Fang's Bites

The Tuesday Evening Linkage

Because I was a jobsite for most of the morning and into the early afternoon, I wasn’t able to supply links today. I’ll get to them now.

Austin Karp leads the Sports Business Daily team in looking at the overnight ratings for the Monday Night Football doubleheader on ESPN.

Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal writes that ticket broker StubHub has signed ESPN’s Erin Andrews for an ad campaign to appeal to women.

Eric looks at HBO’s corporate parent Time Warner pulling out all of the stops to promote this Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight on pay per view.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand provides his take on some of the weekend TV ratings.

I wondered where Brian Lowry of FoxSports.com has been. He had not written a column since August, but returns this week to talk about the NFL’s TV partners handling of the 9/11 tributes on Sunday.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable writes that HBO will carve out a six hour block of programming on its HBO Zone channel leading up to this Saturday’s Mayweather-Ortiz fight.

Andrea Morabito of B&C says CBS saw a ratings jump for the U.S. Open Men’s Final in the late Monday afternoon timeslot.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek tells us that a shift of several sports events to cable hurt broadcast ad sales in the first half of this year.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life says the ratings proved that NFL fans don’t remember the lockout.

You’ve probably seen it by now, but here’s Ron Jaworski saying, “Shit” on Monday Night Football as provided by Timothy Burke from SportsGrid. And here’s the subsequent apology. For the most part, Jaws said it on cable. It’s no big deal, but it was still funny.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has excerpts of Chris Russo’s appearance on the Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM, discussing former ESPN’er Steve Phillips’ past problems.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says U.S. Open men’s champion Novak Djokovic’s sponsor has failed to properly promote its client while paying him a lot of money.

Darren says the 10th anniversary of 9/11 led to a boom in oversized U.S. flag rentals.

Ken Belson and Richard Sandomir of the New York Times delve into why MLB rejected the New York Mets’ plans to wear caps honoring the first responders for their game on 9/11/11.

Kimberly A. Martin of Newsday reports that a New York radio personality is defending his father who used an illegal taser during a fight with a Dallas Cowboys fan during the Jets game on Sunday night.

Newsday’s Neil Best says the Cowboys-Jets game set a Sunday Night Football viewing record for NBC.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks about the ratings for Monday Night Football and the U.S. Open.

From the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg says the local ratings for the New York Giants-DC NFL Team were very good.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says he’s not surprised over the record ratings for Sunday Night Football.

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald isn’t a fan of former CNN anchorman Rick Sanchez in the Florida International football radio booth.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle has a look at the local college football TV ratings.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman lists the local weekend sports TV ratings.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Bengals scored on local TV.

John says Fox Sports Ohio airs a documentary on Pete Rose’s hit record.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez did well in the Entourage series finale on Sunday.

Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Rams’ ratings for their season opener were down from a year ago.

The Los Angeles Times reports that former ESPN’er and ex-Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay “The Rat” Mariotti pleaded no contest to charges stemming from an assault and stalking case involving his former girlfriend.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Universal Sports is testing how much you want the Olympic sports channel on your cable system.

TSN host Michael Landsberg feels guilty he didn’t see the signs for Wade Belak’s suicide.

Puck The Media’s Steve Lepore talks with Hall of Fame hockey voice Mike Emrick in a two part interview. Part one is here. Part two is here.

Ryan Yoder of Awful Announcing wonders if ESPN is heading towards premium cable channel land.

And that is it for the linkage.

Steve Phillips, No Longer Embattled, To Join Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio

I guess I don’t have to put “Embattled” before his name anymore as he now has a full-time gig. Former New York Mets General Manager and ESPN MLB analyst has come full circle, almost a year after being fired for his affair with former ESPN producer Brooke Hundley. He has now joined Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s Mad Dog Radio which is fronted by Chris Russo. He’ll be a co-host with Gary Williams on a newly branded show. It was “The First Word with Gary Williams”. It’ll now be called, “Gary and Phillips in the Morning”. Phillips will begin his new gig on Monday.

Phillips had been making weekly appearances with WFAN’s Mike Francesa. Those end now with Phillips co-hosting the show on Sirius XM. He’ll continue to do his show on Sirius XM’s Fantasy Sports channel.

We have the official announcement.

STEVE PHILLIPS JOINS SIRIUS XM’S ALL-SPORTS MAD DOG RADIO CHANNEL

Will co-host “Gary and Phillips in the Morning” with Gary Williams every weekday, exclusively on SIRIUS XM

NEW YORK – September 30, 2010 – SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips has joined the cast of Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS XM’s national all-sports talk channel headlined by Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, as co-host of a new morning show.

Starting Monday, October 4, Phillips will join Gary Williams to co-host Gary and Phillips in the Morning every weekday (6:00 – 10:00 am ET) exclusively on Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144. Phillips and Williams will start the daily sports conversation, discussing the biggest stories of the day with listeners around the country, covering the spectrum of sports from college to the pros, and interviewing newsmakers and personalities from the sports world and beyond.

Phillips will also continue to host the SIRIUS XM Fantasy Baseball show on SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio, the 24/7 fantasy sports channel that launched on SIRIUS XM in July.

“Having served as a player, director of player personnel, scout and general manager I have a unique perspective on all issues in sports,” said Phillips. “To have the chance to do a national daily radio show, in drive time, on a top notch channel like Mad Dog Radio, is one of the more thrilling opportunities of my career. For the past several months I’ve seen first-hand the broadcasting quality and freedom that SIRIUS XM offers and I’m excited about taking on a more expanded role.”

“I’ve known Steve a long time and I’m thrilled to have him join our team at Mad Dog Radio on SIRIUS XM,” said Russo. “I covered him when he was with the Mets and I’ve had him on my show many times. He’s an outstanding broadcaster, his sports knowledge is superb and he’s eager to share his opinion. He and Gary will deliver a first rate show for our listeners each and every day.”

Phillips worked in the New York Mets front office from 1990 to 2003.  He was named the club’s general manager in 1997 and assembled the Mets team that won the National League pennant in 2000. A talented athlete, he was offered a football scholarship to Northwestern University after high school but signed a contract to play professional baseball after being drafted by the Mets.

Gary Williams has hosted the Mad Dog Radio morning show since the channel launched in 2009. He can also be heard hosting SIRIUS XM’s golf tournament coverage on the PGA TOUR Network channel. 

Mad Dog Radio features hard-hitting live sports talk seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Chris Russo hosts the channel’s anchor program, Mad Dog Unleashed, weekday afternoons (2:00 – 7:00 pm ET), offering listeners his take on the biggest sports stories from around the country, plus listener calls and interviews. For more information visit www.sirius.com/maddogradio.

That will do it for this post.

Time For Saturday Linkage

After being at a jobsite early this morning, I can now give you some linkage. Trying to warm up after being cut in half by the winds off Narragansett Bay. Let’s do this.

Starting with Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter, he mentions that ESPN is being sued over its GameCast online feature.

According to the Hartford Courant, ESPN is apparently hiring.

Jackie Majerus of the Bristol (CT) Press writes about ESPN’s new Building 13. I guess ESPN does not have Triskaidekaphobia.

Hiawatha Bray of the Boston Globe was at the same Comcast Masters 3-D viewing event I attended on Thursday and filed this report.

It appears the wife of ex-ESPN MLB analyst Steve Phillips has withdrawn her divorce petition.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News scratches his head over the Sabres’ decline in the ratings. 

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union got to see The Masters in 3-D.

Laura Nachman says the late Tom Brookshier of the Philadelphia Eagles, CBS and WIP will be honored later this month.

Laura says Verizion Fios subscribers get The Comcast Network added to their lineup.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner tells us to expect big ratings for The Masters today.

Jim recaps Charles Barkley’s comments on Masters chairman Billy Payne on TNT the other night.

Chip Cirillo from The Tennessean says the Music City Bowl returns to New Year’s Eve this year. 

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says after a regular season of being mostly shutout by ABC, ESPN and TNT, the NBA TV partners will be showing plenty of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the postseason.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Times recaps the week in blogging and sports media.

Gary Lycan of the Orange County Register likes ESPN Radio putting some of its programming plus some Anaheim Angels games on a competing station. 

Paula Duffy in the Los Angeles Examiner says women’s sports pioneer Billie Jean King will get the ESPN Homecoming treatment next week.

Mike Freeman of the San Diego Union-Tribune saw The Masters in 3-D on Friday.

Earlier this week, Rose DiManno of the Toronto Star took ESPN’s Erin Andrews to task for looking like a bimbo on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina gets Erin’s reaction to the DiManno column.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse feels the CBS-produced Masters telecast on ESPN overgushed on the event.

Brian McTaggert of MLB.com says Houston Astros legend Jeff Bagwell is joining the TV broadcast booth tonight.

The Sports Media Watch notes that last Sunday’s NBA on ABC doubleheader saw increased ratings.

SMW informs us that NBC saw an increase for the NHL Game of the Week.

And SMW has various ratings odds and ends.

We’ll end it there for today. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

Sunday Linkage

We’re back after not being able to turn on the computer all day on Saturday. Right when I was about to blog yesterday, got a phone call from the parents asking me to accompany them to Massachusetts and it ended up being a total waste of time. Then it ended up that I was at the home office for the day and then I met up with friends last night so I never had a chance to provide links. I just hate when my day is planned for me without my knowledge. One of these days, I’ll have a weekend to myself.

Anyway, let’s do the links.

Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated has an appreciation of Bill Walton upon his recent retirement from broadcasting.

T.S. Chamberland of the Lewiston (ME) Sun-Journal profiles the hosts of a weekend sports talk show and the editors of a Maine-centric (CMSB) sports blog.

Terri Schlichenmeyer reviews CBS’ James Brown’s new book for the Lawrence (MA) Eagle-Tribune.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News feels Steve Phillips will have a hard time in finding another TV analyst position.

Today, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post extends his hate to the NFL Network.

In a quick hits column, Phil says he hates MMA and poker. Anything else, Phil? Maybe Phil should find another line of work that doesn’t cause him to hate everything.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union noticed that two sports programs were running simultaneously on one station. That’s what happens when you have automation on weekends and you don’t have anyone manning the station.

Pete also has your college football TV schedule for this week.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News writes that NFL Network and Time Warner are no closer to an agreement today than last month.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that NASCAR will be the sole focus of ABC this afternoon.

Jim talks with NBA TV’s David Aldridge.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and theDC NFL team are hooking up to provide content online.

Austin Meek of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal says ESPN will carry the game to decide the Big 12′s North Division this Saturday.

Dirk Facer from the Deseret (UT) News writes that ESPN’s College Gameday is paying the Mountain West Conference some respect this season.

Anthony Cimino of the Tucscon Citizen says ESPN’s College Gameday visits Arizona for the first time ever on Saturday.

Over to Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News who writes about an exhibit involving two of the greatest sports photographers of their generation.

Tom looks back at the last week in sports media.

Artie Gigantino of the San Francisco Examiner gives props to the networks for their tributes to the troops last week.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says CBC’s Mike Milbury went too far in his comments two Saturdays ago.

Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun writes about Battle of the Blades being a big ratings success for CBC.

Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable talks with MLB Network’s/NBC’s Bob Costas about a myriad of topics including the Olympics, Comcast impending purchase of NBC and MMA (?).

John Eggerton of B & C says a local Cleveland TV station ensured that Monday Night’s game against Baltimore won’t be blacked out.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek writes that NBC still has a lot ad inventory to sell for the 2010 Winter Olympics with less than 90 days to go.

Peter King of CBS Radio News (not the one from Sports Illustrated) writes an appreciation of Vin Scully for Radio World.

Some NFL ratings news from the Sports Media Watch.

SMW says Fox saw a big ratings spike for its regional coverage in Week 9.

The ratings went the other way for CBS’ doubleheader.

The SMW notes that NFL Network got off to a good start with its Thursday Night Football opener.

SMW looks at the NFL’s ratings through the first 9 weeks of the season.

SMW notes that ABC’s ratings for primetime college football last week were lackluster.

And SMW has its usual weekend ratings predictions.

Joe Favorito notes that two Northern California sports franchises are doing positive things to expand their brands.

The Big Lead is getting more pictures of Jim Nantz’s 29 year old girlfriend.

And we’re done for the day. The Sunday NFL pregame quotage will come later today.

A Windy Friday Megalinks

Here in the Northeast, we’re expecting that huge storm that’s hovering off the North Carolina coast and dumping lots of rain on Virginia. I’m just waiting for it as I’ve cleaned out my yard, my gutters, and made sure my basement won’t get flooded. This is going to be a washout at least for Saturday.

Anyway, let’s provide the sports media stories for today. But first, for the weekend sports including college football, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, various other sports and primetime TV, check out the Weekend Viewing Picks.

Now to the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson who lobbies for the SEC over teams from other conferences.

Jim Chairusmi from the Wall Street Journal talks with Andre Agassi about his autobiography.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if Kevlar can revolutionize sports.

Darren looks at LeBron James discussing a number change and how that could affect jersey sales.

James Hibberd of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Spike TV is going to launch a new series involving sports personalities and their cars.

Georg Salazai of the Reporter says the NFL is happy with its current TV deals including one with DirecTV.

Rick Kissell of Variety the sluggish economy has led to higher ratings for the NFL.

Alex Weprin of Multichannel News looks at ESPN snagging the South American TV rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics.

Sports Business Daily has highlights of NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol’s speech at the FSA Sports Media & Technology Conference.

In the Sporting News, Dan Levy of On The DL looks at this Sunday’s NFL games on TV.

CBS College Sports’ play-by-play man Tom Hart writes a guest column for the Eye on Sports Media on the importance of a good statistician in the booth.

The Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

SMW says the SEC package on CBS is paying off with high ratings.

SMW says get ready for another primetime finish for next year’s U.S. Open golf tournament.

And SMW says Versus is seeing ratings gains for the NHL and college football despite being dumped from DirecTV.

The Big Lead speculates how much money the woman who sparked the Steve Phillips affair would seek from ESPN.

Maury Brown has highlights of an interview MLB Network’s Bob Costas conducted with Ernie Harwell.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has suggestions for programming on Versus.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe talks with former Fox25 sports anchor Butch Stearns who signed off for the last time last night.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette says Holy Cross College is putting interviews and highlights of its greatest athletes on its new website.

Kristine Leahy has today’s version of The Five on WEEI.com.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times speculates on the future of Versus and Golf Channel if NBC Sports’ Dick Ebersol gets to run them under a Comcast-NBC umbrella.

Stuart Elliott of the Times writes that the NFL has put the kybosh on a guerrilla ad campaign involving players and donating money to charity.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says the finish of the Giants and Jets this season will directly affect the sales of their Personal Seat Licenses for their new stadium.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post criticizes Derek Jeter for attempting to gouge his fans.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty talks with Siena radio voice Robert Lee.

Speaking of Siena, Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Siena’s radio network adds a station.

Paul Farhi of the Washington Post profiles the public relations henchman for DC NFL team owner Daniel Snyder.

Tim Lemke from the Washington Times wonders why the NBA out-of-market broadband package costs more than MLB.TV.

South

Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times says South Florida fans are angry that the local ABC affiliate won’t showing next week’s game against Louisville in favor of Ohio State-Michigan.

Sarah Talalay from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talks about the rumors that surfaced yesterday that The Who is going to play the Super Bowl halftime show.

Ray Buck in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes about some former college football coaches getting their acting bug in a new movie starring Sandra Bullock.

The Star-Telegram has a video of ESPN’s College Gameday setting up at the TCU campus in town.

To the Dallas Morning News and Evan Grant who says the Texas Rangers and TV voice Josh Lewin are now talking about a new contract.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says a local sports radio station went against the grain and hired an outsider for its morning show.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman tries to scrape up ten college football games to watch this week.

Mel profiles ESPN/ABC’s college football analyst Craig James who’s happy to be out of the studio and calling games involving his son.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that local college basketball games are being bumped off Fox Sports Ohio in favor of the Cleveland Cavs and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Michael Zuidema in the Grand Rapids (MI) Press feels a one week suspension was proper punishment for ESPN’s Bob Griese. Zuidema is incorrect when he mentions Griese returns this week, he returned last week after being suspended for one game.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NBC’s Tony Dungy is giving high praise to his successor at the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Caldwell.

On to Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business who has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.

Paul Christian in the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Patriots-Colts will be quite special for NBC on Sunday.

Scott Dochterman of the Iowa City Gazette says Iowa fans will have to find a way to watch basketball and football on Saturday as the Hawkeyes’ games overlap.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says fans are angry at Fox for its handling of NFL games in the market.

Dan writes about a sports radio talk show host who is now taking operation for most of the station’s daytime programming.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News is surprised at the sudden ESPN love for the Mountain West Conference.

Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic writes that the high school football championships may not be televised statewide due to a dispute between the state’s governing body and Cox Communications.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune talks with Fox Sports’ Brian Billick who’s enjoying his time on television.

Over to the North County Times and John Maffei who writes about a local sports radio host who returns to the air after suffering a heart attack.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says Pats-Colts gets the national spotlight this week.

Jim writes about a local resident who will be showcased on CBS’ presentation of the Arete Awards on Sunday.

Jon Weinbach of the Los Angeles Times looks at the increasing role of the league-owned TV networks walking that fine line of providing and potentially taking away content from other TV partners.

Diane Pucin of the Times says NBC’s Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison have personal interest in Sunday’s Patriots-Colts game.

To the Los Angeles Daily News and Tom Hoffarth who talks with NFL Today host James Brown.

In his blog, Tom has more with JB about his new book and other subjects.

Kelly Johnson of the Sacramento Business Journal looks at a new online companion to the Kings’ game TV broadcasts.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says it’s almost the end of the line for the 55 year career of a CFL radio announcer.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star writes there’s more college sports available online for Canadians.

That concludes the megalinks. Press release posts will go up later tonight. See you then.

It’s Thursday Linkage

Let’s do linkage for today. I’m debating on whether to cover the UFL game between Florida and New York at Hartford, CT. I have a press credential, but I’m thinking I have so much to do right now. Not sure right now. I’ll know more later.

In any event, let’s bring you some links.

John Ourand and Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal report that ESPN has won South American media rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics. Harbinger of things to come perhaps?

Jim Romenesko at the Poynter Institute says Steven A. Smith is returning to the Philadelphia Inquirer as a columnist.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred tells us his approach on writing a sports column.

Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina noticed another spelling error by ESPN SportsCenter at the Washington Nationals’ expense.

Christina S.N. Lewis of the Wall Street Journal looks at the auction of the old Pontiac Silverdome.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes about the official USC football blog that gives fans an inside look at the Trojans.

Darren likes the stock plan being offered to Boise State fans.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says the New Jersey Nets are trying to find their fans in the most unorthodox places.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that Time Warner Cable is going to produce live pre and postgame shows for Siena basketball.

Pete has the NFL TV schedule for Week 10 in New York’s Capital Region.

Pete updates the college football TV schedule.

Pete likes the fact that Sean McDonough and Bill Raftery are being assigned to the Northeastern-Siena game next week.

The Washington Examiner’s Jim Williams talks with Matt Millen about making his NFL Network debut tonight.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that Miami is making a pitch to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.

Barry Horn in the Dallas Morning News says the Cowboys employee who was paralyzed in the team’s training facility bubble collapse earlier this year will speak out for the first time on local TV tonight.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman isn’t thrilled about Versus giving Chad Ochocinco a weekly platform.

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman writes that the NFL has moved the Bears-Vikings game in Week 11 to the national doubleheader slot.

Ed adds that tonight’s Bears-49ers game is still not widely accessible.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours writes that figure skating in Canada gets a new website.

And William reviews Wednesday’s Rogers Sportsnet’s interview of Mike Danton, the former St. Louis Blues player, who was jailed for trying to hire someone to kill his agent.

The Big Lead has the video of the woman who was in the center of the Steve Phillips affair speaking to Good Morning America.

The Big Lead also has the first known picture of Jim Nantz’s girlfriend.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media notes that ESPN has helped the University of Georgia set a very unique record this football season.

Matt Sebek of the Joe Sports Fan blog hosts the Blogs With Balls After Dark video .

The Sports Media Watch notes that NFL viewership has hit its highest level in two decades.

SMW looks at NASCAR’s ratings this season.

Joe Favorito looks at former Olympian Jeremy Bloom forging a trail for social change.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the CBC press release announcing the new Hockey Night in Canada iPhone app.

Cameron Frye is spearheading a campaign to get NESN’s Jack Edwards on Twitter. You go, girl!

And here’s Kristine Leahy of WEEI.com with today’s edition of The Five.

That’s all for now.

The Harmonic Convergence Sunday Links

On this rare day when all four major sports leagues are playing, we have our Sunday links.

David Maril of the Brockton (MA) Enterprise says he’s like to see local announcers on the World Series TV broadcasts just like in the old days.

Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News feels Joe Buck and Tim McCarver weren’t on top of their games last night.

Uh oh. We have two columns from Phil Mushnick of the New York Post which means double the hate today. In his first column, Mushie feels Fox is going to overdose on Brett Favre today.

And Phil isn’t enamored with the Fox production of the World Series.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the college football TV schedule for this week.

Kevin Gorman from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says several factors have contributed to the rise in World Series ratings this year.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that despite their complaints, fans of the DC NFL team still watch the games.

Dan LeBatard of the Miami Herald talks with ESPN’s Bob Griese who’s had a rather bad week.

Brian Van Ochten from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says Fox is going to be all over Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field today.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes about a Kings program that upgrades two fans from the nosebleed sections at Staples Center to seats at ice level. I like that.

Artie Gigantino from the San Francisco Examiner opines on several sports stories including the Steve Phillips affair.

James Hibberd of the Hollywood Reporter says the debut of FX’s fantasy football-based sitcom, “The League” debuted to rather tepid ratings on Thursday.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that the US TV networks will be prepping their bids for the 2014/2016 Olympics following the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Mike writes that Fox has a big sports day today with two NY-Philly matchups and a Brett Favre sighting thrown in.

The Sports Media Watch says NASCAR hit a season ratings low last week.

SMW has its weekend ratings predictions.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media finds a nice picture of the Monday Night Football announcing crew at Charm City Cakes. If you’re a Food Network fan, you’ll know what Charm City Cakes is all about.

Jonathan Berr of the Daily Finance blog looks at STATS, the company that provides sports statistics to the networks and the media.

Joe Favorito looks at the partnership between CRONS apparel and the Big South Conference.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk celebrates 8 years of doing his site.

The Windy City Times notes that the Chicago Cubs ownership group includes a lesbian which makes her the first openly gay person to own a major sports team in the United States.

That’s it from there.

On A Friday Megalinks Roll

Time for the Friday Megalinks as usual. Let’s get to these while we can.

You can always check out the Weekend Viewing Picks for the sports and primetime viewing for Saturday and Sunday.

Let’s go to the links.

National

USA Today’ Michael Hiestand says we may have not have seen the last of Steve Phillips on TV.

Sports Business Daily Assistant Managing Editor Brian Helfrich talks with three pundits (including yours truly) about ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series. Thanks to Brian for asking me to participate.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated talks with some of the TNT and NBA TV staff about the new season.

James Hibberd of the Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed blog writes that the World Series performed well in the ratings once again on Thursday.

Marc Berman at Mediaweek says the World Series lifted Fox to a rare Thursday primetime victory.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek writes that the New York Knicks are making a push to get fans into the seats.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks about Roger Federer’s new endorsement deal with a chocolate company.

Darren went one-on-one with new Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts.

Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball says World Series viewership is up almost 50% from last year.

Maury Brown from the Biz of Football says the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are firing back at a radio report that the owners of the team were planning to sell the team.

The Big Lead interviews Big Ten Network studio host Dave Revsine.

The Sports Media Watch looks at Fox’s record ratings for its Week 7 NFL doubleheader.

SMW says CBS saw its lowest ratings for the NFL in Week 7.

SMW writes that Versus continues to see good ratings for the NHL.

And the SMW writes that the World Series is doing well through two games.

Chris Byrne’s Eye on Sports Media has another guest column from former Raycom and NBC Sports football analyst Dave Rowe.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has a look at the viewership of each Versus NHL game this season to date.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe profiles New Englander Ryen Russillo who has a regular gig with ESPN Radio.

Bill Doyle from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with long time Celtics TV analyst Tommy Heinsohn.

Here’s Kristine Leahy of WEEI.com with the week ending edition of The Five.

Newsday’s Neil Best says ESPN’s Bobby Valentine was looking forward to working with Steve Phillips before all hell broke loose.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman writes that Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver spent Game 2 of the World Series complaining about the noise level at the Bronx.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post feels Buck and McCarver forgot what a “must-win” really means. Whatever.

To ESPN1050 in New York and Andrew Marchand who has five questions for Fox Sports’ Joe Buck.

Lisa Swan of the Subway Squawkers blog properly gets on a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter for complaining about covering the World Series. I’m not a Yankees fan, but I totally agree on reporters, writers and sports radio hosts who complain about their accommodations and/or assignments. No one wants to read or hear whining.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks with the great Ian Eagle of CBS Sports/YES/Westwood One Radio/Tennis Channel about his rather sedate schedule this time around. Yes, I’m being facetious.

Laura Nachman writes that the World Series has been a ratings winner thus far.

Rich Hofman of the Philadelphia Daily News says the Delaware Valley loves watching their Phillies.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com writes in Press Box that the TV sportscast is slowly falling by the wayside on Baltimore’s newscasts.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner writes about the big college football slate on Saturday.

And Jim looks at a DirecTV contest trying to determine the most diehard displaced NFL fan in the country.

South

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald has some football announcing highlights and lowlights to date.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times says ESPN has forced out football analyst Shaun King in the middle of the season.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram likes the addition of Ozzie Guillen to the Fox World Series broadcasts.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Metroplex watched the World Series in droves on Wednesday, relatively speaking.

Barry says Fox’s Troy Aikman is gushing over Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin.

Barry writes that the inventor of the Arlington Stadium dot race will be honored next week.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle notes the increase in World Series ratings this year.

To Jerry Garcia in the San Antonio Express-News who says Fox is anticipating good news with a big market World Series this year.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says a local sports radio show features hosts who aren’t even in the same studio let alone same area code.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks with Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman about the Green Bay-Minnesota game and the return of Brett Favre to the area.

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

Ed writes that Comcast SportsNet Chicago is canceling its morning show co-hosted by Mike North and Dan Jiggets.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says ESPN is doing a 30 for 30 documentary on Steve Bartman.

Dave van Dyck of the Tribune writes that Ozzie Guillen is behaving during Fox Sports coverage of the World Series.

The Chicago Sun-Times talks with the new owner of the Cubs, Thomas Ricketts.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field becomes Must See TV on Sunday.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch isn’t a fan of Fox’s policy staying with blowout games.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News writes that maybe the Mountain West Conference’s TV exposure isn’t that bad after all.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Green Bay-Minnesota will be seen in most areas of the US, except for San Diego.

John Maffei of the North County Times feels the Chargers are always flirting with a local blackout at the last minute.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says Fox has been getting plenty of mileage from Joe Buck.

Jim writes that MLB Network looks back tonight at the 1989 Bay Area earthquake that forced the World Series to be temporarily postponed.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times writes that Fox will be all over Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay in more ways than one.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News learned what it was like to be a sideline mic operator.

In his blog, Tom has a story on Vin Scully misidentifying a home run in the NLCS and no one coming out to correct him during the game.

Tom has his usual media notes.

Canada

William Houston in his Truth and Rumours blog notes that the new ratings system in Canada is being very beneficial to sports programming.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy’s failed attempt to get his book published.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star (and at whom William Houston threw some shots today) writes about the Canadian Olympic Committee’s losing hope on launching its own cable channel.

The Mid-Week Linkage

Now that I’ve finished my paperwork, I’ll do some links for you.

Beginning with the Nielsen Ratings Wire blog, it says this year’s World Series should give Fox some big market appeal and with that, ratings.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with Fox Sports MLB director Bill Webb about his approach to this year’s World Series.

The Sports Business Daily recaps an interesting appearance by an official from the DC NFL team on its flagship radio station, attacking media coverage.

Jon Kelly of Vanity Fair has an interview with “Muhammad and Larry” co-director Albert Maysles.

Sean Gregory of Time magazine takes a look at the ESPN vs. Deadspin feud.

Speaking of Deadspin, an ESPN employee leaked an anti-leaking memo to the site earlier this week.

Deadspin also breaks news that ESPN has let go of football analyst Shaun King.

Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center wants to know why the ESPN Ombudsman has not weighed in on the whole Steve Phillips affair.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the legal battle over the America’s Cup continues.

Darren says it appears that the Yankees will just about break even this year.

Darren is impressed over the financing for the Cubs sale.

Darren also profiles prolific baseball card collector Marshall Fogel who was one of the few who didn’t lose his shirt when the card market collapsed.

Mary Paoletti of trufan.com talks with the sometimes pretentious Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald.

Clark Hoyt of the New York Times has a letter exchange between HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant and Times sports editor Tom Jolly about the perceived lack of coverage of the sweet science in the Grey Lady.

Mike Hale of the Times reviews the ESPN 30 for 30 doc, “Muhammad and Larry”.

To Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union who writes that the local Yankees Radio Network affiliate will have to carry the national ESPN Radio World Series broadcast.

Because I didn’t do links yesterday, I didn’t get to this story, that ESPN college football analyst Bob Griese was suspended by the network for one game over his “out having a taco” comment last Saturday.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette gives his World Series prediction.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News likes Tim McCarver, but Joe Buck, not so much.

Laura Nachman says Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia’s NLCS coverage was a ratings winner locally.

I’m a bit surprised at the number of Yankees fans I’ve befriended on Twitter with me being a Red Sox fan and all, but I’m doing a favor for my Yankee wife, Meg Marshall who was a guest on a podcast for legendary Philadelphia rock station 94WYSP. She talked about the World Series, of course.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says the local ratings for Monday Night Football involving the inappropriately named DC NFL team were very strong despite its pitiful performance.

Jim writes that Joe Buck is ready to call another World Series for Fox.

MASN is looking for Nationals fans to appear in a new reality TV series.

Tim Lemke from the Washington Times is following the Congressional hearings on concussions and football today.

Barry Horn in the Dallas Morning News says the Yankees in the World Series are no match in the ratings for the Cowboys, at least in the Metroplex.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says Texas A&M football will be back on TV, but not everyone will be able to see it.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Bengals garnered their biggest ratings in the ‘Nati in four years.

John writes that Bengals WR Chad “Do Not Call Me Johnson” Ochocinco will be appearing on Letterman on Thursday. Child, please.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Bulls will be hard to find on the radio during the World Series.

Ed is looking forward to watching White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Fox during the World Series.

Ed has some questions for new Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley writes that the NFL is the ratings king in Sudstown.

Heading out west, Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News has the college football TV schedule for SoCal.

Tom also has the NFL TV schedule for Week 8 and notes no Sunday Night game due to the World Series.

Tom looks at a new book hoping to get kids interested in sports.

Tom has Bryant Gumbel’s closing thoughts from last night’s Real Sports.

Tom could not believe Bob Griese was suspended for his taco comment last week.

William Houston in his Truth & Rumours blog still isn’t happy with the explanation on why
journalists are participating in the Canadian Olympic torch run.

William says don’t believe the rumors that CTV will try to bail on broadcasting the 2012 Olympics.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says hockey continues to rule the ratings roost in Canada.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at one Rogers Sportsnet host who is no longer with the network.

Continuing with the Canadian links, host of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Sirius, Jeff Marek talks with the Stay Classy blog.

How about one more link to Canada? Last month I was excited about the return of Peter Puck to television. You can check out the video vignettes to date, there are four produced thus far, that have aired on CBC’s Hockey Tonight pregame show and they are available for viewing here in the States. And you can watch the classic episodes as well.

These are late in getting up so I’ll end here for now. I hope to be back later with some links following World Series Game 1 tonight.

The Calm Before the Storm Links

On this Monday which is extremely slim pickings for sports and primetime TV, we get ready for the World Series on Wednesday which will be big for this week. Also, I expect to do the 1st ever Fang’s Bites Baseball TV and Radio Awards sometime this week so expect to see that within the next few days, perhaps on Wednesday. We’ll see if I can get motivated to do that.

We have quite a few links today so let’s get to them.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today who writes that ESPN’s Bob Griese went overboard with his “out having a taco” comment.

Over to the Sports Business Journal, John Ourand talks about NBC’s “roadblock” promotional campaign starting next week to pump the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Daniel Kaplan of the SBJ says the NFL has changed its ownership rules making it easier for teams to remain within one family.

Daniel writes that Mercedes-Benz is a new sponsor of the US Open Tennis tournament.

And Terry Lefton from the SBJ says ING might be changing its strategy in sponsoring marathons.

Over to Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age who writes that Sunday Night Football is the most expensive primetime program on which to advertise.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the two pitchers from India who made the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from a reality TV show will have their stories made into a movie.

Darren says media organizations will love the short distance between New York and Philadelphia for this year’s World Series.

Evan Weiner says the reasons that Rush Limbaugh didn’t get a football team go far beyond the obvious politics.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry suggests young sportwriters go it alone at first.

Dan Levy of On the DL writes in The Sporting News about Steve Phillips, Deadspin and the eventual disappearance of Newsday’s Neil Best from the national lexicon.

Speaking of Neil, he shares his thoughts on Game 6 of the ALCS on Fox.

Neil tells us that baseball crushed football in New York last night.

Neil continues to complain about the length of MLB postsesaon games.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times talks about ESPN’s firing of Steve Phillips.

In a related note, The Big Lead breaks news that the other party of the Steve Phillips affair, Brooke Hundley, was fired from ESPN today.

We have a rare Monday column from the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman who has rare love today and it’s for Fox’s production of ALCS Game 6.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union has the World Series schedule.

Pete has the NFL TV schedule for Week 8 in New York’s Capital Region.

Pete would like to see more highlights on NBC’s Football Night in America and I totally agree with him.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record reports that one of my all-time NHL analysts, Bill “The Big Whistle” Chadwick, a mainstay on New York Rangers radio and TV broadcasts passed away at the age of 94. He and Marv Albert were a great team before Marv and Sal “Red Light” Mussina became popular with the Rangers in the 1980′s.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with ESPN Radio’s Mike Golic as he enters his 10th year with on-air partner Mike Greenberg.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News tells us that the Cowboys ruled the ratings roost in the Metroplex yesterday.

Barry says Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman sees something wrong with the Cowboys’ passing game.

A note to the Morning News, please stop the autoplay of videos on the site. It’s annoying.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Texas A&M fans can see highlights of the Aggies’ game against Texas Tech on Fox Sports Houston this week.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business enjoyed listening to the Bears’ postgame show after a bad loss to the Bengals yesterday.

Ed says the Bulls have an earlier starting time for their games this season.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the NFL Today’s Boomer Esiason noticeably left Green Bay signal caller Aaron Rodgers off his Top 10 QB list.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says less talk from Joe Buck and Tim McCarver is going a long way.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times gives her assessment of ALCS Game 6 on Fox.

The great Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s sports calendar.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says CBC’s moving Saturday’s Toronto-Vancouver game from a late starting time to 7 p.m. shows the Maple Leafs control Hockey Night in Canada.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star criticizes the CTV-led Olympic broadcasting consortium for allowing journalists to take part in the Olympic torch relay.

William Houston in his Truth and Rumours blog says the Maple Leafs’ struggles are not being ignored by the media.

Rick Kissell of Variety says sports was on top of the ratings on Sunday.

Here’s a clip from Broadcasting & Cable when Monday Night Football was inducted into B&C’s Hall of Fame.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine writes that Fox took out the competition on Sunday thanks to ALCS Game 6.

Chris Byrne in the Eye on Sports Media asks readers whose credibility took a bigger hit in the Steve Phillips affair.

The great Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball interviews the lovely Alyssa Milano who has become an entrepreneur with “Touch” sports fashion line.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the national TV college hockey schedule.

And we end today with The Five hosted by Kristine Leahy at WEEI.com.

That’s it for now.

More on Steve Phillips

This next development comes in the first part of the Steve Phillips rehabilitation and apology tour. From Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated who tweets:

Statement from Agent (Steve Lefkowitz): “Steve Phillips is voluntarily admitting himself to an inpatient treatment facility to address his personal issues.”

Is this for sex addiction? Is an appearance on Dr. Phil next? Or an interview with Barbara Walters and then being hired by the MLB Network? We have not heard the last of this.

ESPN’s Full Statement On Steve Phillips

It’s not much longer than what I originally posted a few minutes ago, but this is the full statement from ESPN regarding Steve Phillips’ termination tonight.

Phillips Statement: Steve Phillips is no longer working for ESPN. His ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged, and it became evident it was time to part ways. 

ESPN is using the first rule of public relations in regards to bad news, try to bury it. On a day of NFL games and Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, the news broke around 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

I’m sure we’ll hear more on Monday.

BREAKING NEWS: Steve Phillips Fired From ESPN

Happening now, just getting word that ESPN has terminated Baseball Tonight analyst Steve Phillips for his affair with a 22 year old production assistant.

From ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys who put this on his Twitter account:

Steve Phillips is no longer working for ESPN. His ability to be an effective rep of ESPN has been significantly & irreparably damaged.

This is not a surprise as ESPN fired Harold Reynolds for a sexual harassment incident a couple of years ago, but what Steve Phillips did was more serious, actually sleeping with a co-worker and which eventually caused the production assistant to go Fatal Attraction on him.

More to follow.