Fang's Bites

Monday Linkage

Let’s do some links now. I have to write my recap of Blogs with Balls 4 while everything is still fresh in my mind. It really was a great event to attend and wonderful to meet so many good people. I hope to have the BwB recap up tonight.

Here are some links for you.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says Bill Parcells’ prediction on the Patriots-Bills game during ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown was off.

Ryan Chittum of the Columbia Journalism Review says ESPN has a massive conflict of interest with the Longhorn Network and conference realignment.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that NBC/Golf Channel will combine for extensive live and repackaged coverage of the Presidents Cup in November.

Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal reports that the NFL plans to continue playing regular season games in London.

The perpetually lovely Rachel Cohen of the Associated Press writes that some NFL coaches challenges sometimes aren’t made due to the lack of replays from the networks.

Andrew McCains at Adweek tells us that Mercedes-Benz won’t advertise in Super Bowl XLVI, but that doesn’t mean it’s giving up on the Big Game altogether.

Mark Walsh at MediaPost writes that Verizon’s NFL mobile app has grown by leaps and bounds from last year.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine says ad buyers know that NBC’s Sunday Night Football is a sure ratings winner.

Barry Janoff at The Big Lead writes that the US may submit a bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Robert Seidman of TVbytheNumbers has the ratings for MLB Network’s worst show by far, Intentional Talk.

The Sports Biz Miss, Kristi Dosh explains what Texas A&M stands to gain from its move to the SEC.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has Red Sox pitcher John Lackey angry over a text from TMZ.com before he was about to pitch before yesterday’s game against the Yankees.

From Broadcast Engineering, Michael Grotticelli says ESPN’s new deal for Monday Night Football allows for 3-D productions.

Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner says NFL Network’s Deion Sanders is refuting reports that he’s divorcing his wife, Pilar over her reality show fame.

Over to Phil Mushnick of the New York Post where he wants networks to embarrass athletes when they showboat.

Laura Nachman has the winners of the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards including those in the sports categories.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun feels NFL coaches don’t give CBS announcers much to go on in their pregame discussions.

From the DC Sports Bog in the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg writes that DC NFL team QB Rex Grossman doesn’t seem to pay attention to the sports media.

Brendan Brown of the Martinsburg (WV) Journal writes that West Virginia showed off its best features on ESPN’s College GameDay.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times goes over the weekend that was in sports television.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that Joe Buck’s voice while better, is still not all the way back yet.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says Broncos fans wanted to talk about Tim Tebow after yesterday’s loss to Tennessee.

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

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star looks at the media coverage of last week’s racist banana tossing incident involving Wayne Simmonds and Hazel Mae’s return to Canada.

The Toronto Globe and Mail has Canadian Press video of CBC’s Battle of the Blades cast remembering the late Wade Belak.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Globe and Mail feels the NHL grew by leaps and bounds with Brendan Shanahan using video to explain disciplinary action by the league.

Joe Favorito explains why Blogs with Balls is important not just for bloggers, but for sports leagues.

The Days of Y’Orr blog busts Captain Blowhard for his lack of hockey knowledge. Again.

Ryan Durling of BostInnovation says Captain Blowhard got Twitter bombed.

And we’ll end the posts there for today. Keep it here for various updates throughout the day.

Cranking Out Some Tuesday Linkage

We have some linkage for you. It’s a bit late, but better late than never.

First, Mike McCarthy at USA Today writes that former NBC Football Night in America analyst Tiki Barber is reportedly “devastated” that no NFL team called him to inquire about his comeback.

Sports lllustrated’s Richard Deitsch provides his annual NFL broadcasting guide.

At the Wall Street Journal, Matthew Futterman reports on the NFL’s mega sponsorship deal with Pepsi.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable writes about NBCUniversal going all out to promote the NFL regular season opener.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News delves into the PGA Tour’s new TV contracts.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that NBC has brought in a record haul for Super Bowl ad sales and is just about sold out which contrasts to Super Bowl XLIII where it had to wait until the final week to sell out its inventory.

Gabriel Beltrone of Adweek reviews the NFL’s “Back to Football” ad that’s been airing throughout the preseason.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life says NBC has to sell five more ads to sell out the Super Bowl in February.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group says despite having its best ratings for the NFL in its history, Fox is not resting on its laurels and is looking to improve its game presentation this season.

Brandon Costa of SVG writes that ESPN and DirecTV raised the bar for their US Open Mix channel.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at Chad Pennington calling the NFL on Fox for this season and the Tennis Channel dispute with Cablevision and Verizon FiOS.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of NBC’s Jimmy Roberts catching himself about to swear before changing course.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post kills ESPN for ignoring certain facts that are just important to him.

Sean Daly of the Post wonders with sales of 3-D TV’s in the crapper, will ESPN finally pull the plug on its minimally watched 3-D network?

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says a local radio station will carry just the first half of Thursday’s Mets doubleheader with the Braves.

Al Gregson of the York (PA) Daily Record has praise for CBS’ Jim Nantz.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun writes that the weekend of motorsports in the Charm City, while a success in person, might not have been on TV.

Alan Blondin of the Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun News talks with “The Voice of Golf” Peter Kessler about his adjustment from leaving Golf Channel to doing radio.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times tries to explain the reasons why NFL Network still hasn’t been picked up by Time Warner Cable/Bright House.

Tom Patri at the Naples (FL) Daily News asks if the PGA Tour gave CBS, NBC and Golf Channel a hometown discount to renew their TV deals?

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle catches up on some of the college football sports media news from the last couple of weeks.

Gina Mizell of the Daily Oklahoman says Oklahoma States loves playing one Thursday night football game a year on ESPN.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has highlights of ESPN’s NFL conference call with Chris Berman, Tom Jackson & Company.

Scott Dochterman of the Iowa City Gazette notes that Iowa’s men’s basketball team will be seen at least six times on the ESPN family of networks in the 2011-12 season.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that ESPN college football analyst Trevor Matich has former DC NFL team coach Steve Spurrier to thank for going into TV.

The Big Lead notes that an ESPN NBA beat writer has quietly left the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing offers the quintessential primer on the whole “Free Bruce”/ESPN dispute.

Ben Koo of AA reviews the first week of college football on TV.

Dave Kohl of The Broadcast Booth reviews how the networks handled the massive weather delays during various events this past weekend.

The Angry Asian Man blog takes FoxSports.com to task for producing a racist bit on Asians and their knowledge of football.

And that’s where I’ll leave it for now.

Handing Out Some Labor Day Sports Media Links

A nice day here in Southern New England and I’m at home watching some good sports action as we have afternoon MLB games, the U.S. Open, a little CFL and some college football later. A good sports day for the Labor Day holiday. Before I do the links, let’s go into one of the stranger nights on sports television on Sunday.

Last night, ESPN got stuck with two weather delays for two events, in college football at the Marshall at West Virginia game and at NASCAR in Atlanta. ESPN handled both situations as best as it could, first updating viewers on lighting approaching Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV. As players were hustled off the field before 6 p.m., ESPN threw to its studio with Ryan Burr and Robert Smith who deftly filled the time with highlights and comments.

Then as the NASCAR window approached, Burr threw it to Atlanta and the NASCAR Countdown crew led by Nicole Briscoe. The prerace program went as scheduled for the half-hour and at 7 p.m. when the race coverage was supposed to begin, ESPN updated viewers on the rain from Tropical Storm Lee that hit Atlanta and was wreaking havoc. However, ESPN said that it was hoped that the race would begin “within the hour.”

It was during this time ESPN kept switching back and forth between Atlanta and the ESPN studios in Bristol, CT to fill time. Then at 8:50 p.m., ESPN went back to Morgantown for the game. While ESPN did not inform viewers publicly, it was learned via Twitter that the game would be switched to ESPNU if NASCAR started and we also learned via Twitter that NASCAR was hoping to get the race started at 10:30 p.m.

ESPN was balancing between the two venues hoping that it would not have to bump one event for the other. And at 9:05 p.m., ESPN got another jolt when authorities pulled Marshall and West Virginia for another lightning delay. Ryan Burr and Robert Smith were back to quickly throw things back to Atlanta where Nicole Briscoe relayed to viewers of the 10:30 p.m. start time and it was when we began seeing shots of the track dryers going around the Atlanta Speedway circuit.

During the delay, ESPN went back to Morgantown for an update on the weather from its announcing team, Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore and sideline reporter Quint Kessenich. It was during this update that ESPN showed a lightning strike at 6:02 p.m. that looked like it struck the stadium. Kessenich reported that the strike hit the stadium and a fan in the upper deck and from the screengrab, it certainly looks like it did. However, scuttlebutt was surfacing that there were no independent news on the strike.

And later, West Virginia State Police denied that no fan had been hit and the lightning strike was close to the stadium, but did not hit it. In addition, West Virginia University Media Relations published its own statement on the story.  So where did Kessenich get his information and as Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand correctly asked, why didn’t ESPN issue a correction on the story? ESPN certainly had plenty of chances to correct it.

At 10 p.m., ESPN had Robert Flores and Stuart Scott start SportsCenter early. It went right to Atlanta where NASCAR race caller Allen Bestwick interviewed NASCAR President Mike Helton who announced that with the rains from Tropical Storm Lee, it was impossible to restart the race Sunday and as rains would continue into Monday, the race would be rescheduled to 11 a.m. Tuesday.

A quick toss back to SportsCenter and then, at 10:24, ESPN thew it back to Morgantown where it was announced the game was going to be called with West Virginia leading Marshall 34-13. Again, the lightning strike from 6:02 p.m. was shown. After 11 p.m., the strike was not referenced and the report of the fan was not raised again. So why didn’t ESPN retract or correct it? No word from the network on this. However, it’s a situation where a story is front of them and they didn’t get it right. And there was no correction. ESPN has to do a better job.

And as I watched the 2 p.m. SportsCenter on ESPNews, the network has chosen to ignore its erroneous report on the lightning strike rather than issue a correction.

Now to the links.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says despite being dropped by Verizon FiOS, Tennis Channel is talking with the cable provider to return to the lineup.

The Associated Press reports that Missouri is the next Big 12 school to announce its own digital network joining Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas State.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the video of Rafael Nadal cramping up during his U.S. Open press briefing yesterday.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid wonders why a mascot is being taken off the court on a stretcher during the EuroBasket Championships.

Timothy Burke at his Mocksession site shows an unfortunate ESPN crowd cutaway during yesterday’s Marshall-West Virginia game.

Joe Favorito asks smaller universities if it’s worth the payday to go to a large FCS school and get beaten up on the football field.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times explores the dispute between Tennis Channel and cable providers Cablevision and Verizon FiOS.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has praise for NBC’s Notre Dame coverage and ESPN’s College GameDay.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle speculates on the future of the Longhorn Network if Texas goes to the Pac-12.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman liked Gus Johnson and Charles Davis’ work on the Tulsa-Oklahoma game, but Kevin Frazier and Marcus Allen, not so much.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says Colorado fans will have to scramble to find Saturday’s game against Cal.

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

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says NFL gamers are gearing up for the season.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders if the public really needed to know the details of Wade Belak’s suicide.

The Paranoid Puck reports that former Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford will be joining TSN and former MSG host Christine Simpson returns to Canada to work for Rogers Sportsnet.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has some Labour Day thoughts.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has some typos both on TV and online.

Sports Media Watch says Nielsen will be tracking fewer TV households this year.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that Versus will be airing some NHL preseason games for the first time.

And that will do it for today.

Bringing Out Some Sunday Links

I’m linking in the middle of doing some badly needed DIY projects here at the Fang’s Bites abode so I might be a bit scarce today. I’ll do what I can on this lazy Sunday, the middle of the Labor Day Weekend.

The ESPN Ombudsman, Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute responds to Bruce Feldman’s allegations about his (alleged) suspension.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Cablevision and Verizon FiOS dropped Tennis Channel this morning as part of yet another installment of their long-running dispute.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has video of ESPN’s Jessica Mendoza pulling a Heidi Watney and gagging on air after taking a swig of pickle juice. Or it hearkens to when Tracy Wolfson tried Cammy Cam Juice.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post has some suggestions for the NBA Players Association.

Page Six of the New York Post says Andy Roddick dislikes John McEnroe so much that he refused to do an ESPN interview until he left the set.

Joseph Barracato of the Post ridicules CNBC’s Darren Rovell’s Versus show even before it takes air.

Steve Politi of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger says the Bayonne Bleeder, Chuck Wepner, will get his story of his 1976 fight with Muhammed Ali told by Hollywood and ESPN in separate projects.

In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams talks with the multifaceted Trevor Matich of ESPN and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

In Texas Monthly, Jason Cohen takes a look at the trials and tribulations of the Longhorn Network.

Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News says the Longhorn Network will pick up five Texas-San Antonio games this season.

EPL Talk says the interesting battle in soccer will be Fox vs. NBC.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

SMW says the first leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup did not do well.

Joe Favorito takes a look at MetLife buying the naming rights for New Meadowlands Stadium.

And that will do it for the Sunday links.

NFL Mobile Will Now Stream Monday Night Football

Received this press release from the National Football League regarding its NFL Mobile service that’s available only to Verizon Wireless subscribers. ESPN’s Monday Night Football becomes available this season adding to the library of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football and NFL RedZone. So all of primetime games will be seen on NFL Mobile this season. Here’s the press release from the NFL.

NFL MOBILE IS BACK TO FOOTBALL NOW WITH MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Verizon Has the Only Mobile App with Live NFL Games on Thursday, Sunday and now Monday Nights, NFL RedZone on Sunday Afternoons and Live NFL Network

            BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – The NFL and Verizon are bringing fans back to football no matter where they are with more live games, live NFL Network, news and information with NFL Mobile only from Verizon, powered by the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network.

New this year, NFL Mobile will offer live streaming of ESPN’s Monday Night Football (MNF) package starting on Monday, Sept. 12 with the kickoff double header featuring the New England Patriots visiting the Miami Dolphins followed by the Oakland Raiders visiting the Denver Broncos.  The 17 MNF games are in addition to the live stream of NBC’s 18-game Sunday Night Football package, NFL Network’s eight-game Thursday Night Football slate and NFL RedZone, which delivers every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons.  NFL Mobile delivers coverage of every NFL regular season game, and fans can also use NFL Mobile to keep up with the action by watching NFL Network 24/7 throughout the entire season.

All customers who download NFL Mobile have access to:

• The latest news, information, schedules and scores from around the league;
• Extensive video on demand of game day and other exciting team action;
• New and improved Fantasy Football Tracker with deep links to the NFL.com Fantasy Football game;
• On demand access to NFL Films content;
• The ability to set your favorite team and receive daily text alerts with NFL highlights when new content is available;
• Live audio broadcasts of all regular and postseason games, including Super Bowl, with a number of games also available in Spanish;
• A redesigned scores page with enhanced content to keep you on top of all the action pre, post and during the game.

Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone customers have access to NFL Mobile premium, including all video, for the entire season.  Customers with 3G smartphones who want even more NFL video can subscribe to Verizon Video for $10/month.

Premium video includes:

• Live streaming video of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and ESPN’s Monday Night Football all season and eight NFL Network Thursday Night Football games;
• Live streaming video of NFL Network, the only network devoted to football 24/7; and
• NFL RedZone with live look-ins featuring every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons.

That’s it.

A Pre-Hurricane Friday Megalinks Edition

As the Northeast battens down the hatches for the impending hit of Hurricane Irene this weekend and it’s not a matter of if it’s coming, but when, I’ll probably won’t be blogging much over the next few days. I’ll do my best as long as I have power, but disaster preparation will be high on the priorities the next two days.

For those of you looking for a diversion from Hurricane Irene coverage either on the Weather Channel or local news, I do have the sports and entertainment listings in the Weekend Viewing Picks. If you’re in the projected path or far from it, this will help you find the program you’re looking for.

Let’s get to the links.

National

Bob Velin of USA Today says Floyd “Money” Mayweather is ready for his HBO close-up again as he takes part in another edition of 24/7.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy says ESPN golf analyst Paul Azinger took a jab at President Obama for playing golf on his vacation while people are out of work.

Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand debate the validity of the Longhorn Network.

Sean Gregory of Time says ESPN The Magazine’s story making Michael Vick a white man was wrong on several accounts.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has secured the rights to ACC sports including football and basketball.

Multichannel News says soccer-centric Gol TV will air the start of Spain’s La Liga following the resolution of a player’s strike this week.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel writes that MSG Varsity will produce local editions of its High School SportsDesk program.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid reports that sports media site SportsNewser will be closing up shop at the end of this month. Sad to see. The site was a very good resource for Fang’s Bites. Marcus Vanderberg and Cam Martin from SportsNewser have become good friends and I hope they land on their feet soon.

Wayne Friedman at MediaPost says the New York Jets have become an innovator in their use of social media.

Joe Favorito looks at how sports marketing powerhouse IMG redefined itself into a marketer for college sports.

John Daly in his Daly Planet blog says Hurricane Irene coverage on several local ABC stations may put a crimp for fans who want to watch NASCAR on Saturday.

EPL Talk reports that Fox will air some English Premier League matches including the Chelsea-Manchester United rivalry game live on Super Bowl Sunday.

Sports Business Daily looks at the probability of EPL games airing on Fox.

The Big Lead takes a look at ESPN’s plans for its annual all-day and all-night College Basketball Marathon coming in November.

Brady Green at Awful Announcing notes that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis did a stab at play-by-play in last night’s game against the DC NFL team.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that fantasy sports can no longer be ignored by the mainstream media and he adds that Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle is a candidate to fill one of three potential vacancies at NESN.

At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch wonders which reporter is apologizing for Patriots defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Entourage tapped New York Giants owner Steve Tisch for an appearance on the HBO show.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is back from a brief vacation to hate everything in his path.

Justin Terranova of the Post speaks with CBS’ Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason on what they expect from New York’s NFL quarterbacks this season.

Justin has five questions for ESPN2 tennis analyst Brad Gilbert on the U.S. Open.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says due to Hurricane Irene, the Jets and Giants have moved the starting time of their NFL exhibition game to Saturday afternoon.

Pete says Marv Albert is happy to be calling NFL games on television once again.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Capital Region fans will have two opportunities to see the Jets-Giants on Saturday.

Ken talks with Versus horse racing host Laffit Pincay, Jr.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes about a former area high school athlete who’s doing overnight updates for WFAN in New York.

Richard Rys of Philadelphia Magazine blasts ESPN for airing every game ofthe Little League World Series.

Childs Walker, Jeff Zrebiec and Justin Fenton of the Baltimore Sun says Mike Flanagan’s friends including MASN’s Gary Thorne are still coming to grips with his death.

David Zurawik of the Sun writes that WBAL-TV is standing by its report as to why Flanagan took his own life.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that an original Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic personality said goodbye last night.

Dan has the debut Geico spot featuring DC NFL Team linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Dan says last night’s Washington-Baltimore NFL preseason game set a ratings record in the nation’s capital.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will split its feed to air pregame shows of both the Baltimore Ravens and DC NFL Team during weeks when they’re programmed simultaneously.

South

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that while Verizon FiOS signed to carry the Longhorn Network, it won’t have tonight’s launch on its system.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Longhorn Network is having less than an auspicious launch.

David says despite the low viewership numbers at the start, the Longhorn Network’s staff remains upbeat about its future.

Gary Dinges of the Austin American-Statesman says most Texas fans will probably miss tonight’s Longhorn Network launch barring some miracle cable and satellite pickups.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman also writes about the Longhorn Network’s launch.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Time Warner Cable will air a slate of high school football games this fall.

Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star notes that ESPN is in town to air a couple of high school football games this weekend.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NBC is going all out for the NFL regular season opener between the Saints and the Packers.

Ed Sherman has his winners and losers in sports business and media.

Paul Christan at the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says don’t confuse NFL Network with DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket package.

Paul says the Minnesota Vikings without Brett Favre this season won’t be primetime darlings this season.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says don’t confuse BYUtv with the Longhorn Network.

John Maffei of the North County Times says if the NFL wants a Los Angeles franchise, it shouldn’t poach the Chargers.

T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times tells fans to stay home and watch the games on TV.

T.J. can’t believe the Dodgers are asking fans to evaluate Vin Scully’s performance as a broadcaster.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Fox Sports West will air one high school football game a week and stream a whole host of them online.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says buyer beware when it comes to Twitter.

That will do it for today. Be safe wherever you are this weekend.

Doing Some Thursday Linkage

Let’s provide links while I can. Trying not to make this a week where links are scarce. Let’s get this done.

First, Jessica E. Vascellaro and Darren Everson of the Wall Street Journal look at how infusions of TV rights money has changed college sports not necessarily for the better.

John Ourand at Sports Business Daily notes that Longhorn Network has picked up its first major cable provider just ahead of Friday’s launch.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable also writes about Longhorn Network’s carriage deal.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at Fox Soccer signing a multiyear deal for the UEFA Europa League.

Emma Bazilian of Adweek says the Bleacher Report has raised $22 million in capital for future expansion of the site.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine explores the rich naming rights deal involving MetLife and the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says there are not that many differences between “New School” and “Old School” writers.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says the operator of an illegal sports video streaming site was arrested by the Feds yesterday.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell feels Danica Patrick’s popularity has hit the wall.

Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider’s Sports Page notes that ESPN put up a controversial rendering (now since taken down) of Michael Vick as a white man.

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online has a problem with ESPN’s premise of making Vick a white man.

At ESPN Front Row, PR maven Mike Soltys informs us that the Alleged Worldwide Leader has revised its social networking policy.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post says any talk of the NFL and Time Warner Cable being close on a deal for NFL Network is just that. Talk.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that TBS has made a change for its Sunday MLB game due to Hurricane Irene.

Ken Schott says a local radio station will have a unique baseball-horse racing on-air schedule this Saturday.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says the MSG Networks will be airing plenty of college football in the fall.

Ken adds that MSG Network will air a prospects hockey tournament next month.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says an area native is doing overnight sports reports on WFAN.

Justin Fenton and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun report that police have confirmed that former Orioles pitcher and broadcaster Mike Flanagan took his own life outside his home on Wednesday.

Peter Schmuck of the Sun says now is not the time to speculate why Flanagan chose to end his life.

The Sun’s Kevin Cowherd writes that Flanagan made people laugh as a player and as a broadcaster.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes says Flanagan’s death is still a mystery.

Matt Brooks in the Washington Post’s Early Lead blog says Flanagan’s death has hit the Orioles very hard.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that Danica Patrick’s move to NASCAR makes the Baltimore Grand Prix one of her last IndyCar races of her career.

Ken Tysiac of the Charlotte (NC) Observer says thanks to its new ESPN contract, ACC basketball will get plenty of TV exposure.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has a primer on the Longhorn Network.

Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus feeling the SEC will be standing pat for the foreseeable future.

Jimmy says Verizon FiOS will be distributing the Longhorn Network across the country.

The Houston Chronicle says a local TV station will begin airing Thursday night high school football games.

David Barron of the Chronicle writes that the Longhorn Network is ready to launch, but won’t be seen widely in Houston.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says Notre Dame has renewed a radio rights deal with WLS-AM.

Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at a big reveal from ESPN Films’ documentary on the Steve Bartman 2003 NLCS inc

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has Sports Illustrated saying the beating of a San Francisco Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot earlier this year sealed the fate of the franchise.

Mason Kelly of the Seattle Times says a local high school gym got a facelift thanks to an ESPN program.

Only Deadspin. It has a spy inside ESPN’s State of the Union meeting with higher ups.

Sox & Dawgs looks at SNY’s UConn football coverage.

The Toronto Sports Media blog notes that long-time Maple Leafs voice Dennis Beyak is apparently heading to Winnipeg.

Sports Media Watch has some various football programming notes.

That is going to finish the links for today.

Longhorn Network Gets Its First Major Carriage Pickup

Announced this morning, Longhorn Network gets its first major cable provider pickup just a day before it officially launches on Friday. Verizon FiOS TV announces that it will distribute nationwide the ESPN-backed regional sports network devoted totally to the University of Texas. Before today, Longhorn Network had been picked up by a couple of smaller provider in the State of Texas. Now, ESPN, the University of Texas and Longhorn Network can crow which is what all three parties are doing right now. Not quite champagne-popping news, but pretty close in ESPN’s eyes.

We have the press release for you from the offices of ESPN.

Verizon FiOS TV to Add Longhorn Network

Verizon Is Largest Video Service Provider to Add University of Texas Longhorn Network to Channel Lineup —  in Time for Football Team’s Sept. 3 Opener

IRVING, Texas – Joining a growing lineup of regional and national collegiate sports networks on FiOS TV, the Longhorn Network  has arrived on FiOS just in time for the start of the college football season. The Longhorn Network is a channel devoted to athletic programming and related activities at the University of Texas.

Verizon is the largest video service provider to date to announce the addition of the Longhorn Network to its channel lineup.

“The Longhorns have a huge presence in Texas, with a passionate fan base that extends across the country,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. “Verizon’s early commitment to this network speaks to the university’s popularity and the consumer demand for this content.”

Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said, “We know Texas Longhorn fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in college sports, so we’re pleased to add the Longhorn Network to our already robust sports lineup on FiOS TV.  The addition of this groundbreaking collegiate sports channel adds to Verizon’s commitment to bring the best in sports and entertainment and overall video content to our customers.”

The national distribution agreement with the Longhorn Network will allow fans of FiOS and the Longhorns to start watching the network on Sept. 1. FiOS TV Ultimate HD subscribers  outside of Texas can watch LHN on Channel 320. In Texas, FiOS TV Prime HD, Extreme HD and Ultimate HD subscribers can watch LHN on Channels 79 (standard definition) and 579 (high definition).

In the near future, the Longhorn Network also will be available online, on tablets and on smartphones for fans with a Verizon FiOS TV plan, making UT athletics and other programming easily available anywhere, anytime.

‘Game Plan With Mack Brown’ and ‘Texas GameDay’ Featured for Season Opener
On Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. CT, “Game Plan with Mack Brown” will look at what Texas must do to beat Rice in the Longhorns’ season opener on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. At 5 p.m., the two-hour “Texas GameDay” – the only pre-game show broadcast exclusively from inside the stadium — will give fans all the insights, analysis and excitement they’ve come to know from ESPN’s “College GameDay” pre-game show. Immediately after the game, Longhorn fans will see the debut of “Texas GameDay Final” – a two-hour dedicated post-game show televised  exclusively from the field.

Additionally, on Monday (Sept. 5) at 7 p.m., and each following Monday at that time throughout the football season,  “Rewind with Mack Brown” will break down all the plays of the previous Saturday’s game. And each Tuesday at 8 p.m. “Texas Football Overdrive” will present the game in an enhanced format featuring interviews, sound and analysis that bring viewers an inside look at the game.

That’s all for this post.

“Watch ESPN” App Now Available For Android Platforms

The Watch ESPN app which allows subscribers of Time Warner Cable/Bright House and Verizon FiOS systems to see the linear ESPN on smartphones and tablets. This announcement made in the last hour by ESPN. The app had been previously released for Apple platforms last month. Now, those with an Android device can watch the ESPN networks, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Buzzer Beater as well as ESPN3.com. As someone who’s sampled the Watch ESPN app on a trial basis, it’s really good and provides a quality picture. Those who get Time Warner/Bright House and Verizon FiOS will love the ability to take ESPN everywhere you go.

Here’s the announcement.

‘WatchESPN’ App Now Available on Android Devices

App Gives Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV Subscribers Live Access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com Content on Android Phone and Tablet Devices

NEW YORK, N.Y. – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com are now available on Android phone and tablet devices to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV subscribers who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription. The WatchESPN App, can be downloaded via the Android Market beginning today. ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater will also be available when those networks are in season.

The free App – first launched to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in April, 2011 – features a simple user interface that takes the live viewing experience to the high-resolution, Multi-Touch displays of Android devices. Once a user downloads WatchESPN from the Android Market, he will receive instructions to enter the appropriate cable subscriber credentials to begin accessing ESPN content from the device.

The WatchESPN App is available free for Android devices from the Android Market and for Apple devices from the App Store.

ESPN first launched an online-accessible authenticated version of ESPN in October, 2010. Authenticated versions of ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line launched in January, 2011. Consumers can access the channels through a centralized website, ESPNnetworks.com.

There you have it.

Some Monday Linkage

Getting a late start on the Monday links. Part of it was due to the Masters thesis I wrote on the NCAA Tournament earlier today. Let’s do the links for you.

From USA Today’s Michael Hiestand, we have him saying that having the NCAA’s National Director of Officiating on to explain controversial calls only added positives to CBS/Turner’s coverage this past weekend.

Sports Business Journal lists its annual Forty Under 40 sports executives and personalities. The media section will interest you. Or at least it should. The entire section is open to all. I won’t link to everyone, but the names are listed and you can read at your leisure.

Marisa Guthrie at the Hollywood Reporter notes that the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner is garnering its best ratings in two decades.

TMZ reported yesterday that Charlie Sheen met with Fox Sports executives about possibly doing some work for them. Yes he did. #winning.

Nellie Andreeva of Deadline confirms the TMZ report with Fox execs.

Lindsay Rubino of Broadcasting & Cable says an NCAA Tournament overrun helped CBS win primetime on Sunday.

Todd Spangler from Multichannel News writes that Verizon Fios TV is picking up ESPN 3D for its 6 subscribers who have a 3-D TV.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel says a Hispanic cable TV network has won the right to show the Puerto Rican Basketball League in the States.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says the NCAA Tournament won’t return to regionalizing its games anytime soon.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament paid dividends to the four national game strategy.

Jason Fry writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center delves into the Associated Press new policy for writing game leads.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser says fans can vote for the athlete who will adorn the cover of the Madden NFL ’12 video game.

SportsGrid’s Dan Fogarty has video of Charles Barkley ripping the Big East on TBS last night.

From Sports TV Jobs, Brian Clapp has a video telling aspiring sports TV anchors some tips on how to get a job.

Brian gives you a day in the life of a sports TV producer.

Pam Modarelli Hegner in Sports TV Jobs, advises young sportscasters not to root in the press box.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reports that the owners of the New York Mets are seeking to get a case against them dismissed over their knowledge or lack thereof, of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Charles Barkley has given CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament studio a much needed battery charge.

Anthony Rieber of Newsday reports that New York Yankees skipper Joe Girardi won’t be making daily appearances on WFAN as originally announced.

Neil gets the reaction from WFAN’s Mike Francesa who made that original announcement.

Somebody take Phil Mushnick’s temperature because he actually gives praise to CBS/Turner for its coverage of the Butler-Pittsburgh game.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Herald has this year’s NCAA Hockey Tournament TV schedule.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner notes the NCAA Tournament is not only doing well in the ratings, but also online.

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times looks back at a busy weekend in sports television.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle has the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 tip times for Thursday and Friday.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley notes some strong words from former URI and Texas coach Tom Penders on various CBS and ESPN college basketball announcers.

At Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman looks at the Cubs’ search for a new Public Address announcer.

Ed says the local sports radio host who was suspended from his job after a DUI arrest is now undergoing rehab.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post talks with CBS/Turner’s Verne Lundquist who got to call rare “home” games at the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

Dusty also speaks with the lovely Lesley Visser who worked with Verne and Bill Raftery in Denver. And one thing mentioned in the story that I didn’t know. Lesley divorced Fox/Turner announcer Dick Stockton last year.

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

And Tom rates Charles Barkley’s performance on the NCAA Tournament.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says if soccer doesn’t get good ratings in Canada now, it never will.

Ruju Mudhar from the Toronto Star talks with Rogers Sportsnet head Scott Moore about putting more baseball on the network and the possibility of the company’s purchasing Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.

Sports Media Watch notes the 17 year ratings high for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

Steve Lepore at Puck the Media wishes NBC had more time to talk about the classless and big time thug Matt Cooke’s hit during yesterday’s Penguins-Rangers game.

And that’s going to do it.

Quick Monday Afternoon Links

I have found a few more links today and instead of shoving them into the earlier edition, I’ll just a whole new set of links.

First, Sports Business Daily says the overnight ratings for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show were down significantly from last year.

Eric Fisher at Sports Business Daily says MLB Advanced Media has signed a contract to webcast the Webby Awards.

SBD notes a new app that can analyze live statistics and can notify a fan through a mobile app when to turn on a game.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions says Verizon FiOS TV customers will see truTV in HD starting this week just in time for the NCAA Tournament.

At the Wall Street Journal, Matthew Futterman says the NFL is well funded in case the lockout goes long.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says two Army spring sports programs will be heard on radio.

At the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg says the Capitals hit yet another TV ratings milestone.

Matt Murschel from the Orlando Sentinel notes that the Big 12 Conference is about to renew a deal with Fox.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that ESPN went after the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

To the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel where Bob Wolfley talks about former Marquette and current Indiana coach Tom Crean going to truTV this week.

Through Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated, Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN’s Bob Knight fast asleep as Mike Francesa was about to interview him on WFAN.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says yesterday’s NHL Game of the Week on NBC finished even in the ratings with last week.

Steve wants NBC to pick up Blackhawks-Lightning.

I told you there were a lot of Monday afternoon links. Certainly more than I expected.

Late Night Thursday Links

I wasn’t able to provide links during the day and I keep accumulating sports media stories and I don’t want to get into this pattern where I can provide links Monday through Wednesday, but not from Thursday through Sunday. That’s not good especially since you have come to expect linkage just about every day. So I’ll burn the midnight oil and do some linkage for you.

Let’s start with Milton Kent of Fanhouse who fears that Dan Patrick might be risking becoming an enabler to Charlie Sheen after two interviews that have been picked up by the tabloid press.

To Advertising Age where Michael Bush looks at the Super Bowl ads that remain on the national conscience while other brands have faded from memory.

Rich Thomaselli from AdAge looks at the LPGA’s new ad campaign in an attempt to raise awareness and bring the tour’s stars to the forefront. You might recognize the name of a certain sports media blogger in the story.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid explains why you haven’t seen Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle on ESPN2′s SportsNation recently.

Also from SportsGrid, Brad Cohen feels Tony Kornheiser looks bad over his refusal to speak about Dan Snyder’s lawsuit against the Washington City Paper on his radio show.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk says Mr. Tony loses credibility the longer he protects Snyder.

Jeff Neuman at Real Clear Sports has an interesting article on the making of the great movie, Slap Shot and some casting decisions that might have changed the movie we know and love.

At Adweek, Anthony Crupi tries to read between the lines at comments made by new NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke on whether the network will actually make a run at bidding for the 2014/2016 Olympics.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center where Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes that sports broadcasters should be held to the same standard as broadcast news journalists when it comes to endorsing products.

The Hollywood Reporter has Dan Patrick explaining how he got Charlie Sheen on his syndicated radio show.

Sofia M. Fernandez of the Reporter says Comcast’s new 3-D channel debuts Sunday with the airing of the NHL’s Heritage Classic.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News notes that HBO has scheduled its first boxing pay-per-view event of 2011.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel reports on ESPN’s dedicated channels being available online to Verizon Fios TV subscribers.

Alex Weprin from SportsNewser notes that the producers of the Broadway play, Lombardi, now want to bring another sports story to the Great White Way.

A.J. Daulerio of Deadspin laments the loss of contributor Katie Baker to Captain Blowhard’s yet-to-be-named project at ESPN.com.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media provides the market-by-market breakdown for the early games of NBC’s Hockey Day in America doubleheader.

The Boston Herald’s Jessica Heslam talks with outgoing WEEI midday host Dale Arnold who still is shellshocked about losing his show.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds will be seen quite often on MLB Network during Spring Training.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel searches for the lost younger NASCAR viewer.

Bob says the Miami Heat are burning up the NBA’s ratings.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business notes that the Windy City will be the host and the focus for NBC’s Hockey Day in America.

Michael Olivera of the Canadian Press notes that viewers are cutting the cable as they find affordable ways to watch their favorite hockey team either through their mobile phones.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says CBC and Rogers Sportsnet will team up to air every game of the Women’s World Cup later this year.

Sports Media Watch says the Chicago Bulls are on a pace to set a regular season ratings record for Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

SMW says the NBA’s marquee teams are helping to raise the ratings for ABC’s Sunday games.

I think that will hold us over until the regular Friday features start posting. Good night.

Verizon Fios TV Customers Can Now Watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and Buzzer Beater Online

Joining Time Warner Cable, Verizon Fios becomes the second cable provider to sign an agreement with Disney to offer the dedicated ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and Buzzer Beater college basketball channel online. These are the same networks that are available on TV so all programming, live games and SportsCenter can be seen not only on television, but on their laptops and desktop computers. Verizon plans to make the networks available through mobile devices and tablets at a later date. We have full details of the new arrangement. The new service will start Friday for Verizon Fios TV subscribers.

Verizon FiOS to Offer Live Online Streaming of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and Buzzer Beater

Separately, the Two Companies Reached an Agreement for Retransmission Consent for ABC Owned Stations

NEW YORK – As part of a wide-ranging agreement between the Walt Disney Company and Verizon, FiOS TV customers will be able to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater live online beginning today.  To access the online programming, Verizon customers must subscribe to FiOS TV.

The online rights to the ESPN networks are part of a broader agreement, which also includes the full suite of cable services from the Walt Disney Company: ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the soon-to-be-launched Disney Junior, as well as retransmission consent for local ABC broadcast stations.

“Expanding our online video content to include the ESPN networks provides our FiOS customers with some of the best in sports programming, right at their fingertips,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon.  “Whether watching FiOS on your TV, PC or mobile device, Verizon continues to make it easy for customers to view a growing amount of programming while on the go.”

Added David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks, “Offering our live networks online further demonstrates our commitment to serving sports fans, and we couldn’t do it without the cooperation of forward-thinking distributors like Verizon FiOS.  From today forward, FiOS TV customers can choose to watch ESPN on their big screen or on their computer screen – it’s a real sea change in our business and an indication of where our industry is heading.”

FiOS TV customers will be able to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater live on their personal computers or laptops – at home or away – using any broadband connection. Buzzer Beater, which features live cut-ins and highlights from numerous top college basketball games during each Wednesday and Saturday of the college basketball season, is normally only available to FiOS TV customers who subscribe to the Extreme HD or Ultimate HD TV packages but currently will be accessible to Prime TV package customers through a free preview.  ESPN Goal Line, a similar service for college football season, will become available for online viewing when football season begins in September for FiOS TV customers subscribing to the Extreme HD or Ultimate HD packages.

Users will have several viewing options for the channels, including picture-in-picture, simultaneous viewing of more than one channel, and full-screen viewing of a single channel.  Verizon and ESPN plan to make the programming available on other Internet enabled devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, in the near future.

Using their Verizon Online user names and passwords, FiOS TV customers will be able to access the online programming at either www.verizon.com/fiostvcentral or www.ESPNnetworks.com.

This new content joins part of Verizon’s high-quality, online video entertainment, which the company has been delivering since 2005. FiOS also offers a broad collection of programming on TV, with more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 142 HD channels and 19,000 monthly video-on-demand titles. FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

That is it for this post.

Launching Some Friday Megalinks

It has been a very busy Thursday into Friday. I worked all night into this morning and haven’t slept so I’m going on fumes here. But I still do the linkage because it is what you come to expect from the site so let’s get cracking.

You have the Weekend Viewing Picks that provide your sports programming, but primetime not so much. But you can check them out for yourself.

To the links now.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Michael McCarthy debate whether the MLB Postseason or the NFL is more compelling to watch.

Good column from the great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated previewing the latest 30 for 30 documentary and talking with Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson, Jr. about his MLB play-by-play assignment.

Georg Szalai at the Hollywood Reporter looks at the new carriage agreement between ESPN and Verizon Fios that brings new features to the cable provider.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that MSG Network is offering disgruntled Dish Network subscribers a chance to win tickets to see an NHL or NBA game in person as the satellite provider removed the channel from its lineup.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life Magazine says the NHL enters a new season with red hot TV ratings and increased fan interest.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk says a furniture store helped the Detroit Lions avoid a local TV blackout this Sunday.

Mike says the NFL is now looking into the Jenn Sterger allegations that she received lewd photos from Brett Favre.

The NFL Chick feels ESPN is showing its bias towards certain athletes by completely ignoring the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger story.

The Big Lead points out that this week’s political problem involving ESPN’s Lou Holtz is not the first time he’s gotten into trouble for endorsing Republican policies.

Sports Media Watch notes that NBC kept the Kentucky Derby and staved off a strong bid from Fox in the process.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the NHL’s New York Islanders signing with Hofstra University’s student radio station to air their games.

Darren feels the new movie, Secretariat won’t do as well as another horse racing movie, Seabiscuit.

Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy says Versus is improving, but still has a ways to improve.

SportsGrid notes that the New York Post is having plenty of fun with the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger story.

Russell Scibetti at the Business of Sports explores how the new Broadway play on Vince Lombardi is using social networking to promote the performances.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn feels ESPN is going way overboard by maintaining a full-time presence with the Miami Heat.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette notes a local college athlete has hit ESPN for tying the fastest goal in NCAA Division III soccer history.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Entourage star Kevin Connolly who is in the new movie “Secretariat” playing a former Newsday sportswriter.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says TBS should label taped interviews with managers during the League Division Series should be labeled as such.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels TBS isn’t having a good start for the LDS. 

Eric Mirlis has his take on Hofstra University’s radio station taking over the New York Islanders game broadcasts.

UPDATE, 10/9/10, 11:25 a.m.: I got tied up working Friday night so I never got to finish this. I’ll give you what I had. I’ll do some Saturday links today. 

ESPN To Provide New Features For Verizon Fios Subscribers

When ESPN through its parent Disney forged a long-term agreement with Time Warner Cable, it developed two new channels, Goal Line and Buzzer Beater with the idea of expanding it to other services. That time has come as both channels plus ESPN 3D come to Verzion Fios customers as part of a new long term extension that keeps the Disney and ESPN family of networks on the service for the foreseeable future.

In addition, Fios subscribers will be able to see the ESPN family of networks on tablets through Verizon Fios apps. 

We have the announcement.

Verizon and the Disney and ESPN Media Networks Group Extend Agreement, Add New Video and Digital Services for FiOS TV Subscribers

FiOS TV to Add ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN 3D, Disney Junior and Authenticated Services for ESPN Linear Networks  

Verizon Wireless V CAST Video to Add Disney XD Mobile and ABC Family Mobile

BRISTOL, CONN. and NEW YORK — Verizon and the Disney and ESPN Media Networks Group (DEMN) today entered into a long-term, wide-ranging agreement that will continue to provide Verizon customers with the Disney and ESPN services they already receive, as well as future access to new services, including ESPN Goal Line, ESPN 3D, Disney Junior, mobile programming and live online streaming of several ESPN networks.

“We’re very excited to begin offering our FiOS subscribers this new variety of ESPN and Disney programming,” said Terry Denson, Verizon vice president for content strategy and acquisition.  “We continue to meet the goal of providing our customers with the newest programming available on every platform, whether it’s on the TV screen, online or on mobile devices.”

Added David Preschlack, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing, DEMN, “This new agreement represents the ever-evolving landscape of the media industry.  Gone are the days of linear channel distribution only – we are tasked with helping our affiliates grow their businesses on multiple platforms, and this deal reflects that.  With new broadband and on-demand services, Verizon FiOS TV subscribers will have better access than ever to our vast array of content.”

The new services included in the agreement are:

• ESPN Goal Line, a super-highlight channel available to FiOS TV customers as of October 9.  ESPN Goal Line takes fans around to some of the best matchups during the NCAA football season.  The network includes live look-ins of game action, focusing on scoring drives and up-to-the minute commentary from analysts and experts.  Goal Line, available at no additional cost for customers who subscribe to FiOS TV’s Extreme HD or Ultimate HD package, airs on Saturdays in HD on FiOS TV Channel 571 from noon until games are complete, around 11:30 p.m. ET.  A similar service, called ESPN Buzzer Beater, will be available for the college basketball season.  Goal Line will be available in all FiOS TV markets except for the Washington, D.C., metro area and Harrisburg, Pa., due to local affiliate exclusivity agreements.

• ESPN 3D, scheduled to launch for Verizon FiOS TV subscribers in 2011.

• New authenticated services, which will give Verizon’s FiOS TV customers the opportunity to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater live online on their PC or on Internet devices like tablets.  FiOS TV customers will be able to access the programming via ESPN’s websites as well as the FiOS TV Online website in the coming months.

• Disney Junior, the recently announced, 24-hour basic channel for preschool-age children, parents and caregivers. The new channel, available to Verizon FiOS TV customers upon its debut in 2012, will feature animated and live action programming that blends Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and beloved characters with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating, and lifestyles and social skills.

• Signature programming from Disney XD and ABC Family is expected to be available on Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Video later this year.

The new ESPN and Disney programming will join FiOS TV’s broad collection of programming, with more than 520 all-digital channels including up to 140 HD channels and 18,000 monthly video-on-demand titles.  FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

More coming up.

Your Thursday Links

Let’s do the Thursday links as I have to leave early to avoid Patriots traffic ahead of their preseason game against the Saints tonight.

Onto the links.

Steve Elling of CBSSports.com reports about a confrontation between Golf Channel’s Jim Gray and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin over a quote Gray reported earlier this week. 

Stephanie Wei of the excellent Wei Under Par golf blog is reporting on the PGA Championship for the Wall Street Journal and she examines the whole Gray/Pavin shouting match which occurred after a press conference on Wednesday.

Mike Buteau of Bloomberg says Tiger Woods falling play and golf’s falling ratings could lead to more PGA Tour stops going to cable in the next TV contract. 

Golf Digest takes a tour of Golf Channel host Kelly Tilghman’s hometown of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Radio Ink Magazine reports that former CBS Sports personality/Access Hollywood/Entertainment Tonight/The Insider anchor Pat O’Brien is now joining Fox Sports Radio as a co-host of an afternoon drive show. I wonder if Betsy will be there (NSFW).

John Walters of Fanhouse says ESPN’s Pat Forde has transformed from Twitter hater to Twitter lover.

Chris Botta at Fanhouse spoke with NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins about NHL Network and other matters.

Georg Szalai in the Hollywood Reporter says Verizon will produce the first NFL game in 3-D TV in just a couple of weeks.

Glen Dickson of Broadcasting & Cable says Samsung is teaming with ESPN to produce an app for “smart TV’s”.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes about a new three year deal between ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel to air English Premier League games on ESPN2.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek reports that when the new expanded SportsCenter begins on ESPNews at the end of this month, it will have fewer ads so more content can be aired.

Ryan Berenz at Channel Guide has the outlets airing this week’s PGA Championship. 

Andrew Laughlin of Digital Spy UK says ESPN is launching an iPhone app which will provide video of all English Premier League goals scored within minutes after they occurred.

Robert Andrews in paidContent talks about ESPN’s English Premier League mobile and streaming rights in both the UK and the US.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog wonders if a “Hard Knocks”-type program would work for the NHL.

Bob Ryan in the Boston Globe writes about colleague Jackie MacMullen who’s being honored by the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight. 

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at Fox Sports Wisconsin going commercial-free for a Milwaukee Brewers game to raise money for charity.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union notes the passing of former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Nellie King.

Pete says SNY’s Ron Darling will be honored by Little League Baseball.

Pete also has ESPN’s MLB schedule through Sunday, August 22.

Robert Dvorchak and Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette remember the late Nellie King.

Ron Fritz in the Baltimore Sun has enjoyed listening to Fang’s Bites fave Michelle Beadle subbing on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning.

Jamison Hedley at the Sun notes that the Ravens have formed a TV network that has similar reach to what MASN gave the team.

Fred Bowen in the Washington Post feels women’s sports is getting the shaft on the networks.

Ryan Sharrow writes in the Washington Business Journal notes that Ravens have added DC affiliates to its radio network.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the Ravens have pieced together a new TV network after talks with MASN broke down earlier this month.

Jim says Fox picks up this Saturday’s Orioles-Rays game.

Ben Goessling of MASN says the Washington Nationals will be giving away DVD’s of Stephen Strasburg’s Major League debut during tonight’s game against the Marlins. 

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times says the NHL Network will air the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup clinching game from 2004 on Friday.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Texas Rangers set another ratings record on Fox Sports Southwest which will probably be broken very soon.

Also from the Morning News, Mike Heika reports that Fox is dropping out of the bidding for the Dallas Stars. 

Steve Watkins in the Cincinnati Business Courier says the Reds drew great ratings on Tuesday for its brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

John Kieswetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports Ohio will air three University of Kentucky exhibition games in Canada next week.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business notes that the bank wants to seize memorabilia from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Ed says Bulls fans who want to get their LeBron/Miami Heat fix can also go to Milwaukee to see them.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley notes that Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers gave playing tips on the Whistling Straits golf course to ESPN Radio. Whistling Straits is where the PGA Championships is being played this week.

Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel looks at Turner Sports’ 3-D coverage of the PGA Championship.

Benjamin Wideman of the Sheboygan (WI) Journal goes behind the scenes with Turner Sports on its 3-D coverage of the PGA Championship.

Dan Caesear of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Tuesday’s brawl between the Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds led to record ratings for Fox Sports Midwest.

St. Louis’ KMOV-TV has formed a partnership with the ESPN Radio affiliate. 

The Los Angeles Times has a reporters roundup of opinions regarding the whole Jim Gray/Corey Pavin argument.

Dave Boling of The Olympian says Ken Norton, Jr. was plucked from NFL Network to be Seattle Seahawks linebackers coach.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star notes that MLS is not striking a chord with Canadian viewers.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN could take a ratings and advertising hit if the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats move from its English-speaking to French-dominant Quebec.

At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore wants a Hard Knocks edition for the NHL.

Joe Favorito says baseball really needs to become more global.

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann remembers his friend, former Pirates announcer and pitcher Nellie King.

The great Maury Brown at the Biz of Football notes that the Madden NFL 11 video game will be made available for the iPad and iPod Touch.

That’s going to end it for us today. Lots of good links.

NFL’s First 3-D Game To Be Produced In September

I thank Twitter follower sox1918 for sending me this release. This story is just coming out now, that the first NFL game to be produced in 3-D will be provided exclusively for Verizon Fios customers in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. It will be a Verizon production. In addition, Verizon Fios will hold promotions at two sports bars, one in New York City and the other in my home area of Providence to demonstrate the power of 3-D.

Having seen 3-D in action for The Masters, it’s quite the experience. Here’s the release from Verizon which I had to steal off a website.

Verizon FiOS Scores First NFL Game on 3D TV: Giants-Patriots Preseason Match-Up on Sept. 2

Company to Produce and Broadcast the Game, Exclusively for FiOS TV Customers

NEW YORK – August 11, 2010 – Verizon is kicking off the football season with the production and broadcast of the first National Football League game in 3D on television for the company’s FiOS TV customers in parts of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The game is the Sept. 2 preseason match-up between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., with Verizon FiOS1 pre-game, half-time and post-game shows – all in 3D. The game begins at 7 p.m.

Verizon FiOS1 is producing the 3D broadcast, which will be shown on FiOS Channel 834 for FiOS TV subscribers in the New York City area, including Long Island and Westchester and Rockland counties, as well as for subscribers in northern New Jersey, Mercer County, N.J., Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Similar to previously offered 3D programming from Verizon, customers must have 3D TV sets, 3D glasses and a high-definition set-top box to view the broadcast.

The veteran on-air broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes, analyst Howard Cross and sideline reporter Kimberly Jones.

“This is the next major step in our development of 3D experiences for our FiOS TV customers,” said Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. “Broadcasting the first 3D NFL game delivers on our promise to FiOS customers to provide a superior TV offering, including 3D, HD and VOD programming, as well as interactivity that cable can’t match.”

Giants Chief Marketing Officer Mike Stevens said, “The Giants are excited to host the first 3D broadcast of an NFL Game in our new stadium. We have worked closely with our partner Verizon in developing new technology throughout the stadium for our fans, and now Verizon FiOS and the Giants will be taking the next step in innovation for our fans at home.”

In support of the 3D broadcast, Verizon will host customer viewing parties at New Meadowlands Stadium and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Guests at Gillette Stadium will include youngsters from local Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Verizon also is working with two popular sports bars in the New York and New England markets — Slate Bar in Manhattan and Snookers in Providence, R.I. — to give consumers a first-hand look at the power of Verizon’s 3D experience. The company will set up 3D TVs at each location and hold promotional events there.

The broadcast marks Verizon’s third major 3D initiative this summer. On July 10 and 11, the company broadcast the first Major League Baseball games in 3D, between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. And on July 15, Verizon announced that it will carry 3D programming on FiOS TV Video on Demand from WealthTV.

“We are committed to bringing our customers a consistently high-quality TV experience with the best programming available over the country’s only all-fiber network,” added Denson. “And there’s so much more yet to come, with new programming, applications and other enhancements that only FiOS can deliver.”

FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming, with more than 565 all-digital channels including up to 142 HD channels and 18,000 monthly video-on-demand titles. FiOS also provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; remote DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more.

In addition, with NFL Mobile only from Verizon, Giants and Patriots fans can get news, scores and highlights all season long on their Verizon Wireless smartphones. For information on how to download, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/nfl.

Kind of surprised I didn’t get anything from the NFL on this, but that’s ok. I found out and I’m able to provide this information to you.