Let’s Do The Friday Megalinks Again

Linkage has been scarce around the site this week, but I should be able to get a good set of megalinks in today as we head into NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday. You deserve the links and I thank you for your patience around some server problems this week.

As usual, you can check the Weekend Viewing Picks for all weekend sports and entertainment recommendations.

Let’s get to the linkage.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today profiles ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi who got a big endorsement from Louisville’s Rick Pitino this week.

Erik Spanberg at Sports Business Journal looks at Major League Soccer hoping for big returns from its new contract with NBC Sports.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch explores NBC’s new approach to airing soccer and reviews ESPN’s new documentary on Magic Johnson.

Karen Hogan at Sports Video Group looks at ESPN’s innovative plans for MLS games this season.

Lindsay Flans of the Hollywood Reporter says A-List celebrities have caught Linsanity fever.

And the Reporter provides a seating chart of where celebrities sit at Madison Square Garden to get a glimpse of Jeremy Lin.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Michael Bradley feels the mid-major conferences sacrifice regular season integrity in exchange for TV exposure with their post-season tournaments.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell is recovering after his alma mater, Northwestern, played its way out of the NCAA Tournament this week.

Joe Favorito says even in this day and age, the little guy can make a splash in sports marketing.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

SMW notes that NBC Sports will replace the departed Wimbledon with the Tour de France this summer.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing says ESPN Films is suffering from an identity crisis.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NBC’s innovation in hockey production is now extending to the soccer pitch.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth isn’t a fan of speculation.

At Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie blog, Dan Devine says Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made a gay joke at Bill Simmons’ expense with him present.

Erik Malinowski of Deadspin says Cuban has apologized for making that remark.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn looks at CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament.

Chad notes that a prodigal son is returning to WEEI this weekend.

Boston Sports Media Watch’s Bruce Allen at SB Nation Boston says the Boston Herald will miss Patriots beat reporter Ian Rapoport as he departs for NFL Network.

George Cain at Sports of Boston compares and contrasts the two sports radio stations ratings.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette says different generations watch sports differently.

Paul Devlin of the New Canaan (CT) Patch talks with ESPN High Grand Poobah of News Vince Doria.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Magic Johnson about ESPN’s documentary on his HIV announcement 20 years ago.

Neil notes the opening of a new Broadway play on the rivalry between Magic and former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird.

Neil says it’s time for our annual search to find truTV for the NCAA Tournament.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after the “gang mentality” in football.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY notes that MSG Network is about to unveil a new baseball-centric show.

Chris Boyle at the Merrick (NY) Patch says two alumna of a local high school, now ESPN personalities, made a visit to their old stomping grounds.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that Buffalo Sabres games are back on MSG after a technical glitch prevented fans from seeing their games for two weeks.

Pete talks with Uncle Verne Lundquist of CBS who’s going into his 49th year of broadcasting.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times-Herald Record says a local man has been chosen to take part in this year’s MLB Fan Cave.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks with ESPN’s Mike Tirico who says he’ll miss working with Ron Jaworski every Monday Night.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with tennis Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Chris Evert.

South

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer says for the first time, viewers in the ACC footprint can see ESPN’s coverage of the ACC Tournament.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald likes watching the ESPN/ABC NBA studio show.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle notes that Comcast SportsNet Houston is getting ready for its fall launch.

And David expands on his column on CSN Houston in his blog.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has a few Sooner State sports media news and notes.

Midwest

Jeff Moss at Detroit Sports Rag has a field of 64 to decide the Worst Detroit Sports Media Personality.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says CBS and Turner are enjoying their NCAA Tournament partnership.

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

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reviews the one week experiment of Joe Buck and Tim McKernan co-hosting a radio show that could turn into something bigger down the road.

Dan says don’t expect too many changes for this year’s NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS and Turner Sports.

West

John Maffei at the North County Times writes that if NCAA Tournament coverage ain’t broke, then CBS and Turner aren’t going to fix it.

John says Fox Sports San Diego is set to launch any day now, provided MLB approves the Padres’ deal to air games on the network.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says the success of the CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament consortium surprised officials at both companies.

Jim says Peyton Manning’s former coach, Tony Dungy now of NBC, feels San Francisco would be a good fit for him.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at Magic Johnson’s life-changing announcement, 20 years later.

Tom explores how Time Warner Cable will present LA Galaxy games while it’s still in the process of launching its new SoCal regional sports network.

Tom has a few items that didn’t make his weekly media column.

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times notes that ESPN will air next year’s Pac-12 Basketball Championship Game.

Canada

Rosie DiManno of the Toronto Star says CBC’s Don Cherry and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke are acting like a couple of spoiled divas in their public spat.

And that’s going to do it for today. Enjoy your sports weekend.

Let’s Do The Friday Megalinks

Lots of things to get to today. Couldn’t do the links yesterday. Going to do a big megalink edition for you.

Let’s get cracking, but first, there’s the Weekend Viewing Picks complete with a link to the busy College Basketball Viewing Picks which will be updated throughout the weekend.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with Oscar-winner and ESPN college football analyst Ed Cunningham.

Sports Illustrated issued a statement standing by its feature story this week by George Dohrmann on UCLA’s troubles.

Yesterday, Captain Blowhard, a.k.a Bill Simmons of Grantland interviewed President Obama for his podcast. I haven’t listened to it nor read the transcript as I don’t want to be bothered. Dan Levy of Bleacher Report did and had some problems with it.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider’s Sports Page lists some writers who were most likely jealous over Simmons’ sitdown with the President.

Sports Business Daily says Captain Blowhard threw a hissy fit this week after Duke refused to issue a credential to one of Grantland’s writers for Saturday’s game against North Carolina.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable writes that NFL Today and Inside the NFL host James Brown will become a special correspondent for CBS News.

Gabriel Beltrone of Adweek writes that Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant is pitching Sprint phones.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life says thanks to Super Bowl XLVI, NBC won the February sweeps, marking the third straight year that sports has steered the month.

Ryan Berenz of Channel Guide Magazine writes that NBC Sports Network will be all over a French bicycle race this month.

Maury Brown at the Biz of Baseball says while we know MLB will announce expanded Wild Card Playoff games today, we don’t know which network will air them.

Sam Mamudi of Marketwatch.com writes that the competition among mainstream sports websites is very intense.

Pam Modarelli-Hegner at Sports TV Jobs writes about the types of personalities and egos journalists encounter when interviewing athletes.

Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder writes in Puck Drunk Love about ESPN’s failure to cover the NHL.

In his regular site, Matt says CNBC’s Darren Rovell assigned his baby daughter several social networking accounts on her first day on earth.

Brady Green at AA has video of the Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia’s very funny impression of ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian that aired on Baseball Tonight.

John Daly at the Daly Planet looks at Showtime’s Inside NASCAR program taking the spring and summer off after one episode this week.

Barry Petchesky over at Deadspin notes that ESPN came up with another potentially racist headline for an Asian-American athlete.

Rachel Margolis at ESPN’s Front Row PR blog talks with college basketball analyst Brooke Weisbrod who has a rather interesting day job that keeps her busy during the work week.

Joe Favorito says President Obama is courting sports fans through the Captain Blowhard podcast.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media reviews the new hockey movie, “Goon.”

Sports Media Watch has some of the ratings from last week’s sports action.

SMW says Jeremy Lin is helping to move the ratings needle for ABC and TNT.

The Tampa Bay Times’ Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says a San Diego sports anchor’s criticism of Danica Patrick shows that sexism still exists in sports.

Also in the National Sports Journalism Center, Ronnie Ramos laments how social media has watered down traditional sports journalism.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan talks with ESPN’s college basketball analyst Doris Burke. High praise and I agree. Doris is one of the best.

Chad Finn of the Globe says despite having his original role reduced, Dale Arnold is remaining at WEEI.

Chad has some advice for rookie ESPN MLB analyst Terry Francona.

Boston Sports Media Watch’s Bruce Allen writing in SB Nation Boston says Bill Simmons has had a meteoric rise to stardom.

Bill Doyle at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette says it was the Worcester Sharks’ radio voice who came up with the idea to have popular New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spike a puck before a game last month.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks back at the 50th anniversary of one of the major milestones in sports that barely was covered by the media at the time.

Newsday’s Neil Best says two ESPN’ers will speak at their high school alma mater next week.

Neil says the Nets are not drawing well on YES.

Neil notes that CBS Sports Network utilizes a husband & wife team for its college hockey games.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick mocks the bracketologists handicapping the NCAA Tournament field.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for NHL on NBC voice Mike Emrick.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY says MSG Network continues to score with Knicks games.

Jerry reports that former WNBC-TV sports anchor Len Berman is back on TV in NYC.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that NBC Sports Network will air the America’s Cup next year.

Pete says YES is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says NBC Sports Network is adding NHL games to its schedule for the playoff drive.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that a local service provider has snagged the rights to an incoming minor league hockey team.

DCRTV’s Dave Hughes has the latest developments in Baltimore-Washington, DC sports media at Press Box.

South

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that a local sports anchor is recovering from a stroke he suffered last year.

David has a little more on the story in his blog.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with Fox Sports Oklahoma NBA studio analyst Stephen Howard.

Mel has more here with Stephen Howard.

Mel says NBA TV is marking the 50th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points in a game.

Midwest

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter says a movie script has been written about a deaf mute Reds player who changed the way umpires made calls.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders if another network will join Fox and TBS in airing the MLB Postseason this year.

Bob says ESPN still leads the way in cable subscriber fees, meaning how much cable and satellite providers are required to pay ESPN per subscriber.

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

Ed says a Big Ten Network profile of former Indiana University coach Bob Knight will mostly focus on his achievements and hardly touches on his tumultuous exit.

Paul Christian at the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin notes NBA TV’s documentary on Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says not many Missourians will be able to see local teams in conference tournaments next week.

West

Dan Caesar of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that BYU is better off an a football independent rather than share money and TV time with other teams when it was part of the Mountain West.

John Maffei at the North County Times says local prep basketball games will be harder to find on local TV this weekend.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says who knew that product placement would be the big winner during Fox’s airing of the Daytona 500.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says CBS and MSG Network are considering buy the Dodgers in separate bids in order to get their TV rights.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at how the media covered (barely) Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game 50 years ago today.

Tom has some news and notes this week.

Canada

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says CBC premieres part two of the movie on Don Cherry’s life this weekend.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail can’t believe how well NHL Trade Deadline coverage does in the ratings.

Bruce says social media has changed sports reporting forever.

And that will do it. Enjoy your weekend.

Tuesday Links with Some Overdue Monday Linkage

I was hoping to do links on Monday featuring reviews of the Super Bowl and the ads, but real life got in the way. Plus, a link from SI.com to my Biff Henderson post temporarily knocked my site down. Much appreciated to Jimmy Traina and Hot Clicks for the link.

The links begin with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch who doles out his grades for the Super Bowl production.

Michael Hiestand from USA Today says Al Michaels was on top of his game on Sunday.

Bruce Horovitz of USA Today has the results of the paper’s Super Bowl Ad Meter. The results may or may not surprise you.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that Super Bowl XLVI on NBC set a viewership record.

Tim Nudd of Adweek lists the five best Super Bowl commercials according to the publication.

Adweek’s David Griner has the five most debated Super Bowl adverts.

Todd Cunningham at The Wrap says NBC has apologized for the now-infamous middle finger from M.I.A. during the Madonna halftime performance.

Kristi Dosh at ESPN.com has some off-the-field winners for Super Bowl XLVI.

Sports Business Daily notes that dogs were a favorite of the Super Bowl ads.

SBD notes that NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show was mostly praised.

Michael Smith and John Ourand of Sports Business Journal say the ACC is looking for a big payday from ESPN with two new members entering the conference.

Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter says the FCC likely won’t fine NBC for M.I.A’s middle appendage.

The Hollywood Reporter says Super Bowl XLVI set a Twitter record.

George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable says the Super Bowl was the biggest event ever on social media.

John Eggerton of B&C writes that the FCC has ruled a Chicago NBC affiliate was within its rights to reject an anti-abortion Super Bowl ad.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes about the ratings and viewership standards set by Super Bowl XLVI.

Mike writes that MSG Network will air the February 11 Buffalo Sabres-Tampa Bay Lightning game on NBC affiliates in Buffalo and Rochester as an end run around Time Warner Cable.

Simon Dumenco of Advertising Age has the 10 Super Bowl ads that set social media afire.

Ad Age’s Rich Thomaselli notes that Giants Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning is now expected to equal or surpass his brother Peyton as a commercial endorser.

Ad Age’s experts break down the Super Bowl ads.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has video of ESPN’s Rick Reilly making a preposterous statement following Super Bowl XLVI.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says Super Bowl XLVI lived up to the ratings hype.

SVG notes that Super Bowl XLVI garnered its highest audience ever in Canada even beating the CFL Grey Cup.

The With Leather blog has some pictures from the infamous Playboy Super Bowl party where CNBC’s Darren Rovell got into trouble with women.

Stephen Douglas at The Big Lead notes that Extra host and Massachusetts Maria Menounos native paid up on a Super Bowl bet and hosted yesterday’s show in a Giants bikini in the middle of Times Square.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC’s Cris Collinsworth stepped up in the biggest moment of the Super Bowl.

The Times’ Brian Stelter has NBC calling its online stream of Super Bowl XLVI a success.

Stuart Elliot of the Times says the Super Bowl ads were meh.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels NBC covered up Rob Gronkowski’s ankle injury when the game began. You’re reaching, Phil.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY says WCBS-TV scored impressive numbers for its post-Super Bowl coverage.

Howard Megdal of the Journal News’ LoHud Mets Blog says the team, invoking memories of the Soviet Union, has revoked his media credential for the 2012 season.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union feels Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth weren’t up to par on Sunday.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call notes that the Philadelphia Phillies will be heard on the FM dial starting this season.

Laura Nachman has her Super Bowl XLVI highlights.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun says NBC’s Super Bowl telecast rose above the ads and the halftime show.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says a local sports radio producer is getting out of the business to become a restauranteur.

Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald praises NBC for its coverage of the Big Game.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times feels NBC got the job done on Super Bowl Sunday.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Super Bowl got another huge rating.

David provides his thoughts on the NBC Super Bowl production.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer lists his best and worst Super Bowl ads.

Robert King of the Indianapolis Star has the national media heaping praise on the city for hosting the Super Bowl.

King writes that the earliest Indy could host the Super Bowl again would be in 2017.

Lou Harry and Anthony Schoette of the Indianapolis Business Journal review Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime performance.

Anthony and Cory Schouten say Lucas Oil Stadium passed the test of holding its first Super Bowl.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feels Aaron Rodgers did well in his guest stint on NBC.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his wrap of the Super Bowl.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Gateway City lagged behind the national average ratings for the Super Bowl.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post writes NBC did yeoman’s work and then some on Super Bowl Sunday.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune lists his favorite Super Bowls XLVI ads.

Jay Posner in the San Diego Union-Tribune feels NBC was good, but not Super on Sunday.

John Maffei of the North County Times for the most part enjoyed NBC’s Super Bowl coverage.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News also liked NBC’s broadcast.

Tom has a longer review on his blog.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders why the Super Bowl has so many prop bets.

Slate’s Matthew Black was stuck watching the lackluster Canadian Super Bowl ads.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes the Super Bowl did really well in Canada.

Leah Goldman at the Business Insider Sports Page keeps an eye out for ESPN’s Erin Andrews and Fox’s Troy Aikman as a potential sports media power couple.

Sports Media Watch has some other Super Bowl ratings news.

Mike Silva of the Sports Media Watchdog has suggestions on how to handle fan taunts unlike Gisele Bündchen.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that NBC Sports Network will have a hockey doubleheader on Wednesday.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing gives his bests and worsts of Super Bowl XLVI.

Matt also looks at the running feud between ESPN Radio’s Ryen Russillo and WEEI’s John Dennis.

Surviving Grady speaks with Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle.

And those are your links. Got them done before noon. I’m happy.

Quick Pre-Super Bowl Links

Let’s do some Super Bowl Sunday links today.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says media analysts are predicting another record viewership for the Super Bowl.

Mike says MSG Network remains off Time Warner Cable systems for the fifth consecutive week with no agreement in sight.

Kate Fagan of espnW has a look at what Super Bowl XLVI sideline reporter Michele Tafoya will deal with on the Lucas Oil Stadium field tonight.

Peter Pachal from Mashable has a look at NBC’s streaming of the Super Bowl.

Sean Newell at Deadspin says CNBC’s Darren Rovell may have lost the female vote forever.

Deadspin’s Timothy Burke tells us about a media feud between WEEI’s John Dennis and ESPN Radio’s Ryan Russillo.

Speaking of Darren Rovell, he wonders if Eli Manning can become a more prolific endorser than Tom Brady.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe talks about Twitter and some of the New England Patriots who use the social media service.

The New York Times’ Ritchie S. King and Kevin Quealy look at some of the clichés that have enveloped ESPN SportsCenter.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Times is speaking in tongues today.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has the NBC football crew talking about today’s Super Bowl.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ John Lynch about the Super Bowl.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Super Bowl could decide the local news race.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Green Bay Packers’ Charles Woodson is doing well for the NFL Network.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with NBC’s Al Michaels.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has NBC’s and CTV’s coverage plans for the Super Bowl.

Mike Silva from the Sports Media Watchdog goes over Darren Rovell’s downfall with women this weekend.

Joe Favorito has a few sports business tidbits for us.

And those are the quick links for today. Enjoy the Super Bowl. I’ll have grades on the Super Bowl ads tonight.

Friday Megalinks Or The Return of Linkage

Due to being at jobsites for the last few days, I haven’t been able post links like I’ve wanted to. I apologize for that. I have tried to be diligent in updating as much as I can.

I have quite a bit to catch up with. I may be a blogging machine as I have to post a lot of things today. Plus, I to get ready to head to New York tomorrow for Blogs with Balls 4 so I’m going to be quite busy. Let’s get to the linkage.

But first, there’s always the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment planning.

National

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal writes that ESPN will do everything it can to head off NBC/Versus at the pass.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch asks if sports broadcasting and politics should mix?

Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press says the Big 12′s TV contracts helped to keep the conference together for now.

The Nielsen Ratings Wire blog notes that among various TV programming, sports in primetime continues to do well.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with CBS/WFAN/Westwood One’s Boomer Esiason on how the NFL should investigate the Dallas Cowboys’ medical staff for clearing Tony Romo to play last Sunday.

Mike says ESPN is denying any responsibility for the recent college football chaos and says the Longhorn Network doesn’t have anything to do with it. I think Texas A&M, Missouri and other Big 12 schools would beg to differ.

Bob Velin of USA Today writes that CBS’ 48 Hours Mystery program will investigate the mysterious and unsettling death of boxer Arturo Gatti.

Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand of USA Today debate whether schools or TV wield the power in college sports.

John Taylor of College Football Talk writes that Brett Favre gets his first taste of being an analyst next week for CSS.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports that the FCC has ruled that Cablevision-owned MSG Network cannot withhold its HD signal to other cable providers violating program-access rules.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that YES received its second highest rating ever for the American League East Division clinching game this week.

Mike says Golf Channel and NBC Sports are teaming up for a promotion to give a lucky viewer of “The Big Break” a chance to win a trip to see Notre Dame play in Ireland next year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek says the NFL has pulled an ad for its fantasy football product which used a picture of Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles after he was injured last week.

David Lieberman of Deadline reports that Time Warner Cable is planning to offer a low cost tier that will not include ESPN in the lineup.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown calling Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones something else.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the sixth and perhaps final installment of New Era’s Yankees-Red Sox Alec Baldwin-John Kraskinski ads. They have been quite good. This latest one may have taken it a bit too far.

Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty reviews the ESPN Films documentary “Catching Hell”, on Steve Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs.

Sports Media Watch talks with the crew of ESPN’s College GameDay.

SMW says despite being on tape delay, Fox drew a decent audience for its first English Premier League game on Sunday.

SMW notes that the ratings for CBS’ 2nd game of its NFL doubleheader dropped from last year.

SMW says the NBA lockout has forced the cancellation of the start of training camp and over 40 preseason games.

And SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito looks at one imaginative marketing campaign that helped Eye Black this week.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reviews “Moneyball.”

Darren has some interesting facts on sports participation in America.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group looks at how CBS Sports Network was able to bring the Tim Brando Show into a TV simulcast from his base in Shreveport, LA.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.

Ben Koo from AA says tomorrow is when Gus Johnson and FX get their real grand opening in college football.

At The Stir, Maressa Brown feels ESPN’s Erin Andrews is unqualified to demonstrate CrossFit.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that WEEI’s Glenn Ordway has suffered a rather severe pay cut due to lower ratings for his afternoon drive show.

At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at a busy week in local sports media news.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette writes that Dale Arnold is pleased to be back with NESN after leaving in 2007.

Lang Whitaker and Ian Lovett of the New York Times give us an inside look at DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel and NFL Network’s RedZone.

John Jeansonne of Newsday reviews ESPN Films’ documentary on transgendered tennis player Renee Richards.

Newsday’s Neil Best says fans seem to be buying into the New York Islanders’ future.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post has news that some Time Warner Cable subscribers have been waiting for, that the company appears to be close to a carriage agreement with NFL Network.

Phil Mushnick at the Post can’t stand ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Justin Terranova of the Post says last month’s Russian plane crash that killed 44 members of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl really hit home for MSG Network analyst Joe Micheletti.

And Justin has five questions for Joe.

Lou Lumenick of the Post says “Moneyball” is one of the best baseball movies of all-time.

I’ll break my self-imposed embargo on the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman for a week for this story on the Yankees’ radio rights which are in flux and so are the fates of broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that MSG Network has named Steve Cangialosi to replace Mike “Doc” Emrick on New Jersey Devils games.

And Pete talks with Steve about his new gig.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette is not a fan of a new local sports talk show host.

Ken notes that NBC Sports is extending its “Summer at Saratoga” series for at least two more years.

At Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has announced its Capitals and Wizards schedules.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the college football conference merry-go-round could have some legal ramifications.

Jim says the ratings for the NFL in both Baltimore and Washington were very strong.

South

In the Miami Herald, Joseph Goodman notes the irony of ESPN possibly saving college football from massive chaos.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel catches up with ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer.

Jeff Sentell of the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN is not ponying up to air high school games from the region.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that an Astros broadcaster is celebrating 25 years with the club.

David asks readers if they find the idea of the Longhorn Network offensive.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says an Oklahoma State wide receiver will be profiled on ESPN’s College GameDay.

Midwest

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Cleveland MLB team radio voice Mike Hegan is leaving he broadcast after this season.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Reds voice Marty Brennaman can’t campaign on-air for his former partner Joe Nuxhall for the Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick Award.

Micahel Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press wonders why the DirecTV/NBC series “Friday Night Lights” didn’t do better in the ratings.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says actor Brad Pitt saw “Moneyball” as a compelling story.

Bob says the Green Bay Packers will be showcased aplenty in the late afternoon window on both CBS and Fox this season.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship failed to draw viewers away from the NFL on Sunday.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with WMAQ-TV sports anchor Paula Ferris.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders why Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin has been missing of late.

Kevin Haskin of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal writes that CBS Sports Network was in town to air an NCAA Division II football game this week.

West

Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Big Ten Network won’t allow the local Cox system to pick up Saturday’s San Diego State-Michigan game on a one-time only basis.

The North County Times’ John Maffei writes that unless fans can find a sports bar, they’ll have to listen to San Diego State on the radio.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says it’s too bad Southern California couldn’t see the end of the exciting Oakland-Buffalo game due to silly NFL rules.

Jim says HBO will replay last Saturday’s controversial Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says a bankruptcy court has given the Dodgers permission to change their flagship radio station for next season.

Tom says the NFL secondary market rule needs to be changed.

Tom also has a few notes that he couldn’t get into his Friday column.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News looks at the Pac-12′s decision to stand pat, TV’s role in the whole thing and where BYU may be headed.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC’s P.J. Stock is regretting his initial comments on Wade Belak’s death.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog is not so fast to forgive P.J.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC has made some additions to its Hockey Night in Canada crew.

And there you have it for your links today.

Friday Megalinks Just For You

Let’s do some linkage.

The Weekend Viewing Picks give you everything to you need for your viewing pleasure.

Let’s do this.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that primetime is the right time for college football.

Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Daily reports that ESPN has sold out its ad inventory for its new NASCAR non-stop initiative which will allow fans to see continuous race action while commercials run.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NFL Network used some creative methods in Boston to promote its Bill Belichick documentary.

If you watched the Belichick documentary, then you probably know about the best scene which was the coach yelling at the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Mason who was trash talking. Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the video.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that Sports Illustrated has released a new Football Rivals mobile app.

Sports Media Watch says ABC is doing well with college football in its first two weeks of the season.

SMW notes that last Saturday’s Notre Dame-Michigan game on ESPN in primetime did better than the previous week’s Fighting Irish game on NBC.

SMW says last week’s NASCAR race in Richmond garnered a four year ratings high for ABC.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page says sports bars got hit the hardest by DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket technical difficulties last week.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media has NHL Network’s preseason schedule that begins next week.

Joe Favorito says sports brands are now jumping into the corn field maze craze.

Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.

Parade talks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe writes about some ex-Patriots players who have made the transition to TV.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald talks about 98.5 The Sports Hub winning the prestigious Marconi for Best Sports Station in the country over a former winner, WEEI.

Bill Doyle at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette praises the NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir looks at a rare film that followed the late Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto and other ex-Pinstripers to Austria for an exhibition game in 1994.

Daniel E. Slotnick of the Times writes that former New York Jet and broadcaster Sam DeLuca has passed away.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with statistician Steve Hirdt about his career and getting to work a “home” game for this week’s edition of Monday Night Football.

Neil says SNY is fortunate to have the Jets as a partner to help viewers forget about the Mets.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is angry at everyone.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for YES analyst Ken Singleton.

Jerry Barmash in Fishbowl NY writes that MSG Network brings back its signature hockey studio show for another season.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that local sports anchor Andrew Catalon gets a call-up to the NFL on CBS in October.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record talks with MLB Network’s Brian Kenny about why he left ESPN after almost a decade and a half.

Ken has more with Brian Kenny in his column.

Ken is tired of NHL Network rerunning last season’s playoffs.

South

Serena Moyle of the Tallahassee (FL) Democrat profiles ESPN’s Erin Andrews as she’s in town for the Oklahoma-Florida State game.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says you watched the NFL in droves last week.

David says ESPN is treating Longhorn Network differently than its other entities.

Mel Bracht from the Daily Oklahoman writes that Longhorn Network will pick up one Oklahoma State basketball game.

Mel has some news and notes.

Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman says ESPN is keeping a close eye on Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for a potential College GameDay visit.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Fox Sports Ohio expands its pregame show tomorrow to air highlights of Johnny Bench Night.

John says a local radio station has fired a long-time sports reporter and other parts of its staff.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with a long-time Division II college football radio voice.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says some local Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to this Saturday’s Wisconsin game.

Bob explains why the Wisconsin game isn’t on TV.

Bob says the Brewers’ Prince Fielder will be seen in a profile on TBS Sunday.

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

Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says all of the Blues games will be televised for the first time ever.

West

Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that ESPN’s deal with BYU has now become a recruiting tool for the school.

Matt Solinsky of the Desert (CA) Sun says the NFL Network documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick is definitely “must see TV”.

John Maffei from the North County Times tries to discover what the holdup is for the San Diego Padres’ TV and radio rights.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says Time Warner Cable has signed a long-term deal for California’s high school championships.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times talks with the Fox NFL Sunday crew.

T.J. Simers of the Times writes that Vin Scully can cause trouble at home.

Also from the Times, Eric Sondheimer has details of the Time Warner deal with the California Interscholastic Federation.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Jay “The Rat” Mariotti is determined to get the last word on his tumultuous year.

Tom has some media moves that didn’t make his column.

Tom says MLB Network will air a special on statistics.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says an 8 year delay will help Steve Moore in his lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi and the NHL stemming from an incident in Vancouver.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has finally made some moves to fill some personnel holes.

And that’s going to conclude the links for this Friday.

Let’s Do Some Linkage, Shall We?

I was in between offices yesterday and could not do the links as I had wanted. Let’s provide some now while I can.

Nate Davis at USA Today writes about ESPN extending the rights to air Monday Night Football and keep the series on cable through 2021.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that tonight’s Presidential jobs speech has forced the networks to change their schedules including NBC regarding tonight’s NFL season opener.

Marisa Guthrie of the Reporter talks about ESPN’s new MNF deal.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says ESPN is in position to air an NFL Wild Card Playoff game sometime in the future.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi notes ESPN’s eight year NFL extension includes a whole host of digital rights.

Lucia Moses of Adweek says Sports Illustrated is tapping into younger readers’ appetites by going high-tech.

All Access notes that Boston’s sports radio WEEI announced an FM simulcast today.

Also from All Access, Fox Sports Radio nighttime host Tony Bruno is leaving to take a midday hosting job in Philadelphia.

It’s rare that I get a sports media story from Women’s Wear Daily, but I have one today. John Koblin of WWD talks with ESPN tennis courtside reporter Pam Shriver.

Hey, we link to Grantland! Jonah Keri writes that the Texas Rangers are positioning themselves to be an MLB power for the long-term thanks to its mega rights deal with Fox Sports Southwest.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says The Onion’s online parody of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption is everything its TV sports shows were not.

Timothy Burke at SportsGrid examines the new ESPN/Monday Night Football deal and what it really means.

Congrats to former Yardbarker Managing Editor Alana G. who has left the company and becomes Executive Producer for the San Francisco Chronicle’s website.

Brandon Costa of Sports Video Group writes that ESPN’s “SpiderCam”, the overhead camera providing spectacular shots at the U.S. Open has been added to the tournament’s world TV feed.

Karen Hogan of SVG notes that NBC is pulling out all of the technical stops for Sunday Night Football this season.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that an injured Peyton Manning could cost fantasy players some money.

Darren says the University of Michigan has inserted an audio chip for this week’s game program for the Notre Dame contest.

Jorge Rivas at Colorlines says FoxSports.com has pulled the web series that made fun of Asian USC students not knowing football and also mocking their accents.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe reviews the NFL Films documentary focusing on Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says WEEI is ramping up for the next phase of its sports radio war with 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Ian Rapoport of the Herald has some interesting tidbits from the NFL Films Bill Belichick doc.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks inside the ESPN MNF deal.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at the particulars of the ESPN Monday Night Football contract extension.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union reports on the Fox Sports Radio show that will replace Tony Bruno.

Pete notes that MSG Network will be New York Giants-heavy this fall.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner interviews Russ Thaler who goes from Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic to Versus as the host of NBC SportsTalk.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle writes about the local college football ratings.

Bob Finnan of the News-Herald (OH) talks with Cleveland Browns radio voice and sports anchor Jim Donovan about returning to work after taking the summer off for a bone marrow transplant.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has CBS’ Phil Simms and Dan Dierdorf extolling the virtues of having a running game in the NFL.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business writes about Bears games being broadcast on FM for the first time this season.

Ed says the Chicago Tribune is bolstering the Bears beat.

Scott Dochterman at the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette says those who want to watch this Saturday’s Iowa-Iowa State game will have to do a little searching.

Robin Carlin at Mile High Sports says yesterday’s plane crash in Russia that killed all but two on board was truly a dark day for hockey.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily Herald likes the 9/11 commemorative football jerseys.

The Canadian Sports Media blog notes that Rogers is pulling out of the Canadian Olympics Broadcasting Consortium for the 2014/16 Games.

Joe Favorito says the BCS conferences might want to consider picking up one of the Service Academies.

And that’s going to do it for today’s linkage.

Report: Boston’s WEEI-AM To Begin FM Simulcast on Monday

Earlier this evening, WEEI’s PR firm sent out an e-mail stating, “WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan Morning Show will make a major announcement at 8:00am tomorrow morning, September 8th.”

Speculation started churning on what the announcement would be, but it was quickly confirmed through the proverbial “industry sources” that WEEI’s parent company, Entercom will begin simulcasting the sports radio station on Mike FM at 93.7. The simulcast will begin on Monday. Mike FM will effectively be killed and WEEI will broadcast on both 850 AM and 93.7 FM.

Since CBS Radio’s 98.5 The Sports Hub came into fruition, it not only cut into WEEI’s ratings, but took over the top spot this year in key dayparts from morning to afternoon drive. And the numbers continue to lean in CBS Radio’s way as indicated in the Spring Arbitron ratings.

A move to the FM dial was the logical next step for WEEI. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn says the FM simulcast for WEEI was a natural progression.

Lance Venta of Radio Insight says Entercom applied to move the WEEI-FM call signs from its Providence station to Boston’s 93.7 FM. WEEI in Providence will take the WVEI call letters from WEEI’s Springfield station.

Entercom now feels it has a level playing field for WEEI and all of its sports properties, the Red Sox and Celtics as well as Westwood One’s NFL and NCAA Tournament packages, will be heard on the FM side as well.

Let’s Do Some Thursday Linkage

Today is going to be a busy day with the UFC on Fox press conference and the NHL TV schedule announcement. I figure now would be a good time to linkage and I hope I don’t get interrupted here at work.

The big news that broke late yesterday was DirecTV announcing that it would offer its NFL Sunday Ticket package to Sony Playstation 3 platforms. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News writes that the package will be offered to both non and current DirecTV subscribers.

In Sony’s official Playstation 3 blog, Philip Rosenberg explains what Playstation fans will see with the NFL Sunday Ticket offering.

Kari Lipschutz of Adweek tells us what this move means for Playstation owners.

CBS Radio continues to kill off its heritage rock stations and flip them to FM sports. It killed off rock stations in Boston and Cleveland in favor of new FM sports stations. Today’s it’s Philadelphia’s turn as long-time rocker WYSP will go by the wayside for a simulcast of WIP which was the 2nd station in the country after WFAN to go all-sports. All Access says the flip to sports will occur after Labor Day.

Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News has the full details of the format change.

The Crossing Broad blog provides its reaction to the move.

The 700 Level analyzes what this all means for the Philly sports fan.

Back to Multichannel News, Mike Reynolds writes that the University of Hawaii will launch its own regional sports network on Friday, beating the Longhorn Network’s launch by a week.

Brett McMurphy of CBSSports.com says a big payday for the Big East’s TV contract could lead to major changes in the conference.

The LPGA has announced that it’s hired long-time Golf Channel anchor Kraig Kann as its chief communications officer.

Bob Cook at Forbes.com detests ESPN’s coverage of the Little League World Series.

Brandon Costa at Sports Video Group says the New York Jets will add a 1st and 10 line to its in-house game productions.

At SportsGrid, Timothy Burke has the audio of USA Today’s Danny Sheridan backing off a promise to name the money provider in the Cam Newton scandal and then he attacked bloggers. Not a good way to go, Danny.

To CNBC’s Darren Rovell who wonders why the NFL Players Association settled for as little as it did with the NFL.

At the Business of College Sports, the SportsBizMiss, Kristi Dosh goes over why the SEC did not formally invite Texas A&M to join its conference.

Tim Walker of the Independent in the UK explores the launch of ESPN.com’s Grantland and praises the site.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says former WEEI personality Pete Sheppard resumes his duties at Patriots.com next month.

Joe Drape at the New York Times says NBC Sports will air horse racing from the Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky in October.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has a look at the ACC Network schedule.

Laura Nachman notes that Vince Papale won’t be hosting Eagles Confidential this season.

Mike White of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that Root Sports will change its night for high school football programming where it can show most of it live.

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wants to know who should be added to the Miami Dolphins radio broadcast team.

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that the Grizzlies will be changing radio stations when the NBA returns from lockout.

B.J. Bethel of the Dayton Daily News says ESPN is part of the problem with college football.

James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press says Lions fans won’t be heckling Matt Millen as he’s been taken off ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown show.

The Holland (MI) Sentinel reports that Fox Sports Detroit will increase its high school football coverage this fall.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that NFL Network will air the 2010 Packers edition of America’s Game the night before the NFL regular season opener.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business notes that a new book on the late Walter Payton will be published in October.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News reviews an HBO Real Sports segment comparing and contrasting the Brothers McEnroe’s opinions on how to revive American tennis.

Tom talks with two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion Danielle Kang.

Gary Lycan of the Orange County Register writes about the New York Jets being heard on Southern California radio this season.

Sports Media Watch notes that the first preseason Monday Night Football game received lower ratings from last year’s opener.

SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito wonders if the NBA’s D-League can benefit from the NBA lockout.

Ben Koo at Awful Announcing looks at ESPN’s reluctance to cover the Miami payment scandal that was uncovered by Yahoo! Sports this week.

Scott Christ at Bad Left Hook takes a look at boxing’s TV ratings this year to date.

I’m going to end the links there. It’s going to be a busy day here. Keep your RSS and Twitter feeds updated. The posts could get fast and furious this afternoon.

WEEI Radio Network Remains Home of NFL on Westwood One

This comes from WEEI in Boston. Its radio stations from Boston to Central and Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be the home of Sunday and Monday Night Football broadcasts via Westwood One Radio. Through this contract, WEEI will also be able to carry all of the NFL postseason games all the way to the Super Bowl. For the first time, the home markets for the Conference Championships and Super Bowl will not be blacked out from the national radio broadcasts. Previously, the home markets were blacked out, however, Westwood One was able to get that lifted in this new contract that begins with the 2011-12 season.

So if the Patriots reached the Super Bowl, Boston would be able to hear Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason call Super Bowl XLVI on WEEI as well as on flagship station 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Here’s the press release from WEEI and Entercom.

WEEI Sports Radio Network Announces Sunday and Monday Night Football Extension

WEEI will remain the exclusive home of NFL Network programming  

July 19, 2011 (Boston) WEEI announced today that it will maintain its agreement with Westwood One to carry Sunday and Monday night football which includes the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

WEEI 850 AM, WEEI 103.7 FM, WVEI 1440 AM and WVEI FM 105.5 FM will again air the full slate of games offered by the network. The regular season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 8^th when the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints.

The 2011 season is also the first year the NFL broadcast blackout restriction has been lifted in home markets for the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. Because of this change, WEEI will be allowed to air the national radio feed of those two games if the Patriots were to advance that far in the postseason. The broadcast would air on WEEI 850 AM in Boston, WEEI 103.7 FM in Providence, WVEI 1440 AM in Worcester and WVEI 105.5 FM in Springfield.

Jason Wolfe, VP of Programming for WEEI said, “The success of the Patriots in the last decade has made the NFL incredibly popular in New England and especially in Boston, and I’m excited to again, be able to offer the national games to our listeners. And since the league has modified the postseason broadcast rules starting this season, it’ll be a real thrill for Patriot fans to be able to hear Boomer Esiason on the call of the Super Bowl, should the team get there. He’s the best analyst in the business.”

That’s it.

10th Annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Telethon Airs In Late August

I can’t believe this will be the 10th edition of the Jimmy Fund Telethon that airs on both WEEI and NESN. This is a simulcast that airs from Fenway Park and raises money for the Jimmy Fund, which is official charity of the Boston Red Sox. Money raised goes to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston which is one of the leading cancer research centers in the world.

Over the years, the telethon has raised close to $26 million to aid cancer research. In the past, the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner called in and pledged to donate money. In fact, he did it a couple of years in a row. He would be watching on DirecTV from Tampa and call in to pledge his support which was appreciated.

This year’s Telethon will be held on August 30 and 31. Here are the particulars.

10th Annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon set for August 30^th – 31^st

Two day broadcast from Fenway Park to help strike out cancer

BOSTON (June 6, 2011) – WEEI and NESN are proud to announce that the 10th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will take place at Fenway Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 30^th and 31^st from 6am to midnight.  The emotional two day event has become one of the biggest fundraisers of the Jimmy Fund’s year. In 2010, more than $3.1 million dollars were raised, bringing the nine year total to nearly $26 million dollars.

Donations are already well underway thanks to the 4^th Annual “Tame the Tigers” golf tournament, held this past month on May 19^th at The International in Bolton, MA. The event was the most successful to date, raising over $100,000 and was a sell-out for the second straight year.

This year’s Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will focus on the progress that has been made in cancer research over the past decade. The 36-hour broadcast will once again feature truly compelling stories from Jimmy Fund patients and doctors, as well as celebrity guests from the sports and entertainment worlds.

Julie Kahn, VP and Market Manager for Entercom Boston said, “For the past ten years, WEEI and NESN have been allies when it comes to the fight against cancer. The generosity of WEEI’s listeners and NESN’s viewers is overwhelming and we are grateful to them year after year.”

“Our entire company is committed to this event and all of our employees are actively engaged in this two day telethon,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “This collective commitment meaningfully touches all of us and hopefully makes a real difference to the people who are fighting this challenging disease.”

“It is incredible to think that this is the 10^th year for the radio-telethon. The progress that has been made in cancer research and care since we started is staggering,” said Jason Wolfe, VP of Programming for WEEI. Wolfe continued, “Patients are living longer, healthier lives, and in many cases, cancer free. These are the two best days of our year and I’m looking forward to another super event.”

To help strike out cancer during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, call 877-738-1234 toll free. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to contribute online, go to www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.

That’s it.

Bringing Out The Friday Megalinks

Yup, time for the Friday megalinks. As long as I don’t get interrupted, I should be able to do this all in one shot for you.

Your Weekend Viewing Picks have a whole lot of sports and entertainment programs so take a gander and see what suits your fancy.

To the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about ex-Florida coach Urban Meyer diving headfirst into being a college football TV analyst for ESPN.

Nate Davis at USA Today’s The Huddle blog notes that ex-NFLer’s and current TV analysts Michael Strahan and Warren Sapp don’t take much stock in Tiki Barber’s comeback.

Also in USA Today, Devra Maza talks with Hall of Fame baseball announcer Bob Wolff about his memories calling Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest is seeking to change his name to “Metta World Peace” while his wife, Kimsha is being cast for the new edition of VH1′s “Basketball Wives”.

Jon Weisman of Variety says David Feherty’s new show gave Golf Channel its most watched premiere in the history of the network.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser notes that Wednesday’s Mexico-Honduras Gold Cup semifinal match was the highest rated primetime sporting event ever on Univision.

Sports Media Watch has some various news and notes.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has the new DirecTV Football Cops ad featuring the Manning brothers.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe talks with WEEI’s Dale Arnold who had to watch the Bruins championship run while being mostly on the sidelines.

Rich Fahey of the Globe says former Bruins TV host Tom Larson followed through on a 30 year promise to shave his beard.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says with a lockout looming, the NBA Players Association is standing firmly behind its leadership.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post has praise for ESPN’s Bobby Valentine and Orel Hershiser, but has to somehow temper it.

The Post’s Brett Cyrgalis has four questions for Mets radio voice Howie Rose.

Newsday’s John Jeansonne looks at how John McEnroe was perceived as a player and perceived now as an analyst.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty says two local TV reporters were able to catch up with Jimmer Fredette after the NBA Draft.

Pete says Jimmermania kept fans watching the NBA Draft for about an hour.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call looks at the new CBS Sports Network contract with the Patriot League.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes talks about the programming changes at one Baltimore sports radio station.

Dave says the Washington City Paper is firing back at DC NFL Team owner Daniel Snyder in his efforts to sue the publication.

South

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times feels ESPN should not be leading the charge to move the Rays out of Tampa Bay.

William Brethertont of the Marietta (GA) Daily Journal says an Atlanta Beat Women’s Professional Soccer star will be on ESPN’s Women’s World Cup coverage.

Dan Murtaugh of the Mobile (AL) Press-Register says Tennis Channel will focus on a local program that benefits young women and weaves in a tennis exhibition to help raise funds.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle recognizes one sports anchor’s longevity in the market.

Berry Tremel at the Daily Oklahoman says FX’s early college football schedule is all-Oklahoma, all the time.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Thom and Marty Brennaman don’t seem to have time to work together in the Reds broadcast booth.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk will be swinging a golf club on NBC’s celebrity golf tournament next month.

Bob says local overnight ratings for the NBA Draft on ESPN were strong.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has this week’s winners and losers in sports business and media.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a local sports anchor is pinch hitting on the news side this month.

And Dan has a few news and notes.

West

Scott D. Pierce at the Salt Lake Tribune looks at Urban Meyer moving to the TV booth on college football Saturdays for ESPN.

Richard Eng of the Las Vegas Journal-Review explores the decision of former Triple Crown caller Tom Durkin to step down this year.

John Maffei of the North County Times says this weekend is a big one for soccer fans.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star notes that the Los Angeles Lakers will have different voices for next season.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that Lenny Dykstra is now tweeting.

Tom also has a column on Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site.

Jack Humphreville of City Watch LA takes a look at Frank McCourt’s embattled ownership of the Dodgers and the collapse of his rich rights deal with Fox.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail has yet another mediocre media column this week. I’m close to dropping him from the megalinks.

The Toronto Sports Media blog notes the one year anniversary of a huge lineup change on one local sports radio station.

And that’s going to do it for today.

Jack Edwards Compares Alex Burrows’ Bite Of Patrice Bergeron To Breastfeeding

In yet another bizarre rant, Jack Edwards went on WEEI’s Big Show with Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley to discuss the bite of the Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron’s finger by Vancouver’s Alex Burrows. It happened just as the first period of Game 1 was ending and it was caught by NBC’s cameras as clear as day. If you didn’t see it, here it is.

Well, WEEI has asked NESN’s Bruins voice Jack Edwards to give yet his thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final and we get this analogy of Jack comparing Burrows’ bite to his 11 month old daughter biting his wife’s boob during breastfeeding. When I heard this, I almost stopped dead in the middle of the highway in shock. I really think Jack needs to increase his medication.

There you have it. I am without speech because I cannot speak. Unbelievable.

WEEI Wins Website Honor

Last week, I reported on the Fang’s Bites on Boston Sports Media Watch site that WEEI was slaughtered by rival radio station, 98.5 The Sports Hub in younger male demographics in the Arbitron ratings for the month of April. And while WEEI did beat 98.5 in the overall ratings, the loss of younger males has to be quite disturbing for the station which really is sounding old.

Even with the ratings, one bright spot for WEEI has been its website. Radio Ink magazine awarded WEEI the best radio station website for a major market. Let’s take a look at the press release.

WEEI Wins “Best Radio Station Website” Award from Radio Ink Magazine

Radio Ink Magazine presented WEEI with the award at first annual digital awards ceremony

BOSTON (May 19, 2011) – WEEI Sports Radio Network today announced they were the recipient of the “Best Radio Station Website (Markets 1-10)” Award presented by Radio Ink Magazine yesterday at an awards ceremony held in Mountain View, California.  The award ceremony recognized the people, stations, and companies that drive the industry in new media.

Tim Murphy, Vice President of Digital Strategy & Enterprise Platforms for Entercom, attended the ceremony to receive the award on behalf of WEEI, who received two nominations.  WEEI was also nominated for “Best Brand Extension Through Streaming.”

“We are continually exploring new ways in which we can provide world-class content to Boston sports fans, and new content and distribution platforms have been a huge focus of our efforts during the last three years,” said Tim Murphy. “The talented team we have put in place across platforms at WEEI is the driving force behind this award and these nominations, and everyone at Entercom is proud to have been recognized by Radio Ink for the efforts of our staff.”

Radio Ink’s 2011 Digital Awards Ceremony was their first annual digital competition to recognize the driving force behind new media in the radio industry.  The ceremony was held on May 18 and 19, 2011 at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus in Mountain View, California.

Added Murphy, “Starting in August of 2008, WEEI Sports Radio made a commitment to establish WEEI as the new digital benchmark for not only the sports radio format, but for the radio industry. In order to do that, WEEI hired a full staff of world-class journalists to expand WEEI’s overall coverage  of the sports scene in New England, and they have done a tremendous job establishing our brand as number one for coverage of New England Sports. In addition, we have invested significantly in making WEEI Radio programming available to consumers both live and On Demand on as many devices as possible, with mobile apps recently becoming a major driver of WEEI content consumption.”

There you have it.

WEEI.com & SB Nation Announce A New Content Sharing Agreement

Well, I didn’t see this one coming. The powerful SB Nation sports blogging network has announced a new content sharing agreement with WEEI.com, the internet arm of Boston sports radio station, WEEI. Under the new agreement, WEEI.com will provide content from SB Nation on its site. In exchange, WEEI’s content will be seen on SB Nation’s Boston sites. This is quite interesting to see this come about.

WEEI.com launched with a huge splash, but since it started, has lost writers Joe Haggerty and Jessica Camerato to Comcast SportsNet New England. This provides WEEI with more content and gives it some extra juice outside New England. The press release:

WEEI.com and SB Nation Announce Content Sharing Agreement

First of its kind content sharing & promotional partnership makes WEEI.com the exclusive in-market partner for national online sports network SB Nation

BOSTON (April 11, 2011) – WEEI.com today announced it has reached a content sharing partnership with SB Nation that will integrate content from the nation’s fastest growing online sports network with WEEI.com’s premier local coverage.  The new agreement will enhance the experience for users of WEEI.com by providing fans with relevant content and national & regional points of views on sports news. The partnership also makes WEEI.com the exclusive in-market content partner for SB Nation and its network of over 300 online fan communities.

“We are continually exploring new ways to bring the very best content to our visitors, and partnering with SB Nation furthers that mission,” said Tim Murphy, Vice President of Digital Strategy & Enterprise Platforms for Entercom.  “SB Nation is the leader in fan-driven content, opinion and analysis. It will complement our dynamic local journalism to give Boston sports fans the most complete, entertaining experience on the web.   Partnering with an emerging sports leader from a national perspective will allow our fans to see how the rest of the country is looking at our beloved teams, and follow national stories of interest from SB Nation’s unique, fan-centric POV. ”

“This is a groundbreaking opportunity that brings one of the nation’s leading sports media brands together with a new generation and form of sports content,” said Scott Langerman, General Manager of SB Nation’s local initiatives.  “We see a trailblazing spirit in WEEI.com that mirrors our own and allows us to do new things in the space together.”

The agreement, which is the most expansive of its kind for both WEEI.com and SB Nation, will blend the best of traditional media with interactive user-generated content. Highlights include:

ØWEEI.com will feature headlines and content from SB Nation websites relevant to all the Boston teams, and SB Nation will bring WEEI.com’s highly-regarded reporting and personalities to its readers in Boston and beyond.

Ø A new feature on WEEI.com called “Behind Enemy Lines” will provide news and commentary from SB Nation’s network of team-focused blogs about upcoming Boston opponents.

Ø A new, co-branded landing page will include links to SB Nation content appearing on WEEI.com as well as outbound links to national stories within the SB Nation network.

ØWEEI.com and SB Nation will integrate relevant content within each other’s coverage of Boston sports teams, offering a unique diversity of perspectives on all the local teams.

Ø Content from each partner will appear on dedicated team pages & blogs in widget form for easy-to-use functionality.

In addition to the robust content sharing elements of the partnership, WEEI.com and SB Nation will work together on sales, promotional and other business opportunities.

Added Murphy:  “This is a partnership in every way. Not only are we providing better content than ever to Boston sports fans, but our relationship with SB Nation provides new and unique opportunities for sponsors.”

More stuff to follow.

WEEI Re-Signs Dave O’Brien As Secondary Voice of the Red Sox

You may not know that ESPN’s Dave O’Brien calls Red Sox games on the radio when he’s not working for the Alleged Worldwide Leader. He’s been with the Red Sox since 2007 calling most of the games except on Wednesdays when he’s calling MLB for ESPN and early in the season when he’s calling the NCAA Women’s Tournament. But during the summer, Dave is back in his native New England calling the Red Sox with Joe Castiglione on WEEI. Well, WEEI and its parent company, Entercom have announced that it has come to a multiyear agreement with Dave keeping him next to Uncle Joe for the next few years.

WEEI Re-Signs Red Sox Play-By-Play Announcer Dave O’Brien to New Multi-Year Extension

March 31, 2011 (Boston, MA)–Dave O’Brien, one of the most accomplished and versatile play by play broadcasters in the country, has agreed to a new multi-year contract with the WEEI Sports Radio Network to continue as one of the radio voices for the Boston Red Sox. O’Brien is now in his 5^th season of calling Red Sox Baseball alongside Joe Castiglione.

O’Brien, a native of Quincy, MA, has built a national reputation as one of the country’s preeminent sportscasters. In addition to his role with the Red Sox, he serves as play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball. At ESPN he has also broadcast NBA basketball, NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball, and MLS Soccer. In 2006, he was the voice of the 2006 World Cup Soccer Tournament televised by ABC.

Prior to joining ESPN, he was the voice of the Florida Marlins from the team’s inaugural year in 1993 through 2001. From 2003-2005, O’Brien was the television voice of the New York Mets on WPIX-TV. He has also done play-by-play for the Atlanta Braves and called college football and basketball games for the University of Georgia and the University of Miami.

O’Brien says, “To be a Red Sox voice is a special honor for me, as a local guy. To know I’ll be calling the Sox for years to come, with a great partner, makes it even sweeter. I’m delighted.”

WEEI Vice President of Programming, Jason Wolfe, is thrilled to have O’Brien as part of the Red Sox radio team.  “I’ve known Dave for more than 20 years and he is, without a doubt, one of the very best play by play broadcasters in America today. He’s done a phenomenal job for us since he was hired in 2007 and I’m extremely pleased that he’ll be with us for the foreseeable future.”

Certainly good news as Dave is a very good announcer. Glad to see he’s still going to be calling Red Sox games for a little while longer.

Doing Tuesday Links

Time for the links. Lots of stuff to get to.

From Sports Business Daily, we learn that the Sporting News has officially taken over Fanhouse. A sad day really as the Fanhouse site was very good and had many good writers on staff (Jay Mariotti excepting). Many writers have lost their jobs while others have decided not to move to the new site. I’ll have more on this later in the day.

Sports Business Daily also notes the increased ratings for the just-completed PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing.

At Sports Business Journal, John Ourand and Terry Lefton tell us that the NHL now has two more suitors for its US cable contract in addition to Versus.

John Ourand and Michael Smith report that ESPN is really looking into the machinations behind Conference USA’s deal with Fox.

Interesting story that’s been developing since the end of last month’s Daytona 500. Apparently, one journalist, a freelancer for SI.com, got caught up with Trevor Bayne winning the race and started clapping in the press box which is a no-no. It got him fired and now, Thomas Bowles writing in Frontstretch tries to justify his actions. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

And Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center tells you why reporters should not be cheering in the press box.

Southeastern New England Media Mogul Keith Thibault returns to Sports Media Journal with a post on what is right and wrong with sportswriters today.

To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and Greg Wyshynski who writes that some of the fake NHL trades tweeted during Deadline Day were more entertaining than the ones being made.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports notes that the Charlie Sheen Career Suicide Press Tour began on the Dan Patrick Show.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser bids adieu to Fanhouse.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that as of Friday, Dish Network is ready to drop local TV stations in 17 markets including Albuquerque, NM; Green Bay, WI; Indianapolis, IN; Providence, RI and Springfield, MA, all of which are part of the LIN TV group. That would affect March Madness in several markets.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says MSG Network continues to see ratings spikes for New York Knicks games since the Carmelo Anthony trade.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell tracks down former tennis superstar Andre Agassi.

Darren likes a minor league baseball concession offering of a whole big heap of hot dog toppings.

And Darren really likes an inventive marketing ploy by Jack in the Box at a recent Lakers game.

At espnW, my Twitter trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff, recognizes three women sports executives.

Robin Berger of TV Technology looks at CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament, which include online streaming.

Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider’s Sports Page says the NHL is suddenly a hot property.

NESN has a slideshow of the preparation Bruins TV voice Jack Edwards goes through just for one game.

At the Springfield (MA) Republican, Fred Contrada writes that the attorney for ESPN.com writer Howard Bryant is using the race card in his arrest on domestic assault charges.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald also writes about the Howard Bryant incident.

Jessica talks with new WEEI midday show co-host Lou Merloni about taking over the timeslot from mainstay Dale Arnold.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union talks about ESPN’s assignments for the MAAC and America East Championship Games.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog says ESPN finally took note of George Mason’s basketball team members’ vow not to cut their hair until their 15 game winning streak ends.

To the Washington Examiner where Jim Williams writes about the Nationals’ new flagship radio station’s spring training schedule.

The Petersburg (VA) Progress-Index says the Tri-Cities area gets its own local sports radio network.

Ileana Limon of the Orlando Sentinel writes that ESPN is threatening to sue Conference USA over what it says was right of first refusal over the league’s new contract with Fox Sports.

Laken Litman of the Dallas Morning News says ESPN’s College GameDay will be in the Lone Star State on Saturday.

Mike Chappelle of the Indianapolis Star speaks with NFL Network’s Mike Mayock about the best of this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NASCAR was tops in the local weekend ratings.

Bob has details of the new Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV DVD that arrives on shelves next week.

Bob Goldsborough of the Chicago Tribune writes that the radio voice of the Bulls could not stand to leave his local neighborhood despite selling his house last year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be aired exclusively on Fox Sports Arizona this season.

In the Toronto Sun, Terry Koshan writes that Twitter played a big role on NHL Trade Deadline Day.

Dan Ilika of the Sun grades the TV coverage of the Trading Deadline.

Lenny Shulman of Bloodhorse.com says the Triple Crown is back together on one network as it should have been all along.

Sports Media Watch has some NBA ratings news and notes.

To Puck The Media where Steve Lepore explores whether the NHL has made a true inroad into the mainstream.

Steve says Jeremy Roenick will be reunited with a former coach and a former teammate this week on Versus.

Steve also has the most watched and least watched NHL games on Versus for February.

The Big Lead wonders how ESPN will handle the delicate Howard Bryant situation.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs says college basketball owes a debt of gratitude to a television executive.

And that’s going to do it for us today.

A Friday Night Megalink Thing

Let’s provide the Friday megalinks. Lots of things to get to.

We, of course, provide the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment weekend programming.

Now let’s get to the linkage from across the country.

National

Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age reports that NBC is already seeking $3.5 million for a 30 second spot for Super Bowl XLVI.

Mike McCarthy at USA Today writes that ESPN’s Erin Andrews will be working the red carpet during the Oscars for ABC’s Good Morning America.

Mike and fellow USA Today sport media writer Michael Hiestand debate the pros and cons of airing the NFL Scouting Combine.

George Winslow from Broadcasting & Cable writes that a tennis tournament has decided to use NeuLion’s platform to stream matches online in HD quality.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News discusses Versus’ good ratings for the NHL Heritage Classic.

Multichannel notes that Style Network will be turning a NASCAR wedding into a reality TV series.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has a video of Erin Andrews looking for that perfect dress for the Academy Awards red carpet.

Marcus Vanderberg from SportsNewser says Versus will air its next UFC MMA card in 3-D.

Sports Media Watch writes that MSG saw its highest ratings in 16 years for the New York Knicks with Carmelo Anthony’s debut.

SMW says NASCAR’s Nationwide Series got off to a slower start in the ratings from last year.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the NHL on Versus continues to be red hot in the ratings

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says outsourcing has helped smaller teams stay in contention.

Awful Announcing notices the notorious “Schwab” making a cameo in the new Hooters ad featuring ESPN’s Dick Vitale.

SportsbyBrooks gives the legendary voice of Mississippi State football and basketball Jack Cristil a very nice tribute as he had to step down immediately due to health issues.

In Examiner.com, Evan Weiner looks at the NFL lockout and what it means to the league’s TV partners.

All Access says the embattled Charlie Sheen called into a Fox Sports Radio show to once again rant against CBS, Warner Brothers and Global Warming.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn reviews the week in Boston sports media news.

Bruce Allen at Boston Sports Media Watch notes that WEEI buried the news of the naming of its new midday show late Friday.

In SB Nation Boston, Bruce has a look at the WEEI shakeups and a tumultuous week for the once-dominant sports radio station.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks about a local part-time radio reporter who has been reporting on the Red Sox for almost two decades.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times writes about MSG’s boffo ratings for Carmelo Anthony’s Knicks debut.

Richard discusses how a panel takes over as the ESPN Ombudsman.

Richard and Pat Borzi team up for a story on the NFL Players Association trying to prevent the NFL from collecting its TV rights fee during a potential lockout.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Steven A. “A is for Amiable” Smith who’s happy to be back with ESPN.

Bob Glauber of Newsday says both New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and HBO will not be back on Hard Knocks at least this year.

It’s official. Phil Mushnick from the New York Post really hates Madison Square Garden and Cablevision Chairman James Dolan.

Justin Terranova of the Post has five questions for MLB Network’s Al Leiter.

As of today, I’m am no longer linking to Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News over his extreme hate. He went after Friend of Fang’s Bites Tina Cervasio the other night and that was it. He’s persona non grata as far as I’m concerned.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union has ESPN releasing its Big East football schedule.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says the local Fox affiliate will have an extra high school sports highlight show this weekend.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Nicole Pride talks with an ESPN producer who felt a story on paralyzed Rutgers football Eric LeGrand really hit home.

Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates have announced their spring training TV and radio schedule.

At the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg has ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt ripping the students of his alma mater once again.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner says NASCAR is back in full swing on TV.

South

Bob Molinaro of the Virginian-Pilot says there’s too much speculating in the sports media today.

Erin Barnett of WSLS-TV in Roanoke, VA reports on College GameDay’s visit to the Virginia Tech campus.

Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald says like them or not, the Miami Heat are among the top of the heap in the local and national NBA TV ratings.

Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post talks with Pam Tebow, mother of Tim, about life after the controversial Super Bowl ad she and her son did last year.

Clarence E. Hill, Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaking about how he felt Super Bowl XLV went.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle talks with syndicated radio host Paul Finebaum about now infamous confession from the Alabama fan who said he poisoned the Auburn tree. That confession occurred on Finebaum’s show.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman talks with the new TV voice of the Texas Rangers.

In his media notebook, Mel says the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be featured nationally this weekend.

Midwest

Kevin Bull of the Detroit Free Press has highlights of an ESPN.com chat conducted by former Michigan Fab Five standout Jalen Rose regarding the new ESPN documentary on the 1992-93 team.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press writes that a local radio host is making sure that high school sports gets its due.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has former Brewers manager Ken Macha responding on MLB Network Radio to one of his former player’s comments.

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

The Des Moines (IA) Register reports that Iowa State’s football game against UConn has been scheduled for a Friday night on ESPN2.

From Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals spring training games will be pre-empting Rush Limbaugh on KMOX.

West

Jay Posner at the San Diego Union-Tribune has CBS’ Clark Kellogg looking forward to seeing San Diego State and BYU square off tomorrow.

John Maffei of the North County Times says it’s BYU and Jimmer Fredette as to why San Diego State is on national TV on Saturday.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the Poynter Institute panel that will play the role of ESPN Ombudsman.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times also looks at the new ESPN Ombudsmen.

Ben Bolch of the Times says Fox Sports Net will honor the late UCLA coach John Wooden during Pac 10 basketball games this weekend.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that TSN continues its TV rights shopping spree, this time at the expense of one of its competitors.

And that is going to do it for the megalinks. Enjoy your sports weekend

Some Thursday Linkage For You

Let’s provide the sports media links this morning. Lots of things to do today so I hope I can get this done and finish up the work I have to do later.

John Czarnecki at Fox Sports is amazed at how the NFL Scouting Combine has become a made-for-TV event.

George Winslow at Broadcasting & Cable writes about ESPN 3D picking up coverage of The Masters in April.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid says Carmelo Anthony’s introduction at Madison Square Garden last night was definitely made for TV.

Dan says a former New York Yankee who was part of an infamous wife swap in the 1970′s is now shocked that Academy Award winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck now want to do a movie about the story.

Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider’s Sports Page is amused by Buzz Bissinger’s tweets.

At TVbytheNumbers, Bill Gorman notes that the NBA All-Star Game on TNT topped the cable primetime ratings for last week.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that the ultimate product placement in the NBA Slam Dunk competition is paying off in droves.

Awful Announcing has the video of the Big Ten Network’s Tom Hart calling a buzzer beater.

Ricardo A. Hazell from the Electronic Urban Report catches up with former NFL Today co-host Jayne Kennedy.

At Boston Sports Media Watch, Bruce Allen recaps Dale Arnold’s final show on WEEI.

Mark LaMonica at Newsday has the New York Post’s Peter Vescey’s comments about Steven A. Smith.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette reports that a local radio station will pick up Big East Tournament night games in early March.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning News says a local indoor football analyst has his eyes on the big leagues in Philadelphia.

Paul Farhi of the Washington Post writes about the slashing of the staff at the local-run TBD.com which was hoped to be a DC news and sports online destination. While it did have get site hits, revenue was not where the owners had projected so last night came word that the site will focus on arts and entertainment.

Dan Steinberg of the Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt was very critical of Maryland students for failing to show up at last night’s game against Florida State.

To the Washington Examiner and Jim Williams who writes about the new look at Golf Channel and NBC Sports.

The Tampa Bay Newspapers have the Rays’ spring training schedule on Sun Sports.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says ESPN has hired a former Green Bay Packers executive to be an NFL business analyst.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business writes about Comcast SportsNet Chicago hiring former Bulls forward Scottie Pippen as a game analyst.

Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune has a reader wanting more Minnesota Twins spring training games on TV.

Patrick Saunders in the Denver Post wants to institute a Sports Fans Bill of Rights.

Mike Sunnucks from the Phoenix Business Journal says the Suns will put all of their games on cable next season.

Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star writes that the Pac 10/12 is hoping to get a better TV contract.

Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that a minor league hockey announcer suspended himself after he realized he was guilty of blatant homerism.

Pro Golf Talk’s Ryan Ballengee has the video of CBS golf analyst David Feherty getting hit in the groin.

The Canadian Sports Media blog has the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays schedule on Rogers Sportsnet

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media projects the NHL playoff matchups and TV network projections if the postseason started today.

Joe Favorito says companies with natural tie-ins are missing the boat on the NBA  and NHL Trading Deadlines.

And that’s where I’ll end it now.

Let’s Do Some Tuesday Links

Time for linkage now.

Jun Yang at Bloomberg Businessweek reports that YouTube is in talks with the NBA and NHL to stream live games. Now that would be cool if it happens, but I’m skeptical that it will.

At MediaPost, Barry Janoff looks at some of the particulars of CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament programming and marketing opportunities.

Fox Sports’ Brian Lowry says the NBA and Hollywood have a genuine ongoing love affair.

John Eggerton at Broadcasting & Cable says the first melding of Golf Channel and NBC Sports will occur tomorrow at the World Golf Championship-Match Play Championships.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes that AT&T U-Verse has added Fox Soccer Channel HD to its lineup.

Bill Cromwell with Media Life Magazine takes a look at the ratings from some of the weekend’s biggest sporting events.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry marvels at the power of the web.

Trefis Team at Forbes says it’s ESPN that helps drives the Disney revenue engine.

Brad Cohen of SportsGrid noticed that ESPN’s Stuart Scott returned to SportsCenter sooner than expected following his cancer diagnosis.

Dylan Stableford at The Wrap says Stuart Scott’s return to ESPN was supposed to last an hour and instead ended up being a three hour marathon.

Ed DeRosa of the Thoroughbred Times writes about the Triple Crown returning to one network.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if MSG will become a hot stock now that Carmelo Anthony has (finally) been traded to the New York Knicks.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says a former WEEI personality made some waves with a Facebook rant.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about the NHL’s landmark deal naming Molson Canadian as its official beer.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman looks at the Carmelo Anthony media circus.

Newsday’s Neil Best also writes how the Carmelo Anthony saga was good for the NBA and the Knicks beat writers.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes about NBC re-obtaining all of the legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette examines how Versus will be involved in Triple Crown programming.

Ryan Sharro in the Baltimore Business Journal takes a look at NBC reupping the Preakness Stakes for five years.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes Versus’ role in NBC’s plans for the Triple Crown.

The Tampa Tribune says Sun Sports will once again be the exclusive carrier of Tampa Bay Rays games.

To the Dallas Morning News and Barry Horn who has a short post on the Daytona 500 and NBA All-Star Game ratings.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle reviews three sports documentaries.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says the NBA All-Star Game on TNT got a big ratings boost from last year.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has Fox Sports Wisconsin’s coverage plans for the Brewers.

Warren Gerds of the Green Bay Press Gazette writes about CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business talks with former sports columnist Dave Kindred who’s now teaching journalism in his native Illinois.

Pete Toms at the Biz of Baseball looks at what the Time Warner Cable deal with the Los Angeles Lakers means for the Dodgers.

Emma Carmichael at Deadspin writes about ESPN’s history of its personalities schilling for products.

Sports Business Watch explores Golf Channel’s rebranding when it’s on NBC.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has some suggestions on how to improve Hockey Day in America for next season.

And I’ll end it there.

Let’s Try To Do Some Friday Megalinkage

Ok, I have some time to do some blogging this evening and I figure I’ll do the Friday megalinks, something which has been sorely lacking here. Let’s get cracking on the links.

As always, you can check the Weekend Viewing Picks for all of your weekend in sports and primetime TV.

Now let’s do your linkage.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether the U.S. Army should be throwing $7 million at sponsoring NASCAR.

Speaking of NASCAR, Hiestand talks about Fox using a new camera at the Daytona 500 that can pick up heat fluctuations.

At Quickish, Dan Shanoff feels the new Captain Blowhard project at ESPN.com will succeed.

Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable looks at Fox Soccer Channel extending its rights deal with Major League Soccer.

Ryan Ballengee of NBC’s Pro Golf Talk says Golf Channel’s Jim Gray was clearly in the wrong to interrupt golfer Dustin Johnson during the 1st round of the Northern Trust Open. Following Gray’s interview with Johnson, the reporter got into a heated argument with Johnson’s caddie which led to Golf Channel removing him from the broadcast for the rest of the weekend.

Emma Carmichael at Deadspin finds an excerpt from a 1990 book which recounts an incident where former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto found a way to get revenge on Jay Mariotti.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid notes that Tony Kornheiser is wary of blogs and the internet in general. Whatever. Mr. Tony really shouldn’t be talking anymore.

Sports Media Watch notes that the PGA’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am got a big ratings increase from last year for CBS.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says gets info from NBC Sports how Hockey Day in America will be presented on Sunday.

Awful Announcing has the video of an awkward interview between TNT’s Craig Sager and Washington Wizards rookie John Wall.

Joe Favorito says the New Jersey Devils are bringing fans closer to the game by allowing them to live tweet during games at the game and bring bloggers and broadcasters into the mix.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says a new ruling regarding the use of likenesses could allow athletes to go after video game manufacturers.

Fred Hickman, formerly of CNN, ESPN, YES and Fox Sports Net, has launched his own media training company for athletes. The question is, will Fred actually show up for his training sessions? Fred’s reputation precedes him.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn at the Boston Globe wonders what’s going on at WEEI?

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette also discusses the WEEI lineup changes.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that New York Mets tickets are selling well despite the team’s troubles on and off the field.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir looks at a new Broadway sports play being produced by the same people who brought “Lombardi” to the Great White Way.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Times attacks ESPN for allowing its personalities to sign endorsement contracts.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says Mets owner Fred Wilpon is not ducking questions about convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union says NASCAR has to learn to be able to take punches when people like Tony Kornheiser make silly statements about their sport.

Pete has a composite Spring Training TV schedule.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com says the effects of the Orioles leaving the CBS Radio-owned sports station are still being felt now.

Dave talks with former Baltimore Sun sports media writer Ray Frager who’s now the managing editor at the CSN Baltimore and CSN Washington websites.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says NFL Network will be all over the Scouting Combine next week.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times talks about Kornheiser’s NASCAR comments and other sports media issues.

The Chattanoogan previews ESPN’s new documentary on Tennessee’s first African-American quarterback.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Fox will have plenty of storylines for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that the late Dale Earnhardt still casts a big shadow over NASCAR.

Kirk Bohls from the Austin American-Statesman says the traditional Texas-Texas A&M Thanksgiving Night football game might be moved to accommodate the Big 12′s TV contract.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman talks with Turner Sports’ Kevin McHale about the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk competition.

Mel has his media notebook featuring Fox Sports MLB primetime games.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says former Reds teammates Eduardo Perez and Barry Larkin are reunited at ESPN.

Micheal Zuidema at the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with an area native who covers NASCAR for the Motor Racing Network.

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at how Comcast is bringing NBC to work together with its sports networks.

Neal Justin of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that the Minnesota Twins have gone all-cable with its new TV deal with Fox Sports North .

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the whole Albert Pujols contract dispute with the Cardinals has become a feeding media frenzy.

West

The Salt Lake Tribune notes that Fox Soccer Channel will pick up a couple of Real Salt Lake MLS games.

John Maffei at the North County Times marks the 25th anniversary of the great movie, “Hoosiers”.

John talks about how NASCAR’s Super Bowl takes place at the beginning of the season, not at the end.

Jim Carlisle from the Ventura County Star says the new Los Angeles Lakers channel to be run by Time Warner Cable is a gamechanger.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times talks about Jim Gray’s dismissal from the Northern Trust Open.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News says the Time Warner-Lakers deal will have far-reaching effects.

Tom catches up on the two weeks in sports media and has his extensive media news and notes.

Tom also writes about Jim Gray being sent home by Golf Channel.

Jon Wilner from the San Jose Mercury News has an extensive look at the Pac 12 TV negotiations.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that CBC’s announcers for the Heritage Classic differ on how the game will affect Montreal and Calgary down the line.

The Canadian Sports Media blog notes that curling is back on TSN this weekend.

And we are done.

Late Night Thursday Links

I wasn’t able to provide links during the day and I keep accumulating sports media stories and I don’t want to get into this pattern where I can provide links Monday through Wednesday, but not from Thursday through Sunday. That’s not good especially since you have come to expect linkage just about every day. So I’ll burn the midnight oil and do some linkage for you.

Let’s start with Milton Kent of Fanhouse who fears that Dan Patrick might be risking becoming an enabler to Charlie Sheen after two interviews that have been picked up by the tabloid press.

To Advertising Age where Michael Bush looks at the Super Bowl ads that remain on the national conscience while other brands have faded from memory.

Rich Thomaselli from AdAge looks at the LPGA’s new ad campaign in an attempt to raise awareness and bring the tour’s stars to the forefront. You might recognize the name of a certain sports media blogger in the story.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid explains why you haven’t seen Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle on ESPN2′s SportsNation recently.

Also from SportsGrid, Brad Cohen feels Tony Kornheiser looks bad over his refusal to speak about Dan Snyder’s lawsuit against the Washington City Paper on his radio show.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk says Mr. Tony loses credibility the longer he protects Snyder.

Jeff Neuman at Real Clear Sports has an interesting article on the making of the great movie, Slap Shot and some casting decisions that might have changed the movie we know and love.

At Adweek, Anthony Crupi tries to read between the lines at comments made by new NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke on whether the network will actually make a run at bidding for the 2014/2016 Olympics.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center where Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes that sports broadcasters should be held to the same standard as broadcast news journalists when it comes to endorsing products.

The Hollywood Reporter has Dan Patrick explaining how he got Charlie Sheen on his syndicated radio show.

Sofia M. Fernandez of the Reporter says Comcast’s new 3-D channel debuts Sunday with the airing of the NHL’s Heritage Classic.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News notes that HBO has scheduled its first boxing pay-per-view event of 2011.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel reports on ESPN’s dedicated channels being available online to Verizon Fios TV subscribers.

Alex Weprin from SportsNewser notes that the producers of the Broadway play, Lombardi, now want to bring another sports story to the Great White Way.

A.J. Daulerio of Deadspin laments the loss of contributor Katie Baker to Captain Blowhard’s yet-to-be-named project at ESPN.com.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media provides the market-by-market breakdown for the early games of NBC’s Hockey Day in America doubleheader.

The Boston Herald’s Jessica Heslam talks with outgoing WEEI midday host Dale Arnold who still is shellshocked about losing his show.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds will be seen quite often on MLB Network during Spring Training.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel searches for the lost younger NASCAR viewer.

Bob says the Miami Heat are burning up the NBA’s ratings.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business notes that the Windy City will be the host and the focus for NBC’s Hockey Day in America.

Michael Olivera of the Canadian Press notes that viewers are cutting the cable as they find affordable ways to watch their favorite hockey team either through their mobile phones.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says CBC and Rogers Sportsnet will team up to air every game of the Women’s World Cup later this year.

Sports Media Watch says the Chicago Bulls are on a pace to set a regular season ratings record for Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

SMW says the NBA’s marquee teams are helping to raise the ratings for ABC’s Sunday games.

I think that will hold us over until the regular Friday features start posting. Good night.

Some Mid-Week Linkage

Ok, time for some links on this Wednesday. Let’s provide some for you while I can.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that former CBS college basketball analyst Billy Packer is not enthused about the new TV arrangement for the NCAA Tournament.

I’ve written a story for Dan Levy’s Press Coverage site on what the Los Angeles Lakers’ new regional sports networks will mean for viewers.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports is not a fan of excess sports coverage like the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse recaps the strange, but very interesting appearances by embattled actor Charlie Sheen on the Dan Patrick Show.

Mark Cina of the Hollywood Reporter also recaps Sheen’s call to DP on Wednesday.

Etan Vlessing of the Reporter notes that ESPN’s new Sunday Night Baseball voice Dan Shulman will return to Canada to provide some baseball commentary for his original network, TSN.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News reports that Cartoon Network is tapping stars from the sports world to take part in its inaugural awards show.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel takes a look at the new Time Warner Cable/Lakers regional sports networks.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser recaps Jay Mariotti’s first public appearance since his arrest on domestic assault charges and the subsequent loss of his jobs from ESPN and Fanhouse.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell takes a closer look at St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and his contract demands.

Darren says Sports Illustrated did a great job marketing this year’s Swimsuit Issue.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has the comments from outgoing WEEI midday host Dale Arnold who is the odd man out in a lineup shuffle.

Chad also writes about the WEEI lineup changes that smack of desperation.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that ESPN has apparently dropped out of the bidding for the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner wonders if NBC will pick up the Belmont to reunite the race with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

Press Box says WBAL-AM will pick up a slew of Baltimore Orioles spring training games.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle takes a look at two of the bigger sports media stories from the week.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer has Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Cheryl Burke admitting she had a fling with Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. I know, it’s not a sports media story, but it fascinates me and I like Cheryl Burke, ok?

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discovers that the Brewers are not on the MLB on Fox schedule.

Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs have found a replacement for the late Ron Santo on their radio broadcasts.

Steve Rosenbloom of the Tribune wants to know if Cubs fans are ready to hear a traditional radio broadcast from now on.

Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with new Cubs radio analyst Keith Moreland.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Blackhawks have extended their deal with WGN-TV.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times says the new Time Warner Cable deal with the Lakers may end up hurting the team in the long run.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says one local sports radio station might be left behind in a battle of media titans.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog speculates what the 2012 Olympics will look like on the Canadian Olympic Broadcast Consortium.

Dashiell Bennett from the Business Insider sports page notes that ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons has hired Deadspin contributer Katie Baker (and a Friend of Fang’s Bites) for some unknown project at the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing notes that many people were none too happy over ESPN’s experimentation during the Mississippi State-Kentucky game.

Deadspin has obtained a copy of the Colin Cowherd sitcom script. It’s not pretty, let me tell you.

Brad Cohen at SportsGrid tells us how the extremely overrated Oprah Winfrey got the Michael Vick interview.

Dave Kohl of Major League Programs talks about the new Time Warner Cable/Lakers deal.

I’ll leave it there for now.

It’s the Sunday Links

Ok, been a crazy morning. Now that everything with New York Giants-Minnesota has been worked out, I can move on to other things. Let’s do your linkage.

At ESPN.com, Greg Garber looks back at NBC’s experiment of an announcerless NFL game 30 years ago. 

Tim Graham at ESPN.com also has a story on the experiment.

Phil Swann of TV Predictions says DirecTV could pull 30 Hearst TV stations including ones in Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Hawaii, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and several other markets if the two sides don’t come to an agreement.

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn takes a close look at the city’s sports radio war between 98.5 The Sports Hub and long-time incumbent WEEI.

Alan Schwarz of the New York Times says the NFL has an advocate on helmet-to-helmet hits in NBC’s Cris Collinsworth.

Also from the Times, Richard Sandomir says some recent film and audio finds helped to augment the new HBO Sports/NFL Films documentary on the late Vince Lombardi.

Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News says the NHL is hopeful that HBO’s 24/7 series will bring new fans to the sport.

Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News describes how the New York Giants-Minnesota Vikings game got moved from Sunday to Monday then from Minneapolis to Detroit.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick has plenty of bluster today.

Newsday’s Neil Best who’s traveling to the New York Giants-Minnesota game today, breaks news that Jenn Sterger will finally break her silence to ESPN/ABC.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notees that Giants-Vikings will be aired in New York, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester, MN, but what about the Capital Region?

Pete explains why he didn’t vote for Auburn quarterback Cam Newton for the Heisman Trophy.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says the Giants-Vikings game won’t be seen in Albany upsetting many fans in the Capital Region.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with the vice president of espnW on whether the network can appeal to women.

Jerry Garcia from the San Antonio Express-News notes that there have been times when the NFL has had to move games to Monday night.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that ESPN assigns Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit to the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship Game.

Bob wonders if Brett Favre will play in tomorrow’s Giants-Vikings game with extra time to heal.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has a photo gallery showing the Metrodome’s collapsed roof.

Dennis McGrath from the Star Tribune has a story on Giants-Vikings moving to Detroit from the Twin Cities. 

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily news writes that college football might be running out of sponsors for its bowl games.

Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times writes about the memorial service for original Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus.

Sports Media Watch has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

And that will end our links for today.

Bringing Back Some Megalinks, Part I

Since I’ll be away from any wireless technology this afternoon, I’m doing the megalinks now and will try to get as many as I can in before leaving the office for the day.

Let’s start now and I’ll provide some links I could not get to over the last couple of days.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has the ESPN announcing teams for the BCS games coming in January.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today notes that Versus will be rolling out a new daily NHL studio show to replace The Daily Line which went off the air last week.

Mike also talks with ESPN public relations executive Keri Potts who had to fight off a sexual assault while vacationing in Italy.

And Keri’s blog, A Fight Back Woman, which describes how she escaped is must reading not only for women, but for men as well.

From the Wall Street Journal, Aditi Kinkhabwala profiles one of the New York Giants employees who has become a giant part of the team and owner’s family. Thanks to Newsday’s Neil Best for the link.

Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated has some thoughts of Joe Morgan’s firing from ESPN. 

Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable notes that lower revenues from ESPN caused parent company Disney’s fourth quarter-earnings to drop.

Fox Sports’ Brian Lowry is already fed up of seeing and hearing about the Miami Heat.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser speaks with Screamin’ Gus Johnson.

The Big Lead wonders if the upcoming ESPN book has already cost someone his job.

Sports Media Watch notes that ABC’s Saturday Night Football ratings tied a record low.

SMW has some news and notes.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Americans aren’t too enthralled about 3-D TV and to be honest, I’m not rushing out to buy a $5,000 TV set to wear glasses over my regular pair of glasses to watch an NFL game.

Darren notes that MLB now has an official cookie.

Joe Favorito says the New Jersey Devils’ work in the community off the ice is beginning to pay off for their brand.

Ben Koo at Awful Announcing notes that ESPN’s Lou Holtz has brought his quirky Dr. Lou character to a new Discover Card ad.

At Press Coverage, Dan Levy felt NFL Network’s Bob Papa deserved a medal for enduring a night with Joe Theismann and Matt Millen. 

I also have a post on Joe Theismann’s pitiful performance on Thursday Night Football.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The always lovely Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe announced this week that she’ll no longer be covering the Red Sox for the newspaper, but remain with the Globe.

Chad Finn of the Globe says NESN has ended the Uri Berenguer experiment as co-host of NESN Daily.

At the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Bill Doyle notes that WEEI’s morning team of John Dennis & Gerry Callahan are getting ready for their TV closeup starting on Tuesday.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times wonders why it took so long for ESPN to jettison Joe Morgan from the Sunday Night Baseball booth.

Richard gets a rather terse statement from Morgan over ESPN dropping him.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman about the Cowboys’ new interim coach.

Dan Mangan of the New York Post notes that former Versus “Daily Line” co-host Jen Sterger finally met with the NFL regarding the Brett Favre sexting situation.

Phil Mushnick of the Post feels ESPN is wrong for trying to make us care about the Steelers’ James Harrison.

Justin Terranova of the Post speaks with ESPN’s Dick Vitale about St. John’s coach Steve Lavin.

Justin also has five questions for CBS’ NFL Today analyst Bill Cowher.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman feels Jets coach Rex Ryan knows how to manipulate the media.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has SNY’s college basketball schedule for this season.

Pete says Siena College has no qualms about putting its home basketball games on TV.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says SNY has made a couple of hires.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun wasn’t a fan of Matt Millen and Joe Theismann in the NFL Network booth. 

Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post notes that ESPN Radio hack Colon Cowherd did a character assassination on rookie Wizards guard John Wall.

Dan noticed that the NFL Network took on writer John Feinstein over the Donovan McNabb benching from two weeks ago?

I’ll end it here for now as I have to leave the office for a bit. I wanted to bring these to you now. I’ll have more coming later. Hopefully.

Some Tuesday Linkage

Ok, I was trying to work out some e-mail issues at the home office and now I’m back at the Massachusetts office so it’s time to give you some linkage today.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that the NFL continues to rule the ratings roost over baseball.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says with Monday Night Football beating Game 3 of the American League Championship Series last night, it’s obvious that the NFL is king in the United States. 

Chris Chase of Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner blog says we should not be surprised that football beat baseball in the ratings.

Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk is not surprised that a less than stellar MNF game beat baseball in the ratings.

Gregg says ESPN asked Tennessee and Jacksonville coaches to take late timeouts to extend the Monday Night Football game so it could run more commercials.

Craig Calcaterra from NBC Sports’ Hardball Talk says don’t worry about the NFL beating MLB. 

Back to Darren who says a Wrangler Jeans official is denying that the company pulled ads featuring Brett Favre on NFL games.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says sports programming is saving primetime TV ratings and notes that the NBA’s popularity could supplant MLB as the country’s second most popular sport.

Mike Farrell and John Eggerton from sister publications Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News note that the Cablevision/Fox dispute is now in its 4th day with no end in sight.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News notes that Time Warner Cable customers will be able to access the regular ESPN TV channel, not just ESPN3.com, online and through cell phones.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life Magazine says TBS is off to a strong start with the ALCS.

The Bleacher Report which is full of fan blogs and has a bad reputation in the blogging community has signed a new content agreement with the Washington Post.

Leena Rao of TechCrunch reports that Fox Sports has purchased the sports blogging network, Yardbarker. Interesting.

Jay Busbee at Yahoo’s From The Marbles blog notes that NASCAR’s TV ratings fell again on Saturday, but not as much as the season average.

Yahoo’s Kelly Dwyer says ESPN has hired a former NBA Deputy Commissioner to analyze the upcoming league labor negotiations that could lead to a lockout.

Andrew Neff of the Bangor (ME) Daily News writes that long time sports radio station WZON is flipping to a sports-politics hybrid format.

The lovely Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald talks about WEEI’s morning show heading to TV and being simulcast on NESN. 

Eric Wilbur from the Boston Globe wants to know why Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn’t listed higher on the NFL’s Top 100 players. Please. I can name 10 quarterbacks better than Brady.

Bill Carter of the New York Times writes that New Jersey’s Governor is threatening to get involved in the Cablevision/Fox dispute.

Bob Raissman at the New York Daily News says the Cablevision/Fox dispute could get unstalled if the Yankees make the World Series.

Bob wants the TBS announcing to cater to his needs.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post writes that talks between Cablevision and Fox broke down again on Monday.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with TBS’ John Smoltz who’s analyzing the American League Championship Series along with Ron Darling.

Neil has a little more on John in his blog.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the college football TV schedule in the Capital Region.

Pete also has the NFL TV schedule for Week 7.

Peter Van Allen at the Philadelphia Business Journal says Fox Sports had a busy weekend in the City of Brotherly Love. 

Shannon Owens at the Orlando Sentinel says the NFL’s hiring of supermodel Marisa Miller as a Super Fan spokesperson is an interesting choice.

Shannon says ESPN’s E:60 magazine will profile a three-way football friendship that has Orlando ties.

The Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune says Missouri will have to conduct its homecoming parade later than usual on Saturday after College Gameday wraps up its show.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says Dish Network subscribers are in danger of not seeing the Thunder’s season opener on Fox Sports Oklahoma next week.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that CBS’ Boomer Esiason was adamant about Green Bay’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers being allowed to play after having a concussion. 

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Sunday’s ratings for the Rams were slightly below the season average.

Randy Peterson from the Des Moines Register reports that Iowa State has turned down a Fox College Sports request to air its October 30th game against Kansas. 

Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser says if ESPN picks up the November 6th Hawaii-Boise State, it would cause the University and its TV partners to take a hit on pay per view revenue.

Susan Krashinsky of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that the Canadian Olympic Broadcasting Consortium of CTV/TSN and Rogers Sportsnet that successfully bid for the 2010/2012 Games plans to bid for the 2014/2016 Olympics as well.

Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider looks at ESPN influencing Jacksonville and Tennessee to call late timeouts during last night’s Monday Night Football game.

Sports Media Watch notes that Hannah Storm will return to the NBA as a host on ESPN’s coverage.

SMW says the NBA’s other TV partner, TNT, will be sending its Emmy-award winning Inside The NBA show on the road to start the season.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that the ratings for the NLCS are approaching Stanley Cup levels as far as the younger demographic is concerned.

The Big Lead says New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is apparently dating a reporter from Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

That will complete the links for today.

WEEI Will Simulcast Dennis & Callahan On NESN

Boston sports radio station WEEI has signed a deal with NESN to put its morning show, polarizing Dennis & Callahan on television. John Dennis & Boston Herald columnist Gerry Callahan are quite popular with Massachusetts conservatives as they spout Republican and right wing philosophy on their show. Most of the time, they complain about the Democratic Party, President Obama and the Kennedy family. When 24 was on the air, they talked about the show incessantly. And sports talk has mostly become a back seat.

They were suspended in 2003 for a comment that was perceived to be racist. D&C, as they’re often called, have also raised the ire of the Gay and Lesbian community for comments that are perceived to be homophobic. Figure skater Rudy Galindo was a frequent target of Callahan’s wrath during the show’s infancy.

So you can see what the show is, but it is quite popular and often in the top five in the men 25-54 demographic in Boston. NESN will simulcast the radio show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. not only in New England, but also on its NESN National channel which is available in the Carolinas and Florida.

Here’s the press release.

WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan to be simulcast live on NESN

October 19, 2010 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, and WEEI Sports Radio, New England’s top rated sports radio station, announced today that they have entered into a programming partnership to simulcast The Dennis and Callahan Show on weekday mornings live from 6 am to 9 am. Beginning November 16, 2010, The Dennis and Callahan Show will be available on NESN in New England and across the country on NESN National.

“This programming partnership brings together the two most popular sports media companies in New England in a way that we think complements the strengths of each organization,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “We have worked closely with WEEI for several years to produce the annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. We now look forward to working with WEEI on a daily basis to bring The Dennis and Callahan Show to our television audience.”

“We’re excited because this is the next logical step in our progression as a powerful brand, giving us the ability to provide our great content far and wide,” said Julie Kahn, Entercom New England’s Vice President, New England Market Manager. “We’ve built an unprecedented regional radio network, we stream our radio content worldwide via the web, we have original web content, mobile streaming…and now we will be available regionally and nationally on TV  Nobody in our business offers what we do the way we do…and this NESN partnership impressively expands on that.”

“When they see them on TV, people may be shocked to learn how handsome John & Gerry are,” added Kahn.

“Dennis and Callahan have achieved tremendous success in morning drive on WEEI, and this new partnership with NESN provides the perfect opportunity to expand their footprint across the region. NESN is the ideal partner for us given the incredible power of its reach across New England, and the combination of our two networks will make this new project an instant hit.” said Jason Wolfe, Entercom New England’s Vice President of AM Programming.

“This is a natural fit for NESN. Dennis & Callahan is the ‘go-to’ show in the morning for sports and entertainment,” said Joel Feld, NESN Executive Vice President, Programming and Executive Producer.  “Passionate hosts, loyal fans and no holds-barred discussion. NESN viewers get that with our Red Sox, Bruins and other sports and lifestyle programming so this is a logical way to enhance how we entertain our audience.”

NESN will install four remotely controlled HD cameras in WEEI’s studio in Brighton, MA and fiber the feeds back to the NESN HD Television Center in Watertown, MA where NESN will direct the four feeds and add graphics. In addition to the live simulcast every weekday morning, NESN will also replay The Dennis and Callahan Show in primetime on NESN National. A one-hour “Best of Dennis & Callahan” is also planned for late night. The partnership also includes regular appearances by WEEI personalities on NESN’s Red Sox pre-game shows and other sports programs.

Dennis and Callahan were paired together on WEEI in October of 1997 from 10 am to noon and after immense success, were shifted to morning drive in September of 1999 where they’ve been ever since. The show made an immediate impact in the market and has consistently been the #1 rated morning show in Boston.

The show will start simulcasting in November.

Some Additional Wednesday Links

Ok, let me provide you with some additional linkage here. I got interrupted and posted my original links rather hastily. Then I had to tape this week’s Sports Media Weekly Podcast with Keith Thibault and our guest, Susan Shan so let’s bring you the rest of the linkage now.

We’re getting word that ESPN spiked an article that was posted by writer Arash Markazi. In it, Markazi follows LeBron James in Las Vegas and chronicles his night at the Venetian hotel. For whatever reason, ESPN took it down, but credit Will Leitch of New York Magazine for putting it on Google Docs where it stands right now. According to CNBC’s Darren Rovell, James’ management team denies having anything to do with pulling the story. Whatever the reason, ESPN again looks bad for apparently having a cozy relationship with James. And after the ill-advised “The Decision”, ESPN doesn’t need more black eyes. We’ll monitor this story to see if it has any legs.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today notes that next year’s MLB season will begin earlier and end earlier. 

Whitney Matheson of USA Today’s Pop Candy blog looks at the latest ESPN 30 for 30 doc on BMX.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with Pac 10/12 Commissioner Larry Scott. 

Forbes’ Great Speculations blog notes that ESPN is crucial to Disney’s success or failure.

Portada Online says ESPN Deportes Radio has found a Philadelphia affiliate.

Jessica Heslam & Thomas Grillo from the Boston Herald look into why the Red Sox ratings on NESN are way down from last year. 

D.C. Denison and Alexandra McMahon of the Boston Globe also try to figure out the Red Sox ratings slide.

Jim Shea of the Hartford Courant feels it might be NESN’s presentation that might be turning off viewers.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes MLB Network will have expanded coverage of the trading deadline this Saturday. 

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that a baby recliner designed by Leslie Gudel of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is being recalled after the death of a four month old.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner discusses the MLS All-Star Game which is being carried by ESPN2 tonight.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says Tuesday’s Oakland-Texas Rangers game was the highest rated baseball game of the year for Fox Sports Southwest.

Mike Colias of Crain’s Chicago Business says the Cubs struggles on the field are translating into lower TV ratings.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks about the possible successors to Pat Haden on NBC’s Notre Dame football telecasts.

Tom writes that Minnesota Timberwolves GM David Kahn is now screening his media requests after being fined by the NBA.

SportsbyBrooks gets confirmation from Jay Glazer that he’s going to work at NFL Network while keeping his current position at Fox NFL Sunday.

SbyB also discovers that NFL Network was also targeting Sports Illustrated’s and NBC’s Peter King but was turned down.

The Sports Media Watch has the Weekend Overnight Ratings. 

SMW also has some ratings news and notes.

Digital Journal has the NFL anticipating its highest rated season yet.

TVbytheNumbers notes that TNT plans to produce the PGA Championship next month in 3-D.

Boston Sports Radio Watch explores the war of words and ratings between WEEI and 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Rock Mamota in Chicago Now claims MLB is in need of a ratings transfusion.

That will do it for now.

Late Night Megalinks Oops…. Now the Saturday Links

Again, the shuffling between two offices prevented me from doing the megalinks today. Combine that with me getting my new iPhone 4 and you have me doing the megalinks at night. Better late than not at all.

You can find the Weekend Viewing Picks complete with sports schedule and entertainment programs right here.

Let’s get to the links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that ESPN will begin showing defensive fielding stats on Sunday Night Baseball.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated looks at the new book on ESPN that was penned by the same team that wrote a comprehensive tome on NBC’s Saturday Night Live.

Fanhouse’s Milton Kent looks at the media scrum between Dave Kindred and Mitch Albom with some Jason Whitlock thrown in.

Ok, that is how far I got into the links when I fell asleep. Let me go on. I’ll do a combination of selected Friday media links as well as Saturday.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks into the dwindling attendance numbers at Cooperstown for the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

Darren talks with the man in charge of one of the most iconic signs in American sports. 

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred admits that there have been times when he has been wrong.

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn talks about WEEI changing the format of its Red Sox pregame show midstream and without any warning. 

In the New York Daily News, Bob Raissman notes that SNY analyst Bob Ojeda ripped the Mets this week.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that MLB Network will have the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies tomorrow.

Greg Connors in the Buffalo News writes that Disney and Time Warner Cable are drawing their respective lines in the sand.

Laura Nachman says Vince Papale will host a Philadelphia Eagles-centric TV show during NFL season. You may remember Vince was the subject of the movie “Invincible“.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the first place Texas Rangers have translated to increased TV ratings.

Barry writes with the Rangers in first place, he notes a few things about their broadcasters.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says a Texas sports talk show host has had to stay off the air while he runs for the Texas House of Representatives.

Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Brewers announcer Bob Uecker returned to work Friday against doctors’ orders.

Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel is happy to have Uecker back in the booth.

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

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says an outspoken Gateway City personality returns to the local airwaves next week.

Dan says there’s heated competition for the Cardinals radio rights.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has his extensive media notes.

The Sports Media Watch notes that final round aside, the ratings for the Open Championship were not all that bad.

SMW says Versus is seeing a ratings rise for IndyCar.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says the NHL Network will carry the official NHL Winter Classic press conference next week in Pittsburgh.

That will do it for now.

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.