Fang's Bites

Some Quick Thursday Links

I’ll do a few links on this Thursday. Can you believe it’s November already?

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the NBA’s television partners are still setting their lineups as the season begins.

Hiestand reports that the Mitt Romney campaign is throwing a monkey wrench at ESPN in its attempts to get the GOP Presidential candidate to appear on the Mike & Mike radio show.

Sports Business Daily looks at some of the sports facilities in the Northeast that sustained damage due to Hurricane Sandy.

Patrick Rishe of Forbes says NBC is betting that soccer will produce eyeballs for NBC Sports Network.

Alex Ben Block of the Hollywood Reporter says Lakers fans are still shut out from seeing their team’s games on several cable and satellite providers.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says TNT had to revise its NBA plans tonight after the Knicks-Nets game was canceled.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek talks with the polarizing Frank Caliendo about his move from Fox to ESPN.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the World Series on Fox may have finished with its lowest ratings ever, but it was still able to gain a victory over NBC in the important 18-49 demographic.

Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with NBC/NFL Network’s Alex Flanagan about her crazy schedule during football season.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell goes over the New York City Marathon’s first live national TV coverage since the 1990′s.

Jonah Bromwich of the New York Times talks with Captain Blowhard about his new role on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

Jerry Barmash of FishbowlNY notes that WFAN will begin its FM simulcast on Friday.

Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Goalkeeper blog talks with an NBC Sports exec about the acquisition of the English Premier League.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV writes in Press Box about Baltimore’s sports radio ratings.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says Comcast SportsNet has hired a replacement for the opening left behind by Kelli Johnson who left for CSN Houston last month.

LSUSports notes that Tiger alum Lolo Jones will be the celebrity prognosticator on College GameDay this Saturday.

Mike Graham at the Dallas Morning News discusses Texas Tech’s new media rights deal with Fox Sports.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that the big cable and satellite providers have not made a deal with Comcast SportsNet for the Rockets games.

David said the Rockets’ season opener scored lower ratings as compared to last year.

The Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht talks with women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman about her new role as studio analyst for Thunder games.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch notes a former Indianapolis Colts cheerleader becoming a popular Windy City TV personality.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says a Real Salt Lake MLS playoff game next week may not be on live TV.

Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times says the Lakers updated their fans on the carriage dispute between several providers and Time Warner SportsNet.

Joe Flint of the Times says uncertainty about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ TV rights is influencing the reluctance of cable and satellite providers in regards to picking up the Time Warner regional sports network.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the five things he learned over the last week.

Sports Media Watch says Hurricane Sandy may have affected the ratings for the Celtics-Heat NBA season opener on TNT.

Steve Lepore at SB Nation’s Puck The Media says English Premier League games on NBC Sports Group should compliment the NHL, not compete with it, whenever it returns from its dreaded lockout.

Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth looks at some various sports radio news from across the country.

The Big Lead notes that ABC is considering to option a sitcom based on ESPN’s Sage Steele.

And that will do it.

Sports Media Weekly No. 122 — Darren Rovell, ESPN & Mike Golic, ESPN Radio

It’s an ESPN twinbill for the Sports Media Weekly podcast. Nice to be able to speak to a Friend of the Podcast and a new guest on this edition.

As usual, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I go into the news of the week and it’s a brief segment. We talk about TBS’ coverage of the MLB Postseason and the return of NFL Network’s “A Football Life” and ESPN Films’ “30 for 30″ documentary series.

We then talk with ESPN’s Darren Rovell about his decision to leave CNBC and go to the Alleged Worldwide Leader. I asked him about his duties at ESPN and ABC News. Keith wondered about the fallout of the NHL lockout and the NFL referees lockout. In the wake of his appearance in last week’s 30 for 30 documentary, Broke, I asked Darren about the real value of the NFL Rookies Symposium which doesn’t seem to help players from becoming penniless when their careers are over. And I also asked Darren about Rule 40 which prevents Olympic athletes from using their sponsorships during the Games.

Then we aired an interview with Mike Golic, co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike. I talked with Golic at the live broadcast of their show at Gillette Stadium last Friday. I asked Mike about his longevity on the morning show. Also, being an ex-athlete, could he ever foresee the success of being a broadcaster following his playing days plus his thoughts on the explosion of ex-NFL’ers in broadcasting. And I ask Mike if he misses doing college football games.

Head on over to iTunes to download the podcast by searching for “Sports Media Journal” or you can go right here.

By the way, I forgot to post last week’s edition with guests Kevin Harlan of CBS/NBA on TNT/Dial Global Radio and Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report.

ESPN Announces Its NFL Programming For The Fall

Just as NFL Network announced its extensive programming for the NFL season, ESPN has done the same today. There are a bunch of NFL shows including a new series, Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL which has ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic reviewing the highlights of the week. NFL 32 returns with co-hosts Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. And Fantasy Football Now expands to two hours on ESPN2 on Sundays, hosted by Sara Walsh.

ESPN has hired three new studio analysts, Brian Dawkins, Matt Light and Jason Taylor joining an already burgeoning staff of NFL studio men. I believe ESPN and NFL Network are in a race to see who can staff a full league of talent.

And ESPN notes the changes to Monday Night Football including Ron Jaworski to the studio and some new production elements.

It’s all listed below in yet another extensive press release.

ESPN Inc. and the 2012 NFL Season

More than 30 hours of Weekly NFL Programming; 17 Monday Night Football Games in Prime Time

ESPN kicks off the 43^rd season of Monday Night Football on Sept. 10 with a doubleheader: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (7 p.m. ET), and San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders (10:15 p.m.) MNF’s new two-person booth of Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Jon Gruden (analyst) will call the opener with new sideline reporter Lisa Salters. Chris Berman and Trent Dilfer will call the second game with Rachel Nichols.

Prior to the first game, Suzy Kolber will anchor Monday Night Countdown, now a two-hour pre-game show, at the special time of 5 p.m. She’ll be joined in studio by NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson and NFL Insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen. Stuart Scott, Jason Taylor and Steve Young will also contribute to the show from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

In addition to MNF game action, ESPN’s impressive lineup of NFL studio shows includes: Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live, NFL Primetime, NFL32, NFL Matchup, Fantasy Football Now, Audibles, NFL Kickoff and Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL.

Experienced Analysts, Reporters:

• New Monday Night Football team: Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico and analyst Jon Gruden make up ESPN’s new booth team, while Lisa Salters debuts as MNF’s sideline reporter.
• Jaws In-Studio: NFL analyst Ron Jaworski, who was on MNF the past five seasons, moves to a new studio role on Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Matchup, and NFL-branded specials.
• New NFL Studio Analysts: Former NFL players Brian Dawkins, Matt Light, and Jason Taylor and six-time National Football League Executive of the Year Bill Polian have joined ESPN as NFL analysts. They will appear on a variety of studio shows throughout the season.

Original, Upgraded NFL Studio Shows, Specials:

• Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL (Tuesdays, 3-3:30 p.m., ESPN): In a new weekly NFL highlights show, hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic  of ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning examine the best NFL game highlights from the previous week. The show debuts Sept. 11.
• Fantasy Football Now (Sundays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., ESPN2): This fantasy show expands to two hours in 2012. Robert Flores hosts with analysts Matthew Berry and Tim Hasselbeck, injury analyst Stephania Bell and Sara Walsh.
• Monday Night Countdown (Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., ESPN): MNF’s pre-game show – now two hours – offers 30 more minutes of information and analysis in 2012. Host Chris Berman and ESPN’s cast of NFL analysts and Insiders prepare fans for the weekly MNF matchup.
• SportsCenter Special: Bill Parcells’ NFL Mid-Season Review (Wednesday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m., ESPN): ESPN NFL contributor and two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Parcells analyzes the first part of the NFL season.

Monday Night Football Production Advances:

• Spidercam: A next generation aerial camera, spidercam has a wide fly zone and provides better tracking and smoother coverage. It has also been used on US Open tennis.
• Hi-speed cameras: Two high-speed cameras (providing frame rates of 300-400 frames per second).
• Goal post cameras: The addition of a camera on each goal post will help MNF show game action on the goal line from the perspective of the defense.
• “Soundtracks”: A new weekly segment during MNF halftime will treat fans to the best in-game audio from all of that weekend’s NFL games. The sounds will be heard for the first time on ESPN and will be culled by NFL Films.
• Gruden Grinder: Gruden will nominate an unsung hero as his player of the game each week. A social media element will be incorporated, giving fans the opportunity to cast their votes using the hashtag #GrudenGrinder and the @ESPNMondayNight account.
• Rules Consultant: Former NFL official Gerry Austin, now the Supervisor of Officials for Conference USA, will work with Tirico and Gruden in the booth. As needed, he’ll provide an explanation of NFL rules throughout MNF telecasts.
• The Rolling Stones: In honor of The Rolling Stones’ 50^th Anniversary, ESPN will collaborate with the Universal Music Group to create “Legend to Legend” – a combination of MNF highlights and classic Rolling Stones tracks.

ESPN’s Weekly NFL Programming:

Date	Time (ET)	Show	Network
Sundays	3:30-4 a.m.	NFL Matchup	ESPN
	8:30-9 a.m.	NFL Matchup	ESPN2
	10 a.m.- 1 p.m.	Sunday NFL Countdown	ESPN
	11 a.m.-1 p.m.	Fantasy Football Now	ESPN2
		The Blitz on SportsCenter	ESPN
Mondays	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	3-4 p.m.	NFL Primetime	ESPN
	6-6:30 p.m.	NFL32	ESPN2
	6:30-8:30 p.m.	Monday Night Countdown	ESPN
	8:30 p.m.	Monday Night Football	ESPN
Tuesdays	3-3:30 p.m.	Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL	ESPN
	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	6-6:30 p.m.	NFL32	ESPN2
Wednesdays	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	6-7 p.m.	NFL32	ESPN2
Thursdays	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	6-7 p.m.	NFL32	ESPN2
	7-8 p.m.	Audibles	ESPN or ESPN2
Fridays	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	6-7 p.m.	NFL32	ESPN2
	7-8 p.m.	NFL Kickoff	ESPN2

Gruden’s QB Camp Re-airs

Five of the 10 quarterbacks who took part in Gruden’s QB Camp in 2012 have been named NFL starters as rookies. ESPN revisits the shows with re-airs of MNF analyst Jon Gruden’s one-on-one film sessions with Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins), Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts), Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), Brandon Weeden (Cleveland Browns) and Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks).

Date	Time (ET)	Show	Network
Fri, Sept. 7	1-3 a.m.	Gruden’s QB Camp: Luck, Griffin, Weeden, Tannehill	ESPNU
Sun, Sept. 9	8-10 a.m.	Gruden’s QB Camp: Wilson, Weeden, Luck, Griffin	ESPNews

ESPN Radio

NFL weekends on ESPN Radio will begin Fridays with Mike Tirico’s Monday Night Preview podcast, an addition to the network’s coverage that will take listeners behind the scenes of sports television’s longest-running series with the MNF crew and offer a look ahead to next week’s matchup. Also on Fridays, Tirico will be joined by Chris Mortensen and Keyshawn Johnson to preview the weekend’s NFL action in Mike Tirico’s Weekend Blitz, which airs at 8 p.m. ET (re-airs at 11 p.m.). On Sundays, Countdown to Kickoff (10 a.m.) provides whip-around coverage of the day’s slate in the NFL. Host Adnan Virk takes fans to the game sites for late-breaking injury, weather and fantasy information. Later on Sunday, The NFL on ESPN Radio (1 p.m.) offers day-long reports from every stadium with hosts Mike Hill and Freddie Coleman and analysts Eric Allen, Antonio Pierce and Tim Hasselbeck.

NFL Guests on Mike and Mike in the Morning

The following NFL guests are scheduled to make these weekly ESPN Radio appearances this season:

• Mondays: Ron Jaworski (7:15 a.m.), Cris Carter (7:30 a.m.) and Mike Ditka (8:15 a.m.);
• Tuesdays: Cris Carter (7:30-8:30 a.m.) and John Clayton (9:15 a.m.);
• Wednesdays: Jon Gruden (7:15 a.m.) and Adam Schefter (7:45 a.m.);
• Thursdays: Brian Billick (7:30 a.m.) and Chris Mortensen (9:15 a.m.);
• Fridays: Ron Jaworski (8:15 a.m.) and Mel Kiper, Jr. (8:45 a.m.);
• And Mark Schlereth – in studio Thursday or Friday.

ESPN Deportes

ESPN Deportes, the U.S. Spanish-language network, will present live coverage of 17 regular season Monday Night Football games. Super Bowl champion (SB XXI and XXV) Raul Allegre returns to serve as analyst during the games, along with play-by-play voice Alvaro Martin. ESPN Deportes’ coverage will feature a Monday night pregame show, NFL Esta Noche, with hosts Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega, Georgina Ruiz Salvador and John Sutcliffe as onsite commentator and reporter. In addition, ESPN Deportes’ weekly show NFL Semanal returns every Sunday morning with commentators Martin, Ciro Procuna, Allegre and Sutcliffe providing analysis and highlights. ESPN and the NFL will also present a special Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration surrounding the Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks MNF game on Sept. 24.

ESPN International

This season ESPN will bring the NFL into over 73 million homes in 161 countries/territories in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Israel, Europe, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands. ESPN will showcase more NFL programming than ever before, highlighted again this year by:

• ESPN’s Monday Night Football in all territories;
• Digital highlight rights and live MNF streaming in select markets;
• Live coverage of the other regular season games, playoffs, and Super Bowl throughout Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Israel, Continental Europe, Canada and Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands;
• The entire AFC/NFC Playoffs, Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl in Brazil and Australia/New Zealand;
• Spanish language programming including NFL Semanal, NFL Esta Noche, and NFL Primetime;
• Portuguese language programming including Semana NFL in Brazil;
• ESPN NFL programming such as Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Primetime and NFL Live and NFL Films original programming, including Super Bowl Highlights, Yearbooks, Greatest Games, NFL Films Presents and more;
• ESPN remains the exclusive syndication agent to cruise ships worldwide for all pre-season, regular season, playoffs, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Red Zone Channel, and NFL GameDay.

ESPN Fantasy

• ESPN Fantasy Focus Football podcast:  Hosted by Matthew Berry and Nate Ravitz and featuring guests and interviews, this podcast will provide player previews, game overviews and strategies. Last year, Fantasy Focus was named in the PodcastAwards.com awards for “Best Sports Podcast” for the second time in the past three years. Fantasy Focus Football is posted five days per week during the season.
• ESPN Football Today podcast: Hosts Ross Tucker and Matt Williamson discuss all things football with in-depth pre- and post-game analysis. Football Today is posted daily throughout the season.
• ESPN Primetime Payoff: New to Fantasy for the upcoming NFL season, ESPN Primetime Payoff on ESPN.com and accessible on mobile and tablet devices is the debut pick ‘em game based on the events of Monday Night Football.  Every Wednesday during the season, 12 game-related questions will be released for participants to answer for the following week.  During halftime, four additional bonus questions – worth two points each – will be released that are directly relevant to what has happened in the game.  Participants gather points throughout the season based on correct picks, which will transfer as entries to the overall grand prize random drawing of $1 million.  Additionally, the overall highest scoring player in the game will receive a check for $50,000.  The game will include social media integrations like message boards and the ability to submit halftime questions via Twitter hashtag #primetimepayoff.

ESPN.com

In addition to prominently featuring Monday Night Football coverage on Page 1 and the NFL page, ESPN.com dedicates a page, “Monday Night HQ,” for coverage. MN HQ Presented by Toyota will include in-depth previews of every game, as well as the complete MNF schedule, access to the popular MNF on Facebook page (more than 1.1 million likes), blog posts, statistics and more. Every NFL game will be staffed by an ESPN.com blogger or national NFL columnist, who will provide in-depth post-game analysis. Game coverage includes “Cover It Live,” which allows users to interact with ESPN.com bloggers and analysts in real time. In addition, ESPN.com will offer quarter-by-quarter video highlights and post-game video analysis.

ESPN Mobile

• ESPN Fantasy FootballApp – The free app for iPhone, Android and – for the first time – on iPad and Windows Phone exclusively on Nokia Lumia smartphones features team management, FantasyCast live scoring, news, videos and Tweets from ESPN Fantasy experts, league message boards and more.
• Mobile Team Management – Users with access to the ESPN mobile Web site will be able to set rosters, trade and waive players, and check scoring – all from their mobile devices.
• Mobile Scores and Alerts – Users can access their matchup, league scoreboard, and latest news on their mobile devices. ESPN Insiders can opt to receive personalized team alerts with breaking news, scoring, injury and substitution updates.
• Mobile TV – Fantasy football-related video content from ESPN studio shows.

ESPN The Magazine

ESPN The Magazine’s NFL Preview, currently on newsstands, tackles a variety of issues surrounding the NFL, taking the subject of concussions head on with features such as Concussion Confidential, where 320 preps leveled with The Mag. This is part of an overall NFL Confidential, also featured in the NFL Preview, which polls 48 NFL players for tough answers on sensitive subjects. For more on NFL Confidential: http://bit.ly/MagNFLPreview.

NFL Preview features highlight the Lions’ Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning and the Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings’ rookie Matt Kalil.

espnW.com

Beginning this season, espnW.com will launch two new series around the NFL: Street Clothes and 53^rd Man. Street Clothes will give readers a behind-the-scenes look at players’ lives off the field and insight into their home lives, families and hobbies. 53^rd Man will feature the stories of the final player to make their teams’ roster. Additionally, espnW.com reporter Jane McManus will provide a column featuring the news of the week.

*All times ET unless otherwise noted.

That’s it for this post.

Even More Overdue Sports Media Thoughts

My apologies for the lack of updates on Wednesday. I was away from a computer for most of the day and unable to update the site as much as I would have liked. I hope Thursday won’t be as crazy as I have a few things to post for you.

I do have some sports media thoughts for you. As usual, they’re in bullet form.

• With Wednesday’s news that ESPN expanded and extended its rights deal with the Atlantic Coast Conference, it means that the Alleged Worlwide Leader has a virtual lock on most of the so-called “FBS” or Football Bowl Subdivision conferences. If ESPN signs the Big East later this year, it will have made a clean sweep in the category. While ESPN does a good job in airing college sports, the fact that it controls so much inventory is disturbing.

  Yes, CBS has a piece of the SEC, Conference USA and most of the Mountain West. Fox has the Big 12, Conference USA, Pac-12 and part of the Big Ten through its partnership with the Big Ten Network. NBC has Notre Dame, the CAA, Ivy League and Mountain West.

  But if you’re a college conference, you need to do business with ESPN. It’s all about exposure and money and not particularly in that order. While ESPN doesn’t have a monopoly in college sports, it certainly has a majority.

  And while it can be argued that no one put a gun to the conference presidents and commissioners, the fact that ESPN has so much influence through its long-term contracts has to be scrutinized. ESPN has a lot of control in college sports and it’s to the point where it can influence matchups and tell conferences when and where to play. While TV has always had a hand in scheduling, ESPN’s control has gone beyond that.

• Why was #greenythedance such a big deal and why did ESPN show highlights of this overblown bet from Mike and Mike in the Morning all over the place? Didn’t care and did want to help the network promote it. A big non-story.
• Haven’t been too impressed with Jenny Dell on NESN. The new Red Sox field reporter is trying to fill the shoes of Heidi Watney. In her live spots, Jenny has not really stood out. It’s early and she still has time to improve.

We’re done.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Tuesday

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Radio will be back at it at Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis from its indoor studio. We have the details of its programming for tomorrow. Check it out.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLV Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis – Tuesday, Jan. 31

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 31, from Indianapolis beginning with ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN2) at 6 a.m. ET. The day’s programming includes live reports from Super Bowl XLVI Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium on SportsCenter (10 – 11 a.m. and 12 – 1 p.m.) with host Trey Wingo and analyst Mark Schlereth, as well as team-specific updates from reporters Ed Werder (Patriots) and Rachel Nichols (Giants) throughout the day.

All ESPN TV and radio shows are originating live from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis, throughout the week and fans are encouraged to attend. Tuesday’s schedule highlights (all times ET):

6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: ESPN analyst Herm Edwards (6:30 a.m.), Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (8 a.m. via phone), ESPN NFL insider John Clayton (8:15 a.m.), ESPN NFL senior analyst Chris Mortensen (9 a.m.), and Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski (9:15 a.m.)

10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Gary Bracket (12:15 a.m.)

1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guest: Brackett (1:30 p.m.), ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer (2:30 p.m.), Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Brian Billick (2:45 p.m.)

3 p.m. SportsCenter Special (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: John Clayton, Chris Mortensen, and Adam Schefter

4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo.  Analysts: Tom Jackson and Mark Schlereth

5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts – the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).

5 p.m. SportsCenter (live on ESPNEWS) … to air at 6 p.m. on ESPN
Host: Greenberg. Analysts: Cris Carter and Ron Jaworski

6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. Analysts: Carter and Dilfer

8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

9 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN)… to air at 11 p.m.
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Tedy Bruschi

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

That’s it.

ESPN2 Announces New Afternoon Talk Lineup

With “Jim Rome is Burning” leaving the ESPN2 lineup on January 27, the network has announced a revamped lineup with shows sliding over a half-hour to fill the hole left by Rome’s departure for CBS Sports.

Shows like “Numbers Never Lie” hosted by Charissa Thompson and “Dan LeBatard is Extremely Crazy Highly Questionable” move from their original timeslots to 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET respectively.

The “Best of Mike and Mike” expands from its original half-hour to an hour at 2 p.m. ET and the renamed “Best of First Take” (neé 1st and 10) will air at 3:30 p.m.

You got all that? It’s all listed below in the following press release.

ESPN2’s Best of Mike & Mike Expands to One Hour

Numbers Never Lie & Dan Le Batard Change Times

The Best of Mike & Mike, a daily compilation of highlights from the television simulcast of ESPN Audio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, will expand to a full hour on ESPN2 beginning Monday, Jan. 30. Previously a 30-minute show, Best of will now air 2-3 p.m. ET and will kick off a newly configured block of weekday afternoon programming.

Existing ESPN2 weekday shows will see their times shift with Best of First Take (rebranded from 1^st and 10) airing at 3:30 p.m.; Numbers Never Lie (4 p.m.) and Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable (4:30 p.m.). SportsNation remains in its 5 p.m. slot. NOTE: For the week of January 30, due to SportsCenter’s Super Bowl coverage on ESPN, Outside the Lines will air at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.  The week of February 6 will see Best of First Take in the 3-4 p.m. block before the February 13 return of the half-hour NASCAR Now at 3 p.m.

ESPN Audio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. M-F) is seen or heard by more than 13 million people each week. Mike & Mike airs on 350 stations nationwide, and is aired on both Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. All four hours of the show are simulcast on ESPN2, reaching more than 99 million homes (the TV show saw a 17% rating increase in 2011). Mike & Mike can be heard live on ESPNRadio.com and The Best of Mike & Mike podcast, which averages 1.8 million downloads per month, is available on iTunes.

Numbers Never Lie is a roundtable discussion offering lively debate with an emphasis on sports analytics co-hosted by Michael Smith and Charissa Thompson. Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable is formatted to showcase Le Batard’s “questionable” approach to sports commentary, highlighting his thoughtful, humorous, and sometimes thoroughly misguided perspective on the world of professional sports with his dad. Each debuted September 12, 2011.

The changes were precipitated by the end of Jim Rome is Burning, which will have its final episode air on Friday, Jan. 27.

New ESPN2 Lineup, begins Jan. 30, 2012 (Times ET)

2-3 p.m. — Best of Mike and Mike (expands by 30 minutes)

3-3:30 p.m. – Nascar Now (returns Monday, Feb. 13)

3:30-4 p.m. – Best of First Take

4-4:30 p.m. – Numbers Never Lie

4:30-5 p.m. – Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable

And that’s all.

ESPN’s Reischea Canidate Can Sing and Sing Well

If you watch Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN2, you’ll know that Reischea Canidate gets up early to do the SportsCenter updates. And she does them quite well. You may not have known that Reischea is a very good singer. In one of their bits, Mike & Mike had Reischea sing and this is very good. Of course, Mike & Mike had to talk to Reischea about her talent on the show.

Color me impressed.

Some Monday Night Linkage Which Goes Into Tuesday Linkage

I was trying to post links last night and was making really good progress when, you guessed it, I fell asleep with the computer on again. That’s not good. So I’ll combine the full set of links that I found last night with this edition so you have a pretty good set of stories to sift through. That’s good for you. So let’s give you a lot of links today.

Joe Posnanski has a very thoughtful post on Tara Sullivan’s ordeal at The Masters, plus the really sexist and ignorant comments left at her story at NorthJersey.com.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid notes that former Boston Globe columnist Jackie MacMullen weighed in on the Tara Sullivan controversy during ESPN’s Around the Horn.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today reports that Charlie Rymer of Westwood One was kicked out of Augusta National Golf Club while he was covering The Masters for violating a rule on cell phone usage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the NFL Network will have extensive coverage of the NFL Draft later this month.

To John Ourand at Sports Business Journal who writes that the NHL has three strong bids for the US TV rights including a surprising one from Turner Sports.

At MediaPost, David Goetzl writes that ESPN was wise to take a wait-and-see attitude on iPad advertising for its app.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life says The Masters pulled decent ratings despite having a no-name winner.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk says Fox NFL Sunday co-host Terry Bradshaw says he is feeling the effects of the six concussions and numerous blows to the head from his playing days in the 1970′s.

Mike goes over the Jenn Sterger interview on Good Morning America and she doesn’t come off too well.

Mike talks about how a potential owner of a Los Angeles NFL team is predicting a huge TV rights windfall for the league in the next network negotiation.

To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and Greg Wyshynski who writes that NBC/Versus have some heavy competition for the NHL TV contract.

Sports TV Jobs interviews YES Network host Nancy Newman about her experiences moving from Canada’s TSN to CNN Sports to YES.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if golf’s popularity has truly returned with Tiger Woods out of contention of many tournaments.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald says Tom Brady cries over the memory of his sixth round pick by the New England Patriots in a new ESPN/NFL Films documentary.

Newsday’s Neil Best says YES will produce postgame shows for all Yankees games no matter which network airs them.

Neil writes that the NBA’s TV partners are happy to see the Knicks in the playoffs.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times notes that The Masters saw some ratings slippage.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union says MSG Network has set its studio and game announcers for Knicks playoff games.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette talks about The Masters’ TV ratings.

Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Root Sports will have the entire Penguins-Lightning series.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has chosen its top story in the last ten years of local sports reporting.

Dan with the help of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic recaps the last Capitals-Rangers playoff series in 2009.

Dan says one local DC radio personality is mocking the Washington Nationals’ radio deal.

Rusty Ray from the Pee Dee (SC) Morning News says a big crowd turned out for a live appearance by ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.

David Barron and Joseph Duarte from the Houston Chronicle report that the Texas Bowl has a new sponsor.

Blair Kerkhoff from the Kansas City Star talks about a few college sports issues including the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner and the new Big 12 TV contract.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says a local sports anchor doesn’t understand the distinction of an event airing on a local CBS affiliate while not being a network program.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News says once the Pac 12 TV contract is done, Commissioner Larry Scott will look to sign deals overseas, especially in Asia.

At Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Matt Maiocco says new 49ers radio analyst Eric Davis will have big shoes to fill.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says TSN Radio is debuting with guns locked and loaded.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail also talks about TSN Radio’s debut.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that TSN received good ratings for curling.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR in primetime on Fox scored well.

To Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NBC ended the NHL regular season on an upnote.

Steve also has the local rightsholders which will carry first round NHL Playoff games.

Joe Favorito says cricket is gaining in popularity not just worldwide, but also in the US.

Plenty of links today. Lots of good stuff. I hope you have time to look over all of the links.

Your Tuesday Links, Live & Local

I have news slogans in my head today, so I’m using “Live & Local” in the title. Let’s do your linkage. Lots to get to.

John Ourand at Sports Business Daily notes that CBS received a decent 13.3 overnight rating for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, but it was down from last year.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at some of the ratings from last weekend’s action.

Brian Lowry of Fox says the CBS/Turner crew had to call last night’s NCAA Championship for what it was.

Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter says the NCAA Championship helped steer CBS to a primetime demographic ratings win on Monday.

Toni Fitzgerald says the ratings for the NCAA Championship fell significantly from last year.

Toni says the game did take a bite out of Dancing with the Stars.

Marie Hardin at Nieman Reports says the number of stories on women’s sports has fallen dramatically in recent years.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN’s Dick Vitale in tears on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike this morning.

Glenn says an Indiana newspaper correctly captured the Butler mood last night.

Carolyn Branff at the Sports Video Group notes that CBS is preparing for a huge production at The Masters^®.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says on Friday, a beer vendor at Seattle’s Safeco Field plans to the first to take an order via Twitter.

Darren says the Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade will get his first Jordan signature shoe.

Gary Van Sickle of Golf.com notes that ESPN’s Paul Azinger will be on the 3-D telecast of The Masters^®.

Jessica Kastner Plaskett of the Southington (CT) Patch notes that an ESPN original will be honored in town tomorrow.

Newsday’s Neil Best says last night’s NCAA Championship Game TV ratings were down from the year before.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir notes that the NCAA Tournament’s ratings overall are up from last year.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the complete television and internet schedule for The Masters^®.

Andy Loigu of the Warren (NJ) Reporter says ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser held court at a local event last Friday.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner discusses the ratings for the NCAA Championship as well as the Orioles home opener.

Jim talks with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Chick Hernandez about celebrating 10 years of local sports newsgathering at the regional sports network.

Hal Boedecker of the Orlando Sentinel says the NCAA Final Four^® helped CBS win last week’s primetime ratings in a close battle with ABC and Fox.

The Orlando Business Journal notes that Golf Channel is renovating its headquarters.

Fox Sports Southwest says the Texas Rangers season opening series against the Red Sox produced record ratings.

Sean Morrison at the Indianapolis Business Journal says attendance at the Women’s Final Four^® still has a lot of catching up to do with the men’s.

Drew White at the Michigan City (IN) News Dispatch loves “One Shining Moment”.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says “The Mayor” Sean Casey makes his Reds TV analyst debut on Fox Sports Ohio tonight.

The Dayton Daily News notes the CBS/Turner partnership for the NCAA Tournament has definitely paid dividends.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Brewers voice Bob Uecker would like to start the season in warm weather or domes.

Bob says while attendance for Brewers games remains high after an 0-4 start, it’s not so with Chicago for the Cubs.

Jeff Kolpack of the Dickinson (ND) Press writes that North Dakota State University wants to get on statewide and regional TV more often.

Bill Folsom of KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs, CO reports that the NBC Sports Group has signed on to air a local cycling race that will tour the Rocky Mountain State.

The San Francisco Chronicle says former 49er Eric Davis will become the team’s radio analyst.

Brian Packey of Awful Announcing has the video of CBS’ Jim Nantz laying down some awful puns at end of last night’s NCAA Championship Game.

Matt Yoder at AA says ESPN still has some explaining to do over the Jalen Rose suspension.

Kurt Allen of Midwest Sports Fans reviews the TV and radio coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

John Daly at the Daly Planet reviews the daily NASCAR studio shows.

Sports Media Watch despite the NCAA Championship being an ugly game to watch, it still drew decent numbers.

Thanks to Joe Favorito for listing Fang’s Bites as one of the Eight Sites Worth A Look.

And we are going to end it there for the day.

Our Thursday Linkage

Let’s do the Thursday links. Been up since 4 a.m. and I’m already dragging, but you don’t care. You want links so let’s provide them.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy has ESPN’s Mel Kiper really down on NFL quarterback prospect Cam Newton.

Mike says ESPN and Sunday NFL Countdown analyst Cris Carter are negotiating a new contract.

Louisa Ada Seltzer at Media Life Magazine says college basketball is the main attraction on TV this week.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser notes that Apple TV picks up two sports out of market packages.

Jesse Lawrence at the Business Insider’s Sports Page says Madison Square Garden and New York are back as the Mecca of Basketball.

Multichannel News says Big Ten Network is running a sweepstakes tied to the Big Ten Tournament.

Dan Fogarty from SportsGrid has audio of WFAN’s Mike Francesa going ballistic after the Rutgers-St. John’s game which had an absolutely bizarre ending.

Brad Cohen of SportsGrid says a Philadelphia sports radio host unwittingly threw on “F” bomb on live TV.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the once harmonious NFL labor talks have now gotten stuck over financials.

Darren writes that a Miami bar owner is losing money over the Heat’s current six game losing streak.

Darren explains why Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel should have been fined more for covering up NCAA violations.

Newsday’s Neil Best raves about ESPN Films’ new documentary on Michigan’s Fab Five.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has CBS’ Gus Johnson and Clark Kellogg talking about Penn State’s chances to get into the NCAA Tournament.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia’s 76ers sideline reporter Meredith Marakovits about her first season on the job.

Keith Gabriel of the Philadelphia Daily News says the MLS’ Union is talking with Comcast SportsNet Philly to put most of its games on the regional sports network.

John Smallwood of the Daily News wonders if Charles Barkley will make CBS and Turner regret using him on the NCAA Tournament.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Turner’s Marv Albert who gets to call the NCAA Tournament again after a nearly 30 year absence, although Marv did call college basketball with NBC throughout the 1980′s.

The Pee Dee (SC) Morning News says ESPN wants people to attend a live appearance of Mike & Mike in the Morning when it comes to Myrtle Beach next month.

Gary Smits of the Florida Times-Union says a relaxation of PGA Tour rules on groupings has allowed for a marquee trio to appear on Golf Channel today and tomorrow.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says the local sports radio talk show host who was arrested on DUI charges last week has now been suspended by his station.

Ed says the Big Ten Network has finally unveiled who’s the top Conference icon of all-time.

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times says the local host has been suspended for the rest of the week.

Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says CBS-owned WCCO-AM has lost the rights to University of Minnesota sports after a 7 decade relationship.

The Canadian Press says CBC has a new executive director for its sports properties.

And the Canadian Press says a former head of CBC Sports now has a position with the Commonwealth Games.

The Canadian Sports Media blog goes over the controversial comments made by a Toronto sports radio host in regards to International Women’s Day.

The Toronto Sports Media blog looks at more lineup changes at one local sports radio station.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing looks at the migration of sports from free TV to cable.

New York Sports Journalism feels online viewing of March Madness will surge this year.

Emmett Jones at Sports Business Digest says Domino’s Pizza has signed an endorsement deal with the NCAA.

Sports Media Watch has some various NBA ratings notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Versus had another good ratings month for the NHL.

Joe Favorito says there’s plenty of sponsor value to be had in March Madness.

And we are ending it there.

Tiger Woods To Appear On ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike

It’s almost a year since Tiger Woods became quite notorious for the incident at his house that eventually led to the discovery of 1,000 mistresses, a divorce, his joining Twitter as of today and tomorrow, he’ll go on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike program for an extensive interview. It will be on not just radio, but also simulcast at ESPN2. We have the release.

Tiger Woods on ESPN Radio Thursday 

Guests on Mike & Mike in the Morning at 7:30 a.m. ET

Tiger Woods will be a guest on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F) Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 a.m.  

This interview will present Woods live with co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg for two segments on Thursday’s show, until 7:55 a.m.

The interview can be heard live on ESPN Radio and ESPN.com, as well as seen live on ESPN2’s Mike & Mike in the Morning simulcast.

News bites from the interview will be played on ESPN’s SportsCenter and ESPN Radio’s SportsCenter updates throughout the day, and be available via an ESPN Radio.com Podcast. The interview will also be aired during Thursday’s Best of Mike & Mike on ESPN2 weekday’s at 2 p.m.

It’s very strange how Tiger has been very guarded of interviews and all of a sudden, he’s becoming a social media and public person. I don’t get it.

Finally Getting To Your Tuesday Linkage

It’s been crazy at work dealing with clients and crazy architects. Now let me see if I can squeeze in some linkage for you.

We’re dealing with the aftermath of ESPN letting go its Sunday Night Baseball team of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. No matter what you think of Joe Morgan and most of the sentiments over ESPN not renewing his contract have been positive. I have not been a Morgan fan since he started on ESPN in 1990 and was wondering how he managed to stay with the network for so long. But that was taken care of last night. As far as Jon Miller is concerned, there are conflicting reports whether he wanted to stay or cut out Sunday Night Baseball after his contract was done. Jon is one of the best play-by-play men, but I felt he was held back by Morgan. Whether he remains at ESPN to call Sunday Night Baseball on radio or decides to call San Francisco Giants games only, Jon will be fine. He’s a Hall of Famer and deservedly so.

Let’s start with the links about Miller and Morgan and then the other sports media stories of the day.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today has a story regarding their departure.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse is not pleased over ESPN’s decision to let both Miller and Morgan go.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid says the Joe Morgan Era at ESPN had to end sometime.

Craig Calcaterra at NBC’s Hardball Talk feels the negative reaction to Morgan’s analysis was overblown. Could not disagree more.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes about the Miller-Morgan Era coming to an end.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times who broke the original story notes that ESPN decided to make a change after two decades.

Debbie Goffa of the Los Angeles Times wonders if ESPN multi-faceted voice Dan Shulman is next in line to replace Miller at the mic.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Miller may have wanted to cut Sunday Night Baseball from his schedule after this season.

Maury Brown at the Biz of Baseball warns all of us that we may not have seen the last of Joe Morgan. Don’t do this to us, Maury.

I have an article at Dan Levy’s Press Coverage regarding the departure of Morgan from ESPN.

Now to the other sports media stories of the day.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reviews ESPN’s 30 for 30 doc on former Oklahoma running back Marcus Dupree which airs tonight.

Back to USA Today’s Mike McCarthy, he looks at some of the TV ratings over the weekend.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says hip-hop artist Nelly will perform his new single during the HBO’s pay per view coverage of the Manny Pacquaio-Antonio Margarito fight this Saturday.

Sports Business Daily says Chevrolet emerged as the brand with the most exposure during Fox’s World Series coverage.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones can not only hurt his product on the field, he can also hurt its merchandising products off the field.

In Marie Claire, ESPN public relations guru Keri Potts tells her experience of escaping an attacker while vacationing in Italy, but eventually bringing him to justice.

Back to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times who looks at Discover Card’s new deal with the NHL.

Richard also explores the Yankees trying to set a price on Derek Jeter’s legacy as he approaches the twilight of his career.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman is not a fan of CBS’ Steve Tasker.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union has the college football TV schedule for Week 11.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that John Wall’s Dougie Dance is making its way across the country.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner notes the good ratings for Sunday Night Football despite a 38 point blowout win by the Packers.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun Sentinel says the Miami Heat is offering a four ticket package deal through Facebook and Twitter.

Walt Belcher of the Tampa Tribune recaps Erin Andrews’ interview with a local TV station on her expanded role at ESPN and her effort to get tougher stalking laws on the books.

Rick Cleveland of the Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger catches up with Marcus Dupree who’s the subjct of tonight’s ESPN 30 for 30 documentary.

Barry Horn at the Dallas Morning News writes the Cowboys set a local overnight ratings low.

Jerry Garcia of the San Antonio Express-News looks at what the national NFL analysts are saying about the Cowboys.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says this Saturday’s Bearcats football game will air on the local CBS affiliate’s digital subchannel.

John also has the behind-the-scenes from ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike appearance in the Queen City for Monday Night Football.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is amazed at the big ratings for Sunday Night Football featuring the Packers.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business has former Bears coach Mike Ditka calling NFL helmets a weapon.

Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald looks at the reasons why Texas would sign with ESPN to form its own sports television network. 

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News shares his thoughts on the NFL Network’s Top 100: NFL Greatest Players series.

Kevin McGran at the Toronto Star says the NHL is in a position to cash in from the US TV networks.

From the Thoroughbred Times, Frank Angst notes that ESPN received its highest ratings for the Breeders’ Cup since obtaining the rights from NBC.

Nikki Finke and Nellie Andreeva at Deadline has the new NBC/Comcast corporate structure that takes effect next week and it includes NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol.

Sports Media Watch says CBS received its highest overnight NFL ratings in three years on Sunday.

SMW notes that Fox received decent ratings for its NFL singleheader coverage.

SMW says interest in Zenyatta helped to steer ESPN to a big ratings jump for the Breeders’ Cup over last year.

And that will conclude the linkage for today.

Doing A Late Night Friday Megalink Thing

Time to do the megalinkage on this Friday. Lots of things going on today into this evening and let’s get cracking. Of course, we have the Weekend Viewing Picks.

Now let’s do the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael McCarthy wants to know who’s your favorite NFL announcer.

Mike says this year’s World Series ratings are down 26% from last year’s.

David Biderman of the Wall Street Journal says there’s too much laughter on the Sunday NFL pregame shows.

Mike Farrell of Multichannel News looks at Dish and Fox coming to a new carriage agreement which restores several of its cable networks and prevents the broadcast network from being pulled.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says the FCC Chairman is pleased over the Dish/Fox agreement.

In Multichannel News, John says Cablevision is accusing Fox of conducting intimidation tactics.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell speaks to a sports executive who feels the Tampa Bay Rays should give away their all of their tickets next season.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred shares memories that shaped him as a sportswriter.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser says Game 2 of the World Series steered Fox to another primetime ratings win.

The Big Lead notes that not everyone at ESPN was thrilled with Hannah Storm’s ensemble on Tuesday.

Deadspin says The Daily Line’s cancellation really had nothing to do with the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger story.

Jon Weisman of Variety says a long time CBS Sports Communications and PR person is leaving the network.

Sports Media Watch has an interview with HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg.

SMW says this year’s World Series is barely above 2008′s record low ratings pace.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media notes that Versus will continue to carry UFC events.

Joe Favorito compares and contrasts the marketing approaches of the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn talks with NESN’s Heidi Watney.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says ESPN will make a decision on the fates of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan after the World Series.

Richard wonders if the World Series can continue a head-to-head winning streak against the NFL this Sunday.

Stuart Elliot from the Times notes that Fox has sold out its inventory of Super Bowl XLV ads three months early.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath who’s embracing new and social media.

And Neil gives us some of his week in blogging and tweeting.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman says the viewers are the losers in the Cablevision/Fox battle.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says Jets fans are the next victims in the Cablevision/Fox dispute.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the World Series is now dependent on market size than actual matchups. I totally disagree with this.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says the DC NFL Team’s flagship radio station will add a delay so fans can sync up the TV broadcasts.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says a CBS College Sports sideline reporter also pulls duty for CBS News.

South

Anne Blythe of the Raleigh News & Observer says several North Carolina news organizations are suing the University of North Carolina in regards to the NCAA’s investigation into the school’s football program.

The Dallas Morning News notes that ESPN Radio Hack Colon Cowherd blasted the Metroplex as a baseball area.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle previews the Monday Night Football matchup involving the Texans with ESPN’s Ron Jaworski.

The Daily Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht talks with ex-Oregon coach Mike Bellotti who will be with ESPN2 calling the Colorado-Oklahoma game.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike will be in town next month.

Mike Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press likes the early start time for Game 3 of the World Series.

At the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley says MLB Walking, Talking Conflict of Interest Bud Selig isn’t worried about the World Series ratings.

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

Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune says a huge crisis was averted when Dish Network and Fox came to a deal on Friday.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Halloween is perfect for a primetime NFL game.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Dan Caesar wonders if the World Series can beat the NFL head-to-head on Sunday.

Dan says Dish subscribers will be able to watch the St. Louis Blues and Missouri sports once again.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times says Saturday’s Armed Forces college football tripleheader on CBS College Sports could go a long way in deciding bowl games in December and January.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes that local Time Warner Cable customers can now watch ESPN online.

Jim notes that the World Series gets some direct NFL competition this Sunday.

Meg James at the Los Angeles Times looks at the Dish/Fox resolution.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with director John Singleton about his new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on disgraced track star Marion Jones.

Tom has his extensive media news and notes in his blog.

Tom says with tickets unsold for Saturday’s Oregon-USC game and Sunday’s Chargers contest, can the NFL really consider re-entering the L.A. market.

And that’s going to do it for tonight. 

It’s A Tuesday Linkage Thing

Shuffling between offices again today and I could be called back to the home office so I’m trying to squeeze linkage in right now.

Last night, I appealed for sports media questions and comments and I still would more queries before doing a mailbag post. As I said in the original post, if you have a question about the sports media or have a comment about sports broadcasting or even a constructive criticism of the blog, I’ll be happy to take them. Send the questions to kzfone@gmail.com, put your first name and last initial plus your town. I hope to make this a semi-regular occurrence if this is successful.

Let’s do the linkage now.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports says sometimes the DVR is the perfect way to watch a sporting event. 

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand analyzes the ratings from some of the events from the weekend.

Joe Posnanski provides his two cents on the Mitch Albom controversy.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that in just a short five months, the relationship between Dallas Cowboys rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant and Under Armour is in shambles.

Darren reports that a ticket company took a major gamble on the World Cup in South Africa and was left holding a lot of unsold inventory in the bag.

Here’s a video of Darren’s story.

Mike Farrell of Multichannel News talks with new DirecTV head honcho Michael White about the future of the company.

Farrell asks White about bringing in more regional sports networks to offer subscribers.

Laura Bassett of the Huffington Post writes about Erin Andrews’ appearance on Capitol Hill today pushing for tougher anti-stalking laws. 

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe looks into the falling TV and radio ratings of the Red Sox. 

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union is happy that he won’t have to hear ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike call the 2nd Monday Night Football game on September 13.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that a former local high school basketball standout is now dabbling in local cable TV work.

Leonard Shapiro from the Washington Post says ESPN’s Pam Ward would like to call NFL games. Learn how to call college football games first and then we’ll talk.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times notes that the Tampa Bay Rays are in the top 10 of all MLB teams in regards to local TV ratings.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun Sentinel says Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has signed with Jockey to endorse men’s underwear.

Tom Jicha of the Sun Sentinel says the Miami CBS affiliate will have plenty of shows devoted to the Dolphins this season. 

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel prefers the access the ACC provides reporters as compared to the SEC.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Texas Rangers continue to do well in the ratings.

Barry notes that ESPN’s E:60 will profile a local college football player who’s battling more than a game right now.

Mark Norris of the Morning News has an obituary for ESPN Dallas bureau producer Leah Siegel who died of breast cancer Monday.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says strong corporate sales for the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah could be a sign of a recovery economy.

Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times says Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambarano didn’t do himself any favors by staging an apology to his teammates on ESPN instead of meeting with them personally. 

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune writes that Zambarano should have thought twice about going on ESPN before apologizing to his teammates about an outburst.

Terry Vandrovec in the Sioux Falls (SD) Argus Leader catches up with CBS golf analyst David Feherty.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times says HBO Sports is not confident that a Manny Pacquaio-Floyd Mayweather fight will happen this year.

Pugmire has the Mayweather camp angry over HBO’s statements to the Times.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says life is not imitating art with Entourage’s storyline about putting an NFL team in the City of Angels.

Sports Media Watch says national MLB TV ratings are even with last year.

SMW has some ratings news and notes.

SMW says the Brickyard 400 had its lowest ratings ever on ESPN.

Phillip Swann at TV Predictions says DirecTV could be adding Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus in HD very soon.

That will do it for us today.

It’s Official! The Mike & Mike Experience on Monday Night Football Is Over

ESPN has made the official announcement that Brad Nessler and up and coming analyst Trent Dilfer will be the announcing team for the 2nd Monday Night Football game for the Opening Weekend doubleheader on September 13. It’s a good move as Nessler has called the NFL in the past for CBS. Dilfer impressed me during the ESPN Media Workshop last year when he talked with a group of reporters and bloggers. And he deserves the assignment. After a couple of seasons with Mike Greenburg and Mike Golic calling the games with a guest analyst (Mike Ditka and Steve Young), the experimenting with novice announcers is finally over.

I like this pairing for the San Diego-Kansas City game which will air at 10:15 p.m. East.

Brad Nessler and Trent Dilfer to Call Chargers-Chiefs on Monday Night Football

Season-Opener at Newly Renovated Arrowhead Stadium Part of MNF Doubleheader Sept. 13 at 10:15 p.m. ET

Brad Nessler and NFL studio analyst Trent Dilfer will call the San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, the second game of ESPN’s season-opening Monday Night Football doubleheader September 13 at 10:15 p.m. ET (9:15 p.m. CT). The AFC West matchup will be the first regular season game at the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium, one of the NFL’s iconic venues, and the first MNF game in Kansas City since Nov. 22, 2004.

MNF reporter Suzy Kolber will also be in Kansas City on game day to provide updates on the teams throughout the day. The Chargers-Chiefs will follow the Baltimore Ravens-New York Jets telecast (7 p.m.) when the MNF commentator team of Mike Tirico and analysts Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski makes its regular season debut.

“We have a deep roster of football experts and this will be a great pairing for the Monday Night Football doubleheader that will appeal to fans with Brad, one of the best live event commentators in the business, and Trent, who always offers fresh and informed perspectives and is just a few seasons removed from his own days as a Super Bowl-winning NFL quarterback,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production.

Nessler is making his second appearance in the MNF booth. During the first year of ESPN’s season-opening doubleheader (2006), he worked alongside Jaworski and former NFL head coach Dick Vermeil – a pairing that earned much praise from viewers – to call the Chargers-Raiders. Nessler has served as a play-by-play commentator for college football and basketball since joining ESPN and ABC in 1992. This fall, Nessler will team with Todd Blackledge to form one of ESPN’s top college football teams. In addition to his Chargers-Chiefs assignment, Nessler will work with Blackledge two days earlier (Sept. 11) to call Miami-Ohio State in Columbus (3:40 p.m., ESPN and ESPN3.com), one of the biggest college football games of the opening month of the season. Before arriving at ESPN, Nessler handled radio play-by-play for the Atlanta Falcons (1982-88) and Minnesota Vikings (1988-89). He has also served as play-by-play announcer for Miami Dolphins preseason telecasts.

Dilfer, the 14-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, is a studio analyst for a variety of ESPN programs: NFL Live, NFL PrimeTime, SportsCenter, and Monday Night Countdown. He has also regularly contributed analysis to ESPN Radio programs and to ESPN’s annual Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage since joining the company in July 2008 – on the same day he announced his retirement from the NFL. While the Chargers-Chiefs will be Dilfer’s debut in the MNF booth, he worked the Ball State-Central Michigan college football game for ESPN last fall and will work the Cincinnati-Fresno State game Sept. 4 (10 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3.com).

Senior coordinating producer Tim Corrigan, who has overseen ESPN’s season-opening MNF doubleheader game the past four seasons, and director Mike Schwab, will oversee production of the San Diego-Kansas City matchup, which will pit Phillip Rivers and the defending AFC West champions against newly acquired free agent running back Thomas Jones and the Chiefs.  It marks the first time the nightcap of the ESPN MNF doubleheader will be played outside San Francisco/Oakland since the two-game format was adopted in 2006.

Good to see this and this will not anger NFL fans who felt Mike & Mike talked way too much during the games.

Another Set of Friday Night Megalinks

I’m watching curling as we get ready to close the Olympics and get back to watching college basketball and prepare for baseball. To be honest, I never thought I would enjoy curling, but I’ve really gotten into the sport this year. Plus, it’s been on at some convenient times to watch so I’ll NBC some credit for scheduling curling live.

In the meantime, let’s provide you with some media linkage. As usual, you have your Weekend Viewing Picks which include college basketball viewing picks, Olympics viewing and English Premier League games.

To the links.

National

The Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal Winter Olympics site notes that NBC beat Fox’s American Idol for the second time on Thursday.

Eric Fisher of the SBD/SBJ says NBCOlympics.com and Yahoo! Sports are both claiming victory for online visitors.

The Nielsen ratings Wire blog says gold medal winners are not only on top of the podium, but also in online searches in both the US and Canada.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Michael McCarthy debate the validity of having NHL players in the Olympics.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred says he likes covering the Olympics for the education factor. 

Etan Vlessing of Hollywood Reporter writes that the Olympic ratings in Canada have been wiping out the competition.

Glen Dickson of Broadcasting & Cable says ESPN will use its Wide World of Sports complex in Florida as its testing lab for 3-D television.

Katy Bachman from Mediaweek says Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl isn’t a fan of NBC’s online Olympics strategy.

Toni Fitzgerald in Media Life Magazine writes that the Olympics lost some momentum on NBC on Wednesday.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Tiger Woods’ camp acknowledges the arranging of the now-famous photo of the golfer jogging just days before his apology last week.

In other Tiger news, Darren broke the story that Gatorade is the third sponsor to drop him.

Darren has a slideshow of the 25 Most Marketable Winter Olympians from Vancouver.

And Darren notes that the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game is the hottest ticket in Canada right now.

The Big Lead reports that the sports editor of the New York Daily News is leaving for a huge gig with ESPN.

The Sports Media Watch has a good interview with ESPN Dictator George Bodenheimer about the migration of sports from ABC to the Mothership.

SMW also has an interview with ESPN Vice President of Communications Mike Soltys about the Tony Kornheiser suspension.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that the USA-Switzerland Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinal drew almost 6 million viewers on Wednesday afternoon.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! Sports’ Puck Daddy says MSNBC got punked by a fake USA goalie Ryan Miller.

Sports Radio Interviews links you to a talk that Atlanta radio station, 790 The Zone conducted with ESPN’s Linda Cohn regarding Tony Kornheiser and Erin Andrews.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald reports that a WEEI producer has been suspended for sending vulgar text messages to rival sports station, WBZ-FM.

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe talks with NBC’s Al Michaels about his Miracle On Ice call.

The Worcester Telegram’s Bill Doyle writes about the new HBO documentary on Magic Johnson and Larry Bird that premieres next week.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says ESPN will take a different approach with the Olympics if it wins the rights for the 2014/2016 Games.

Lynn Zinser of the Times notes that NBC identified the wrong man as Joannie Rochette’s father during her short program during the ladies’ figure skating competition.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News feels the media has helped to make Alex Rodriguez a sympathetic figure. Another stretch by the old, tired media critic.

Phil Mushnick in the New Yok Post waxes poetic on NBC’s Mike Emrick.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes in the Baltimore-centric Press Box that Joe Angel returns this season to become the main radio voice of the Orioles.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner speaks with an NBC Sports official about the increase in traffic for NBCOlympics.com.

Jim also speaks with NBC figure skating analyst Dick Button.

Tim Lemke tries to understand the complicated figure skating scoring system.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says South Florida is at the bottom of the Olympic TV ratings.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel wishes ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike a happy 10th anniversary on the air.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has the radio ratings for January in the Metroplex.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle profiles a Texan who’s helping to produce the in-house radio feed at the Vancouver Olympics.

David says the Astros will have a record amount of games on Fox Sports Houston.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman has comments from NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says a local TV station is using its news anchors to do the late sports reports.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Fox Sports Ohio will air 145 Reds games this season. 

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has some observations on NBC’s coverage of the Olympics.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says in just one day, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen became a Twitter sensation.

Jim O’Donnell of the Chicago Sun-Times feels the NHL has to do something to capitalize on the popularity of Olympic hockey on the networks of NBC.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Gateway City’s sports radio ratings.

Dan says the newest sports radio station in town has made a significant impact in just one short year. 

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News says despite the tape delays, the Olympic TV ratings in Salt Lake City have been among the highest in the nation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Jay Posner finally joins the chorus of Americans complaining about NBC’s tape delayed Olympics coverage.

John Maffei of the North County Times feels NBC made some bad decisions when it came to Olympic hockey.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says the hardly-seen Universal Sports carved out a good niche for itself during the Olympics.

Jim has some various news and notes.

Jim Peltz of the Los Angeles Times says the Anaheim Angels have yet to name a replacement for TV play-by-play man Rory Markas who died during the offseason.

Diane Pucin of the Times looks at how people are discussing sports on Twitter and other social networks.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the 2010 Dodgers TV schedule.

Tom says you can buy a new 3D TV at Sears.

Tom notes that the locally-based Universal Sports is churning out Olympics-centric programming.

Tom has his weekly news and notes.

Tom reviews the week in Olympics TV.

Canada

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says Canada’s athletes are producing compelling TV during the Olympics.

Chris is amazed at the ratings for the Olympics on CTV.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours has CBC’s Don Cherry predicting gold for Canada.

That’s going to conclude our links for Friday.

Some Friday Night Megalinks

Let’s give you some linkage this evening. I’m going to weed out the Tiger Woods previews so this may not be as extensive as past editions. Your Weekend Viewing Picks has your sports viewing including college basketball and Olympic viewing guide.

Let’s get to the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand tells NBC it’s time to go live with Olympic events.

Seth Livingstone of USA Today says NBC will not be showing the USA-Canada men’s hockey game on the main network relegating it to MSNBC instead. 

Eric Fisher of the Sports Business Daily/Journal says NBCOlympics.com and Yahoo! Sports are battling it out for online traffic this month.

Tripp Mickle of SBD/SBJ writes that NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol sent a letter to his staff Thursday congratulating his employees for beating American Idol in the ratings this week.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says NBC is averaging almost 25 million viewers a night for the first seven days of the Olympics.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says as Americans win gold medals in the Olympics, ratings for NBC keep going up.

My Twitter trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff in the OCD Chick compares Dick Ebersol’s production of the Olympics to American Idol.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter says it appears that after initially expecting losses, the Canadian Olympic Broadcast Consortium will break even on the Vancouver Games.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that multiple medal-winning skier Julia Mancuso could turn out to be a marketing gold medal winner.

Darren says for sponsors, Tiger Woods’ refusal to set a timetable to return to golf is most troubling.

Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated has the very funny video of Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer crying after Tiger Woods make his robotic apology in the Friday afternoon edition of Hot Clicks (scroll down).

Marisa Guthrie of Broadcasting & Cable has various golf analysts reactions to Tiger Woods’ wooden apology.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek writes that the PGA Tour’s TV partners will just have to wait for Tiger Woods’ return. 

Gail Sideman writing in the Sports Networker blog says Tiger’s announcement was bad timing as far as public relations are concerned.

The Sports Media Watch looks at how the networks covered the Tiger Woods announcement today.

SMW also has some idle notes.

SportsbyBrooks says Tony Kornheiser has apologized to Hannah Storm for saying she dresses like a harlot.

AJ Daulerio at Deadspin says ESPN has actually banned some of Hannah’s wardrobe.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe defends NBC’s handling of the Olympics.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram also compares the Olympics to American Idol.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, a frequent critic of NBC’s tape delayed Olympic coverage, is begrudgingly learning to live with the delays in the Vancouver Games.

Bob Raissman in the New York Daily News feels Mets manager Jerry Manuel is helpful in feeding the media beast with soundbites.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty critiques some of NBC’s announcers at the Olympics.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record has some spring training TV schedules. First, the Yankees, the Mets, MLB Network, ESPN and WGN America.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News says the first network analysis was kind to Tiger Woods. 

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun is not happy how NBC has stopped mentioning the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili during its coverage.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes in Press Box that advertisers were sad to see Baltimore sports radio host Anita Marks leave last month.

Tim Lemke doesn’t quite understand NBC’s Olympic philosophy.

South

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike will be back in town next month.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says Oklahoma University baseball games will be seen on local cable TV.

Mel says two Australian TV commentators are in trouble for making homophobic comments about US figure skater Johnny Weir.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press wants the tape delayed Olympics coverage on NBC to stop.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is puzzled why Milwaukee is on top of the nation’s ratings for the Olympics.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers.

Ed notes that the White Sox will be part of a new reality show on MLB Network.

Ed also analyzes Tiger Woods’ apology.

Charles F. Rouse of the Kansas City Examiner says Big 12 fans want Brent Musberger and Bob Knight removed from the conference’s basketball games.

Dan Caesar at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Cardinals could be heading to the FM dial this season.

Dan writes that part-time Redbirds analyst Jack Clark will return for another season on Fox Sports Midwest.

West

Scott D. Pierce from the Deseret (UT) News says the reconstructed arena football Utah Pride have a TV deal in place.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune doesn’t like how the local NBC affiliate is playing coy about the Olympic delays.

Jay writes that Padres voice Jerry Coleman will be working less this season, but be doing more.

John Maffei of the North County Times says the West Coast is to blame for the Olympic delays.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes about the Olympics finally beating American Idol in the ratings.

Jim says the Olympics are bringing down the ratings for the Daytona 500 and the NBA.

Over to Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times who reports on Tiger Woods’ apology.

Diane adds that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth was critical of Woods. 

Phil Rosenthal writes in the Times that MSNBC will put the politics aside on Sunday and air the anticipated USA- Canada men’s hockey game which will be seen live in all time zones.

The Times publishes several readers’ complaints about the Olympic delays to the West Coast even though the Vancouver Games are taking place in their time zone.

Canada

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says it’s no surprise that hockey is tops in CTV’s Olympic coverage.

In Yahoo! Canada, William Houston critiques CTV’s coverage to date.

In his Truth & Rumours blog, William has a few columns in one.

Bill Brioux of the Canadian Press wonders if CTV’s all-out approach for the Olympics is too much of a good thing.

And that will complete the links.

The Calm Before the Storm Links

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s it for now.

Some General Releases Now

Ok, we have almost caught up with the releases. I’m going to give you some stuff that doesn’t fit any particular category. As usual, most of them have to do with ESPN. They just keep sending the releases. Not that I mind, of course.

ESPN Radio tells us that Rescue Me star Denis Leary will co-host Mike & Mike in the Morning for the entire show next Wednesday.

Denis Leary to Co-Host Mike & Mike in the Morning

Five-time Emmy Award-nominated comedian/actor Denis Leary will co-host all four hours of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET, M-F) on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The show is simulcast on ESPN2 and streamed live on ESPNRadio.com. Leary, a big sports fan who says ice hockey is his favorite sport and the Boston Bruins are his favorite team, will join Mike Greenberg in ESPN Radio’s studios in Bristol, Conn. Leary, also a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, will be subbing for co-host Mike Golic.

ESPN2′s tennis coverage continues as it all leads to the U.S. Open in New York later this month. This week, it’s the US Open Series in Montreal and Cincinnati.

US Open Series Heats up: Nadal Returns with Federer & Roddick in Montreal;

Clijsters Starts Comeback in Cincy with No. 1 Safina & Williams Sisters

The US Open Series’ hardcourt action across North America continues to heat up the summer as the top players prepare for the US Open in New York, which starts Monday, Aug. 31, on ESPN2. This week’s action is highlighted by the return of Rafael Nadal, who has not played since his early exit from the French Open in May. Nadal will be in Montreal along with the other four top ranked male players: Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, and ESPN2 will have live telecasts tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16. Chris Fowler calls the action with analysts Darren Cahill and Brad Gilbert.

Meanwhile, the women, featuring the return to the WTA Tour by former #1 Kim Clijsters who won her opening-round match Monday, are in Cincinnati. The field includes current #1 Dinara Safina, #2 Serena Williams and #3 Venus Williams. ESPN2 will be there Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 16 when the final will immediately follow the men’s championship north of the border. Cliff Drysdale hosts with analysts Mary Joe Fernandez and Pam Shriver.

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Site
Thu, Aug 13	1-3 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
Fri, Aug 14	1-5 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
	5-7 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open	Cincinnati	Same day
	7-9 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
Sat, Aug 15	1-3 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open	Cincinnati	Live
	7-11 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live/SD
Sun, Aug 16	1:30-4 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters – final	Montreal	Live
	4-6 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open – final	Cincinnati	Live

Another ESPN-related release regards a web-exclusive series related to tennis and hosted by Jennifer Williams.

ESPN.com Serves Up New Original Digital Tennis Series, ESPN Digital Serve

ESPN.com is covering all the tennis action on the court in its newest original digital series ESPN Digital Serve, a weekly Web-exclusive show that offers ESPN.com users highlights and in-depth analysis on the world of tennis. The show also provides a weekly roundup of all the latest tennis news every Monday.

Hosted by Jennifer Williams, the two-minute videos begin with Top Spin, a rundown of all the latest headlines and tournament action, followed by a look at the latest Power Rankings for the men’s and women’s circuits and concludes with Match Point, a highlight of the week’s top tennis story on ESPN.com.

For more on ESPN Digital Serve, visit the Video Hub on ESPN.com and click on Tennis, or watch this week’s webisode here.

You want another ESPN-related release? Sure you do. This is from Tuesday and a conference call regarding ESPN2′s coverage of this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan.

Highlights from NASCAR ESPN Backseat Drivers Media Conference Call

ESPN2’s live coverage of the Aug. 15 CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway will have a new and different approach as the telecast will prominently feature five former NASCAR champions and will be done without a traditional “play by play” announcer. ESPN’s “Backseat Drivers” telecast will engage NASCAR fans with the authenticity and experience of analysts Tim Brewer, Ray Evernham, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace. With Brewer contributing reports and analysis from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, Evernham, Jarrett, Petree and Wallace will call the race from the booth. In addition to the five champions, the telecast will include pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, while Allen Bestwick will host. The race airs Saturday, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Wallace and Evernham participated in NASCAR’s weekly media video conference call today. Some highlight quotes:

General thoughts on the format of the telecast:

RUSTY WALLACE: Well, I’m looking forward to the idea. Myself and Ray and Andy and DJ, we’ve probably got a lot to talk about, that’s for sure. We’ve all won at Michigan before and we’ve all got stories to tell.

I guess my biggest concern is that I don’t step over the top of each other and we don’t keep interrupting each other and stuff like that. I think once we get about ten minutes into the broadcast we’ll find our home and understand where we’re at. It’s going to be a different process for sure; instead of saying here they go, here they come, this guy is passing this guy or whatever, we’re going to be able to comment on how the race is going and from our past experience what we thing we should do to do win is race or what I would have done or what Ray might do. It’s going to be a different type of broadcast. I feel comfortable with it, I’m excited about it, and when it’s all said and done, it’s either going to work or won’t work and we’ll see what happens.

RAY EVERNHAM: I really enjoy the role on ESPN. After racing for years with DJ and Andy and Rusty, it’s like we’re all kind of doing the same thing still, so I get to see the guys. But as much as we’ve done together, we still have different opinions on things, and it’s great to be able to spar back and forth, and you’ve got DJ and Andy in the booth, and they’re kind of you know, they’re one way, more conservative, type of approach, and then you’ve got Rusty and I, we’re wide open, do, whatever, gamble, two tires, no tires. So I think it’s going to be a great deal and I’m really looking forward to it. Unlike Rusty, I really believe that we’re going to be talking over one another and stopping and saying, no, man, that’s not the way it is. But I think that’s what ESPN wants, and I think that’s what the fans are really going to enjoy.

On the subject of who among the analysts is going to be leading the show:

RAY EVERNHAM: As far as I know, when we drop the green flag we’re all headed towards the first corner together, so you know this group, someone is going to be trying to lead. I think I’m going to rely on DJ a little bit to help in and out and Allen Bestwick will really be traffic cop, but it’s going to be up to us. We’ve all been able to take tosses from the director, from (ESPN senior motorsports producer) Neil Goldberg, on when to pass to the pit reporters or when to go to break, so we can all kind of do that. It will be a bit of a different show.

It’s not really going to be a free for all because we really do have a conversation flow. I don’t know if you got to see the roundtable discussion that we did from the boxing ring for ESPN, but it’ll be a little bit of stepping over. But I think clearly ESPN doesn’t want a direction, they don’t want somebody in the lead. They want us, they want our personalities, they want us to be just like we’re sitting around a table at somebody’s house watching the race on television talking about it.

RUSTY WALLACE: I totally agree, I think DJ has been in the booth a lot the last couple years, and I think when it comes down to maybe trying to end a conversation or take it to a break or to commercial, Neil Goldberg our producer will tell him that, but we’ll be all hearing the same thing. This isn’t something that’s real hard. We’ve been doing this for a long time.

But one thing I think you’ll see that will be different, I don’t think you’ll hear a lot of numbers. You won’t be hearing a lot of statistical information. You’ll hear a lot of talk about what we’ve done in the past and what we would do or what we wouldn’t do and more of kind of an open table conversation. We won’t be talking about what city the guy grew up in, how many top 10 finishes he’s had, how many top 5s he’s had, all the number stuff that to me is really boring. I think we’re going to talk racing and try to call what’s on the track, and like Ray said, DJ will be a little bit of a traffic cop in there.

RAY EVERNHAM: You’ll probably hear some of, “Don’t tell me, I beat you in 2000,” or “Don’t tell me, I beat you in 2001,” and “you should have done this.” It’ll be a lot like that.

On the subject of Evernham’s role with ESPN and if he misses the competition side of the sport:

RAY EVERNHAM: I think you miss certainly certain aspects of it. I mean, I love cars, I love to work on them and I love to be in the race. But I don’t miss the 36 or 40 weekends a year and all the stress that went along with it.

I had a good career, and I’m happy with that. I don’t really feel like I’ll be looking to do something full time in Cup. I love to be involved, consult. As I said, I love the sport. I don’t ever plan on walking away from it, but I don’t really ever plan to get back up on the box full time, either.

I do enjoy my role with ESPN. I’m a very team oriented person, and I love to go to the racetrack with these guys. When you get there it’s a team atmosphere. You’re around a bunch of racing people in a relaxed mode. As I said, Rusty and DJ and Andy and I have all become good friends because we don’t have to compete against each other every week. Heck, there was a time you couldn’t keep Rusty and I from wanting to fist fight and now we travel around together. I do enjoy the ESPN role a lot. I do see myself somehow being involved either in NASCAR or from the mechanical side in the future but certainly not on a full time basis.

The analysts were asked how they will keep themselves from second-guessing the teams and drivers during the telecast:

RAY EVERNHAM: We’re not. That’s the whole reason for the broadcast. We’re going to second guess the teams, we’re going to second guess one another, we’re going to talk about stuff that we did, we’re going to say what’s good and what we think is wrong. I mean, we’re going to have fun with it, and you go out on a limb sometimes when you’re second guessing some strategy and find that you get taught something by some of these new crew chiefs. So I’m looking forward to it. I guess that’s the point is they’re hoping that DJ and Rusty second guess the drivers, and they’re opening that Andy and I are second guessing crew chiefs and that we’re second guessing Rusty and DJ and vice versa, no different than it really is on the radio between a crew chief and a driver. You’re always going back and forth. There’s going to be a lot of that going on from our side.

RUSTY WALLACE: I agree. We’re going to say what we think. We’re not going to go into the broadcast trying to say, okay, I’m going to disagree with you six or eight times just to try to spice the show up, none of that stuff. I’m going to say, look, when I won my four races at Michigan, this is how I did it and this is what happens in the race. You’re going to qualify down low, you’re going to race on the top of Turn 3 and 4, you’re probably going to be on the bottom of 1 and 2. Yeah, it’s a wide racetrack, it’s one of the biggest racetracks out there. We’re going to say it’s in all the car companies’ backyards so there’s extra incentive to run.You’ll hear things like that. I don’t think you’ll hear a lot of emotional, he’s passing low, he’s passing high, like a play by play guy might do. Obviously we’ll do some of that, but there should be a lot of information flowing back and forth.

Let’s break the ESPN monopoly and promote two upcoming National Geographic Channel programs airing back to back on August 23.

Sunday, August 23 at 9PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/alien-earths-3637/Overview

Join leading astronomers on a visual journey beyond our solar system in search of planets like Earth. Using CGI animation, we’ll explore bizarre worlds that stretch our imagination: planets with iron rain and hot ice, with diamonds everywhere, and endless oceans of gas. Planets with abnormal orbital patterns and planets with no pattern at all that drift alone in the Milky Way. Planets so strange we never could have predicted them before. Could life exist there?

CGI: The runaway Planemo in a star forming region. (Image Credit: © SkyWorks Digital, Inc.)

Video #1 – Extreme conditions abound on planemos. But spring and fall are just right. Can life survive beyond the Goldilocks Zone?

Video #2 – Adrift in space with no star to keep them warm, some planemos still manage to support life.

Video #3 – “Planetary zombies” can orbit a pulsar, but radiation makes it impossible for life of any kind to survive on them.

On our ALIEN EARTHS program Website, you can also:

• Navigate the Planetary Investigation Lab and explore 3D life form rotations, videos, photos and high resolution concept art.
• Learn about current and future NASA missions, including the Keck Interferometer Telescopes, Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Kepler Mission.
• Check out a photo gallery of the planets, and more.

NAKED SCIENCE: HAWKING’S UNIVERSE

Sunday, August 23 at 10PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/3898/Overview

Stephen Hawking is one of the world’s most famous scientists. But ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, has left him almost totally paralyzed and it is progressing. Unable to walk, talk, or write, his only way of communicating is through a computer program that turns a small movement of a finger or the blink of an eye, into words from a vocal synthesizer. But Hawking remains determined to discover a theory of everything, a complete set of rules for the Universe. Where did the Universe come from and where is it going? What is the nature of time? Will it ever come to an end? This program will explore Hawking’s major contributions to the understanding of our Universe – from his revolutionary proof that our Universe originated in a Big Bang; to his ground breaking discovery that Black Holes are not completely black, but rather emit radiation and eventually evaporate and disappear, to his insights on string theory. Will he unlock the secret of creation before his time runs out?

Stephen Hawking at CERN 2006. Hawking is one of the world’s most famous scientists. He is on a quest to answer how the Universe came to exist. (photo credit © CERN/Maximilien Brice/Claudia Marcelloni)

Video #1 – No one’s found the Theory of Everything yet, but when Hawking discovers that black holes emit radiation, he gets very close

Video #2 – When Hawking loses his voice to a tracheotomy, new speech software technology keeps his research on track.

As usual, great looking stuff from NatGeo and thanks to Minjae Ormes for sending me the releases and links to videos.

All plans to do links have been shot to hell. I’ll do a massive link session tomorrow. Good night.

Just A Few More Releases

The TV networks public relations departments want to get out early so they keep churning out the releases just before they close for the 4th of July weekend. So I’ll give you these and I think they should close out the releases for the week. You won’t see any tomorrow unless something major happens.

Starting with ESPN, Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic and Steve Young will call the “nightcap” of the opening Monday Night Football doubleheader on September 14. And ESPN announces that Mike & Mike will do the Monday 6 p.m. SportsCenters during football season.

Mike & Mike to Co-Host SportsCenter on Mondays at 6 p.m. During NFL Season

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, co-hosts of ESPN Radio’s popular Mike & Mike in the Morning, will team with ESPN studio analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young to call the San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders game as part of ESPN’s season-opening Monday Night Football doubleheader on September 14 at 10:15 p.m. ET. The game will follow the Buffalo Bills- New England Patriots telecast (7 p.m.) when ESPN’s main commentator team of Mike Tirico and analysts Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski makes its regular season debut.

Greenberg and Golic will also expand their roles on Mondays during the NFL season as co-hosts of the 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter. The duo will recap all of Sunday’s NFL games and other weekend sports news, and look ahead to each week’s Monday Night Football matchup, by bookending their Mondays from 6-10 a.m. on ESPN Radio (simulcast on ESPN2) and hosting the one-hour SportsCenter from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., beginning Sept. 21.

The Chargers-Raiders telecast marks the third straight season Greenberg (play-by-play) and Golic (analyst) are calling the MNF doubleheader. They worked alongside Mike Ditka the last two seasons — Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (2007) and Denver Broncos vs. Raiders (2008). Young, who is calling a MNF game for the first time, made a pair of guest appearances in the MNF booth during the 2006 season in addition to his weekly Monday Night Countdown studio role.

“As we kick off the 40^th season of Monday Night Football, we are excited to have the familiar faces and voices of Mike and Mike back on the doubleheader game this year alongside Steve, a Hall of Famer, who will offer the kinds of insightful opinions that have made him one of our top NFL analysts all these years,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production, ESPN. “We are equally pleased to create yet another new role for Mike and Mike on the 6 p.m. SportsCenter in the latest evolution of our season-long ‘game around the game’ coverage of Monday Night Football.”

Greenberg joined ESPN in September 1996 as an anchor for ESPNEWS, and today he regularly anchors SportsCenter. He and Golic were named co-hosts of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio on December 30, 1999. The popular program is now heard by more than 12 million people weekly, airing on more than 350 affiliates nationwide. They have also co-hosted ESPN Radio’s NFL Draft coverage and called Arena Football League games together.

Golic, a nine-year NFL veteran (1986-93) who played defensive tackle for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins, joined ESPN in 1995 as an NFL reporter/analyst for Sunday NFL Countdown. In addition to co-hosting Mike & Mike in the Morning, he has worked as a game and studio analyst for AFL and college games, and contributed to ESPN’s NFL Live and NFL Draft coverage. Golic served as an analyst for ESPN’s NFL preseason telecast of the Colts-Falcons game in Tokyo in 2005, and he worked as an analyst for Jacksonville Jaguars preseason games (1995-98).

Young, the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback, retired in 1999 as the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history. The three-time Super Bowl champion was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX and a two-time league MVP (1992 and 1994). He remains the only quarterback in league history to win four consecutive passing titles and post six consecutive 300-yard passing games. Young has been with ESPN since 2000 as an NFL studio analyst, appearing on a variety of programs, including Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, as well as annual Super Bowl and NFL Draft coverage.

Senior coordinating producer Tim Corrigan, who has overseen ESPN’s season-opening MNF doubleheader games the past three seasons, and director Mike Schwab, will oversee production of the Chargers-Raiders telecast. The matchup of longtime AFC West rivals and original American Football League franchises will be one of the Legacy Games that is part of the NFL’s celebration of the 50^th anniversary season of the AFL.

Next, ESPN and ESPN360.com will show the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th.

Finally, here’s what’s happening on Golf Channel next week.

COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… July 6 – 12, 2009

Fairway to Heaven on Golf in America

Original Programming Premieres

(All times eastern)

Golf in America

Time: Tuesday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Host: Anthony Anderson

The third episode of the 10-week series will feature:

· Scott and Dale Parlin, “Fairway to Heaven.” – Three years ago, 35-year-old Scott Parlin endured a tragedy like no other. Scott’s father, Dale, a marshal at a golf course outside of Dallas, took a break from his job to watch his son tee-off on the 15^th hole. Scott’s drive ricocheted off a tree and hit his father in the neck. He passed away an hour later due to a cerebral hemorrhage. GOLF CHANNEL’s Scott Walker will visit with Scott, who will share the tragic story and how he is keeping his father’s spirit alive in the community.

· Dawn Patrol – Over 40 weeks a year, the “Dawn Patrol” gathers at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Saturday afternoons with the goal to be the first in line for a tee-time on Sunday morning. GOLF CHANNEL’s Tom Abbott will follow some “Dawn Patrollers” as they arrive to the course Saturday afternoon to wait in line all night for that prestigious 5:30 a.m. Sunday tee-time.

· Bob Grober, Sonic Golf – Grober, a physics professor from Yale University, will explain his theory of improving a golf swing by turning motion into sound with a unique training aid 15 years in the making.

Golf in America takes viewers coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people in capturing the spirit of the game of golf. The series, hosted by film and television actor Anthony Anderson, chronicles stories in stunning HD from celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump, to everyday people across the country that are unified by the sport.

Playing Lessons from the Pros

Time: Monday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Country music star Steve Azar joins PGA TOUR winner Kenny Perry for a round of golf at The Club at Old Stone in Bowling Green, Ky. Perry and his coach Matt Killen will provide tips around the greens, while Azar will provide insight into the music business.

Top 10: Greg Norman Highs and Lows

Time: Tuesday 9 – 9:30 p.m.

Host: Lauren Thompson

As charismatic as he was cursed, no player in history can rival the star-crossed career of Greg Norman. With insight from Norman, Fuzzy Zoeller, Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Larry Mize and commentary from noted sports journalists, the show will count down Norman’s top 10 highs and lows in his professional career. Notable moments include his “Saturday Slam” in 1986, where he led all four major championships after 54 holes; his final round 64 to win the 1993 Open Championship and his final round collapse in the 1996 Masters.

Quest for the Card

Time: Wednesday 7:30 – 8 p.m.

Host: Jerry Foltz

Quest for the Card chronicles the year-long journey on the Nationwide Tour for players competing to earn their PGA TOUR card for 2010. The show will feature player profiles and air highlights from the 2009 Nationwide Tour Players Cup.

PGA TOUR Primetime

Time: Thursday 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

GOLF CHANNEL’s coverage of the first two rounds of the John Deere Classic re-airs on PGA TOUR Primetime.

News and Talk Show Programming Highlights

Golf Central

Live Airings: Mon – Wed 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – Midnight

Friday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – Midnight

Saturday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – Midnight

Sunday 6 – 7 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – Midnight

Golf Central will deliver the latest golf news from the John Deere Classic and all of the major golf tours.

Golf Central Pre Game

Live Airings: Saturday 12:15 – 1 p.m.

Sunday 12:30 – 1 p.m.

GOLF CHANNEL’s Golf Central team will preview the weekend action on the various tours with interviews and analysis.

The Golf Fix

Time: Monday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Michael Breed

GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced interactive instructional show will feature live call-ins and emails from viewers.

The Approach with Callaway Golf

Time: Tuesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Hosts: Kraig Kann/Analysts Andrew Magee and Alex Miceli

Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will preview the John Deere Classic and review the AT&T National in an entertaining and informative manner.

Grey Goose 19^th Hole

Time: Wednesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Inga Hammond/Analysts Jeff Rude and Mark Cannizzaro

Grey Goose 19^th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show, features debates on the hot topics in golf. New York Post golf writer Mark Cannizzaro will make his return as an analyst on Grey Goose 19^th Hole, filling in for John Hawkins on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s Press Releases For You To Read, Part 2

Here’s the second part of the Wednesday press releases. It’s all-ESPN here.

First, ESPN Radio debuts the Scott Van Pelt show next week.

Scott Van Pelt Show Debuts July 6

2-4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio; 3-4 p.m. ESPN2 Simulcast

On Monday, July 6, The Scott Van Pelt Show (2-4 p.m. ET M-F) will debut on ESPN Radio, originating from a television studio within ESPN’s Digital Center for its 3-4 p.m. simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD.

Joined by Ryen Russillo, The Scott Van Pelt Show replaces Tirico & Van Pelt in radio’s afternoon time slot. The show will adopt the atmosphere of two pals talking sports, sharing their opinions and personalities with listeners and viewers who will be encouraged to share calls, e-mails and photos, which will be displayed on the show’s page on ESPNRadio.com.

Van Pelt will continue to anchor the 11 p.m. SportsCenter four nights a week.

Russillo is a veteran of the Boston radio and TV scene, and knows his way around ESPN Radio’s Bristol, Conn. studios, having hosted several shows and filled in on others in recent years.

Van Pelt joined ESPN from The Golf Channel (1994-2000) in Spring 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter, and has become one of SportCenter’s primary anchors. A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland, and began his sports broadcasting career at WTTG-TV (FOX) in Washington, D.C. in 1990.

Also debuting next week is a show from ESPN Radio no-talent hack Colin Cowherd hosting a new show with the always lovely Michelle Beadle.

Ultimate Fan-Interactive Show SportsNation Debuts Monday

SportsNation — a live studio show that debuts Monday, July 6, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 — is an hourlong weekday show born from the Internet, fueled by fan interaction and focused on fun. SportsNation co-hosts Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle will interact with fans throughout the telecast, essentially making sports fans the third host of the show. Fans can deliver their input via Twitter (@SportsNation), ESPN.com’s SportsNation web page, e-mail (sportsnation@espn.com) and phone calls (1-888-FAN-ESPN) before, during and after the show.

Segments of the show include “Yup, I Said That,” in which Cowherd and Beadle will be confronted with a questionable, quirky or just plain indecipherable comment they made during the one-hour show.

“The show celebrates the culture of being a fan, a fan’s point of view and gives the sports fan a loud voice,” said coordinating producer Jamie Horowitz. “We’ll talk about stuff that doesn’t necessarily make the lead on SportsCenter or ESPNEWS. The conversation that you have with your buddy at the bar is the same one you should see on SportsNation.”

ESPN Radio announces something called “80′s Day” next Tuesday.

Morning Show to Present ‘80’s Day’ July 7

Guests Include Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Jim McMahon, Kirk Gibson, Jerry Rice

In the middle of the ‘80’s, Mike Golic was drafted into the NFL while Mike Greenberg was graduating high school. On Tuesday, July 7, ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F, simulcast on ESPN2) will celebrate that decade with a special “80’s Day” broadcast.

Guests will include former athletes including Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Bears QB Jim “Super Bowl Shuffle” McMahon, Dodgers OF Kirk Gibson, 49ers Hall-of-Fame WR Jerry Rice, Mike “Do you believe in miracles?” Eruzione, and Bret Michaels from the band Poison.

Fans can vote on the “Best Moments of the 80’s” by choosing from Mike & Mike’s favorite sports, music and fashion moments on ESPNRadio.com. through July 5.

Sports poll: HERE

Non-sports poll: HERE

While it wasn’t that Kenny Rogers who sang “Lady” in 1981, “Ghostbusters” wasn’t about the 2004 Red Sox, and “9 to 5” was in theatres 29 years before Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness at those odds, the ‘80’s are still close to the hearts of Greeny & Golic, who will don 80’s apparel for the occasion.

“The 80′s remind me of when I was actually an athlete,” Golic says. “And they remind Greeny yet again that he never was an athlete.”

Greeny’s 80’s Memories

Favorite Song: Super Bowl Shuffle
Favorite Movie: Arthur
Favorite TV Show: Cheers
Worst Memory: The A.J. Duhe game (returned his third interception 35 yards for a TD to clinch Miami’s 14-0 AFC championship win over Greeny’s Jets).

Golic’s 80’s Memories

Favorite Sports Moments: Miracle on Ice, Gibson Homer, Mary Lou Retton

Favorite Songs: Back in Black (AC/DC); anything by Springsteen; Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard)

Favorite Movies: Stripes, Caddyshack, Raiders of the Lost Ark

Mike & Mike’s ‘80’s Day’ show will feature:

• ‘80’s-related guests
• ‘80’s-related topics (Miracle on Ice, ’86 World Series Game 6, Celtics-Lakers, Giants-49ers, Everett-Navratilova, sports movies, and “Hello To” USA Today, sports talk radio and NFL instant replay)
• Tri-hourly updates will look back at plays of the decade
• ‘80’s-style graphics on ESPN2 simulcast
• ‘80’s-related poll questions on ESPNRadio.com (voting taking place now)
• ‘80’s biggest scandals
• ‘80’s biggest flops

ESPN the Magazine ranks the Anaheim Angels as its #1 Baseball Ultimate Franchise and explains how it arrived at its findings.

ESPN The Magazine’s 2009 Ultimate Standings: Ranking of How Pro Sports Teams Pay Back Their Fans

Angels Baseball No. 1 Franchise

According to ESPN The Magazine’s seventh annual “Ultimate Standings” the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are the best major league sports franchise when it comes to paying fans back for their investment of time, money and passion: and the Los Angeles Clippers are the worst.

Available in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine, on newsstands Friday, Ultimate Standings is the only comprehensive ranking of all 122 major North American professional sports franchises. It aims to quantify the unique relationship between fans and their favorite teams by determining which MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises establish and maintain the most overall reward for their fans.

This year’s winner and cover subject, the Angels understand the importance of value, performance and effort – and did so before the recession hit. Fans love the experience of going to Angels games, in particular, the promotions (75 promotions in 81 home dates this year) and the ticket prices, with an average cost of just $20.05. Since the 2007 season, the Angels have won 232 games (as of 6/26), more than any MLB team except the Red Sox. On the field, manager Mike Scioscia has instilled a hard charging, take-every-extra base style of play. They have a knack for identifying talent, keeping them in pennant contention virtually every year. The Angels have drawn at least 3.3 million fans every year since 2004, never finishing lower then second in AL attendance – in part to owner Arte Moreno and the staff’s dedication to customer service. Add all of this together – and the result is – the No. 1 Franchise.

Arte Moreno: “This honor means a great deal to our organization because it was voted on by the fans. I am extremely proud of our staff for working day in and day out to provide what we call the “Baseball Experience”. Their focus is always on our fans which would include providing courteous service, affordable pricing, and a clean environment. And, of course, the baseball people work hard to put a winning team on the field!”

THE 2009 ULTIMATE STANDINGS: THE TOP AND BOTTOM

Top 10 overall franchises:	Bottom 10 overall franchises:
1. Los Angeles Angels	113. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Carolina Hurricanes	114. Cleveland Browns
3. Pittsburgh Steelers	115. New York Islanders
4. Detroit Red Wings	116. Oakland Raiders
5. Cleveland Cavaliers	117. Sacramento Kings
6. Washington Capitals	118. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Milwaukee Brewers	119. Detroit Lions
8. Pittsburgh Penguins	120. Toronto Maple Leafs
9. San Antonio Spurs	121. New York Knicks
10. St. Louis Blues	122. Los Angeles Clippers

METHODOLOGY

Driven by research and fan feedback, the Ultimate Standings debuted in 2003 with Green Bay Packers as the top franchise (ranked 13^th this year). Results are determined using analysis of team financial data by The Magazine and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, combined with fan feedback data gathered by the Chicago consulting firm Maddock Douglas, ESPN.com and GMI NetReflector. To generate the Ultimate Standings, ESPN The Magazine scores each franchise according to criteria in eight categories; the combined scores resulted in an overall ranking (as well as separate rankings in each individual category). More than 50,000 responses were gathered. The data was analyzed, weighted and combined to arrive at a score and ranking of all the franchises in the following categories.

• Affordability – from tickets to apparel to parking to concessions – what it costs to be a fan of a franchise:
  • # 1: Tampa Bay Rays
  • # 122: Toronto Maple Leafs
• Coaching – quality of on-field coaching/managing for the franchise:
  • # 1/Tie: San Antonio Spurs & New England Patriots
  • # 122: Los Angeles Clippers
• Fan Relations – how the teams and owners interact with the local fan base:
  • # 1: Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122. Cincinnati Bengals
• Ownership – overall commitment and effort owner makes to players, coaches and fans, as well as a willingness to spend money and commit to winning:
  • # 1: Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122: Phoenix Coyotes
• Players – effort given on the court, field or ice, in addition to how likable they are off them:
  • # 1: Cleveland Cavaliers
  • # 122: Los Angeles Clippers
• Stadium Experience – the cleanliness, parking, security and promotions at the home venue:
  • # 1: Green Bay Packers
  • # 122: New York Islanders
• Title Track (winning) – how successful and dedicated the team has been in pursuing and winning championships:
  • # 1/Tie: Los Angeles Angels & Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122: Golden State Warriors
• Bang for The Buck – wins over the past three years, measured against the money it receives directly from fans:
  • # 1: New Orleans Hornets
  • # 122: St. Louis Rams

2009 ULTIMATE STANDINGS HIGHLIGHTS/FACTS

NHL Leads With Five Franchises in Top 10:

Five NHL franchises (#2 Carolina Hurricanes, #4 Detroit Red Wings, #6 Washington Capitals, #8 Pittsburgh Penguins, #10 St. Louis Blues) finished in the Top 10, a first ever in the rankings.

Teams that are Most (And Least) Committed to Winning:

1. Detroit Red Wings

122. Pittsburgh Pirates

Best in Each League:

MLB: 1. Los Angeles Angels

NBA: 5. Cleveland Cavaliers

NFL: 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

NHL: 2. Carolina Hurricanes

Worst in Each League:

MLB: 107. New York Yankees

NBA: 122. Los Angeles Clippers

NFL: 119. Detroit Lions

NHL: 120. Toronto Maple Leafs

Teams Most Responsive to Fan Feedback:

1. Washington Capitals

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Chicago Blackhawks

Teams Least Responsive to Fan Feedback:
120. Los Angeles Clippers
121. Toronto Maple Leafs
122. Detroit Lions

Teams with Highest-Rated Promotional Giveaways:

1. Los Angeles Angels (examples: Angels cooler, Rally Monkey bank)

2. Kansas City Royals (Royals Kids Golden Gloves)

3. St. Louis Blues (Free Food Night)

4. Milwaukee Brewers (six different bobbleheads)

5. Carolina Hurricanes (Canes Car Flags)

Biggest Jumps/Drops Since 2007 :

Chicago Blackhawks up 97 spots to #21
Boston Celtics up 92 to #20
Tampa Bay Rays up 70 to #16
Buffalo Sabres down 62 (from #1) to #63
Tampa Bay Lightning down 68 to #85
Phoenix Suns down 75 to #86

ESPN.com will provide fans with in-depth access to all of the overall and categorical rankings information in complete, sortable tables; individual summaries of each team’s results; and reports on the most interesting findings of the survey. Go to www.ESPN.com Keyword: Ultimate Standings.

The pairings for the men’s and women’s games are set for the Jimmy V Classic in December.

Casual games site introduces new titles, more advertising opportunities than ever before;

Freeze Frame edition franchise

ESPN today unveiled the new ESPN Arcade, ESPN.com’s destination for casual games online, introducing new games and more advertising opportunities into the marketplace. The relaunch also marks the debut of ESPN Arcade’s popular ESPN Cameraman game under a new franchise titled ESPN Zoom, available online and coming soon to the iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Beginning today, ESPN Zoom will feature Sportscenter’s weekly Freeze Frame photos of the day in a special ESPN Zoom: Freeze Frame edition, both online and in a free mobile app.

With today’s relaunch, ESPN Arcade is adding new opportunities for engaging and bolder advertising options. Marketers will have the flexibility to sign on for traditional ad units, expandable rollover ads, video ads, branded ad “skins” on the ESPN Arcade page and in-game advertising including video pre-roll ads, dynamically served ads outside of game play and contextual ads within the game for many of the games on the site.

New Games and Features

All casual games currently available for free and in development are hand picked by the ESPN Arcade team to be the best of the best. By collaborating with multiple developers, ESPN Arcade has collected and will continue to grow a library of the most entertaining and challenging casual games across multiple genres. New casual games and returning favorites include ESPN Arcade Baseball, Air Hockey, Craps, Vector Runner, Ping Pong, MTX Devils, Day Drive, Trick Hoops Challenge, Speed Back and Club 300 Bowling.

Community features, promoting competition on the site, include comprehensive individual and game-specific leaderboards and high scores, a trophy system that allows players to earn and accumulate trophies based on scores, Game of the Month and user rating tools.

Traffic Success

The relaunch comes on the heels of growth for ESPN Arcade. According to comScore, over the past three months, total minutes are up 110 percent compared to last year, and unique visitors and average minutes spent per visitor are up 21 percent and 45 percent, respectively. To date in 2009, fans spent an average of 7.7 million total minutes per month on the site.

Like the overall casual games market, ESPN Arcade is enjoyed by a contemporary and more female audience. According to comScore, the median age of ESPN Arcade users is 28 compared to the total Internet audience at 32 years of age. Of the total minutes spent by all users on ESPN Arcade, 33 percent are female users compared to ESPN.com’s 23 percent.

Since its launch in June 2007, ESPN Arcade has nearly doubled its library of free, online casual games and now houses over 70 games, including sports games (football, baseball, basketball), card and puzzle games (craps, blackjack, concentration), game room titles (air hockey, ping pong), driving games (car, bike, truck and ATV racing) and more. It has also released mobile app titles to the iTunes App Store.

That concludes our press releases from Wednesday. I have another post coming on baseball for this weekend. Watch for it.

Tuesday Night Linkage

Ok, with a lot going on today especially with Plaxico Burress, I’ll provide you with linkage. There’s a lot today.

Let’s start with Newsday’s Neil Best who tried to live blog Chris Russo on Sirius XM Radio today and quickly gave up. Neil then monitored WFAN, 1050 ESPN Radio and Sirius for talk of Plaxico. Neil discovered that alleged Plaxico accomplice, Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce talked with Sirius NFL Radio today. And Neil gets a transcript of Chris Russo’s diatribe about the Giants.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says Plaxico’s agent and First Class Jerk, Drew Rosenhaus, sounded completely self-absorbed during a halftime interview on Monday Night Football.

Catching up on two days of posts from CNBC’s Darren Rovell. First, he wonders how Plax’s gunplay will affect his jersey sales. Going away from Plax, Darren tries to find the very first athlete to grace Sports Illustrated’s cover wearing Nike shoes. And Darren writes that Nike is also interested in finding her. Darren has 9 sports business predictions for 2009. And Darren says Black Friday led to good sales for sports leagues.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at the ratings from selected events from the weekend.

The Sports Media Watch says NFL ratings were down on Thanksgiving, but up on Sunday. And the SMW says college football ratings were also down for the most part during the holiday weekend.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the blackout has been lifted for Thursday’s Raiders-Chargers game which means the NFL Network broadcast will be seen in Southern California.

Ben Klayman of Reuters says there has been little to no progress made between the NFL Network and Big Cable.

Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Green Bay Packers rank first of all sports teams as far as branding is concerned. And Don reports that the Brewers also scored well this season.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says ESPN brought its Monday Night Football road show into the heart of Texas for last night’s game.

The Dallas Morning News’ Barry Horn feels the Cowboys-Eagles game in Week 17 is prime for a flexing.

Caitlin Myers of the Morning News writes about ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic broadcasting live from a Dallas hospital this morning.

The International Olympic Committee has decided to end its long association with the European Broadcasting Union and seek bids from individual broadcasters in Europe. The EBU had been the official Olympics rightsholder for 75 broadcasters in 56 countries and been broadcasting the games since 1956.

The Sports Journalists’ Association blog in the United Kingdom says the IOC rejection of the EBU’s bid for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics could pave the way for Rupert Murdoch’s Sky network to gain the games. Murdoch has won the bid for the 2014 and 2016 games in Italy and Turkey.

And the London Times says the rejection of the EBU bid could have plenty of repercussions for the BBC.

Michelle Greppi of TV Week writes that NBC is offering Universal Sports to fill its affiliates’ digital HDTV subchannels.

Greg Johnson of the Los Angeles Times says NBC will re-air its documentary on the Paralympics this weekend.

Also from the Times, Helene Elliot reports that Hall of Fame NHL announcer Jiggs McDonald has made it out of Thailand after a civil uprising stranded him at Bangkok Airport.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette tells us that USA Hockey and the NHL Network have come together on a rights deal to cover the World Junior Championships.

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star writes that the lack of a solid US network TV contract is leaving the NHL venerable in this global recession.

Steve Lepore’s Puck The Media blog has the video of NBC’s promo (voiced by Bob Costas at the end) for the NHL Winter Classic. It’s pretty good. Steve also has another round in his NHL Tournament of Announcers. And Steve has another video, this one shows the end of SportsChannel America’s term as the rightsholder of the NHL. The network, the precursor to Fox SportsNet, did a really bad job in broadcasting the NHL.

Actually, you have to think about some of the bad decisions by the NHL in regards to its US broadcasters over the years. It’s own syndication of the NHL in the late 1970′s when it lost its NBC contract. Going to SportsChannel America in the late 1980′s after a very successful run on ESPN. Moving from Fox to ABC/ESPN in the late 1990′s, then Versus in this decade, although Versus is gaining some momentum now.

Speaking about ESPN, the Hockeycaster blog says maybe it’s not so much of a stretch to think that the NHL could return to the Alleged Worldwide Leader down the line.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning News says ESPN’s John Kruk is basically a what-you-see-is-what-you-get guy.

The Washington Post’s Leonard Shapiro gives out some holiday gifts and lumps of coal to members of the local and national media (and inexplicably gives praise to Pam Ward’s play-by-play).

David S. Cohen of Variety says Fox Sports will show the BCS Championship Game in 3-D in select theaters on January 8.

The Eye on Sports Media’s Christopher Byrne looks at the diversity of CBS Sports’ production crews just a few days after Tim Brando called out college football’s track record of hiring African-Americans as head coaches.

Larry Barnett of Multichannel News writes that NBC and MTV will combine to form an action sports alliance.

Linda Haugsted of Multichannel News says ESPN is among the top three cable channel favorites.

Claire Atkinson of Broadcasting & Cable says ESPN finds a majority of its viewers are also online at the same time.

The Arizona Republic reports that long-time Valley sportscaster Tom Dillon who called Arizona State football and the Phoenix Cardinals has died.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail says a true 360 degree angle replay may be coming to life on TV very soon.

Some Press Release Reading For You

I’ll provide some press releases for you on this Thanksgiving Eve.

First, HBO previews the third installment of De La Hoya/Pacquaio 24/7.

DE LA HOYA/PACQUIAO 24/7 NOV. 30 EPISODE

Episode #3

Debut date: SUNDAY, NOV. 30 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Both camps pause for the Thanksgiving holiday; training intensifies as the Dec. 6 welterweight showdown between Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao draws near.

CBS Sports previews what Bill Cowher will talk about on The NFL Today this Sunday. Plus, a Victoria’s Secret model comes in to hype the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show special on CBS next week.

BILL COWHER DELVES INTO HIS LAB TO EXPERIMENT ON HOW TO CHANGE THE NFL FOR WEEK 13 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, NOV. 30

Also, The “Secret” is Out – “Victoria’s” Selita Ebanks Visits THE NFL TODAY Set

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 49th year of the NFL, continues its 2008 NFL season broadcast schedule on Sunday, Nov. 30 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET). After successfully diagramming how the Jets could knock off the Titans last week, THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher goes into his laboratory to experiment on how to change the NFL. His tinkering includes everything from narrowing the goal-posts to changing overtime to making referees more accountable. Nothing is safe from “Dr. Cowher’s” scrutiny. Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

In addition, the secret is out as Victoria’s Secret supermodel Selita Ebanks joins the guys live on the set to help them with their NFL picks.

We get a preview of Sunday Night Football from NBC Sports.

A BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE NFC NORTH AS BEARS AND VIKINGS CLASH ON “NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL”

NEW YORK – Nov. 26, 2008 – “NBC Sunday Night Football,” in its third season as the NFL’s premier primetime package, heads to Minneapolis as Adrian Peterson and the Vikings (6-5) host Brian Urlacher and the Bears (6-5) in a battle of the two teams atop the NFC North.

Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden (analyst) and Andrea Kremer (sideline reporter) call the action. Coverage on NBC begins at 7 p.m. ET with “Football Night in America,” with Bob Costas (host), Cris Collinsworth (co-host) Keith Olbermann (co-host), Dan Patrick (co-host), Jerome Bettis (analyst), Tiki Barber (analyst) and Peter King (reporter).

MADDEN ON THE RIVALRY: “It’s going to be a typical old Central Division game. You’re going to get a lot of defense and a lot of emotion. They are playing for first place and that’s what it’s all about. There’s nothing like the end of the season with division rivals tied for the lead.”

BEARS-VIKINGS IN PRIMETIME: The Bears are making their second 2008 appearance on NBC “Sunday Night Football.” In Week 4, the Bears defeated the Eagles 24-20 at Soldier Field. They are now 4-2 overall since the NFL’s premier primetime package moved to NBC in 2006. This marks the Vikings first “NBC SNF” appearance this season and their second all-time. Last season in Week 16 they lost to the Redskins 32-21 in a flex game.

BEARS VS. VIKINGS: This is the 95th meeting between these two franchises in a rivalry that dates back to 1961 with the Vikings holding a 50-42-2 series lead. The Vikings and Bears met in Week 7 in Chicago with the Bears winning a thriller 47-41. In that game Bears QB Kyle Orton threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns while the Bears defense intercepted Vikings QB Gus Frerotte four times.

On Saturday, NBC broadcasts the annual Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern University from New Orleans.

GRAMBLING MEETS SOUTHERN IN STATE FARM BAYOU CLASSIC SATURDAY ON NBC

NEW YORK – November 26, 2008 – A Thanksgiving weekend tradition continues as NBC Sports, for the 18th consecutive year, presents the State Farm Bayou Classic between Southern University and Grambling State, Saturday, 2 p.m. ET from the Louisiana Superdome. Lewis Johnson will host NBC’s coverage. Bob Papa provides play-by-play alongside analyst Don McPherson, joined by Charles Davis and Derrin Horton.

The first ever Bayou Classic was played in New Orleans’ Tulane Stadium in 1974 and Southern leads the all-time series 18-16. The teams have split the last four contests with Southern winning last year’s Classic 22-13.

One of the highlights of NBC’s broadcast is the renowned halftime show, during which the marching bands of both Southern University and Grambling State University put on an exciting display of talent. Weaved throughout the broadcast will be interviews with the head coaches and drum line battles between the bands.

This is what’s on tap for ESPN’s Sunday and Monday NFL pregame shows.

ESPN’s Sunday and Monday NFL Studio Features

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown will preview Sunday’s games beginning at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. Chris Mortensen will also provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday segment, “Young is Restless.”

The program will include reports from Sal Paolantonio covering the New York Giants at the Washington Redskins, Wendi Nix at the Steelers-Patriots game, and Bob Holtzman covering the New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

Other highlights:

Pass Rushers
An NFL game averages 70 pass plays and only four sacks. The job of a pass rusher involves overcoming numerous failures before achieving the desired goal – taking down the quarterback. Countdown’s Tom Jackson turns to the best pass rushers from the past (Deacon Jones, Bruce Smith) and present (Jason Taylor, Dwight Freeney, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen) to share the secrets of the sack.

“Crazy Train” Patriots
What do the New England Patriots have in common with the “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy Osbourne? Apparently, a lot. The team has a pre-game ritual of entering the field to the music of Osbourne’s classic “Crazy Train,” and Osbourne performed the song live prior the Patriots’ 2005 home opener. Reporter Chris Connelly interviews New England players and Osbourne to find out why the song has become the Patriots’ anthem.

Mayne Event: Drew Brees Soundtracks
In this week’s “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne presents mock soundtracks – in-game audio – from New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees during the Packers-Saints Monday Night Football game. This comical adaptation of the NFL Films critically acclaimed feature will mix audio from Mayne, pretending to be Brees, with highlights of game action.

Virtual Playbook: Falcons Michael Turner vs. the Chargers Defense
In Virtual Playbook, Cris Carter breaks down how Falcons running back Michael Turner will attack his old teammates on the San Diego defense.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge
ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and NFL analyst Merril Hoge preview which players to start or sit Sunday in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” including, weekly trends and sleepers in the NFL. Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson and Johnson will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 13 action.

Additional segments include “Ditka’s Doghouse,” where the erstwhile mercurial NFL head coach Mike Ditka sends an NFL player his doghouse; and “Sunday Stretch,” which previews some of the day’s key matchups and players as they warm up for their games.

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown with Chris Berman, Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and Chris Mortensen (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Young and Emmitt Smith (at the MNF game in Houston) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football.

The 90-minute, pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans game (8:30 p.m.), featuring Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser. Reporter Suzy Kolber (Jaguars) and Michele Tafoya (Texans) will cover the teams.

Other highlights:

“Unmasked:” Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson may be the best wide receiver in the NFL. He leads the league in receptions and receiving yards. In this week’s “Unmasked,” Countdown takes viewers inside the helmet to meet the Texans’ wide receiver.

ESPN the Magazine’s “For Love or the Game:” Texans Ephraim Salaam and Chester Pitts
Famous for their Super Bowl ad and appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Houston teammates Ephraim Salaam and Chester Pitts will be the subject of Monday’s ESPN the Magazine’s “For Love or the Game,” a Countdown segment that pairs a player or coach with a member of his family and a teammate to find out which person knows more about him. Salaam’s wife, Renece, a former dancer for music stars Beyonce and Ricky Martin, and Pitts battle to see who really knows Salaam better.

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS FIELD PASS – Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game, beginning with NFL Live at 3:30 p.m.

In addition, Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Jaworski and Kornheiser will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen covering breaking news from around the league and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike will broadcast live from Dallas’ Medical City Children’s Hospital next Tuesday as part of Jimmy V Week.

Mike and Mike to Broadcast from Dallas-area Hospital Tuesday

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m.) will originate from Dallas’ Medical City Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the result of a matching bid during the fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Ever Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction,” on behalf of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Listeners bid to host co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg who would broadcast their show from the winner’s home. The winning total was matched by two officials from the hospital who made personal contributions to have the show originate from the hospital for its patients. Additionally, Golic and Greenberg will visit the hospital to meet with patients Monday afternoon.

That’s going to do it for now. I have an update brewing for you next.

Some Thursday Links

Doing paperwork is not fun and I have to get out of the office before 3 p.m. as Foxboro will get crowded with tailgaters for tonight’s Jets-Patriots game.

I’ll give you some links today.

Le Anne Schreiber, ESPN’s Ombudsman has a new article out this month and she focuses on Lou Holtz’s Hitler comments during a live show in October.

Newsday’s Neil Best has comments from NBC’s Tiki Barber about his friend, Titans QB Kerry Collins. And Neil has Tiki not surprised about his former team’s success. Neil speculates that November 30′s Broncos-Jets game could get flexed into primetime. And Neil tells us that Barclays is still committed to the new home for the Nets. Neil has comments from ESPN’s Bob Knight. And Neil asks for your memories of the infamous 1968 “Heidi” Game that got cut off by NBC. Monday is the 40th anniversary. Holy cow.

USA Today’s Bob Kimball says ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg will watch his Jets tonight at on-air partner’s Mike Golic’s house.

Peter Schrager from the pretentious men’s magazine, Esquire, says there’s one person who’s not mad that you can’t get the NFL Network.

Jon Friedman of Marketwatch.com says it’s not fair the NFL has shrunk the Patriots home market for tonight’s game.

Mark LaFlamme of the Lewiston (ME) Sun-Journal writes that Maine fans are scrambling to find ways to watch tonight’s Jets-Patriots game.

The Dallas Morning News’ Barry Horn talks about Inside the NFL’s Warren Sapp calling Keyshawn Johnson a “bitch”. And Barry feels Sunday’s NFL schedule is an embarrassment of riches for the Metroplex.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer talks with ESPN’s Ron Jaworski about members of the Browns quitting against Denver.

David Goetzl of Mediapost says ESPN’s ratings for Monday Night Football and college football went up when out of home numbers were factored in.

Brian Gainor, guest blogging for CNBC’s Darren Rovell, says 3D TV will be the next step for sports on TV. And Brian who’s doing a great job subbing for Darren, writes that the St. Louis Blues are giving their fans a chance to get a Blizzard.

Bill Virgin of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says legendary news/talk station KIRO-AM is about to switch to all-sports.

Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times says an announcement is expected today about the switch.

Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner says those hoping for the demise of Baltimore sports radio host Anita Marks had better think again.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times writes that a BCS-to-ESPN move might make it easier for a college football playoff down the line. And Tim says the MLB Network learned from the mistakes of the NFL Network and will have the widest launch of a new cable/satellite channel in history.

Tim’s colleague at the Times, Patrick Stevens says a reality show on Maryland men’s basketball finally has a name.

Mike Lucas of the Capital (WI) Times tells us that Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine was influenced by his father’s communication skills.

Steve Warden of the Fort Wayne (IN) Gazette says the small college NAIA has signed a TV deal with CBS College Sports to broadcast and stream the men’s and women’s basketball championship games.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin talks about ESPN’s massive 23 hour college basketball marathon on Tuesday.

Dan Angell of the Columbian Missourian reports that the University of Missouri has received $3.9 million from TV for broadcasting the school’s football games this season.

Steve Lepore at Puck the Media says Tuesday’s Pittsburgh-Detroit contest was the highest rated NHL regular season game ever for Versus.

John Schuster in the Tucson Weekly says Friday night for local sportscasters and sports writers is very busy as high school football games get major coverage.

Lisa Coffey in The Ledger (FL) writes that Olympic gold medal winning swimmer and NBC analyst Rowdy Gaines returned home to Winter Haven this week.

I want to congratulate Daryn Kagan on the 2nd anniversary of her website.

That’s going to do it. I’ve got to get ready to get out of here before traffic takes over Route 1.

The First Day of Autumn Links

It’s officially Fall in the US today. I still hope to have some nice days before it gets really cold in the next couple of months, but as the mornings are chilly when I get up, it’s a sign that the seasons are indeed changing.

Let’s get to your links.

David Scott of the Boston Sports Media Watch touches on a bunch of subjects today including Bob Costas’ appearance at Farm Aid this weekend, the latest at the Boston Herald, problems with the Patriots Rock Radio Network and WEEI winning a Marconi Award.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the Ryder Cup was quite appealing to watch.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Nike is getting out of the competitive Olympic swimsuit market (and touches upon a couple of things that were mentioned in our interview).

From the Sports Business Journal, John Ourand says NBA TV is making a push for a wider distribution.

Also from the SBJ, Eric Fisher and John Ourand write that the MLB Network will team up with ESPN to air the World Baseball Classic in 2009.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says the New York media enabled MLB and ESPN to put the last Yankee Stadium game at night. That’s a real stretch, Phil.

And Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News seemed to hate everything about the Yankee Stadium Closing Ceremonies.

In a review of the TV sports weekend, Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times wondered when Fox’s Jeanne Zelasko will get the name of the Rays right.

The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron has the text and .pdf file of an apology MLB El Presidente Del Mundo Bud Selig made to Astros fans.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball also looks at the full page apology MLB took in the Houston Chronicle regarding the Astros “home” series in Milwaukee last week.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun goes over some of the notable quotes from the Sunday NFL pregame shows.

Dusty Saunders of the Rocky Mountain News enjoyed a rare visit by Joe Buck and the Fox Sports crew to Denver.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel goes over the Cowboys-Packers game from several points of view.

Apparently, an NBC Sports crew member was injured following the Cowboys-Packers game last night.

We’re loving the fact that the Dallas Morning News’ Barry Horn is still in the honeymoon phase of blogging. Today, he gives a review of NBC’s production of Sunday Night Football. And Barry doesn’t quite understand the last concession at the Ryder Cup.

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says ESPN’s College Gameday will be live from the University of Georgia this Saturday.

Friend of Fang’s Bites, Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog looks at where College Gameday could set up for this Saturday’s live show.

Awful Announcing has the video of ESPN Radio host Mike Golic addressing his son’s arrest at Notre Dame over the weekend.

A few things from Laura Nachman. She talks about sports radio station WIP celebrating its 20th anniversary. Laura adds some names who have worked at the station over the years. And here are some more names. Finally, Laura says the U.S. Sports Film Festival is coming to Philly next month.

If you missed the piece on the late Lymon Bostock that aired on ESPN’s Outside the Lines yesterday, Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the embedded the video at his blog.

Shahnaz Mahmud of Adweek says as sports leagues offer live internet streaming of their games and big events, the rules for marketers and advertisers change.

Randy Whitehouse of the Lewiston (ME) Sun Journal is not a fan of NESN’s Don Orsillo.

Andrew Goldman of New York magazine writes about the relationship between the lovely and hot Alexis Stewart and her mother, Martha as the new show, “Whatever, Martha” premiered on Fine Living last week. The show is pretty funny.

Those are your links for now.

Thursday Linkage or Getting Close to The Weekend

It’s getting close to the weekend and I’m always glad that the weekend is close. Let’s do your links.

Awful Announcing has a great story on Hank Williams comparing ABC’s Monday Night Football to ESPN’s Monday Night Football and Hank says there’s no comparison.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun says Monday’s Eagles-Cowboys game broke last year’s Patriots-Ravens record for the most watched program on cable.

Geoff Colvin of Fortune Magazine talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about a bunch of subjects including the future of TV rights to the league.

Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser says the location for the set for ESPN’s College Gameday has been finalized at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Rick Kaipust of the Omaha World-Herald says the University of Nebraska has benefitted from three pay-per-view football broadcasts this season.

Brian Christopherson from the Lincoln (NE) Journal Star also looks at the success of the pay per view broadcasts for Nebraska.

Don Reid of the Coldwater (MI) Daily Reporter says the town’s board of public utilities has approved the Big Ten Network for carriage.

Newsday’s Neil Best gets answers from network public relations people to questions he could not answer in his live chat yesterday.

Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball has the TBS roster of announcers for the MLB Postseason and it includes NESN’s Don Orsillo and Dennis Eckersley.

Jim Williams of the DC Examiner says MASN plans an all-HD channel and it’s hoped that the SEC will be part of that programming.

Joe Favorito looks at a vote for the Best Minor League Baseball promotion.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has ESPN’s coverage schedule from the Ryder Cup this weekend.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune looks at the Ryder Cup.

The great Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog warns fans that the NCAA could make some changes to its men’s basketball tournament due to the credit crunch.

Laura Nachman says the Phillies are grabbing great ratings in Philly.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley recaps an appearance at Marquette University by Sports Illustrated’s Frank Deford.

Evan Weiner of the New York Sun talks about owners not just buying teams, but stakes in regional sports networks and other entertainment properties.

Chris Soghoian of CNET says ESPN is playing favorites with Internet Service Providers.

The Gloucester County (NJ) Times reports that ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning will broadcast live from the Battleship New Jersey this Friday.

That will do it for now.

A Sunday Link Thing

After a few glitches involving my computer, I think I’m ready to bring you some links this morning.

Starting off with Neil Best of Newsday, he writes a column about father and son broadcasters, Joe Castiglione, voice of the Red Sox, and his son, Duke Castiglione who works for Fox 5 in New York. And tell Neil that you totally enjoyed this column. In his blog, Neil has reader e-mails denouncing the Personal Seat License plan in the new Giants/Jets stadium.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says the Giants and Jets are shaking down fans with the Personal Seat Licences for the new stadium.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman has Fox Sports’ Terry Bradshaw backing down from his retirement talk from earlier this year.

Looking lovely as always, Daryn Kagan has the inspirational story of a blind mountain climber who uses adversity as a metaphor to succeed in life.

Albert Breer and Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News team up on a fascincating story on former Cowboys wide receiver and CBS NFL analsyt Frank Clarke who disappeared from the spotlight to become a nanny.

In his Olympics notebook, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says ratings for the Diving and Gymnastics trials did well locally (scroll down).

Mulichannel News reports on two long-time ESPN employees moving up the corporate ladder.

Dick Scanlon of the Lakeland (FL) Ledger writes that the NFL is facing reality with the NFL Network.

Josh Kendall of the Macon (GA) Telegraph says the Southeastern Conference is in a position of strength as it approaches a new round of TV negotiations.

Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun talks about the second season of a University of Maryland football reality series that is believed to be the first of its kind.

Michael Learmonth of the Silicon Valley Insider site has several ways you can watch the Euro 2008 final today in case you’re not in front of a TV.

Dave Weekley of the Charlestown (WV) Gazette-Mail writes that Hulu.com offers plenty of sports gems.

Bob Buttitta of the Ventura County Star writes that the Johnny Miller apology over comments he made at the U.S. Open over Rocco Mediate shows that the nation has become oversensitive.

John Pye of the Associated Press writes that the Tennis Channel’s Justin Gimelstob has apologized for disparaging comments made about Anna Kournikova.

Michael David Smith of the AOL Fanhouse blog watched George Carlin on the very first Saturday Night Live program and noted the first joke he made was about sports.

Mike Tankersley of the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser writes about FSN’s new series on Baseball’s Golden Age.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) goes behind-the-scenes of a FSN Detroit telecast of the Tigers.

Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times says Chicago is getting attention from ESPN usually reserved for Boston or New York.

Mike DiMauro of the Bleacher Report wishes TSN would get its act in gear and syndicate its CFL games to the United States.

Dave Donofrio of the Concord (NH) Monitor says the NASCAR TV package allows the sport to market itself overseas.

Ted Cox of the Chicago Daily Herald says give credit to ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike for beating WSCR’s Mike North in the ratings fair and square.

The AfterEllen site wonders if Maria Sharapova and 10,000 B.C. star Camilla Belle are more than BFF.

That’s going to do it. I’ll have the Week Ahead posted sometime this evening.

Thursday Night and More Links

After being at a jobsite for the afternoon and spending time away from a computer in the early evening, it’s time to provide some links now.

Neil Best of Newsday will be listening to WFAN’s Mike Francesa on Friday just in case he goes off like Chris Russo did on Monday. And Neil has video of ESPN/ABC’s Jeff Van Gundy criticizing New York Knick coach Isiah Thomas on SNY.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell has an update on the Tiger Woods apple core story.

The Schenectady Gazette’s Ken Schott is fed up of listening to whining Yankees radio announcers John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

The 38 Cliches blog says it appears that former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano may have a reunion in Houston this weekend.

Deadspin’s Will Leitch is getting melancholy as he approaches his day as editor of the website.

Bob Kimball of USA Today talks with Andy Gray who has garnered rave reviews in his work during Euro 2008 for ESPN.

The following link comes from Awful Announcing. Graham Smith of the Daily Mail in London says the BBC is thinking of suing UEFA for the outage during the Germany-Turkey game that left viewers scrambling to the radio or the internet.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that ESPN may use its Axis virtual replays on other sports. It has been used extensively during Euro 2008.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that the NFL and ESPN are offering to conduct a white space test using unlicensed devices during actual football games.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says ESPN turned into NBA TV during the NBA Draft tonight.

Julianne Smolinski of TV Week writes that ESPN has promoted two of its long-time employees of its communications department.

Ron Judd writes in his Olympics insider blog at the Seattle Times is fed up of NBC tape delaying events on the West Coast.

Chad Haynie of the Bleacher Report writes that the future of TV rights of the Southeastern Conference will be interesting to watch.

Matt Hayes of the Sporting News says the SEC TV rights will be a battle between CBS and Fox.

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that the Big Ten Network’s next target is Time Warner Cable now that a deal with Comcast is in place.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune reports that BTN will follow Illinois football coach Ron Zook for its second season of “The Journey”.

Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel says a winning bidder can have ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike broadcast their syndicated morning show from his/her house.

The Boston Herald’s Inside Track girls bid adieu for now to Hazel Mae who leaves NESN after Friday.

Eric Wilbur of the Boston Sports Blog at Boston.com complains that NESN is force feeding interviews and promotions during Red Sox home games and I have to agree with this.

Amy Derjue posts in the Boston Daily blog that Roush Fenway Racing Day at Fenway Park and on NESN the other night was too much.

The Canadian Press has a story about TSN taking over the entire CFL TV contract tonight after sharing it with CBC.

And that’s going to do it for tonight.

Friday Megalinks – Part II

Ok, I didn’t expect to get to the second part of the megalinks so late. I had a lot of work to do plus I got sidetracked. Anyway, let’s finish up the megalinks and get them up.

We left off at the East and Mid-Atlantic region. Let’s head to the Midwest, move South, head West, then finish off as usual in Canada. Lots of things going on. Let’s get cracking.

Midwest

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal says NBA TV analysts are not happy to see trash talking against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Charles Barkley’s forthright style on TNT irks some NBA players.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune talks about the Big Ten Network getting into Spring Football on Saturday. The Tribune also has the audio of Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman ripping Cubs fans during the broadcast Friday. Dave Van Dyk of the Tribune gets Cubs manager Lou Piniella’s reaction which really wasn’t much of a reaction.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Judd Zulgad wishes announcers would stop harping on the referee and focus on the game.

Paul Christian of the Rochester Post-Bulletin says get ready for an NBA postseason onslaught.

South

Doug Nye of The State informs his readers that college baseball outside of the SEC is not as popular as other college sports.

Barry Jackson writing in the Miami Herald has ABC/ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy wondering what’s wrong with the Heat.

Dave Darling of the Orlando Sentinel says TV viewers should be prepared for a lot of documentaries and movies in the next few months. Subscribers to ESPN the Magazine get ready to be yelled at. Shannon J. Owens of the Sentinel reports Steven A. Smith will be joining the ranks at the magazine.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says the Rockets turned things around and made their radio broadcasters happy.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says ESPN NBA analysts Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are split on the Dallas Mavericks’ fate in the playoffs.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has the opinions of various NBA TV analysts on the move of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. Mel says the verdict is split on the Hornets-Mavericks series. And Mel has what to watch this weekend.

West

From the Deseret (UT) Morning News, Real Salt Lake, the MLS team, has signed an agreement with a local TV station to broadcast a package of regular season games. Scott D. Pierce says ESPN will look back at the 2002 Olympics Figure Skating judging scandal.

Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune talks with CBS’ Dick Enberg who has written a play about his college basketball broadcast partner and friend, the late Al McGuire. Jay Posner writes that the NBA is praying for a Celtics-Lakers final. In his media notebook, Posner says there’s no apparent end in sight in the NFL Network-Time Warner Cable dispute. Jay also has the ratings for San Diego from last weekend.

John Maffei of the North County Times says ESPN is jumping feet first into the movie business.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes it’s a good thing Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak decided not to trade Kobe Bryant in the offseason and it has led to higher ratings for the NBA and could lead to bigger things in the playoffs.

Larry Stewart of the Los Angeles Times returns to the TV and Radio column for one day and says that TNT’s Charles Barkley is warning the Lakers not to look past the Denver Nuggets.

Tom Hoffarth’s media column in the Los Angeles Daily News also talks about the NBA wanting a Celtics-Lakers final for the ratings and media interest. Hoffarth has more stuff in his media notebook in his Farther Off the Wall blog. Tom also has an entry in which ESPN wants you to write a eulogy in case it ever bit the dust. I wouldn’t mind if ESPN bit the dust. Maybe this is ESPN trying to tell us something.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News says the Houston Astros’ Miguel Tejada tried to take the high road during an ambush interview with ESPN’s E:60 news magazine. Ryan says Sharks’ TV announcer Randy Hahn had a good call of the Joe Thornton’s winning goal in Game 4 of its series with the Calgary Flames.

Canada

The Toronto Star’s Chris Zelkovich writes that Raptors analyst Jack Armstrong looks like he’ll be remaining on the team’s broadcasts even though the team is changing its TV home next season.

Sam Toman and Andrew Chin of the Toronto Globe and Mail write that three local hoops fans have gained an interational following with their podcast.

Media Publications

Larry Barrett of Multichannel News says Yankees games are scoring for the YES Network.

John Consoli of Mediaweek writes that ratings for NBA regular season games on ESPN rose 14% from the year before.

Wayne Friedman of the Mediapost Publications wonders what impact NBC Sports veteran producer Michael Weisman will have on Comcast’s sports networks.

Brooks Boliek of the Hollywood Reporter says it’s round 2 for the NFL Network and Comcast.

Blogs

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders how much will the buried David Ortiz Red Sox jersey will fetch at auction.

Joe Favorito has the latest Public Relations Move of the Day in his sports marketing and PR blog.

The Big Lead talks about Will Purdue’s silly comments on blogs and Mike Greenberg defending them during the Mike & Mike in the Morning show on ESPN Radio.

Awful Announcing has the audio of TNT’s Charles Barkley criticizing ESPN’s E:60 ambush interview of Miguel Tejada on the Dan Patrick Show.

Other

From the “Rut ro!” Department, Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated have found the man whom Jose Canseco calls “Max” in his new book and he does not corroborate any of Canseco’s claims.

There you have it. I’ll be back with Saturday links on Saturday.

Your Sunday Links

Last night, my computer went on the fritz again, but I have it back for now, but I wonder just for how long? I’m backing it up on Carbonite, but it’s a rather long process. I just hope I can back up everything before the computer dies for good.

A personal note before we get started. If you were at a sports bar or at home watching the Yankees-Red Sox game on Fox, you know that the game had a two hour and 11 minute rain delay at Fenway Park. As the game was encroaching on Fox’s NASCAR window, announcer Joe Buck mentioned that the game was going to be moved to FX while the main network would show the start of the Subway Fresh Fit 500. However, as I was watching at a sports bar in Seekonk, MA, this announcement was not heard as music was playing and another sporting event’s volume was up. All of a sudden, the game switched. People yelled, the bartender tried to find FX and by the time she did, the game was over. People were angry. So what happened?

Neil Best of Newsday has a story in today’s paper. But he has a better explanation in his blog. As Neil writes, Fox should have given further advance notice with on-air graphics instead of a verbal warning. By the time the game had been switched, the final out had been made. Granted, it was not as bad as NBC switching the Jets-Raiders game in 1968 to the movie, “Heidi” and missing out on two touchdowns, but fans were not served by Fox in this situation. And Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch shares his frustration over the switch.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning Show is nothing but a four hour infomerical for ESPN. Did Phil just come to this conclusion?

This won’t make Phil happy at all as American Forces Network will pick up Mike & Mike for the troops stationed overseas.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says the New York Yankees should point the finger at themselves for scheduling a night game last Monday night before traveling to Kansas City the following day for a day game.

Mark Scott of the Manhattan (KS) Mercury says Cox cable subscribers will not be getting the full compliment of Kansas City Royals games this season. Mitch Sherman of the Omaha (NE) World-Herald says Cox’s move is leaving fans frustrated.

The Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus says the TV program known as “NCAA on Campus” will be coming to Mount Olive College to tape a segment on the school’s baseball team.

Lindsay Jones of the Palm Beach Post says the allure of the University of Florida’s Spring Football game brought 61,000 fans and ESPN.

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News says Alabama coach Nick Saban is trying a new approach to reach potential recruits’ homes.

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe talks with ESPN NFL draftnik Todd McShay.

Alan Blondin of the Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun News says The Masters is opening up a little bit, but not enough so you can join Augusta National.

Loran Smith of the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald writes that CBS’ Verne Lundquist is a tradition at The Masters just like the Azeleas.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press writes that FSN premieres a new show this weekend.

William Kerns of the Lubbock (TX) Avalanche-Journal writes about a songwriter who’s getting some notice for his satirical sports songs.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail is amazed at the 81 year old Red Fisher who continues to cover hockey for the Montreal Gazette.

That will do it for now.