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Our Monday Linkage

Let’s do some links on a rainy Monday in Southern New England.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today looks at NFL Network’s new morning show.

Michael says ESPN has not confirmed whether Chris Berman will call a Monday Night Football game on the opening weekend of the season.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that CBS is about 80% sold for the Super Bowl.

Terry Lefton of Sports Business Journal says Pepsi has signed a deal to sponsor the Super Bowl halftime show.

Mike Ozanian of Forbes notes that the Miami Heat is on the verge of getting a huge deal with Fox Sports Florida.

Former ESPN First Take co-host Dana Jacobsen writes in her blog that she was molested as a child. Courageous for her to speak publicly about this.

Scott Roxborough and Stuart Kemp of the Hollywood Reporter note that yesterday’s Italy-England EURO 2012 Quarterfinal game became the highest-rated and most watched game of the tournament in Europe.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at ESPN going all in at Wimbledon.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age wonders now that LeBron James has won a championship, will he reach Michael Jordan levels in marketing?

Staci D. Kramer of paidContent says ESPN’s streaming of the NBA Finals drew a decent audience.

Ed Sherman from the Sherman Report writes that sportswriter Frank Deford will appear on tonight’s Colbert Report.

The Big Lead looks at alleged bias by the HBO Boxing crew from the Manny Pacquaio-Timothy Bradley fight.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing reviews the train wreck that was Charlie Sheen’s guest appearance on Fox Saturday.

Matt analyzes the moves by CBS and NBC to create their own sports radio networks.

Dylan Murphy at SportsGrid says a French soccer player cursed out a reporter after the team’s loss at EURO 2012 last week.

Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty notes that Oprah Winfrey will interview LeBron James and the Miami Heat this weekend which has train wreck potential written all over it.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com writes that the NFL has a long way to go to get a foothold in Europe.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with some of the people who have worked at WFAN during its past 25 years.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick says college presidents’ pleas to pray for the Jerry Sandusky abuse victims ring hollow. Did Phil want them to go to Jerry Sandusky’s jail cell and shoot him dead?

And Phil goes after his favorite target, WFAN’s Mike Francesa.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY talks with WFAN Operations Manager Mark Chernoff about the nation’s oldest radio station turning 25.

Jerry says a 1010 WINS sports anchor wants to go after those who mispronounce “Wimbledon”.

Bob’s Blitz has the WFAN 25th Anniversary lineup for this Sunday.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says a New York-Penn League minor league baseball team won’t have a radio partner this year.

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News talks with Jim Rome about his CBS Sports Network show.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that ESPN will be providing a lot of tennis action over the next fortnight.

At Chicago Sports Media Watch, Paul M. Banks talks with Danica Patrick about her transition from IndyCar to NASCAR.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post writes about ESPN’s extensive Wimbledon coverage.

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

Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune says all of San Diego State’s football games will be seen on TV, the question is where?

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail suggests that the NHL expand Hockey Night in Canada to Sundays.

Raju Mudhar with the Toronto Star writes about technology and sports melding together.

At Frontstretch, Amy Henderson writes that TV is actually hurting NASCAR and turning fans off.

Back to Paul M. Banks at the Sports Bank and he has video of ESPN’s Jenn Brown taking batting practice at the College World Series.

MediaRantz reviews WFAN at 25.

MediaRantz says noted Florida sports radio bad boy Dan Sileo could be headed to the new CBS Sports Radio.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says NBC’s shuffle of the NHL Draft wasn’t great, but it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Sports Media Watch says the NBA Finals’ ratings were down from last year.

SMW writes that MLB on Fox took a hit opposite the U.S. Open.

But SMW says this past weekend, MLB on Fox did significantly better.

Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo’s The Dagger blog writes that ESPN expects to replace analyst Hubert Davis with Jalen Rose on College GameDay.

Paul Magno at Yahoo says boxing may return to network TV as Oscar de la Hoya tries to bring a fight to CBS.

Kris Hughes at Rant Sports asks if Time Warner Cable could purchase the Longhorn Network from ESPN?

Gaslamp Ball talks with the head of Fox Sports San Diego.

And that will do us for today.

Networks of ESPN To Air 83 Games of NCAA Division I Baseball Championship

Starting this weekend, the ESPN Family of Networks will begin airing the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. In total, 83 games will be aired over ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3. It begins with the regionals this weekend, then the Super Regionals the following weekend and one of college sports’ greatest events, the College World Series in Omaha, NE to be played for the second time at TD Ameritrade Park.

This is a very long press release that will require a page break so get ready to scroll if you want to take a look at the entire NCAA Baseball Championship schedule.

We’ll begin with the text of the announcement, then do the jump break.

Record-Setting 83 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Games Scheduled

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 will combine to provide a record schedule of up to 83 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship games from June 1 to June 26, culminating with the College World Series. The addition of up to 14 games from two more Regional series surpasses the previous high of a maximum 69 games set last year.

The schedule includes complete coverage of six Regionals (up to 42 games from June 1-4), two more than the previous two championships; all eight Super Regionals sites (up to 24 games from June 8-11); and every College World Series game (up to 17 games from June 15-26) from the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.

ESPN3 will double its exclusive coverage from last year – its first for exclusive games – offering a possible 28 contests from five Regionals sites. ESPNU will televise up to 20 games from the Regionals and Super Regionals while ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to cover a maximum 35 games from all three rounds, including the entire NCAA Men’s College World Series for the 10th straight year.

Every game will also be available via WatchESPN, which delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 on PCs, smartphones and tablets to fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV.

Seven of the analysts have played in the College World Series: Chris Burke (Tennessee), Randy Flores (USC), Jay Payton (Georgia Tech), Kyle Peterson (Stanford), Nomar Garciaparra (Georgia Tech), Ben McDonald (LSU) and Paul Lo Duca (Arizona State).

Studio Coverage
Mike Rooney and Ben McDonald will provide analysis from the studio for the Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series. Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano will serve as an ESPNU guest analyst during the Regionals on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June. 2. In addition to providing pre- and post-game analysis, they will contribute on ESPNU’s SportsCenterU programs June 1 to June 3 at 3 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.

ESPNU will also provide extensive pre- and post-game studio reports during the College World Series as well as telecasts of the teams’ press conferences Thursday, June 14 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 23, at noon.

Regionals (June 1-4): ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 will offer complete and exclusive coverage of six Regionals sites.

• Each site will feature four teams competing in a double-elimination format and each site winner (a total of 16 sites) will advance to the Super Regionals. 
• Adam Amin, Joe Davis, Justin Kutcher, Clay Matvick, Mark Neely and Ducis Rodgers are scheduled to provide play-by-play while Nick Belmonte, Chris Burke, Randy Flores, Danny Kanell, Jay Payton and Kyle Peterson will provide analysis.

And the jump break here. Then the schedules for the Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series.
(continue reading…)

Bringing Out The Thursday Linkage

Here to provide some links for you today. Looks like I’ll be out on Friday so posting may be scarce, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

In the meantime, I have some links for you now.

This week, CBSSports.com Deputy Managing Editor Craig Stanke passed away at the age of 56. He joined the site as a deputy editor when it was known as SportslineUSA.com. During his time, he helped to attract a number of writers and build CBSSports.com’s stable to a point where it challenges the best sports news websites. Stanke worked at a number of newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, the Palm Beach Post among others.

We have a number of links.

First, CBSSports.com’s Mark Swanson writes Stanke’s obituary.

Scott Miller, CBS Sports’ Senior Baseball Columnist mourns Stanke’s passing.

CBS Sports’ national columnist Gregg Doyel says Stanke continued to teach him even after his death.

Stanke’s good friend, T.J. Simers at the Los Angeles Times, the man who hired Stanke for his first job, says he can’t believe his friend is gone.

To other stories now.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com notes that no matter how much the Big 12 expands, the TV payout money will remain the same. And Dodd tells us that the league’s TV deal with ESPN and Fox will be announced any day now.

Brian Steinberg at Advertising Age reports that CBS is 50% sold for Super Bowl XLVII and could reach 80% soon.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says despite CBS/Showtime dropping Warren Sapp from Inside the NFL this season, NFL Network has signed the controversial snitch for another year.

Reid Cherner at USA Today writes that many feel last night’s NBA Draft Lottery on ESPN was fixed in New Orleans’ favor.

Patrick Burns of Deadspin notes that almost a quarter of all of SportsCenter’s editions last week was devoted to the Miami Heat.

Richard Deitsch from Sports Illustrated has his monthly Media Power List.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says the 2012 NHL postseason has had the most viewers in ten years.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the viewership of all of the completed 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs to date.

Steve tweets the overnight ratings for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final were down significantly from last year.

And Steve has a story on the overnights at Puck The Media.

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the NHL’s newest Stanley Cup spot. It’s a winner, but still doesn’t hold up to last year’s “No Words” promo.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center writes that newspapers are dropping the printed word for digital content.

Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid has the video of Chicago White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson going nuts.

In the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman talks about Hawk’s homerism and his love of all things White Sox.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says talk about concussions may affect youth football participation.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk writes that the Miami Dolphins were the first pick of NFL Films for this year’s Hard Knocks and if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union tells us that Sunday’s motorsports races finished in a ratings dead heat.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that the Anaheim Angels Radio Network is now being nationally syndicated.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that a colleague, Tarik El-Bashir, is leaving the paper to join Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

At the Miami Herald, David J. Neal says NFL Films won’t have a problem finding story lines for Hard Knocks with the Miami Dolphins.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks with ESPN softball analyst Michele Smith about the Women’s College World Series which starts today.

Daniel Dorfman at Chicago Side Sports talks with unabashed White Sox homer Hawk Harrelson.

Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that San Diego State stands to get more TV money when it enters the Big East than from the Mountain West.

The Toronto Star’s Cathal Kelly rips CBC’s online attempt at satire of last night’s Stanley Cup Final Game 1.

To the Canadian Sports Media Blog which notes that Sportsnet has signed a deal to remain the home of the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package which even includes NBC’s Thanksgiving Night game.

Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN received a good overnight number for Game 2 of the Celtics-Heat NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

I Am A GM notes that 10 NBA players are crying conspiracy over last night’s Draft Lottery.

At Awful Announcing, the Brothers Yoder list their favorite NBA announcers.

And that’s going to do it.

ESPN Networks All Over The NCAA Division I Softball Championship

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

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

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

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

Here’s the ESPN press release.

ESPN Provides Extensive Coverage of NCAA Division I Softball Championship

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

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

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

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

2012 ESPN Highlights:

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

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

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

NCAA Division I Softball Championship – Super Regionals

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

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

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

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

That’s going to do it.

ESPN Extends Agreement With NCAA For Championships Through 2023-24

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

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

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

Here’s the announcement from ESPN and the NCAA.

ESPN and NCAA® Extend Rights Agreement through 2023-24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ESPNU

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

ESPN3

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

Women’s Basketball

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

Men’s Basketball

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

Studio Shows

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

That will do it.

A Few 4th of July Links

Let’s provide some linkage on this 4th of July holiday. I hope you’re having a great day wherever you are.

Aaron Couch of the Hollywood Reporter writes about ESPN taking over the Wimbledon TV contract after a 43 year association with NBC.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC wanted to use Versus as part of its Wimbledon coverage.

Diane Pucin from the Los Angeles Times notes that NBC pledged to end the Wimbledon tape delays by 2014, apparently not soon enough for All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union is not a fan of ESPN2′s tennis crew.

Back to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times and he has a good background story on how Fox has played a role in the whole Los Angeles Dodgers-Frank McCourt ownership debacle.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with Versus’ Paul Sherwin about the Tour de France.

Ron Morris of The State wishes ESPN would cut down the time in-between innings at the College World Series.

Brandon Marcello of the Shreveport (LA) Times speaks with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive about the state of the conference and the league’s TV contracts.

Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram looks at how Fox Sports Southwest has teamed with an organization to help troubled teens.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says comedy and sports can be mixed.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says an e-mail exchange with a reader over soccer bordered on racism.

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

The extremely uninformed Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN and Rogers Sportsnet failed to get the job done on NHL Free Agent Frenzy on Friday and at the bottom, he writes “hot rumour of the weekend is ESPN snatching rights from NBC for next year’s (Wimbledon).” It’s not rumor, Bruce!

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes that talented CBC Hockey Night in Canada Radio Jeff Marek is leaving and heading to Rogers Sportsnet. I have enjoyed listening to Jeff on HNIC Radio over the years on Sirius Satellite Radio. He will be missed on the show.

On this day of the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Luke O’Brien looks at the Competitive Eating Champion-in-Exile, Kobayashi.

Mike Silva’s NY Baseball Digest speaks with ESPN Radio New York’s Brandon Tierney who’s heading out West.

Joe Favorito looks at the collateral damage from the NBA and NFL lockouts.

Awful Announcing says Jon Sciambi drew the short stick in having to call the Harlem Globetrotters on ESPN.

The Ringside Report speaks with former CNN Sports anchor Fred Hickman about his friend, the late Nick Charles.

That will do it.

ESPN & ESPN2 See Increased Audience For College World Series

Received this blurb from Bristol, CT in regards to the increased viewership for both ESPN and ESPN2 during the College World Series. In addition, the two game Championship Series saw significant increases from the previous year.

ESPN & ESPN2’s College World Series Presentation Posts Audience Growth

ESPN’s Two-Game Finals Series Shows Significant Increase

ESPN and ESPN2’s complete coverage of the College World Series posted audience growth over last year, highlighted by significant increases for both telecasts of the championship finals.

The best-of-three championship, won in two games by South Carolina, averaged  2,233,000 total viewers, 1,618,000 households and a 1.6 rating, marking increases of 43% (vs. 1,558,000), 33% (vs. 1,220,000) and 33% (vs. 1.2), respectively, over last year.

Overall, ESPN’s 11 telecasts averaged 1,310,000 viewers, 994,000 households and a 1.0 rating for increases of 9% (vs. 1, 198,000), 7% (vs. 933,000) and 11% (vs. 0.9), respectively, over last year’s six contests. ESPN2 also showed growth, averaging 999,000 viewers, 771,000 households and a 0.8 rating for four games, marking increases of 26% (vs. 794,000), 28% (vs. 603,000) and 33% (vs. 0.6).

Back later.

Let’s Do Some Wednesday Linkage

On this rainy Wednesday in Southern New England, let me do some links. I hope the weather where you are is dry and sunny.

I’ll start today off with John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal who says Comcast may have appeared to have overbid for the Olympics, but it may pay off in the long run.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with Dick Enberg who’s calling his final Wimbledon this year.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has video of Dick Enberg discussing “bloody blue balls” at Wimbledon and his on-air partner, Chris Evert making the perfect response.

SportsGrid also has the HBO Real Sports segment with Tiki Barber that was quite compelling TV.

Patrick Rishe of Forbes says Mark Cuban owning the Los Angeles Dodgers needs to happen soon.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans from the St. Petersburg Times writes that Barber is on a media redemption tour while David Feherty is learning the ropes in another manner.

Kirk Honeycutt of Reuters reviews the ESPN Films documentary on transsexual tennis player Renee Richards. The film was shown at the Los Angeles Film Festival and will premiere on ESPN in the fall.

Lacey Rose at the Hollywood Reporter writes that HBO has assembled some All-Star production talent to develop a new drama based on the early life of Mike Tyson.

Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS Sports Network has signed a multiyear deal with the Patriot League for various sports.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says the NFL’s TV partners are hopeful after hearing negotiations to end the league’s lockout are making substantial progress.

One thing to come out of the talks between the NFL and the Players Association is a full 16 week Thursday Night Football schedule that could begin in 2012. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains what that means for the players and fans.

Jeff Fedotin at the National Football Post claims this guy, Jon Gruden of ESPN’s Monday Night Football, has the potential to be this generation’s John Madden. That remains to be seen.

Eric Spanberg of the Christian Science Monitor reviews the ESPN book.

The Lost Letterman blog has video of ESPN’s Erin Andrews confronting a fan at last year’s College World Series. I like Erin’s spirit in this and the guy was being an asshole.

Congratulations to ESPN.com baseball writer Jonah Keri who will be writing the quintessential history of the Montreal Expos.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times says there are plenty of marketing opportunities surrounding the 3,000th hit of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Jack Bell of the Times talks about legendary women’s soccer star Mia Hamm joining espnW to provide analysis on the Women’s World Cup.

At the New York Observer, Kat Stoeffel talks with ESPN Radio New York’s Jared Max about his decision to come out.

Matthew Margolis from the East Hampton (NY) Patch writes that a young actor got to do some voiceover work for ESPN’s Little League World Series coverage.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that Jimmer Fredette’s YouTube channel has a big following.

Mark Wogenrich at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call explores the new deal between CBS Sports Network and the Patriot League for four sports.

Jack Bogaczyk of the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail feels it was smart of the Big East to turn down ESPN’s $1 billion offer to get a feel for the marketplace.

The Naples (FL) Daily News reports that locally, the U.S. Open scored well in the ratings.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that a local sports radio morning drive host has been let go.

Doug Moe at the Wisconsin State Journal speaks with Randall Mell of the Golf Channel.

Sandra Guy in the Chicago Sun-Times looks at the new street-level studios for ESPN Radio Chicago.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks about Dick Enberg’s final fortnight at Wimbledon.

Matthew Fleischer of Fishbowl LA writes that ESPN WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo tweeted about her plane’s emergency landing while heading to SoCal this week.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that Americans will get a nice dose of the CFL on the NFL Network.

George Dickie of zap2it talks with David Feherty about his new Golf Channel show.

Sports Media Watch says the CONCACAF Gold Cup has been a ratings hit for Univision and its sister network, Galavision.

SMW says the NHL Winter Classic goes back to primetime on January 2.

The Big Lead says Friend of Friend’s Bites Michelle Beadle is single once again. Sorry, Michelle, I had to put this one in.

The Sports Tube has an appreciation of Dick Enberg who’s making his final rounds at Wimbledon and the US Open this year.

That will do it.

Digging Out Some Tuesday Linkage

Time for the links on this Tuesday. Lots of good stuff to get to.

Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal looks at MLB Commissioner Bud Selig rejecting the Los Angeles Dodgers’ deal with Fox which now throws Frank McCourt’s ownership of the team into jeopardy.

In Sports Business Journal, Broadcasting & Cable Editor-in-Chief Ben Grossman has some suggestions for Major League Soccer on how to grow the sport in the U.S.

From the ESPN Ombudsman, Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute says Bill Simmons’ Grantland site shows potential, but needs to do more.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch has his June Media Power List.

Richard also talks with the CEO of the polarizing Bleacher Report.

Had to catch up with those last three links from last week. I was so far behind after not doing linkage Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Curtis Eichelberger of Bloomberg writes that NFL quarterback Chad Pennington is taking a year off and will work for Fox Sports when the league comes back from lockout.

Lesley Goldberg of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Comedy Central has canceled two sports-themed shows after just one season.

Marisa Guthrie of the Reporter notes that the U.S. Open’s final round ratings improved from Saturday’s numbers, but were still far below last year’s.

John Eggerton from Broadcasting & Cable has NBC being very apologetic about cutting “Under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance during Sunday’s coverage of the U.S. Open.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NBA’s digital platforms are all over this week’s NBA Draft.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine says Rory McIlroy has yet to prove he’s a ratings draw.

Brett McMurphy of CBS Sports.com says the Big East turned down a big payday from ESPN to risk checking the free agent market.

Sam Mamudi of Marketwatch.com notes that you may not know that Turner Sports has a rather large online presence in golf.

Alex Weprin of SportsNewser recaps Comcast CEO Brian Roberts’ comments on NBC’s successful Olympics bid.

At SportsGrid, Dave Levy writes that Grantland failed to live up to the hype.

Dave says Bill Simmons could have left ESPN to create Grantland somewhere else.

And Dave has thoughts on Grantland here, here and here.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid says the Dan Patrick Show has an unusual proposal on how to end the NFL lockout.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that flamboyant tennis fashionista Bethanie Mattek-Sands (who came to Fang’s Bites’ attention in 2007) has signed a new endorsement contract for an nontraditional tennis product.

Jay Busbee of Yahoo’s From the Marbles blog looks at Fox’s proposal to move some of its NASCAR races to cable in its next contract.

At the Daly Planet, John Daly has some thoughts on what this potential move means for the future of Speed.

Diane Mermigas of the Business Insider says innovation could help NBCUniversal pay for its $4.38 billion pricetag for the Olympics.

Olympic sports beat writer John Powers of the Boston Globe finally gets to write about NBC winning the rights to four Olympic Games.

Tom Rock of Newsday has some quotes of tonight’s HBO Real Sports profile of former New York Giants running back and NBC analyst Tiki Barber.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times looks at MLB rejecting the Los Angeles Dodgers’ deal with Fox.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that Rory McIlroy doesn’t move the TV ratings meter like Tiger Woods did.

Nate Mink writing for the Philadelphia Daily News recaps an ESPN taping of a program involving legendary coaches Joe Paterno of Penn State and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke.

Joseph Santoliquito of the Marple Newtown Patch has a profile of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia anchor Ron Burke.

Greg Augman of the St. Petersburg Times notes that Jon Gruden is taping a session of his ESPN “QB Camp” series with former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has an interview with Georgia Tech’s Athletic Director on a few subjects including the impact of the ESPN/SEC contract on the school.

Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram notes that Golf Channel is giving David Feherty a platform for his humor.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley has Keith Olbermann not impressed with the tome on ESPN.

Justin Albers at the Chicago Sun-Times chronicles ESPN’s Baseball Tonight’s visit to the Windy City on Sunday.

Robert Feder of Time Out Chicago says the local ESPN Radio affiliate is about to move to new streetside studios.

Chad Purcell of the Omaha World-Journal goes behind-the-scenes with ESPN’s crew at the College World Series.

Bill Shaikin and David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times have a story on MLB rejecting the Fox offer to Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt and putting the team into limbo.

The Spokane (WA) Spokesman-Review has a profile of Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis who used to work in the area.

Kenyon Wallace of the Toronto Star responds to ESPN the Magazine ranking the Canadian city as the worst in all of pro sports.

Cathal Kelly of the Star says there are cities worse off than Toronto.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has its version of the NHL TV Awards.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing feels it’s time for Joe Buck to leave Fox Saturday Baseball. I called for this two years ago.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball writes that Frank McCourt is threatening legal action to hold onto the Dodgers.

Barry Petchesky of Deadspin has video of NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy being amused by a Red Sox fan wearing a chicken hat. I found out later that she’s the sister of writer Joe Meloni who covers the Hockey East conference for College Hockey News.

And that’s where I’ll leave it for now. Lots of links today.

College World Series Starts Saturday On ESPN

The networks of ESPN will carry college baseball’s signature event, the College World Series in Omaha, NE. This year, the event takes place at a new venue, TD Ameritrade Park after retiring Rosenblatt Stadium in 2010.

Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser and Robin Ventura will be the main announcing team. The Wednesday Night Baseball team of Dave O’Brien and Nomar Garciaparra will be the other announcers. Jon Sciambi will also call games from Omaha for ESPN. Jenn Brown replaces Erin Andrews as the main on-field reporter and Kyle Peterson will also be on hand as well.

Here’s the schedule of games on ESPN and ESPN2.

NCAA College World Series

Two of the eight qualifying teams are making consecutive College World Series appearances, including defending National Champion South Carolina and Florida. No team has won the national championship back-to-back in over five decades. The first four matchups:

• First-time College World Series participant Vanderbilt will take on North Carolina, playing in its fifth College World Series in the past six years.
• Texas will play in its record 34th College World Series, taking on Florida which is making its second since 2005.
• California, making its first College World Series appearance in 19 years, will take on Virginia, which earned its second berth in the event ever and finished the season with the best record in college baseball.
• Defending Champion South Carolina will take on Texas A&M, playing in its first College World Series since 1999.

* If necessary

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Matchups / Commentators	Network
Sat, Jun 18	2 p.m.	1	Vanderbilt vs. North Carolina Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
	7 p.m.	2	Texas vs. Florida Dave O’Brien, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Sun, Jun 19	2 p.m.	3	California vs. Virginia Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
	7 p.m.	4	Texas A&M vs. South Carolina Dave O’Brien, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Mon, Jun 20	2 p.m.	5	Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
	7 p.m.	6	Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 Jon Sciambi, Orel Hershiser & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com
Tue, Jun 21	2 p.m.	7	Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 Jon Sciambi, Nomar Garciaparra & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com
	7 p.m.	8	Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Wed, Jun 22	7 p.m.	9	Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5 Jon Sciambi, Robin Ventura & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com
Thu, Jun 23	7 p.m.	10	Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 7 Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com
Fri, Jun 24	2 p.m.	11	Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 9 Jon Sciambi, Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com
	7 p.m.	12	Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10 Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Sat, Jun 25	2 p.m.	13 **	If necessary Jon Sciambi, Nomar Garciaparra & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
	7 p.m.	14 **	If necessary Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Mon, Jun 27	8 p.m.	1	Series Final Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Kyle Peterson & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Tue, Jun 28	8 p.m.	2	Series Final Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Kyle Peterson & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV
Wed, Jun 29	8 p.m.	3 *	Series Final Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Kyle Peterson & Jenn Brown	ESPN HD/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Mobile TV

** If only Game 13 is necessary, it will be played at 7 p.m. on ESPN2

That will do it.

Friday Night Into Saturday Morning Megalink Action

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

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

National

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

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

Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes handicaps the Olympic bidding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

East and Mid-Atlantic

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

Chad also reviews the ESPN book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

South

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

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

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

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

Midwest

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

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

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

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

West

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canada

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

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

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

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

Up For Thursday Links

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

To your links.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neil has his entire interview with Francesa in his blog.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And that will end the links for today.

Going For Wednesday Linkage

If you’ve been visiting the blog throughout the morning, you may have noticed a couple of theme changes and then the return of the current theme. I’ve been trying to make a few cosmetic changes, but I screwed them up so I had to delete the theme and then reinstall it. If you were visiting and saw a different look and got confused, I apologize. Just trying to make the blog look as best as possible. I can assure you I’m done with the cosmetic changes for a while.

Let’s do some links on this Wednesday.

Sean Leahy of USA Today notes that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth is so fearful that the NFL will lose half a season that he took a non-paying high school football coaching position for the fall.

Michael Hiestand looks at the ratings for the Indy 500, primetime baseball and the UEFA Champions League Final.

Lindsay Powers at the Hollywood Reporter writes that Lance Armstrong lawyers are demanding an apology from CBS News’ 60 Minutes stating that the program did shoddy journalism in a segment on his alleged steroid use.

Philiana Ng of the Reporter says NBC has selected its blockbuster hit, “The Voice” to air after Super Bowl XLVI next February.

George Winslow from Broadcasting & Cable says the NBA has launched a Windows phone app.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News reports that ESPN and Tennis Channel have extended their multimedia alliance for the French and Australian Opens starting next year.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine writes that having a Canadian team in the NHL Stanley Cup Final won’t help NBC’s ratings.

Last night, ESPN’s Chris Berman called the San Francisco Giants-St. Louis Cardinals game for the Alleged Worldwide Leader and as expected, it turned out to be a disaster. Berman can’t call play-by-play to save his life. Two examples of this EPIC FAIL.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has the video from Bubbaprog/Mocksession of Berman not getting the concept of a walk off win.

Then Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has video of Berman trying to be edgy or most likely, not having a clue about “Tossed Salad”.

Alex Weprin of SportsNewser visited the MLB Man Fan Cave.

Joe Favorito says the NCAA College World Series is a missed opportunity for college baseball.

My Twitter Trophy Wife Amanda Rykoff has compiled a hockey glossary at espnW just in time for the Stanley Cup Final.

From the upcoming New York Times Sunday Magazine, Jonathan Mahler profiles Captain Blowhard who’s already complaining about Grantland and the site hasn’t officially launched yet. The profile is long so get ready to scroll.

Richard Sandomir of the Times reports that former Montreal Expos and New York Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has an inoperable brain tumor.

Mike Madden of the Washington City Paper notes that DC NFL team owner and bully Daniel Snyder is taking the next step in his lawsuit against the publication by subpoenaing Washington Post blogger Dan Steinberg for just linking to the City Paper column that led him to sue in court.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner reports that ABC received the best NBA Finals overnight rating since 2004.

Jim says the NBC Sports Group gets to keep the Stanley Cup Final all to itself for the next two and a half weeks.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that a local reporter may have jumped the gun when he reported on an alleged contract extension for the Magic’s Dwight Howard.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman says Game 5 of the Dallas-Oklahoma City NBA Western Conference Finals did very well in the local ratings.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the ESPN book has some Wisconsin ties.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business wonders if the Windy City will tune into the Stanley Cup Final.

Scott Dochterman of the Iowa City Gazette notes the rebranding of Big Ten Network.

Chris Foster from the Los Angeles Times speaks with “How I Met Your Mother Star” Cobie Smulders who like her character Robin Scherbatsky is a big Vancouver Canucks fan.

Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun says CBC’s Jim Hughson and Canucks voice John Shorthouse are happy to be calling their native Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final.

Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN2′s coverage of the French Open will be all live starting next year.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media predicts how the Stanley Cup Final will fare on NBC/Versus this year.

That will do it for now.

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

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

NCAA Women’s College World Series Begins Thursday

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

NCAA Women’s College World Series Highlights:

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

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

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

NCAA Women’s College World Series Studio Programming

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

* – If necessary

NCAA Women’s College World Series

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

* – If necessary

That’s all from here

Jenn Brown Announces She’s Replacing Erin Andrews At the College World Series.

This happening today. In a tweet this morning, ESPN sexpot Jenn Brown announced that she’ll be working the College World Series in Omaha, NE next month. This gig was previously Erin Andrews’. In fact, Erin had worked the event for quite some time. This will mark the first year that Jenn will be on the sidelines or dugout for the event.

It’s a bit of a surprise, but then again, maybe not. The other announcers for the College World Series have yet to be announced.

Friday Megalinks, Part II

Let’s finish up the Megalinks.

National

Sports Media Watch says the Travelers Championship drew a mixed bag for CBS last week.

SMW notes that the World Cup Round of 16 including USA-Ghana garnered great ratings for ESPN/ABC.

SMW adds that the College World Series on ESPN outrated Stephen Strasburg’s appearance on Monday Night Baseball on ESPN2 last Monday.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the NHL Awards and NHL Draft on Versus performed decently.

Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk says the last NFL pick in this year’s draft a.k.a. “Mr. Irrelevant” signed his contract live on NFL Network. 

SportsbyBrooks notes that the Los Angeles Times had to retract part of an obituary written about the late UCLA coach John Wooden.

Dylan Stableford of The Wrap delves into ESPN’s decision to move its magazine operations from New York to Bristol, CT next year.

The Courthouse News Service says the Florida Court of Appeals has ruled against boxing promoter Don King in a lawsuit against ESPN. 

East and Mid-Atlantic

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says enough with the Wimbledon tape delays, NBC.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with CBS golf analyst David Feherty about his new special this weekend.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has a funny video of a MASN interview with the Nationals’ Nyjer Morgan. 

Northern Virginia Daily looks at yet another dispute between MASN and a local cable provider.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald talks with a local sportscaster who celebrates 20 years in the market.

Sarah Talalay from the South Florida Sun Sentinel says the Miami Heat has launched an online ticket system to meet expected increased demand this upcoming season.

Tom Rife of the Naples (FL) Daily News talks with NBC/ESPN tennis analyst Mary Carillo about Breakfast at Wimbledon.

John Archibald of the Birmingham News says a former sportswriter with the paper has joined BP’s public relations team.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that Mark Cuban may restructure a local station’s involvement with the Mavericks over his displeasure over coverage and commentary.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle talks about the decent World Cup TV ratings.

Over to Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman who writes that two former Sooners will be featured on a new special hosted by CBS golf analyst David Feherty.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema in the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with a former local sports anchor who after being a year out of work has found a new job in Western Michigan.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes about Martin Tyler returning to call the World Cup for ESPN in 2014.

Ted Cox from the Chicago Daily Herald talks about NBC televising its 30th anniversary of Breakfast at Wimbledon.

Paul Christian looks at the weekend in TV sports.

West

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the debate on whether to include Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the MLB All-Star Game.

Tom also has his news and notes in his blog.

Steve Hart in the Santa Rosa (CA) Press-Democrat says NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller has purchased a local resort.

Nick Krupke of KVAL-TV in Eugene, OR notes that NBC Sports and the IAAF are restricting local stations on what they can shoot and show from this weekend’s Prefontaine Classic track meet.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at TSN’s NHL Free Agent Frenzy show.

And that will conclude our links.

ESPN Family of Networks and Sirius XM Cover The 2010 College World Series

Since ESPN’s inception in 1979, one of the events it has covered every year has been the College World Series in Omaha, NE. It’s always a fun event to watch and with this being the final year it’s being played in the venerable Rosenblatt Stadium, it’s a bit melancholy as well. Next year, the event moves to a spanking brand new facility in downtown Omaha. And this could mark the very last event Erin Andrews covers for ESPN as her contract expires on July 1 so get a good glimpse of her covering sports as it very well could be the last time she does it for a while, if at all.

Anyway, here’s ESPN’s press release.

ESPN’s Complete Coverage of the College World Series Begins Saturday

Highlights: Garciaparra Calling Games; Special Tributes about Rosenblatt Stadium

ESPN’s extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship – featuring a scheduled 55 games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV – will continue with all 17 possible College World Series games for the eighth straight year Saturday, June 19, through Wednesday, June 30, from Omaha, Neb.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV will combine to televise every game, including the best-of-three College World Series Finals, in the network’s 31st consecutive year. Every telecast will be offered in high definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.

New elements this year include:

• ESPN baseball analyst Nomar Garciaparra will work six game telecasts and provide analysis on SportsCenter from Omaha.
• In celebration of the final year of Rosenblatt Stadium, telecasts will be highlighted by special vignettes and features about the historic stadium and memorable moments of the College World Series in Omaha.

 

• “Farewell to Rosenblatt” vignettes will showcase the great moments and memories since 1950, the first year the College World Series was played at the stadium.
• “My Stadium” vignettes will feature fans and Omaha residents reliving memories of Rosenblatt Stadium.
• Short “Omaha to Bigs” features will include Major League Baseball players discussing their experiences of playing in the College World Series in Omaha.
• Articles, historic video moments and a Rosenblatt video essay on ESPN.com.
• Each telecast will include a look back at the top College World Series plays.

Commentator teams include Mike Patrick with analysts Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura or Nomar Garciaparra and reporters Erin Andrews or Kyle Peterson; Sean McDonough with analyst Robin Ventura and reporter Erin Andrews; and Karl Ravech with analyst Nomar Garciaparra and reporter Kyle Peterson. Jenn Brown will host SportsCenter segments June 21-23 from Rosenblatt Stadium with analysis from Hershiser, Ventura and Garciaparra.

In addition to traditional coverage, ESPN.com and other digital platforms will provide unique, original coverage of the NCAA Baseball Championship. For the second consecutive year, ESPN will use social networking sites Facebook (ESPNOmaha) and Twitter (@ESPN_Omaha) to provide fans with updates and behind-the-scenes insight into the tournament. Details include:

• ESPN.com and the ESPN Omaha Facebook page will also serve as a location for fans to post comments and photos, and play trivia games.

• ESPN analysts will provide commentary, updates, their perspective of the action and baseball news via Twitter from the Super Regionals through the conclusion of the College World Series.

Of the eight qualifying teams, only Arizona State, which is making its 22nd overall appearance, participated in last year’s event. Arizona State faces Clemson, playing in its first College World Series since 2006 and fourth since 2000, on Sunday, June 20, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com. Matchups include:

• Coverage will begin with Florida State, making its 20th overall College World Series appearance, taking on TCU, making its first appearance, Saturday, June 19, at 2 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN3.com 

• UCLA, earning its first berth in the event since 1997, will play Florida, making its first appearance since 2005.
• South Carolina, playing in its first College World Series since 2004, will take on Oklahoma, making its first since 1995.

Coming up after the break, Sirius XM announces it’s airing every game from Omaha.

This is Sirius XM’s press release on the College World Series.

SIRIUS XM RADIO TO BROADCAST EVERY GAME OF THE 2010 MEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

NEW YORK – June 17, 2010 – SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it will broadcast every game of the 2010 Men’s College World Series live in its final year at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.

Starting with the opening round games on Saturday, June 19, through the Championship Series commencing on June 28, SIRIUS XM will broadcast every game nationwide and in its entirety on SIRIUS channels 122/127 and XM channels 143/242. 

The College World Series features the eight Super Regional Champions – Arizona State, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, TCU and UCLA – that emerged from the 2010 National Collegiate Division I Men’s Baseball Championship. The teams compete in a double elimination format with the two finalists facing off in a best-of-three championship series that determines college baseball’s national champion.

That’s it.

2010 Division I NCAA Baseball Tournament Begins On The ESPN Family of Networks

You want to talk about multiplatform coverage, then you’ve come to the right place. The ESPN family of networks will be all over the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship which leads right to the College World Series which marks the final year at its long time home of Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to a spanking brand new facility in 2011. Up to 55 games will be aired on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV.

It begins Thursday with the Regionals, then the Super Regionals and finally the CWS.

Mike Patrick is back to call the College World Series and so is Sean McDonough. Karl Ravech will also call some games in Omaha. Nomar Garciaparra who played in the event with Georgia Tech will help call the games with Omaha native and Stanford alum Kyle Peterson. And another CWS alumni doing games on ESPN will be Robin Ventura. And fresh off her 3rd place appearance on Dancing with the Stars will be Erin Andrews on the sidelines.

Here’s the press release from ESPN.

Coverage of up to 55 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Games Begins June 4

For the sixth straight year, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV will offer coverage of up to 55 games of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship from June 4 to June 30, including complete coverage from two Regional (June 4-7) and all eight Super Regional sites (June 11-14) and every College World Series game (June 19-30) from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. ESPN3.com will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast.

Highlights:

• ESPN baseball analyst Nomar Garciaparra will work Super Regional and College World Series game telecasts.
• ESPNU will offer complete coverage of the Regional site involving Florida International sophomore infielder Garret Wittels, who is in the midst of a 54-game hitting streak, four shy of ESPN analyst and former Oklahoma State and Major League Baseball star Robin Ventura’s NCAA record set in 1987.
• In celebration of the final year of Rosenblatt Stadium, coverage will be highlighted by special vignettes and features about the historic stadium and memorable moments of the College World Series in Omaha.
  • “Farewell to Rosenblatt” vignettes will showcase the great moments and memories since 1950, the first year the College World Series was played at the stadium.
  • “My Stadium” vignettes will feature fans and Omaha residents reliving memories of Rosenblatt Stadium.
  • Short “Omaha to Bigs” features will include Major League Baseball players discussing their experiences of playing in the College World Series in Omaha.
  • Articles, historic video moments and a Rosenblatt video essay on ESPN.com.
  • Each telecast will include a look back at the top College World Series plays.
  • ESPNU will televise The Long Home Run, a documentary on Omaha and the College World Series narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner, Thursday, June 3, at 9:30 p.m. ET.

For the second consecutive year, ESPNU will offer both Regional sites in high definition on ESPNU HD. For the eighth straight year, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise the entire Men’s College World Series, including the best-of-three Series Finals, with every game in high definition on ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD.

Coverage will begin Friday, June 4, on ESPNU with four Regional games from two sites. The Coral Gables, Fla., site will feature Florida International vs. Texas A&M at noon and Dartmouth vs. Miami at 4 p.m. Action from the Fullerton, Calif., site will pit New Mexico vs. Stanford at 7 p.m. and Minnesota vs. Cal State Fullerton at 11 p.m.

In addition to traditional coverage, ESPN.com and other digital platforms will provide unique, original coverage of the NCAA Baseball Championship. For the second consecutive year, ESPN will use social networking sites Facebook (ESPNOmaha) and Twitter (@ESPN_Omaha) to provide fans with updates and behind-the-scenes insight into the tournament. Details include:

• ESPN.com and the ESPN Omaha Facebook page will also serve as a location for fans to post comments and photos, and play trivia games.
• ESPN analysts will provide commentary, updates, their perspective of the action and baseball news via Twitter from the Super Regionals through the conclusion of the College World Series.

Seven of the analysts working the Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series have played in the College World Series, highlighted by one who won the National Championship (Morgan Ensberg with USC in 1998), along with Robin Ventura (Oklahoma State), Kyle Peterson (Stanford), Nomar Garciaparra (Georgia Tech), Ben McDonald (LSU), Keith Moreland (Texas) and Eric Byrnes (UCLA).

• Regionals: For the sixth consecutive year, ESPNU will offer complete and exclusive coverage from two Regional sites (June 4-7), beginning with four games Friday, June 4: 
   
  • Each site will feature four teams competing in a double-elimination format and each site winner (a total of 16 sites) will advance to the Super Regionals.   
  • Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson and Eric Byrnes will work games from the Coral Gables, Fla., site while Justin Kutcher and Morgan Ensberg will call games from the Fullerton, Calif., site. 

   

• Super Regionals: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV will combine to televise every game of the eight best-of-three Super Regionals (up to 24 games) June 11-14:  
   
  • Up to eight of ESPN and ESPN2’s possible 16 windows will feature two games and will whip around to the best action from both games for viewers in most of the nation (except in the home market of the competing teams, where the game of local interest will be the primary telecast).   
  • ESPNU will televise four games exclusively. 
  • Each Super Regional winner will advance to the College World Series.   
  • Coverage will feature eight commentator teams (site assignments are to be determined): Matvick and Peterson; Kutcher and Ensberg; Mark Neely and Robin Ventura; Pam Ward and Nomar Garciaparra; Dan McLaughlin, Nick Belmonte and Jay Walker; Mike Gleason and Mike Rooney; Carter Blackburn and Keith Moreland; and Bob Wischusen and Ben McDonald.  

• College World Series: For the eighth straight year, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV will combine to televise the entire College World Series (up to 17 games), including the best-of-three College World Series Finals. ESPN’s 31st consecutive year of coverage will begin June 19 and conclude June 30.  
   
  • Every ESPN and ESPN2 game will be offered in high definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.
  • For the third year, all three games of the Championship Series will be televised live in prime time (all on ESPN Monday, June 28, to Wednesday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m.).
  • In addition to game coverage, Jenn Brown will host segments from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha for SportsCenter June 21-23. On-site analysts Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura and Nomar Garciaparra will contribute.
  • Commentator teams include Mike Patrick with analysts Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura or Nomar Garciaparra and reporters Erin Andrews or Kyle Peterson; Sean McDonough with analyst Robin Ventura and reporter Erin Andrews; and Karl Ravech with analyst Nomar Garciaparra and reporter Kyle Peterson.
  • Patrick will call the Championship Series with Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson.

NCAA Baseball Regionals

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Commentators	Game	Network
Fri, Jun 4	Noon	Florida International vs. Texas A&M (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	1	ESPNU HD
	4 p.m.	Dartmouth vs. Miami (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	2	ESPNU HD
	7 p.m.	New Mexico vs. Stanford (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	1	ESPNU HD
	11 p.m.	Minnesota vs. Cal State Fullerton (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	2	ESPNU HD
Sat, Jun 5	noon	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	3	ESPNU HD
	4 p.m.	Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	4	ESPNU HD
	7 p.m.	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	3	ESPNU HD
	11 p.m.	Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	4	ESPNU HD
Sun, Jun 6	noon	Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	5	ESPNU HD
	4 p.m.	Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	6	ESPNU HD
	7 p.m.	Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	5	ESPNU HD
	11 p.m.	Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	6	ESPNU HD
Mon, Jun 7	7 p.m.	If necessary (from Coral Gables, Fla.)	Clay Matvick, Kyle Peterson & Eric Byrnes	7*	ESPNU HD
	11 p.m.	If necessary (from Fullerton, Calif.)	Justin Kutcher & Morgan Ensberg	7*	ESPNU HD

* If necessary

NCAA Baseball Super Regionals

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Network
Fri, Jun 11	Noon	Site 1 – Game 1	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
	3 p.m.	Site 2 – Game 1	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
	7 p.m.	Site 3 – Game 1	ESPN / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
	10:30 p.m.	Site 4 – Game 1	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
Sat, Jun 12	Noon	Site 5 – Game 1	ESPNU
	1 p.m.	Site 1 – Game 2	ESPN / ESPN3.com** ^
		Site 2 – Game 2
	3 p.m.	Site 6 – Game 1	ESPNU
	6 p.m.	Site 7 – Game 1	ESPNU
	7 p.m.	Site 3 – Game 2	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com**
		Site 4 – Game 2
	9 p.m.	Site 8 – Game 1	ESPNU
Sun, Jun 13	1 p.m.	Site 5 – Game 2	ESPN / ESPN3.com** ^
		Site 1 – Game 3*
	4 p.m.	Site 6 – Game 2	ESPN / ESPN3.com** ^
		Site 2 – Game 3*
	7 p.m.	Site 7 – Game 2	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com**
		Site 3 – Game 3*
	10 p.m.	Site 8 – Game 2	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com** ^
		Site 4 – Game 3*
Mon, Jun 14	1 p.m.	Site 5 – Game 3*	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com**
		Site 6 – Game 3*
	7 p.m.	Site 7 – Game 3*	ESPN2 / ESPN3.com**
		Site 8 – Game 3*

* If necessary

** ESPN or ESPN2 will showcase two games within one window and “whip around” to the best action from those games in most of the nation. Viewers in the home markets of the competing teams will receive their local game in its entirety with constant updates from the other game

^ ESPN Mobile TV will simulcast one of the two games

NCAA College World Series

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Matchups	Commentators	Network
Sat, Jun 19	2 p.m.	1	Game 1 – TBD	Karl Ravech, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com
	7 p.m.	2	Game 2 – TBD	Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com
Sun, Jun 20	2 p.m.	3	Game 3 – TBD	Karl Ravech, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com
	7 p.m.	4	Game 4 – TBD	Mike Patrick, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Mon, Jun 21	4:30 p.m.	5	Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2	Karl Ravech, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
	9 p.m.	6	Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser & Erin Andrews	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jun 22	4:30 p.m.	7	Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4	Karl Ravech, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
	9 p.m.	8	Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4	Sean McDonough, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
Wed, Jun 23	7 p.m.	9	Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jun 24	7 p.m.	10	Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 7	Sean McDonough, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
Fri, Jun 25	4:30 p.m.	11	Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 9	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
	9 p.m.	12	Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10	Sean McDonough, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
Sat, Jun 26	2 p.m.	13	If necessary	Mike Patrick, Nomar Garciaparra & Kyle Peterson	ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com
	7 p.m.	14	If necessary	Sean McDonough, Robin Ventura & Erin Andrews	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com
Mon, Jun 28	7:30 p.m.	1	Series Final	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Erin Andrews & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jun 29	7:30 p.m.	2	Series Final	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Erin Andrews & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV
Wed, Jun 30	7:30 p.m.	3 *	Series Final	Mike Patrick, Orel Hershiser, Robin Ventura, Erin Andrews & Kyle Peterson	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com

* If necessary

That’s it.

ESPN Family of Networks All Over NCAA Women’s College World Series

This year, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will all have games leading up to and through the Women’s College World Series. In addition, the networks will have coverage of all the regionals and Super Regionals as well meaning there will be a total of 55 NCAA Division I Women’s Softball Championship games. That’s a lot.

Here’s the press release and schedule of games.

Most Extensive NCAA Division I Softball Championship Coverage Begins May 21

Schedule Includes Two Regional Sites for First Time, Every Super Regional and World Series Game

With the addition of a Regional site, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com will combine to provide the most extensive NCAA Division I Softball Championship coverage to date with up to 55 games May 21-June 9, an increase from the scheduled 48 last year. The lineup will feature complete coverage of two Regional sites, one more than last year, every game from each of the eight Super Regional sites for the second consecutive year and every Women’s College World Series contest for the ninth straight event.

Every game from both Regional series and the entire Women’s College World Series will be offered in high definition.

Action will begin Friday, May 21, with four telecasts from two Regional sites. Games from Seattle will include Nebraska vs. North Carolina at 5:30 p.m. ET and North Dakota State vs. Washington at 8 p.m., both on ESPNU HD. The doubleheader from Atlanta will pit Auburn vs. Oregon at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2 HD and Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech at 8 p.m. on ESPN HD (both games will be simulcast on ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV).  

Highlights:

• A record 55 scheduled games will be offered across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com, including all possible 14 Regional, 24 Super Regional and 17 Women’s College World Series contests. 

• ESPNU HD will televise one complete best-of-seven Regional series, while ESPN2 HD and ESPN HD will combine to cover another May 21-23. Each Regional winner will advance to the Super Regionals.
• ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com will combine to televise every game from the eight best-of-three Super Regional series May 27-30. For the third season, ESPN will offer whip-around coverage, featuring two games in one window while whipping around to the best action from both games for viewers in most of the nation (except in the home market of the competing teams, where the game of local interest will be the primary telecast). Each Super Regional winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series. 
• ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com will combine to televise every Women’s College World Series game June 3-9. It will mark ESPN’s 29th consecutive year covering the event.
• ESPN3.com — ESPN’s signature live, sports broadband network – will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast. ESPN Mobile TV will simulcast a total of up to 23 games.

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

• The Regional telecasts will feature Mowins and Mendoza working games from the Atlanta series and play-by-play announcer Cara Capuano calling games with Smith in Seattle. The Super Regional commentators include Mowins, Ward, Capuano, Justin Kutcher, Clay Matvick, Rowe and Bob Wischusen working play-by-play and Mendoza, Smith, Jennie Ritter, Amanda Freed, Garland Cooper, Cheri Kempf, Cindy Bristow, Leah Amico, Barbara Jordan and Brittany Rogers as analysts.

• ESPN International will provide coverage of the Women’s College World Series in 54 countries and territories on ESPN Pacific Rim, ESPN Australia, ESPN Africa, ESPN Middle East, ESPN Caribbean and ESPN Brazil. 

The extensive schedule of games is available after the break.

Here’s the schedule. Get ready to scroll for a while.

I told you it was long.

Thursday Press Release Reading

Here are some press releases for you to go over.

NBC Sports goes over its schedule for Wimbledon starting this weekend and into next week.

FEDERER SEEKS RECORD 15TH GRAND SLAM AS NBC SPORTS PRESENTS 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BREAKFAST AT WIMBLEDON

“Only a few months ago people were writing him off.” - NBC’s McEnroe on Federer going for record


“There’s no question that Venus is the queen at Wimbledon.” - NBC’s Robinson

NEW YORK – June 25, 2009 – The 30th anniversary of "Breakfast at Wimbledon," one of the great traditions in sports, highlights NBC Sports extensive coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon beginning this Saturday 3-6 p.m. ET and continuing this Sunday 1-4 p.m. ET with early round action. The network will present high definition coverage of more than 38 hours over nine days concluding with live high definition coverage of "Breakfast at Wimbledon" with the Ladies' Final Saturday, July 4 at 9 a.m. ET and the Gentlemen's Final, Sunday, July 5 at 9 a.m. ET.

Host Ted Robinson anchors NBC Sports coverage from Wimbledon, joined by three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe and Mary Carillo, with interviews and essays from Jimmy Roberts.

For NBC Sports, this is the 30th anniversary of "Breakfast at Wimbledon" and the 40th anniversary of NBC's Wimbledon coverage from the prestigious grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

On the men's side, Roger Federer is seeking his record 15th Grand Slam singles title and sixth Wimbledon title. With Rafael Nadal out with a knee injury, among Federer's competition could be No. 3 seed Andy Murray of Great Britain and two-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick.

JOHN McENROE ON ROGER FEDERER: "Obviously Roger is playing incredible tennis but it looks like his draw will be difficult. He could play either Robin Soderling or Ivo Karlevic in the Round of 16 and Fernando Verdasco or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals. All four are difficult and are contenders at Wimbledon.

JOHN McENROE ON ROGER FEDERER ATTEMPTING TO BREAK GRAND SLAM RECORD: "I think it is great for tennis that it is happening here at Wimbledon. He says this is his favorite surface and he says he loves it here. It just shows you how quickly things can change because it was only a few months ago that people were writing him off, and then he wins the French for the first time and he is on his way to breaking the record."

TED ROBINSON ON EXPECTATIONS FOR ROGER FEDERER: "Having won five Wimbledons already and losing his sixth in what was the greatest match ever last year, Roger is going to enter this Wimbledon as an odds on favorite to win his record breaking 15th major. It puts a little more pressure on his shoulders."

JOHN McENROE ON OTHER CONTENDERS: "Andy Murray has potentially two difficult and tricky matches but if he gets by he has a good chance to go to the finals. With Nadal out of the tournament it leaves potentially an opportunity for Roddick, if he is healthy and plays well."

TED ROBINSON ON ANDY RODDICK: "He is playing much better this year than he has in the last few years. He is coming off his best French Open and that should help his confidence. If they ever do get to meet, he has played Roger better the last couple of times, so that at least gives Roddick some glimmer of hope."

JOHN McENROE ON ANDY MURRAY: "Murray has beaten Roger the last four times they have played and he is the most likely candidate to take him if they are to meet in the final."

TED ROBINSON ON ANDY MURRAY: "Murray has had a great year, he is up to No. 3 in the world and the obvious story of a Brit trying to win again - which hasn't happened in 70 years since Fred Perry won - will have massive repercussions. If Murray makes it into the second weekend he is going to become an incredible story there."

TED ROBINSON ON WHO ELSE TO LOOK FOR: "I don't really know how his game is going to translate to grass but Del Potro was ridiculously close to playing in the finals of the French Open. He had Federer completely backed into the corner in the semis and wasn't able to finish him but there is clearly a lot of talent there. The other guy that I would think to have a really good chance to make a mark at this Wimbledon is Fernando Verdasco, who is just an incredibly talented.  He played one of the greatest matches in the history of the sport against Nadal at the Australian Open this year."

TED ROBINSON ON RAFAEL NADAL'S ABSENCE: "It's definitely disappointing and the crucial question is, is it short term or long term? The sport and tennis fans will all be able to absorb a short-term absence from Rafa but if its long term then is obviously severely damaging to the sport, to the fans, to the incredible rivalry that he and Federer have crafted the last three years in particular. If it's a significant knee problem then we all are concerned about that because no one wants that and tennis can't afford a long-term absence of Nadal."

JOHN McENROE WEIGHS IN ON TOP WIMBLEDON MATCHES EVER: "My match vs. Bjorn Borg in the 1980 final is the best match I have played in."

The best matches McEnroe has seen:
1) Nadal vs. Federer in last year's final
2) Ivanisevic vs. Rafter in the 2001 final
3) Gerulaitus vs. Borg in the 1977 semifinal
4) Sampras vs. Agassi in 1999 final

On the ladies side, defending champion Venus Williams is seeking her sixth Wimbledon singles title, her third straight and her fourth in five years. Since her first title in 2000, Venus has appeared in seven of the nine Wimbledon finals. Her main competition will come from her sister Serena, a two-time champion who Venus defeated in the final last year in straight sets and the No. 1 seed Dinara Safina of Russia.

TED ROBINSON BREAKS DOWN THE LADIES: "On the ladies side it's two people, Venus and Serena in that order. There's no question that Venus is the queen at Wimbledon, having won here five times. She steps on that court as if this was where she was born to play tennis. Venus and Serena have been so dominant at Wimbledon that it's difficult to see anybody derailing that. When they are focused, fit and healthy they are the dominant players on the woman's tour at the majors. I would be shocked if they don't make it to the final."

LIVE AT WIMBLEDON: NBCSports.com is your online companion for NBC Sports coverage of Wimbledon. Live at Wimbledon a joint venture of NBC Sports and the All England Lawn Tennis Club and powered by Microsoft Silverlight will offer live streaming of up to four concurrent courts, on-demand replays of the best matches from every day of The Championships, alternate camera angles for NBC Sports semifinal and final match coverage, daily video highlights, and Golden Moments from the Wimbledon archive.

Live at Wimbledon is available throughout The Championships, Wimbledon with on-demand coverage. Live streaming of NBC Sports coverage and additional matches will begin this Saturday, concluding with the Ladies' Final on Saturday, July 4 at 9 a.m. ET and the Gentlemen's Final on Sunday, July 5 at 9 a.m. ET.

WIMBLEDON ON NBC SPORTS MOBILE: Again this year, NBC Sports provides live mobile coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon. Starting Saturday, June 27 (3-6 p.m. ET) and extending until the end of the championships, tennis fans can watch NBC's coverage on either NBC 2Go or NBC Sports Mobile, including live coverage of every exciting point of the Gentlemen's and Ladies' Finals. Plus, tennis fans will be able to get news and scores right on their cell phones with the NBC Sports Mobile Web site or exclusive text alerts; users can just text the word TENNIS to 51515 or visit http://mobile.nbcsports.com.

NBC's Wimbledon Broadcast Schedule

Saturday, June 27 - 3-6 p.m. ET, 3rd Round, (live and same-day tape)

Sunday, June 28 - 1-4 p.m. ET, No Sunday matches, (tape)

Monday, June 29 - 10 a.m.-1 p.m., all time zones, Round of 16 (live and same-day tape)

Monday, June 29 - 11:35-11:50 p.m. ET/PT, Wimbledon Update

Tuesday, June 30 - 10 a.m.-1 p.m., all time zones, Ladies' Quarterfinals (live and same-day tape)

Tuesday, June 30 - 11:35-11:50 p.m. ET/PT, Wimbledon Update

Wednesday, July 1 - 10 a.m.-1 p.m., all time zones, Gentlemen's Quarterfinals, (live and same-day tape)

Wednesday, July 1 - 11:35-11:50pm ET/PT, Wimbledon Update

Thursday, July 2 - Noon- 5 p.m., all times zones, Ladies' Semifinals, (same day tape)

Thursday, July 2 - 11:35-11:50 p.m. ET/PT, Wimbledon Update

Friday, July 3 - Noon- 5 p.m., all time zones, Gentlemen's Semifinals, (same day tape)

Friday, July 3 - 11:35 p.m.-12:05 a.m. ET/PT, Wimbledon Update

Saturday, July 4 - 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ET, "Breakfast at Wimbledon", Ladies Final, (live)

Sunday, July 5 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET, "Breakfast at Wimbledon", Gentlemen's Final, (live)   

*All telecasts are subject to change due to rain delays.

NBC will have live Track & Field on Sunday.

“More first-time national champions will be crowned at this event than ever before.”- NBC’s Ato Bolden

NEW YORK- June 25, 2009-NBC Sports presents live coverage of the U.S. Track and Field Championships, this Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ET from Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The event will feature the best professional track and field athletes competing for spots on the Team USA roster for the 2009 IAAF World Outdoor Championships, August 15-23 on NBC from Berlin, Germany.

After a stunning sweep at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 400m men's hurdlers Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson will look to take gold, silver and bronze once again, this time in Eugene. Headlining the men's middle long distance is reigning world 1,500m & 5,000m champion Bernard Lagat (Kenya). Also, competing this weekend in the men's championship is 100m double world champion Tyson Gay; 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor long jump champion Dwight Phillips; 2008 Olympic Trials high jump champion Jesse Williams; and reigning World Outdoor champion and the 2006 World Indoor Championships gold medalist pole vaulter Brad Walker.

Headlining the women's competition in the 100m and 200m are two-time Olympic silver medalist and World Outdoor champion Allyson Felix and two-time World Outdoor 100m medalist Lauryn Williams. Competing in the women's 100m hurdles are 2008 Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper and fellow Olympians Lolo Jones and Damu Cherry. Cherry currently has the fastest time by an American this year and Harper is coming off wins in Jamaica and at the Adidas Track Classic. Also competing this weekend in the women's championship is three-time USA Outdoor and 2008 Visa Outdoor pole vault champion Jenn Stuczynski, who is looking to win her fourth consecutive USA Outdoor title and the top three finishers from the 2008 Olympic trials in triple jump: two-time Olympic Trials runner-up Shakeema Welsch, three-time USA Outdoor champion and two-time USA Indoor champion Shani Marks and 2008 NCAA champion Erica McLain.

Commentary provided by Tom Hammond, Ato Boldon, Lewis Johnson, Dwight Stones, and Bob Neumeier.

ALLI DEW TOUR NIKE 6.0 BMX OPEN, 2 PM ET
NBC Sports presents the Alli Dew Tour Nike 6.0 BMX Open live from 2 p.m. ET from Chicago, Ill. where the world's top BMX freestylists  will compete in the BMX Dirt final .

Competitors include Australia's high-flying Cameron White who is looking to become the first athlete to defend his Dew Cup crown along with USA veteran Ryan Nyquist and teenage sensation Dennis Enerson in the rough and tumble BMX Dirt event.

Kenan Harkin, Jamie Bestwick and Tiffany Simons will provide commentary.

TNT continues its NASCAR coverage on Sunday.

TNT’s NASCAR Coverage Continues with Sprint Cup Series Racing from Loudon on Sunday, June 28

Pre-race coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. ET; green flag drops at 2 p.m. ET

TNT continues its exclusive coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from Loudon on Sunday, June 28^th live from New Hampshire International Speedway. The network will air the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 beginning at 2 p.m. ET with play-by-play announcer Bill Weber calling the race alongside analysts Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach in the booth. In addition, analyst Larry McReynolds will make frequent contributions from the in-field as he breaks down crew strategy and analyzes car adjustments.

The network will rev up its pre-race coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR on TNT Live! with Marc Fein (host), Petty and McReynolds. No. 2 Kurt Busch will join TNT’s infield rig for an interview prior to the race.

TNT’s acclaimed Pride of NASCAR series will feature the legendary NASCAR owners Wood Brothers who hold one of the longest and richest legacies in the sport, developing great drivers such as Junior Johnson, Dan Gurney, Donnie Allison, Buddy Baker, Cale Yarborough, Dale Jarrett, David Pearson, Michael Waltrip, Elliott Salder and TNT’s Kyle Petty. In 1976, the Wood Brothers won the coveted ‘Triple Crown’ of NASCAR with wins at the Daytona 500, World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR on TNT Live! will be followed by Countdown to Green at 1:30 p.m. ET with Weber (host), Dallenbach (analyst) and Petty (analyst) with reports from pit reporters Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Ralph Sheheen and Lindsay Czarniak.

During Countdown to Green, Sheheen will have an exclusive interview with No. 48 Jimmie Johnson to talk about a shared history between the two of them. Johnson began his career in off road racing and Sheheen was part of the broadcasting crew that covered the sport, including during Johnson’s teenage years. Johnson speaks about the impact of off road racing on his NASCAR career as well as his motivation to continue to succeed in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing.

Also, an interview with veteran crew chief Greg Zipadelli and his rookie driver No. 20 Joey Logano will air during the pre-race show.

Countdown to Green leads into coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Loudon at 2 p.m. ET with Weber, Dallenbach and Petty calling the action with frequent interaction with McReynolds (analyst) who will man the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car.

Throughout this year’s NASCAR on TNT Summer Series, the network will join forces with NASCAR.COM, the official site of NASCAR, to provide TNT RaceBuddy a multiplatform experience for race fans which features live feeds from the racetrack including pit road and in-car cameras, as well as live chats and polls.

REMAINING 2009 NASCAR ON TNT SCHEDULE:

(All times ET)

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

2:00 – 5:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Loudon (from New Hampshire Intl. Speedway)

SATURDAY, JULY 4

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

8:00 – 11:15 p.m. Coke Zero 400 at Daytona from Daytona Intl. Speedway)

SATURDAY, JULY 11

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

8:00 – 11:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Chicago (from Chicago Speedway)

ESPN says its ratings for the College World Series were the most viewed ever on ESPN and ESPN2.

NCAA Men’s College World Series: ESPN and ESPN2’s Most-Viewed Ever, Including Best-of-Three Championship Series

ESPN’s 30th consecutive NCAA Men’s College World Series was the most-viewed and highest-rated in ESPN and ESPN2 history — including the best-of-three Championship Series won by LSU over Texas — while posting significant audience increases over last year.

• Overall, ESPN averaged 1,450,000 households, 1,928,000 viewers and a 1.5 rating, marking increases of 33% (vs. 1,091,000), 37% (vs. 1,408,000) and 36% (vs. 1.1), respectively, over 2008.

• ESPN’s three Championship Series telecasts averaged 2,059,000 households; 2,762,000 total viewers; and a 2.1 rating, making it the most-viewed and highest-rated Series finals since the tournament expanded to the best-of-three format in 2003. This season’s games marked increases of 24% (vs. 1,664,000), 26% (vs. 2,193,000) and 24% (vs. 1.7), respectively, over last year.

• The Championship Series produced three of ESPN’s top four most-viewed NCAA College World Series telecasts ever, highlighted by the most-viewed and second highest-rated for the decisive Game 3 which averaged 2,303,000 households; 3,160,000 viewers; and a 2.3 rating.

• Game 2 stands as the third most-viewed with 1,964,000 households, 2,620,000 viewers and a 2.0 rating.

• Game 1 delivered 1,905,000 households, 2,500,000 viewers and a 1.9, making it the fourth most-viewed in ESPN history.

• ESPN2 averaged 821,000 households and 1,043,000 viewers for increases of 6% (vs. 771,000) and 6% (vs. 988,000), respectively, over last year. The network averaged a 0.8 rating, the same as last season.

• In addition, ESPN2 delivered two of its top five most-viewed and highest-rated NCAA College World Series games ever: the Game 12 telecast (June 19) ranks fourth with 1,064,000 households; 1,396,000 viewers; and a 1.1 rating, while Game 9 coverage (June 17) stands as the fifth averaging 1,049,000 households, 1,298,000 viewers and a 1.1 rating.

ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy had some interesting things to say on Mad Dog Live about college basketball.

Today (June 25, 2009) on SIRIUS XM Radio, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo hosted his daily show, “Mad Dog Unleashed,” from outside Madison Square Garden before the NBA Draft.

Former Knicks coach and current ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy joined Russo on air. When asked by Chris about his future, Van Gundy said he sees himself coaching again but only in the NBA, not the “cesspool” of major college basketball.

Chris Russo: “Where do you stand now with your career? If somebody called would you be interested? Are you ok with what you are doing right now with broadcasting? Where does Jeff Van Gundy stand right now?”

Jeff Van Gundy: “ESPN committed long term to me and I committed long term to them. Do I see myself coaching in the future? Absolutely.”

Russo: “You do. NBA, not college?”

Van Gundy: “Not college. You know what, Chris? That’s a cesspool. The agents have overtaken major college basketball. At least in the NBA we all pay our players and it’s above board. I have no interest in coaching college.”

Golf Channel will show the PGA Professional National Championship starting on Sunday.

2009 PGA Professional National Championship

Sunday – Wednesday on GOLF CHANNEL

Michael Breed Makes Analyst Debut

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 25, 2009) – Contested for the first time Sunday – Wednesday, a field of 312 PGA Professionals will compete for spots in the PGA Championship field when the 2009 PGA Professional Championship returns to New Mexico.

GOLF CHANNEL will air more than nine hours of live tournament action from Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. Sunday’s opening round action will air live from 4-6 p.m. ET, followed by live action Monday – Wednesday from 3:30 – 6 p.m. ET.

PGA Professional Michael Breed will make his debut as lead analyst at the PGA Professional National Championship. Breed will be joined by play-by-play host Brian Hammons, Donna Caponi-Byrnes and Mark Lye reporting from the course and Dave Marr handling interviews.

Featuring a $550,000 purse, the low 70 scorers and ties will advance to the third and final rounds, contested at Twin Warriors Golf Club. The low 20 scorers following the tournament’s conclusion will earn a berth in the PGA Championship, Aug. 13-16, at Hazeltine National Golf Club Chaska, Minn. The tournament also will determine the 10 members of the U.S. PGA Cup Team when it battles Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup., Sept. 18-20 in Scotland.

I have one more post before calling it a night.

Some Thursday Press Releases To Read Before You Go To Bed

Let’s give you a few press releases to mull over on this late night Thursday.

First, NBA TV has brought in Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl to be part of its NBA Draft coverage next week.

NBA TV and NBA.com to Deliver Extensive Multiplatform Coverage of the 2009 NBA Draft

Tennessee Volunteers Head Coach Bruce Pearl will join NBA TV for network’s Draft night coverage

NBA TV and NBA.com will provide fans with all-access coverage leading up to, and continuing throughout, the 2009 NBA Draft, which will be held at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, June 25^th. For the first time Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl will join NBA TV’s draft night coverage to provide a unique perspective on the NBA Draft Preview Show at 6 p.m. ET and the 2009 NBA Draft Recap at Midnight ET. In addition, Pearl will provide blogs on NBA.com entitled “Pearl’s Gems” with his insight on the NBA Draft and prospects.

The NBA Draft coverage will be fully integrated with multiplatform content on NBA TV and NBA.com, with unprecedented opportunities for fans to interact with the NBA TV analysts, voice their opinions and access detailed information about each draft selection.

In addition to pre and post-draft analysis, an expert panel of announcers including host Rick Kamla, analysts Kenny Smith, Steve Smith and Pearl will provide Instant Analysis of key draft selections that will be available exclusively on NBA.com. NBA Insider David Aldridge will be on-hand for NBA TV and NBA.com with breaking news updates about trades. In addition, reporter Craig Sager will be on hand at Madison Square Garden in New York City to interview players moments after they are selected in the draft via the Virtual Green Room, streamed on NBA.com. NBA Assistant Director of Scouting Ryan Blake will be in New York to provide scouting reports and draft analysis of international players throughout the night.

“The level of interactivity and depth of our 2009 Draft coverage is unprecedented as we deliver broad professional analysis and exclusive content generated by players and fans across our TV, Internet and Wireless platforms” said Bryan Perez, SVP and GM of NBA Digital. “We are thrilled to add Bruce Pearl to our industry leading analyst team as he brings great energy and insight having coached against many of the draft prospects on a collegiate level.”

NBA TV will offer original studio programming leading up to the NBA Draft including:

· Division Preview Shows (Thursday, June 18, 8 – 11 p.m. ET): Host Rick Kamla and analysts Mike Fratello and Ryan Blake will break down each division, team by team, to analyze each team’s biggest needs and possible draft strategies. Each team segment will be available on NBA.com.

· NBA GameTime: Prospect Park (Monday, June 22, 7 p.m. ET): Host Andre Aldridge and analyst and Ryan Blake will take a detailed look at the NBA Draft prospects from across the country and around the world.

· NBA GameTime: Coming Attractions (Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. ET): Host Rick Kamla, analyst Steve Smith, NBA Insider David Aldridge and Ryan Blake review the NBA.com mock drafts to anticipate possible selections for the 2009 NBA Draft.

· NBA GameTime: Interactive Draft Room (Wednesday, June 24, 7 p.m. ET): Host Andre Aldridge and NBA Insider David Aldridge will interact with fans during a live webcast on NBA.com from 4 – 5 p.m. ET. The show will use interactive platforms including NBA.com Fan Forums and NBA TV’s Twitter account to generate fan content, questions and comments related to the draft. The Interactive Draft Room will air on television at 7 p.m. ET.

· Division Review Shows Friday, June 26, 7 – 10 p.m. ET): Host Rick Kamla and NBA Insider David Aldridge break down each division, team by team, to assess the impact of the draft on the team. Each team segment will also be available on NBA.com.

NBA.com will also offer additional exclusive content including: player blogs from draft prospects Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansborough and Stephen Curry; an exclusive interview with DKV Joventut player Ricky Rubio from Spain; live press conferences of the top draft selections; live draft trade chart to track team trades; prospect profiles and highlights; photo galleries, polls and fan reaction via NBA.com’s Fan Voice forums.

ESPN says ratings for the College World Series are up from last year. Is this something to crow about? I guess.

ESPN NCAA Men’s College World Series Telecasts Posting Significant Audience Increases; Coverage Continues

ESPN’s 30th consecutive season of NCAA Men’s College World Series coverage is posting significant audience increases over last year. Through the first eight games, ESPN is averaging 1,278,000 total viewers, 976,000 households and a 1.0 rating, marking increases of 34% (vs. 955,000), 30% (vs. 750,000) and 25% (vs. 0.8), respectively, over 2008.

ESPN2 is averaging 897,000 total viewers and 689,000 households for increases of 5% (vs. 853,000) and 4% (vs. 664,000), respectively, over last year. The network is averaging a 0.7 rating, the same as last season through this point.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com’s complete coverage of the Men’s College World Series from Omaha, Neb. will continue tonight and conclude with the best-of-three Championship Series Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24. Every game will be offered in high definition on ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD.

Commentator teams include Mike Patrick or Sean McDonough with analyst Orel Hershiser and reporter Erin Andrews; Karl Ravech or McDonough with analyst Robin Ventura and reporter Kyle Peterson.

Date	Time (ET)	Network	Game	Matchup	Commentators
Thu., 6/18	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	10	North Carolina vs. Arizona State	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Fri., 6/19	2 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	11	LSU vs. Arkansas	Patrick, Hershiser and Peterson
Fri., 6/19	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	12	Texas vs. Winner Game 10	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Sat., 6/20	2 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	13	If necessary	Patrick, Hershiser and Andrews
Sat., 6/20	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	14	If necessary	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Mon., 6/22	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	1	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson
Tue., 6/23	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	2	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson
Wed., 6/24	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	3 *	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson

* If necessary

CNBC’s Darren Rovell hosts a special on the golf industry live from the U.S. Open Friday night.

CNBC TO BROADCAST LIVE SPECIAL "CNBC REPORTS: LIVE FROM THE U.S. OPEN" ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19th AT 8PM ET

Live Special Hosted by CNBC's Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 18, 2009-Live from Bethpage State Park, the home of this year's U.S. Open, CNBC's Sports Business Reporter, Darren Rovell, will speak with the biggest power players in the game to discuss the state of the golf industry from sponsoring tournaments to the golf retail business.

On Friday, June 19th at 8PM ET, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, will broadcast a live special, "CNBC Reports: Live From the U.S. Open," hosted by CNBC's Darren Rovell and focusing on the business of golf during one of the most challenging times the industry has ever faced.

The one-hour program will feature interviews with PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem, Veteran American golfer Kenny Perry as well as a rare interview with Mark Steinberg, IMG's Senior Corporate Vice President and Global Managing Director of Golf and agent to Tiger Woods. 

Tennis.com has an interview with NBC/BBC Sport Wimbledon analyst John McEnroe about Roger Federer’s chances to win at the All-England Tennis and Croquet Club.

JOHN McENROE BREAKS DOWN ROGER FEDERER’S CHANCES TO WIN WIMBLEDON

Exclusive Interview by Peter Bodo at www.TENNIS.com

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 17, 2009 – “It’s amazing to look at Wimbledon and see it’s all brown at the baseline, and there’s nothing but green up around the net. I never thought I would see the day, after playing against Pete Sampras, Goran Ivanisevic and Boris Becker, the three biggest servers I ever saw, when two guys would be playing the Wimbledon final from the baseline.”

So says the always outspoken John McEnroe in an exclusive interview with TENNIS Magazine senior editor Peter Bodo who caught up with McEnroe, a spokesman for prostate cancer awareness, while he was filming a public service announcement on behalf of pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline.

The interview is at: (http://tennis.com/features/general/features.aspx?id=177914).

McEnroe, also challenges the rest of the field to change their game this year and not play Federer’s game.

“Roger hasn’t had to change anything at Wimbledon,” explained McEnroe. “Over the past five, six years he only been serving and volleying 10-15 percent of the time. Winning five straight Wimbledons and getting to the final in the sixth is level of success that’s hard to argue with, but that’s all the more reason for some of the other guys to maybe make some attempt to be more or at least reasonably aggressive on grass. Let’s face it, they have no business trying to stay back with the guy – they may hit a few good shots but they’re certainly not going to beat Roger.”

And National Geographic Channel has a documentary on Hitler’s attempts to develop a stealth fighter during World War II.

HITLER’S STEALTH FIGHTER

Sunday, June 28 at 9PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/hitler-s-stealth-fighter-3942/Overview

UNITED KINGDOM: A blueprint of the Horten Ho 229 flying wing fighter/bomber. (Photo credit © Arthur Bentely / Flying Wing Films)

For more than half a century, little was known about this mysterious aircraft, called the Horten 229. Now, with an elite team of Northrop Grumman aeronautical engineers, National Geographic Channel (NGC) works from the original plans and prototype to reconstruct a full-scale replica of the jet to determine if it had stealth capabilities. If proven, it would confirm that Hitler was on the verge of introducing a stealth jet fighter into the battle with Allies, long before the United States began developing stealth technology in the 1970s. The implications could have been monumental, especially in light of the Nazis’ parallel progress in developing atomic capabilities.

RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA: A full scale replica of the Ho 229 bomber made with materials available in the 1940s at prefilght. (Photo credit © Linda Reynolds / Flying Wing Films)

VIDEO EXCERPTS

Video “Nazi Stealth Aircraft” – An elite team of stealth aircraft modelers are taking on a mysterious project: Hitler’s secret stealth fighter:

Video “Advanced Design” – Engineered long before its time, the Horten 2-29 was the product of two brothers’ desire for vengeance:

EXTRA VIDEOS

Video: Archival scenes of Adolf Hitler and stealth fighter airplanes from World War II:

Video: See rare archival footage of Northrop Grumman’s test flights of their early flying wing prototype:

At the program website for Hitler’s Stealth Fighter, the following is available:

• A complete Photo Gallery with downloadable wallpapers
• A timeline with History of Stealth Planes
• A Fact Sheet about the Horten 229

As usual, fascinating stuff from National Geographic.

One more press release post coming up.

The Mid-Week Linkfest

We have a lot of good links today and the reaction to Artie Lange’s appearance on Joe Buck Live continues.

Let’s start with Michael Hiestand of USA Today. He says Joe Buck Live went into the gutter when Artie came on for his segment with Paul Rudd and Jason Sudekis.

Thanks to the people of Sirius XM, we have the audio of Artie Lange defending his apperance to Chris Russo on “Mad Dog Live” yesterday.

Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal has a story in today’s Sports Business Daily about the new upgrade to MLB.com’s At Bat iPhone and iPod Touch app which contains live streaming video of games.

The great Darren Rovell of CNBC wonders which is the better investment for a team, the naming rights for a practice facility or a star quarterback?

Bruce Allen of the Boston Sports Media Watch asks which is the best general sports columnist in The Hub.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir talks with Artie about his appearance.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Joe Buck opened the door for Artie Lange walked right through it. Neil says HBO Sports has apologized for the appearance.

Neil has a story from Bethpage Black on golfer Stewart Cink who loves his Twitter.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times goes over the new MLB.com At Bat iPhone app.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has a roundup of the New York media piling on the hapless Nationals.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News says Texas A&M football has a new radio home in the Metroplex. Barry says the Mavericks will remain on its current radio flagship station.

From Crain’s Chicago Business, Lorene Yue reports that the founder of the Chicago internet sports radio station is now missing.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s says one host of the now-defunct station has no idea what he’s going to do next. Ed talks to a former sports radio host who knew of the station founder’s shady past.

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the founder of the internet station is accused in an $11 million Ponzi scheme.

Ameet Sachdev of the Chicago Tribune says the Feds have now issued an arrest warrant for the owner.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Joe Buck is not that all upset about Artie Lange’s performance on his show.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders why Sports Illustrated singled out Kobe Bryant for its Laker-centric cover.

Tom asks why did so many idiots have to reign on the Lakers’ celebration? Tom has reader reaction on his column. Tom has more reaction here, here, here, here and here.

Tom looks at how the NBA Finals dominated the primetime ratings last week. And Tom has the U.S. Open viewing schedule.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the continued saga of the Phoenix Coyotes is journalistic gold for Canada’s newspapers and sports radio stations.

Deadspin has a classic picture of Erin Andrews turning heads at the College World Series.

The Big Lead has the video of an ESPN cameraman fixated on Erin’s buttocks at the CWS.

The Sports Media Watch says NASCAR’s season-long ratings losing streak finally came to an end last Sunday. SMW says NBA and the NHL were tops in the ratings last week.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media compares NBC’s and Versus’ coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals.

That’s going to do it for now.

General Sports Press Release Post

Ok, this press release post will deal with various sports, not just one as the last three have. Let’s get right to it.

Starting with TNT which discusses its NASCAR coverage this weekend.

TNT Continues its Coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing in Michigan on Sunday, June 14^th

Pre-race coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. ET; LifeLock 400 begins at 2 p.m. ET

TNT gears up for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Michigan on Sunday, June 14^th live from Michigan International Speedway. The network will air exclusive coverage of the LifeLock 400 beginning at 2 p.m. ET with play-by-play announcer Bill Weber calling the race alongside analysts Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach in the booth. In addition, analyst Larry McReynolds will make frequent contributions from the in-field as he breaks down crew strategy and analyzes car adjustments.

The network will rev up its pre-race coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR on TNT Live! with Marc Fein (host), Petty and McReynolds. No. 33 Clint Bowyer and owner Richard Childress will join TNT’s infield rig for an interview prior to the race.

Grammy-nominated artist and Detroit native Kid Rock will also join TNT’s pre-race coverage, stopping by the set to speak to the NASCAR on TNT Live! announcers.

TNT’s acclaimed Pride of NASCAR series will feature racing legend Darrell Waltrip who is a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and 1989 Daytona 500 winner.

Dallenbach will once again breaks down race strategy during Wally’s World, as he is superimposed into live race footage from last season’s race in Michigan. He will virtually walk along the track to discuss its nuances, with the ability to stop the race footage.

In addition, Lindsay on Location with will go behind the scenes of NASCAR’s Race Control for a Lindsay Czarniak piece to explain how NASCAR officials assess penalties and determine car positions, particularly with the implementation of double-file restarts.

Ralph Sheheen will take viewers on a private tour of Jack Roush’s personal garage in Lavonia, Mich. where Roush will put on display his private collection of rare cars.

The show will be followed by Countdown to Green at 1:30 p.m. ET with Weber (host), Dallenbach (analyst) and Petty (analyst) with reports from pit reporters Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Sheheen and Czarniak.

Countdown to Green leads into coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing in Michigan at 2 p.m. ET with Weber, Dallenbach and Petty calling the action with frequent interaction with McReynolds (analyst) who will man the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car.

Throughout this year’s NASCAR on TNT Summer Series, the network will join forces with NASCAR.COM, the official site of NASCAR, to provide TNT RaceBuddy a multiplatform experience for race fans which features live feeds from the racetrack including pit road and in-car cameras, as well as live chats and polls.

REMAINING 2009 NASCAR ON TNT SCHEDULE:

(All times ET)

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

1:30 – 2 p.m. Countdown to Green

2:00 – 5:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Michigan (from Michigan Intl. Speedway)

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live! and

4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Toyota/Save Mart 350 (from Infineon Raceway)

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

2:00 – 5:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Loudon (from New Hampshire Intl. Speedway)

SATURDAY, JULY 4

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

8:00 – 11:15 p.m. Coke Zero 400 at Daytona (from Daytona Intl. Speedway)

SATURDAY, JULY 11

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green

8:00 – 11:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Chicago (from Chicago Speedway)

To Golf Channel which will have Christina Kim miked during the LPGA Championship.

LPGA professional Christina Kim will be mic’d up Thursday during GOLF CHANNEL’s opening round coverage of the LPGA Championship. Kim will be paired with Michelle Wie and Shanshan Feng. Live coverage will begin Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET, with a prime-time re-air at 7 p.m. ET. This will be the second LPGA event in 2009 GOLF CHANNEL will mic a player during live tournament coverage. Kristy McPherson was wired for sound during the opening round of the LPGA Corning Classic, where she also played alongside Michelle Wie.

GOLF CHANNEL also will feature the Emmy-award winning Putting Line Powered by Aimpoint graphics technology on holes 16 and 18 during all four rounds of play.

GOLF CHANNEL/LPGA Championship TV Times

Thursday – Friday 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET (Live)

7 – 10 p.m. ET (Live)

Saturday – Sunday 4 – 7 p.m. ET (Live)

7:30 – 10:30 p.m. ET (Live)

ESPN’s 30th College World Series Begins Saturday

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will combine to televise the entire men’s College World Series from Omaha, Neb., including the best-of-three Series Final, with every game in high definition on ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD.

ESPN’s 30th consecutive season from Omaha begins Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. with Arkansas vs. Cal State Fullerton and Virginia vs. LSU at 7 p.m. (both on ESPN). On Sunday, June 14, ESPN will televise Arizona State vs. North Carolina at 2 p.m. and ESPN2 will offer Southern Mississippi vs. Texas at 7 p.m.

Commentator teams include Mike Patrick or Sean McDonough with analyst Orel Hershiser and reporter Erin Andrews; Karl Ravech or McDonough with analyst Robin Ventura and reporter Kyle Peterson. Ravech and Andrews will rotate as hosts of live SportsCenter segments from Rosenblatt Stadium June 15-17.

In addition, ESPN.com and other digital platforms will include unique, original offerings, including a College World Series Facebook page (ESPN College World Series) and Peterson utilizing Twitter to provide fans with updates and behind-the-scenes insight into the Tournament.

Date Time (ET) Network Game Matchup Commentators

Sat., 6/13	2 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	1	Arkansas vs. Cal State Fullerton	Ravech, Ventura and Peterson
	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	2	Virginia vs. LSU	Patrick, Hershiser and Andrews
Sun., 6/14	2 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	3	Arizona State vs. North Carolina	Ravech, Ventura and Peterson
	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	4	Southern Mississippi vs. Texas	McDonough, Hershiser and Andrews
Mon., 6/15	2 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	5	Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2	Ravech, Ventura and Peterson
	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	6	Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2	Patrick, Hershiser and Andrews
Tue., 6/16	2 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	7	Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4	Ravech, Ventura and Peterson
	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	8	Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4	McDonough, Hershiser and Andrews
Wed., 6/17	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	9	Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5	Patrick, Hershiser and Peterson
Thu., 6/18	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	10	Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 7	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Fri., 6/19	2 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	11	Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 6	Patrick, Hershiser and Peterson
	7 p.m.	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com	12	Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 8	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Sat., 6/20	2 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	13	If necessary	Patrick, Hershiser and Andrews
	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	14	If necessary	McDonough, Ventura and Peterson
Mon., 6/22	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	1	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson
Tue., 6/23	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	2	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson
Wed., 6/24	7 p.m.	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com	3 *	Series Final	Patrick, Hershiser, Ventura, Andrews and Peterson

* If necessary

CBS and CBS College Sports will team up to show the NCAA Track & Field Championships starting on Friday.

CBS SPORTS AND CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK TEAM UP FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF NCAA® Division I MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network team up for the fourth consecutive year to provide live coverage for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships during five unprecedented hours on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, from Fayetteville, Ark.

The event is highlighted by CBS Sports’ live broadcast for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday, June 13 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET) when the 2009 men’s and women’s team champions are crowned. On the Men’s side, the University of Oregon is trying to become only the third school in history to win the track and field “triple crown,” winning the cross-country, indoor and outdoor championships in the same academic year.

Saturday’s broadcast includes two hours of live coverage highlighted by the Men’s and Women’s 200, 400 and 800 Meter finals and the Men’s and Women’s 4×400 relay, all of which factor into the team standings.

CBS College Sports Network broadcasts three hours of action on Friday, June 12 (7:00-10:00 PM, ET), highlighted by the Men’s and Women’s 100 meter final, and the Men’s and Women’s 5,000 meters. Oregon’s Galen Rupp, a 2008 Olympian, will attempt to become only the fourth runner in the past 25 years to win both the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter races.

CBS Sports’ Ian Eagle, 1976 NCAA Outdoor High Jump Champion Dwight Stones, 1983 and 1985 NCAA Outdoor Long Jump Champion Carol Lewis, and 1995 and 1996 NCAA Champion Ato Boldon call the action from the University of Arkansas for both CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network. CBS Sports’ Craig Silver serves as producer for both broadcasts. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Sirius XM Satellite Radio will have the 24 Hours of Le Mans race starting Saturday.

SIRIUS XM RADIO TO BROADCAST 24 HOURS OF LE MANS LIVE JUNE 13-14

SIRIUS XM to offer Radio Le Mans broadcast to U.S. listeners; Fans can hear every minute of the 77^th Grand Prix of Endurance live from France

NEW YORK – June 10, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it will offer U.S. listeners live coverage of the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race on June 13-14 from the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

SIRIUS and XM subscribers will hear uninterrupted Radio Le Mans coverage of the race, produced by Radio Show Limited, from the time the flag drops at 9:00 am ET on Saturday, June 13 through the finish at 9:00 am ET on Sunday, June 14 on SIRIUS channel 126 and XM channel 243. The coverage will also feature an hour of pre-race news and analysis starting at 8:00 am ET as well as an hour of post-race coverage following the finish, with the podium ceremony and interviews with the top finishers.

On Wednesday, June 10, SIRIUS XM will carry RadioLeMans.com Midweek Motorsport Le Mans Special on SIRIUS channel 126 and XM channel 243 from 9:00 – 11:00 pm ET followed by live coverage of free practice from 11:00 pm – 7:00 pm ET on SIRIUS channels 113 and 126 and XM channel 243.

On Thursday, June 11, SIRIUS XM will air Legends qualifying from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm ET, immediately followed by live coverage of 24 Hours Qualifying on SIRIUS channels 113 and 126 and XM channel 243.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 77th Grand Prix of Endurance, is the world’s oldest endurance sports car race. Danish native Tom Kristensen has won a record eight races including last year’s and six-straight from 2000-2005. Kristensen and teammates, Rinaldo Capello from Italy and Allan McNish from Great Britain, will be racing the Audi R15 TDI for Audi Sport Team Joest. Kristensen has won six of his titles behind the wheel of an Audi.

“The 24 Hours is truly a one-of-a-kind event, testing both the high performance technology of the race cars and the endurance of the drivers and their teams,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS XM Radio’s President and Chief Content Officer. “With satellite radio, SIRIUS and XM listeners have the benefit of being able to hear every minute of the race anywhere, at home or on the go.”

“We have always enjoyed great support from U.S. based enthusiasts,” said Eve Hewitt, Managing Director of Radio Show Limited, the team behind Radio Le Mans. “Broadcasting our Le Mans programs through SIRIUS XM makes perfect sense.”

Radio Le Mans is the Official English language radio station at the 24 Hours.

SIRIUS XM airs every 2009 American Le Mans Series race, offering listeners on track action plus pre- and post-race coverage. The American Le Mans Series is North America’s premier sports car series, featuring high-tech cars from the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world – including Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari and Panoz – competing in a combination of endurance and sprint races on road racing tracks as well as street circuits in major urban markets.

And National Geographic Channel’s next episode of World’s Toughest Fixes is Thursday. Check it out. There’s video too!

WORLD’S TOUGHEST FIXES: Alaska Oil Pipeline

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 9 PM ET/PT

“I feel like I’m ready to go in the microwave … I really hope we do not have a hole in the pipe, because I don’t ever want to get back in this suit again.”

— Riley, on sealing himself inside a reflective, fire retardant suite on the Trans-Alaska Oil pipeline.

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA: In National Geographic Channel’s World Toughest Fixes, host Sean Riley fixes the leaky oil valve #72 that hasn?t met the strict pipeline standards. Riley is surveying the removal of any dust or dirt particles from the replacement pipe (Photo by Jenny McAllister / NGT&F)

The pressure is on as Riley joins a team on the 800-mile Trans-Alaska oil pipeline — the conduit for almost 15 percent of America’s domestic oil production. They have 36 hours to swap out one of the line’s 32-ton valves — a plug that helps block the pipe and lessen the damage in the event of an oil spill. In order to swap out the valve, the crew must first plug the line to isolate it and drain the oil from the section they need to replace. Then they cut into the pipe and weld on a new valve. Welding around crude oil is among the most dangerous jobs in industry. Every year, pipeline and oilfield accidents claim hundreds of lives. For this team, failure is not an option.

• Video “Mighty Explosive” - The oil is safely cut off from the pipe, but the residual gas is extremely dangerous:

• Video “Crude Oil Blast” - When the Alaskan oil pipeline springs a leak, it is a major problem so Riley gears up to learn how to fix it:

• Video “Fixing the Pipe” – The best welders in the world are sealing in the new valve in the pipeline — very carefully:

Also on our program website, you can read all about Riley’s experience through his blog post about bringing the right tools to the job at hand, and play the “Can You Handle A Big Fix?” game online.

That concludes this post. I have one more press release post. Keep refreshing.

Some Saturday Linkage

I was out earlier today so it’s time to give some links on this Saturday night.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette writes that a local sports anchor is very deserving of a recent promotion.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News says fans are hoping the news about the NFL Network games moving to ESPN Classic is true.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that a local sports radio host has won a seat in the World Series of Poker.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes about properly using the term “legendary” for certain sports broadcasters.

From the San Antonio Express-News, Jerry Garcia reports that a local Sporting News Radio affiliate is giving way to country music.

Neil Best of Newsday writes that the Mike & the Mad Dog saga turned up to be a topic of conservation on SNY. And Neil reports that the producer of a minor league baseball show has pulled the series from SNY.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Chicago Cubs owner Sam Zell has a dilemma whether to sell now or later. And Darren writes that the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul may have pulled off the best sports promotion ever.

Joe Favorito says the Soul’s move is a bit risky, but a good idea nonetheless.

Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner reports that Baltimore TV sports anchor Scott Garceau will no longer report five nights a week. Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun spoke with Garceau about his decision.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail says Canadians have been watching the Euro 2008 soccer tournament.

The Sports Media Watch has its weekend ratings predictions. The SMW says the ratings for the College World Series were up for ESPN. And Euro 2008 has been a hit for the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Jeff Hash of the EPL Talk blog says Spain-Italy was the highest rated match for ESPN’s Euro 2008 coverage.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes ESPN and ESPN2 scored their best ratings ever for the College World Series.

Scotty Thompson of the Dublin (GA) Courier-Herald feels ESPN’s Mike Patrick did not do a good job during the College World Series.

From the “I’m Permanntly Scarred for Life” Department, the Sox & Dawgs blog has the video of three guys streaking at a recent Cape Cod League Summer League game. From the “This is Much Better” Department, Sox & Dawgs has the farewell video NESN put together for Hazel Mae’s last sportscast.

The 38 Cliches blog keeps track of former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano’s trip to Houston this weekend.

Michael David Smith of the AOL Fanhouse blog has the transcript of Bonnie Bernstein’s apology for statements she made on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike show. Awful Announcing has the actual video of Bonnie saying Palestinian kids want to grow up to be suicide bombers. Bonnie was actually making a good point before she brought suicide bombers into the equation.

Mike DiMauro of the Bleacher Report says ESPN needs to showcase all MLB teams, not just a selected few. And in part 2 of his column, Mike writes that ESPN does not need to schedule games months in advance.

Bob Sassone of the TV Squad blog hates ESPN’s Wimbledon scoreboard graphic and I totally agree. It’s very confusing.

Craig Dolch of the Palm Beach Post says NBC did not show the U.S. Women’s Open much respect by not cutting away from Wimbledon coverage this afternoon and cutting into golf coverage. And what Dolch did not write is that NBC then cut away from the golf again at 6 p.m. ET, jettisoning the Open to ESPN2.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says NBC would love to have another U.S. Open playoff this Monday.

David Bauder of the Associated Press writes that NBC Sports is diving in head first into online streaming and live blogging for the Summer Olympics in Communist China.

Speaking of which, I’m watching the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials live on NBC Olympics.com while the Red Sox are on my TV. The picture quality through Microsoft Silverlight is excellent. If this is how the Olympics are going to look on my computer, then I have seen the future of sports television.

That will do it for now. I’m back tomorrow.

Thursday Linkage

I have to be at a jobsite later today so I’ll be giving you some quick links. Let’s get to the links.

Starting with Newsday’s Neil Best, he writes that a reporter plans to take in both ends of the Yankees-Mets day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium by walking from one place to the other to raise money. It’s a great idea.

As he approaches his last day as editor of Deadspin, Will Leitch reflects on the site’s relationship with ESPN.

One story that’s coming out of Wimbledon is Novak Djokovic damaging his relationship with sponsor Adidas by wearing Nike shoes. CNBC’s Darren Rovell has been monitoring the situation. And Darren feels that a story about Tiger Woods’ apple core being sold on eBay is a hoax.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News is not a fan of ESPN’s scoreboard graphic that has debuted at Wimbledon. It is very confusing.

Ken McMillan of the Times Herald-Record writes in his blog that Versus is getting ready for the Tour de France by airing the Tour of Pennsylvania this week.

Nice to see Christopher Byrne back at the Eye on Sports Media blog. I know he was in mourning after the passing of his mother. He has the talent profile of New York Giants broadcaster Bob Papa who Neil Best reports will be the new play-by-play man for the NFL Network.

Erik Kirschbaum of Variety writes about the technical glitch that knocked out the world feed at the Euro 2008 semifinals yesterday. EPL Talk also goes over the outages that plagued ESPN’s airing of Germany-Turkey.

Tamira Madsen of the Capital (WI) Times says former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace is making a name for himself in the ESPN broadcast booth.

Dave Del Grande of the Oakland Tribune talks with ESPN’s Kyle Peterson who was working the College World Series.

Gregory Ball of the La Jolla (CA) Light writes about the celebration of Charlie Jones’ life that took place last week.

The St. Louis American says without Tiger Woods, NBC’s Johnny Miller is now golf’s biggest attraction. I wouldn’t go that far.

Brendan Savage of the Flint (MI) Journal says CBS’ David Feherty always leaves viewers laughing.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that NFL owners rejecting owning a stake in Comcast that would probably have prevented the current venom between NFL Network and the cable provider.

Craig Harvey of the Evening (NY) Observer talks about CBS’ college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg giving a lecture to young students and their parents yesterday.

Robert Feder of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with former WSCR talk show host Mike North.

Those are your links for now.

Back to the Grind Links

I was enjoying my weekend, but it’s back to the grind today as I was at a jobsite earlier today and it’s the reason why these links are coming late. But I’m here and time to give you the Monday linkage.

Also wanted to mention the passing of George Carlin who was a great influence on me in my younger days. The man was comic genius and was prolific in writing material. His HBO specials were great and he was always on top of his game. George was also a sports fan and his comparison of baseball and football was classic. Of course, who could not forget the Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television. He will definitely be missed. His website was not kept up to date, but you can certainly visit to see some of his past material

Let’s start with Phil Mushnick of the New York Post who takes some glee in seeing the networks suffer without Tiger Woods.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes that listeners to WFAN’s Mike & the Mad Dog program were certainly up in arms over the news that the duo might split up. Neil notes that Mike & the Mad Dog are older than the internet. Neil writes that WFAN host-in-exile Sid Rosenberg is hosting an online chat on his website.

This next link comes courtesy of Neil. Austin Murphy of Sports Illustrated looks at the 20th anniversary of my favorite baseball movie, Bull Durham by projecting what happened to Crash Davis and Annie Savoy.

The DC/Baltimore Examiner’s Jim Williams talks with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has some thoughts on the sports TV weekend.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks about ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage plans (scroll down).

The Chicago Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein writes that WSCR’s Mike North is off the air for now and might not come back.

The Orbitcast blog says XM Satellite Radio has taken its MLB “Bobble Yourself” campaign to Facebook.

NBC will allow you to download your favorite Olympics event to your computer and you can watch at your convenience.

David Wilkerson of Marketwatch.com reports that ABC and ESPN will make selected programs available online at Veoh.com.

Westwood One Radio will have coverage of the College World Series championship series between Georgia and Fresno State starting tonight. Former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano will be involved in the coverage.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the major shoe companies have yet to sign one of the potential NBA 1st round draft picks.

John Doyle of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that ESPN’s decision to air the Euro 2008 soccer tournament was revolutionary.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News talks about ESPN’s multi-platform coverage of Wimbledon.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says TSN is gambling on a TV rookie to be one of the analysts for CFL games.

Paul J. Gough of the Hollywood Reporter reports that IMG Sports Media will take over distribution of Fox Sports International programming.

That’s going to do it for now.

It’s Back! The Friday Megalinks are Here!

After a week’s absence and the start of my massive computer problems, I give you the Friday megalinks. I appreciate your patience during this tough stretch for me. About another week and I should be back on track.

Let’s go over the viewing weekend before we get into the megalinks.

Weekend Viewing Picks

There are plenty of sporting events to watch to avoid taking your significant other to “Sex and the City”.

As far as major events are concerned, the Stanley Cup Finals are in full swing. NBC and the CBC have Game 4 of the Detroit-Pittsburgh series Saturday at 8 p.m.

Tennis fans can watch the French Open on Tennis Channel and NBC this weekend. Tennis Channel has coverage starting at 5 a.m. with NBC starting up at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The NBA Playoffs potentially have the weekend off if the Celtics win at Detroit in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. ESPN has tonight’s game at 8:30 p.m. If the Pistons win at home tonight, then Game 7 would be played Sunday night on ABC at 8:30.

Fox has its usual slate of three MLB games on Saturday with Joe Torre returning to New York as his Dodgers take on the Mets, Atlanta travels to Cincinnati and the Detroit Tigers travel out west to take on Seattle. All games begin at 3:55 p.m. On Sunday, TBS carries Florida at Phialdelphia (1 p.m.), WGN has the Cubs hosting Colorado (2:10 p.m.) and the ESPN Sunday night game will be the Dodgers at the Mets (8 p.m.).

NASCAR heads over to the Monster Mile in Dover, Delaware and the Nationwide Series race, the Heluva Good! 200 will be on ESPN2 this Saturday at 3. Fox has its last race of the NASCAR season, the Sprint Cup Best Buy 400, Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

The Indy Car Series is in Wisconsin on ABC, Sunday at 4.

The PGA Tour continues without Tiger Woods as the Memorial Tournament will be on both the Golf Channel and CBS throughout the weekend.

NBC has the LPGA’s Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam at 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

If you’re a softball fan, the Women’s College World Series is on the ESPN family of networks from Oklahoma City.

ESPN 2 will have the Reebok Grand Prix track & field meet Saturday night at 8.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the primetime network TV debut of Mixed Martial Arts as Screamin’ Gus Johnson will call the Elite XC Xtreme Combat bout which will include Kimbo Slice on CBS, Saturday at 8 p.m.

Now to our links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand profiles Mary Carillo who is doing the French Open for ESPN and NBC as well as working for HBO and CBS.

Now, I’ll start our links in the South, go up the East Coast, then move across the country and into Canada. It’ll make sense when all is done.

South

From The State in Columbia, SC, Doug Nye says baseball fans won’t be able to watch the University of South Carolina’s quest to go to the College World Series this weekend.

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald says CBS officials are having mixed emotions about showing Mixed Martial Arts.

Dave Darling of the Orlando Sentinel also writes about CBS’ first venture in the MMA arena.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times says the local NBC affiliate will be pre-empting tennis and LPGA action on Sunday because of a telethon.

David Barron in today’s Houston Chronicle writes that FSN Houston is ready to move to new headquarters in the downtown area.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram talks about some announcing musical chairs in the Texas Rangers’ TV and Radio booths as analyst Tom Grieve leaves temporarily due to medical reasons.

Mel Bracht of the Oklahoman talks with ESPN’s John Kruk who is saying he lobbied for the assignment to call the Women’s College World Series. Mel writes that ESPN is bullish about softball’s ratings. In his notebook, Mel discusses MMA moving to CBS. And Mel has his weekend viewing picks.

East and Mid-Atlantic

In the Boston Globe, Nancy Marrapese-Burrell writes about the annual Hot Dog Safari hosted by long-time talk show host Eddie Andelman.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times talks with CBS’ Gus Johnson who will call Saturday’s Mixed Martial Arts event. And Sandomir says the NHL outrated the NBA in Detroit on Wednesday.

From the New York Post, Phil Mushnick says it took ESPN too long to fire Pittsburgh talk show host Mark Madden for his comments about Senator Ted Kennedy.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman did not like the Mets’ dog and pony show on Monday.

Newsday’s Neil Best also discusses the Mixed Martial Arts event on CBS. In his blog, Neil says the NBA’s ratings are soaring in this postseason. And Neil talks with Fox Sports’ Tim McCarver who’s enjoying doing a schedule of national MLB games.

The Baltimore Sun’s Ray Frager talks with Orioles’ radio voice Joe Angel.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) Morning News says CBS is wrong to pick up MMA.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres are not concerned that their TV ratings have slipped this season. And Jay has the ratings from last week in San Diego.

John Maffei of the North County Times also discusses the CBS/MMA telecast.

Over to the Ventura County Star where Jim Carlisle wonders what CBS was thinking when it signed to carry four MMA events.

In the Los Angeles Times, John Scheibe in the Sound and Vision column talks about TV covering Joe Torre’s return to New York with the Dodgers.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks about CBS and MMA. Tom also has his extensive media news and notes in his Farther Off the Wall blog. And just to make you sick, Tom has pictures of various celebrities attending the Spurs-Lakers game on Thursday.

John Ryan in the San Jose Mercury News says the MMA event on CBS could get ugly.

Midwest

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that Browns left tackle Joe Thomas will be co-hosting a fishing show on STO.

Mike Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says MMA has hit the primetime.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that NBC is hoping for a star-studded French Open this year.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune says former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly is ready to hit ESPN with a big bang starting Sunday.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Judd Zulgad says the Timberwolves’ return to KFAN also means the return an adversarial relationship between the two parties.

Canada

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail says Hockey Night in Canada’s dislike of Sidney Crosby is now bordering on the ridiculous.

Crash Cameron of the Edmonton Sun says legendary CBC NHL voice Bob Cole still has got game.

And Don Brennan of SLAM! Sports says despite his advanced age, Cole is not ready to leave the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast booth.

Blogs

From the Women’s Tennis Blog, there’s a great spread of Ana Ivanovic in Hello! Magazine.

Maury Brown from the Biz of Hockey blog says NBC saw a huge increase in the ratings for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals from last year.

In his sports marketing and public relations blog, Joe Favorito liked the way the Reebok Grand Prix track & field meet tried to get some pub.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if a meaningless last second shot in last night’s Spurs-Lakers game cost bettors some money.

The Sports Media Watch now with the Lakers in the NBA Finals, the league can be assured of good TV ratings.

That will do it.

The Return of Your Humble Blogger and Some Links Too

My apologies for not updating the blog on Tuesday. This computer thing is getting out of hand. Yes, I’ll be getting a new computer. Yes, it will be soon. Yes, once I have the computer, the blogging schedule will be back to normal. Just bear with me. I should be back and blogging regularly next week. Just know that when I’m away from this site, I feel rather strange. But I will say that I’ve been doing other things like watching TV or catching up on my DVD’s. And Hell’s Kitchen has been really good this season.

Time to give you some links while I can.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about CBS entering the Mixed Martial Arts forum this Saturday. Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune calls MMA, “human cockfighting”.

Also from the Tribune, Fred Mitchell talks with former Chicago White Sox and current FSN Dodger analyst Steve Lyons who’s still bitter over his firing by Fox Sports over a remark made in the ALCS two years ago.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says HBO is going to make a movie out of the book “Game of Shadows”, the tome that brought BALCO and its connection to Barry Bonds and other atheletes to light.

Newsday’s Neil Best transcribes some of the best (or worst depending on your opinion) of Yankees radio announcer John Sterling from the Memorial Day weekend. Neil tells his readers to not leave a movie theater when the credits start rolling.

Some ratings news from the Sports Media Watch. First, the ratings for the first two Stanley Cup Finals games on Versus were the highest for an NHL game on the network. Next, the Indy 500 outrated the Coca Cola 600 in the overnights, but NASCAR eventually overtook open wheel racing in the overall ratings. And the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals did well for ABC/ESPN over the weekend.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says locally, the Indy 500 drew more viewers than the Coke 600.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the NBA has set the schedule for the Finals.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says the Pistons outrated the Red Wings in Detroit during the first two times the teams conflicted over the weekend. They will conflict again tonight.

The Baltimore Sun’s Ray Frager says Baseball Tonight’s John Kruk will become a game analyst for the Women’s College World Series. The Daily Oklahoman has more on Kruk and the other ESPN announcers who will call the WCWS.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell doesn’t think that hot tennis chick Ashley Harkleroad’s decision to pose nude in Playboy was a good one from a marketing point of view.

The Steel City is talking about sports radio talk show host Mark Madden who has been fired from his ESPN Radio 1250 show for remarks made about Senator Edward Kennedy. Ryan Wilson of the AOL Fanhouse blog says Madden’s remarks were dumber than usual for a guy who’s been living on borrowed time with ESPN.

Kevin Roderick of the LA Observed blog writes about an ESPN.com reporter who’s in hot water for writing a blog entry about Kobe Bryant’s wife.

Larry Stewart of the Los Angeles Times has some anecdotes from Jim Nantz’s book.