Fang's Bites

Monday Linkage

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

Here are some links for you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ryan Durling of BostInnovation says Captain Blowhard got Twitter bombed.

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

Bringing Out The Wednesday Links

Too many things going on today both at work and in sports media. Trying to figure out a balance. I’ll do my best. We have some linkage for you.

From Wayne Friedman of MediaPost, he hears from an ESPN executive who’s optimistic the network will have enough programming to survive a potential NFL lockout.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy writes about TNT’s Charles Barkley holding court during yesterday’s joint CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament media day.

Mike says there will be collateral damage to businesses that benefit from the NFL if a lockout occurs.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports says March Madness can also mean March Mediocre.

Jon Weisman of Variety says a new era in broadcasting the NCAA Tournament is about to begin.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable looks at the Library of Congress obtaining a portion of the vast Miley Collection of sports broadcasting archives.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News writes that the premiere for Mike Tyson’s reality show on Animal Planet did not do well.

Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center has 25 do’s and don’ts for aspiring and current sports journalists.

Carolyn Braff of Sports Video Group says the new CBS/Turner consortium for the NCAA Tournament is going to take some time getting used to.

Jason Dachman of SVG says the new CBS/Turner Sports production will be a combined effort.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid explains what ESPN’s Jalen Rose meant when he said Duke recruited “Black Uncle Tom’s.”

CNBC’s Darren Rovell has the winner of his Best New Ballpark Food vote.

At Fishbowl New York, Jerry Barmash says video provider CineSport has signed a new contract with the New York Post.

Newsday’s Neil Best catches up with CBS’ Screamin’ Gus Johnson.

Neil has TNT’s Charles Barkley promising to be as candid on the NCAA Tournament as he is during NBA coverage.

And Neil has more with Charles in his blog.

Newsday’s Bob Glauber is saddened to see that former New York Giant and NBC NFL analyst Tiki Barber unretire and return to the football field.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union wonders if truTV which is part of the CBS/Turner Sports consortium will be seen in HD in time for the NCAA Tournament.

Pete is looking forward to the high comedy from the Turner crew during the NCAA Tournament that is usually seen on Inside the NBA.

Pete notes that BYU’s Jimmer Fredette is being praised highly by the CBS/Turner announcers.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says three games in the early MLB on TBS schedule will be blacked out in the local area.

From the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner discusses how the NFL’s TV partners have a vested interestin a potential lockout.

Also from the New Jersey Newsroom, Mike Vorkunov talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas about his other job.

John Gonzalez of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Charles Barkley is warming up for college basketball.

Evan Grant from the Dallas Morning News writes that this Sunday’s Texas Rangers-San Francisco Giants exhibition game has been moved from Fox Sports Southwest’s main channel.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says truTV won’t be seen in HD on local cable systems.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says Friday’s A-10 quarterfinal featuring Xavier will be seen locally.

John notes that Friday’s SEC Tournament game with Kentucky will also be seen live in the local area.

Rick Bozich from the Louisville Courier-Journal feels ESPN’s Bob Knight was being a hypocrite in not criticizing Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel over his covering up NCAA violations.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says truTV is not in HD locally.

Bob says the Brewers get their turn on MLB Network this Sunday night.

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times says a local sports talk show host who was arrested on DUI charges over the weekend apologized on the air on Tuesday.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says the host feels lucky to still have his job.

Ed says the Bulls are setting ratings records on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

Dave Brauer of MinnPost says WCCO Radio has lost one of its legacy sports properties.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune has CBS’ Jim Nantz not counting out BYU despite it suspending one of its star players.

Shad Powers of The Desert Sun (CA) is covering the players at this week’s BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament through Twitter.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that ESPN’s resident “bracketologist” is not being kind to USC.

Dawn C. Chmielewski of the Los Angeles Times has an ESPN exec being bullish even if an NFL lockout takes place.

From the Corvallis (OR) Statesman Journal, we learn that two Oregon University fans who stole the Lee Corso mascot head when ESPN’s College GameDay visited the area last year have pleaded guilty in court.

Geoffrey C. Arnold from The Oregonian writes that the MLS’ Portland Timbers will have all of their games televised.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders if TV would attempt to televise a civil trial involving two hockey players.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that NBC has announced its first NHL playoff telecast dates.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

Deadspin says TMZ Sports looks like it’s dead.

We’re going to end it there.

Our Sunday Linkage

Time for some Sunday linkage. Let’s see what’s out there.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News takes a look at where the NHL stands as far as its media partners, sponsorships and ratings are concerned.

Mike writes that Golf Channel received good ratings for Tiger Woods’ 2011 debut to the PGA Tour on Thursday.

In the Business Insider, Larry Kramer, the founder and CEO of CBS Marketwatch.com, says Erin Andrews’ endorsement of Reebook is causing troubles for ESPN.

Writing in Variety, the Biz of Sports’ Maury Brown explores the problems that could arise if an NFL lockout occurs.

Mike Barnes in the Hollywood Reporter says Fox Sports is merging the two footballs, American and worldwide, for Super Bowl Sunday.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News places the blame squarely on TNT for Tracy Morgan’s comments about Sarah Palin that went over the top.

In the New York Post, Phil Mushnick gets on donors who give big bucks to big-time college sports.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Kyle Franco says Turner Sports is ready to put its stamp on the NCAA Tournament.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says it’s officially Super Bowl Week when the hype begins.

Scott Kendrick of the Florida Times-Union writes that ESPN’s new Longhorn Network is not good for the Big 12.

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times notes that Sun Sports will pick up a handful of Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training games in March.

Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel tells us that TMZ will produce a segment for Fox’s Super Bowl pregame focusing on the parties in the Metroplex.

Pete Alfano of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says ESPN is ready to unveil its Super Bowl set in Sundance Square.

Barry Tremel from the Daily Oklahoman feels the new Texas Network could spell the death knell for the Big 12 Conference.

J. Brady McCullough of the Kansas City Star recaps College GameDay’s visit to the Lawrence, Kansas yesterday.

Chris Sieroty of the Las Vegas Journal-Review says casino sports books could take a big hit if the NFL lockout wipes out regular season games.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that NHL Hall of Fame announcer Bob Miller of the LA Kings will get another HOF honor.

Susan Krashinsky of the Toronto Globe and Mail says a new company has thrown its hat into the ring to launch another sports network in Canada.

Sports Media Watch has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

Joe Favorito notes that the NHL has gotten the job done in growing its brand during All-Star Weekend.

I think we’re done here.

Time For The Thursday Linkage

Let’s do the linkage for this Thursday. Got off to a late start, but that’s due to some overdue paperwork I had to complete. Now that it’s done, I can do some linkage for you.

Let’s begin with USA Today’s Michael McCarthy who looks at the impact of a Tiger Woods-less PGA Tour on both sponsors and TV ratings.

Speaking of sponsorships, Tripp Mickle in the Sports Business Journal says the X Games will allow more sponsor flexibility.

Michael Smith of the SBJ reviews the distribution of revenue to various conferences from the Bowl Championship Series.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred discusses writing a story on deadline.

Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age writes that Papa John’s Pizza did an end run around CBS, and managed to get an ad on the Super Bowl, but for much less than the network’s asking price.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell delves into the Tim Tebow Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad.

Darren is fascinated by video game manufacturer 2KSports offering a million dollar prize for its MLB 2K10 game.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times looks at how a judge threw out a lawsuit from a former Madison Square Garden executive who claimed he gave Yankees owner George Steinbrenner the idea for YES Network.

Kyle Smith of the New York Post reviews ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on the Indiana Pacers-New York Knicks 1990′s rivalry.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has a transcript of NBA Communist Sympathizer David Stern toying with a TMZ reporter during the announcement of Wizards star Gilbert Arenas’ suspension for having a gun in the locker room.

From the Daily Caller, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says a broadcast network cannot afford not to have the NFL as part of its programming.

In the Examiner, Jim explores whether Capitals owner Ted Leonsis could become a full-fledged partner with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Tim Lemke wonders if Leonsis will actually be successful in his bid to buy the Wizards. 

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the NFL Players Association isn’t thrilled about having the Pro Bowl moved to the week before the Super Bowl and away from Hawai’i.

Sarah has more on the Pro Bowl and the NFLPA’s thoughts on the Pro Bowl in Miami.

Ray Melick of the Birmingham (AL) News feels CBS should air the controversial Tim Tebow advocacy ad in the Super Bowl.

Jim O’Donnell of the Chicago Sun-Times feels the Super Bowl should not be diminished by an advocacy ad.

However, Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says like it or not, the Tebow ad has a right to air during the Super Bowl.

Ed says the Cubs might the right choice in staying in Mesa, AZ for its spring training home.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has ESPN’s Monday Night Football analysts feeling that Brett Favre will be back in action next season.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at some of the biggest sports bombs on TV through Entertainment Weekly.

Tom also has a preview of his Friday column.

Austin Knoblauch of the Los Angeles Times says CBS has not made a decision on another potentially controversial Super Bowl ad.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours feels Jim Nantz should not have done a Sony TV ad with Colts QB Peyton Manning.

Chris Byrne in the Eye on Sports Media honors HHR Media for its Blogs with Balls conferences.

Chris also gives an honor to one of ESPN’s hard working public relations staffers.

The Sports Media Watch has some various notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says CBC and the Vancouver Canucks finally smoked the peace pipe.

The Canadian Olympics Broadcasting Consortium has announced the English language radio coverage plans for the Vancouver Winter Games.

And you can’t go without the French language coverage plans.

We end with Len Berman’s Top 5 Sports Stories at That’s Sports.

We’re done.

Some Quick New Year’s Day Links

Here at Chez Fang’s Bites, the New Year got off to a bang when my boiler went out. So it’s cold, but thankfully, the boiler repairman who advertises 24/7 emergency service has already been here, but as he needs some parts, I wait so I’ll give you some links. This was unexpected, but what was an a surprise turns out to be a bonus for you.

Starting with Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News, he writes that Fox and Time Warner Cable continue to negotiate on retransmission while keeping all channels on the provider for now.

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn writes that 2009 was the year the sports media landscape changed.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Time Warner Sports will be a big part of the syndicated Big East Game of the Week package.

Pete says ESPN/ABC is hoping lightning can strike twice for the BCS.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with Brent Musberger about his Rose Bowl assignment.

New Year’s Day is supposed to be a happy time, but for the 25 staffers of the Washington Times, it’s a sad day as it marks the final sports section for the paper. I’ll link you to some stories from there.

Veteran reporter Dan Daly writes the eulogy for the sports department.

Gene Mueller says he’s had to write goodbye’s before, but they are always hard to do.

The Times looks back at some of the highlights from the last 27 years of coverage.

Long time Redskins beat writer David Elfin bids his readers adieu.

Corey Masisak also says goodbye.

Ben Goessling is grateful for his time at the Washington Times.

Ryan O’Halloran says it’s time to close up shop.

And Patrick Stevens signs off.

Tim Lemke looks at what the next decade will bring for sports on TV.

In his blog, Tim provides you with blogs of former Times sports writers for you to bookmark.

Sad to see a very solid sports department leave us, but sign of the times.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has ten things we can live without on sports TV in 2010.

Sarah Talalay at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel looks at a decade of sports business stories from the region. 

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the biggest stories in St. Louis sports media. 

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune talks with Fox’s John Lynch about the Chargers.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News dreads seeing TMZ Sports.

Tom shares some more thoughts on TMZ Sports in his blog.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com looks at MLB possibly entering the San Jose market.

From the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bruce Dowbiggin takes a look at how Tiger Woods will be treated when he returns to golf.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says CBC would like to see the NHL Winter Classic played in Canada and soon.

Chris says one of ESPN’s announcers for the International Bowl gets to call the assignment from home on Saturday.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours discusses how the Maple Leafs are treated on sports radio.

The Sports Media Watch has the five biggest NFL stories over the last ten years.

SMW gives us the worst in sports broadcasting from 2000-09.

SMW also provides the top rated games in each of the major sports followed in the US.

Finally, SMW gives you the decade in review in ten minutes.

The Big Lead provides you with the Who’s In/Who’s Out List for 2010.

From the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown says one of the hardest working writers for Baseball Prospectus has left the publication.

That will do it for your New Year’s Day. I wasn’t expecting to do these, but they’re definitely your gain.

Some Quick Wednesday Linkage

With the Christmas holiday beckoning, my blogging schedule has been affected as I’m taking care of personal business so the linkage will be a little light over the next few days. I’ll give you some quick links while I can.

You’ve probably heard about this already and this is something Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I discusssed on our weekly podcast today. TMZ.com appears to be launching a sports version of its gossip website. SportsbyBrooks broke the story late Monday night.

Blogs with Balls also takes a look at the proposed TMZ Sports website.

On the DL’s Dan Levy writing for the Sporting News wonders where this will all lead us.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about the TMZ Sports site as well. 

In addition, Deadspin feels TMZ Sports may trigger a tabloid war.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner is fearful of what TMZ could unearth.

ESPN Ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer looks at ESPN’s coverage of Tiger Woods and where it’s headed.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes about a new company that’s trying to help athletes remain faithful to their spouses. 

Dave Kindred, writing for Indiana University’s National Sports Journalism Center takes a look why Captain Blowhard is somehow a success in this day and age.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks back at the sports media in 2009.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel news reports that the proposed Manny Pacquaio-Floyd Mayweather boxing PPV bout scheduled for March could be over way before it gets started.

Back to Richard Sandomir of the Times, he writes how the NBA wants to own Christmas just like the NFL owns Thanksgiving.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says JP Dellacamera will replace Gary Thorne on NHL Network’s coverage of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.

Leonard Shapiro of the Washington Post has his annual holiday wishes for the sports media world.

The Sports Media Watch looks at the top five sports media moves of the decade that didn’t happen.

The SMW has the weekend overnight ratings.

Joe Favorito looks at how St. John’s University pulled out some “retro” marketing to bring college basketball back into the forefront in New York.

I’ll end it there for now. I hope to provide more links tonight.