Fang's Bites

Two College Football Press Releases For You

The press releases have piled up and I keep trying to clear them, but more keep coming. It’s like rolling that rock up the hill. Right when you think you’re finished, the rock gets by me and rolls down the hill.

So, I do my best to post what I can whenever I can. From CBS College Sports, we have quotage from the Tony Barnhart Show from Tuesday.

NEWS, NOTES AND QUOTES FROM “THE TONY BARNHART SHOW” ON CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK

BCS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILL HANCOCK ON “THE TONY BARNHART SHOW” ON CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK

CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’s THE TONY BARNHART SHOW, a weekly one-hour primetime college football talk show, features BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock, and former Navy and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, on Tuesday, Dec. 8 (9:00 PM, ET).

“Mr. College Football” Tony Barnhart hosts the show along with analyst Brian Jones. The hard-hitting program debates and analyzes the hot topics and issues facing college football both on and off-the-field. This week, Barnhart and Jones discuss the BCS pairings and go in-depth on the Fiesta Bowl match-up between Boise State and TCU.

The TONY BARNHART SHOW airs each Tuesday throughout the college football season at 9:00 PM, ET. Mike Aresco serves as Executive Producer. Tyler Hale and Stefan Van Engen produce.

* * * * *

The following are excerpts from the show:

Barnhart: Why did you (the BCS) hire a PR firm?

Hancock: The fact is that our critics had the field to themselves. We were not playing, and you can’t score unless you take the field. We are football people, we’re not communications people. The Commissioner’s and President’s thought it would be best to go and get someone who is a communications expert to help convey the message, help us focus on the message, and we think it’s a good thing for us.

Barnhart: Is this a chance for the BCS to go on offense?

Hancock: It’s time for us to be on offense, and we have reacted defensively. We’re very proud of the BCS. We’re proud of what it’s accomplished, we’re proud of what it can be in the future, and we want to tell that story.

(BILL HANCOCK ON A FULL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF)

So many of the people who talk about a playoff don’t go through the detail of trying to figure out the reality of it. In reality, it’s very difficult if not impossible. Who plays? Where do you play? When do you play? And what’s to be gained by it? Just look at this week. With a four team playoff, I’d like the folks to tell me which four of those five undefeated teams would be in it. You can’t do it. And I think we trade one set of problems for another set. And I don’t think we gain anything if we went to a playoff. And neither do the Presidents, faculty, coaches and athletic directors.

(BILL HANCOCK ON A FOUR TEAM PLAYOFF)

It would not stay at four for long. In the tournament that I love, the basketball tournament, it started at eight teams and it’s now 65. And you’ve heard the talk about let’s go to 128 or let’s go to 95. It would not stay four for long, there’s no doubt about that. And like I said, which four of those five undefeated teams do you put in there this year? It’s very difficult.

And we have the preview of the season finale of Fox Sports South’s SEC Gridiron Live.

SEC Gridiron LIVE’s Bowl Preview Special

Show’s 15-Week Run Ends Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports South

SEC Gridiron LIVE ends its 15-week run on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports South with a bowl preview special. Host Charles Davis and analysts David Pollack and Randy Cross break down the ten bowl games featuring SEC squads, including an in-depth analysis of No. 1 Alabama’s showdown with No. 2 Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. Bowl games featuring SEC squads include:

· Kentucky vs. Clemson – Music City Bowl

· Texas A&M vs. Georgia – Independence Bowl

· Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee – Chick-fil-A Bowl

· Northwestern vs. Auburn – Outback Bowl

· Penn State vs. LSU – Capital One Bowl

· Florida vs. Cincinnati – Sugar Bowl

· South Carolina vs. Connecticut – PapaJohns.com Bowl

· Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss – Cotton Bowl

· Arkansas vs. ECU – Liberty Bowl

· Texas vs. Alabama – BCS National Championship Game

The SEC Gridiron LIVE crew talks about the Heisman Trophy and whether Alabama’s Mark Ingram or Florida’s Tim Tebow will take home the honor and predicts the early favorites for SEC champions next season. Social media reporter Cassidy Hubbarth counts down the Top 5 “Plays of the Year” and interacts with fans throughout the show via Twitter, Facebook and email.

SEC Gridiron LIVE will be distributed to more than 24 million cable and satellite households on the FSN regional networks throughout the SEC territory – FOX Sports South, Sun Sports, FOX Sports Houston and FOX Sports Southwest.

One more press release post before I call it a night.

ESPN College Sports Press Releases

I’m going to combine one college football release and tack to two college basketball-related releases from ESPN. I do this to save space and because I can.

First, let’s look at what ESPN has planned for its college football awards show. This is unrelated to the Heisman Trophy show later this week.

Seven College Football Hall of Famers among Presenters for The ESPNU College Football Awards

Show Live from Disney’s BoardWalk at 7 p.m. ET Dec. 10 on ESPN; ESPNU to Air Red Carpet Special Before and After Awards

Seven College Football Hall of Famers are among the presenters announced for The ESPNU College Football Awards – live on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The show will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with Disney’s Spirit Award; The Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Presenters include:

Biletnikoff Award (best receiver)

Chris Fowler

Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player) –

Pat Fitzgerald, 1995 & 1996 winner, Northwestern*

Lou Groza Award (best kicker)

Mike Reeder, 1995 winner, TCU

Ray Guy Award (best punter)

Ray Guy*

Maxwell Award (best all-around player)

Lou Holtz

Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback)

Troy Aikman, 1988 winner, UCLA*

Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)

Mark May, 1980 winner, Pittsburgh*

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)

Governor Bill Anoatubby, tribal leader of the Chickasaw Nation

Doak Walker Award (best running back)

Tony Dorsett*

Contributions to College Football

Steve Young (via tape)*

The Coach of the Year

Frank Bifulco, Sr. VP of Marketing & Chief Marketing Officer, The Home Depot

Walter Camp Player of the Year

Tim Brown, 1987 winner, Notre Dame*

Disney Spirit Award

Tim Tebow, 2008 winner, Florida; and Faron Kelley, Director of Sports Marketing, Disney

The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, with Mike Gleason as theatre announcer, will originate from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show, hosted by Cara Capuano, Tom Luginbill, Lowell Galindo and Jenn Brown, will air at 6 p.m. on ESPNU and after the show at 9 p.m.

The NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award will be presented to legendary football coach LaVell Edwards. The 2009 season marks the 25th anniversary of Brigham Young University‘s 1984 National Championship team. That season, Edwards led the Cougars to a perfect 13-0 record and was named the national coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America.

In addition, Disney Sports will award Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich the Disney Spirit Award given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure. Herzlich recently overcame a rare form of bone cancer and helped inspire more than $120,000 in donations for cancer-related causes.

Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

Now to the college basketball games that the networks of ESPN will air later this week.

Men’s College Basketball: Two Matchups between Ranked Teams

ESPN’s upcoming men’s college basketball coverage will be highlighted by two telecasts featuring matchups between ranked teams:

No. 6 Syracuse vs. No. 11 Florida in the third annual SEC/BIG EAST Invitational from Tampa Thursday, Dec. 10, at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

No. 15 Ohio State at No. 20 Butler Saturday, Dec. 12, at noon on ESPN.

Additional highlights for Saturday, Dec. 12 include:

• No. 1 Kansas vs. LaSalle from Kansas City at 2 p.m. on ESPN;
• No. 5 Purdue at Alabama at 9 p.m. ESPN2;
• No. 23 Wisconsin against Marquette at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Thu, Dec 10	6:30 p.m.	SEC/BIG EAST Invitational: DePaul vs. Mississippi State (Tampa) Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	8:30 p.m.	Miami (Ohio) at No. 19 Cincinnati Bob Wischusen & Doug Gottlieb	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	SEC/BIG EAST Invitational: No. 6 Syracuse vs. No. 11 Florida (Tampa) Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Sat, Dec 12	Noon	No. 15 Ohio State at No. 20 Butler Sean McDonough & Jay Bilas	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	2 p.m.	LaSalle vs. No. 1 Kansas (Kansas City) Ron Franklin & Fran Fraschilla	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	2 p.m.	Kent State at Pittsburgh Lou Canellis & Bob Wenzel	ESPNU
	5 p.m.	Marquette at No. 23 Wisconsin Dave O’Brien & Steve Lavin	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	7 p.m.	Virginia Tech at Penn State John Sciambi & Doug Gottlieb	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	No. 5 Purdue at Alabama Carter Blackburn & Jimmy Dykes	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Sun, Dec 13	7 p.m.	No. 19 Cincinnati at Xavier Jim Barbar & Fran Fraschilla	ESPNU

The basketball version of College Gameday begins January 16 and this means the start of Saturday primetime basketball on ESPN. It kicks off with a women’s matchup between Notre Dame and UConn and the debut of Dick Vitale as an analyst for women’s basketball.

College GameDay and Saturday Primetime to Tip Off at Site of Women’s Basketball Matchup – No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 1 Connecticut on Jan. 16

The sixth consecutive season of ESPN’s College GameDay and Saturday Primetime game-of-the-week series will begin Jan. 16 from Storrs, Conn. for the women’s BIG EAST showdown between No. 6 Notre Dame and defending National Champion No. 1 Connecticut. It will mark the first time the show has originated from a women’s game. Two one-hour segments of the show will air at 10 a.m. and at 8 p.m. The game will air on ESPN at 9 p.m.

The Jan.16 College GameDay crew will include Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps and Hubert Davis, who will be joined by Doris Burke. The Saturday Primetime commentator team will feature Dan Shulman, Burke and Dick Vitale, who, in his 31^st season with ESPN, will be calling his first women’s basketball telecast.

Following the Jan. 16 telecasts, College GameDay will regularly feature R. Davis, Bilas, Phelps, H. Davis and Bob Knight. The Saturday Primetime team will generally include Shulman, Vitale and Erin Andrews.

That concludes this post.

Two Big Ten Network Releases For You

I have two releases from the Big Ten Network to post. First, this one is about the network’s football ratings this season.

Big Ten Network Football Telecasts Enjoy Ratings Increase in 2009

Third season of coverage yields impressive numbers

CHICAGO – Ratings for Big Ten Network national football telecasts dramatically increased across the board in 2009, based on Nielsen metered-market data. The average for the network’s afternoon telecasts improved by 28 percent over the comparable period last year, while the average ratings for the network’s eight primetime games increased by a whopping 183 percent.

In just its third season on the air, the network averaged a 2.3 household (HH) rating for its 12-week afternoon football window in its nine metered markets.* The rating exceeded all other sports cable networks airing football during the same noon ET time period.

The network also had significant ratings increases for its eight primetime games. In prime time, the network averaged a 1.7 rating in the nine metered markets, 183 percent higher than last year’s rating. Of several key matchups in prime time, the highlight was Iowa’s last-second win at Michigan State on Oct. 24.

The network’s most-viewed football Saturday was Oct. 3 when Michigan-Michigan State and Northwestern’s come-from-behind-win at Purdue averaged a combined 4.7 HH rating in the nine metered markets. That night in prime time, the Ohio State-Indiana game attracted a 4.5 HH rating across the nine markets. In all, the network’s games were the top-rated cable programs in either afternoon or prime time in Detroit, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton.

Other key matchups driving the ratings included Purdue’s stunning upset of Ohio State on Oct. 17, Wisconsin’s defeat of Michigan at Camp Randall on Nov. 14 and Northwestern’s dramatic victory over Wisconsin on Nov. 21.

In addition, the network’s post-game shows in both the afternoon and in prime time also showed ratings increases, with the Saturday Wrap-Up show up 20 percent and the Wrap-Up following the primetime games up 163 percent.

“These season-long ratings show that the Big Ten Network is establishing itself as a top destination for college football fans,” network President Mark Silverman said. “We look forward to carrying this momentum into the Big Ten basketball season, with the network airing two-thirds of all conference games.”

The network’s final game telecast of the season is at 12:30 PM ET on Saturday when Illinois hosts Fresno State.

*Source: Nielsen Arianna Overnights. Metered Markets: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.

The Big Ten Network also will count down the top conference games from this season.

Network to Count Down 2009’s Top Football Games on Dec. 14

Fan vote to determine which 10 are re-aired in a Dec. 26 college football marathon

CHICAGO – The 2009 Big Ten football season included amazing come-from-behind wins, last-second victories and stunning upsets. At 9 PM ET on Dec. 14, the Big Ten Network will air Top Ten Football Games of 2009, a 30-minute special hosted by Rick Pizzo.

Fans can view the list of possible games, watch highlights and vote for their top game of the year at http://www.bigtennetwork.com/topgames. Voting ends on Dec. 20. The top games, as chosen by fans, will air on Dec. 26 in the Best Football Games of 2009 marathon. The following 15 games are under consideration:

Sept. 5: Iowa 17, Northern Iowa 16

The Panthers lined up for the potential winning field goal with seven seconds left, but Iowa’s Broderick Binns blocked a 40-yard attempt on first down. Believing the game was over, several Hawkeyes allowed UNI to recover the ball with a second left. After officials reviewed the play to make sure there was time on the clock, the Panthers tried again on second down, and for a second straight kick Iowa was able to get a hand on the ball to preserve the win.

Sept. 12: Michigan 38, Notre Dame 34

Down three points to rival Notre Dame, Michigan’s freshman quarterback Tate Forcier hit Greg Mathews for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left to cap off the game-winning drive and lift the Wolverines to a 38-34 victory over No. 18 Notre Dame.

Sept. 12: Wisconsin 34, Fresno St. 31 (2OT)

After fighting hard for four quarters, Wisconsin safety Chris Maragos came up with an interception in the second overtime, and Philip Welch kicked a 22-yard field goal to give the Badgers a 34-31 victory over Fresno State at Camp Randall Stadium.

Sept. 26: Iowa 21, Penn State 10

The Hawkeyes upset the fifth-ranked Nittany Lions for a second straight year, with Adrian Clayborn sparking a comeback by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown in the eventual 21-10 victory. A season after a stunning 24-23 win over then-unbeaten Penn State, the Hawkeyes handed Penn State its first loss of this season with a 16-point fourth-quarter flourish.

Oct. 3: Michigan State 26, Michigan 20 (OT)

Michigan State freshman Larry Caper ran for a 23-yard touchdown in overtime to give the Spartans a 26-20 victory over the No. 22 Wolverines. Michigan State hadn’t beaten Michigan twice in a row since winning three straight from 1965-67.

Oct. 10: Iowa 30, Michigan 28

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns after he was picked off on his first pass, and No. 12 Iowa survived yet another close call, beating Michigan 30-28 for its best start since 1985. The win gave the Hawkeyes their first 10-game winning streak in more than 80 years.

Oct. 17: Purdue 26, Ohio State 18

Led by quarterback Joey Elliott, who threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, Purdue had one of its biggest upsets in years when they stunned No. 7 Ohio State, 26-18, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Buckeyes had five turnovers in the game, four by quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Oct. 24: Iowa 15, Michigan State 13

To stay undefeated, Iowa needed every last second and one more perfect throw from Ricky Stanzi. He connected with Marvin McNutt for a 7-yard touchdown pass as time expired and the Hawkeyes escaped with a 15-13 victory against Michigan State keep their title hopes alive.

Oct. 24: Northwestern 29, Indiana 28

Stefan Demos kicked a 19-yard field goal with 21 seconds left and Northwestern completed a comeback from a 25-point deficit in beating Indiana, 29-28. Mike Kafka shook off three second-half interceptions by hitting Andrew Brewer on a key fourth-down pass that set up the eventual game-winning score.

Oct. 31: Minnesota 42, Michigan State 34

Adam Weber passed for a career-high 416 yards and five touchdowns, helping Minnesota hurdle a school-record 17 penalties and hang on to beat Michigan State 42-34. Playing without injured star wide receiver Eric Decker for the first time, Weber stepped up by completing 19 of 31 passes.

Nov. 7: Northwestern 17, Iowa 10

Dan Persa threw a touchdown pass and Marshall Thomas recovered a fumble for another score, and Northwestern dealt a crushing blow to Iowa’s national championship hopes with a 17-10 victory in Iowa City.

Nov. 7: Illinois 35, Minnesota 32

Terry Hawthorne returned an interception for a touchdown and Clay Nurse had four of Illinois’ eight sacks to lead the Illini to a 35-32 victory over Minnesota. Jacob Charest threw for 185 yards and a touchdown after replacing Juice Williams, who left in the first quarter with an injured left ankle.

Nov. 14: Iowa 24, Ohio State 27 (OT)

With the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth on the line, Devin Barclay, a 26-year-old former pro soccer player, kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime to give Ohio State a 27-24 victory over Iowa. The win sent the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years.

Nov. 14: Michigan State 40, Purdue 37

Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, and Michigan State overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Purdue 40-37 and become bowl-eligible. Michigan State’s Brett Swenson made four field goals, including the game-winning 21-yarder with 1:51 left in the game.

Nov. 21: Northwestern 33, Wisconsin 31

A purple mob rushed to the middle of Ryan Field to celebrate Northwestern’s 33-31 victory over No. 17 Wisconsin. The Wildcats built a 27-14 halftime lead behind the passing of Mike Kafka to Andrew Brewer and then used late defensive plays to hold off the Badgers.

I have more stuff coming up.

Monday Night Football Wins The Night Again

To break the string of four consecutive posts on Peter Gammons, we turn to the NFL which as we know through 13 weeks of the season, continues to rack up ratings wins. It’s no different for last Monday’s Baltimore-Green Bay game. ESPN says the audience for Monday Night Football topped the ratings for all networks, both cable and networks.

Monday Night Football Powers ESPN to Win the Night among All Networks

Ravens-Packers Game Earns 9.7 Rating and 13.5 Million Viewers

On the strength of last night’s Monday Night Football game– the Green Bay Packers’ 27-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens which earned a 9.7 rating, representing an average of 9,571,000 households (13,478,000 viewers – P2+) – ESPN won the night among all networks. The telecast was the seventh most-viewed cable program of the year for viewers (and No. 8 in households), and it was the fourth Monday this season ESPN had more viewers than any network, broadcast or cable. As it has each week this season, MNF led all the night’s programs (broadcast or cable) in all key male demos and people 18-34.

For 2009, ESPN’s MNF telecasts represent cable’s 13 biggest audiences among households and viewers (and 14 of the top 15 among households). Through 13 weeks (14 games) of the NFL season, ESPN’s MNF is averaging a 10.5 rating and 10,379,000 households (14,476,000 P2+), up 18 percent, 19 percent and 21 percent, respectively, from last season.

ESPN.COM

ESPN.com had 68.4 million page views to NFL content accessed via computers and mobile devices for Monday thru Tuesday at noon — up 24 percent from the comparable time period last year. Specifically, page views for the NFL section on computers and mobile were up 26 percent from last year. Additionally, ESPN.com streamed 1.4 million NFL related videos.

NEXT WEEK ON MNF

Next week’s ESPN MNF game on Dec. 14 features an NFC West showdown when Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals travel to San Francisco to face Alex Smith and the 49ers at 8:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s game around the game coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. with NFL Live and continues throughout the afternoon.

Nothing more need be said about the ratings.

BREAKING NEWS: Peter Gammons Joins MLB Network and MLB.com

Peter Gammons leaves ESPN and picks up two outlets. In addition to working for NESN which will be his home base, Peter also will work for MLB Network. The story leaked just a few short hours after we learned that Peter was leaving ESPN, his place of employment for 20 years. He now joins MLB Network which has amassed a really good stable of baseball reporters including Tom Verducci, Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal. That’s a Murderer’s Row of insiders that ESPN will be hard pressed to match. While ESPN has Buster Olney, Peter Pascarelli, Tim Kurkjian and Jayson Stark among others, MLB Network has really stepped up.

In addition, Peter will write for MLB.com. We have the official announcement from MLB Network.

Hall of Fame Baseball Writer Peter Gammons Joins MLB Network and MLB.com as On-Air and Online Analyst

Gammons to Serve as an Analyst on MLB Network Studio and Feature Programming

Gammons to be a Signature and Regularly Featured Writer in

MLB.com’s New Sports Columnist Initiative

Secaucus, NJ and New York, NY, December 8, 2009 – MLB Network and MLB Advanced Media today announced that Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons has joined MLB Network and MLB.com as an on-air and online analyst. As part of a multi-year deal, Gammons will offer analysis and commentary on MLB Network for breaking news and special events like the Trade Deadline, First-Year Player Draft, Winter Meetings and Postseason. Gammons will also serve as a signature and regularly featured writer for MLB.com’s new columnist initiative, writing commentary on breaking news and posting several articles online each week.

During the 2009-2010 offseason, Gammons will appear on Hot Stove, MLB Network’s nightly offseason studio show featuring updates and analysis of the moves all 30 clubs are making and planning in preparation for the upcoming season. He will also contribute to MLB Network’s Spring Training program 30 Clubs in 30 Days and do studio work on short documentary-style pieces and other select programming. Gammons will also be a regular analyst on MLB Tonight, MLB Network’s signature nightly studio show.

Also today, NESN announced that Gammons has entered into a multi-year agreement to join the network in January 2010 to serve as a studio analyst and reporter.

“It’s hard to imagine a reporter who is more deeply associated with a sport than Peter is with Major League Baseball,” said Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer of MLB Network. “Having Peter associated with MLB Network is an incredible opportunity and another great step for MLB Network as we head into our second year on January 1.”

“Peter is one of the best known baseball observers and his illustrious 40-year career has included coverage of some of the most important moments in baseball history,” said Dinn Mann, executive vice president and editor-in-chief of MLB.com. “We are thrilled he will be the anchor of our soon-to-be-launched daily columnist website that will include this country’s best baseball writers.”

“After 40 years covering baseball, the opportunity to move on to MLB Network is a great and daunting opportunity,” said Gammons. “My journalistic life has revolved around baseball, and to be involved with people whose network is devoted to baseball, and baseball only, is something I look forward to with excitement. We all wish pitchers and catchers reported tomorrow. One of the greatest things about baseball is that it is held to a higher standard than any other sport, which holds those of us who care about it to a higher standard. I hope I can contribute to that standard.”

“For generations, baseball has been the writers’ sport, from John Updike to Roger Angell to Tom Boswell,” said Gammons. “To be afforded the opportunity by MLB.com to write about breaking news, inside information, issues, players, people, history and the perspective of the game’s place in society from Jackie Robinson to our current generation of socially-conscious players like Torii Hunter, Carlos Pena, and C.C. Sabathia is a forum that makes this next chapter of my journalistic life exciting and rewarding.”

Gammons was honored as the recipient of the 2005 J.G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing during the 2005 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Gammons was voted the National Sportswriter of the Year for 1989, 1990 and 1993 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and was awarded an honorary Poynter Fellow from Yale University.

Gammons most recently served as a baseball analyst for ESPN from 1988 through 2009 as well as a writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. He began his career as a reporter for the Boston Globe in 1969 and wrote a weekly Sunday baseball column for many years. He has also worked for Sports Illustrated covering the National Hockey League, college basketball and Major League Baseball (1976-78, 1986-90). He has also served as a contributor to Baseball America. In 1984, Gammons wrote the critically acclaimed book Beyond the Sixth Game, a look at free agency.

Gammons joins MLB Network’s roster of on-air talent, including studio hosts Bob Costas, Matt Vasgersian, Victor Rojas, Greg Amsinger and Matt Yallof, studio analysts Sean Casey, John Hart, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Joe Magrane, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Billy Ripken and Mitch Williams, reporters Trenni Kusnierek and Hazel Mae, and baseball insiders Jon Heyman, Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal.

Good stuff. Been quite the busy day for us who cover the sports media.

BREAKING NEWS: Peter Gammons Joins NESN

In addition to joining the MLB Network, Peter Gammons gets to stay home more often as he will join NESN as a studio analyst and reporter in 2010. Here’s the press release:

PETER GAMMONS TO JOIN NESN AND NESN.COM IN 2010

BOSTON, MA – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, announced today that Hall of Fame baseball writer and longtime ESPN and Boston Globe baseball analyst/reporter Peter Gammons has entered into a multi-year agreement to join NESN as a regular studio analyst, reporter and online contributor.

“This is a great day for our fans. Peter is the most respected and relied upon baseball journalist in the country,” said Sean McGrail, NESN President and CEO. “Peter brings to our baseball coverage a depth of knowledge and experience unmatched in the industry. Joining Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley and Jim Rice, we are proud to add Peter to our studio and online coverage of Red Sox baseball.”

Gammons will serve as a studio analyst, reporter and offer commentary for over 50 of the network’s hour-long pre and post game shows and as co-host of Red Sox Hot Stove and Red Sox Spring Break LIVE. He will also make regular contributions to NESN.com.

“I’m a New Englander who wanted to be Jackie Jensen,” said Peter Gammons. “I started out at the Boston Globe and wrote about Jerry Remy when he was at Somerset High School. I was lucky enough to be there for the Munson-Fisk fight in 1973 and The Sixth Game and the ’78 playoff, and when my local cable company wouldn’t put NESN on our system I signed the override petitions.”

“NESN has given me the opportunity to come back to my roots and once again be part of my neighborhood, and I am truly excited about it. During the 2007 World Series, Matt Holliday said that what differentiated Fenway Park from any other stadium is that fans don’t react, they anticipated, and that creates a tension unlike any other audience in sports. It is a great feeling to be back with that audience.”

Also today, MLB Network and MLB.com announced that Gammons will be an on-air analyst for MLB Network programming providing analysis and commentary and will also be a signature and regularly featured writer on MLB.com’s new sports columnist initiative.

This is a big coup for NESN and NESN.com. In the battle for Boston readers, NESN gets its first real splash for its website.

AP Reporting Peter Gammons Joining MLB Network

Not surprising to hear this. The Associated Press reports that Peter Gammons who earlier today announced his departure from ESPN at the end of this week’s Winter Meetings will join MLB Network.

I hope to have more later.

Sent from my iPhone.

UPDATE, 8:30 p.m.: Here’s the link to the Associated Press story written by Ronald Blum about Gammons joining the MLB Network. We have another Peter Gammons story coming up.

BREAKING NEWS: Peter Gammons To Leave ESPN

In a story that is just breaking, ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys has tweeted that Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons has announced that he will leave ESPN after the Winter Meetings this week.

Gammons joined ESPN back in 1989 becoming along with fellow Boston Globe writer Will McDonough, one of the first newspaper reporters to join a TV network. McDonough was hired by CBS Sports around the same time. Here’s the release.

Gammons Ends Hall of Fame Run with ESPN

Baseball Hall of Fame journalist Peter Gammons has decided to pursue new endeavors and will no longer be a contributor to ESPN after this week’s winter meetings.

Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production:

“As a print journalist moving to television, Peter was a pioneer who became a Hall of Famer. His contributions to ESPN will never be forgotten. We’re sad to see Peter go, but understand his desire for new challenges and a less demanding schedule.”

Peter Gammons:

“My decision to leave ESPN and move on at this point in my life has been conflicted. I owe a great deal of my professional life to ESPN, having spent more than half of my 40 years in journalism working for the network, and the choice to move on was made with nothing but the strongest feelings for the people with whom I worked. ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am.

“I will forever be joined at the hip with John Walsh, who hired me as an ink-stained wretch, plunked me on TV and has always been a guiding spirit. Understand how the people who run ESPN treat people: when I was felled by a severe aneurysm in 2006, George Bodenheimer, John Skipper, Norby Williamson, my former Boston Globe boss Vince Doria and everyone made certain that my family and I had the best care and support, far, far beyond any reasonable expectation. My ESPN life has been lined with foxhole people whom I’ll never forget.

“I’ve been able to work with my closest and oldest friends, like Jayson Stark, Tim Kurkjian, Buster Olney, Peter Pascarelli, Jerry Crasnick and Charlie Moynihan. I spent three seasons doing games with a producer, Tom Archer, who is among the most revered leaders I’ve ever met. I told everyone last October that the team baseball coordinating producer Jay Levy put together with Mark Preisler and Marc Carman was the most creative in my 20 years on the show. I apologize to hundreds of people I owe for all these years for not mentioning their names.

“You would have had to be there for 20 years to know how hard so many good people sweated in anonymity to make all of us look as if we knew what we were doing.

“My friend Tom Rush – who taught James Taylor and me our first guitar chords – once wrote how strange it seems to walk away alone. With no regrets.”

John Walsh, ESPN executive vice president and executive editor:

“Peter was the best and the brightest in making the transition from print to video. For ESPN, he contributed 21 Hall of Fame years as a journalist and, throughout, set the standard for others to reach for.”

Gammons bio

Peter Gammons, a highly respected Major League Baseball journalist, was an ESPN reporter/analyst for 20 seasons (1989-2009). He regularly provided analysis on ESPN’s Sports Emmy Award-winning Baseball Tonight. From 2006-08, he reported during ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecasts from the ballpark, generally from field level. Gammons also provided “Diamond Notes” and other reports for SportsCenter. Amongst his multimedia role, Gammons also wrote a column and a blog for ESPN.com.

Gammons, 64, was honored as the recipient of the 2004 J.G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing during the 2005 Hall of Fame induction ceremony July 31 in Cooperstown, N.Y. He was selected in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

He began his career as a reporter for the Boston Globe in 1969 and wrote a very popular weekly Sunday baseball column for many years. He has also worked for Sports Illustrated covering the National Hockey League, college basketball and Major League Baseball (1976-78, 1986-90).

In 1986, upon his return to Sports Illustrated as a senior writer following a second stay at the Globe, he wrote numerous stories covering some of baseball’s most important news events, as well as authoring “Inside Baseball,” Sports Illustrated’s weekly baseball notebook.

Peter is one of the most respected writers in baseball and his induction into the writers wing at the Baseball Hall of Fame is very much deserved.

It is not known where Peter is going, but speculation has it that he could join MLB Network.

Allen Iverson is The Answer for Comcast SportsNet

Ever since he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson had been anticipating his return in front of the Philly fans. He got it yesterday and received a warm ovation. In addition, fans watching on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia gave the network its highest regular season rating since last season.

You want to know how big this is? Last night’s rating is 300% higher than the regular season average to date. That’s not just big, it’s HUGE as Paris Hilton likes to say. Take a look at the release from CSN Philly.

COMCAST SPORTSNET DELIVERS HIGHEST SIXERS RATING SINCE 2008

Sixers-Denver Game Broadcast Scores a 4.9 Rating, Plus Strong Pre and Postgame Ratings

PHILADELPHIA (December 8, 2009) Last night’s Sixers game, which marked the return of Allen Iverson to the team, delivered a 4.9 rating (146,000 households), and peaked at a 5.8 rating (172,300 HHs) at 7:45 p.m. The game represents a 300% increase over the Sixers regular season average rating of 1.2 (36,000 HHs).

Comcast SportsNet’s pre and postgame coverage of the Sixers-Denver game also delivered impressive numbers. Sixers Pregame Live scored a 1.3 rating (39,000 HHs), marking a 225% increase over the regular season average. Sixers Postgame Live delivered a 2.1 rating (62,400 HHs), a 250% increase over the 2009-10 season average.

Last night marked the highest rated Sixers game since April 27, 2008 when the Sixers took on the Detroit Pistons in Game Four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. That game delivered a 5.4 rating (160,000 HHs). Last night’s game was also the highest rated regular season game since the Sixers played the Milwaukee Bucks on March 1, 2005 when the broadcast delivered a 5.4 rating (160,000 HHs).

The Sixers return to Comcast SportsNet on Wednesday, December 9 when they take on the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. Sixers Pregame Live will air at 6:30 p.m. and Sixers Postgame Live will immediately follow the game.

That’s it for now.

Cowboys-Giants is the Number One Rated Program of the Week

The NFL continues its ratings winning streak as Cowboys-Giants on Sunday with involving two teams in big markets and a huge rivalry game gave Fox Sports big numbers. We’re talking monster ratings. Here’s the release:

COWBOYS-GIANTS GAME GIVES NFL ON FOX WEEK’S NO. 1 SHOW…AGAIN

Season-to-Date Audience Up +16%

Sunday’s NFL on FOX National Game, lead by the New York Giants upset over the Dallas Cowboys, posted a sensational 16.6/29 average household audience/share, with 27.8 million viewers, according to national figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. The game easily ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched broadcast of the week in all of television in households, across all key male and adult demos and placed among the top three across key women demographics. This marks the seventh time in seven tries that FOX’s National Game has been the highest-rated and most-watched telecast of its week this season, and through Week 13 the five most-watched Sunday games on all networks have all been on FOX.

The rating for the NFL on FOX Week 13 National game is up +8% over last year’s comparable Week 13 National Game on CBS (15.4/27) and up +9% in audience (25.5 million). Sunday’s 16.6/29 marks the fourth time this year a FOX game has exceeded the 15.0 household rating nationally, the first time ever FOX has had four such games in a single season.

Through seven broadcasts this season, the NFL on FOX National Game is averaging an outstanding 15.6/29 and 26.2 million viewers, up +12% and 16%, respectively, over last year’s 13.9/27 (22.5 million viewers), +21% and +22%, respectively, compared to CBS’s National Game (12.9/25, 21.4 mill) and +31% and 34%, respectively, compared to NBC’s SNF (11.9/19, 19.6 mill). The NFL on FOX National Game ranks as the No. 1 program in all of television across all key male and adult demographics.

The NFL continues to ride a huge ratings wave to victory this season.

Developing the Tuesday Links

I keep getting news or releases that I need to post, thus delaying my gathering of the links. Well, I think I have a window to get these done now.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has the ratings of various sports programs from the weekend.

The Sports Media Watch notes that HBO Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel revealed this morning that he had lung cancer surgery.

The Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2009 and it includes legendary broadcasters Dick Enberg and Keith Jackson.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the Heisman Trophy ceremony doesn’t necessarily attract viewers because of close votes.

On The DL’s Dan Levy writing in the Sporting News that the holiday season has been one for media buyouts and internet shutdowns.

Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times has an open letter to Comcast executives regarding the purchase of NBC at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center.

At his regular place of employment, Eric writes about how the Tiger Woods story is forcing the mainstream sports media to play catchup with TMZ and US Weekly.

Eric also talks with TMZ’s Harvey Levin about the Tiger Slam.

Comcast SportsNet New England reports that NESN Red Sox analyst Dave Roberts is leaving the network to join the Padres front office.

From the New York Times, Richard Sandomir writes about Showtime airing a show devoted to NASCAR starting in February 2010.

Michael Shain of the New York post wonders if the NCAA Tournament will become an all-cable affair.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says two Sunday programs did not shy away from sensitive topics.

Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that despite getting arrested the night before, former Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell began his new radio gig on Monday.

The Baltimore Sun’s David Zurawik liked how ESPN called out the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

From the Bradenton Herald, John Lembo writes that ESPN’s Dick Vitale continues to raise money for the battle against cancer and will mention two Florida residents who lost their lives to the disease.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says NFL Commish Roger Goodell once again warned Miami to keep the Stadium formerly known as Joe Robbie current to risk not seeing the Super Bowl for a while.

Sarah says Dunkin’ Donuts is providing free tickets for the Dolphins’ home game against the Houston Texans on December 27.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says his newspaper and a local sports radio station have signed a new content sharing agreement.

Barry says the Cowboys will be the featured game on CBS this Sunday.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer discusses the addition of Ohio State announcer Paul Keels to the Reds TV team.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business says despite playing a bad game in their win over St. Louis, the Bears garnered good ratings on Sunday.

Ed says it’s apparent that the Chicago Tribune won’t be hiring Jay The Rat.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says ESPN heaped praise on the Packers during Monday Night Football.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News is trying to get the hang of this Twitter thing.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours says not only will the Winter Olympics be aired in English and French in Canada, but also in aboriginal languages.

Reuters reports that ESPN has won the rights to air 23 English Premier League games in Ireland starting next season.

Owen Gibson of the Guardian says ESPN has been awarded the rights to air a majority of FA Cup games next season.

BBC Sport says ESPN picks up the slack for Setanta Sports which collapsed earlier this year.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine looks at the possibility of the NCAA Tournament expanding and going to cable.

Back to the Sports Media Watch and some college football ratings news.

The Big 12 Championship drew good numbers for ABC.

Opposite the Big 12 Championship, the ACC Championship on ESPN dropped.

SMW notes that the game that decided the Big East title, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, also rated well for ABC.

And the BCS Selection Show on Fox dropped again.

Bill Gorman at TV by the Numbers says last week’s Patriots-Saints game steered ESPN to a cable primetime win.

We conclude with Kristine Leahy and today’s edition of The Five at WEEI.com.

That’s it for now. Lots of links on this Tuesday.

No Flex in NFL Week 15

The NFL has just announced that there will not be a flex game for the Sunday night primetime slot in Week 15. We have only had one flex this season and that was this past Sunday when New England-Miami was jettisoned from primetime to early afternoon and Minnesota-Arizona was brought to NBC. While NBC’s Minnesota-Carolina game isn’t attractive on paper, it’s another instance where Brett Favre will probably bring viewers to the game. Here’s the entire schedule for Week 15, December 20.

WEEK 15 FLEX SCHEDULING:

NO CHANGE IN NBC SUNDAY NIGHT GAME;

GREEN BAY AT PITTSBURGH MOVES TO 4:15 PM ET ON FOX ON DEC. 20

The Week 15 NFL schedule was finalized today with the originally scheduled Minnesota at Carolina Sunday night game on NBC remaining in place. The Green Bay at Pittsburgh game on Sunday, December 20 moves from 1:00 PM ET to 4:15 PM ET on FOX.

Following is the final Week 15 NFL schedule (asterisk and bold/italics represents changed game time):

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 (WEEK 15)

INDIANAPOLIS AT JACKSONVILLE

8:20 PM (ET)

NFLN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

DALLAS AT NEW ORLEANS

8:20 PM (ET)

NFLN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20

CHICAGO AT BALTIMORE	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
ARIZONA AT DETROIT	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
ATLANTA AT N.Y. JETS	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
SAN FRANCISCO AT PHILADELPHIA	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
HOUSTON AT ST. LOUIS	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
MIAMI AT TENNESSEE	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
OAKLAND AT DENVER	4:05 PM (ET)	CBS
CINCINNATI AT SAN DIEGO	4:05 PM (ET)	CBS
GREEN BAY AT PITTSBURGH*	4:15 PM (ET)	FOX
TAMPA BAY AT SEATTLE	4:15 PM (ET)	FOX
MINNESOTA AT CAROLINA	8:20 PM (ET)	NBC

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

N.Y. GIANTS AT WASHINGTON

8:30 PM (ET)

ESPN

The flex schedule game time changes for this Sunday (Dec. 13) are St. Louis at Tennessee on FOX at 4:05 PM ET.

We do have four late afternoon games which is much better. I’d love to see five or six late games, but the NFL likes to frontload its Sunday schedule for some reason.

Some Leftover Press Releases

I need to post some press releases that have been lingering in the Fang’s Bites inbox for the last few days. Let’s put them up now.

ESPN has announced five additions to its World Cup coverage team.

Five Former FIFA World Cup Players and Premier League Club Manager Join ESPN for 2010 FIFA World Cup

Ruud Gullit, Steve McManaman, John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Efan Ekoku and Roberto Martinez to Provide Match and Studio Analysis

ESPN has announced that five former FIFA World Cup players – Ruud Gullit, Steve McManaman, John Harkes, Alexi Lalas and Efan Ekoku – and the Premier League’s Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez will serve as match and studio analysts for the company’s unprecedented coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa (June 11–July 11, 2010). The six commentators, five of whom were members of a combined seven FIFA World Cup tournament teams and one, a rising star in the Premiership’s managerial ranks, will be part of ESPN’s English-language commentary team in the United States on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and ESPN360.com.

Gullit, the former Dutch national team star, was one of the top footballers of his generation with is best professional years in the Italian Serie A (1987-1994) playing for AC Milan and Sampdoria. Englishman McManaman played for the Premier League’s Liverpool FC and Real Madrid in Spain’s La Liga, while Nigerian standout Ekoku played for several English Premier League clubs, including Norwich City. Spanish-born Martinez played for Spanish and English clubs before transitioning to the managerial ranks. He will return to Wigan after his 2010 FIFA World Cup role for ESPN in the U.S.

McManaman and Ekoku, who serve as television commentators in England, made their U.S. debuts on ESPN2 Friday during the network’s comprehensive coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Draw. Harkes and Lalas, two of the most recognizable faces in U.S. Soccer history, currently serve as soccer analysts for the network.

“Ruud, Steve, Efan, John and Alexi will bring fans the first-hand experience they all have from being part of the most popular – and, arguably the most competitive – sporting event in the world, while Roberto will offer a tactician’s insight,” said Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer, event production. “Their in-depth knowledge of the game and post-career roles as television commentators and manager will help elevate our coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup across ESPN’s media platforms.”

Assignments are to be determined, and other ESPN commentators for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be announced at a later date. Biographical highlights:

Ruud Gullit

Gullit, who excelled at numerous positions on the pitch, was signed by AC Milan in 1987 from PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie for a then record £18 million. Gullit led his three club teams – HFC Harlem (1981), Feyenoord Rotterdam (1984), and PSV Eindhoven (1986 and ’87) – to Dutch league titles before his exceptional run at AC Milan that saw the famed club capture the Scudetto (Italian Football Championship) three times (1988, 1992 and ’93). He played for Netherlands in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and was named World Soccer Magazine “World Footballer of the Year” in 1987 and 1989. In 1994, Gullit moved to Chelsea in the Premier League.

Gullit coined the term “sexy football” as a commentator in England in 1996 to describe teams who play attractive soccer with deft touches and defense-penetrating, pass-and-move style of play. In 1987, when he was awarded the European Footballer of the Year, Gullit dedicated the honor to Nelson Mandela, then imprisoned by the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The move endeared him to Mandela and South Africans who applauded his public stance against injustice. In joining ESPN’s FIFA World Cup team, Gullit will travel to South Africa to provide U.S. television analysis for this historic sports event in the country’s history.

Gullit served as a soccer commentator for ITV for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and he works as an analyst for the UEFA Champions League matches on Sky Sports. Gullit has also served as manager for three European clubs – Chelsea, Newcastle United, Feyenoord Rotterdam – and Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

Steve McManaman

One of England’s most decorated footballers, McManaman was the first British player to win the UEFA Champions League title twice, and he was the first English footballer to win the Champions League with a non-English club. He signed as a professional with Liverpool FC in 1990 and after making 364 appearances for the club transferred to Real Madrid in July 1999. He played for England in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and in the UEFA European Football Championships in 1996 and 2000.

Following his retirement from professional soccer in 2005, McManaman embarked on a new career in television as a commentator and pundit, providing analysis for ITV during the 2005 Champions League Final, for ESPN Star Sports in Singapore in 2006, and for Setanta Sports.

Efan Ekoku

Ekoku tallied an impressive 16 goals in 38 appearances for Norwich City during the 1993-94 Premier League season to earn a spot on the Nigerian national team for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. That same season, he scored Norwich’s first ever goal in European competition against Vitesse in the UEFA Cup (Sept. 15, 1993). Ten days later at Goodison Park, he became the first player to score more than three goals in a Premier League match with four goals as Norwich beat Everton 5-1. Ekoku also played for other clubs, including Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday

After his retirement from professional soccer, Ekoku earned his FA (Football Association) and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) coaching licenses. He currently works as commentator for the BBC for Barclays Premier League matches.

John Harkes

One of the most accomplished American-born players ever, Harkes captained the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and was a fixture in the midfield for the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cup tournaments, as well as the 1988 Olympics. During his 13-year international career, Harkes captained Major League Soccer’s D.C. United to back-to-back MLS Cup titles (1996 and 1997), the 1998 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and Inter-American Cup championships. He was one of the first Americans to succeed at the highest levels in England, playing for five seasons (1991-96) for Sheffield Wednesday and helping to pave the way for other U.S. soccer players in Europe. He retired from professional soccer in 2003.

Harkes joined ESPN in March 2007 as the lead soccer analyst for Major League Soccer telecasts and U.S. Men’s National Team matches, including qualifying matches and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Alexi Lalas

Lalas is one of the fiercest defenders in American soccer history. A standout for the U.S. National Soccer Team at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup tournaments, his exceptional play earned him an all-tournament mention during the ‘94 event when the U.S. side advanced to the knockout round. He parlayed that success into a professional contract with Italian club Padova, becoming one of the first Americans to play in the Serie A.

Following a 10-year professional career in Europe and Major League Soccer in the United States, Lalas moved into club management. He was president and general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy when David Beckham joined the club from Real Madrid. Since January, Lalas has been a studio analyst for ESPN.

Roberto Martinez

Martinez is regarded as one of the rising stars in the Premiership’s club coaching ranks, having been highly sought after following two full seasons as manager of Swansea City FC. In his first full season with the club (2007-2008), he led Swansea to one of its best seasons and earned a promotion from League One. In 2008–09, Martínez presided over Swansea’s return to England’s second tier division for the first time in 24 years. In June 2009, he became Wigan’s new manager.

Martínez played for his home town club, CF Balaguer, in the Spanish Third Division before moving to Real Zaragoza in La Liga where he made his senior debut. He moved to Wigan Athletic on a free transfer in July 1995 and made over 200 appearances for the club through 2001.

ESPN Inc.’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Coverage in the United States

South Africa 2010 will be ESPN’s eighth FIFA World Cup and coverage of the event promises to be the most comprehensive in company history. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will air all 64 matches live and in high definition. ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband network available in 41 million homes, will feature live English-language simulcast of matches on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language all sports network, will air up to 40 matches in Portuguese live in the U.S.

Additionally, ESPN will present 2010 FIFA World Cup television studio programming from site in South Africa, offering U.S. sports fans the most comprehensive news and information coverage throughout the month-long soccer showcase. Studio coverage of the quadrennial global event will include SportsCenter segments, a nightly World Cup Live program, and pre-, halftime and post-match shows, with additional studio programming and World Cup-branded segments, totaling more than 65 hours of coverage, originating from two sets in and around Johannesburg.

ESPN Coverage of Past FIFA World Cup Events:

Germany 2006 – All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan 2002 – 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (6 tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France 1998 – All 64 matches live on ESPN (27), ESPN2 (23) and ABC Sports (14)

USA 1994 – All 52 matches – ESPN (41) and ABC (11)

Mexico 1986 – 15 matches on ESPN (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain 1982 – 7 matches on ESPN

Here’s quotage from ESPN regarding last week’s World Cup Draw.

ESPN Analysts Breakdown 2010 FIFA World Cup Draw

ESPN soccer analysts John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Steve McManaman and Efan Ekoku offer their perspectives on the 2010 FIFA World Cup Draw, which took place last Friday at the Cape Town International Convention Center in South Africa, as all 32 teams were slotted into the eight groups (of four teams) for the 64-match tournament next summer (June 11-July 11, 2010) in South Africa:

On the United States draw in next year’s tournament and on the England match on June 12 …

Harkes: “It’s a great challenge to play against one of the great teams in the world like England. This is a good opportunity for the U.S., to play that underdog role, and, with Algeria and Slovenia, those two teams are unknown. The U.S. have never faced them, so that becomes unpredictable. As a coach, you really need to do the research and scout them. I do think Group C has a good opportunity for the U.S. to advance out of the first round.

“There are so many players who play there in England. They know these guys. They have a relationship, a banter, they talk everyday. It’s exciting. There’s a huge adrenaline rush when you play against any of the big teams from around the world, but to play against England with so many great players on that squad is going to be a good challenge.

“The one thing about England, they’ve changed in the last 10-12 months and the reason for that is (Fabio) Capello. He’s a great orchestrator of building teams and not individuals. He’s brought the best out of them. They have a very good team.”

Lalas: “I was ecstatic. I think it’s a great group and the best group the U.S. has drawn in a World Cup. The opportunity the U.S. has to get out of the group is immense. England, of the seeded teams, would have been one of the teams I would have wanted to play, so that fell in nicely because I think the U.S. can not just give them a game but get points out of it. If it’s three points, that’s great. If it’s one point, that’s okay – it’s a great result in terms of having that first game. We know how important playing well in that first match is. When the U.S. gets a point out of that first game, history has shown they’ve gone through. With all respect to Slovenia and Algeria, these are teams that the U.S. should do well against and get points, and if they don’t, it will certainly be a disappointment, but ultimately a failure.

“I have for many, many years fought this snobbery that exists about everything that happens over in the U.S. soccer-wise is second-rate and isn’t good enough. Well, here’s an opportunity for the U.S. and for guys like Landon Donovan to prove they have the ability to compete and to play well against what a lot of people perceive to be in England as a superior level of soccer and a superior level of football.”

On the U.S. facing Slovenia and Algeria …

Harkes: “It’s that unknown, that unpredictability that you get from these teams. One of the things that’s always been said about the African teams is how unpredictable they area. They’re strong, they’re powerful and they’ve got speed. So that’s something they have to be able to contend with. And with Slovenia, beating Russia at the end shows they have a little bit of grit and determination themselves, coming off that qualification with confidence.”

Lalas: “That England game is huge. It’s big and there will be a lot of focus but you qualify with your performance over the three games (in pool play). I do believe the U.S. will get points and should be favored in those games but making that transition from one game where you’re the underdog to the next games where you’re the favorite is not easy to do mid-tournament.”

An English perspective on Group C …

McManaman: “As an Englishman, I have to say we have to be fairly happy. It’s a draw that everybody will look up and think that we should qualify, and I think that’s all you can ask for. Looking at all the draws like the Brazilians, Portuguese and the Ivory Coast (in Group G), there lots of difficult games and one big team is unfortunately going to be left out, and when you look at ours and you’d be fairly confident that we should progress, I’d be very disappointed if England didn’t get through.”

On the keys to success for the U.S. side …

Harkes: “Good health. They have to have players who are fit. Losing Charlie Davies and Onyewu is going to be difficult for them to replace. It’s all about the preparation and they just have to let it unfold, but the U.S., they just have to continue to believe.”

On the toughest group …

Harkes: “Group G. I think Brazil and Ivory Coast get through. Ivory Coast have too many good players and they are coming off a high. Didier Drogba is very hard to stop.”

Lalas: “Group G. You have Kaka for Brazil, Didier Drogba for Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal – three of the biggest players in the world and one of them is going to go home with his team. I still see Brazil figuring it out, and I think Portugal is going to be the odd man out.”

On dark horse teams to watch …

Harkes: “I like Uruguay. A lot of people kind of overlook them coming out of COMNEBOL and South America. They have a little bit of a European kind of attitude mixed with their play, so it could favor them. I also like Ivory Coast. They have a very good side.”

Lalas: “Ivory Coast. If they get out of that ‘Group of Death’ – and I think they will, with the confidence they will have going through that and the players that they have, and their ability, I see them having a real legitimate shot of being the first African nation to win a World Cup.”

Ekoku: “Probably Ghana is the number one African team now. They will be the team likely to do well.”

McManaman: “We all hope for a dark horse. It’s the surprise that makes it interesting.”

On a potential tournament winner …

Lalas: “Germany. As we go to Africa and we celebrate this incredible creativity and free-wheeling type of style, the team that comes out and is clinical and regimented and structured the way a German team can be is going to win it. Plus, they’re going to be playing in a climate that completely suits them.”

On host nation South Africa …

Ekoku: “It’s not the strongest team we’ve seen. They’re in for a rough ride. South Africa has got lots of work to do. I don’t see them going very far.”

NBC announced yesterday that Joe Theismann and Joe Gibbs will join Tom Hammond for the early NFL Wild Card playoff game on January 9.

JOE GIBBS & JOE THEISMANN JOIN TOM HAMMOND ON NBC’s NFL WILD CARD SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

Michaels & Collinsworth to Call Primetime Wild Card Game

NEW YORK – Dec. 7, 2009 – Hall-of-Fame head coach Joe Gibbs, who coached the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl championships, and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann of the NFL Network, will join NBC Sports' Tom Hammond to call the first game of NBC Sports' NFL Wild Card doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010.

Gibbs returns to NBC for the first time since he served as an analyst for NFL Live, NBC Sports' NFL pre-game show, from 1994-1997. This will be Theismann's first broadcast for NBC. Theismann quarterbacked Gibbs' Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII. The announcement was made Monday by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.

"Football Night in America" reporter Tiki Barber will serve as the sideline reporter. The game will be co-produced by NBC's Tommy Roy and Rob Hyland and directed by Fox's Artie Kempner.

"Joe Gibbs is one of the most beloved people to have ever worked at NBC Sports and we're so happy that he's made a pit stop to work for us again," Ebersol said. "Joe Theismann has always provided insightful analysis and we all can't wait to see him join his former coach."

Gibbs said: "I'm really excited about coming back to NBC Sports. I'm also excited about working with Joe again but he'll probably argue with me the whole night. I'm going to make him promise to let me get in a word edgewise."

Theismann said: "I really appreciate the opportunity to broadcast the Wild Card game. There's always a chance that Cinderella will find the slipper. I'm ecstatic to be working with my old coach. I owe so much to him. But I don't know if he's going to be able to handle three straight hours with me. I drove him crazy for six years."

NBC Sports will broadcast live coverage of NFL Wild Card Saturday Doubleheader, on Jan. 9 starting at 4 p.m. ET with a special edition of "Football Night in America" followed by the first Wild Card matchup. At 8 p.m. ET, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" team of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Andrea Kremer will call the second Wild Card game.

Gibbs returns to NBC for the first time since he served as an analyst for NFL Live, NBC's NFL pregame show, from 1994-1997. He first coached the Redskins from 1981-1992 when he led the team to wins in Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI each with three different quarterbacks, XVII with Theismann. After retiring from coaching in 1992, Gibbs turned his focus to his NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing, which has three championships under his ownership, one with Bobby Labonte and two with Tony Stewart. Gibbs returned to coach the Redskins from 2004-2007. In his 16 years as a Redskins head coach, Gibbs had only three losing seasons and led the team to the playoffs 10 times. He has an overall record of 171-101 including a 17-7 record in the postseason. He remains an advisor to Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.

Theismann, who currently analyzes game film for the NFL Network's "Playbook," served as an analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football from 1988-2005 and for ESPN's Monday Night Football in 2006. In 1985, Theismann, while still an active player, was an analyst on Super Bowl XIX on ABC working alongside Frank Gifford and Don Meredith. Theismann was a fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame in the 1971 NFL draft and went to the Canadian Football League where he played three seasons for the Toronto Argonauts. He then went on to play 11 years with the Redskins (1974-1985) and was named NFL MVP in 1983.

Hammond, one of sports broadcasting's most-respected and versatile talents, has called one of NBC's Wild Card playoff games since 2006 and is the lead play-by-play voice on Notre Dame football telecasts. The versatile Hammond, who has been with NBC Sports since the late 1970's, will serve as the figure skating play-by-play commentator during the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, his ninth Olympic assignment for NBC Sports. He also hosts NBC Sports' award-winning coverage of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

The early Wild Card game will be produced by Tommy Roy, who produced Super Bowl XXXII, the last NFL game on NBC prior to the NFL's return in 2006. Roy also was executive producer for Super Bowls XXXII, XXX and XXVIII. Rob Hyland, NBC's Notre Dame producer, will co-produce with Roy. Fox Sports' Artie Kempner, who served as the lead NFL director for Fox's NFL package from 2003-2008 and directed Super Bowl XLII will direct the early game. Kempner also serves as Fox's lead NASCAR director.

Fred Gaudelli is the producer of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" and Drew Esocoff is the director. They will handle the primetime Wild Card Saturday game. This is Gaudelli and Esocoff's fourth season at the helm of NBC's "Sunday Night Football," the duo have produced and directed every "Sunday Night Football" broadcast since moving to NBC Sports after producing and directing "Monday Night Football" for ABC.

Interesting that Fox is loaning out a director for the Wild Card game.

Universal Sports has signed an agreement with the International Skating Union for several figure skating and speed skating events.

Universal Sports and International Skating Union ink Four-Year Multi-Platform Distribution Deal

World Figure Skating and Speed Skating Championships Highlight Agreement

Los Angeles, December 7, 2009: Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com will be the home of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) key events through 2013, highlighted by the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and ISU Speed Skating Championships and ISU Short Track Speed Skating Championships. The announcement was made by Universal Sports Chairman and CEO Claude Ruibal and ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta.

“We’re very excited to have reached this wide-ranging deal with the ISU making Universal Sports the long-term home for key ISU events,” says Ruibal.

“These prestigious events will provide our consumers with what has traditionally been some of the most compelling and entertaining Olympic sports content. As a new sports network, we are proud and encouraged that ISU has selected Universal Sports as their USA distributor to highlight their amazing athletes as they compete in their respective competitions.”

“The ISU is thrilled to have a permanent home for our major competitions showcased by Universal Sports in the United States,” says Cinquanta. “Our major figure and speed skating events and championships will be well-served by this partnership with Universal Sports, which will offer our viewers a vibrant, multi-platform opportunity to interact with our stars.”

Details of the events and rights to be showcased annually by Universal Sports include the following:

Figure Skating:

ISU World Figure Skating Championships

ISU European Figure Skating Championships

ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships

ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships

ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Individual Events (5) and Final (1)—does not include 2009-10 season and excludes all Skate America events

Speed Skating:

Essent ISU European Speed Skating Championships

Essent ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships

Essent ISU World Allround Speed Skating Championships

Essent ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships (not held during 2009-10 due to Winter Olympics)

Short Track

ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships

And here’s who you see on tonight’s Tony Barnhart Show on CBS College Sports.

BCS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILL HANCOCK AND LEGENDARY NAVY AND DALLAS COWBOYS QUARTERBACK ROGER STAUBACH THIS WEEK ON “THE TONY BARNHART SHOW” ON CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK

Barnhart Examines the Fiesta Bowl Match-up: Boise State vs. TCU, Plus Staubach on Army-Navy

CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’s THE TONY BARNHART SHOW, a weekly one-hour primetime college football talk show, features the Executive Director of the BCS Bill Hancock, plus former Navy and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, on Tuesday, Dec. 8 (9:00 PM, ET).

“Mr. College Football,” Tony Barnhart, hosts the show along with Brian Jones. The hard-hitting program debates and analyzes the hot topics and issues facing college football both on and off-the-field. This week, Barnhart and Jones take an in-depth look at the Fiesta Bowl match-up between undefeated teams Boise State and TCU, and discuss the Army-Navy game with Staubach.

Throughout the season, the show has featured a variety of high-profile guests from the college football community, including coaches, administrators, writers, broadcasters and former players to the program. The distinguished guests will offer in-depth, lively, opinionated, topical discussions on the world of college football.

The TONY BARNHART SHOW will air each Tuesday throughout the college football season at 9:00 PM, ET. Mike Aresco serves as Executive Producer. Tyler Hale and Stefan Van Engen produce.

I still have a bunch of releases, but those can wait for later.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball

Jimmy V. Classic, New York, NY
Butler vs. Georgetown – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Indiana vs. Pittsburgh – ESPN, 9:30 p.m.

UMBC at Penn State – Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Morgan State at Minnesota – ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Quinnipiac at URI – NESN, 7 p.m.
Texas Tech at TCU – the mtn., 7 p.m.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Marquette – Big East Network, 8 p.m.
Vanderbilt at Illinois – Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.
Xavier at Kansas State – ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Arizona State at BYU – the mtn., 10 p.m.

NBA
Milwaukee at Boston – Comcast SportsNet New England, 7:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Memphis – NBA TV, 8 p.m.

NHL
New York Islanders at Philadelphia – Versus/TSN2, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Ottawa – RDS/Rogers Sportsnet East, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Nashville – Rogers Sportsnet Pacific/Fox Sports Tennessee, 8 p.m.
Dallas at Anaheim – NHL Network (Canada)/Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.

UEFA Champions League
Manchester United at VFL Wolfsburg – Fox Soccer Channel, 2:30 p.m.
Real Madrid at Olympique Marseille – Fox Sports Net, 2:30 p.m.
Bayern Munich at Juventus – Setanta Sports, 2:45 p.m.
AC Milan at FC Zurich – Setanta Sports, 5 p.m. (same day coverage)
Apoel at Chelsea – Fox Soccer Channel, 1 a.m. (taped)

Entertainment
A Charlie Brown Christmas – ABC, 8 p.m.
Scrubs – ABC, 9 p.m.
The Tony Barnhart Show – CBS College Sports, 9 p.m.
Super Dave’s Spike-Tacular – Spike, 9 p.m.
Big Break Disney Golf – Golf Channel, 10 p.m.
Joe Buck Live – HBO, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Showtime to Premiere "Inside NASCAR" in 2010

This just in, Showtime continues its foray into increased sports programming with a new highlights show to premiere right after the season finale of “Inside the NFL”. It’ll be called “Inside NASCAR” and will last the entire Sprint Cup season. No hosts have been announced as of yet, but this gives NASCAR another outlet to show its highlights.

SHOWTIME SPORTS® LAUNCHES “INSIDE NASCAR”

Premium Network Teams With NASCAR Media Group

To Produce Weekly, 38-Episode Series;

Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010

At 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK (December 8, 2009)—SHOWTIME Sports has signed a multi-year deal with NASCAR, America’s No. 1 spectator sport, to produce and televise premium television’s first weekly highlights and analysis show dedicated to auto racing. “Inside NASCAR” will premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 (10 p.m. ET/PT) on SHOWTIME® immediately following the season finale of Inside The NFL, and will consist of 38 one-hour episodes corresponding with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ 38-week season.

Produced in conjunction with the Emmy® Award winning NASCAR Media Group, Inside NASCAR will be taped at the new, state-of-the-art production facility at NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. The host and analysts for Inside NASCAR are to be announced in the coming weeks.

“NASCAR is one of the most powerful sports brands in the country,” said Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports, “and we are proud to team up with them on this compelling new series.”

Inside NASCAR will feature narrated highlights and in-depth analysis from each week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, exclusive audio and video of never-before-seen aspects of race week and in-depth feature stories plus forecasts on upcoming races and opinions on America’s No. 1 form of motor sports.

Inside NASCAR is a natural extension of regularly scheduled SHOWTIME Sports programming, which includes the Emmy® Award winning Inside The NFL, live boxing and mixed martial arts events, and the critically acclaimed, behind-the-scenes documentary series Fight Camp 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, among other titles.

“Given the level of access to drivers, tracks and teams afforded by NASCAR, we can offer something truly unique to both hard core and casual race fans,” said Hershman. “We’ll take viewers into new areas of the sport, into the hearts and minds of the world class drivers and teams, and give them inside access to stock car racing and NASCAR like never before.”

“SHOWTIME really understands these back stage, inside access shows,” said Jay Abraham, Chief Operation Officer, NASCAR Media Group. “Inside NASCAR will provide unique insights and sharp commentary appealing to all NASCAR fans. Partnering with a brand such as SHOWTIME for a high-end weekly NASCAR magazine news show in primetime is big news for our fans going into a brand new season.”

So with this along with HBO’s 24/7 series on Jimmie Johnson’s preparation for Daytona, NASCAR will have some increased exposure in 2010.

Some Nighttime Links

I’m seeing a few stories I can link to tonight. My new TV is acting up and the audio keeps cutting in and out. I’m going to have to call Vizio about this. Not happy. I shouldn’t have to keep changing channels or press the “AV” button on the remote for the audio to come back. POS.

Anyway, here are a few links this evening.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if the public is getting tired of the Tiger Woods stories.

Steve Czaban of Fox Sports Radio announces on his blog that his show is being dropped in favor of one hosted by Steven A. Smith. Thanks to the great John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal/Daily for the link.

Kyle Belanger of the Springfield (MA) Republican reports that ESPN and Comcast SportsNet will air games from a high school basketball tournament next month.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says Sunday’s Cowboys-Giants game drew excellent ratings for Fox.

Ken writes that ESPN has made its assignments for TV and radio for the BCS National Championship Game.

Mike Waters of the Syracuse Post-Standard writes that ESPN Radio is changing affiliates come March.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business says the Blackhawks are scoring for WGN.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the potential interviewers for Tiger Woods.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says hockey is back on top of the ratings in Canada after giving way to the Grey Cup last week.

ESPN UK continues to pick up soccer rights. Owen Gibson of the Guardian reports that ESPN has picked up the FA Cup beating out the BBC.

MASN has announced the launch of MASN2 HD for next season.

The Cincinnati Reds have announced that the voice of Ohio State football and basketball, Paul Keels will be calling 45 games on Fox Sports Ohio starting next season.

The Sports Media Watch sits down with TNT Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media wishes CBC would do a split telecast for its late game on Hockey Night in Canada as it does for its 7 p.m. ET slot.

Steve urges fans to watch Versus (those who have the channel unlike us with DirecTV) this week as it carries three NHL games instead of its usual two.

Joe Favorito says coaches are an untapped source for brand activation.

Chicago media blogger Robert Feder, formerly of the Sun-Times, looks at some moves by local columnists from the Tribune to the Sun-Times and vice-versa.

Katharine Rust writes in the Huffington Post that ESPN is bad for sports.

Randell Mell of Golfchannel.com says it’s time for Tiger Woods to talk.

Evan Brunell, the owner of blogging network MVN.com, has decided it’s time to shut down. I’m sorry to hear about that. Thanks to Dan Lamothe of the Red Sox Monster blog for the link.

Dumont Walker of the Bleacher Report claims that Fox Sports plans to bid for the rights to the Atlantic Coast Conference. I have not seen this reported in other outlets.

I’ll end it there for now. Time for me to sleep.

ESPN’s Gonna Bowl You Over

As we’re in December and the holiday season, it means plenty of college bowl games. And starting next Saturday, September 19, it means some 30 bowl games on the ESPN family of networks. It also means Bowl Week which has expanded from 7 days to 14. Take a look at the press release and subsequent schedule.

BCS National Championship Game Highlights Schedule of 30 College Football Bowl Games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio and ESPN360.com

BCS National Championship to be Called by Musburger, Herbstreit, Salters & Rinaldi on ABC and Tirico, Gruden, Blackledge & Nix on ESPN Radio; ESPN Radio to Broadcast 18 Games Including Entire BCS

ESPN’s college football bowl schedule — featuring 30 games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio and ESPN360.com — will be highlighted by the BCS National Championship Game (No. 2 Texas vs. No. 1 Alabama) from the Rose Bowl Thursday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN Radio. In addition to the National Championship, ABC and ESPN Radio will broadcast the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi (No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Oregon) Friday, Jan. 1.

ESPN and ESPN2 will televise 24 bowl games, highlighted by Bowl Week, one of ESPN’s most-viewed weeks of the year, from Dec. 19-Jan. 2. ESPN360.com will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast while ESPN Radio will broadcast 18 bowl games, including all five BCS matchups. For the first time, ESPN will televise the Texas Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m.

Beginning next season, ESPN will televise all five BCS games – including the National Championship Game – as the result of an agreement with the BCS. It will include the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls each season and the BCS National Championship Game in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Through a separate agreement, ESPN will also televise the Rose Bowl Game beginning in 2011.

Coverage will kick off with an ESPN doubleheader Saturday, Dec. 19: the New Mexico Bowl (Fresno State vs. Wyoming) at 4:30 p.m. and the St. Petersburg Bowl (UCF vs. Rutgers) at 8 p.m. Highlights include:

• Twenty-seven games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, all offered in high definition on ABC HD, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD. ABC will televise two New Year’s Day bowl games: the Capital One Bowl (No. 13 Penn State vs. No. 12 LSU) at 1 p.m., followed by the Rose Bowl (No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Oregon) at 4:30 p.m. ABC will also televise the BCS National Championship (No. 2 Texas vs. No. 1 Alabama) Thursday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m.

• ESPN360.com will offer a live simulcast of every ESPN and ESPN2 game as well as ABC telecasts of the National Championship, Rose Bowl and Capital One Bowl on short turnaround (2:30 a.m. ET on the morning of the games).

• ESPN Radio will broadcast 18 bowl games, including all five BCS matchups, highlighted by the BCS National Championship game (Thursday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m.).

• ESPNU will offer encore presentations of 25 bowl games and two bowl preview shows.

• ESPN.com will offer a special bowl section with previews of each game as well as a fantasy bowl application.

• ESPN Classic will offer encore presentations of 25 memorable games in six days.

• ESPN, ESPN360.com and ESPN Radio will offer coverage of all six ESPN Regional Television owned-and-operated bowl games: the New Mexico Bowl and St. Petersburg Bowl Saturday, Dec. 19, at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively; Las Vegas Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m.; Hawaii Bowl Thursday, Dec. 24, at 8 p.m.; Armed Forces Bowl Thursday, Dec. 31, at noon; and Papajohns.com Bowl Saturday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m.

ESPN will utilize 59 on-air personalities to cover the 30 bowl games, highlights include:

• ESPN on ABC Saturday Night Football commentators Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters will work the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7 and the Rose Bowl on ABC on Jan. 1. Reporter Tom Rinaldi will join them for the National Championship. ESPN Monday Night Football announcer Mike Tirico and analyst Jon Gruden will call ESPN Radio’s broadcast of both, with analyst Todd Blackledge joining them for the Championship game.

• Commentator Bob Wischusen will work games with a father/son duo, calling a game with analyst Bob Griese and two with Bob’s son Brian Griese.

• Brian Griese, in his first year as an analyst, will join his father, veteran analyst Bob Griese, as both work the Outback Bowl but in different booths. Bob will call the game for ESPN and Brian for ESPN Radio.

• The overtime award will go to Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione and Joe Schad, who will call six games for ESPN Radio.

ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio and ESPN360.com College Football Bowl Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Sat, Dec. 19	4:30 p.m.	New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. Wyoming TV: Terry Gannon & David Norrie Radio: Carter Blackburn & Charles Arbuckle	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
	8 p.m.	St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs. Rutgers TV: Mark Jones, Bob Davie & Rob Stone Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Sun, Dec 20	8:30 p.m.	New Orleans Bowl: Southern Mississippi vs. Middle Tennessee TV: Dave Lamont & J.C. Pearson Radio: Clay Matvick & David Diaz-Infante	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Tue, Dec. 22	8 p.m.	Las Vegas Bowl: No. 18 Oregon State vs. No. 14 BYU Rece Davis, Lou Holtz, Mark May & Todd Harris	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Wed, Dec. 23	8 p.m.	Poinsettia Bowl: No. 23 Utah vs. California TV: Mike Patrick, Craig James & Heather Cox Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 24	8 p.m.	Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. Southern Methodist University TV & Radio: Terry Gannon & David Norrie	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Sat, Dec 26	1 p.m.	Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall vs. Ohio Pam Ward & Ray Bentley	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	4:30 p.m.	Meineke Car Care Bowl: No. 17 Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina Bob Wischusen, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman & Quint Kessenich	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	Emerald Bowl: Boston College vs. No. 24 USC TV: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Todd Harris Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Sun, Dec 27	8:30 p.m.	Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. Clemson Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Holly Rowe	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Mon, Dec 28	5 p.m.	Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Tue, Dec 29	4:30 p.m.	EagleBank Bowl: UCLA or Army vs. Temple Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese & Rob Stone	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	Champs Sports Bowl: No. 15 Miami vs. No. 25 Wisconsin Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Wed, Dec 30	4:30 p.m.	Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Idaho Eric Collins, Brock Huard & Heather Cox	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	Holiday Bowl: No. 20 Arizona vs. No. 22 Nebraska TV: Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Erin Andrews Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 31	noon	Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Air Force TV: Dave Lamont, J.C. Pearson & Cara Capuano Radio: Rob Stone & Robert Smith	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
	3:30 p.m.	Texas Bowl: Navy vs. Missouri Mark Jones, Bob Davie & Quint Kessenich	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	7:30 p.m.	Chick-fil-A Bowl: No. 11 Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee TV: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Holly Rowe Radio: TBA & Rod Gilmore	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Fri, Jan 1	11 a.m.	Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Auburn TV: Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman & Rob Stone Radio: Bob Wischusen & Brian Griese	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
	1 p.m.	Capital One Bowl: No. 13 Penn State vs. No. 12 LSU Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Erin Andrews	ABC
	4:30 p.m.	Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Oregon TV: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Lisa Salters Radio: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden & Shelley Smith	ABC / ESPN Radio
	8:30 p.m.	Sugar Bowl: No. 5 Florida vs. No. 3 Cincinnati Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN Radio
Sat, Jan 2	noon	International Bowl: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois Mike Gleason, John Congemi & David Amber	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	2 p.m.	Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. Connecticut TV: Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara Capuano Radio: Pam Ward & Ray Bentley	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
	5:30 p.m.	Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. East Carolina TV: Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine Edwards Radio: Mark Jones & Bob Davie	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
	9 p.m.	Alamo Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech TV: Mike Patrick, Craig James & Heather Cox Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dennis Franchione & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN360.com / ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 4	8 p.m.	Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Boise State vs. No. 4 TCU Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Erin Andrews	ESPN Radio
Tue, Jan 5	8 p.m.	Orange Bowl: No. 10 Iowa vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Holly Rowe	ESPN Radio
Wed, Jan 6	7 p.m.	GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Troy Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Quint Kessenich	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Thu, Jan 7	8 p.m.	BCS National Championship Game: No. 2 Texas vs. No. 1 Alabama TV: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters & Tom Rinaldi Radio: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Todd Blackledge & Wendi Nix	ABC / ESPN Radio

ESPNU to Offer Encore Presentations of 25 Bowls and Bowl Preview Shows

ESPNU will offer an encore presentation of 25 bowl games airing on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 and two shows previewing and reviewing the upcoming games: ESPNU Bowl Preview Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m., and ESPNU BCS Bowl Preview Thursday, Dec. 17 at 9:30 p.m. The schedule of ESPNU encore games:

Game	Date and Time
New Mexico Bowl	Dec 20 at 4 a.m. & Dec 21 at 9 p.m.
EagleBank Bowl	Dec 30 at midnight & 6 a.m.
St. Petersburg Bowl	Dec 20 at midnight & Dec 21 at 3:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Bowl	Dec 26 at 6 a.m.
New Orleans Bowl	Dec 26 at 3 a.m.
Poinsettia Bowl	Dec 26 at midnight
Little Caesars Bowl	Dec 27 at 6 a.m. & Dec 29 at 1 a.m.
Hawaii Bowl	Dec 26 at 9 a.m. & Dec 28 at 9:30 p.m.
Motor City Bowl	Dec 27 at 6 a.m.
Champs Sports Bowl	Dec 30 at 8 a.m.
Emerald Bowl	Dec 27 at 11 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Meineke Car Care Bowl	Dec 27 at 8:30 a.m. & 4 p.m.
Eagle Bank Bowl	Dec 30 midnight & 6 a.m.
Papajohns.com Bowl	Jan 3 at 4 a.m.
Alamo Bowl	Jan 3 at 1 p.m. & Jan 8 at 8 a.m.
Humanitarian Bowl	Jan 5 at 6 a.m.
Holiday Bowl	Jan 4 at 4 a.m.
Armed Forces Bowl	Jan 5 at 8 a.m.
Music City Bowl	Dec 28 at 1 a.m.
Outback Bowl	Jan 5 at 1 a.m. & Jan 6 at 1 p.m.
Capital One Bowl	Jan 4 at 1:30 a.m. & Jan 8 at 3 a.m.
Rose Bowl	Jan 2 at 3 a.m. & Jan 9 at 1 a.m. & 6 a.m.
Chick-fil-A Bowl	Jan 1 at 12 p.m. noon & Jan 2 at midnight
International Bowl	Jan 6 at 1:30 a.m.
GMAC Bowl	Jan 8 at midnight

ESPN.com to Offer Special Bowl Section and Bowl Mania

ESPN.com will offer a special section featuring individual pages for each of the BCS Bowl games, with overviews of who, what and why to watch from ESPN.com’s Brian Bennett, Heather Dinich, Tim Griffin, Chris Low, Ted Miller, Adam Rittenberg and Graham Watson.

ESPN.com will also offer related video, season stats, rosters and team histories, daily SportsNation polls and live chats, complete Accuscore statistical game simulations, commentary and humor from ESPN.com’s Page 2 section, and more. Additionally, for each game, ESPN Scouts, Inc., will preview and break down each matchup.

Contributors will include ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel, Pat Forde, Mark Schlabach and Gene Wojciechowski, as well as ESPN television analysts.

Tens of thousands of fantasy sports players have signed up for ESPN.com’s new and improved ‘Bowl Mania’ Fantasy game, in which users pick the winners of each of the 34 college football bowl games and rank them in the order of confidence. Players can compete against fans from around the country for prizes or create private groups to compete against friends.

Twenty-five Classic Bowls in Six Days on ESPN Classic Dec. 14-19

ESPN Classic will present 25 classic bowl games in six days beginning Monday, Dec. 14.

Date	Time (ET)	Game
Mon, Dec 14	Noon	1999 Fiesta Bowl: Florida State vs. Tennessee
	2 p.m.	2000 Independence Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Texas A&M
	4 p.m.	1996 Aloha Bowl: Navy vs. California
	6 p.m.	1999 Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. UCLA
	8 p.m.	2002 Independence Bowl: Nebraska vs. Mississippi
Tue, Dec 15	Noon	1992 Copper Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah
	2 p.m.	2004 Liberty Bowl: Boise State vs. Louisville
	4 p.m.	2008 Capital One Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida
	6 p.m.	2005 Rose Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan
	8 p.m.	2006 Orange Bowl: Penn State vs. Florida State
Wed, Dec 16	Noon	2000 Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida
	1 p.m.	1998 Alamo Bowl: Kansas State vs. Purdue
	3 p.m.	1983 Sugar Bowl: Penn State vs. Georgia
	5 p.m.	1982 Sugar Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Georgia
	7 p.m.	2001 GMAC Bowl: Marshall vs. East Carolina
Thu, Dec 17	Noon	1980 Holiday Bowl: BYU vs. SMU
	2 p.m.	1997 Rose Bowl: Arizona St vs. Ohio State
	4 p.m.	2000 Orange Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama
	6 p.m.	2005 Capital One Bowl: LSU vs. Iowa
	8 p.m.	1984 Orange Bowl: Miami vs. Nebraska
Fri, Dec 18	Noon	2001 Holiday Bowl: Washington vs. Texas
	3 p.m.	1979 Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Houston
	5 p.m.	1979 Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Penn State
	7 p.m.	2003 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio St vs. Miami
Sat, Dec 19	1 p.m.	2006 Rose Bowl: Texas vs. USC

So ESPN will have plenty of college football leading up to the BCS National Championship Game which will be on ABC.

A Couple of Quick Monday Press Releases

I have a couple of more things to post before I go on night duty on the blog later.

The SEC Championship on CBS drew monster ratings.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the SEC Championship game between Florida and Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 5 earned an overnight metered market rating/share of 11.8/24, up +13% from last year’s 10.4/21 for the SEC Championship featuring Florida and Alabama.

The 11.8/24 is the best rating ever in the metered markets for the SEC Championship game since its debut in 1992 and is the highest-rated regular season college football game on CBS since 1989’s Notre Dame-Miami game (14.6 HH rating; 11/25/89).

Florida-Alabama also is the highest rated non-bowl game on ANY network in the metered markets since 2006 (13.7/28 for Ohio State-Michigan on 11/18/06).

Alabama-Florida’s game rating peaked at a 13.0/24 from 7:00-7:30 PM, ET.

NBA.com is featuring an interview between Allen Iverson and his former college coach, John Thompson of Georgetown University. It was done in advance of Iverson’s return to the Philadelphia 76ers which NBA TV picks up tonight.

On Monday, Dec. 7^th, NBA TV will present the Denver Nuggets @ the Philadelphia 76ers, featuring the return of Allen Iverson to Philadelphia in what is projected to be Iverson’s first game with the 76ers since his signing. The game will begin at 7 p.m. (ET) with the Show tipping off the night at 6:30 p.m. (ET). NBA TV’s Rick Kamla, Brent Barry and Eric Snow, Iverson’s former teammate, will provide commentary and analysis throughout the network’s pre- and post-game studio coverage.

Please click on the link below to see Part One of TNT’s John Thompson’s exclusive interview on NBA.com with Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson

John Thompson’s exclusive interview with Allen Iverson

Thompson: “When was the last time you did something wrong? Did you rob somebody?”

Iverson: “It’s just a bad rap on me. It’s something that I have to accept and deal with because that’s the way it is. Nobody wants to hear about how many scholarships I give out, what I do as far as charities. Nobody wants to hear about that. That’s not news when it comes out. The negative story is what people want to hear about when it comes to me.”

Thompson: “When I hear people talk about you now, especially during this period, I very seldom hear anybody ask you about your ability to play. They indicate your age or they indicate something else. Can you still play?”

Iverson: “I wouldn’t do that to myself. I wouldn’t do that to the franchise that invested in me. I wouldn’t embarrass myself like that. That’s the beauty of this whole thing that I can show that I can go at a high level (of play).”

Thompson: “I get the impression from listening to folks that you’re whining or you’re moaning or he’s complaining. Where is this stuff coming from? You’re not a cry-baby. I know that from the child-abuse I gave you (at Georgetown). “

Iverson: “I don’t know. I guess it comes with the coming off the bench thing. All I want to do is play. From my experience in basketball, no guy was given a job in training camp anyway. You’ve got to earn it. I don’t want anybody to give me (anything). I’ve earned everything that I’ve accomplished in my life. As far as playing time and being a starter, I think I’ve deserved it.”

Thompson: “You want someone to beat you (by) playing?”

Iverson: “Exactly, that’s all I ever asked. Just let the guy in front of me or the guy that I’m fighting with over position to beat me out. I don’t have a problem with that.”

Thompson: “What adjustments does a coach have to make to coach Allen Iverson?”

Iverson: “None at all. Give me an assignment. Tell me what you want me to do out on the basketball court to help us win and that’s what I can do.”

And ESPN has made four flex adjustments in its NBA schedule for December and January.

NBA Flex Schedule Adjustments

The following flexible schedule adjustments have been made to ESPN’s NBA lineup:

Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 p.m. – Washington at Sacramento (replacing San Antonio at Golden State)

Friday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m. – Milwaukee at Cleveland (replacing Los Angeles Clippers at New York)

Friday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. – Phoenix at Atlanta (replacing Toronto at New York)

Sunday, March 21, at 8 p.m. – San Antonio at Atlanta (replacing Detroit at Cleveland)

That’s it for now.

Three Programming Notes for Friday and Beyond

Got a couple of press releases to post before I do the regular Friday features.

First, Hockey Night in Canada has a special Friday edition as it airs the Montreal Canadiens’ 100th Anniversary Game at the Bell Centre against its traditional rival, the Boston Bruins.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA PRESENTS

MONTREAL CANADIENS 100^th ANNIVERSARY GAME FRIDAY, DEC. 4

Fans get inside the game with Hockey Night in Canada All-Access

100 years of remarkable memories will be celebrated this Friday, Dec. 4, as the Montreal Canadiens face off against Original Six rival the Boston Bruins in a special instalment of CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA, live from the Bell Centre. CBC’s extensive coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, from Centennial Plaza, with the official unveiling of a commemorative monument honouring every player that has played for the historic franchise, along with exclusive interviews with Habs legends. Ron MacLean will host CBC’s coverage, and will be joined by legendary commentator Dick Irvin, Guy Carbonneau and P.J. Stock. Jim Hughson will handle the play-by-play alongside analyst Craig Simpson, while Elliotte Friedman will report from rinkside.

Making its debut on CBCSports.ca/hockey for the landmark game is Hockey Night in Canada All-Access. This exclusive live interactive feature provides users with a completely unique, virtual in-arena customized viewing experience. The view of the game can be controlled by users with just a click of their mouse. Hockey Night in Canada All-Access will be available for select CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA broadcasts throughout the remainder of the season.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA DECEMBER 4 AND 5

Friday, December 4 – 6:30 p.m. ET, Canadiens 100^th Anniversary: Ceremony

8 p.m. ET, Canadiens 100^th Anniversary Game: Boston at Montreal

Saturday, December 5 – 6:30 p.m. ET, Hockey Tonight

7 p.m. ET Toronto at Boston

10 p.m. ET Calgary at San Jose

NHL Network will pick up the game for viewers in the US. It will be blacked out in the New England area as NESN will show the game locally.

Starting Friday morning, Tennis Channel will pick up live coverage of the Davis Cup Finals between Spain and the Czech Republic. It will air throughout the weekend.

RAFAEL NADAL LEADS SPAIN INTO DAVIS CUP FINAL ON TENNIS CHANNEL THIS WEEKEND

Complete, Live Coverage as Spain Battles the Czech Republic

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3, 2009 – Tennis Channel will provide exclusive coverage of Spain and the Czech Republic’s Davis Cup championship competition in Barcelona this weekend, with live and same-day “Instant Encore” replays Friday through Sunday. Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal will lead his nation as it defends its 2008 Davis Cup crown and plays for its fourth title overall.

The year-ending final between Spain and the Czech Republic will consist of two singles matches on Friday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the doubles match Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. ET. Tennis Channel’s coverage concludes with the remaining singles play Sunday, Dec. 6, at 6 a.m. ET. Each of the five matches is worth one point, with the team that wins at least three points winning the Davis Cup title.

Coverage from Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona (all times ET):

Friday, Dec. 4:

10 a.m. – Live Singles #1

1 p.m. – Live Singles #2

{8 p.m. – Instant Encore Singles #1}

{11 p.m. – Instant Encore Singles #2}

Saturday, Dec. 5:

10 a.m. – Live Doubles

{8 p.m. – Instant Encore Doubles}

Sunday, Dec. 6:

6 a.m. – Live Singles #1

9 a.m. – Live Singles #2

{8 p.m. – Instant Encore Singles #1}

{11 p.m. – Instant Encore Singles #2}

Spain and the Czech Republic have faced each other five times in Davis Cup play, with Spain winning three of those matches. The most recent competition was during the 2004 Davis Cup first round, when Spain won 3-2 in Brno, Czech Republic. The Spaniards enter this weekend’s match after defeating Israel 4-1 in Torre Pacheco Murcia, Spain, to reach the Davis Cup final for the seventh time. Spain, will attempt to become the first nation since Sweden in 1998 to successfully defend the Davis Cup trophy. In 1965, 1967 and 2003 Spain reached the Davis Cup final, but fell to Australia on all three occasions. Last year Spain won its third Davis Cup title and its first win away from home by defeating Argentina 3-1 in Mar del Plata.

Spain is captained by former professional tennis star Albert Costa, who won the 2002 French Open singles title and played on Spain’s winning Davis Cup squad in 2000. Rafael Nadal, World No. 2, is building on a year that saw him lift his sixth Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open and capture three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, despite his summer absence due to injury. Nadal won the 2008 Olympic gold metal in singles and holds 36 career titles. Fernando Verdasco, No. 9, enjoyed one of his best years by wining his third singles title in New Haven and rising to as high as No. 7 in the world rankings. At this year’s Australian Open, Verdasco defeated Radek Stepanek, Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Other notable stars on Spain’s Davis Cup squad include David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez.

The Czech Republic has reached the Davis Cup final for the fourth time by defeating Croatia 4-1 in Porec, but this is the nation’s first appearance since its sole Davis Cup title in 1980, when Czechoslovakia defeated Italy 4-1 in Prague. The Czech team is captained by Jaroslav Navratil and features Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych, Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy

And Fox Sports Ohio continues to find alternate channels for tonight’s Xavier-Kent State game.

Friday, December 4

The Cavaliers will be on FOX Sports Ohio.

7:30pm Cavaliers Live pre-game show

8:00pm Cavaliers v. Chicago (HD)

The Xavier Musketeers will be on the alternate channels listed below:

7:00pm Musketeers Live pre-game show

7:30pm Xavier v. Kent State

Cincinnati, Ohio:

· Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 261

· Time Warner: Channel 310

• Insight: Channel 6

Columbus, Ohio:

· Time Warner, Insight and WOW – check local channels

Cleveland, Ohio:

· Time Warner: Channel 310

· Cox: Channel 98

DISH Network: FS Cincinnati

Direct TV: FS Cincinnati

We are working with additional operators to make the game available.

Please check www.foxsportsohio.com for channel updates.

Primetime and Late Night Viewing Picks are coming up.

Thursday Night Football Quotes Already!

The game is still ongoing, but I get quotage from the NFL Network from tonight’s Jets-Bills game. Take a gander.

Thursday Night Football Telecast Notes
Play-by-Play: Bob Papa Analyst: Matt Millen

Quotes from New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills

Dec. 3, 2009 on NFL Network

FIRST HALF:

“He’s brought in an air of confidence, but also a little bit of looseness you can really see in the defense.”

– Millen on Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell

“A lot of guys can tell you what they’re doing, but Bart Scott can tell you why he’s doing it.”

– Millen on Jets LB Bart Scott

“I talked to Braylon before the game and he said that he was going to put on a show. That’s obviously not what he had in mind.”

– Millen on Jets WR Braylon Edwards drop on wide open deep ball from QB Mark Sanchez

“It doesn’t matter who you put him against, he just shuts them down.”

– Millen on Jets CB Darrelle Revis

“He has excellent vision and when he’s in the hole, he makes good decisions.”

– Millen on Jets RB Thomas Jones

“The Bills have some pieces of the puzzle here in place…The offensive line is beat up, but they’ll get people back and they’re well coached.”

– Millen on the Buffalo Bills and offensive line coach Sean Kugler

“He has great speed. He’ll be effective when he learns how to take an inside move. He’s mostly an edge rusher right now.”

– Millen on Bills TE Aaron Maybin

“He makes amends after the big drop.”

– Bob Papa on Jets WR Braylon Edwards 12-yard touchdown catch

“The great ones have consistency, year in and year out.”

– Millen on Jets WR Braylon Edwards

QUOTES FROM THURSDAY NIGHT KICKOFF PREGAME SHOW

Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk

Play-by-play Announcer: Bob Papa Game Analyst: Matt Millen

Reporters: Jason La Canfora, Scott Hanson

Quotes from Matt Millen’s 1-on-1 with Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan:

“We’re a team that no one wants to play right now.”

– Ryan on the Jets

“It’s emotion and passion at the same time. Some people may look at it as a sign of weakness. Trust me, that’s not the case. It’s a sign of passion and that’s what it’s all about. My team is going to get everything that I have.”

– Ryan on his personality on the sideline

“We believe we’re going to win every game and we’re going to be the most physically dominant team on the field.”

– Ryan on the mentality of his football team

“I have confidence in this football team, so when I make a statement I believe it to be true…I’m not afraid to say it and if I don’t believe in this football team, who’s going to?”

– Ryan on his comments and if he regrets any of them

“He’s going to bounce back, there’s no doubt about it…I think this guy’s going to be special, I really do.”

– Ryan on Jets QB Mark Sanchez

Quotes from Michael Irvin’s 1-on-1 Interview with Cowboys QB Tony Romo:

“If there is a difference, this team looks at themselves individually and asks, ‘How can I get better? How can I improve?’ It may not have been that way across the board last year.”

­– Romo on the difference between this year’s Cowboys team and last year’s

“It feels like the commitment level is there. People support each other. When times get tough, they don’t turn and point fingers. Everyone asks themselves ‘how can we do better individually to help the team do better and help turn it around?’ That approach has got to be the right way, it just feels like it is.”

– Romo on what it would take for the Cowboys to win a Super Bowl

**The entire conversation will air on Sunday’s NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET**

For a clip of Irvin’s sitdown with Romo, please visit:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d814b0173/Romo-s-December-hex

Quick Quotes:

“He can motivate players. He’s the right guy for the job and I hope the Bills are smart and they give Perry the job.”

– Marshall Faulk on Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell

“It’s doesn’t matter who goes undefeated. No one cares – ask the 2007 Patriots.”

– Deion Sanders on if the Saints or Colts go undefeated

“He’s doing some things that I haven’t seen done in this league since you were playing.”

– Matt Millen, to Deion Sanders on Jets CB Darrelle Revis

“We cannot give Jason Garrett a pass. He must put the players in place and call the right plays in certain situations. This offense can go. They have the talent.”

– Marshall Faulk on the Cowboys offense and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett

“You can’t do anything about injuries, but you can step it up and try to bring in good character guys that are going to work week in and week out, stay in Western New York in the offseason and be a part of the community.”

– Jim Kelly on the type of players needed in Buffalo

“He’s a confident guy and that permeates through the locker room.”

– Steve Mariucci on Jets head coach Rex Ryan

“He can be dynamite with the ball in his hands.”

– Steve Mariucci on Bills RB Marshawn Lynch

“This is a matchup of all matchups.”

– Deion Sanders on Jets CB Darrelle Revis covering Bills WR Terrell Owens

‘Super Bowl Journey’: Jets S Kerry Rhodes talks about being benched for the first time in his career and how it provided the motivation behind his two interceptions against the Panthers.

“I always want to be a catalyst on the field. I’ve been a guy that throughout my years of playing, I’ve been the one to make the big plays and changes games. You expect me to have a chip on my shoulder and I think that’s what coach [Ryan] wanted me to get back.”

– Rhodes on getting benched

Jason La Canfora News Reports:

• There has been no contact or communication between the Chicago Bears and Bill Cowher in regards to the Bears head coaching job. Even if there had been, Cowher is not going to talk to any team in season. What I am hearing is that Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner is on the hot seat and a lot of people don’t see him surviving. There could be changes in the coaching staff, but unless it completely falls apart in Chicago, head coach Lovie Smith is expected to stay in the head coaching spot.

• Mike Holmgren would certainly welcome the opportunity to become the next GM of the Seattle Seahawks following the resignation of Tim Ruskell today. Talking to people close to him, it’s somewhat of a dream job for him and he wants to work more on the management side than the coaching side. However, I’m hearing that there’s other people the Seahawks are going to talk to about the position. Holmgren is not by any means a slam dunk. It could be that Holmgren returns to Seattle, but in an overseer-type role, but not the person running things day-to-day.

• A week ago, we all thought that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger would play [vs. Baltimore], but he was experiencing post-concussion symptoms later in the week and did not play. However this week, the Steelers feel very confident that he’s doing great, responding well in practice and will play vs. Oakland. As far as Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, his agent this afternoon said everything is looking good there for him as well. He hasn’t experienced the vision issues he was having in the past 48 hours. The Cardinals feel good and as long as none of the post-concussion symptoms sink back in, he’s good to go vs. Minnesota.

• The Buffalo Bills interviewed Mike Shanahan and contacted Bill Cowher, although he’s not talking to any team during the season. When you talk to people around the league, I’m not sure the Bills end up with an ‘A-list’ coach, even if they’re willing to pay $10 million. It’s still early and you never know; the Bills have been playing hard with Perry Fewell at the helm, so if they have a great finish, you never know.

• There’s been heavy talk in coaching circles going all the way back to last year’s Senior Bowl about a possible meeting of the minds with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Mike Shanahan. Snyder really respects Shanahan and has for years. They’ve gotten to know each other. Shanahan thinks highly of Snyder and Snyder is an owner that’s similar in a lot of ways to Broncos owner Pat Bowlen. There’s not a whole lot out there with Jon Gruden off the market due to his contractual obligation with ESPN. Mike Holmgren doesn’t really want to coach; the Redskins want an A-list guy and Snyder’s had his eye on Shanahan for awhile.

• There were some reports this week that maybe Titans head coach Jeff Fisher would have an exit strategy based on Bud Adams having a say on who the starting quarterback of the Titans is, but there never was any huge rift between Adams and Fisher over Vince Young.

**Additional videos from NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football coverage of Jets vs. Bills can be viewed on NFL.com**

• Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly chats about the state of the Buffalo Bills and more:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d814b01e6/Kelly-on-Bills

• Pilobolus: Jets vs. Bills – A theatrical look at the Week 13 matchup between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-pilobolus/09000d5d814b0499/Pilobolus-Jets-vs-Bills

NEXT WEEK ON NFL NETWORK’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS

DECEMBER 10 at 8:00 PM ET

Thanks to the NFL Network. This is quite impressive.

Oh, My! Dick Enberg Becomes TV Voice of the Padres

We found out about this last night and it becomes official today. Dick Enberg leaves CBS at the end of the season to become the lead TV announcer for the San Diego Padres.

We now have the official announcement from the Padres:

DICK ENBERG NAMED PADRES TELEVISION PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER

San Diego, CA – The San Diego Padres today announced they have named Dick Enberg as their television play-by-play announcer. Padres Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Jeff Moorad made the announcement.

Enberg is expected to join the Padres in Spring Training this February and will call action for the majority of regular-season games on Cox-owned Channel 4 San Diego while continuing his tennis coverage of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

“Dick is a legendary figure in sports and we’re honored to have him as the newest member of the Padres,” said Moorad. “He is also a long-time San Diegan and dedicated follower of Padres baseball, making this even more special for all Padres fans.”

Renowned as one of the great sports broadcasters of all-time, Enberg, who has worked for CBS Sports for the past 10 years, is currently serving as a play-by-play voice for their coverage of the NFL, college basketball and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships as well as ESPN’s coverage of Wimbledon. He has also contributed to coverage of the Masters® and PGA Championship broadcasts on CBS Sports.

“Over my many years behind the microphone, my love for baseball has never waned,” said Enberg. “As a San Diego resident for 26 years, I have followed the Padres with keen interest and sincerely thank Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel for the opportunity to broadcast for my hometown Major League team. I treasure the time I’ve spent calling baseball and find that it is the most demanding and yet most intimate sport to broadcast. Baseball is made for good story telling and I think that is what I’ve always done best.”

“We’re delighted to have Dick Enberg as part of our award-winning team at Channel 4 San Diego,” said Bill Geppert, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cox Communications. “Dick is an iconic TV sports personality who will bring an exciting dimension to our high-definition Padres telecasts.”

Enberg began his full-time broadcasting career in 1965 in Los Angeles as the radio and television voice of the California Angels, UCLA basketball and the Los Angeles Rams and was named California Sportscaster of the Year on four occasions.

“Throughout his storied broadcasting career, including the past 10 years with CBS Sports, Dick Enberg has been the ultimate gentleman and consummate professional. He remains a true legend in every sense of the word,” said Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. “It is with a touch of sadness from his family at CBS Sports, but mostly great joy for Dick that he will be returning to broadcasting one of his great passions, baseball, with the San Diego Padres. All of us realize that this truly is an opportunity that he could not pass up and look forward to finding ways to continue working with Dick.”

One of the most versatile play-by-play announcers in sports broadcasting history, his résumé includes coverage of 42 NFL seasons, 10 Super Bowls, nine Rose Bowls, six Orange Bowls, four Olympic Games, six Australian Opens, 23 French Opens, 26 Wimbledons, 10 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, three Ryder Cups, three MLB playoffs, the World Series, three heavyweight boxing championships, 14 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, the NBA playoffs and the NBA All-Star Game. In addition to football, baseball, tennis, golf, basketball and boxing, Enberg has all called the action for gymnastics, figure skating, Breeder’s Cup horse racing and track-and-field.

Among his numerous awards and honors, Enberg is the recipient of 14 Emmy Awards, nine Sportscaster of the Year Awards, the Ronald Reagan Media Award and the Victor Award, recognizing the top sportscaster of the past 40 years. He is the only person to win National Emmy Awards as a sportscaster, writer and producer. In February 1998, he became just the fourth sportscaster to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A native of Armada, Mich., and resident of San Diego, Enberg began his broadcasting career as a student at Central Michigan University, where he graduated in 1957. He earned a master’s degree (1958) and doctorate at Indiana University (1962) and has been named a Distinguished Alumnus by both institutions.

Dick has had a distinguished career having called Super Bowls, NCAA men’s basketball championships, Olympics, golf, tennis as well as the then-Los Angeles Rams and California Angels. He’ll still be seen on network TV every year during coverage of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open for ESPN2, but his days of calling the NFL and NCAA basketball for CBS are over. At least he left CBS on his own terms and will have a nice cap to his career in calling the Padres.

Doing Some Thursday Links

Let’s give you the links on this Thursday.

We have some more details of Dick Enberg’s new job with the San Diego Padres. John Maffei of the North County Times reports that La Jolla, CA native Enberg will leave CBS at the end of this NFL season so he can work with the Padres. He’ll continue to call tennis for ESPN2.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred says the best storytelling in sports goes to ESPN.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that a Comcast ownership could help NBC Sports.

Tim Arango of the New York Times says the Comcast purchase of NBC will definitely reshape TV as we know it.

Comcast has launched a microsite devoted to the new NBC Universal.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says NBA TV is adding Denver-Philadelphia on Monday to air Allen Iverson’s return to the 76ers.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record bids Chip Caray adieu.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News looks forward to hearing what NFL Network’s Bob Papa and Matt Millen have to say about Bills interim coach Perry Fewell during tonight’s Jets-Bills game in Toronto.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News has the Metroplex sports radio ratings for November.

Evan Grant of the Morning News writes that Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks is in a bit of trouble with MLB over his proposed TV contract extension with Fox Sports Southwest.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the local Fox affiliate will pre-empt Fox NFL Sunday in favor of a local Bengals pregame show.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has some more thoughts on the Tiger Woods story.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Fox’s Brian Billick is ranking the Packers high in a list he created.

Robert Gagliardi of the Wyoming Tribune Eagle writes that the University of Wyoming won’t make or lose money if it goes to a bowl game whether it’s on ESPN or another network.

Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times says our obsession with celebrities fueled the coverage of the Tiger Woods story. So basically we’re part of the problem, which I somewhat agree.

Matt Vasgersian of MLB Network has an interesting look at some of the best mustaches in baseball.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has 6 predictions for a combined Comcast/NBC Sports entity.

Kristine Leahy has The Five on WEEI.com.

That’s it for the links for now.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Washington at Texas Tech – ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Eastern Kentucky at Murray State – ESPNU, 7 p.m.
USC at Texas – ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Cleveland State at Wright State – ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Baylor at Arizona State – FSN, 10:30 p.m.

College Football
Oregon State at Oregon – ESPN, 9 p.m.

NBA
Boston at San Antonio – TNT, 8:15 p.m.
Miami at Denver – TNT, 10:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA – TNT, 1 a.m.

NFL
New York Jets vs. Buffalo at Toronto – NFL Network, 8:20 p.m.

NHL
Edmonton at Detroit – CITY TV/CFTV/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Florida at Washington – Fox Sports Florida/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Buffalo – RDS/MSG Buffalo, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Atlanta – MSG Plus/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Columbus – Leafs TV/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Vancouver at Philadelphia – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Colorado at Pittsburgh – Altitude/FSN Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Anaheim at Dallas – NHL Network (US)/KDOC/Fox Sports Southwest, 8:30 p.m.
Ottawa at Los Angeles – TSN/Fox Sports West, 10:30 p.m.
St. Louis at San Jose – Fox Sports Midwest/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 11 p.m.

Entertainment
Survivor: Samoa – CBS, 8 p.m.
Bones – Fox, 8 p.m.
Private Practice – ABC, 9 p.m.
Inside the Mind of Google – CNBC, 9 p.m.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 10 p.m.
Naked Science – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 12

I forgot to post this yesterday. Southeastern New England media mogul Keith Thibault of the Sports Media Journal and I co-hosted another edition of our weekly podcast. We debate the Tiger Woods story and the media coverage. In addition, we broach the firing of Chip Caray from TBS and the ratings for the NFL

This week, our guest is the great Ian Eagle of CBS Sports, Tennis Channel, Westwood One Radio and YES. We talk with Ian about his busy schedule broadcasting the NFL on TV and radio plus the NBA. Keith and I ask Ian how he deals with broadcasting the New Jersey Nets. Also, Ian tells us how he prepares for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. And Ian plugs the Sports Broadcasting Camp that he and New York sports anchor Bruce Beck run every summer.

Make sure you

Two Miscellaneous Press Releases

I have a couple more releases to post before calling it a night.

First, Golf Channel has the tournaments it’s airing starting Thursday.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

Dec. 3 – Dec. 7, 2009

Chevron World Challenge; PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament; Nedbank Golf Challenge

Chevron World Challenge presented by Bank of America

Dates: 12/3 – 12/4

Venue: Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live) / 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.; 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replays)

Friday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live) / 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.; 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replays)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Team

Rich Lerner (Play by Play)

Brandel Chamblee (Lead Analyst)

Steve Sands (Interviews)

**NBC Talent will contribute as tower and on-course reporters

Broadcast Notes: A field of 18 elite PGA TOUR players from around the world will compete in the 11^th edition of the Chevron World Challenge, contested this year at Sherwood Country Club…The tournament will help raise money for the Tiger Woods Foundation, including the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Orange County.

PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament

Dates: 12/5 – 12/7

Venue: Lakes Course and Links Courses, Bear Lakes Country Club, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Saturday 1 – 4 p.m. (Live)

Sunday 1 – 4 p.m. (Live)

Monday 12:30 – 4 p.m. (Live)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Brian Hammons (Play by Play)

Curt Byrum (Analyst)

Jerry Foltz (Tower)

Matt Gogel (On Course)

Billy Ray Brown (On Course)

Inga Hammond (Interviews)

Tim Rosaforte (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes: GOLF CHANNEL will air live coverage of the final three rounds of the six-round tournament, where the low 25 scores and ties earn their PGA TOUR cards for 2010…Mutual of Omaha Putting Line, the Emmy-award winning technology that predicts the line of the putt and where players must aim to hole out, will be on display during the three days of live coverage. Notable players in the field include David Duval, Rickie Fowler, Todd Hamilton, Tim Herron and Jesper Parnevik.

Nedbank Golf Challenge

Dates: 12/3 – 12/6

Venue: Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Broadcast Notes: The 29^th edition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge will feature 12 elite players from around the world at Gary Player Country Club in South Africa. The field features Rory McIlroy, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, Ross Fisher, defending champion Henrik Stenson, Angel Cabrera, Luke Donald, Tim Clark, Robert Allenby, Robert Karlsson, Retief Goosen and Richard Sterne.

Then, NBA TV has quotage from Tuesday’s Fan Night.

Good night.

Two Local Press Releases

Here a couple of local regional sports network press releases on a late Wednesday/early Thursday.

From Fox Sports Florida, the network will air a tribute to Bobby Bowden as he steps down as coach of Florida State.

Legacy of Bobby Bowden

Duke Volleyball

2009 ACC Football Championship

Thursday, December 3 at 6 p.m. ET & Friday, December 4, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports Florida

Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden has decided to step down at the end of this football season, his 34^th at the helm of Seminoles, after his team’s upcoming bowl game. ACC All Access takes a look at the legacy Bowden leaves on Florida State and NCAA football.

ACC All Access goes inside the locker room of the Duke volleyball team with the conference Volleyball Player of the Week Rachael Moss. Moss gives viewers an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the Blue Devils and how they prepare for victory.

Clemson and Georgia Tech will meet in the 2009 ACC Football Championship on Saturday. ACC All Access looks back at the teams’ first meeting this season on September 10, a game the Yellow Jackets won 30-27 in Atlanta, and counts down the Top 5 “Things to Look For” in their next meeting.

For questions, comments or feature ideas concerning ACC All Access, please email us at acc_allaccess@foxsports.net.

ACC All Access airs Thursdays throughout the college football season on FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports South and SportSouth

And Comcast SportsNet New England premieres a nightly sports news program on Thursday.

COMCAST SPORTSNET DEBUTS SPORTSNET CENTRAL ON THURSDAY

Region’s Most In-Depth Live Local Sports Show Delivers Comprehensive Pats, B’s, Celts and Sox Coverage at 6 p.m., 10:30 p.m. 1 a.m.

and from 6:30 to 9 a.m. the Next Day

Michael Felger Exclusive One-on-One with Tom Brady and First of 20

“Decade of Dominance” Special Segments Highlight Debut

BURLINGTON, MA – Comcast SportsNet unveils New England’s most comprehensive live local sports coverage with the launch of SportsNet Central on Thursday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and 1 a.m. SportsNet Central’s debut shows feature an exclusive one-on-one with Tom Brady and in-depth reports on the Patriots, Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox. A morning edition of SportsNet Central will run from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning.

SportsNet Central’s debut includes reports from:

San Antonio, TX

Celtics Insider A. Sherrod Blakely, play-by-play analyst Mike Gorman, color analyst Donny Marshall and courtside reporter Greg Dickerson report live on the Celtics matchup with Western Conference stalwart San Antonio Spurs before and after the game.

Wilmington, MA

Bruins Insider Joe Haggerty provides a report from Bruins practice as the surging Bruins prepare for their second matchup of the season with long-time rival Canadians.

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran reports live from Foxboro as the Patriots regroup following Monday night’s defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Curran’s reports will include reaction from Coach Bill Belichick and Patriots players.

Burlington, MA

Comcast SportsNet debuts its all-new SportsNet Central set. Carolyn Manno and Mike Giardi anchor the 6 p.m. show, and Chris Collins and Kevin Walsh anchor the 10:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. editions. Sean McAdam will preview the MLB Winter Meetings and potential Red Sox lineup changes.

The premier night of SportsNet Central will also feature an exclusive Michael Felger one-on-one with Tom Brady and the first of 20 specials on New England’s Decade of Dominance that will run each night in December during SportsNet Central and Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight. The specials will culminate in a 30-minute Decade of Dominance documentary that premieres on December 23.

The Decade of Dominance will include the unique perspective of prominent New England athletes and celebrities including NBC Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien, Godsmack lead singer Sully Erna, Larry Bird and many others.

Online, CSNNE.com will also prominently feature Decade of Dominance items throughout December with daily polls, uncut and extended interviews from the special, and feature columns from CSNNE.com’s insiders and columnists.

And that does it for this post.

NFL Network Programming and Inside the NFL Quotage

I’ll put two NFL-related press releases here. Get ready to scroll as we look at NFL Network’s schedule for the next week.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (12/3-12/8)

AFC EAST SHOWDOWN IN TORONTO: JETS-BILLS

ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT 8:00PM ET

NFL RedZone Now Re-Airs Monday Mornings

Michael Irvin 1-on-1 Interview with Cowboys QB Tony Romo Thursday on the Halftime Show

Entire Interview Sunday at 9:00 AM ET on NFL GameDay Morning

Matt Millen Sits Down with Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan Thursday at 6:00 PM ET on Thursday Night Kickoff

Jets-Bills ’02, Bengals-Lions ’98 & Chiefs-Broncos ’94 Featured on Greatest 4^th QTRS Saturday at 8:00 PM ET

NFL Classic Games Features Patriots-Dolphins ’94 Matchup Friday at 8:00 PM ET & Saturday at 2:00 PM ET

RE-AIR OF NFL REDZONE – MONDAY 4:00-11:30 AM ET

It’s being called “the coolest thing on TV right now” and “the greatest invention since pizza.” Fans are raving about NFL Network’s new NFL RedZone channel. For those who don’t receive the channel, NFL Network now features a re-air of Sunday’s action on Monday mornings.

NFL RedZone is hosted by Scott Hanson and whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments as they happen and in high definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays live. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play.

THURSDAY NIGHT KICKOFF – THURSDAY 6:00 PM ET

· Michael Irvin sits down with Cowboys QB Tony Romo to discuss what Dallas is doing to ensure a successful December campaign. Excerpts from the interview will also be shown on the Halftime Show and the entire conversation will air on Sunday’s NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET.

· Matt Millen talks to Jets head coach Rex Ryan about the lessons he’s learned in his first year as head coach, the passion he has for his job, his philosophy on defense, rookie QB Mark Sanchez’s learning process and how well WR Braylon Edwards has adjusted to the team.

· On The Marshall Plan, Marshall Faulk analyzes Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez

· Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders discuss Bills WR Terrell Owens’ future

· The best of Bills WR Terrell Owens’ sound bites through the years

NFL GAMEDAY MORNING – SUNDAY 9:00 AM-1:00 PM ET

· Michael Irvin sits down with Cowboys QB Tony Romo to discuss the emergence of WR Miles Austin, the Cowboys’ locker room atmosphere, whether his leadership role has increased and his opinions on the coaching staff.

· On Super Bowl Journey, two journeys collide with playoff implications on the line last Sunday when Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew visited TE Vernon Davis and the 49ers.This week’s edition gives a behind-the-scenes look at the game through the perspectives of both players.

· Kara Henderson reports from Eagles-Falcons matchup

· Paul Burmeister reports from Titans-Colts matchup

· Steve Wyche reports from Raiders-Steelers matchup

· Michael Lombardi reports from Saints-Redskins matchup

· Bob Papa reports from Cowboys-Giants matchup

NFL CLASSIC GAMES – NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS (9/4/1994) FRIDAY AT 8:00 PM ET & SATURDAY AT 2:00 PM ET

After missing the majority of the 1993 season with an injury, Dolphins QB Dan Marino made his 1994 debut and had a record-setting day. He threw for 473 yards and five touchdowns to lead Miami to a 39-35 win. Marino set an NFL record by throwing four or more touchdown passes in a game for the 18^th time in his career, which broke his tie with Johnny Unitas. His 300^th touchdown pass in this game made him one of only two quarterbacks at that time to throw 300-plus career touchdowns (Fran Tarkenton was the other with 343 touchdowns).

NFL Classic Games is the only show on television where fans can catch the complete network broadcasts of classic NFL regular season and playoff games.

NFL FILMS PRESENTS: HIGH SCHOOL HEROES – FRIDAY AT 1:00 PM & SATURDAY AT 9:00 & 10:30 AM ET

This week, NFL Films Presents takes a trip back in time with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels as he remembers his high school days growing up in Canton, Ohio and playing in one of America’s most fierce and most celebrated high school rivalry football games: Massillon Washington vs. Canton McKinley. As fate would have it, he is now coaching one of his former high school teammates, DE Kenny Peterson. Also in this episode, the story of local hero and former football team captain, Will Graves, a senior at West Jones High School in Mississippi, is featured.

NFL Films Presents, hosted by Steve Sabol, explores the depth of the NFL Films archive – the world’s largest sports film library – with unique perspectives on football’s greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor.

GREATEST 4^TH QTRS – SATURDAY AT 8:00 PM ET

This week’s Greatest 4^th QTRs highlights Week 13 matchups between the Jets-Bills, Bengals-Lions and Chiefs-Broncos with a look back at the following games:

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (9/8/2002): In his debut with the Bills, QB Drew Bledsoe forced the game into overtime when he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds remaining to WR Eric Moulds. However, it was Jets RB Chad Morton who stole the show with his 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the opening seconds of overtime. Earlier in the game, Morton returned a kickoff for 98-yards and a touchdown. He became the first player in NFL history to score on a kickoff return in both regulation and overtime.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions (9/13/1998): In a back and forth battle where both teams scored a touchdown in each quarter, it was Lions RB Barry Sanders’ third touchdown run of the day that sent the game into overtime. Bengals DB Corey Sawyer ended the game in Cincinnati’s favor with 53-yard interception return.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (10/17/1994): In a classic duel with fellow Hall of Fame QB John Elway, Chiefs QB Joe Montana led a 75-yard march down the field during the final 82 seconds and snapped Kansas City’s 11-year losing streak in Mile High stadium with a five-yard pass to WR Willie Davis for the 31-28 win.

Greatest 4^th QTRs is a two hour compilation of three memorable fourth quarters in NFL history. Using NFL Films footage, Greatest 4^th QTRs preps viewers for the upcoming weekend’s games by reliving three of the most exciting finishes between teams set to faceoff on Sunday.

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS:

Thursday, December 3

• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• Post-game reactions and analysis of Jets-Bills

Saturday, December 4

• ‘Put up your Dukes’ with Jamie Dukes

Monday, December 7 – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

• Paul Burmeister reports from Steelers-Broncos game
• Michael Lombardi goes ‘Around the League’
• A look back on all of Sunday’s action and a preview of the Steelers-Broncos game

Tuesday, December 8

• Kara Henderson reports from the Bears’ training facility
• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• A look at the top 10 plays from Week 13

THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE: Saints S Darren Sharper Wednesday

Thursday, December 3

· LB Joey Porter on Dolphins Cam

THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK:

Friday at 6:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· How the Cowboys’ defense can dominate the Giants to take control of the NFC East

· How the Falcons can beat the Eagles to remain in the mix in the Wild Card race

· What the Cardinals need to do to beat the Vikings

· Why the Saints’ offense can have a field day against the Redskins’ defense

Saturday at 12 NOON ET – NFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· How the Broncos and Chargers can keep the AFC West title race close

· How the Titans’ defense can shut down the Colts’ offense

· Why QB Vince Young and the Titans’ offense could have success against the Colts’ defense

· How the Jaguars and Steelers can keep their Wild Card hopes alive

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM: ‘Official Review’ online segment Wednesday, Matt Millen chat Thursday, Jamie Dukes chat Friday

Thursday, December 3

· 12 NOON ET – NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock chat

· 1:30 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Matt Millen chat

· 2:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat

· NFL.com/Live – From Los Angeles, host Fran Charles along with analysts Jamie Dukes and Bucky Brooks provide expert analysis, commentary and live “look-ins” of Thursday Night Football. Mike Mayock provides “instant analysis” on key plays and fantasy expert Michael Fabiano provides fantasy-related insight. Solomon Wilcots and Scott Hanson contribute live reports from Toronto.

Friday, December 4

· 11:00 AM ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com columnist Vic Carucci chat

· 4:30 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes chat

Sunday, December 6

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

· 7:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Thursday, December 3

12 NOON – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

1:00 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans (HD)

2:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

3:00 PM – America’s Game: 1968 New York Jets (HD)

4:00 PM – America’s Game: 1990 Buffalo Bills (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears (HD)

8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football: New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (HD) – LIVE

11:30 PM – Kay Jewelers Post-Game Show (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Friday, December 4

12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

12:30 PM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 12 (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

1:30 PM – NFL Films: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills (Super Bowl XXVII)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Comebacks

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Rookie Seasons

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Super Bowl Performances

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

11:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 AM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

Saturday, December 5

9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

9:30 AM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 12 (HD)

10:00 AM– Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

10:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

11:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

12 NOON – Playbook: AFC edition

1:00 PM – America’s Game: 2003 Patriots (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

5:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

6:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Greatest 4^th QTRs

10:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Sunday, December 6

7:00 AM – Playbook: AFC edition

8:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL GameDay StatZone (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard (HD)

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Monday, December 7

4:00 AM – NFL RedZone (HD)

11:30 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

8:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: NFL TV Follies (1986)

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

10:30 PM – NFL Follies: Super Duper Football (1988)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – updated with postgame press conferences and analysis

1:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Tuesday, December 8

6:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Team Turnarounds

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Draft Steals

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Things That Changed the Game

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

1:00 AM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)