Fang's Bites

The Pre-Olympic Linkage

The Olympics get started tomorrow with women’s soccer action and while the Games don’t officially begin until Friday with the Opening Ceremony (live in most countries except the United States), today is really the calm before the Olympic storm. Starting tomorrow and going through August 12, this site will be awash in Olympics sports media coverage as it was in 2008 for Beijing and 2010 in Vancouver. While I’ll be covering other sports media news, I’ll be focusing on NBC’s coverage, the business of the Olympics and other news out of London. I hope you’ll continue to visit.

Ok, let’s do the linkage. It’s time to bring it back. I was doing so well last week, six straight days of links, then last Friday, I got bogged down with family stuff and wasn’t able to do what I wanted to. Sometimes that happens. Time to take life back now.

Starting with the great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated, he has his Media Power List for July.

Ed Sherman of the Sherman Report talks with Big Ten Network’s President about doing an about-face and covering the Penn State story wall-to-wall on Monday.

Ed talks with NBC Olympics Executive Producer Jim Bell who takes the reins from his mentor, former NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol, for London.

Sports Business Journal interviews the President of the Jacksonville Jaguars about stadium technology and the NFL Blackout policy.

Daniel Frankel of paidContent says the next sports network carriage dispute will be between the Pac-12 Networks and the two major satellite TV providers.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says NBC will provide an Olympics “Red Zone Channel” that will be online-only.

Shira Ovide of the Wall Street Journal says NBC will delay the Olympics Opening Ceremony and it won’t be seen live on cable or online.

The Big Lead says ESPN lured Brett McMurphy away from CBSSports.com to become one of its college football insiders.

Gabriel Beltone of Adweek looks at some of the best Olympic ads thus far.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says CBS Sports Network will piggyback on CBS’ coverage of the PGA Championship and US Open tennis.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age writes that the Penn State scandal could hurt the school’s marketability down the road.

David Goetzl at MediaPost says McDonald’s has begun its Olympic marketing campaign.

Steve McClellan at MediaPost writes that the Olympics help brand awareness.

Evan Weiner of Examiner.com says the International Olympic Committee should honor the Israeli athletes who were massacred during the 1972 Munich Games.

Sports Video Group notes that the MLB At Bat mobile and tablet app had its 5 millionth download.

Merrill Knox of TVSpy says a former Washington DC sports anchor returns home to the Bay Area.

Excellent story from Jason Schwartz of Boston Magazine on the hard fall of Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios. Nothing to do with sports media, but very good reporting.

The Boston Bruins announced Monday that it has signed an extension with radio flagship WBZ-FM.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says you’ll be able to see all of NBC’s live Olympics streams, provided you sign up.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks about Sports Illustrated coming to TV.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says the Open Championship received its highest overnight rating in four years.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that NBC’s Olympic specialty channels will be picked up locally.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Comcast will be all over the Olympics on its cable platforms.

David Selig of the Baltimore Sun says an Orioles pitching prospect will be featured on tonight’s premiere of Sports Illustrated on NBC Sports Network.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that the area’s sports radio stations are getting ready for the Robert Griffin III era in DC.

Dan notes that Maryland’s field hockey coach Missy Meharg who will be an Olympics analyst for NBC.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci who will be a part of the magazine’s TV premiere tonight.

KSAT-TV in San Antonio named Jessica Ghawi an honorary member of its sports department. She was one of the 12 victims killed in the Aurora, CO movie theater massacre.

Jerry Garcia of the San Antonio Express-News writes about the KSAT honor for Jessica.

Paul M. Banks of Chicago Sports Media Watch says MLB Advanced Media is bad for baseball.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says NBC’s Olympic coverage begins and ends with the Holy Diminutive One, Bob Costas.

Ben Fong-Torres of the San Francisco Chronicle profiles Ron Barr and his Sports Byline USA network which keeps plugging along from the Bay Area in a world dominated by ESPN Radio.

Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing says Big Ten Network got the job done in covering the Penn State sanctions on Monday.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says ESPN should air TSN’s SportsCentre to gain street cred with hockey fans.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider’s Sports page notes that the Olympics helped to transform one of London’s seedier neighborhoods into a showcase.

And that’s going to do it.

Doing Some Tuesday Linkage

I was expecting to be out of the office today, but with the temperatures over 90 in Southern New England, being inside with air conditioning is probably the way to go today. I hope wherever you are, you’re staying cool and away from the sun.

I have some links.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter says the BBC is defending the size of its staff devoted to covering the London Olympics pointing out that NBC is bringing almost four times BBC’s number.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable writes that ESPN has hired an internationally-known soccer journalist to bolster its website.

Tim says Golf Channel has made a couple of hires.

George Winslow at Broadcasting & Cable writes that the Pac-12 Networks have selected Cisco to distribute video throughout its systems.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says a US-based martial arts network is attempting to gain a foothold in Europe.

Gabriel Belton of Adweek looks at a new Olympics-themed ad from GlaxoSmithKline.

Rupal Parekh at Advertising Age says Ralph Lauren is taking a huge PR hit over its “Made in Communist China” US Olympic Opening Ceremony uniforms.

Michelle Smith of espnW profiles Lydia Murphy-Stephens who’s helping to launch the Pac-12 Networks.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin notes that NBC’s Today Show ran video of the wrong man during an interview with Philadelphia Eagles’  quarterback Michael Vick.

John Koblin of Deadspin says Sports Illustrated will not run an excerpt of Joe Posnanski’s upcoming book on Joe Paterno.

Ed Sherman in The Sherman Report says a promotional video for Posnanski’s book seems to be seriously outdated in the wake of the Freeh Report released last week.

Joe Lucia of Awful Announcing explores whether Baseball Night in America was a ratings success for Fox.

Matt Yoder of AA talks with ESPN tome author James Andrew Miller in a podcast.

And Matt speaks with Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel about Penn State and the BCS in a new podcast.

How about one more podcast? Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina interviews Fox’s Erin Andrews on why she left ESPN.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy explores whether the NHL’s new TV deals with NBC and HBO could prevent a prolonged lockout unlike the last one which wiped out an entire season.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times says the Freeh Report shows that journalists cannot take a college football program at face value.

Also at the National Sports Journalism Center, Michael Bradley blasts ESPN and Big Ten Network for their coverage of the Freeh Report.

Sports Video Group looks at a company that is streaming the Olympics to 70 countries worldwide.

Cork Gaines of the Business Insider Sports Page says ESPN actually censored its own Body Issue cover of New England  Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski this morning.

Newsday’s Neil Best ventures into NBC’s “Billion Dollar Lab” for the 2012 Olympics.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY notes that WFAN’s Mike Francesa tops the Talkers Magazine Heavy Hundred Sports Radio Talk Show Hosts.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty discusses Golf Channel’s new hires.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom says the NFL is pricing out the regular fan.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning News says a former Eagles and Steelers offensive lineman is now working for NFL Films.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun is telling readers that Taylor Teagarden’s inadvertent “S” bomb after the Orioles win over Detroit on Fox Saturday is not a big deal.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog looks at where the local sports radio talkers rank on Talkers Heavy Hundred List.

Dan has video of a new Robert Griffin III commercial.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner explores the Nationals’ TV and radio ratings.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman notes that native Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers will be profiled on HBO’s Real Sports tonight.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer has video of Charlie Sheen appearing with Joe Morgan (?) on Jay Leno’s Show of Hacks.

Paul M. Banks of Chicago Sports Media Watch says ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue included a local Olympic volleyballer.

The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Chris Scott says the site’s own online TV service will be live from the Del Mar Racetrack this week for Opening Day.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that the White House had trouble transcribing ESPN’s Mark Jones’ interview of President Obama during last night’s USA vs. Brazil pre-Olympic basketball exhibition game.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says NHL fans may not see hockey until at least Thanksgiving at the earliest.

Paulsen at Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

That’s going to end the links for today.

Let’s Break Out Some Monday Linkage

Here’s the Monday linkage wrapped in a nice bow for you.

From Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand and Michael Smith, they report that ESPN will pay an average of $80 million per year to air the Rose Bowl. That more than doubles the current contract which pays $30 million.

Liz Mullen of SBJ says a noted movie studio is forming a sports talent agency further melding Hollywood and athletics.

Also from Sports Business Journal, Chris Botta notes that Brooklyn is ready and waiting if the New York Islanders can’t find a new home on Long Island

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Bill Walton returns to national TV through ESPN as he’ll become the network’s analyst for Pac-12 basketball games.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that the early sign up numbers for NBC’s Olympic apps are encouraging.

Mike says NBCUniversal is looking to make the 2012 London Games a truly digital experience.

Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report talks with NBC’s Bob Costas about turning 60.

Talkers Magazine, the so-called Bible of Talk Radio, lists its 2012 Heavy 100 of Sports Talk. I agree with Mike Francesa and Dan Patrick in the Top 3, the rest I have issues with including a few in the New England area, plus why is Joe Morgan on the list? And there are only two women.

Lisa O’Carroll of the London (UK) Guardian says Britain’s oldest and largest black newspaper has been denied credentials to the Olympics Stadium for the track & field events.

George Winslow from Broadcasting & Cable notes that it’s expected that social media will be heavily used for the Olympics.

Matt Rudnitsky of SportsGrid notes that ESPN’s Captain Blowhard and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban are engaging in the next Great Twitter feud.

Brian Clapp at Sports TV Jobs wonders how NFL Network’s new morning show can sustain fresh content over a four hour period every day.

Kirk Minihane of WEEI.com tackles the question over whether the Boston Red Sox should fire advisor Bill James over his comments on ESPN Radio about Joe Paterno and the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

If it’s Monday, then it must mean that the New York Post’s Phil Mushnick is in a bad mood about something.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that Syracuse has negotiated an early exit to the ACC from the Big East Conference.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that ESPN is starting its weekday coverage of the Open Championship earlier than previously announced.

DCRTV’s Dave Hughes writing in Press Box talks about the friendship that has developed between MASN’s Washington Nationals studio team of the great Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog noticed that Democratic gargoyle strategist James Carville wore a Nats t-shirt on MSNBC over the weekend.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times has a look back at the weekend in sports television.

Mike Herndon of the Mobile (AL) Press-Register writes about the SEC releasing its early-season football TV schedule.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle looks back at the ten years since the failed US Olympic bids for the 2012 Games.

David imagines what if Houston had been awarded the 2012 Olympics.

Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post says the Penn State scandal has been the talk of the town.

Matthew T. Hall at the San Diego Union-Tribune wants to organize a fan protest on the lack of movement on getting Padres games on local TV.

Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News has your weekly sports calendar.

Sports Media Watch looks at Bill Walton making his return to ESPN.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media suggests how the NHL Network can stop the inexorable amount of game reruns during the summer.

Cork Gaines from the Business Insider’s Sports Page says MLB Advanced Media gave a hollow apology for a system-wide outage preventing fans from watching MLB.TV online Friday.

Emmett Jones at Sports Business Digest says truTV has given the go to a Shaquille O’Neal-fronted viral video show.

This is where we’ll end the links for today.

Providing Your Thursday Linkage

Looks like I’m going to be busy today so I’m going to do the linkage a bit early for me at least.

David Bauder of the Associated Press writes that even though he’s no longer NBC Sports Emperor, Dick Ebersol’s presence will still be felt at the London Olympics.

Michael Hiestand at USA Today says NBC will utilize Late Night’s Jimmy Fallon and Shaun White as guest commentators during the Olympics.

Reid Cherner of USA Today writes that ESPN the Magazine has released the roster for its annual “Body” issue.

Alex Sherman of Bloomberg says NBC Sports Network is the key to Comcast turning a profit when NBC’s new Olympic deal begins in 2014.

Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter says NBC is hoping the Olympics will give its struggling Today show a ratings boost.

Scott Roxborough in the Reporter writes that the EURO 2012 semifinal between Spain and Portugal set a ratings record in Europe.

Neil Reynolds of Sky Sports in the UK has New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft lobbying for an NFL franchise in London and increasing the amount of regular season games in the UK from one to two.

George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable reports NBC expects to lose money on the London Olympics.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says NBCUniversal is pushing people to authenticate in order to watch the Olympics online.

Anthony Crupi at Adweek looks at NBC’s nearly $1 billion take from Olympic ad sales.

Rocco Pendola of The Street wonders if NBC can make a run at ESPN.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report notes how polarizing Chris Berman can be.

Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid doesn’t quite understand the vitriol thrown Berman’s way.

Natan Edelsburg at Lost Remote says NBC is making the London Olympics a truly social media experience. That will make Bob Costas so happy to read Twitter and Facebook promos.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC’s going all in online at the Olympics.

Jack Bell at the Times looks at ESPN’s EURO 2012 ratings.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY notes that the NBA Finals beat Mets-Yankees in New York.

Jerry talks with the first voice ever to be heard on WFAN when it launched 25 years ago.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Buffalo Sabres TV voice Rick Jeanneret will do the entire team’s schedule.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says even with a new playoff system, there will still be debates in college football.

In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas about tonight’s NBA Draft.

Ron Green, Jr. of the Charlotte Observer also talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas about the Bobcats’ choices at the Draft.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have changed flagship radio stations.

W. Scott Bailey of the San Antonio Business Journal says local native Michelle Beadle has come a long way from covering Professional Bull Riding.

Ryan Sharp at The Oklahoman has proof that the Big 12 pursued Notre Dame to increase its TV value.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman reviews the weekend’s TV ratings.

Paul M. Banks in Chicago Sports Media Watch wonders what will happen to the BCS brand now that a college football playoff is firmly in place.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Fox Sports San Diego will air November’s Syracuse-San Diego State college basketball game on board the USS Midway.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the West Coast is getting screwed again with NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Trials.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the viewership for the NHL Draft and NHL Awards Show was down.

The Brothers Yoder at Awful Announcing have some random sports that ESPN should televise and I totally agree with the number one choice.

And that’s going to do it for the linkage today.

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.

A Few Tuesday Sports Media Thoughts

Time for some sports media thoughts. These have been percolating in my head all day Monday. It’s fine time to pour them out and have you peruse through them. As always, they’re in bullet form.

• Monday’s announcement from NFL Network regarding its new morning show could be a game changer for sports television. If “NFL AM” is successful, it could lead other sports networks to follow NFL Network’s lead. But if the show fails to catch on, then it will be back to the status quo with repeats of the previous night’s highlights program. With “NFL AM” set to launch on July 30 from 6-10 a.m. ET, one wonders if there will be enough content to fill the time, but as a director once told me when I was working at a Providence TV station, “Have no fear. We’ll find a way to fill the show. I’ve never had a half-hour of black,” meaning he never had to show a blank screen. That will have to be the philosophy of NFL Network for “NFL AM”. Plus with people going to work and school, not everyone will see the entire four hours.

  If the show works, I can see other league-owned channels attempting similar ventures. MLB Network’s Quick Pitch airs on a loop on most days from 1 a.m. – noon ET. That’s too long. An MLB Network morning show could work as would a morning NBA program.

  But before we get to the point of multiple live morning sports programs, “NFL AM” has to get off the ground successfully. By this time next year, we’ll have an idea whether NFL Network’s “NFL AM” is a success or a failure.

• When I began this site five years ago, Erin Andrews was the darling of the sports blogosphere. Any picture or even a slight mention of her would increase a site’s traffic. There was a reason why she was nicknamed “Erin Pageviews”. Before she re-signed with ESPN in 2010, Erin seemed to be in demand. Her star never shone brighter and it appeared that she could have the pick of any job.

  Now cut to 2012 and it appears Erin is no longer the darling of sports bloggers. Others like Michelle Beadle, Jenn Brown, Charissa Thompson and Molly Qerim et.al. have become favorites as well. This isn’t to say that the Internet is ignoring her, TMZ still pays attention even speculating that she had a boob job. And she was referenced twice in the premiere of the new HBO series, “The Newsroom”.

  Deadspin which once championed her (and was the first to link to the infamous hotel room video in 2009) came out with an article this month pointing out that Ms. Andrews seemingly has no place to go other than ESPN.

  Deadspin reported that Erin is no longer working for Good Morning America and she’s removed the reference to GMA from her Twitter bio.

  Does this necessarily mean that Erin has no other place to go than ESPN? If you believe the speculation from Deadspin and The Big Lead, the answer is yes. But does it mean that she hasn’t had any other offers or couldn’t get work if she decided to walk away from Bristol, CT?

  She can still attract viewers and page views. The NHL thought Erin had enough star power to invite her to its annual awards show last week and present two trophies. Could a league-owned channel like NHL Network find room for Erin? I’m sure it could if the opportunity was presented. But we have not heard of any offers asides from her present employer.

  Overall, I still think Erin can move the meter on the Internet and she’ll continue to so for a while. Just for how long she’ll be at ESPN is anyone’s guess.

• Without any EURO 2012 action until Wednesday’s semifinal game between Spain and Portugal, I went into soccer withdrawals. International soccer is a sport that ESPN continues to excel. Understated coverage with Bob Ley heading the studio and Ian Darke the main play-by-play man, I can easily say this is a Golden Age for soccer on American television. Couple this with having Martin Tyler calling English Premier League games on Fox Soccer and fans have been hearing some of the best announcing of the sport.

  Granted, we get hiccups like Fox’s silly dumbing down of the Champions League Final last year, but overall, the coverage on ESPN, Fox Soccer and Gol TV has been good.

  With ESPN having just the FIFA World Cup in Brazil left to broadcast, it is setting the bar very high. Fox will have a long ways to go to match ESPN’s coverage and while this year’s Champions League Final was an improvement over 2010, the network will have a big hill to climb to equal or surpass the Alleged Worldwide Leader on soccer.

• Count me as one who loved the premiere of “The Newsroom” on Sunday. I enjoyed Jeff Daniels as the erascible anchor Will McAvoy and Emily Mortimer as his idealistic Executive Producer MacKenzie McHale. Yes, in typical Aaron Sorkin fashion, some of the dialogue was overwritten, but I enjoyed the show and I hope it has a long life on HBO. As long as Sorkin doesn’t go overboard on preaching, I think the show will do just fine.

I went longer than I expected on the thoughts. That’s to your benefit.

NHL Network To Air Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement

Tomorrow, NHL Network in the US will pick up TSN2′s airing of the Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement at 3 pm. ET. Here’s NHL Network’s press release.

NHL NETWORK U.S. TO SIMULCAST 2012 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW AT 3 P.M.

NEW YORK (June 25, 2012) -–  NHL Network U.S. will simulcast TSN2’s live coverage of the 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement tomorrow, June 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

2012 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement will be made by Bill Hay, Hockey Hall of Fame CEO and Chairman of the Board, along with Co-Chairs of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee Jim Gregory and Pat Quinn.

Some of the first-year eligible players for the Hockey Hall of Fame include Joe Sakic, Brendan Shanahan, Mats Sundin, Jeremy Roenick, Curtis Joseph, Gary Roberts and Claude Lemieux.

TSN’s Steve Kouleas hosts the coverage and is joined by TSN and NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson and Steve Dryden, Managing Editor of NHL on TSN. Reporter Ryan Rishaug will report live from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

NHL Live at 5:00 p.m. ET and NHL Tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET will provide additional coverage of the announcement.

For more information on NHL Network, visit nhlnetwork.com.

That will do it.

NHL Draft Starts on NBC Sports Network, Ends on CNBC & NHL Network

Tonight, the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh will air on three outlets. The first round will air on NBC Sports Network starting from 7 – 9 p.m. ET. At 9, NBC Sports Network will move to U.S. Olympic Trials coverage airing the Track & Field trials. The NHL Draft will move to CNBC and NHL Network which will simulcast TSN’s coverage.

We have the blurb from NBC Sports regarding the Draft.

2012 NHL DRAFT BEGINS AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

NBC Sports Network to air first two hours of the first round; CNBC to air final hour

NEW YORK — June 21, 2012 – The 2012 NHL Draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. ET with first-round coverage on NBC Sports Network from Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. NBC Sports Network will carry the first two hours of the first round (7-9 p.m. ET) with the final hour airing on CNBC. The NHL Network will also simulcast the Draft beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

For the 50th time in NHL history, teams and executives will come together to select the next generation of hockey players. Top prospects for this year’s draft; include right winger Nail Yakupov with the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League, defenseman Ryan Murray, the No. 2-ranked North American skater with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (Canada), and center Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Edmonton Oilers have the first pick.

That’s all.

Some Thursday Links

After an outage that ruined things from Sunday through Tuesday and being busy yesterday, my goal to have links every day this week has gone out the window. However, I can get a few links out to you today.

Let’s get to them.

Starting with Ed Sherman from the Sherman Report who talks with ESPN resident Prince of Darkness Vince Doria who not only hates Twitter, but is concerned that the social media site could bring “diminished standards.” No, hiring Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith brings “diminished standards.”

Ed feels ESPN’s hiring of Darren Rovell away from CNBC is a good move for all sides.

Christopher Botta and John Ourand from Sports Business Journal write that despite having ratings downturns for the NHL Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final, NBC and its sponsors are happy with the results.

Christopher notes that a budding Northwest US MLS rivalry is bringing excellent sponsor activation in the region.

At the Bleacher Report, Dan Levy asks ESPN to respond to the heavy viewer criticism brought forth to the network every time Chris Berman does the U.S. Open.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says the ESPN Family is doing well with EURO 2012.

Peter Kafka at All Things Digital writes that the on-again/off-again Turner purchase of the Bleacher Report seems to be on again. I promise my friends over at Bleacher Report that I won’t publish the Tsunami screengrab like Deadspin does.

Speaking of Deadspin, John Koblin tells us that CNBC’s Darren Rovell, will be getting $500,000 from Disney to work at ESPN and ABC News.

The Big Lead notes that Jalen Rose will be heading to the basketball version of ESPN’s College Gameday.

Simon Dumenico of Advertising Age notes the high amount of Tweets devoted to Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Media Life Magazine notes NBC’s ratings for last weekend’s US Open.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com says while Roger Clemens was acquitted by a jury of his peers, he still has to get by the Hall of Fame jury known as the Baseball Writers of America.

Lance Venta at Radio Insight reports that with CBS Radio starting a new sports network, ESPN Radio will lose two affiliates in Florida.

To espnW where Amanda Rykoff went to an event which honored women in sports business including Kim Williams, the Chief Operating Officer of NFL Network.

Matt Rudnitsky at SportsGrid says today is D-Day for many Sports Illustrated employees. Godspeed to them.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group looks at how TNT tries to expand the fan experience during its six NASCAR Sprint Cup productions.

Jerry Barmash of FishbowlNY talks with MSG Network’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier about his popularity among Knicks fans.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says SNY’s Gary Cohen will be taking two rare days off this week.

Ken says WFAN will be airing Team USA Olympic basketball games.

And Ken talks about the launch of CBS Sports Radio.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says the Philadelphia Phillies’ troubles have become fodder for the local talk shows.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle notes that the city is about to get its 5th sports radio station thanks to the new CBS Sports Radio.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says Game 4 of the NBA Finals set another local ratings record.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Reds’ ratings are up and they’re being noticed by Fox Sports.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Brewers analyst Bill Schroeder will work Saturday’s game against the White Sox for a different audience.

Paul M. Banks of Chicago Sports Media Watch says Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper guest tweeted on the White Sox official account this week.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily has begun a list of the top sports media voices of the landmark Title IX that gave women the opportunity to play sports. His first honoree is sports broadcasting pioneer Donna de Varona. Next is Mary Carillo. She’s followed by Ann Ligouri. Pam Ward is next. Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale follows. Read about Jeannine Edwards. Then look at the bio of Christine Brennan. Then there’s Michele Tafoya. Then Jamie Little. Next is Suzy Kolber. And she’s followed by Sally Jenkins. Great stuff by Tom.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail reports that the NHL doesn’t want Maple Leafs rightsholders Rogers and Bell to form a consortium to bid for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and they’ve been told to provide separate bids.

Michael Hill from Dolce Vita magazine profiles CTV Olympic host Brian Williams (not to be confused with NBC’s Brian Williams) about the many Games he has hosted over the years for either CBC or CTV.

Sports Media Watch speculates that NBC could be moving its NHL Game of the Week to Saturday afternoons for the 2012-13 season.

Tony Manfred at the Business Insider Sports Page has a slideshow on ESPN’s Erin Andrews who remains a free agent at this time.

Joe Favorito looks at the NBA possibly shutting the door on its players participating in the Olympics.

And that will do it for us today for the links.

NBC Sports Network & CBC Air 2012 NHL Awards

My apologies for the site being down for most of Monday and all of today. Unfortunately, it took all day to get this site working again. I thank you for your patience through this really frustrating day for the site.

Let’s post two press releases in one post.

On Wednesday, NBC Sports Network and CBC will air the 2012 NHL Awards live from Las Vegas. NBCSN airs it live at 7 p.m. ET while CBC airs it an hour later.

After last year’s disaster with extreme hack job Jay Mohr hosting, the NHL decides to bring in another horror show in Nickelback to perform two songs live.

In addition, viewers will be subject to Pierre McGuire presenting an award. I’m sure fans all over North America will be muting their TV’s as Pierre will wax poetic about frozen ponds, lost youth, junior hockey, college programs and lost teeth all before handing out whatever award he’s doling out.

There will be plenty of celebrities to hand out hardware and ESPN’s Erin Andrews makes her first appearance ever on the NBC Sports Network and CBC.

Here’s NBC Sports Network’s press release.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK TO AIR LIVE COVERAGE OF 2012 NHL AWARDS TOMORROW

Awards air at 7 p.m. ET from Las Vegas

NEW YORK — June 19, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group continues its coverage of the NHL with live coverage of the star-studded 2012 NHL Awards on NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET this Wednesday live from the Wynn Las Vegas.

The 2012 NHL Awards celebrate the season’s best performances in categories including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy). The winner of the EA Sports NHL 13 Cover Athlete will also be unveiled live. NBC Sports Group NHL analysts Pierre McGuire and Eddie Olczyk will be presenters.

American Music Award and Billboard Music Award winner Nickelback will headline the 2012 NHL Awards with two live performances on the Encore Theatre stage at the Wynn. NHL Award nominees, NHL legends and celebrities such as actors Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”), Ray Liotta (“All Things Fall Apart,” “Killing Them Softly,” Goodfellas”), Adam Pally (“Happy Endings”), and professional dancer and TV personality Cheryl Burke (“Dancing with the Stars”).

Burke, Liotta, Pally and Stonestreet join previously announced presenters actors Kevin Connolly (“Entourage”), Colin Hanks (“Dexter,” “The Good Guys”), Joshua Jackson (“Fringe”), Cory Monteith (“Glee”), Matthew Perry (“Go On,” “Friends”), Vince Vaughn (“The Watch,” “Wedding Crashers,” “The Break-Up”) and Michael Vartan (“Hawthorne,” “Alias”); Hockey Night in Canada’s Andi Petrillo and PJ Stock; NHL Network’s Barry Melrose and Kathryn Tappen; sports broadcaster Erin Andrews; and hockey legends Ted Lindsay and Mark Messier.

The broadcast also will feature special appearances by actors Will Arnett (“Up All Night,” “Arrested Development”) and Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) and director/writer/actor Kevin Smith (“Red State,” “Clerks”).

One of these years, I’m going to attend the NHL Awards and hang with the beautiful people before being asked to leave the VIP Suites.

Anyway, here’s CBC’s press release. CBC’s PJ Stock and Andi Petrillo will be presenting awards as well.

CBC-TV ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE NHL AWARDS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 AT 8 P.M. ET

Celebrity presenters including Vince Vaughn, Joshua Jackson, Cory Monteith, Matthew Perry, Erin Andrews, P.J. Stock, Andi Petrillo and more to honour the game’s best players from the 2011-12 season

The NHL’s biggest stars head to Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 20 and CBC has exclusive coverage as the league hands out the hardware to the top performers from the regular season at the 2012 NHL Awards. Live coverage from the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas begins at 7 p.m. ET online at cbcsports.ca, and complete coverage of the two-hour event airs on CBC-TV across Canada beginning at 8 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. NT).

Hockey’s biggest names will be joined at the annual celebration by an impressive list of celebrities who will be acting as presenters throughout the evening, including actors Vince Vaughn, Kevin Connolly, Colin Hanks and Michael Vartan as well as sportscaster Erin Andrews. Homegrown celebrity presenters include actors Joshua Jackson, Cory Monteith and Matthew Perry as well as CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA analysts P.J. Stock (@PJStockHNIC) and Andi Petrillo (@andipHNIC).

“The NHL Awards is always a great event and it’s going to be a lot of fun to be part of the show, but I’m taking my duties as a presenter seriously,” said Petrillo. “The amount of effort and passion these players and coaches put in on a nightly basis all season long is unbelievable, so I’m honoured to be part of the ceremony that recognizes all of that hard work.”

Some of the prestigious awards to be handed out at the ceremony include: the Hart Memorial Trophy honouring the league’s most valuable player; the Vezina Trophy for the top goaltender; the James Norris Memorial Trophy recognizing the best defenseman; the Calder Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding rookie; and the Ted Lindsay Award for the most outstanding player as voted by the players.

Hall of Famers Ted Lindsay and Mark Messier will be on stage to present the awards named for them. Also making appearances at the NHL Awards are Toronto-born actor Will Arnett, comedian Tracy Morgan and director/writer/actor Kevin Smith. In addition, Canadian rock band Nickelback will take the stage for two live performances throughout the night.

That is it.

Cranking Out Some Friday Megalinks

Ok, linkage has been really scarce over the last month and a half and I apologize for that. My schedules have been quite busy and it’s been tough to sit down for the time it takes to gather the links. I hope that changes over the next month or so.

I have some National links for you right now. I’ll follow up with more stuff later.

Here are the Weekend Viewing Picks for you.

National

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with the people at the Poynter Institute who are the ESPN Ombudsman.

Nate Davis at USA Today’s The Huddle has the Miami Dolphins not so enthusiastic about being on Hard Knocks this season.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with ESPN’s Sean McDonough who will undergo brain surgery later this year.

Ira Boudwell of Bloomberg Businessweek says ESPN is getting out of the high school sports business saying it’s not broad enough.

Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski says this week’s blowout between David Stern and Jim Rome proves that the NBA Commissioner needs to go.

John Ourand of Sports Business Daily says Fox Sports San Diego is launching an ad campaign against Time Warner Cable which has still not picked up the regional sports network.

Good Morning America’s and former ESPN SportsCenter host Robin Roberts says she will beat the rare blood disorder that will require a bone marrow transplant.

Michael O’Connell of the Hollywood Reporter notes that the NBA Finals are pacing ABC to good ratings this week.

At Broadcasting & Cable, Tim Baysinger writes that this week’s Dream Team documentary gave NBA TV its best viewership ever.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says GolTV scored with this week’s soccer international friendly match between Brazil and Argentina.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life reports that NBC will debut two new sitcoms right smack dab in the middle of the Olympics.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report looks at the geriatric broadcasting team calling the NBA Finals for ESPN Radio.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid notes that even after the winning the Stanley Cup this week, the Los Angeles Kings still aren’t getting respect from the local media.

Former Deadspin editor A.J. Daulerio returns to his former stomping grounds to do a massive takedown of Jay “The Rat” Mariotti.

Also from Deadspin, John Koblin writes that there doesn’t seem to be a clamoring for Erin Andrews beyond ESPN.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says NBA TV and NBA Entertainment are appealing to the hardcore basketball fan for their Finals coverage.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead says Sports Illustrated could be laying off part of its staff.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has tweets from people who hated Chris Berman on the U.S. Open yesterday.

Sports Media Watch notes that this year’s Stanley Cup Final did not resonate with viewers.

SMW also has some various ratings news and notes.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that Brooklyn Nets gear is selling very well.

MediaRantz tells us that Sean Salisbury will be getting a new internet radio gig.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Time for more linkage here.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe reports that May was a very good month for sports radio station WEEI as it finished ahead of 98.5 The Sports Hub.

At SB Nation, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch writes about golfer David Duval taking a turn in the broadcast tower at the U.S. Open.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette discusses Johnny Miller holding court for NBC at the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco this week.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Petersen who will be introducing many Long Islanders to the College World Series today.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after the Yankees for pricing out fans from the “Beautiful People” seats at Yankee Stadium.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY notes that SNY will unveil the all-time Mets team at a gala event on Sunday.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says the US Women’s National Soccer Team will be on TV and the web this weekend.

Ken says local Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to the new Pac-12 Networks this summer.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says NBC Sports Group has announced the 2012 Summer at Saratoga schedule.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union talks with Jim Rome who marks his 16th year in New York’s Capital Region.

Pete says one of harness racing’s famous races changes networks this year.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call profiles a local cable TV sports reporter who is filling a double role this summer.

Keith has more on her in his blog.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes that a decision on the Washington Nationals TV rights has been delayed.

South

Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald has some NBA Finals Game 2 postgame reaction as well as Jon Barry saying he’s not a Miami Heat Hater.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says Fox Sports Houston was well-prepared and staffed for Wednesday’s perfect game thrown against the Astros by Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants.

Mel Bracht at The Oklahoman writes that ESPN on ABC was all over the non-foul call against the Thunder’s Kevin Durant during Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The Oklahoman rounds up what sports reporters are saying on Twitter about the NBA Finals.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer says an all-star high school football game will be shown locally this weekend.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that ESPN is dropping its high school sports operation.

Bob criticizes Jim Rome for his questioning of NBA Communist China Sympathizer David Stern.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch says Cubs announcers Len Kasper and Bob Brenly were silent when comedian Jeff Garlin brought up trading Alfonso Soriano.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin notes the rare occurrence of the U.S. Open and the NBA Finals going head-to-head on TV this Father’s Day.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that viewers of Fox Sports Midwest may need a scorecard to tell who’s in the Cardinals TV booth over the next few days.

Dan notes that next week will mark a decade since the passing of Jack Buck and Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile.

West

Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman says this fall’s Boise State-Southern Mississippi game will get the Fox treatment.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says Utahans are nervous about getting the Pac-12 Networkcomparing it to their experience with the ill-fated the mtn.

John Maffei of the North County Times writes that Fox Sports San Diego has set its sights squarely on Time Warner Cable.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says ESPN’s NBA Countdown show seems to work fine without a host.

Jim talks with NBC’s Johnny Miller about the U.S. Open.

Jim has his weekend viewing picks.

Melissa Rohlin of the Los Angeles Times says Game 2 of the NBA Finals drew a good overnight number for ABC.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with former Kings voices about the Stanley Cup victory.

Tom has some more in his blog.

Canada

The Toronto Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin blames both Jim Rome and David Stern for their ugly exchange this week.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog says the NBA and NHL Commissioners are taking it on their chins this week.

And that’s going to do it.

Guest Column: NFL — Please Take My Money

This will conclude our series of guest columns over the last few days. I want to thank Paul Lebowitz, Ryan Scheb, Corneilus Green, Ed Hannan, Michael Schottey, Jason Chalifour, Andrew Nostvick, Greg Stanko, Matt Lichtenstadter and Jesse Karangu. I would not have been able to provide some fresh content on the site without them and I also thank you for continuing to visit throughout a busy time for me personally.

In this last guest column, blogger Ken Barnes talks about cutting the cord and finding alternate ways of finding your favorite sports action.

Three years ago, my wife and I were blessed with premature twin boys. Due to their serious medical conditions and the need for round-the-clock care, I quit my job while my wife continued her career as an RN nurse. Dropping to one income required financial sacrifices, and one of the first things to go was our pay TV. We went from having AT&T U-verse’s 300-channel package with NFL Network and DVRs (which we loved) to nothing but our local network stations using an over-the-air antenna. As an NFL, NBA, and NHL fan, that was a big sacrifice. Free over-the-air network TV still provides most NFL games plus the playoffs and the Super Bowl. ABC provides NBA games on Sundays throughout the spring, playoffs and the finals. And NBC provides weekend NHL games and playoffs as well.

I get just enough of a sports fix on the weekends to survive without pay TV, and most of our entertainment is now provided by our Roku streaming box and Netflix. The Roku box allows subscribers of MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, and NHL Center Ice to view all games and highlights live and on demand (just like online) right on their TV. The only league missing? The NFL. Of all the leagues, the NFL is my favorite and the one league pass that I would gladly pay for (since I don’t get many Carolina Panthers games here in Arkansas).

If the NFL would allow DirecTV to keep Sunday Ticket but also allow online subscriptions, I know they would make a killing! Please take my money and join the other leagues on my Roku box – please, please, please!

Ken Barnes and his wife have a site (Twins N Tidbits) that features items about twins, special needs, recipes, and tips for saving money.

And that does it for the guest columns. Back to regular posting on Monday.

Various Tuesday Sports Media Thoughts

In the midst of a busy week, I can settle down for a bit to offer a few sports media thoughts for you. In bullet form, of course.

• I’ve been impressed with how NBC has produced the Stanley Cup Final. In the past, I would find a feed of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada’s production and stay with that to the conclusion. No more. NBC has shown over the past two years that it is truly in the hockey business to stay.

  Mike Emrick could call open heart surgery and make it thrilling. Ed Olczyk has been spot on with his analysis. The camerawork and replays have been stellar, especially showing Game 3′s first goal by the Los Angeles Kings, stuck underneath New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur’s pad.

  Liam McHugh has been solid as the studio host and Keith Jones has been good as analyst. I do wish Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang would be given bigger roles while Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire would be jettisoned off the broadcasts, but for the most part, NBC has been getting the job done whether it be over the air or on NBC Sports Network.

  I’d rather have NBC Sports Network start the Stanley Cup Final with Games 1 and 2 with NBC taking the rest of the series. Any Cup clinching game should be on network television. As it stands now, the Kings could clinch the Stanley Cup on NBCSN and access is still an issue for the network.

• Speaking of CBC, I had gotten in the habit three years ago of watching its online postgame show at its website, seeing Jeff Marek and Scott Morrison co-host from what it calls the “I-Desk!” short for “Information Desk”. Using the resources of the full network, CBC produced a 20-25 minute show complete with analysis, player interviews, postgame press conferences and highlights. Jeff and Scott were very good on the I-Desk and they became appointment viewing.

  Last year, during the Boston Bruins’ run to the Cup, I had gotten out of the habit of going to CBC.ca and watched NESN’s or Comcast SportsNet New England’s B’s coverage instead.

  Now flash forward to 2012 and I’m back to watching CBC.ca for the Hockey Night in Canada postgame show, now hosted by Andi Petrillo. Both Marek and Morrison jumped to Sportsnet after last season, but CBC picked up Petrillo from LeafsTV and really hasn’t missed a beat. While I do miss Jeff and Scott, Andi has been quite impressive as the host throwing to the game sites for analysis, then smoothly transitioning to highlights and the press conferences. I’m quite happy that CBC did not impose the dreaded territorial restriction on the postgame show allowing fans in the US to watch.

• Interesting development in the MLB media rights negotiations. Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily tweeted on Monday that the exclusive negotiating windows for all of MLB’s TV partners, ESPN, Fox and TBS have expired and now, the sport can open up the bidding to anyone. This now leaves the door ajar for NBC to get its foot back into baseball. I do expect TBS to remain in MLB, possibly taking one of ESPN’s primetime windows. However, don’t expect MLB to throw out ESPN unless NBC or Fox come up with the motherlode of cash to boot the Alleged Worlwide Leader out.

  This should be an interesting negotiation.

And that will conclude the thoughts post for today.

Los Angeles Kings & Fox Sports West Announce Mega Rights Deal

While the Los Angeles Kings have been red hot in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team has been working behind the scenes to sweeten its current media rights deal with Fox Sports West. And with Time Warner Cable having already signed the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Galaxy, the Kings were able to parlay a big payday from Fox.

Bill Shaikin from the Los Angeles Times broke the story last night that the Kings signed a deal through 2014 for an estimated total of $250 million. It also keeps a win streak alive for Fox Sports in the LA market as it has signed the Angels and now the Kings along with the Clippers to long term deals, locking all three teams into the next decade.

Fox says the long time announcing team of Bob Miller and Jim Fox will return as will its pregame show, Kings Live hosted by Patrick O’Neal.

We have the press release from Fox Sports.

LOS ANGELES KINGS AND FOX SPORTS WEST ANNOUNCE NEW LONG-TERM TV RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Exclusive Partnership Extended Well Into the Next Decade
FOX Sports West to Televise Approximately 75 Regular-Season Kings Games per Year

Los Angeles – The Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Kings and FOX Sports West today announced a new long-term television rights agreement that ensures Fox Sports will remain the Kings’ exclusive local television partner well into the next decade.

Under the new agreement, FOX Sports West will televise approximately 75 regular-season Kings games per season, pending games selected for national distribution. The network will also televise select early round playoff match-ups and pre-season games. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

“The LA Kings are very excited and proud to continue what has been an extremely rewarding partnership with our friends at FOX Sports West,” said Kings President, Business Operations, Luc Robitaille. “Los Angeles is truly experiencing a historic period for our franchise, and this new agreement will provide us with multiple opportunities and platforms to showcase our team and its talented group of players for many years to come.”

“We’re pleased that the Kings will be a part of the Fox Sports family for a long time to come,” said Jeff Krolik, Executive Vice President, Fox Sports Networks. “Their amazing playoff run has energized this town and we couldn’t be more proud to be partners with them.”

“We’re excited that FOX Sports West will remain the Kings’ local TV home,” said Steve Simpson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket. “We want to thank Tim Leiweke, Luc Robitaille, and the entire Kings organization for their efforts in making this deal happen.”

As the home of the Kings, FOX Sports West has been delivering exclusive coverage since 1985.  Kings telecasts feature Hall-of-Fame Announcer Bob Miller, who has served as the television “Voice of the Kings” for 39 seasons, and Jim Fox, who has provided analysis for the Kings for 23 seasons.

FOX Sports West is also the destination for “Kings Live.” Originating live from Chick Hearn Plaza outside STAPLES Center, “Kings Live” provides unmatched access to the Kings. As an extension of the game telecast, “Kings Live” is a 30-minute post-game show led by reporter Patrick O’Neal, with added game analysis from Fox. In addition to its regular-season coverage this season, “Kings Live” continues to deliver post-game analysis following every Stanley Cup Playoff game.

That’s all.

NBC Sports Network Airs Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Tonight

Tonight, NBC Sports Network airs its next-to-last NHL game of the 2011-12 season, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final from Staples Center. The regular NHL on NBC crew will be on the case tonight with Mike “Doc” Emrick, Ed Olczyk and Pierre “Statue” McGuire calling the game. Liam McHugh, Keith Jones and Mike Milbury will be on the pregame, intermission and postgame shows.

Long-time Los Angeles Kings season ticket-holder Al Michaels will be part of the NHL Live pregame show tonight with a piece on the team and its history.

We have the NBC Sports Network press release which also keeps a running tally of the postseason games aired on the NBC Sports Group.

GAME 3 AIRS TONIGHT ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Al Michaels to Appear on Pre-Game Show
Devils @ Kings – NBC Sports Network – Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m. ET
Kings lead 2012 Stanley Cup Final 2-0

NEW YORK – June 4, 2012 -– Day 55 – NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final continues tonight between the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Kings at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Coverage begins tonight and every game night on NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show, NHL Live. NBC Sports Network will also present a half-hour post-game show after every game of the series.

Tonight’s and Wednesday night’s telecasts will be the 51^st and 52^nd by the NBC Sports Network of 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. The NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – across NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network — is the most by a single media company of a sport’s post-season in U.S. television history (82 games so far).

Games 1 and 2 both ended in overtime with Kings victories – their record ninth and 10th consecutive wins away from home – further continuing their reign on the road. The Kings are home tonight for the first time in the Final. There is hope for Devils fans despite losing the first two games. The Kings only two losses of the 2012 playoffs occurred at Staples Center, and two of the last three Stanley Cup champions also lost the first two games of their respective series.

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

All 2012 Stanley Cup Final games will air exclusively on NBC or the NBC Sports Network. Following is the remaining schedule (all times ET and subject to change):

Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 3)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, June 6
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, June 9
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 5) *	NBC
Monday, June 11
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 6) *	NBC
Wednesday, June 13
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 7)*	NBC

* If Necessary

COMMENTATORS: Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action during each game. The studio team will feature host Liam McHugh and analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from either the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. or the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The team will cover intermission reports during games, and pre-game and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. Additionally, Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will conduct on-ice segments and demonstrations as part of the coverage.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 87 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Fifty*
NBC	Fourteen
CNBC	Thirteen
NHL Network	Six
Total	Eighty Three*

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress. The game also aired on NHL Network. There have been 82 games this NHL post-season.

That’s it. One more NHL-centric press release coming up.

Sports Media Weekly No. 104 — Steve Lepore, Puck The Media

This week on Sports Media Weekly, the guest is the hard-working Steve Lepore from the NHL media blog, Puck The Media.

As usual, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I discussed the news of the week. It started with a talk on the ratings for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on NBC and that transitioned into the ratings for the NBA Conference Finals on ESPN and TNT. We also looked at the numbers of last Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600.

Then, we moved to Hard Knocks settling on the Miami Dolphins for this season after looking for teams and being rejected plus we talked about the return of the Pro Bowl.

And Keith and I talked about Hawk Harrelson and how “homers” can actually be a service to fans as long as they don’t forget about the other team.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media was our guest and Keith and I congratulated him on his site’s move from WordPress to a section on SBNation. Steve talked about the genesis of Puck The Media through the last five years.

Then we talked about the ratings for the Stanley Cup Final, NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

And Keith and I discussed what Steve is doing for SB Nation at the Stanley Cup Final. Finally, we ended on the scenario if CBC lost Hockey Night in Canada to either of its rivals, Rogers or CTV.

You can find the podcast on iTunes by searching for “Sports Media Journal” or you can listen right now by going here.

Next week, I will not be part of the podcast, but Keith will have a guest and conduct the interview solo. You can head to Sports Media Journal next Wednesday for the next edition of the podcast.

Bringing Out The Thursday Linkage

Here to provide some links for you today. Looks like I’ll be out on Friday so posting may be scarce, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

In the meantime, I have some links for you now.

This week, CBSSports.com Deputy Managing Editor Craig Stanke passed away at the age of 56. He joined the site as a deputy editor when it was known as SportslineUSA.com. During his time, he helped to attract a number of writers and build CBSSports.com’s stable to a point where it challenges the best sports news websites. Stanke worked at a number of newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, the Palm Beach Post among others.

We have a number of links.

First, CBSSports.com’s Mark Swanson writes Stanke’s obituary.

Scott Miller, CBS Sports’ Senior Baseball Columnist mourns Stanke’s passing.

CBS Sports’ national columnist Gregg Doyel says Stanke continued to teach him even after his death.

Stanke’s good friend, T.J. Simers at the Los Angeles Times, the man who hired Stanke for his first job, says he can’t believe his friend is gone.

To other stories now.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com notes that no matter how much the Big 12 expands, the TV payout money will remain the same. And Dodd tells us that the league’s TV deal with ESPN and Fox will be announced any day now.

Brian Steinberg at Advertising Age reports that CBS is 50% sold for Super Bowl XLVII and could reach 80% soon.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says despite CBS/Showtime dropping Warren Sapp from Inside the NFL this season, NFL Network has signed the controversial snitch for another year.

Reid Cherner at USA Today writes that many feel last night’s NBA Draft Lottery on ESPN was fixed in New Orleans’ favor.

Patrick Burns of Deadspin notes that almost a quarter of all of SportsCenter’s editions last week was devoted to the Miami Heat.

Richard Deitsch from Sports Illustrated has his monthly Media Power List.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says the 2012 NHL postseason has had the most viewers in ten years.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the viewership of all of the completed 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs to date.

Steve tweets the overnight ratings for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final were down significantly from last year.

And Steve has a story on the overnights at Puck The Media.

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the NHL’s newest Stanley Cup spot. It’s a winner, but still doesn’t hold up to last year’s “No Words” promo.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center writes that newspapers are dropping the printed word for digital content.

Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid has the video of Chicago White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson going nuts.

In the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman talks about Hawk’s homerism and his love of all things White Sox.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says talk about concussions may affect youth football participation.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk writes that the Miami Dolphins were the first pick of NFL Films for this year’s Hard Knocks and if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union tells us that Sunday’s motorsports races finished in a ratings dead heat.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that the Anaheim Angels Radio Network is now being nationally syndicated.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that a colleague, Tarik El-Bashir, is leaving the paper to join Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

At the Miami Herald, David J. Neal says NFL Films won’t have a problem finding story lines for Hard Knocks with the Miami Dolphins.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks with ESPN softball analyst Michele Smith about the Women’s College World Series which starts today.

Daniel Dorfman at Chicago Side Sports talks with unabashed White Sox homer Hawk Harrelson.

Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that San Diego State stands to get more TV money when it enters the Big East than from the Mountain West.

The Toronto Star’s Cathal Kelly rips CBC’s online attempt at satire of last night’s Stanley Cup Final Game 1.

To the Canadian Sports Media Blog which notes that Sportsnet has signed a deal to remain the home of the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package which even includes NBC’s Thanksgiving Night game.

Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN received a good overnight number for Game 2 of the Celtics-Heat NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

I Am A GM notes that 10 NBA players are crying conspiracy over last night’s Draft Lottery.

At Awful Announcing, the Brothers Yoder list their favorite NBA announcers.

And that’s going to do it.

NHL Network To Air Niklas Lidstrom Announcement

Thursday morning, NHL Network will carry the Detroit Red Wings press conference that will unveil the future of celebrated captain Niklas Lidstrom. It’s expected that the Wings will announce that the 42 year old defenseman will call it a career. And he’s had a great career that has spanned 20 consecutive playoff appearances with Detroit plus winning the Norris Trophy seven times for Best Defenseman in the league.

NHL Network will celebrate Lidstrom by airing the NHL 36 documentary that focused on him and was originally shown on NBC Sports Network earlier in the season before and after the press conference.

The presser is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. NHL.com will also stream the event live.

NHL NETWORK AND NHL.COM TO PROVIDE LIVE COVERAGE OF RED WINGS NEWS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

NEW YORK (May 30, 2012) – NHL Network will broadcast live and NHL.com will stream the Detroit Red Wings news conference featuring team Executive Vice President & General Manager Ken Holland and captain Nicklas Lidstrom Thursday, May 31, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Before and after the news conference, NHL Network will air NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.

NHL Network Broadcast Schedule for May 31 (All Times Eastern)

10:30 a.m. — NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom
11:00 a.m. — Red Wings News Conference
After News Conference — NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom
5:00 p.m. — NHL Live
10:00 p.m. — NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final

That will do it.

NBC Sports Presents The 2012 Stanley Cup Final

Seems like a two weeks have passed since the New Jersey Devils closed out the New York Rangers. Now, we’ve finally arrived at the Stanley Cup Final. And the Devils will host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday in Game One at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

As it’s been for the last couple of seasons, NBC will air Games 1-2 and if necessary, Games 5-7. NBC Sports Network will carry Games 3-4.

NBC’s crew will be the usual team, Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire. Broadcast time will be 8 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports Network will air pregame and postgame shows surrounding the games whether they’re on NBC or on NBCSN.

Liam McHugh will be the pregame, postgame and intermission host for the entire series. Dan Patrick who had been host for the Final from Game 5 on the last two years is staying home in Connecticut. Keith Jones and Mike Milbury will be the studio analysts. Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will also be part of the coverage.

Here’s the NBC Sports press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THE 2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL

Game 1 between Kings and Devils airs tonight at 8 ET on NBC
NBC Sports Network to Air NHL Live Pre- and Post-Game Show Before and After Every Game
Games 1-2, 5-7 on NBC; Games 3-4 on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – May 29, 2012 – Day 49 — The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final begins tonight with Game 1 between the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Kings at 8 ET on NBC from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. NBC will broadcast Games 1-2, and, if necessary, Games 5-7, while NBC Sports Network will present exclusive coverage of Games 3-4 of the series. Every game night, NBC Sports Network will present a one-hour pre-game show beginning at 7 p.m. ET and a half-hour post-game show.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

All 2012 Stanley Cup Final games will air exclusively on NBC or the NBC Sports Network. Following is the full schedule (all times ET and subject to change):

Wednesday, May 30
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 1)	NBC
Saturday, June 2
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 2)	NBC
Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 3)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, June 6
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, June 9
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 5) *	NBC
Monday, June 11
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 6) *	NBC
Wednesday, June 13
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 7)*	NBC

* If Necessary

COMMENTATORS: Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action during each game. The studio team will feature host Liam McHugh and analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from either the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. or the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The team will cover intermission reports during games, and pre-game and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. Additionally, Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will conduct on-ice segments and demonstrations as part of the coverage.

EMRICK ON THE DEVILS AND KINGS: “We always talk about a battle of attrition by the time you get this far and we lean on the old adage that everyone is hurt by now. However, these teams are coming in as rested as any two I can recall. The Devils had five days off before the Conference Final and three before the final. The Kings had six days off before the Conference Final and seven before the final. That’s a lot of healing time.”

MCGUIRE ON THE FINAL: “Two healthy and very focused teams. They play very similar aggressive style fore-check games. This should be a long, fast-paced series with timely goaltending being a huge factor. The four-line depth of both teams is excellent and should help make for a lively passionate Final.”

OLCZYK ON HOW THE DEVILS GOT TO THE FINAL: “Leadership and know how, it all starts at the top with Lou Lamoriello, (CEO, GM and President of the Devils), and filters all the way down.”

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 87 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Nine*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six
Total	Eighty*

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

NBCSPORTS.COM

NBCSports.com’s fast-growing ProHockeyTalk, which has experienced a 140% increase in unique visitors and a 289% in page views compared to last season, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL Playoffs.

Featuring writers Jason Brough & Mike Halford, ProHockeyTalk provides unique, informative and entertaining news, commentary and analysis– updated around the clock — on all the stories surrounding the NHL Stanley Cup Final. ProHockeyTalk is also an integral part of the popular NBC Sports Talk app. Other NBCSports.com features will include:

• The debut of PHT Extra, a multiple-times-a-week. online-only. video segment, featuring ProHockeyTalk’s Brough and Halford
• Online-only videos featuring NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network hockey commentators previewing upcoming games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day
• “Second screen” companion programming on NBCSports.com for games airing on NBC will include live, in-game video highlights; a live chat with ProHockeyTalk’s Brough & Halford; “Star Cams” featuring alternating, video coverage of the best players on each team, and a newly-introduced “Spotlight Cam,” a just-above-ice-level/center ice look at the action
  

  SOCIAL MEDIA

In addition to broadcast, cable, regional and digital platforms, the NBC Sports Group will connect with NHL fans via numerous social media initiatives, including social integration, on-air integration and news:

• Social Integration:
  • #StanleyCup Hash Tag: NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
  • Milestone Mania: With the launch of the new Facebook Timeline, fans can explore and answer Stanley Cup Playoffs trivia questions
  • NHL on NBC Sports Instagram: NHL fans can upload photos to Instagram and use #instahockey. The NHL on NBC Sports Instagram account “Because It’s the Cup” will feature the best fan photos
  • Live Twitter Chats: Fans will have the opportunity to have live Twitter chats with NHL and NBC Sports personalities and commentators throughout the playoffs
• On-Air Integration:
  • Playoff Polls: Fans can weigh in on a variety of NHL themed polls on Facebook and Twitter that commentators will discuss throughout the broadcasts
  • #MVPonNBC – During pre-game, post-game and in-game coverage, fans can tweet who they think the #MVPonNBC is. Commentators will discuss the fan favorites and weigh in with their own opinions
• News:
  • Fans can engange with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.

That’s going to do it

Some Back To Work Tuesday Linkage

Back to work for many of you after the Memorial Day holiday. Because of my crazy schedule, I didn’t get to enjoy it, but you don’t care about that. Let’s do links.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that Cox Communications has dropped the New Orleans Hornets allowing Fox Sports to swoop up the rights.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News takes a look at the US TV coverage of the French Open.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter writes that UK’s Channel 4 plans extensive coverage of the 2012 London Paralympics which will be held two weeks after the Summer Olympics.

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the latest WatchESPN spot.

Alex Weprin of TVNewser reports that HBO’s Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel will co-host Live with Kelly next week.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com explains how NBC’s huge rights fee effectively ended Qatar’s bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Ed Sherman from The Sherman Report interviews legendary sportswriter Frank Deford.

Ed writes that USA Today’s Sports section is changing its reporting strategy.

Media Rantz remembers the Marv Albert arrest 15 years later. Disclosure: I’m quoted in this very well-researched article.

Will Brinson at CBSSports.com writes that Showtime/NFL Films has quietly dumped Warren Sapp from “Inside the NFL”, however, he remains on NFL Network.

Evan Sporer of SportsGrid has the great video of a soldier home from Afghanistan surprising his daughters at Sunday’s Minnesota Twins game. It has nothing to do with sports media. I’m just a huge sucker for reunion videos.

Chadd Scott at ChuckOliver.net explores how TV money has led to the “Wal-Martization” of college football.

Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing notes that former ESPN college football crackpot Craig James is running below “Undecided” in the Texas U.S. Senate Republican primary. Always a good place to be when trying to run a successful campaign.

Bob’s Blitz says former Miami sports radio talker Sid Rosenberg has a new gig.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick actually heaps praise this morning. And he does it to Hall of Fame hockey voice Mike Emrick.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says Time Warner Cable will air some local high school lacrosse playoff games.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that the NBA Draft Lottery will air from New York’s Times Square for the first time ever.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that apparently NFL Network will no longer air CFL games.

Ken adds that there’s no New York City radio home of the 2012 Olympics as of yet.

Ken provides the Compass Media college football schedule for the 2012 season.

And Ken has the Sports USA college football schedule as well.

Tom Jones from the Tampa Bay Times looks back at the weekend that was in sports television.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes that embattled South Florida sports radio talk show Sid Rosenberg is about to start a new gig.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says a local sports radio station is about to acquire a rival FM station.

Jerry Garcia from the San Antonio Express-News says TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal spent some time talking to a local TV station and defending his co-hort Charles Barkley.

Roy Bragg of the Express-News says the Chuckster was glad to meet the peeps in San Antonio on Monday.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch has some linkage of his own to provide.

Scott D. Pierce at the Salt Lake Tribune talks with Utah Jazz TV voice Craig Bolerjack.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post looks at the mtn.: The Final Days.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that a hockey primer from 1993 still holds true today.

Steve Ladurantaye from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that Rogers and TSN are smelling blood and plan to bid for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada package.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Globe and Mail says Rogers Sportsnet has snatched IndyCar rights away from TSN.

The Canadian Sports Media blog looks at the silly PR hockey wars being conducted by Rogers Sportsnet and TSN.

Sports Media Watch gives us the overnight ratings for the Indianapolis 500 on ABC.

Steve Lepore at SB Nation’s Puck The Media predicts the ratings for this year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Joe Favorito says things are looking good at NBC Sports.

Jordan Golson at MacRumors talks with ESPN’s NASCAR pit reporter Dave Burns about using an iPad for his reports.

That’s going to do it for now.

NHL Network & NHL.com Reveal Stanley Cup Final Coverage Plans

We have this announcement from the National Hockey League in regards to this year’s Stanley Cup Final coverage. NHL Network will carry pregame coverage on days of the game.

It will begin Final coverage on Tuesday, May 29 at noon ET with Media Day at the home of the Eastern Conference Champion. Then the following day, NHL Tonight will air live an hour preceding the game and will do so on gamedays. Postgame coverage immediately following CBC and NBC going off the air and will have press conferences, interviews and analysis.

We have the announcement live from the National Hockey League. Check it all below.

NHL NETWORK AND NHL.COM UNVEIL COVERAGE PLANS FOR THE 2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL

Live Broadcast of Media Day, Fans Online Can Choose Live Stream of Three Podiums
New NHL Original Productions Program and Special Guest Analysts Among Highlights

NEW YORK (May 25, 2012) – NHL Network™ and NHL.com will be front and center throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup® Final between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings and the Eastern Conference champion, reporting on every angle and providing fans with the most comprehensive coverage of the NHL’s ultimate event.

NHL Network

NHL Network will begin its Stanley Cup Final coverage live from the Eastern Conference champion’s home on Tuesday, May 29, at Noon, ET, with four hours of exclusive programming from the League’s annual “Media Day” — a gathering of every player, coach and GM participating in the Final. For fans who aren’t able to watch the coverage live, NHL Network will air a recap show at 7:30 p.m. ET delivering all of the highlights from the day’s event.

On game days, NHL Network will have three hours of live coverage leading up to the contest beginning with NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET, followed by NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show. Once the game is completed, NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game Show takes to the air to review every pass, hit, shot, block and goal. On non-game days, NHL Network will air NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET on weeknights, and NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Edition every night.

On Sunday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET, NHL Original Productions will roll out its latest program titled Inside the Cup. Throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Original Productions has made the most of its access to the League by having selected players wear microphones during games and capturing honest commentary straight from those battling on the ice every night in pursuit of the ultimate trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup. Inside the Cup weaves that unique footage and audio to tell how the remaining two teams beat the odds and earned their spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

On-Air Talent

NHL Tonight will be anchored by Kathryn Tappen, former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes and Barry Melrose – the former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who led the franchise during its last Stanley Cup Final run in 1993.

The show also will feature a number of special guest analysts. Darren Pang joins fellow NHL alumnus Doug Weight, who currently serves the New York Islanders as assistant coach and special assistant to the general manager. Joe Micheletti will join broadcaster Steve Mears.

NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek will host NHL Live on all game days and non-travel days. NHL alumnus Mike Johnson will cover the Eastern Conference and various NHL Network talent will rotate as guest analysts in the West. On off-days, NHL Live regulars Deb Placey and Bill Pidto will take the helm live from the New York studio.

Longtime Los Angeles Kings host Heidi Androl will join the Network crew in the West to deliver feature content, interacting with fans and players while reporting on the atmosphere surrounding the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

All NHL Network programming will be carried in high-definition to U.S. audiences. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable, satellite or telco providers. For more information or for an updated program schedule, please visit
www.nhlnetwork.com.

NHL .com

NHL.com will stream NHL Network original programming in addition to delivering original content created by a team of reporters, writers and videographers attending every press conference, practice and game. New this year, NHL.com will feature multiple camera choices for fans watching a live stream of NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day, allowing them to pick from three podiums at any point during the event to ensure they catch interviews with their favorite player or coach.

NHL.com also will live stream all post-game press conferences and feature extensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the Championship celebration with the Cup-winning club. Additional coverage includes pregame CoveritLive chats with popular NHL.com reporters and blogs submitted by hockey notables involved with the Final.

NHL Social™

NHL Social will be on location and behind the scenes at the Final, delivering real-time updates through the League’s official accounts on multiple social networking websites. Follow the NHL on Twitter (@NHL), Facebook (Facebook.com/NHL and Facebook.com/StanleyCup), FourSquare (foursquare.com/NHL), Instagram (@NHL) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/TheNHL). To join the conversation, fans are encouraged to use the official hashtags #StanleyCup and #Becauseitsthecup.

NHL Network Schedule: May 28 – June 3 (all times ET and subject to change)

Monday, May 28
NHL Tonight 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview – 9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview (encore) – 11 a.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day – 12 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day (encore) – 4 p.m.
NHL Plays of the Week: Plays of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – 7 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day Recap – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show – 7 p.m.
Game 1 – Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show – Immediately following game

Thursday, May 31
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 10 p.m.

Friday, June 1
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 2
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show – 7 p.m.
Game 2 – Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show – Immediately following game

Sunday, June 3
Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 9 p.m.
Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs (encore) – 11 p.m.

That’s all.

Game 6 of Rangers-Devils Airs Tonight on NBC Sports Network

Game 6 of what could be the last game of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Final is tonight. NBC Sports Network will air the contest starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Mike “Doc” Emrick will have the call and he’ll be joined by Eddie “Edzo” Olczyk in the booth and Pierre “No Mind” McGuire in between the benches.

NHL Live begins at 7 p.m. ET with Liam McHugh.

NBC tells us that Wednesday’s Game 5 of Devils-Rangers registered a 6.47 rating in New York making it the best rating for an NHL game on the network in the local market.

And for the Western Conference Final between Los Angeles and Phoenix, NBCSN averaged 1.02 million viewers for the series, outpacing last year’s WCF between Vancouver and San Jose.

Let’s look at the press release, shall we?

DEVILS-RANGERS GAME 6 AIRS TONIGHT AT 8 ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK (Devils lead series 3-2)

Western Conference Finals Viewership Up 18%
New York Generates Best-Ever NHL Rating on NBC Sports Network for Devils-Rangers Game 5

NEW YORK – May 25, 2012 – Day 44 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 NHL Conference Finals continues tonight on NBC Sports Network with a crucial Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The #6 New Jersey Devils lead the series 3-2 and host the #1 New York Rangers at the Prudential Center at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. With a win, the Devils can advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2003. The Eastern Conference winner will meet the Los Angeles Kings. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with NHL Live.

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action.

REMAINING EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SCHEDULE

Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

*If Necessary

VIEWERSHIP

The 2012 Western Conference Finals, won in five games by the Los Angeles Kings over the Phoenix Coyotes, averaged 1.02 million viewers for the four games on NBC Sports Network, up 18 percent over last year’s Western Conference Finals (San Jose-Vancouver, 863,000). NBC Sports Network aired Games 1, 2, 3 and 5. NBC aired Game 4, averaging 1.4 million viewers, down slightly vs. last year (San Jose-Vancouver, 1.5 million).

For Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, played Wednesday night between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, the New York market registered a 6.47 rating, the best rating for the market ever for an NHL game on NBC Sports Network. The telecast surpassed NBC Sports Network’s previous best rating in New York, which was a 6.21 for Game 1 of the same series. The NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 cable network in New York during the game. National ratings for Game 5 and the Eastern Conference Finals to date will be available later today.

Overall, the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 973,000 viewers on NBC Sports Network through Tuesday, May 22, up 21% vs. last year (805,000).

PRAISE FOR MIKE ‘DOC’ EMRICK

Twitter was abuzz with acclaim for Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick last night as he called the play-by-play for Rangers- Devils Game 5.

• Brian Costello, New York Post writer: “Doc Emrick is absolutely amazing at his job.”
• Art Stapleton, The Record writer: “What Gus Johnson does/did for March Madness, Doc Emrick does for the NHL Playoffs. Incredible.”
• Wes Durham, voice of George Tech and Atlanta Falcons: “Whether it’s game 5 or game 7. Give me Doc Emrick in a 3rd period tie any night of the playoffs. #sogooditssick”

KINGS OF THE WEST

Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner scored at 17:42 of overtime against the Phoenix Coyotes to send the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final for the first since 1993 and the second time in franchise history. Penner’s decisive goal was his first career playoff overtime goal.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

All 2012 Stanley Cup Final games will air exclusively on NBC or the NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule as released by the NHL (all times ET and subject to change):

Wednesday, May 30
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ Eastern Champion (Game 1)	NBC
Saturday, June 2
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ Eastern Champion (Game 2)	NBC
Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	Eastern Champion @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 3)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, June 6
8 p.m.	Eastern Champion @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, June 9
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ Eastern Champion (Game 5) *	NBC
Monday, June 11
8 p.m.	Eastern Champion @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 6) *	NBC
Wednesday, June 13
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ Eastern Champion (Game 7)*	NBC

* If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s NHL pre-game show, will air every game night before the puck drops. NHL Post-Game will air 30 minutes following the conclusion of game coverage every night of the playoffs.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 89 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Eight*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six
Total	79*

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

There you have it.

CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada Heads To Alberta/Saskatchewan

CBC has announced that its iconic Hockey Day in Canada celebration will be held in the only town that borders two provinces, Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. Over the years, Hockey Day in Canada has been hosted by several Canadian locations like Prince Edward Island this year and Toronto when the concept first started. It has mostly been hosted by smaller towns since CBC began this tradition.

And Lloydminster will be a bit more special as the 2012-13 season will be the 60th consecutive year that Hockey Night in Canada has been aired on Canada’s public broadcaster.

The Hockey Day concept has been cloned in the United States especially by Fox Sports North for its annual Hockey Day in Minnesota and of course, NBC has its own Hockey Day in America which for the last two years has been held a week after Hockey Day in Canada.

While you won’t get journalism on Hockey Day, I do eat up the stories by CBC celebrating Canada’s game. It’s a great day to watch the stories and fall in love with hockey all over again.

We have details from CBC on 2013′s edition of Hockey Day in Canada which will be held in February of next year and will be simulcast in the US on NHL Network.

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA ON CBC BRINGS ITS 13^TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION TO CANADA’S ONLY BORDER CITY, LLOYDMINSTER, AB/SK, IN FEBRUARY 2013

Canada’s annual celebration of hockey, HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA, will head west in February, 2013, to Lloydminster, AB/SK. Ron MacLean will host the live broadcast that culminates a week of community activities and events celebrating the game across Lloydminster.

“Hockey Day in Canada is one of our favourite events each year and we’re thrilled to be bringing our annual celebration of grassroots hockey to Lloydminster in 2013,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “The 2013 season represents Hockey Night in Canada’s 60^th year and with an eager group of volunteers ready to get started, Lloydminster will be enthusiastic and welcoming hosts for this extra special event.”

Canada’s only border city, Lloydminster straddles the boundary between Alberta and Saskatchewan and is home to more than 30,000 residents. The community’s passionate hockey fans support teams on a variety of levels. The Jr. B Bandits are a perennial powerhouse in the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League, while the Junior A Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are community owned by 87 local investors and were featured on the 2012 Hockey Day in Canada broadcast. The Senior AAA Border Kings won the Allan Cup in 2001 and 2007 and hosted the Championship for the third time since 2000 this past spring at the Centennial Civic Centre.

“One of the best parts of Hockey Day in Canada every year is the chance we get to highlight local hockey heroes from coaches to homegrown NHLers to volunteers that keep the game growing in communities across the country,” said Trevor Pilling, Head of Programming, CBC Sports and Hockey Night in Canada. “The Lloydminster community has a rich hockey heritage and is a shining example of why the game continues to be such a great source of pride and passion for players and fans of all ages.”

The Lloydminster minor hockey program has produced dozens of NHL alumni as well as current NHL players Scott Hartnell, Andrew Ference, Braden Holtby, Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur.

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA’S 13^th annual broadcast in February 2013 marks the continuation of an important Canadian hockey tradition. Winner of three Gemini Awards, it was recognized for Best Sports Program (2004) and Best Host in a Sports Program (Ron MacLean in 2004 and 2006). Previous host locations include Prince Edward Island (2012), Whitehorse, YT (2011), Stratford, Ont. (2010), Campbellton, N.B. (2009); Winkler, Man. (2008); Nelson, B.C. (2007); Stephenville, Nfld. (2006); Shaunavon, Sask. (2004); Iqualuit, Nunavut (2003); Windsor, N.S. (2002); Red Deer, Alta. (2001); and Toronto, Ont. (2000).

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA will also be available live and on-demand at CBCSports.ca.

And we’ll have more throughout the day. Maybe even linkage if I can squeeze it in tonight.

Let’s Get To Some Linkage

Before the day is through, let’s do some linkage for you.

Steve Berkowitz from USA Today looks at the Pac-12′s TV contract which is the richest in college sports (for now).

Speaking of USA Today, Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report says the newspaper is restructuring its sports department and about a dozen staffers have been laid off. That includes Friend of Fang’s Bites Mike McCarthy and Game On! blogger Tom Weir. Very sad to see this. I met Mike a few years ago when we covered an event at ESPN. Good reporter and writer. I hope to be linking to him again soon.

Ed also writes about ESPN holding onto the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

ESPN Ombudsman Jason Fry of the Poynter Institute watches ESPN’s interviewing guru critique the questioning style of some of its reporters.

Marisa Guthrie at the Hollywood Reporter looks at NBCUniversal’s plans to offer some 5,500 hours of coverage on the Olympics.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says Golf Channel will have live coverage of U.S. Open qualifying on June 4.

Tim Baysinger at B&C recaps last night’s Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily’s Sports Business Awards.

Rich Thomaselli from Advertising Age says the NHL’s social media and traditional ad campaigns have helped bring casual fans to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After being disrespected by its own local media last week, the Los Angeles Kings made this infographic giving a brief history on its logo, names of players and number of times the team has been in the postseason. This season, the Kings have stepped its social media campaign and website to provide fans with a very humorous, but also informative experience. Keep it up, Kings. You guys rock!

Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times, writing in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, notes the difficultly for women to find a proper role in sports television.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton’s past is preventing collectors from lining up at his doorstep.

Congratulations to Steve Lepore of Puck The Media who has become SB Nation’s NHL Media writer. Steve is a hard worker who has created a very good niche for himself. And his first column for SB Nation is about the ratings for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final clincher.

Steve also writes about the controversy over NHL on NBC charlatan Pierre McGuire’s withholding of information over an incident between the benches during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY says MSG Network will air two specials on the upcoming Belmont Stakes in which I’ll Have Another will go for horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says in addition, MSG Plus will air some horse races this summer.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes that ESPN has expanded its 3-D coverage of Wimbledon.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says Al Jazeera will be launching two soccer channels this summer.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call looks at ESPN on ABC’s plans for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says former ESPN’er Dave Feldman is leaving the local market to go home to his native Northern California.

Dan says former DC NFL Team running back and sports radio host John Riggins will be hosting an outdoors show next year.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says a deadline is fast approaching in which the Nationals will find out how much MASN will be paying them for TV rights.

Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says the Rays are paying tribute to Fox Sports MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal by wearing bow ties.

Tom Jones of the Times says MLB Network analyst Mitch Williams ripped Tropicana Field.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle looks at the proposed uses for the abandoned Astrodome.

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports is on the Reds’ bandwagon.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that MLB Walking, Talking Conflict of Interest Bud Selig is holding firm to his retirement date.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch says the Big Ten Network has helped to expand the league and in part, raise Northwestern’s profile.

Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune says even though the Utah Jazz bought the sports radio station where he works, he’ll remain an independent voice.

Chris Jenkins from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Fox Sports San Diego’s Mark Sweeney is a natural fit as Padres analyst.

Tim Sullivan of the Union-Tribune says he enjoys listening to the Padres on the radio.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth can’t believe he’s seeing a farmers dating service ad on NBC Sports Network.

Laura Stone of the Toronto Star writes that a new feature by CBC for the NHL Stanley Cup Final has some hardcore female sports fans hopping mad.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin looks at the Twitter police for college sports programs.

Sports Media Watch notes the increased ratings for the series-clinching game of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Final on NBC Sports Network.

Joe Favorito examines the right way and the wrong way to attract Twitter followers.

Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth marvels at the LA media for getting the Kings logo and players wrong during local newscasts.

And I’ll end the linkage there for now. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Winners of 2012 Sports Business Awards

Last night in New York, industry publications Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily handed the annual Sports Business Awards. They go to leaders in various categories such as Sports Executive, Sports Team, Sports League, Best in Sports Media, Best in Sports Television, Best in Digital Sports Media, etc.

Fox Sports, ESPN and Major League Baseball won multiple awards in the categories in which they were nominated. Nice to see the Boston Bruins win as Sports Team of the Year.

Also former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to sports and his work in the National Football League, leading it into an extremely profitable period.

We have the list of winners from Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal.

MLB, Amway Center And Roger Goodell Among The Winners Of The 2012 Sports Business Awards

Boston Bruins Honored as the Sports Team of the Year
Paul Tagliabue Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award

New York, N.Y. – The best in sports business were honored Wednesday night with the fifth annual Sports Business Awards, which included the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the National Football League.

The awards, which recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the sports industry for the period from March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012, were presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, the two leading publications on the business of sports. The Sports Business Awards were presented at a live ceremony held Wednesday, May 23 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.

“We are pleased to honor the leaders and visionaries who are driving the sports industry with our fifth annual Sports Business Awards,” says Richard Weiss, publisher of the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. “The winners and nominees being honored tonight represent the individuals, companies, agencies and media at the forefront of the sports industry.”

Awards were presented in 15 categories. Winners were chosen by a committee of outside panelists and members of the editorial staff of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily. Selected from 77 nominees, the winners included:

Lifetime Achievement – Paul Tagliabue
Sports Executive of the Year – Roger Goodell, National Football League
Athletic Director of the Year – Mark Hollis, Michigan State University
Sports Team of the Year – Boston Bruins
Sports League of the Year – Major League Baseball
Sports Event of the Year – 2012 Humana Challenge
Best in Sports Media – Fox Sports
Best in Sports Television – Fox Sports
Best in Digital Sports Media – ESPN Digital Media
Best in Talent Representation and Management – Wasserman Media Group
Best in Corporate Consulting, Marketing and Client Services – The Marketing Arm
Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services – IMG
Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing – Major League Baseball/Fan Cave
Sports Sponsor of the Year – Bridgestone
Sports Facility of the Year – Amway Center
Best in Sports Technology – ESPN’s WatchESPN

Please visit the web site for articles on the winners and nominees – www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/05/21/Events-and-Attractions/2012-SBA-Nominees.aspx

Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul Tagliabue

The commissioner of the NFL for 17 years (1989-2006), Paul Tagliabue presided over an extended period of labor peace and revenue growth. Under his leadership, the league grew from 28 to 32 teams and revised its divisional alignment. At that time, it secured the largest television contracts in entertainment history. More than 20 stadiums were constructed under his watch and he expanded the NFL’s global reach.

With a commitment to diversity, inclusion and education, Tagliabue enacted the Rooney Rule, named in honor of former Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. The rule requires each team to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and key front office vacancies.

Following his retirement from the NFL, Tagliabue lead and independent panel to review the governance of the U.S. Olympic Committee. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Covington and Burling.

Tagliabue received his Lifetime Achievement Award from former Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. In 1975, Rooney was named president of the Steelers, taking over the reins from his father. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining his father Art to form only the second father-son tandem to be inducted. Over the years, he played key roles in the league’s labor deals and its diversity initiatives.

Previous recipients of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Lifetime Achievement Award are tennis great and women’s sports pioneer Billie Jean King in 2011; and longtime sports business executive Peter Ueberroth in 2009.

That’s it.

You Need Linkage On That Wall….

Yes you do. It’s overdue. I thought being on unemployment would give me more time for doing the site. Instead, I have less. I don’t know how that’s happened.

Anyway, here are some links for you.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has soon-to-be NBC’s Michelle Beadle saying even she’s sick of the coverage on where she’s going next.

Michael takes a look at the Weekend TV ratings.

Nicole Auerbach of USA Today says Laurie Fine, wife of ex-Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine, has officially filed her libel lawsuit against ESPN.

At Sports Business Journal, John Ourand and Michael Smith report that the Southeastern Conference, in the midst of restructuring its media rights deal with CBS and ESPN, could be resurrecting its plans to start an SEC Channel.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News goes over the “trade” between TBS and MLB Network giving the young network its first postseason action this season.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable says ESPN 3D will air the last five days of Wimbledon later this summer.

David Mercer of the Associated Press says citing low ratings, the Big Ten Network will drop academic non-sports programming in order to air higher rated sports.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek talks about GM pulling out of advertising in Super Bowl XLVII.

Brian Clapp at Sports TV Jobs tells aspiring sports TV anchors how to thrive in local markets despite the shrinking amount of time in newscasts.

Dan Fogarty from SportsGrid has video of TNT’s Charles Barkley admitting to America that he waxes his eyebrows.

Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid has this funny video of Saturday Night Live’s Jay Pharoah getting Stephen A. “A is for Acrimonious” Smith down pat.

From the New Haven Register, David Borges talks with long-time Red Sox radio voice and Connecticut native Joe Castiglione about his career and his new book.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette talks about CBS Sports sublicensing some college basketball games from ESPN.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union has the French Open TV schedule.

Pete says the overnight ratings for the Preakness Stakes dropped double digits from last year.

Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com says NBC Sports Network will tap some familiar names to call MLS action this weekend.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun says NBC got the job done in its Preakness Stakes production.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is on the RGIII train.

The increasingly bitter Thomas Boswell of the WaPo feels MASN should pony up for the Washington Nationals media rights.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner writes that outgoing NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora is looking forward to working and writing for CBS.

Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times says two writers from the newspaper including sports media writer Tom Jones will co-host a new morning show for the local sports radio station. Jones will now stop covering sports radio to avoid a conflict of interest.

Iliana Limón Romero of the Orlando Sentinel says the Big East is hopeful of finding a suitable TV suitor for the league.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle has some sports media observations.

Mel Bracht at The Oklahoman writes that TNT’s Charles Barkley is looking forward to visiting Oklahoma City for the NBA Western Conference Finals.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Reds gave local radio station WLW a big ratings win last month.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the local weekend ratings.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a technical glitch forced Cardinals fans to watch Fox Sports San Diego’s feed of last night’s Redbirds-Padres game and listen to Dick Enberg which is not a bad thing at all.

Bryce Miller of the Des Moines Reigster says Iowan and Olympics hurdler Lolo Jones is on a media blitz.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the Dodgers will honor long-time Spanish radio voice Jaime Jarrin next month.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin has video of NBC Sports Network’s Doc Emrick ripping diving in soccer.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says ratings for the NHL Conference Finals on the NBC Sports Group are down.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has some of Pam Ward’s “Greatest” hits over her years calling college football.

That will do it for now.

After A Weekend Off, NBC Sports Network Airs The NHL Conference Finals

Tonight, the NBC Sports Network returns to airing the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Final tonight. It’ll be Game 4 between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils

NEW YORK RANGERS SHUT OUT NEW JERSEY DEVILS, 3-0, IN GAME 3 ON SATURDAY TO TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 41
Game 4 of New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils, Tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – May 21, 2012 – Day 41 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 NHL Conference Finals continues tonight on NBC Sports Network with Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final. The #6 New Jersey Devils host the #1 New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET (Rangers lead series 2-1). With two of the three games in the series ending in a Rangers shutout, the team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET withNHL Live.

Continuing through the Stanley Cup Final, all Stanley Cup Playoff games will air exclusively on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule for the remaining Conference Finals games (all times ET and subject to change):

Monday, May 21
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Tuesday, May 22
9 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 5)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Thursday, May 24
9 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, May 26
8 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

* If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s NHL pre-game show, will air every game night before the puck drops. NHL Post-Game will air 30 minutes following the conclusion of game coverage every night of the playoffs.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 91 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Five*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

Done

NHL Stanley Cup Conference Finals Continue This Weekend

With the NHL off for the second consecutive Friday, the Conference Finals resume on Saturday with the East back in action on NBC.

It’ll be Game 3 of the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils series with Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Pierre “Hopeless” McGuire will be on the call. Gametime is 1 p.m. ET. And with the Preakness Stakes scheduled for 4:30 p.m., we have an overtime policy in effect. If the game is still ongoing when the Preakness Stakes is about to begin on NBC, the game will be shifted to CNBC.

There will be no such problem on Sunday with Game 4 of the Western Conference Final between the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings which will begin at 3 p.m. and be called by Dave Strader, Darren Pang and Brian Engblom.

Here’s the press release from NBC Sports.

CONFERENCE FINALS CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Days 38-40
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils, 1 p.m. ET Saturday –- NBC (Series tied 1-1)

NEW YORK – May 18, 2012 –- Days 38-40 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive Conference Finals coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue this weekend on NBC with Game 3 of the Eastern Conference on Saturday and a potential series-ending Game 4 in the Western Conference on Sunday.

Saturday, the #1 New York Rangers visit the #6 New Jersey Devils at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. With the series tied 1-1, the team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

On Sunday, the #8 Los Angeles Kings could become the first team to advance to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final when they host the #3 Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference at 3 p.m. ET on NBC (Kings lead 3-0). The team of Dave Strader (play-by-play), Darren Pang (analyst) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action.

Continuing through the Stanley Cup Final, all Stanley Cup Playoff games will air exclusively on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule for the remaining Conference Finals games (all times ET and subject to change):

Saturday, May 19
1 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 3)	NBC
Sunday, May 20
3 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC
Monday, May 21
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Tuesday, May 22
9 p.m.	8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Thursday, May 24
9 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, May 26
8 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings@ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

*If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.
Click here for the channel finder.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 91 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network<	Forty Six*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Ten
NHL Network	Six

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

And that’s it.

NBC Sports Network Back With the NHL Western Conference Final Tonight

With the Eastern Conference Final off until Saturday, the only NHL action we have until then is Game 3 of the Western Conference Final between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings tonight. It airs at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

NHL Live airs at 8 p.m. to set the scene for us.

Calling the game for NBC Sports Network will be Dave Strader, his former Coyotes on-air partner Darren Pang and Brian Engblom.

We have the preview from NBC below. Check it all out.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS CONTINUE TONIGHT WITH GAME 3

Phoenix Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m. ET – NBC Sports Network (Kings lead series 2-0)

NEW YORK – May 17, 2012 – Day 37 — The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive Conference Finals coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues tonight in Los Angeles with Game 3 of the Western Conference between the #3 Phoenix Coyotes and the #8 Los Angeles Kings at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET with NHL Live.

The team of Dave Strader (play-by-play), Darren Pang (analyst) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action tonight.

Continuing through the Stanley Cup Finals, all Stanley Cup Playoff games will air exclusively on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule for the remaining Conference Finals games (all times ET and subject to change):

Saturday, May 19
1 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 3)	NBC
Sunday, May 20
3 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC
Monday, May 21
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Tuesday, May 22
9 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Thursday, May 24
9 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, May 26
8 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

*If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s NHL pre-game show, will air every game night 30 minutes before the game of the night begins. NHL Post-Game will air 30 minutes following the conclusion of game coverage every night of the playoffs.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 91 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Five*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Ten
NHL Network	Six

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

That’s all.

Some Wednesday Night Linkage

I’ll do some more linkage for you this evening. You’re owed it. Why not?

Thomas O’Toole from USA Today reports that Laurie Fine, the wife of ex-Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine, is suing ESPN for libel saying a report ruined her reputation.

Barry Petchesky of Deadspin goes inside the lawsuit and notes that Fine is accusing ESPN of circling the wagons against her.

John Koblin from Deadspin says Fang’s Bites fave Charissa Thompson will replace the outgoing Michelle Beadle on ESPN2′s SportsNation.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with ESPN’s Prince of Darkness John Skipper who fires some shots at NBC Sports Network.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today has NBC’s response to Skipper.

Tom Weir of USA Today says ESPN’s Adam Schefter threw a G*d D*mned reference at Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio and ESPN2. That’s a lot of ESPN references in one sentence.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Pat O’Brien is back on the Olympic stage.

Mike Ozanian from Forbes says while sports TV advertising spending is up, the return of investment is not necessarily that good.

Andy Fixmer and Edmund Lee of Bloomberg Businessweek report that the networks are putting more sports programming in primetime to avoid DVR timeshifting.

Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable looks at NBCUniversal announcing Olympic coverage plans for three cable networks.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News reports that NBC Sports Network will air a cable TV record amount of Olympic coverage this summer.

Mike notes that ESPN is hoping to double its subscriber numbers for its WatchESPN app.

Meanwhile, Josh Lowensohn of CNET says hold the WatchESPN to Apple TV talk.

Billy Steele of Engadget reviews the new ESPN Radio iPad app.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid notes that Fox Sports West had an interesting “Key to the Game”.

Jim Williams of the Bleacher Report talks with Fox Soccer analysts on this Saturday’s Champions League Final.

Clare Atkinson from the New York Post reports that the networks are jacking up ad rates for the NFL including CBS for Super Bowl XLVII.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that NBC Sports Network will cover the Indy 500 Time Trials this weekend.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union looks at the amount of Olympic coverage on three NBCUniversal cable networks.

Pete says NBC Sports golf reporter Dottie Pepper has co-authored a series of books bringing golf to kids.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says a local cable TV sports reporter is fast becoming a regular on the high school scene.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says a sports radio producer put Icy Hot on his manjunk.

Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald writes that TNT’s Charles Barkley is not a fan of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch can’t believe Mike Francesa’s anti-Twitter stance.

Kent Youngblood at the Minneapolis Star Tribune says the new TV voice of the Minnesota Wild comes with some controversy.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News says the national media is beginning to take notice of the Kings’ playoff run.

Bud Withers of the Seattle Times writes that ESPN has moved the coaching debut of Mike Leach with Washington State to a Thursday night primetime game.

Jeff Morrow of the Tri-City (WA) Herald notes that ESPN Radio has returned to the local area.

Annie Fowler of the Herald says NHL Network will air the Memorial Cup in its entirety.

Ryan Yoder of Awful Announcing is still buzzing over Mike Francesa’s anti-Twitter rant from this week.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the NHL on NBC could be moved on Saturday if Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final goes into triple overtime.

Steve says the ratings Game 2 of the NHL Western Conference Final were down from last year.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth looks at various local radio ratings for baseball.

And that will be do it for tonight.