College Lacrosse
May
23
ESPN & ESPN2 To Air NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
It seems like Memorial Day Weekend has crept up on us. Maybe it’s the cooler than normal temperatures in the Northeast this Spring. Maybe it’s due to the fact that days are running together for me. Maybe it’s me. Who knows?
Anyway, ESPN and ESPN2 will air the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship live from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Saturday and Monday. The event has grown in leaps and bounds every year and whether the Championship is played in Baltimore or Foxboro, the Lacrosse Semis and Championship draw good crowds.
The semifinals will be aired on ESPN2 this Saturday and in the first game, Notre Dame will take on the top seed, Loyola (MD) at 2:30 p.m. ET with ACC rivals Maryland and Duke squaring off in the second game at 5 p.m.
On Monday, the Championship Game will be played at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Calling the games will be Eamon McAnaney and Quint Kessenich with Paul Carcaterra on the sidelines.
Here’s the ESPN announcement for you.
2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Semifinals Set
National Championship Game to be Played Monday, May 28, at 1 p.m. on ESPN & ESPN3
The last four teams remain as the field is set for the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship championship weekend – Saturday, May 26 and Monday, May 28, from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The semifinals commence Saturday on ESPN2 and ESPN3 with No. 4 Notre Dame facing top-seeded Loyola (Md.) at 2:30 p.m. ET and Maryland against No. 3 Duke at 5 p.m. The 2012 season will culminate with the National Championship Monday at 1 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN3.
ESPN has covered 29 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships since 1980 and 2012 marks the 18th consecutive year of televising the National Semifinals and Championship Game.
Commentators
- Eamon McAnaney will be calling his first-ever championship weekend games as the play-by-play announcer
- Quint Kessenich will join McAnaney in the booth and sideline analyst Paul Carcaterra is a newcomer on the field for the biggest weekend of the season
Studio
- Host Anish Shroff and analyst Mark Dixon will cover the National Semifinals from ESPNU’s Charlotte, N.C. headquarters
- The duo will be on site in Foxborough for the National Championship on Memorial Day with pregame and halftime reports
- In addition, Shroff and Dixon will anchor the NCAA Lacrosse Championship Post Game Show on ESPNU and ESPN3, immediately following the title game, which will include game reaction, postgame celebration, trophy presentation and net cutting
- Bill Tierney, head coach at Denver and six-time NCAA Championship coach at Princeton, will join Shroff and Dixon in studio for the coverage of the semifinals
Game Features
- A series of bumps and full-length teases that combine Native American narrative with current day life from the Onondaga Nation in upstate New York
- Microphones will be worn by all three game officials during the semifinals and championship, providing on-field dialogue throughout the telecast with periodic switches to each official
- The telecast will use nine cameras, plus the SkyCam and Super Slo Motion camera, which will allow viewers to experience a visually enhanced presentation
ESPN Digital
- All three games from Gillette Stadium simulcast on ESPN3
- Full coverage of the postgame celebration, trophy presentation and the net cutting on Monday on ESPN3
- Fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription via Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV or Comcast Xfinity will also have access to WatchESPN for live coverage online at WatchESPN.com and through the WatchESPN app on smartphones and tablets, in addition to ESPN3’s multi-screen offering
ESPN.com
- ESPNBoston.com will cover all the weekend’s action from Gillette Stadium
Sports Science Lab
Former Johns Hopkins All-American and current Boston Cannon star Paul Rabil put his skills to the test at the ESPN Sport Science lab, demonstrating why some call him the world’s greatest lacrosse player. Using state of the art technology, John Brenkus and his team analyze Rabil’s immensely powerful shot, which can exceed 100 miles per hour, plus record his speed, power and accuracy. The team also breaks down the art of the lacrosse shot with one of the game’s finest players ever.
ESPN International
- The semifinal games will be shown live on ESPN PacRim, ESPN2 Australia and ESPN2 Caribbean, and next day delay on ESPN America
- The title game will air live on ESPN America, ESPN PacRim and ESPN2 Caribbean
- Same day/next day airs for the championship game will be available on ESPN Africa, ESPN2 Australia, ESPN Israel, ESPN Middle East, ESPN Brazil HD and ESPN Latin America
ESPN’s Coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
(Subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game/Commentators Network(s) Sat, May 26 2:30 p.m. Semifinal #1: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Loyola (Md.)
(Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul Carcaterra
ESPN2/ESPN3 5 p.m. Semifinal #2: Maryland vs. No. 3 Duke
(Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul Carcaterra
ESPN2/ESPN3 Mon, May 28 1 p.m. National Championship: Semifinal winners
(Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul Carcaterra
ESPN/ESPN3 3:30 p.m. NCAA Lacrosse Championship Post Game Show Anish Shroff & Mark Dixon
ESPNU
That will do us.
May
07
ESPN Networks All Over NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championships
Starting this Saturday, the ESPN Family of Networks will air all 15 games of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships. It starts with a quadrupleheader each on Saturday and Sunday including six games on ESPNU. It all culminates with the National Semifinals and Championship Game on Memorial Day Weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.
Eamon McAnaney moves from the sidelines in previous years to the broadcast booth to become part of the main announcing team along with Quint Kessenich and Paul Carcaterra.
We have the full press release from ESPN looking at the field and also providing the announcing teams for the entire 15 game NCAA Lacrosse Championships.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to air all 15 tournament games
The 16-team bracket for the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship was unveiled exclusively Sunday on ESPNU with Loyola (Md.) earning the top seed in the field. Tournament play begins with first-round action Saturday, May 12, featuring Syracuse at No. 3 Duke at noon ET on ESPN and ESPN3. The defending national champion, No. 5 Virginia will host Princeton in Sunday’s opening first-round game at 1 p.m., also on ESPN and ESPN3. The remaining first-round games will be shown on ESPNU and ESPN3, highlighted by a match-up between perennial contenders Denver and No. 8 North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.
ESPN networks will provide exclusive coverage of all 15 games of the NCAA Championship for the sixth straight year. Coverage will be in high definition across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 beginning Saturday, May 12, and concluding with the national title game on Monday, May 28.
ESPN has assembled some of the top lacrosse commentating teams for this year’s coverage of the NCAA Championship. ESPNU host Anish Shroff will be joined in studio throughout the Championship by analyst Quint Kessenich or Mark Dixon. Paul Rabil, former Johns Hopkins All-American who is widely known as one of the top players in the world, will be joining Shroff and Kessenich in studio on Sunday, May 13.
Early round announce teams include former Tewaaraton Award winner and Virginia attackman Matt Ward, former Brown All-American Jamie Munro, Johns Hopkins midfielder Mark Dixon and legendary former Army head coach Jack Emmer. ESPN newcomer this season, three-time Princeton All-American Ryan Boyle will also be part of the game action.
Veteran play-by-play voice Eamon McAnaney will be in the booth for his first championship weekend after spending several years as the sideline reporter. He will be joined by analysts Kessenich and Paul Carcaterra. Carcaterra will provide his analysis from the sidelines.
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.
ESPN’s Coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
(Subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game/Commentators Network(s) Sat, May 12 Noon First Round (Koskinen Stadium, Durham, N.C.)
Syracuse at No. 3 Duke
Eamon McAnaney and Paul CarcaterraESPN/ESPN3 2:30 p.m. First Round (Garber Field, Amherst, Mass.)
Colgate at No. 6 Massachusetts
Joe Beninati and Jack EmmerESPNU/ESPN3 5 p.m. First Round (Ridley Athletic Complex, Baltimore, Md.)Canisius at No. 1 Loyola
Mike Corey and Mark DixonESPNU/ESPN3 7:30 p.m. First Round (Fetzer Field, Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Denver at No. 8 North Carolina
Eamon McAnaney and Matt WardESPNU/ESPN3 Sun, May 13 1 p.m. First Round (Klockner Stadium, Charlottesville, Va.)
Princeton at No. 5 Virginia
Eamon McAnaney and Paul CarcaterraESPN/ESPN3 3 p.m. First Round (Homewood Field, Baltimore, Md.)
Stony Brook at No. 2 Johns Hopkins
Mike Corey and Mark DixonESPNU/ESPN3 5:15 p.m. First Round (Arlotta Stadium, Notre Dame, Ind.)
Yale at No. 4 Notre Dame
John Brickley and Jamie MunroESPNU/ESPN3 7:30 p.m. First Round (Ulrich Sports Complex, Bethlehem, Pa.)
Maryland at No. 7 Lehigh
Joe Beninati and Ryan BoyleESPNU/ESPN3 Sat, May 19 Noon Quarterfinal Game #1(Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.)
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich and Paul CarcaterraESPN2/ESPN3 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal Game #2(Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.)
Eamon McAnaney. Quint Kessenich and Paul CarcaterraESPN2/ESPN3 Sun, May 20 Noon Quarterfinal Game #3(PPL Park, Chester, Pa.)
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich and Paul CarcaterraESPNU/ESPN3 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal Game #4(PPL Park, Chester, Pa.)
Eamon McAnaney,Quint Kessenich and Paul CarcaterraESPNU/ESPN3 Sat, May 26 2:30 p.m. Semifinal Game #1 (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul CarcaterraESPN2/ESPN3 5 p.m. Semifinal Game #2(Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul CarcaterraESPN2/ESPN3 Mon, May 28 1 p.m. National Championship (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Paul CarcaterraESPN/ESPN3 3:30 p.m. NCAA Lacrosse Championship Post Game Show
Anish Shroff & Mark DixonESPNU
That’s it for this post.
May
07
NBC Sports Network Inks Ivy League For Two Years
Just announced today, NBC Sports Network has signed a two year contract with the Ivy League, the non-athletic scholarship conference. It will go from the 2012-13 academic year to 2013-14. Not only will the contract entail football which has been seen previously when the channel was known as Versus, but it will also expand to basketball and lacrosse.
NBC Sports Network will show 6-10 football games, 6-10 men’s basketball games and as many as four men’s lacrosse games.
In addition, NBC Sports Network has the ability to sublicense games to other networks. Under the contract, NBCSN will air the annual football rivalry game between Harvard and Yale.
This year, NBC Sports Network has signed an exclusive contract with the Colonial Athletic Association, signed a sublicense agreement with CBS Sports Network to air 10 Mountain West football games and now has this new pact with the Ivy League. NBC Sports Network is still hopeful to gain the Big East whose rights are up for bid this year.
Here’s the NBC Sports Group announcement.
THE IVY LEAGUE, NBC SPORTS GROUP RENEW NATIONAL TELEVISION AGREEMENT
NBC Sports Network to Televise up to 10 Football, 10 Men’s Basketball & Four Men’s Lacrosse Games Annually
”The Game” Between Harvard-Yale to air on NBC Sports Network in 2012 & 2013NEW YORK – May 7, 2012 – The Ivy League and the NBC Sports Group announced a two-year renewal of their national television rights agreement today that includes an increase in football games, and the first-ever rights for the NBC Sports Network to televise men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse games.
Beginning with the upcoming 2012 football season and continuing through the 2014 lacrosse season, the NBC Sports Network will televise a minimum of six, but no more than 10, football games, six-to-10 men’s basketball games, and up to four men’s lacrosse games annually. Even more Ivy League games may be seen on a national basis within this agreement as the NBC Sports Network has acquired the rights to sublicense additional football and men’s basketball games to a national sports network.
“The Ivy League is excited to continue our relationship with the NBC Sports Network,” said Robin Harris, Ivy League Executive Director. “The NBC Sports Network has been an outstanding partner and we appreciate their interest in enhancing our existing relationship by increasing the number of games and sports. We are pleased to showcase more Ivy League competition nationally to our passionate fan base which has a thirst for Ivy League athletics.”
“We are proud to again partner with the Ivy League, a conference whose institutions and student-athletes consistently comport themselves with great distinction while attracting an audience with a favorable demographic for our growing sports network,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports & NBC Sports Network. “With this renewal, the Ivy League will now provide quality content for the NBC Sports Network across three college seasons.”
Per the agreement, the NBC Sports Network will televise the annual football game played between Harvard and Yale, known as “The Game”, in both 2012 and 2013. In 2012, “The Game” will be played at Harvard and will mark the 129th iteration of the rivalry. Yale leads the series 65-55-8.
Back with more later.
Apr
23
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.
Feb
17
Wringing Out Some Friday Megalinks
Let’s do your media megalinks since last week you did not get any.
Hard to believe that college baseball, college lacrosse and NASCAR seasons are starting up, but they are and they’re included in the Weekend Viewing Picks along with the regular Golf, NBA, NHL, Skiing, Soccer, Tennis and Entertainment recommendations.
To your links now.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Jeremy Lin will make his nationwide broadcast network debut this weekend.
Tim Baysinger from Broadcasting & Cable notes that Floyd Mayweather’s next pay per view fight has been set by HBO for the spring.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that Jeremy Lin continues to drive the MSG Network ratings engine.
Mike Shields of Adweek looks at CBS/Turner Sports’ plans to charge to view the NCAA Tournament online.
Ted Johnson of Variety talks with Ken Solomon of Tennis Channel on his ongoing battle to get a better footing with Comcast.
Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says the Jeremy Lin media coverage is over the top.
Sports Media Watch notes the increased viewership for the NHL on NBC Sports Network.
SMW says Pardon the Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon have lent their voices to a Disney XD cartoon series.
Andy Hall at ESPN Front Row PR blog celebrates the 5th anniversary of NASCAR’s return to the network.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell speaks with Jeremy Lin’s agent.
Andrew Bucholtz writing his first article for Awful Announcing looks at the reaction to Jeremy Lin in Canada.
Mat Yoder at AA says the ratings for last weekend’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am show fans are still interested in Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Joe Favorito explores the steady growth of college lacrosse.
Mark J. Miller of Brandchannel says NASCAR fans don’t like it when drivers juggle sponsor logos throughout the Sprint Cup season.
The Big Lead has ESPN’s Erin Andrews out and about during New York’s Fashion Week.
Chris Chase at Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner notes that ESPN has been coaching Jon Gruden to use his words judiciously.
Harrison Mooney of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy says Jeremy Lin’s drawing power might indirectly benefit the New York Rangers, Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils which have been missing from Time Warner Cable systems in addition to the Knicks.
David B. Wilkerson at MarketWatch wonders if the MSG/Time Warner Cable feud will eventually push sports into a premium tier.
East and Mid-Atlantic
The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn gets some advice for new NESN Red Sox field reporter Jenny Dell from MSG’s Tina Cervasio.
At SB Nation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch pays tribute to Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan who announced he’s retiring after the London Olympics.
Surviving Grady has a podcast with Jen Royle.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at the new charge for viewing the NCAA Tournament online.
Richard writes about the increased ratings for Knicks games since Jeremy Lin arrived on the scene.
Phil Mushnick at the New York Post is in rare form today even for him.
Brett Cyrgalis of the Post has five questions for CBS college basketball analyst Bill Raftery.
The Post’s David Seifman reports that the New York City Council is pressuring MSG Network and Time Warner Cable to work out a deal.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News writes that ESPN bumped tonight’s Hornets-Knicks game not realizing it would be another opportunity to showcase Jeremy Lin.
Jerry Barmash from Fishbowl NY has reaction from various NYC sports anchors to the death of former Mets catcher Gary Carter.
Mike Silva at the Sports Media Watchdog feels hockey coverage in New York is woefully inadequate.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that a local sports TV reporter received a New York Emmy nomination.
Pete lists his top studio analysts.
DCRTV’s Dave Hughes has the latest in Baltimore-Washington DC sports media news in Press Box.
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has a clip of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon as cartoon characters.
Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner says talks with sports business writer Evan Weiner about the NFL’s antiquated blackout rules.
South
Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald has some thoughts on Shaquille O’Neal’s rookie season at TNT and ESPN’s decision to remove Ron Jaworski from Monday Night Football.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros plan to bring in former players to their radio booth to celebrate the team’s 50th season.
Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman notes the first network appearance of Jeremy Lin is this Sunday.
Midwest
The Detroit Free Press notes that all of the Tigers games will be on TV this season.
Bob Wolfey of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Dick Enberg told a captive audience at Marquette University about the art of the pause and when to use it in broadcasting.
Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.
To the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin where Paul Christian writes that Fox Sports North will be all over the Minnesota Twins this season.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals have mostly put the kybosh on late afternoon games at Busch Stadium this season.
Dan says a local sports radio host is recovering after undergoing heart bypass surgery.
West
Jay Posner at the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the new Fox Sports San Diego is set to launch next month.
Jay writes the San Diego Padres stand to double their rights fees from Fox as compared to Cox a year ago.
John Maffei at the North County Times says the official announcement between Fox Sports San Diego carrying the Padres is due any time now.
At the Ventura County Star, Jim Carlisle says NBC and the NHL have become very good partners.
Jim feels ESPN should not have jettisoned Ron Jaworski from Monday Night Football.
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times notes that ESPN college football analyst Ed Cunningham is up for a Best Documentary Oscar.
Bill Shakin of the Times says Frank McCourt’s legal problems are holding up Fox’s announcement with the Padres.
Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News recaps a lecture from three noted network broadcasters discussing TV coverage of the Olympics.
And that’s going to conclude the megalinks for today.
Jan
23
Some Late Monday Night Linkage
I’ll do some links that I’ve gathered over the day. You deserve some.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today discusses the monster ratings for Championship Sunday in the NFL.
Michael says with NBC reacquiring the rights to the Breeders Cup, ESPN has gotten out of the horse racing business.
And Michael discusses Jim Rome’s CBS debut before the AFC Championship.
Stuart Miller of Multichannel News says league-owned networks are looking to fill time through imaginative programming.
John Ourand at Sports Business Journal notes that the dispute between MSG Network and Time Warner Cable could threaten the Buffalo Sabres’ number one spot in the local NHL ratings.
John says carriage talks for Time Warner’s new regional sports network featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and for the Pac-12 Network are about to begin in California.
Michael Smith of SBJ says Turner Sports will be running the Fan Fest and other events at the NCAA Final Four this year.
Some stories on how the media handled or did not handle the premature reports of Joe Paterno’s death.
Ronnie Ramos at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says there are lessons to be learned from the way the Paterno story was reported on Saturday.
Craig Silverman of the Poynter Institute tells us how the Associated Press did not fall into the trap of reporting Paterno’s death.
Davis Shaver on Onward State, the online publication that made the erroneous report, explains the events on Saturday.
Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable notes that local TV stations in the Penn State vicinity showed restraint on the Paterno story.
Brian Stelter of the New York Times looks into how the Paterno story burned online news sources.
Now to other links.
John Daly of the Daly Planet delves into how Danica Patrick will influence NASCAR this season.
Barry Janoff of The Big Lead writes about Danica’s GoDaddy.com Super Bowl ad.
Sam Laird of Mashable notes that Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis will be the first to have a social media command center.
Sam informs advertisers what the typical NFL fan looks like.
Now some remembrances of the late Andy Musser who along with the late Harry Kalas, the late Richie Ashburn and Chris Wheeler, formed one of the best local broadcast teams whey they called the Philadelphia Phillies from the 1970′s into the 1990′s. Musser died Sunday at the age of 74. Musser was a consummate professional who called the Phillies, the Eagles, the 76ers and Villanova basketball. He did all of them well. A man who was content to be the number two broadcaster on the Phillies behind Kalas, he would call games on both radio and TV for the team.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com has an obituary of Musser.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says a memorial service will be held at the end of the month for Musser.
Tyler Kepner of the New York Times says Musser was a true gentleman.
And I hope to have more stories about Musser in Tuesday’s links.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has video of a Baltimore news anchor trying to prop up a depressed Ravens fan base.
Dan has another video of a Ravens fan kicking out an entire viewing party after the failed field goal by Billy Cundiff on Sunday.
Glen Davis of SportsGrid has the clip of the Ravens’ Terrell Suggs giving Skip Bayless a verbal beatdown.
Bob’s Blitz notes that Boomer Esiason and Jillian Michaels will co-host this year’s “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials.”
Patrick Burns of Deadspin did some excellent work to break down SportsCenter’s coverage on ESPN over an 11 day span earlier this month.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times notes how Gary Carter’s daughter is chronicling her father’s struggles with a brain tumor.
Matt Flegenheimer of the Times writes about how New York Knicks fans are actually going to games in the wake of the Time Warner Cable-MSG Network dispute.
Back to Brian Stelter of the Times who profiles NFL Films.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post wonders why CBS won’t bring up Ray Lewis’ stabby past.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette notes the big ratings for NFL Conference Championship Sunday.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the ESPN Family of Networks college lacrosse schedule.
Ken says YES will air Jorge Posada’s retirement from the Yankees on Tuesday.
Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says ESPN will air a half-dozen Spring Training MLB games in March.
At the Baltimore Sun, David Zurawik says CBS got the job done during the AFC Championship.
David says the local ratings for the AFC Championship may have set a record.
David writes that the AFC Championship definitely set a social media record.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes about Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s new show.
Tom Jones from the Tampa Bay Times looks back at a tumultuous weekend in sports television.
David Barron at the Houston Chronicle writes about the NFL Conference Championship Games’ ratings.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer has Thom Brennaman threatening promising to call Reds games on the radio with his dad, Marty.
Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post reviews the HBO Sports documentary on Joe Namath.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News discusses the Breeders Cup going primetime on NBC later this year.
Bill Shakin of the Los Angeles Times goes over the process of the Dodgers sale that began in earnest on Monday.
Sports Media Watch says the NBA’s move to becoming a mostly cable television league has paid off.
SMW has some various news and notes.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the Boston Bruins had a mixed bag over the weekend on NESN.
Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth says live sports continues to rack in the ratings.
Joe Favorito looks at the growth of squash, Twitter trouble and how to use the social media service properly.
Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing wonders how CBS’ Jim Nantz could confuse two Baltimore Ravens’ wide receivers.
And that will do it for your late night linkage.
Dec
15
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 CoverageESPN, 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 10th 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.
Sep
01
NESN Signs Deal To Air ACC Syndication Package
This just in from the New England Sports Network a.k.a. NESN. It has signed a deal to air the ACC cable syndication package which means a total of 14 football games and over 30 men’s basketball games. It’s similar to what Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic announced last week. And NESN will air the weekly “ACC All-Access” show. In addition to football and basketball, NESN will have the rights to air conference lacrosse, soccer and baseball games.
We have the press release direct from NESN.
NESN EXTENDS AND EXPANDS ACC MULTI-SPORT RIGHTS AGREEMENT
New Partnership Includes Live Coverage of 14 ACC Football Games Beginning September 3
BOSTON, MA – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, today announced a multi-year, multi-sport rights agreement to air Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) events. The new agreement expands on the network’s six-year partnership with the conference to include a weekly ACC football game in addition to over 30 men’s basketball telecasts. Also included as part of the agreement will be live coverage of women’s basketball regular season and conference tournament games plus baseball, softball, lacrosse, and the weekly program “ACC All-Access”. All football and men’s/women’s basketball telecasts will be produced in HD.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with the ACC to include a weekly football game, giving New England sports fans a chance to see some of the best college football in the nation,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO.
NESN’s season-long coverage of ACC football will begin this Saturday, September 3 at 3:30 PM when North Carolina hosts James Madison. Additional matchups scheduled to air on NESN in September include:
September 10 – North Carolina State at Wake Forest – 3:30 PM
September 17 – Kansas at Georgia Tech – 12:30 PM
September 17 – Arkansas State at Virginia Tech – 4:00 PMMatchups for the remainder of the schedule will be announced on a week-to-week basis.
As part of the new agreement, NESN will also feature live coverage of the 12th ranked Boston College women’s soccer team on September 22 at 8:00 PM when they travel to 3rd ranked Maryland.
A full schedule of all the ACC games that will air NESN will be available later this month at NESN.com.
And we have the ACC football schedule that will be aired on NESN throughout the season.
NESN’s 2011 ACC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 3 – James Madison at North Carolina, 3:30 PM
Saturday, September 10 – North Carolina State at Wake Forest, 3:30 PM
Saturday, September 17 – Kansas at Georgia Tech, 12:30 PM
Saturday, September 17 – Arkansas State at Virginia Tech, 4:00 PM
Saturday, September 24 – Teams TBD, 3:30 PM
Saturday, October 1– Teams TBD, 3:30 PM
Saturday, October 8 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, October 15 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, October 22 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, October 29 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, November 5 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, November 12 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, November 19 – Teams TBD, 3:00 PM
Saturday, November 26 – Teams TBD, 3:30 PM
That will do it.
Aug
27
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Obtains Rights To ACC Sports
This coming in the last few days, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has obtained the rights to the Atlantic Coast Conference. This is a cable syndication contract that is part of ESPN’s rights to the conference. As a result, Comcast SportsNet will be able to air a weekly conference football game, 14 in all. It will also have the rights to air up to 59 basketball games, 31 of them focusing in men’s action. And in addition, Comcast SportsNet will have the rights to air ACC baseball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and other sports. So this is a big deal and gives Comcast SportsNet some 120 conference events as programming.
We have the press release for you.
COMCAST SPORTSNET MID-ATLANTIC ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL
LONG-TERM AGREEMENT ALSO FEATURES BASEBALL, SOCCER AND LACROSSE
Bethesda, Md. (Aug. 25, 2011) – Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region’s leading source for multiplatform sports coverage, has acquired long-term television rights to live Atlantic Coast Conference football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse, as well as other conference events. Through the multi-sport agreement, Comcast SportsNet remains the region’s official sports network of the ACC and will televise up to 120 live conference events annually.
The comprehensive package begins this season and provides Comcast SportsNet with a weekly schedule of live ACC football for the first time since 2004 and significantly expands its lineup of other conference sporting events. The network, which obtained the rights as part of the new ACC Network sublicensed regional package, will deliver this programming exclusively to more than 4.7 million households throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
“Our longstanding relationship with the ACC, its member schools and their many fans throughout the region make our network an ideal partner for the conference and a great home for their exciting product,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Rebecca Schulte. “This partnership represents a considerable increase in our high-quality programming and confirms our position as the region’s leader in college sports coverage.”
Comcast SportsNet will be the regional rights-holder for 14 ACC football games this season, beginning with James Madison at North Carolina on Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. Other match-ups scheduled to air on the network include NC State at Wake Forest on Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. and a doubleheader on Sept. 17 featuring Kansas at Georgia Tech (12:30 p.m.) and Arkansas State at Virginia Tech (4 p.m.) The remainder of the football schedule will be announced throughout the season.
Also highlighting the new package of ACC programming is up to 59 basketball games, including up to 31 men’s games – featuring 16 conference match-ups – and 28 women’s basketball games. In addition, Comcast SportsNet now has the rights for up to 20 conference baseball games, including ACC baseball tournament games, and a variety of soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, softball and field hockey. The network will also be home to ‘ACC All Access,’ a weekly half-hour program.
Comcast SportsNet also has established partnerships with the three ACC programs in the region, the University of Maryland, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. These school partnerships will complement the network’s robust conference programming with special team and coaches’ shows, encore game presentations and marketing and branding elements. The network also has partnerships with other colleges throughout the region, including the University of Richmond, Towson University, Old Dominion, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
The new ACC package adds to Comcast SportsNet’s already substantial live-game coverage of college athletics. As the official sports network of the Colonial Athletic Association, the network produces and airs a full schedule of conference football and basketball games and serves as the region’s exclusive provider of syndicated football, basketball and baseball games from the nation’s top conferences, including the Pac-12, Big 12 and Conference USA.
That’s all.
May
28
Sneaking In Some Saturday Linkage
I have the opportunity to do some linkage on this Saturday so let’s take advantage of this.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says Fox has to be happy to have a dream matchup in today’s UEFA Champions League Final.
Sofia M. Fernandez of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the Indianapolis 500 has plenty of celebrity star power this weekend.
Brad Biggs in the National Football Post reports that a non-profit sports fan organization is appealing to the FCC to end all sports blackouts including NFL games.
The Big Lead notes that Captain Blowhard has poached a New York Times writer for his ESPN-backed Grantland site.
Sean Leahy at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that popular Canadian chain Boston Pizza is changing its name for the duration of the Stanley Cup Final.
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News says Sabres fans are lucky to still have voice Rick Jenneret around for next season.
In the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that frequent Gilbert Arenas critic Tony Kornheiser is quite similar to him in one very particular way.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says like them or not, the Miami Heat are jacking up the NBA’s TV ratings.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has confided to ESPN Radio’s Dr. Jack Ramsey that he feels Rick Carlisle is outcoaching opponents.
Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune says a last minute deal placed the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Big Ten Network.
Kristena Hansen in the Arizona Republic notes that a Fox Sports Grill in Scottsdale is changing its name citing poor business.
The Toronto Sports Media Blog wonders if the city could support an all-sports daily newspaper.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that TSN has signed a new six year deal to air the French Open in the Great White North.
Sports Media Watch looks at the ratings for the NBA Conference Finals dating back to 2002.
SMW says NBA TV and TNT analyst Kevin McHale is apparently heading back to coaching.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the NHL Western Conference Final averaged less than a million viewers for the entire series.
Joe Favorito notes that lacrosse is seeing increased interest, but it will still take some time to grow the game.
Bike World News says Fox Sports Net will air the Tour of Utah cycling road race in August.
And that’s where I’ll end it today. I could do some press release posts later.
May
27
Some Additional Friday Links
I think I’ll have to add some more linkage tonight. Not sure of my schedule this holiday weekend so I’ll take the opportunity while I can.
Scott Cacciola of the Wall Street Journal says Bristol, CT residents aren’t happy over how their town is portrayed in the new ESPN book.
Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated profiles ESPN’s Dick Vitale and his continuing effort to raise money for cancer research.
Staples also writes about the Big East looking for a big payday from a TV partner whether it be ESPN or NBC/Comcast or another network.
David Whitley of AOL Sporting News says TNT’s Charles Barkley has become Must See TV.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News notes that TNT ended its NBA coverage as having the most watched postseason on cable ever.
Multichannel says ESPN has now optimized its Watch ESPN app for the iPad.
Tim Nudd from Adweek gives us the Top 10 Soccer Commercials Ever Made.
Glenn Davis of SportsGrid says Stephen A. “A is for Audio” Smith’s return to ESPN2′s First Take was loud. Very, very loud.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid writes while ESPN.com’s Howard Bryant received probation stemming from a domestic assault case against his wife, repairing his reputation may be very difficult.
Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that ESPN3.com will stream SkyCam’s feed from the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship this weekend.
The Hartford (CT) Business Journal reports that ESPN Radio will be opening new facilities at its worldwide headquarters.
Justin Terranova of the New York Post speaks with MLB Network’s Al Leiter about the Phillies and Mets.
Crossing Broad says Fox Sports Radio’s Tony Bruno is ending his local Philadelphia show.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says CBS’ David Feherty won’t be working the Byron Nelson Championship this weekend.
Shawn Williams of the Dallas South News writes that John Rhadigan never had a chance to grow as Texas Rangers TV voice.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Indianapolis 500 TV coverage has advanced by leaps and bounds over the years.
Jenny Whalen from the Macomb Patch says Detroit Tigers TV voice Mario Impemba is sending out a free DVD of Opening Day to troops serving overseas.
From the Chicago Tribune, Brian L. Cox writes that an ESPN Radio Chicago host has pleaded guilty to DUI charges.
Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman notes that ESPN has picked up one more Boise State football game for this season.
Paul Brownfield reviews “Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN” for the Los Angeles Times.
SportsbyBrooks says ESPN has confirmed that management did try to script questions to “Those Guys Have All The Fun” co-author James Andrew Miller when he made appearances on ESPN Radio shows earlier this week.
From Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, we learn that the Casey Anthony murder trial jury will watch Game 7 of the Tampa Bay-Boston Bruins series. Interesting.
We’ll end it there.
May
13
Doing Some Friday Megalinkage
Now that I’ve learned that I don’t have to travel in between two offices today, I’ll do some megalinks for you.
You can check out the Weekend Sports and Primetime Viewing Picks here. Now to your links.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with TNT’s Steve Kerr on the similarities he sees between the Chicago Bulls teams he played on with Michael Jordan and the Miami Heat of today.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News breaks news that TNT’s Marv Albert is in talks with CBS to possibly replace Gus Johnson for the NCAA Tournament. Bob isn’t national, but it’s big enough news to be placed here.
In Sports Business Journal, John Ourand and Michael Smith report on how ESPN and Fox came together for the Pac-12 TV contract.
Kimberly Nordyke of the Hollywood Reporter says Oprah Winfrey’s booking of the United Center for her overblown farewell shows has forced the NBA to juggle the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals.
To Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News who writes that TNT is on a fast track to have its highest-rated NBA postseason in its history.
Mike has a story on the NBC Sports Group signing Saratoga Race Course for horse racing programming in the summer.
Noted FoxSports.com basketball writer Jeff Goodman announces that he’s leaving for CBSSports.com.
Also writing his farewell column is noted hockey reporter E.J. Hradek who’s leaving ESPN.com for the NHL Network.
At the Business of College Sports, Kristi Dosh says despite what rivals’ complaints, there’s nothing unfair about the new Longhorn Network.
Matt Hinton at Yahoo’s Dr. Saturday college football blog notes that ESPN.com really messed up in reporting the death of Alabama offensive lineman Aaron Davis.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem about a faltering Tiger Woods and what it means to the Tour.
Darren explores the new magazine put forth by energy drink distributor Red Bull.
Darren notes that Nike is coming under fire again for factory conditions in Asia.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the ratings for nights 25-28 of the NHL Playoffs.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has audio of a Captain Blowhard call into the Tony Korneheiser show this week.
Dan also has video of a deeply subdued Gus Johnson talking to Dan Patrick about his move to Fox.
Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that Versus’ Jeremy Roenick gave praise to Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks, two games after calling him “gutless”.
In Publiside, the lovely Gail Sideman advises athletes to keep using social media despite some recent incidents where some did not think before tweeting.
In Major League Programs, Dave Kohl reviews the sports media news of the week.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe quotes a WCVB-TV interview with NESN’s Jerry Remy in which he states he expects to return to analyzing Red Sox games on Monday. Remy has been out with pneumonia. Chad also breaks news that NESN’s Kathryn Tappen is being targeted by NHL Network as a possible studio host.
At SB Nation Boston, Bruce Allen says the Bruins now have the Hub’s attention all to themselves.
NESN has Heidi Watney visiting the MLB Fan Cave.
Newsday’s Neil Best notes that Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee actually saw Tiger Woods’ implosion at the Players Championship coming before it happened.
Melissa Hoppert of the New York Times discusses NBC Sports Group bringing Saratoga horse racing into the fold.
The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick hates everything and everybody today, but when is that different from any other day?
Justin Terranova at the Post has five questions for NBA TV’s Kevin McHale.
Ken Belson from the New York Times writes that the famed Melrose Games may leave its Madison Square Garden home where it’s been held for almost a century.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says Siena lacrosse fans have a few ways to monitor their team’s NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse this weekend.
Ken says an NCAA Division III Lacrosse Tournament game will be online for fans to listen.
Patrick Berkery from the Philly Burbs papers talks with Comcast SportsNet Phillies analyst Chris Coste.
Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says the Nationals’ ratings on MASN are way up from this same time last year.
Dan says the DC sports media is firing shots at each other over whether DC NFL Team quarterback Donovan McNabb refused to wear a wristband to help him calls plays because it didn’t look good.
Dan says one DC radio show is sending barbs at Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic over its reporting on the McNabb wristband.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says NBC will be all over The Players Championship this weekend.
Jim notes that NASCAR is coming to the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend.
And Jim says the NBA is heating up on both ESPN and TNT.
South
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks at the latest sports media news.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle talks with the man who’s spearheading ESPN’s Longhorn Network and getting it ready for launch this summer.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has a chat with NBA TV’s Kevin McHale over Oklahoma City’s win over Memphis the other night.
Mel says the Thunder are setting local ratings records.
Mel also has his media notebook.
Midwest
Jeff Bell of Columbus Business First writes that Fox Sports Ohio will be a corporate sponsor of the local sports commission.
The Detroit News says last night’s wild Game 7 between the Red Wings and San Jose Sharks set a ratings record for Fox Sports Detroit.
Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks about ESPN getting all hands on deck for a special college basketball game on Veterans Day.
In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman lists his weekly winners and losers.
Erin Meyer of the Chicago Tribune says the staff of WMAQ-TV is shocked over the death of sports anchor Daryl Hawks who was found in a hotel room as he was to cover last night’s Bulls-Hawks game.
Maudlyne Ihezjerika of the Chicago Sun-Times says another WMAQ-TV sportscaster died under similar circumstances almost a decade ago.
NBC Chicago has a slideshow of Daryl’s career not only at the station, but before he came to the Windy City.
Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a local sports radio executive’s tumultuous tenure is coming to an end.
West
The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers now have a local TV deal.
John Maffei of the North County Times talks about announcers shuffling back and forth between networks.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says TNT’s Charles Barkley’s premonition about the Lakers ended up coming true.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News answers real sports media questions from fake readers.
Tom looks at an organization that aids reporters and writers in need of assistance.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin says golf viewership is getting out of red numbers.
We’re going to end it there. Enjoy your sports weekend
May
11
The ESPN Family All Over NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament
Starting Saturday, the networks of ESPN will air the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Beginning with the first round this weekend and then lasting through Memorial Day with the National Final. We have the release from ESPN.
For the fifth straight year, ESPN networks will provide exclusive coverage of all 15 games from the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Coverage will be in high definition across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU beginning Saturday, May 14, and concluding with the national title game on Monday, May 30. ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile will also carry select games.
Highlights:
- ESPNU will televise six first-round and two quarterfinal games May 14-22;
- ESPN2 will televise one first-round game and two quarterfinals, plus the national semifinals Saturday, May 28, at 4 and 6:30 p.m.;
- ESPN will cover one first-round game and the championship game Monday, May 30, at 3:30 p.m.;
- ESPN3.com will simulcast the two first-round games that will air on ESPN and ESPN2 and every game from the quarterfinals through the title game;
- An exclusive SkyCam vantage point of the championship weekend games will be on ESPN3.com.
Telecasts will include a deep roster of experienced and knowledgeable lacrosse analysts: Paul Carcaterra (All-American at Syracuse and a member of 1995 National Championship team), Mark Dixon (former Johns Hopkins midfielder), Jack Emmer (former Army head coach and the NCAA’s winningest Division I head coach), Quint Kessenich (All-American at Johns Hopkins), Stephen McElduff (former North Carolina defensemen), Matt Ward (former Virginia attackman and 2006 Tewaaraton winner), Jamie Munro (All-American at Brown and former Denver head coach). Play-by-play announcers include Joe Beninati, Mike Corey, Ben Holden, Eamon McAnaney, Sean McDonough and Anish Shroff.
Date Time (ET) Game Network Sat, May 14 Noon First Round: Hofstra at No. 3 seed Johns Hopkins
Eamon McAnaney & Paul CarcaterraESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile 2:30 p.m. First Round: Penn at No. 4 seed Notre Dame
Anish Shroff & Stephen McElduffESPNU HD / ESPN Mobile 5 p.m. First Round: Delaware at No. 5 seed Duke
Joe Beninati & Jamie MunroESPNU HD / ESPN Mobile 7:30 p.m. First Round: Hartford at No. 2 seed Cornell
Mike Corey & Mark DixonESPNU HD Sun, May 15 1 p.m. First Round: Maryland at No. 8 seed North Carolina
Eamon McAnaney & Paul CarcaterraESPN HD / ESPN3.com /
ESPN Mobile3 p.m. First Round: Bucknell at No. 7 seed Virginia
Joe Beninati, Jamie Munro & Jack EmmerESPNU HD /
ESPN Mobile5:15 p.m. First Round: Villanova at No. 6 seed Denver
Ben Holden & Matt WardESPNU HD /
ESPN Mobile7:30 p.m. First Round: Siena at No. 1 seed Syracuse
Mike Corey & Mark DixonESPNU HD Sat, May 21 Noon Quarterfinal (Hempstead, N.Y.): Game 1
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Mark DixonESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal (Hempstead, N.Y.): Game 2
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Mark DixonESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com Sun, May 22 Noon Quarterfinal (Foxboro, Mass.): Game 3
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Mark DixonESPNU HD / ESPN3.com 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal (Foxboro, Mass.): Game 4
Eamon McAnaney, Quint Kessenich & Mark DixonESPNU HD / ESPN3.com Sat, May 28 4 p.m. National Semifinal (Baltimore, Md.): Game 1
Sean McDonough, Quint Kessenich & Eamon McAnaneyESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com 6:30 p.m. National Semifinal (Baltimore, Md.): Game 2
Sean McDonough, Quint Kessenich & Eamon McAnaneyESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com Mon, May 30 3:30 p.m. National Final (Baltimore, Md.)
Sean McDonough, Quint Kessenich & Eamon McAnaneyESPN HD / ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile
There you have it.
Feb
13
ESPN Networks To Have Extensive Coverage of College Lacrosse
Here’s another release that I found in the Fang’s Bites inbox from late last year. This is even timelier than the ESPNU SEC college baseball release that I just posted. Starting this coming weekend, the networks of ESPN will begin to air college lacrosse games. The season culminates with the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championships in Baltimore on Memorial Day Weekend. Lots of games with many concentrated in the Maryland-DC-Virginia corridor which is a hotbed for lacrosse.
We have your schedule right here.
Extensive Coverage of College Lacrosse Games Planned for ESPN Networks
ESPNU announces its 2011 college lacrosse coverage of more than 50 games – including a rematch of the 2010 NCAA National Championship game between Duke and Notre Dame in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 20, at noon on ESPN and ESPN3.com. The schedule includes 53 total games – featuring 35 regular-season matchups, 33 men’s and two women’s games and all 15 games of the NCAA Men’s Championship. Coverage begins on ESPN3.com – one of 12 exclusive games for the online network – with Johns Hopkins at Towson Saturday, Feb. 19 at noon ET. All games on ESPN and ESPN2 will also be simulcast on ESPN3.com.
Schedule highlights include:
- The Face-Off Classic from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore – home of the 2011 NCAA Championship – Saturday, March 12. ESPNU will air a BIG EAST matchup between Syracuse and Georgetown at 11 a.m., and a non-conference game pitting Cornell vs. Virginia at 1:30 p.m. ESPN3.com will carry the third game of the event – Johns Hopkins against UMBC at 4 p.m.
- The Big City Classic at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Saturday, April 3, in its second year at the newly opened stadium. The tripleheader will include BIG EAST teams Rutgers vs. St. John’s at 1 p.m. on ESPN3.com, followed by two games on ESPNU – Johns Hopkins vs. North Carolina at 4 p.m., and Syracuse vs. Duke at 6:30 p.m., the winners of the last three NCAA Championship titles.
- The ESPNU Warrior Classic at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, April 23, which will showcase CAA opponents Massachusetts and Hofstra will face-off at 3 p.m., followed by a BIG EAST tilt between Rutgers and Syracuse at 5:30 p.m.
- Eleven of 16 teams that qualified for the 2010 NCAA Championship will be featured, including five appearances from the defending national champion Duke.
- Johns Hopkins women’s program will be shown twice on ESPNU – at Georgetown on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. and at home against Penn Wednesday, March 23, at 5 p.m.
For the fifth straight year, the ESPN networks will televise the complete NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship, beginning with first-round action on Saturday, May 14. ESPNU will televise six first-round and two quarterfinal games May 14-22. ESPN2 will televise two-first round games and two quarterfinals, plus the National Semifinals Saturday, May 28 at 4 & 6:30 p.m. ESPN will offer the National Championship game Monday, May 30 at 3:30 p.m. ESPN3.com will simulcast the entire championship weekend.
ESPN Network’s 2011 College Lacrosse Schedule (Schedule subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game Network Sat, Feb 19 Noon Johns Hopkins at Towson ESPN3.com Sun, Feb 20 Noon Duke vs. Notre Dame (Jacksonville, Fla.) ESPN/ESPN3.com Sat, Feb 26 Noon Loyola (Md.) vs. Towson ESPN3.com 1 p.m. Siena at Johns Hopkins ESPNU 3 p.m. Georgetown at Maryland ESPNU Sat, Mar 5 1 p.m. Princeton at Johns Hopkins ESPNU 1 p.m. Maryland at Duke ESPN3.com Wed, Mar 9 7 p.m. Manhattan at John Hopkins ESPNU Fri, Mar 11 7 p.m. North Carolina at Princeton ESPNU Sat, Mar 12 11 a.m. Face-Off Classic (Baltimore): Syracuse vs. GeorgetownESPNU Noon Maryland at Towson ESPN3.com 1:30 p.m. Face-Off Classic (Baltimore): Cornell vs. VirginiaESPNU 4 p.m. Face-Off Classic (Baltimore): Johns Hopkins vs. UMBCESPN3.com Wed, Mar 16 6 p.m. Georgetown at Johns Hopkins (women) ESPNU Thu, Mar 17 7 p.m. Duke at North Carolina ESPNU Sat, Mar 19 Noon UMBC at Maryland ESPN3.com 6 p.m. Johns Hopkins at Syracuse ESPNU Tue, Mar 22 7 p.m. Dartmouth at North Carolina ESPNU Wed, Mar 23 5 p.m. Penn at Johns Hopkins (women) ESPNU Sat, Mar 26 Noon North Carolina at Maryland ESPNU 2 p.m. Virginia at Johns Hopkins ESPNU Sat, Apr 2 Noon Maryland at Virginia ESPNU Noon Hofstra at Towson ESPN3.com Sun, Apr 3 1 p.m. Big City Classic (East Rutherford, N.J.): Rutgers vs. St. John’sESPN3.com 4 p.m. Big City Classic (East Rutherford, N.J.): Johns Hopkins vs. North CarolinaESPNU 6:30 p.m. Big City Classic (East Rutherford, N.J.): Syracuse vs. DukeESPNU Fri, Apr 8 7:30 p.m. Albany at Johns Hopkins ESPNU Sat, Apr 9 Noon North Carolina at Virginia ESPN/ESPN3.com Noon Binghamton at UMBC ESPN3.com 4 p.m. Syracuse at Princeton ESPNU Sun, Apr 10 Noon Georgetown at Notre Dame ESPNU Sat, Apr 16 5:30 p.m. Virginia at Duke ESPNU 8 p.m. Johns Hopkins at Maryland ESPNU Sat, Apr 23 3 p.m. ESPNU Warrior Classic (East Hartford, Conn.): Massachusetts vs. HofstraESPNU 5:30 p.m. ESPNU Warrior Classic (East Hartford, Conn.): Rutgers vs. SyracuseESPNU 8 p.m. Navy at Johns Hopkins ESPNU Sat, Apr 30 2 p.m. Loyola (Md.) at Johns Hopkins ESPN3.com 7 p.m. Notre Dame at Syracuse ESPNU Fri, May 6 8 p.m. Notre Dame at North Carolina ESPNU TBD Ivy League Semifinal (site of regular-season champion): Game 1 ESPN3.com TBD Ivy League Semifinal (site of regular-season champion): Game 2 ESPN3.com Sun, May 8 Noon Ivy League Championship (site of regular-season champ)ESPNU
ESPN Network’s 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Schedule (Schedule subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game Network Sat, May 14 Noon First Round (Site TBD): Game 1 ESPN2/ESPN3.com 2:30 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 2 ESPNU 5 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 3 ESPNU 7:30 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 4 ESPNU Sun, May 15 1 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 5 ESPN/ESPN3.com 3 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 6 ESPNU 5:15 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 7 ESPNU 7:30 p.m. First Round (Site TBD): Game 8 ESPNU Sat, May 21 Noon Quarterfinal (James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, N.Y.): Game 1ESPN2/ESPN3.com 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal (James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, N.Y.): Game 2ESPN2/ESPN3.com Sun, May 22 Noon Quarterfinal (Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.): Game 3 ESPNU 2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal (Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.): Game 4 ESPNU Sat, May 28 4 p.m. Semifinal (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore): Game 1 ESPN2/ESPN3.com 6:30 p.m. Semifinal (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore): Game 2 ESPN2/ESPN3.com Mon, May 30 3:30 p.m. National Championship (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore)ESPN/ESPN3.com
And that should do it unless I find another release from last year that still can be posted tonight.
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