Fang's Bites

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.

ESPN Networks All Over The NCAA Division I Softball Championship

In its increased commitment to the NCAA, the ESPN Family of Networks will have extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship including every game of the Women’s College World Series.

There will be coverage of up to 62 games from the regionals to the Super Regional games, all the way to the Women’s College World Series held again at Oklahoma City, OK. This will be the 12th year that the ESPN Family will carry all of the games of the WCWS.

Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza will be the main team for the Softball Championship and they’ll be assigned to the Louisville, KY Super Regional and then go to the Women’s College World Series.

The whole enchilada begins this Friday with coverage of eight games on ESPN2, ESPN3 and the Longhorn Network (that’s right) and continuing throughout the weekend.

Here’s the ESPN press release.

ESPN Provides Extensive Coverage of NCAA Division I Softball Championship

Every Women’s College World Series Contest for 12^th Straight Year

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 will combine as the coverage home to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship with up to 62 games Friday, May 18 to Wednesday, June 6. The lineup will include telecasts of every Women’s College World Series (WCWS) contest for the 12^th straight event and every game from all eight Super Regional sites for the fifth straight year. Coverage begins with games from three Regional sites.

As mentioned on ESPNU’s 2012 NCAA Division I Softball Championship Selection Show, action begins Friday, May 18 with six telecasts from three sites -– Louisville, Ky.; College Station, Texas; Tucson, Ariz. ESPN3 will simulcast every Regional, Super Regional and WCWS game aired on ESPN networks.

SEC teams earned the most bids this year by conference with nine, followed closely by the Pac-12 with eight. The Pac-12 has won 23 of 29 NCAA Division I Softball Championships. The last non-Pac-12 school to win a title was Michigan in 2005. This year’s No. 1 seed, California, has the most consecutive championship appearances with 26, behind only Fresno State with 30.

2012 ESPN Highlights:

• More than 125 hours of NCAA Division I Softball Championship game action as well as studio hours surrounding the games with highlights, expert analysis and press conferences after Super Regionals.
• For the first time, the Longhorn Network will also offer exclusive games from a Regionals series, televising all games involving No. 8 Texas from the Austin, Texas Regional site, beginning Friday, May 19 at 5:30 ET.
• Super Regionals and WCWS games will include the expert opinion and experience from six U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists, one of which was a three-time NCAA Champion. All 11 analysts are former All-Americans and six played for teams that were seeded in this year’s Championship:
  • ESPN Softball Analysts at Super Regionals: Leah Amico (Arizona), Garland Cooper (Northwestern), Jennie Finch (Arizona), Amanda Freed (UCLA), Cheri Kemp (Missouri Western), Jessica Mendoza (Stanford), Amanda Scarborough (Texas A&M) and Michele Smith (Oklahoma State)
  • ESPN Softball Analysts in Studio: Charlotte Morgan (Alabama) and Stacey Nuveman (UCLA)
  • As part of ESPN’s celebration of 40 years of Title IX, espnW.com will give fans inside access on a team’s road to the WCWS with features, photos and player blogs from six of the top-25 programs.
  • ESPN International will provide the WCWS in 178 countries and territories on ESPN Australia, ESPN Africa, ESPN Caribbean, ESPN Europe, ESPN Israel, ESPN Latin America, ESPN Middle East, ESPN Pacific Rim and ESPN Brazil.
  • In 2012, the ESPN networks will air over 400 hours of NCAA Spring Championships coverage, increasing more than 30 hours from 2011. As part of ESPN’s extended rights agreement with the NCAA, spring championship programming highlights seven sports over eight weeks: Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Volleyball, Baseball and Softball. For the first time, ESPN networks will also air the Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field and Women’s Lacrosse Championships.

NCAA Division I Softball Championship – Regionals
(Schedule subject to change)

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup (location)	Regional Game	Network
Friday, May 18	4:30 p.m.	Kentucky vs. Michigan (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game1	ESPN2/ESPN3
	5 p.m.	Texas State vs. LSU (College Station, TX) Cara Capuano and Cheri Kempf	Game 1	ESPN3
	5 p.m.	Northwestern vs. No. 6 Texas (Austin, TX) TBD	Game 2	Longhorn Network
	5:30 p.m.	Notre Dame vs. Hawaii (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	Valparaiso vs. No. 15 Louisville (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 2	ESPN2/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 8 Texas A&M (College Station, TX) Cara Capuano and Cheri Kempf	Game 2	ESPN3
	8 p.m.	North Dakota State vs. No. 13 Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 2	ESPNU/ESPN3
Saturday, May 19	1 p.m.	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 3	ESPN/ESPN3
	2 p.m.	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (College Station, TX)	Game 3	ESPN3
	3:30  p.m.	Game 1 loser vs. Game  2 loser (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 4	ESPN/ESPN3
	5 p.m.	Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (College Station, TX) Cara Capuano and Cheri Kempf	Game 4	ESPN3
	6 p.m.	Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 loser (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 5	ESPN/ESPN3
	6 p.m.	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 3	ESPNU/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 loser (College Station, TX)	Game 5	ESPN3
	8:30 p.m.	Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 4	ESPNU/ESPN3
	11 p.m.	Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 loser (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 5	ESPNU/ESPN3
Sunday, May 20	1 p.m.	Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (Louisville, KY) Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 6	ESPN2/ESPN3
	2 p.m.	Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (College Station, TX) Cara Capuano and Cheri Kempf	Game 6	ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (Louisville, KY)* Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	Game 7	ESPN2/ESPN3
	4:30 p.m.	Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (College Station, TX)* Cara Capuano and Cheri Kempf	Game 7	ESPN3
	5:30 p.m.	Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (Tucson, AZ) Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 6	ESPNU/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (Tucson, AZ) * Pam Ward and Michele Smith	Game 7	ESPNU/ESPN3

NCAA Division I Softball Championship – Super Regionals

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup (Location)	Game	Network
Thu, May 24	8 p.m.	TBD (Site 1)	Game 1	ESPN2/ESPN3
	10 p.m.	TBD (Site 2)	Game 1	ESPN2/ESPN3
Fri, May 25	2 p.m.	TBD (Site 5)	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	4:30 p.m.	TBD (Site 1)	Game 2	ESPNU/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	TBD (Site 1) *	Game 3	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	TBD (Site 3)	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	9 p.m.	TBD (Site 2)	Game 2	ESPN or ESPNU/ESPN3
	9 p.m.	TBD (Site 4)	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	11:30 p.m.	TBD (Site 2)*	Game 3	ESPNU/ESPN3
Sat, May 26	noon	TBD (Site 5)	Game 2	ESPN/ESPN3
	noon	TBD (Site 6)	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	2:30 PM	TBD (Site 5) *	Game 3	ESPN/ESPN3
	2:30 PM	TBD (Site 3)	Game 2	ESPNU/ESPN3
	5 p.m.	TBD (Site 4)	Game 2	ESPN/ESPN3
	5 p.m.	TBD (Site 3) *	Game 3	ESPNU/ESPN3
	7:30 PM	TBD (Site 4) *	Game 3	ESPN/ESPN3
	7:30 PM	TBD (Site 7)	Game 1	ESPNU/ESPN3
	10 p.m.	TBD (Site 8)	Game 1	ESPN2/ESPN3
Sun, May 27	1 p.m.	TBD (Site 6)	Game 2	ESPN/ESPN3
	3:30 PM	TBD (Site 6) *	Game 3	ESPN/ESPN3
	3:30 PM	TBD (Site 7)	Game 3	ESPNU/ESPN3
	6 p.m.	TBD (Site 7) *	Game 3	ESPNU/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	TBD (Site 8)	Game 2	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9:30 PM	TBD (Site 8) *	Game 3	ESPN2/ESPN3

NCAA Women’s College World Series, (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Date	Time	Game	Network
Wed, May 30	2 p.m.	WCWS Press Conferences	ESPNU
	4 p.m.	WCWS Press Conferences	ESPNU
Thu, May 31	Noon	WCWS Pre-Game Show	ESPNU
	1 p.m.	Game 1	ESPN2/ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	Game 2	ESPN2/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	Game 3	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	Game 4	ESPN2/ESPN3
	11:30 p.m.	WCWS Post-Game Show	ESPNU
Fri, June 1	7 p.m.	Game 5	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	Game 6	ESPN2/ESPN3
Sat, June 2	noon	Game 7	ESPN2/ESPN3
	2:30 p.m.	Game 8	ESPN2/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	Game 9	ESPN/ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	Game 10	ESPN/ESPN3
Sun, June 3	1 p.m.	Game 11	ESPN/ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	Game 12	ESPN/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	Game 13*	ESPNU/ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	Game 14*	ESPNU/ESPN3
Mon, June 4	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 1	ESPN2/ESPN3
	10:30 p.m.	WCWS Post-Game Show	ESPNU
Tue, June 5	7:30 p.m.	WCWS Pre-Game Show	ESPNU
	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 2	ESPN2/ESPN3
	10:30 p.m.	WCWS Post-Game Show	ESPNU
Wed, June 6	7:30 p.m.	WCWS Pre-Game Show	ESPNU
	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 3*	ESPN/ESPN3
	10:30 p.m.	WCWS Post-Game Show	ESPNU

ESPN3 will carry every game; direct links to exclusive games included
* denotes “if necessary” game

That’s going to do it.

ESPN Networks Will Really Be Into Softball This Weekend

Starting today and going into the Women’s College World Series, the ESPN Family will air extensive coverage of college softball. Today, ESPN and ESPNU will carry the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals from Tuscaloosa, AL.

In addition, the ACC, Big East and Big South Championships will be seen on TV. ESPN3 will have other conference championships online.

It all leads to the NCAA Softball Selection Show will ESPNU will air on Sunday night. Check out the announcement from ESPN below.

ESPN Increases Softball Coverage with Ten Conference Championship Matchups

NCAA Softball heads into a week of more championship coverage than ever before across ESPN networks with the addition of the two Conference Championships to ESPNU – the ACC and Big South – and five exclusively live on ESPN3 with the Atlantic Sun, Missouri Valley, Southern, SWAC and Sun Belt.

In addition to simulcasting the entire SEC Softball Tournament and the five Conference Championship games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, ESPN3 will also show the ACC Softball Championship Quarterfinals and six championships exclusively. ESPN networks will air a combined 25 total softball tournament games over four days beginning Thursday, May 10.

ESPNU will close out the record week of championship coverage with the fifth annual NCAA Division I Softball Championship Selection Show on Sunday. May 13, at 10 p.m. and unveil the 64-team field for this season’s final matchups.

Date	Time	Championship	Network
Thu, May 10	Noon	SEC Softball Tournament Quarterfinal: LSU vs. Florida Cara Capuano and Michele Smith	ESPNU
	Noon	ACC Softball Championship Quarterfinal: Virginia vs. Georgia Tech	ESPN3
	2:30 p.m.	SEC Softball Tournament Quarterfinal: Auburn vs. Tennessee Cara Capuano and Michele Smith	ESPNU
	2:30 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Quarterfinal: North Carolina vs. Florida State	ESPN3
	5 p.m.	SEC Softball Tournament Quarterfinal: Kentucky vs. Georgia Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU
	5 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Quarterfinal: Boston College vs. North Carolina	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	SEC Softball Tournament Quarterfinal: Mississippi State vs. Alabama Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza	ESPN
	8 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Quarterfinal: Maryland vs. Virginia Tech	ESPN3
Fri, May 11	3 p.m.	SEC Softball Tournament Semifinal Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU
	1 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Semifinal	ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Semifinal	ESPN3
	5:30 p.m.	SEC Softball Tournament Semifinal Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU
Sat, May 12	Noon	Atlantic Sun Softball Championship	ESPN3
	1:30 p.m.	Southern Softball Championship	ESPN3
	3 p.m.	Missouri Valley Softball Championship	ESPN3
	3 p.m.	Southland Softball Championship	ESPN3
	4 p.m.	ACC Softball Championship Cara Capuano and Cheri Kemp	ESPN
	4 p.m.	Sun Belt Softball Championship	ESPN3
	6 p.m.	BIG EAST Softball Championship Pam Ward and Jennie Finch	ESPN2
	8 p.m.	SEC Softball Championship Beth Mowins and Michele Smith	ESPN
Sun, May 13	Noon	Big South Softball Championship Holly Rowe and Garland Cooper	ESPNU
	2 p.m.	SWAC Softball Championship Adam Amin and Amanda Scarborough	ESPN3
	10 p.m.	NCAA Division I Softball Championship Selection Show	ESPNU

*All games listed will also air on ESPN3; viewing links attached to game designation

There you have it.

NCAA.com To Stream 400 Hours of Spring Championships

NCAA.com will stream some 400 hours of live coverage of its Spring Championships starting this weekend. Most of the championships will be in Division II and III, but unlike many Division I Championships which are granted to ESPN’s networks, NCAA.com is the only way to watch the live action.

The Championships will range in sports from volleyball, track & field, golf, tennis, baseball, rowing and so much more.

Streaming begins on Friday, April 27 with the Division III Men’s Volleyball Tournament and will last until Sunday, June 3 with early coverage of the Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Tournament.

So you can see, there will be a wide range of sports covered by NCAA.com. Here’s the press release.

NCAA.com to Provide More than 400 Hours of Live Streaming Video from 2012 NCAA^® Spring Championships

NCAA.com to serve as official online and mobile destination for all 37 NCAA Spring Championships

Turner Sports and the NCAA have announced that fans can enjoy the 2012 NCAA spring championships -– with more than 400 combined hours of live streaming video from more than 200 events – on NCAA.com and the free NCAA Sports iPhone app. Live coverage begins Friday, April 27, with the inaugural Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship from Springfield, Mass., and continues through June 3. A total of 30 championships will be streamed live exclusively on NCAA.com including Division I men’s and women’s golf, Division I men’s and women’s tennis, National Collegiate men’s volleyball, National Collegiate women’s water polo and Division II and III men’s lacrosse.

To prepare fans for the upcoming championships, NCAA.com will also stream 20 selection shows to reveal the championship fields and key matchups.

“We’re thrilled to provide college sports fans with the most live video coverage of spring championships available anywhere,” said Mark Johnson, vice president and general manager, NCAA Digital. “NCAA.com continues to expand its reach within collegiate athletics and truly is the only website where fans can track and follow their schools and student-athletes across all sports.”

In addition to the live streaming coverage, NCAA.com will serve as the official online and mobile hub for the NCAA spring championships. During the seven-week period, fans will be able to experience all the action from their favorite sports, athletic programs and student-athletes through the site’s coverage of all 37 NCAA spring championships including the College World Series, Women’s College World Series and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships. Coverage will include:

• Interactive Tournament Brackets:The content hub for each championship, this bracket provides quick links to all relevant content for each matchup.
• Video Highlights/Interviews/Features: Extensive video content, including game highlights from all 37 spring championships, coach and student-athlete interviews and behind-the-scenes video features.
• Live Scores and Statistics: The latest scores and schedules from each championship, as well as box scores and play-by-play
• Comprehensive Editorial Coverage: In-depth analysis from the NCAA.com editorial team including previews, on-site student-athlete and team features, and recaps from all the championship action.

“Providing fans, our membership, our student-athletes and the student-athletes’ families with the convenience of accessing our NCAA championships in real-time and on multiple platforms keeps them engaged and updated on the tournaments,” said Mark Lewis, NCAA executive vice president for championships and alliances. “We also have an opportunity to potentially increase the fan base and viewership of NCAA sports that aren’t normally televised through additional online streaming and mobile device applications, which ultimately puts more eyes on the accomplishments of NCAA student-athletes.”

NCAA.com Live Video Streaming Schedule for NCAA^® Spring Championships
(start times TBD)

Friday, April 27
	Division III Men’s Volleyball Quarterfinals (Springfield, MA)
Saturday, April 28
	Division III Men’s Volleyball Semifinals (Springfield, MA)
Sunday, April 29
	Division III Men’s Volleyball Finals (Springfield, MA)
Thursday, May 3
	National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Semifinals (Los Angeles, CA)
Tuesday, May 8
	Division III Women’s Golf First Round (Angola, IN)
Wednesday, May 9
	Division III Women’s Golf Second Round (Angola, IN)
Thursday, May 10
	Division III Women’s Golf Third Round (Angola, IN)
Friday, May 11
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo First Round (San Diego, CA)
	Division III Women’s Golf Fourth Round (Angola, IN)
Saturday, May 12
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Consolation Games (San Diego, CA)
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Semifinals (San Diego, CA)
Sunday, May 13
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo 7th Place Game (San Diego, CA)
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo 5th Place Game (San Diego, CA)
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo 3rd Place Game (San Diego, CA)
	National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Finals (San Diego, CA)
Tuesday, May 15
	Division III Men’s Golf First Round (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
	Division II Softball Finals (Louisville, KY)
Wednesday, May 16
	Division III Men’s Golf Second Round (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
	Division II Women’s Golf First Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s Golf First Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals – First Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Softball Finals (Louisville, KY)
Thursday, May 17
	Division III Men’s Golf Third Round (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
	Division II Women’s Golf Second Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s Golf Second Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals – Quarterfinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Softball Finals (Louisville, KY)
Friday, May 18
	Division III Men’s Golf Fourth Round (Howey-in-the-Hills, FL)
	Division II Women’s Golf Third Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s Golf Third Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals – Semifinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Women’s Lacrosse Semifinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team First Round (Athens, GA)
	Division II Softball Finals (Louisville, KY)
	Division III Softball Finals (Salem, VA)
Saturday, May 19
	Division II Women’s Golf Fourth Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s Golf Fourth Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals – First Round (Louisville, KY)
	Division III Women’s Lacrosse Semifinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division II Softball Finals (Louisville, KY)
	Division III Softball Finals (Salem, VA)
Sunday, May 20
	Division II Women’s Lacrosse Semifinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division III Women’s Lacrosse Semifinals (Louisville, KY)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Quarterfinals (Athens, GA)
	Division III Softball Finals (Salem, VA)
Monday, May 21
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Semifinals (Athens, GA)
	Division III Softball Finals (Salem, VA)
Tuesday, May 22
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Quarterfinals (Cary, NC)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals (Athens, GA)
	Division III Softball Finals (Salem, VA)
Wednesday, May 23
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Semifinals (Cary, NC)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis First Round (Singles) (Athens, GA)
Thursday, May 24
	Division II Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Pueblo, CO)
	Division III Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Claremont, CA)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team -  3rd Place (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Team Finals (Cary, NC)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Second Round (Singles) (Athens, GA)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis First Round (Doubles) (Athens, GA)
Friday, May 25
	Division II Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Pueblo, CO)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Round of 32 (Singles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Round of 16 (Singles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Round of 16 (Doubles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Claremont, CA)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Round of 16 (Singles/Doubles) (Athens, GA)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
	Division I Women’s Rowing Day 1 Heats (West Windsor, NJ)
	Division II Women’s Rowing Day 1 Heats (West Windsor, NJ)
	Division III Women’s Rowing Day 1 Heats/Qualifier (West Windsor, NJ)
Saturday, May 26
	Division II Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Pueblo, CO)
	Division III Outdoor Track & Field Finals (Claremont, CA)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Quarterfinals (Singles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Quarterfinals (Doubles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Semifinals (Singles) (Cary, NC)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Quarterfinals (Singles/Doubles) (Athens, GA)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
	Division I Women’s Rowing Day 2 Semifinals (West Windsor, NJ)
	Division II Women’s Rowing Day 2 Repechage (West Windsor, NJ)
	Division III Women’s Rowing Day 2 Finals (West Windsor, NJ)
Sunday, May 27
	Division II Men’s Lacrosse Finals (Foxborough MA)
	Division III Men’s Lacrosse Finals (Foxborough, MA)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Semifinals (Doubles) (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Singles Final (Cary, NC)
	Division III Men’s & Women’s Tennis Doubles Final (Cary, NC)
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Semifinals (Singles/Doubles) (Athens, GA)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
	Division I Women’s Rowing Day 3 Finals (West Windsor, NJ)
	Division II Women’s Rowing Day 3 Finals(West Windsor, NJ)
Monday, May 28
	Division I Men’s & Women’s Tennis Finals (Singles & Doubles) (Athens, GA)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
Tuesday, May 29
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
	Division III Baseball Finals (Appleton, WI)
Wednesday, May 30
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
Thursday, May 31
	Division I Men’s Golf First Round (Pacific Palisades, CA)
	Division I Women’s Golf First Round (Franklin, TN)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
Friday, June 1
	Division I Men’s Golf Second Round (Pacific Palisades, CA)
	Division I Women’s Golf Second Round (Franklin, TN)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
Saturday, June 2
	Division I Men’s Golf Third Round (Pacific Palisades, CA)
	Division I Women’s Golf Third Round (Franklin, TN)
	Division II Baseball Finals (Cary, NC)
Sunday, June 3
	Division I Men’s Golf Fourth Round (Pacific Palisades, CA)
	Division I Women’s Golf Fourth Round (Franklin, TN)

That will do it.

ESPN Extends Agreement With NCAA For Championships Through 2023-24

The networks continue to lock in long-terms agreements and today, we receive this press release from ESPN regarding the NCAA Championships. With this agreement, the ESPN networks will air championships in sports including Football, Women’s Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Track & Field, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Softball and Baseball.

The championships will be aired on all ESPN platforms including TV and online. ESPNU will get a huge block of programming devoted to college sports. ESPN will also get various streaming rights for ESPN3.

ESPN picks up seven NCAA Championships in this agreement including three from CBS/CBS Sports Network women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field.

Here’s the announcement from ESPN and the NCAA.

ESPN and NCAA® Extend Rights Agreement through 2023-24

Expanded Rights Secured for ESPN3 and Other Multi-media Platforms for 24 NCAA Championships;
Exclusive International Rights for NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship;
NIT^® Season Tip-Off and NIT Postseason Coverage

ESPN, Inc. and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) today announced a multiyear agreement through 2023-24 for worldwide, multi-media rights to 24 NCAA championships and exclusive multi-media rights outside the United States, its territories and Bermuda for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. The new agreement, which takes effect immediately, also provides expanded coverage of each round of the NIT Season Tip-Off and all games from the NIT Postseason Tournament across the ESPN networks.

The new agreement includes 600-plus hours and 300 telecasts of live coverage annually across more platforms than ever before. It contains rights for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPN 3D, ESPN Mobile, ESPN FULL COURT, GamePlan, Buzzer Beater, Goal Line, ESPN International, ESPN Deportes, ESPN.com and WatchESPN, with many of the 24 championships produced in high definition on ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD.

Exclusive coverage of the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship and broad rights covering the NCAA Division I Football Championship, and the Men’s and Women’s College World Series, among others, will continue on the ESPN networks.

“We have enjoyed a great relationship with the NCAA that has spanned the history of ESPN,” said George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN and ABC Sports, and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks. “This is our most comprehensive agreement yet and ensures sports fans will have access to top-level NCAA athletics across ESPN networks and platforms.”

“Thousands of inspiring and compelling student-athletes make it to the championship level every year, and we at the NCAA are excited to be able to share their stories with a broader audience than ever,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “Across all sports and divisions, our primary goal is to support student-athlete success both on the field and in the classroom, and this new agreement provides us a greater ability to do so.”

ESPN expands its exclusive final round NCAA coverage with 24 NCAA championships:

• Fall – Division I women’s soccer; Division I men’s soccer; Division I women’s volleyball; Division I football (FCS); Division II football and Division III football
• Winter – Division I men’s and women’s indoor track & field; Division I men’s and women’s swimming & diving; Division I women’s basketball; Division I wrestling; Division I men’s ice hockey; National Collegiate women’s bowling; National Collegiate women’s gymnastics and National Collegiate men’s and women’s fencing.
• Spring – National Collegiate men’s volleyball; Division I men’s and women’s lacrosse; Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track & field; Division I softball and Division I baseball

ESPN is adding coverage of seven NCAA championships: National Collegiate women’s gymnastics, National Collegiate men’s and women’s fencing, Division I women’s lacrosse, Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track & field and National Collegiate women’s bowling (previously sublicensed from CBS). ESPN will also air additional preliminary round coverage of selected NCAA championships including Division I football (FCS), Division I women’s volleyball, Division I softball and Division I baseball.

ESPNU

• Additional coverage on ESPN’s 24-hour college sports network, including high-profile, preliminary-round NCAA championships exposure. ESPNU has featured original NCAA content since the network’s inception on March 4, 2005
• During the 2011-12 season, 15 NCAA national champions will be crowned on ESPNU in the following events: National Collegiate women’s bowling; National collegiate men’s and women’s fencing; Division III football; National Collegiate women’s gymnastics; Division I men’s and women’s indoor track & field; Division I women’s lacrosse; Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track & field; Division I men’s and women’s soccer; Division I men’s and women’s swimming & diving, and National Collegiate men’s volleyball
• More than 90 events and 220 hours of NCAA championship programming during the 2011-12 season

ESPN3

• ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network will feature exclusive coverage from selected rounds and sites of 16 NCAA championships including: Division I baseball; National Collegiate men’s and women’s fencing; Division I football (FCS); National Collegiate women’s gymnastics; Division I men’s and women’s indoor track & field; Division I women’s lacrosse; Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track & field; Division I women’s soccer; Division I softball; Division I men’s and women’s swimming & diving; Division I women’s volleyball and Division I wrestling
• Extensive early-round event coverage from Division I baseball, Division I football (FCS), Division I men’s ice hockey, Division I softball, Division I women’s volleyball and Division I wrestling
• 80-plus live exclusive events from NCAA championships, the NIT Season Tip-Off and NIT Postseason Tournament during the 2011-12 season

Women’s Basketball

• ESPN remains the exclusive home of the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.  ESPN has carried the championship since 1996
• 2012 marks the 10^th consecutive year of airing the entire championship with all 63 games tipping-off live on ESPN networks
• ESPN continues to feature the NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special with Selection Monday on ESPN

Men’s Basketball

• International rights for the entire NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, including distribution in Latin America (Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America), the Middle East and Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Europe, Japan and Canada (via TSN)
• Selected highlight rights from the complete championship for distribution in the U.S. and international territories
• Exclusive home of the men’s basketball NIT Season Tip-Off and NIT Postseason Tournament, including expanded coverage of the tip-off event and all rounds from the postseason tournament
• Live studio coverage from inside the stadium at the Men’s Final Four^®

Studio Shows

• In addition to women’s basketball, ESPN maintains exclusive rights to selected NCAA championship selection shows. ESPNU will showcase Division I baseball, Division I football (FCS), Division I men’s ice hockey, Division I men’s lacrosse, Division I softball, and Division I women’s volleyball selection shows.

That will do it.

Mixing Up Some Sunday Links

Let’s do some linkage on this lazy Sunday.

Kari Lipschutz of Adweek writes that it’s a photo finish in the race to the US rights to the 2014/16 Olympics.

Rachel Cohen of the Associated Press looks into the Olympic bidding.

David Lieberman and Patrick Hipes at Deadline wonder what losing the Olympics could mean to NBC.

Jaqueline Magnay of the London (UK) Telegraph says the longtime Olympics rightsholder BBC is watching the US TV bidding with more than casual interest.

Glenda Korporaal of The Australian notes that current Australian Olympics rightsholder 9 Network is hoping it will keep the Games after taking them away from 7 Network for 2010/12.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News handicaps the Olympics bidding among the US networks.

Mike says viewership for the first two games of this year’s NBA Finals are outpacing the ratings from last year.

Mike writes that the NBC Sports Group is all over collegiate rugby this weekend.

Jackie Finlan of Rugby Magazine says NBC has put its full support behind airing rugby.

Pat Yasinkas at ESPN.com mourns the passing of Tampa Tribune sports editor Tom McEwen.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions asks if sports can save 3-D TV. I doubt it.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times reviews the new book on Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post decides that ESPN is to blame for the world coming to an end.

Mike Harrington at the Buffalo News writes that MLB Network is trying to generate excitement over the MLB Draft.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that it’s time for Comcast to step up to the plate for the Olympics bidding.

Tim Whitaker at Philadelphia Magazine has this profile of Comcast SportsNet host Michael Barkann.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that sports on television continues to gain traction with viewers.

Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune has the obituary for former sports editor and columnist Tom McEwen.

Mike Baldwin of the Daily Oklahoman speaks with ESPN softball analyst Michele Smith.

Kent Sterling reacts to Fox Sports Indiana dropping Pacers pregame host and sideline reporter Stacy Paetz.

Blair Kerkhoff at the Kansas City Star looks at the Big 12 distributing its TV revenue more evenly to member schools.

Woody Paige of the Denver Post has his look at “Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside The World at ESPN.”

Kyle Ringo of the Boulder (CO) Daily Camera writes that Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott will hold some marquee events and games for the Conference’s in-house TV network.

Jill Painter of the Los Angeles Daily News says former Dodger Steve Garvey would join fellow ex-Dodger and current ESPN’er Orel Hershiser in a potential bid to buy the team from Frank McCourt.

Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Advertiser notes that the Mountain West Conference now has to play catch up with the Pac-12 after it signed a megabucks TV deal last month.

Gayle MacDonald of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the Canadian TV landscape is getting crowded with the increased amount of players for sports TV rights.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing says ESPN’s Marty Reid wrongly called last night’s finish of the NASCAR Nationwide Race wrong. Oops.

Brandon Stroud at With Leather gets on UFC’s brainless analyst Joe Rogan for calling MMA writer Maggie Hendricks “a cunt”. Joe is an ass.

Sports Media Watch looks at NBC’s ratings for the first weekend of the French Open.

SMW notes that the PGA Tour’s ratings continue to rise this year.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that after getting off to a good start, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals hit a big ratings brick wall on Saturday.

Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski also looks at the NHL’s mediocre ratings on Saturday.

Joe Favorito takes a look at two MLB teams which are trying to reach fans beyond their local areas.

SportsbyBrooks is looking into ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s relationship with 7-on-7 summer football camps which have come under scrutiny of the NCAA and the SEC.

Corey Nachman of the Business Insider Sports Page looks at the 20 Worst Sports Ads of All Time.

Sox & Dawgs has the video of NESN’s Jerry Remy making fun of on his on-air partner Don Orsillo’s capsizing of a paddle boat on Friday.

And I worked extra hard to squeeze as many links as I did today. I hope you enjoy them.

Friday Night Into Saturday Morning Megalink Action

Didn’t have time to do megalinks during the day as I was trying to get some end of the month/beginning of the month stuff done at the office. Time to get linkage in while I can.

The Weekend Viewing Picks are chockful of sports action and some primetime programming. Now to the linkage.

National

Jessica E. Vascellaro and Matthew Futterman combine for a Wall Street Journal story on the US TV bidding for the Olympics. Bids are due next week.

The Around The Rings Olympic blog notes that the US Olympic Committee will be on hand to monitor the US TV bidding as well.

Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes handicaps the Olympic bidding.

Back to the Wall Street Journal, Tim Marchman reviews the ESPN book.

David Goetzl of MediaPost says DirecTV announcing that it won’t be charging customers for the NFL Sunday Ticket package during the lockout really should not be news.

Sean Leahy of USA Today writes about DirecTV’s announcement.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today has Fox Sports’ NASCAR analyst Daryl Waltrip complaining that the sport forgot its roots while trying to promote the cars over its personalities.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser notes that ESPN NHL analyst Matthew Barnaby has been slapped with two orders of protection stemming from the domestic disturbance he was arrested for last month.

Mohammed Rahman from SportsGrid writes that UFC personality Joe Rogan called noted and respected MMA writer Maggie Hendricks “cunty”. What is up with the UFC people?

Jason Dachman at Sports Video Group looks at some TV tennis news.

Sports Media Watch writes that last Saturday’s MLB on Fox primetime presentation saw its second straight ratings increase.

SMW notes that the Indy 500 saw its highest ratings in three years.

SMW says Game 2 of the NBA Finals had increased ratings, but lower viewership.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has CBC’s opening from Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and it reminds us how well the network covers hockey. Some nice use of Adele in the opening.

Awful Announcing has a podcast interview with ESPN book co-author James Andrew Miller.

AA also did a Q&A session with ESPN NBA voice Mike Breen to discuss the Finals and Bill from White Plains.

The Major League Programs blog has its usual review of sports media.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe can’t believe one local TV station did not send anyone to Vancouver to cover the Stanley Cup Final.

Chad also reviews the ESPN book.

Newsday’s Neil Best has the best of his blog in his latest column.

Nina Mandell of the New York Daily News says ESPN would love to have Shaquille O’Neal on its air.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick remembers the late NFL Hall of Famer Andy Robustelli.

Justin Terranova from the Post has five questions for Red Sox voice Dave O’Brien.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Jimmer Fredette now has his own YouTube channel.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says there will be plenty of coverage of the USA Track & Field Championships.

Evan Weiner of the New Jersey Newsroom goes over how Time Warner ruined sports in Atlanta.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says NBC is happy to have an Original Six team in the NHL Stanley Cup Final.

Rich Hofman at the Philadelphia Daily News is annoyed at how ESPN continually ignores the NHL.

Laura Nachman notes Philadelphia native John Kincaid will lose a gig now that the Atlanta Thrashers have left town.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says DC NFL team owner Dan Snyder’s lawsuit against the Washington City Paper is now the subject of Federal legislation.

Steven V. Roberts reviews the ESPN book in the Washington Post.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the NBA Finals won primetime on Thursday.

South

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times says the Tampa Bay Lightning’s playoff run drew viewers in the local market.

Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Big 12 has changed its TV revenue distribution formula for all members. In essence, every school gets more money.

Barry Horn of the Morning News says ESPN/ABC seems to spend more time obsessing over the Miami Heat rather than the Dallas Mavericks.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle recaps his visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame which included browsing through the broadcasters and writers wings.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press reviews HBO’s documentary on the John McEnroe-Bjorn Borg rivalry.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel goes over some of his favorite quotes from the ESPN book.

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman goes over his winners and losers this week.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune talks with ESPN/ABC’s Mike Tirico about the Big Ten Football Championship.

West

Kyle Ringo of the Boulder Daily Camera reports that Colorado University is looking to sell local TV rights to some of its football games as it officially joins the Pac-12 Conference next month.

John Maffei at the North County Times says this round of Olympic TV bidding is very wide open.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes that people love to hate the Miami Heat as evidenced by the TV ratings.

Rhiannon Potkey of the Star talks with ESPN Women’s College World Series analyst Jessica Mendoza.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times profiles the new Chairman of the NBC Sports Group, Mark Lazarus who leads the network’s Olympic bid next week.

And Joe says Lazarus is not a stranger to making big bids on sports properties.

Flint is impressed with former ESPN and now NFL Network executive Steve Bornstein’s candor in the ESPN book.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says someone needs to investigate this whole Vin Scully Star Hollywood Walk of Fame mess.

Tom notes that Hollywood seems to be back on board with a new movie on the late Jackie Robinson.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final was a ratings hit in both Canada and the US.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog speculates on whether a local sports radio talk show host has a new contract.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog finds a noteworthy feature in CTV’s plans for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

And that is going to do it. Took longer than I thought.

Up For Thursday Links

Time for some linkage on this very warm Thursday. I hope you all take a moment and say a prayer for the people of Western Massachusetts who head to deal with tornadoes yesterday. Four people are confirmed dead. It was quite devastating to see last night. Let’s hope the area can recover quickly.

To your links.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Shaquille O’Neal, who retired from the NBA after 19 seasons, would be a logical choice to become an NBA television analyst.

The Sporting News notes that ESPN is looking to hire O’Neal.

The great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated has a profile on NBC’s NHL voice Mike “Doc” Emrick.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life says thanks to the NBA Playoffs, TNT had the best ratings month in cable TV history.

Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS News will not apologize and stands by its 60 Minutes report on cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Michael Malone of B&C says the NBC Sports Group will be all over rugby this weekend.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that ESPN3D plans to air The Championship Wimbledon in the third dimension.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser says NBC Sports gets an EPIC FAIL for airing a promo stating the Tampa Bay Lightning are in the Stanley Cup Final.

Noah Davis of The Business Insider Sports Page notes the national debut of a Wall Street Journal sports columnist.

Noah has the complete roster of writers who will staff Captain Blowhard’s Grantland.

Dan Fogarty in SportsGrid says Captain Blowhard has finally set an official launch date for the pretentiously-titled Grantland site.

Brandon Costa at Sports Video Group talks about 3-D TV stepping up at The Masters.

Ted Miller of ESPN.com says the Pac-12 has made announcements on seven nationally televised games.

Bill Hofhemier at ESPN’s Front Row discusses how ESPN’s award-winning World Cup production team is back together again for the Women’s World Cup.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that Shaquille O’Neal was one of the first athletes to embrace social media.

Darren says Shaq’s retirement video gave an internet start-up a huge boost in more ways than one.

Darren talks with the men who marketed Shaquille O’Neal.

Martin Pave of the Boston Globe profiles the the Emmy Award-winning director of ESPN’s “Fab Five” documentary who has local ties.

Jessica Van Sack of the Boston Herald says fans don’t have to watch TV to follow the NHL.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir feels NBC needs a better way to air the French Open men’s semifinals.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that WFAN’s Mike Francesa is not just doing well without partner Chris Russo, he’s flourishing.

Neil has his entire interview with Francesa in his blog.

Neil talks with ESPN Radio New York’s Michael Kay who one day hopes to beat Francesa in the ratings.

Neil also has the ratings breakdown between WFAN and ESPN Radio New York for afternoon drive.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says tennis great Chris Evert is returning to TV as an analyst for ESPN2′s Wimbledon coverage.

Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Rugby 7′s will get network TV exposure this weekend.

John George in the Philadelphia Business Journal says Comcast SportsNet will air a local bike race in HD.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that the UEFA Champions League Final outrated Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in DC.

Dan finds out why ESPN Radio DC slapped a 24 hour waiting period on publishing podcasts.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner explains that DC had the highest ratings for the Champions League finale.

Jim says NBC received the best NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 1 overnight ratings in a dozen years.

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald says the NBA Finals are drawing viewers both nationally and locally.

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel says Magic star Gilbert Arenas has returned to Twitter with often humorous results.

Chuck Goldberg of the Alabama Newspapers notes that Auburn will get early starts for its first three football games of the season.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News notes that Miami outrated Dallas for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with two-time Olympic softball player Michele Smith about the Women’s College World Series which begins on ESPN2 tonight.

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports that Fox Sports Indiana and the Pacers have dropped pregame show host Stacy Paetz effective immediately.

Kevin Kane of the Southside (IN) Times wonders when organizers will lift the local blackout on the Indianapolis 500.

Bob Wolfeley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Suds City topped all markets watching the Indianapolis 500.

At the Iowa City Gazette, Scott Dochterman writes that Fox plans to give the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game the Big Event treatment.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News gets the nitty gritty on why Vin Scully’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was covered and mistreated.

Dian Pucin of the Los Angeles Times instructs West Coast viewers on how to watch tomorrow’s French Open men’s semifinal live.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail explores the media’s handling of the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg story.

At Deadspin, A.J. Daulerio chronicles how ESPN.com’s Grantland site pursued and then later had misgivings about hiring site writer Tommy Craggs.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing tries to make sense of the whole thing.

Sports Media Watch says ABC had the most watched NBA Finals game since 2004.

And that will end the links for today.

Women’s College World Series To Air On ESPN’s Networks

The 2011 NCAA Women’s College World Series will be aired live on the networks of ESPN starting on Thursday. Pam Ward and Beth Mowins will share play-by-play duties. Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza will provide the analysis. Holly Rowe will be the field reporter. We have the schedule of games plus what ESPNU is doing for the entire series.

NCAA Women’s College World Series Begins Thursday

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com will continue to combine for the most extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship with all 17 potential NCAA Women’s College World Series games Thursday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 8. Every game will be offered in high definition and be available on ESPN3.com, while ESPN Mobile will provide 13 contests. Game action begins from Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday, June 3, at 1 p.m. with four games, all on ESPN2 HD, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile.

NCAA Women’s College World Series Highlights:

• Four Big 12 teams advanced – No. 11 Baylor, No. 5 Missouri, No. 9 Oklahoma and Oklahoma State – its first berth since 1998;
• Seven of the original 16 seeded teams will be vying for the national title in Oklahoma City including the top two seeds – No. 1 Arizona State and No. 2 Alabama;

• The networks will use two announce teams on the NCAA Women’s College World Series, each featuring U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winners as analysts. Beth Mowins will call play-by-play with analyst Jessica Mendoza, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist. Pam Ward will call play-by-play with analyst Michele Smith, a two-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist (1996 & 2000). Holly Rowe will serve as the field reporter on every telecast;

• Beginning with the NCAA Women’s College World Series, the telecasts featured “K Zone 2.0” – the enhanced version of ESPN’s Sports Emmy Award-winning  “K Zone”:
  • In addition to identifying the speed and location of a pitch in replays, “K Zone 2.0” is also capable of tracking the path of the ball from the pitcher’s hand through the strike zone and numerically sequencing pitches thrown;
• ESPNU will the 2011 NCAA Women’s College World Series Press Conferences from Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 1, at in two 30-minute shows at 2 & 4 p.m. Lowell Galindo, Charlotte Morgan and Amanda Scarborough will provide analysis from ESPNU’s studio in Charlotte, N.C.;
• ESPNU will also provide studio coverage Thursday, June 2 and Monday-Wednesday, June 6-8 surrounding the games;
• Writer Pat Borzi will be onsite in Oklahoma City for espnW, submitting daily stories and video pieces capturing the excitement, drama and the behind-the-scene stories of the WCWS:
  • A preview of the NCAA Women’s College World Series, featuring the top five storylines entering the event;
  • This NCAA Championship takes on added significance since softball is no longer an Olympic sport. espnW will speak to that and also give an update on where softball stands in its efforts to get back in the Olympics;
• ESPN International will show the NCAA Women’s College World Series Finals and had select early-round games in 170 countries and territories on ESPN Latin America, ESPN Europe, ESPN Pacific Rim, ESPN Australia, ESPN Africa, ESPN Middle East, ESPN Caribbean and ESPN Brazil.

NCAA Women’s College World Series Studio Programming

Date	Time (ET)	Commentators	Networks
Wed, June 1	2 p.m.	2011 NCAA WCWS Press ConferenceLowell Galindo, Charlotte Morgan & Amanda Scarborough	ESPNU HD
	4 p.m.	2011 NCAA WCWS Press ConferenceLowell Galindo, Charlotte Morgan & Amanda Scarborough	ESPNU HD
Thu, June 2	Noon	WCWS ESPNU Pre-Game ShowLowell Galindo, Charlotte Morgan & Amanda Scarborough	ESPNU HD
	11:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Post-Game ShowLowell Galindo, Charlotte Morgan & Amanda Scarborough	ESPNU HD
Mon, June 6	10:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Post-Game Show	ESPNU HD
Tue, June 7*	7:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Pre-Game Show	ESPNU HD
	10:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Post-Game Show	ESPNU HD
Wed, June 8*	7:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Pre-Game Show	ESPNU HD
	10:30 p.m.	WCWS ESPNU Post-Game Show	ESPNU HD

* – If necessary

NCAA Women’s College World Series

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Commentators	Networks
Thu, June 2	1 p.m.	Game 1	No. 7 California vs. No. 2 Alabama Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
	3:30 p.m.	Game 2	Oklahoma State vs. No. 11 Baylor Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
	7 p.m.	Game 3	No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Arizona St. Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza &Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
	9:30 p.m.	Game 4	No. 5 Missouri vs. No. 4 Florida Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza &Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
Fri, June 3	7 p.m.	Game 5	Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 Pam Ward, Michele Smith,Jessica Mendoza & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com  / ESPN Mobile
	9:30 p.m.	Game 6	Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile
Sat, June 4	Noon	Game 7	Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile
	2:30 p.m.	Game 8	Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile
	7 p.m.	Game 9	Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7 Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
	9:30 p.m.	Game 10	Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 8 Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza &Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
Sun, June 5	1 p.m.	Game 11	Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 9 Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile
	3:30 p.m.	Game 12	Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 10 Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza & Holly Rowe	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile
	7 p.m.	Game 13*	Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 9 Pam Ward, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
	9:30 p.m.	Game 14*	Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 10 Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza &Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Mon, June 6	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 1	Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Tue, June 7	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 2	Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com /ESPN Mobile
Wed, June 8	8 p.m.	Championship – Game 3*	Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza, Michele Smith & Holly Rowe	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com

* – If necessary

That’s all from here

ESPN Family All Over Big East & SEC Softball Championships As Well As Softball Selection Show

This weekend in addition to airing college lacrosse, the ESPN Family of Networks airs college softball conference tournaments. Then on Sunday, ESPNU will have the Selection Show for the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. Let’s look at the releases from ESPN.

College Softball Tournaments on ESPN Networks

The SEC and BIG EAST will crown its softball champion this weekend on ESPN networks, including full coverage of the SEC Tournament. The SEC Tournament eight-team field, beginning with the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 12 and wrapping up with the title game on Saturday, May 14, will be played at the Ole Miss Softball Complex in Oxford, Miss. The entire tournament will be televised in high definition on ESPN networks. The three quarterfinal games and the semifinals will be on ESPNU HD, while the fourth quarterfinal game will air on ESPN2 HD and the championship game will be televised on ESPN HD.

Calling the games will be ESPN’s softball crew: Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza and Cara Capuano.

The BIG EAST Championship title game will air Saturday, May 14, at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 HD. Justin Kutcher and Amanda Scarborough will call the game.

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Thu, May 12	Noon	SEC Quarterfinal Game 1 (Oxford, Miss.): No. 3 seed Tennessee vs. No. 6 seed Kentucky Cara Capuano & Michelle Smith	ESPNU HD
	2:30 p.m.	SEC Quarterfinal Game 2 (Oxford, Miss.): No. 2 seed Florida vs. No. 7 seed Auburn Cara Capuano & Michelle Smith	ESPNU HD
	5 p.m.	SEC Quarterfinal Game 3 (Oxford, Miss.): No. 4 seed LSU vs. No. 5 seed Georgia Beth Mowins & Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU HD
	7:30 p.m.	SEC Quarterfinal Game 4 (Oxford, Miss.): No. 1 seed Alabama vs. No. 8 seed Mississippi State Beth Mowins & Jessica Mendoza	ESPN2 HD
Fri, May 13	3 p.m.	SEC Semifinal Game 1 (Oxford, Miss.) Beth Mowins, Michele Smith & Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU HD
	5:30 p.m.	SEC Semifinal Game 2 (Oxford, Miss.) Beth Mowins, Michele Smith & Jessica Mendoza	ESPNU HD
Sat, May 14	5 p.m.	BIG EAST Championship Game (Louisville, Ky.) Justin Kutcher & Amanda Scarborough	ESPN2 HD
	8 p.m.	SEC Championship Game (Oxford, Miss.) Beth Mowins, Michele Smith & Jessica Mendoza	ESPN HD

And as mentioned, ESPNU will carry the Selection for the NCAA Softball Tournament when all the conference action is said and done.

NCAA Softball Selection Show on ESPNU

ESPNU HD will air the NCAA Division I Softball Selection Show on Sunday, May 15, at 10 p.m., unveiling of the 64-team field.  The one-hour show will include tournament predictions, analysis of the bracket and phone interviews with some of the top head coaches in the nation.

Beth Mowins will host with analysts Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith. Both accomplished softball players, Mendoza was a four-time All-American at Stanford and won Olympic Gold (2004) and Silver (2008) medals, while Smith was a two-time All-American at Oklahoma State and earned two Olympic Gold Medals (1996 & 2000).

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV will provide extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship — up to 55 games May 20-June 8. It will mark ESPN’s 30th consecutive year covering the event.

ESPN networks will feature complete coverage of three Regional sites May 20-22 and will combine to televise every game from the eight best-of-three Super Regional series May 26-29. Each Super Regional winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile will combine to televise all of the Women’s College World Series games June 2-8.

We’ll end it there.

ESPN Family of Networks Ramps Up Its College Baseball and Softball Coverage

We have a bunch of college baseball and softball games on the ESPN platforms, ESPN2, ESPNU and the soon-to-be renamed ESPN3.com. This means a combined 53 regular season baseball and softball games. Most of them will be seen on ESPNU and a whole slew of contests will involve the SEC. Take a look at the press release.

ESPNU, ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPN360.com Offer Most-Ever College Softball & Baseball Schedule Beginning with Regular-Season Action

ESPNU, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will televise 53 regular-season college softball and baseball games leading into the networks’ extensive postseason action of up to 110 contests. It is ESPN’s most coverage overall of the two sports and the most games scheduled of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship – up to 55 — with the addition of a Regional round.

Regular-season softball action will begin with two games from the No. 13 Florida at No. 5 Alabama series Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD and Sunday, March 28, at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU HD. Baseball coverage will start the following weekend with three telecasts, all featuring at least one ranked team: Georgia at No. 4 LSU (Friday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU HD), No. 8 Texas at No. 12 Oklahoma (Saturday, April 3, at 3 p.m. on ESPNU HD) and Mississippi State at No. 23 South Carolina (Sunday, April 4, at 2 p.m. on ESPNU).

Regular-season schedule details:

• ESPNU will televise the majority of the action, with 41 of the 53 games. ESPN360.com will simulcast the 12 ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts.
• Thirty-one of the telecasts will be in high definition.
• The schedule includes 30 softball and 23 baseball games.
• The networks will combine to televise six conference title games, comprising:

• The entire SEC Softball Tournament.
• The SEC Baseball Tournament championship game.
• The SWAC softball and baseball championships.
• The baseball championships from the BIG EAST and MEAC.

ESPNU, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will offer up to 55 games each from the NCAA Division I Softball Championship and NCAA Division I Baseball Championship for a potential of 110 total telecasts (the entire schedules for both will be released at a later date). Coverage for both events will include two Regional series, all eight of the Super Regionals and the entire Championships.

A minimum of 62 games will be offered in high definition, including every game from both of the softball and baseball Regional series and the entire Women’s College World Series and College World Series.

Softball and baseball commentators

ESPN’s telecasts will feature former top players and coaches providing analysis. The softball lineup will include:

• Three U.S. Olympic Medalists working softball games: two-time gold medalist Michele Smith (2000 and 1996), Jessica Mendoza, who won gold in 2004 and silver in 2008, and Amanda Freed, who won gold in 2004.
• Former Northwestern standout Garland Cooper, a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year and all-time Big Ten home runs leader.
• National Pro Fastpitch commissioner Cheri Kempf.
• Cindy Bristow, former head softball coach at Arizona State, New Mexico State and Wichita State.

The baseball telecasts will include:

• Kyle Peterson, a former Stanford All-American, participant in the College World Series and first-round MLB Draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, entering his seventh season of college baseball analysis with ESPN.
• Morgan Ensberg who won the College World Series with USC in 1998 and played eight years in Major League Baseball (Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees).
• Former LSU All-American and Gold Spikes Award winner Ben McDonald, who also played eight years in Major League Baseball (Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers).
• Leland Maddox, a former Major League Baseball Director of Scouting for the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A’s.

* Tape Delay

All baseball rankings are from ESPN/ USA Today Coaches Top 25

All softball rankings are from ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Women’s Top 25

Schedule subject to change; All times Eastern

Additional commentator assignments will be released as the season progresses

That does it. And yes, I now have jump capabilities so the posts won’t be so long. It’ll save you aggravation.