Fang's Bites

The Wednesday Links

Let’s do some linkage today. Been doing pretty good in providing links this week and I don’t want to stop.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he talks with ESPN bloviator Chris Berman who compares himself to Ted Williams, then tries not to compare himself to Ted Williams, claims he doesn’t pay attention to criticism when he clearly does and then makes no sense about cameras. Yes, I’m showing my anti-Chris Berman bias.

Tom Weir of USA Today’s Game On writes that Jose Canseco’s Twitter account is back up and running. Oh joy.

At The Sherman Report, Ed Sherman looks at some classic anti-Mel Kiper rants from ESPN’s past coverage of the NFL Draft.

Sports Business Daily notes that Los Angeles Lakers nutjob Metta World Peace was a no-show on Conan O’Brien TBS program after his 7 game suspension for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder forward James Harden.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal writes about Fox’s deal with Golden Boy Promotions that will put live fights on Fuel and Fox Deportes.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says NHL ratings are up significantly for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which seemingly condones violence on the rink.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable notes that ABC’s ratings for the NBA are up 10% over last year despite the lockout that wiped out the first month of the season.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the Stanley Cup Playoffs are good to the NBC Sports Network.

Multichannel News says Speed has renewed the rights to the 24 Hours of LeMans road race.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page has video of Chelsea’s goal that put them in the UEFA Champions League Final, but the best part was Gary Neville’s on-air orgasm for Sky Sports.

Jim Edwards of the Business Insider Sports Page looks into NBC’s reasons for an almost $1 million price tag for a 30 second ad for its Thanksgiving Night NFL game.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has Mike “Doc” Emrick in the latest edition of his podcast.

Matt has great video of some awkward banter between SportsCenter anchors Steve Weissman and Sage Steele. Poor Sage.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us that Shake Shack could be in more MLB parks around the country.

Leah Michaels of GoLocal Providence says ESPN’s Chris Berman was at his alma mater to honor Brown University’s athletic director.

All Access has Fox Sports Radio’s coverage plans for the NFL Draft.

Steven Beardsley of Stars and Stripes says NFL Network will feature cutaways during the NFL Draft to a battalion of troops based in Germany.

Kevin Paul Dupont in the Boston Globe provides a brief history on the greatest tradition in sports, the hockey handshake at the end of every playoff series.

In the New York Post, Phil Mushnick reports that ESPN Radio is close to deal with the New York Yankees that would put the team on FM after ten years of being on WCBS-AM.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at the ratings for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Newsday’s Neil Best says the ESPN and NFL Network made the right call in not spoiling draft picks before they’re announced.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says we’re still waiting for the start times for the NHL Games 7 on Thursday.

Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal says he listened to the radio on Saturday over waiting for Fox to switch to Philip Humber’s perfect game.

Glenn Guilbeau in the Monroe (LA) News Star has New Orleans Saints interim coach Joe Vitt blasting ESPN for its latest story on the team.

KBTX in College Station, TX says Fox Sports Southwest received record ratings for the Pudge Rodriguez retirement ceremony before Monday’s Yankees-Rangers game.

George M. Thomas in the Akron Beacon Journal tells us that the networks are all over the NFL Draft.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune says swimmer Missy Franklin has become of the face of NBC’s Olympic promotional campaign.

Robert Kurson at Chicagoside Sports explains why after 25 years, he no longer listens to sports radio.

Matt Solinsky of the Desert (CA) Sun writes that Time Warner Cable and Fox Sports San Diego continue carriage talks that would put Padres games back on the provider.

Jamie Sturgeon of the Financial Post has CBC vowing in an increasingly expensive world to keep Hockey Night in Canada.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media talks about NBC Sports Group’s ratings for the NHL Playoffs on Monday.

Sports Media Watch explores ABC’s second straight year for record NBA TV ratings.

Joe Favorito looks at how sports brands can tap into National Train Day next month.

And that will put a wrap on the links.

Monday’s Linkage

I’ll do some linkage for you. Been busy all day, but I have a nice window here and I’ll get to links after I discuss last night’s hockey action.

I’m still coming down from the USA win over Canada last night in men’s hockey. Now, there are many things that could be said about NBC not airing the game, and I’ve said plenty on Twitter last night. I even got into a debate over it. I’m a bit torn. I’m grateful that MSNBC aired the game in its entirety. During the week, CNBC would join a game that started at 7:30 p.m. Eastern in progress at 8 p.m. or sometimes later depending if a curling match was going late. As much as I have come to enjoy watching curling during these Olympics, I would appreciate someone saying that curling was running late and if one wanted to watch the game from the beginning, go to NBCOlympics.com. But there was none of that in the early portion of the games. So the fact that the game was shown in its entirety on MSNBC was appreciated. In addition, by putting the game on MSNBC, it meant the entire country could watch without a dreaded delay for the Rocky Mountain region and the West Coast. So in a sense, it was a win-win for NBC. Fans who wanted to watch the game all over the country could do so without commercial interruption (another plus).

However, many fans could not see the game in 21st Century, sparkling crystal-clear high definition. This was due to NBC Universal not making the proper arrangements with cable and satellite providers (DirecTV for me) ahead of time. NBC Universal did try to entice providers with USA-Canada to get them to pick up MSNBC HD, but no dice. But that was a small problem for me. Once the game got going, it was a minor nuisance, not a major one.

Part of me wishes the game was aired on NBC. But if that occurred, we would have run into West Coast ire from those who wanted to see the game live. I raise the argument that if ABC had taken the same tact with the USA men’s hockey team in 1980, it never would have been able to build the Miracle on Ice story as well as it did. For those born after 1980, you don’t know that ABC actually showed a majority of USA men’s hockey games live on its network. The only ones shown on tape delay were the USA-Sweden game which was the first game for the Americans in that Olympics and the USA-USSR semifinal game which ran at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 22 in Lake Placid. Again, 1980 was a different TV landscape than today and NBC certainly has more options to air hockey. But if you want to build a story, what better way than to show USA-Canada.

I get the fact that NBC is using the Olympics to appeal to a mass audience, not sports fans, and not everyone likes hockey, but one way to build a story is to show the rivalry between USA-Canada and then if there’s a rematch in the gold medal game, you have last night’s game to reference.

Yes, NBC is gearing the Olympics more towards casual fans so it packages skiing, makes figure skating like American Idol and shows more silly Mary Carillo features to make you hurl, but there is a way it can cater to hardcore sports fans. Sports fans like myself get infuriated at NBC for delaying events, but the network knows we’ll watch. It’s trying to build an audience so yes, NBC will delay skiing and other glamor events so it can add features, replays and cut a 2 hour event to 45 minutes so the casual viewer can get hooked. Based on this thinking, hockey is going to get pushed to CNBC or MSNBC, however, from what I could tell from Twitter, people were watching USA-Canada over tape delayed skiing.

But the ratings will tell us how the hockey game fared and we’re expecting that later today. Once I receive notice, you’ll see it here on the blog.

Ok, I’m done with discussing USA-Canada, let’s get to some links.

Jason Fry, writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center talks about the reporting of Olympic results and how some journalists can provide them without spoiling some of their audience.

Linda Holmes from National Public Radio writes that NBC’s Olympic coverage manages to annoy just about everyone.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the delayed coverage on NBC is frustrating many fans.

Over to Sports Business Journal where Tripp Mickle and John Ourand report that the US TV networks aren’t showing much of a response for the rights to the 2014/2016 Olympics.

SBJ’s Olympic site says NBC’s ratings for the Olympics are up 21% from Turin.

Tripp Mickle writes that the NHL was highly visible in Vancouver for “Super Sunday”.

Back to the SBJ, Bill King has a feature asking the question, how do sports leagues handle wireless rights and how much do they commit?

Jon Show in Sports Business Daily says Tiger Woods’ negative numbers are now very high. 

Eric Fisher in Sports Business Daily writes that Sporting News Today will be going to a pay model in April, but that does not affect Sportingnews.com.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch has your Olympic viewing guide.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says perhaps Canada’s Own The Podium program could be to blame for the country’s poor performance to date at the Winter Olympics. 

Darren talks with Al Michaels about his Miracle on Ice call 30 years later.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times discusses Al Michaels’ first foray into the Olympic studio.

Marc Berman of the New York Post says that former Knicks announcer Marv Albert was not invited to tonight’s 40th anniversary celebration of the team’s first NBA Championship. Albert called it on radio and was considered part of the team by fans.

Jerry Barmash of the New York Examiner tells us that two WCBS-AM sports reporters were honored recently.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News says MSNBC with the USA-Canada hockey game actually beat NBC in the ratings in Western New York. Thanks to good friend, Steve Lepore of Puck The Media for the link.

Tim Lemke looks at which Olympic athletes will cash in on their success or failure.

Jim Williams talks with NBC Olympics late night host Mary Carillo.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times liked the NBC and ESPN features on the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business writes a long diatribe on how Tiger Woods does not an apology to anyone.

Ed explains why the White Sox decided to participate in an MLB Network reality show.

Ed says NBC made the right call to jettison the USA-Canada hockey game to MSNBC.

Chicago Blackhawks historian Bob Verdi looks back at the Miracle on Ice. 

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says the Nuggets are making national news for the wrong reasons.

The Los Angeles Times’ Diane Pucin looks at how social networking is helping West Coast Olympic fans cope with the NBC tape delays.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for Southern California.

Tom says MLB Network’s Prime 9 show will list the best baseball broadcasters of all time.

Tom wasn’t pleased with how NBC shuttled USA-Canada to MSNBC.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star feels some of CTV’s announcers have become unabashed cheerleaders for Canada.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours writes about the USA-Canada game and various CTV issues.

Ben Grossman of Broadcasting & Cable writes that Fang’s Bites fave Charissa Thompson will co-host a new reality show on Speed.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says CBS College Sports has picked up a carriage deal with AT&T U-Verse.

Katy Bachman of Mediaweek says a large group of NBC affiliates are happy with the Olympics primetime performance.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the Olympics have lifted NBC to third place in the 18-49 demographic.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life writes that Tiger Woods’ statement is not being well received by the media

The Sports Media Watch notes that the Tiger Woods apology did well for Golf Channel and ESPN.

SMW says NBC won Sunday night’s ratings thanks to the Olympics, but it was the lowest rated night since the Games began.

SMW tells us that NBC’s daytime and late night Olympic coverage is also outperforming Turin’s ratings.

And SMW has some various Olympics ratings news.

My Twitter Trophy Wife, Amanda Rykoff writes that NBC did the right thing in sending USA-Canada hockey to MSNBC last night.

Phil Swann in TV Predictions explains why NBC chose not to air USA-Canada.

Chris Byrne at Eye on Sports Media says Olympic curling is performing well for CNBC.

And Len Berman is back after a week off with his Top 5 stories of the day.

Those are your links. Tonight, I’ll be at a screening of the upcoming HBO Sports documentary, Magic & Bird. I’ll give you a scenesetter report on Tuesday and a review as we get closer to the airdate.

Monday Links

As we get ready for the All-Star Game tomorrow, let’s give you some links.

Newsday’s Neil Best, back from vacation, writes about Billy Packer’s departure from CBS.

Roger Van Der Horst in the Charlotte News & Observer says Packer was prepared for this day.

Reid Cherner and Tom Weir of the USA Today Game On! blog have Dick Vitale’s thoughts on Packer’s departure.

Blair Kerkhoff from the Kansas City Star also has a story on CBS dropping Billy Packer.

Dusty Saunders of the Rocky Mountain News says there will be plenty of hoopla surrounding the All-Star Game.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post criticizes the networks for not picking up on the increased ticket prices at the new Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says YES’ Bobby Murcer was a great teammate to the end.

David Hinckley in the New York Daily News writes that radio stations, WCBS, WFAN and WPEN will all have coverage of the All-Star Game.

Kevin Downey of Media Life Magazine writes that Fox is raking in the advertising dollars for the All-Star Game.

Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner tells us not to blame MASN for the Washington Nationals’ low ratings, blame the product on the field.

The Kansas City Star’s Jeffrey Flanagan has ESPN’s Rick Sutcliffe appealing for cancer screening.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that Tom Watson will join Mike Tirico and Paul Azinger in the ESPN on ABC booth for the Open Championship.

The Bunker Shot blog says Turner Sports will offer live multi-platform coverage of the Open Championship including a live stream at PGA.com.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks back at the weekend in televised sports.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that both Tony Romo and Ben Roesthlisberger are both quoted as supporting Brett Favre’s comeback.

John Ourand and Michael Smith of the Sports Business Journal write that Sun Sports has signed a new 10 year media rights deal with the University of Florida which means that an SEC Channel may not be a reality this year.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if Anheuser-Busch will continue to advertise heavily on sporting events now that the company has been bought out by Belgian brewer InBev.

In an editorial, the Orlando Sentinel says the fans are the losers in the Bright House cable-FSN Florida dispute.

Mark Shanahan and Paysha Rhone of the Boston Globe report that former NESN hottie Hazel Mae hosted a party in which she bid farewell to Beantown (scroll down).

Chris Littman of the Sporting News warns us that we’ll see more “Frank TV” ads on TNT and TBS sporting events.

That’s all for now

Suzyn Says It’s Alright to Cry

Well, this Suzyn Waldman story just keeps growing legs. Yes, she cried in the Yankees locker room after Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Yes, it was unprofessional. Yes, it was not the time to cry. Yes, it was not appropriate of a broadcaster to do so. Here’s the clip again if you want to be reminded of what happened.

But Suzyn is coming out swinging, defending her actions to Neil Best in a column that will be published tomorrow in Newsday. And Best has a sidebar in his blog about the story with Suzyn calling the criticism sexist.

It reminds me of the 1974 children’s TV program “Free to Be … You and Me” when football player Rosey Grier sang “It’s Alright to Cry”. I think that’s what Suzyn is trying to tell us.

It’s the Wednesday Links

Let’s get to your Wednesday links this morning.

The Sports Media Watch says Game 4 of the Indians-Yankees LDS on TBS was the highest rated MLB playoff game on cable, but still got beat by ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks about the pilot Fox’s Joe Buck shot for a potential late night show.

Tom Morgan of Voices.com raves about TBS’ coverage of the League Division Series saying it’s much more superior than anything Fox has to offer.

Richard Sandomir in today’s New York Times talks with WCBS’ Suzyn Waldman about her crying after Monday’s Game 4 of the Yankees-Indians series.

Neil Best of Newsday also writes about Suzyn’s crying. And Best’s column talks about the melancholy mood on YES following Monday’s game.

Jim Williams in the DC/Baltimore Examiner talks about Cal Ripken ramping up on the TBS set during the League Division Series.

Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune writes about the continuing dispute between Comcast and the Big Ten Network.

In the Los Angeles Times, Christine Daniels says LA football fans will get stuck with the Oakland-San Diego game this Sunday instead of the Patriots-Cowboys game.

Bob McManaman in the Arizona Republic catches up with Steve Beuerlein who does NFL games for CBS Sports.

Over to the Kansas City Star and Jeffrey Flanagan’s Top of the Mornin’ column. Scroll down and you’ll see that Kansas-Baylor will be on Fox College Sports and FSN Midwest plans to air 30-40 Royals games in HD next season.

I’ll monitor reaction to ESPN getting the Masters which broke just in the middle of the morning. We’ll have more later. Check back often.

The Suzyn Waldman Clip

Here’s the clip of Suzyn Waldman crying on WCBS Monday night. It’s already a classic.

Poor Suzyn’s been ripped on WEEI in Boston to no end.

How not to make a call….

Suzyn Waldman is in her third year as an announcer for the Yankees Radio Network. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s survived breast cancer. She was the first voice heard when WFAN in New York signed on in 1987. Suzyn is a survivor.

But she was at the mike when Roger Clemens made his announcement that he was coming back to the Yankees. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.