polls, photos, highlight video, ESPN Stats and Analysis research notes and more. WNBA All-Stars scheduled to participate: Alana Beard, Charde Houston, Cappie Pondexter, Sophia Young and Swin Cash.

That’s it for now.

Some Late Night Linkage

Time for some links on this Thursday.

Starting with the Associated Press which states that the American Sportscasters Association has named Lesley Visser as the top female sportscaster.

Here’s the release from the American Sportscasters Association and those who are ranked after Lesley.

Based on her career, I would agree with this. Lesley was the first female sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and was the first woman to host the Super Bowl trophy presentation. Lesley is also an excellent writer, worked for the Boston Globe and was taught by one of the best NFL reporters, Will McDonough. I cannot disagree with the ASA’s choice at all.

Comparing Lesley to Erin Andrews, Erin is more of a personality and I would not even begin to consider her as a journalist. In fact, she is becoming bigger than the event she covers which is a danger to any sports broadcaster. That’s when you start losing credibility and while I love looking at Erin and love posting and linking to her pictures, as a journalist, she hardly measures up to Lesley, Andrea Kremer or any of the pioneering women who are on the ASA list. In fact, she’s not even considered which would be correct in my mind. Putting on my journalist hat which I did wear in the 1980′s through the early 21st Century, I would consider Lesley, Andrea, Bonnie Bernstein, Andrea Joyce and Linda Cohn (misspelled on the ASA website!) fellow journalists. Erin who says TMZ.com is her favorite website cannot even be considered in the same league as the other women.

Off my soapbox now. To the other links

ESPN’s Ron Franklin tells Mel Bracht of the Oklahoman that he’ll retire after the 2010 NIT.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Phil Ivey in the World Series of Poker’s last table will bring the ratings for ESPN.

Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch says Comcast is pleased over the preliminary numbers for Red Sox on Demand.

Over to Neil Best of Newsday says WFAN remains the sports king in New York. Neil writes about the whole shenanigans at Mad Dog Radio. And Neil says YES and SNY are grabbing ratings for their baseball coverage.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says a local sports talk show will replaced with national programming next week as the host will be on vacation.

Ray Frager of the Sports Media Journal feels that Twitter is not for everyone.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that it’s Tom Watson’s wish to be playing at the Open Championship on Sunday instead of working for ESPN.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times reports that Australia is looking to ban alcohol sponsorship of sporting events.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News previews a Friday column on TVG trackside reporter and host Christina Olivares.

The Pacific Business News reports that Hawaiian Airlines has been named the sponsor of the inaugural Diamond Head Classic, a college basketball tournament owned by ESPN Regional Television.

Last night, I linked to a story in Mediapost which stated ESPN is using clips of SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt to sell upfront spots. It just so happens I have found the site that contains those clips.

Tonight, Wayne Friedman of Mediapost says Versus continues to rack up good ratings for the Tour de France.

Sports business writer Evan Weiner writes that network TV contracts could be responsible for labor actions by the NFL and the NBA in 2011.

John Consoli of Mediaweek says it was Cartoon Network that helped TNT cement its long-term contract for the PGA Championship.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says St. Louis supported the All-Star Game with high viewership.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media suggests 10 NHL games Versus should air.

A couple of programming notes.

On Friday, Jessie Karangu, a 16 year old internet radio talk show host will speak with UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghe and Jessie has asked me to plug his show which I will do. The show starts at 7 p.m. (I believe that is Eastern time) and you can call in and ask questions of the UFL Commish.

Also on Friday, ESPN’s Outside the Lines has obtained some interesting tape in regards to the Pacman Jones case:

ESPN has obtained never-before-released documents, as well as video of Adam “Pacman” Jones “making it rain” in a Las Vegas strip club, which precipitated a melee that ended in a triple shooting outside the club. The video, evidence jurors are likely to see when Jones takes the stand as a witness, will run Friday on ESPN.com, live SportsCenters, 3 p.m. Outside the Lines and ESPNEWS

I do respect the work of Outside the Lines, so I’ll give that a plug as well.

See you Friday.