Fang's Bites

Evidence That I Attended Boston Sports Blogapalooza III

I had no idea someone was taking pictures at Boston Sports Blogazpalooza last week. Had I known, I would have worn a mask over my face. Anyway, these come courtesy of Joe Gill and Boston Sports Blogapalooza. I wrote a brief recap on the event and I was interviewed by Jessica Camerato of Comcast SportsNet as well.

I’ll post the pics that were clandestinely taken of me.

Here I am with Russ Goldman of Patsfans. I’m sure he’s wondering who I am and why I’m there.

The lovely Jessica Camerato interviewing me. She’s probably thinking, “Why am I talking to this Asian guy?”

And I won an autographed Celtics picture during a raffle. That’s Boston Sports Blogapalooza organizer Joe Gill on the left. I’ve misplaced the picture and don’t know where it is right now.

Those are all of the pictures of me that I know of. I certainly did not take any while I was there and that’s probably a good thing.

CBS Adds Air Force-Navy Game To Already Busy 10/1 College Football Schedule

CBS Sports has announced that it will air the annual Service Academy game between Air Force and Navy from Annapolis, MD on October 1 at noon ET. This game had been originally scheduled for CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m. ET on the same date, so the contest is being moved up 3^½ hours. Add this to a day that already has an SEC on CBS doubleheader scheduled and you have a busy tripleheader on October 1. CBS has yet to announce its SEC game choices for that date, but you would have Air Force vs. Navy at noon followed by SEC games at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

We have the official announcement from CBS Sports.

AIR FORCE – NAVY FOOTBALL GAME MOVES TO CBS

CBS Sports to Broadcast Service Academy Showdown on Saturday, October 1 at 12:00 NOON, ET

The Air Force at Navy football game on Saturday, Oct. 1 has been moved to 12:00, NOON, ET and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports, it was announced today. The game, which will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., was previously scheduled to air on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 PM, ET.

CBS Sports will now broadcast a tripleheader on October 1 with two SEC football games following Air Force at Navy. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, will air from 3:00-3:30 PM, ET. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Oct. 1
Air Force at Navy — 12:00 NOON, ET
College Football Today — 3:00-3:30 PM, ET
SEC Game of the Week #1 — 3:30 PM, ET
SEC Game of the Week #2 — 8:00 PM, ET

That’s it.

Some Quick Thursday Links

Trying to squeeze linkage in while I can. This won’t be a full set of links. I will do the megalinks tomorrow, but today will be a quickie links day.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today reports that the ratings for the USA-North Korea game in the Women’s World Cup drew decently for ESPN.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News says industry analysts expect 3-D TV sales to be very slow this year, but eventually ramp up by mid-decade.

Edmund Lee of Advertising Age talks with the publisher and co-founder of The Awl, Bill Cho, who’s leaving to go to join Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions explains why the sales of TV’s in the 3rd dimension are tanking.

David Goetzl from MediaPost says NBC Sports is raising its profile for the Tour de France which begins this weekend.

The St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says David Tyree’s anti-gay stance brings some strong challenges for journalists.

This story has been burning up the sports blogosphere since Wednesday afternoon. A.J. Daulerio of Deadspin says Hollywood movie producers are thinking of making a movie from the tome, “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside The World of ESPN”.

Alexandra Kuczynski-Brown of SportsGrid says the BBC has developed a product that will reduce the grunting and shrieking at Centre Court in Wimbledon.

Andy Blesser at Beet TV talks about the Watch ESPN mobile app.

Brandon Costa of the Sports Video Group discusses ESPN 3D going live from Wimbledon this week.

Dave Nagle of ESPN’s Front Row PR blog talks with ESPN2′s Chris Evert on her return to TV at SW19 for the fortnight.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at what lies ahead of NBA Communist China Sympathizer David Stern as the lockout is now in full effect.

Kurt Helin of NBC’s Pro Basketball Talk has the organizers of last year’s “The Decision” starring LeBron James and his talents, surprised by the backlash against the made-for-TV event. Really? C’mon, man.

All Access reports that personalities from Philadelphia’s sports radio WIP will guest host Comcast SportsNet’s Daily News Live starting next week.

The Around the Rings blog says BBC Sport has been named as the UK rightsholder for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir writes about General Electric’s increased sponsorship of the Olympics.

Newsday’s Neil Best wonders why NBC did not air today’s Maria Sharapova-Sabine Lisicki Wimbledon semifinal match live.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the MLB Network live game schedule for July.

The Centre Daily (PA) Times previews tonight’s ESPN presentation of Penn State coach Joe Paterno and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

From Capitol File magazine, ESPN’s Erin Andrews answers a few questions.

KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa says a local cable company will pick up 16 extra Minnesota Twins games ending a dispute with Fox Sports North.

Jay Heater of the Idaho State Journal says a Pocatello radio station is changing its affiliation from ESPN Radio to Fox Sports.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News previews tonight’s ESPN program with Penn State’s JoePa and Duke’s Coach K.

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area notes that Bob Costas and Al Michaels will make a guest appearance on its local broadcast of July 8th’s New York Mets-San Francisco Giants game. The pair will call most of the game on MLB Network, but will slide over to CSN Bay Area for a half inning.

The Maui News says NBC golf reporter Mark Rolfing will no longer be the organizer for a PGA Tour event.

Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form talks with NBC’s horse racing reporter Donna Brothers.

Noel Murray at the A.V. Club looks at the ESPN book.

The Football Girl is not a fan of a full NFL Thursday Night Football schedule.

Stars Entertainment speaks with Tennis Channel anchor Angela Sun. The story mentions that she worked for ESPN, but I have never seen her on ESPN. Yahoo, yes. Tennis Channel, yes. ESPN? No. I’ve never seen her there. Maybe you have.

Sports Media Watch notes that the U.S. Open’s ratings were down for all four rounds.

SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

And SMW has some news and notes on some coming attractions.

Barry Janoff from The Big Lead speaks with prolific reality TV producer Mark Burnett.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs reviews the latest in sports media.

And I found more links than I thought and that’s a bonus for you. Back later tonight.

Silly Wimbledon Delays 2011

If you’re a regular reader, you know my thoughts on NBC’s tape delay practices at both Wimbledon and the Olympics. In fact, I’ve written about this time and time and time again over this subject

There was a lot of anger over NBC’s decision to tape delay the Wimbledon women’s semifinals today. Interestingly enough, the Maria Sharapova-Sabine Lisicki match ended before NBC took the air at noon ET so those who were monitoring the contest through backdoor websites knew the results before NBC started. ESPN2 did air the Petra Kvitova-Victoria Azarenka  match live, but could not make any mention of Sharapova-Lisicki until NBC hit the air which is just ridiculous.

NBC made a statement to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch about Friday’s coverage of the men’s semifinals which will again fall under these silly rules. ESPN2 will take the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga-Novak Djokovic match live at 8:15 a.m. ET while NBC will show the Andy Murray-Rafael Nadal match. This will be seen at noon in all time zones. NBC will not show the match online outside of its noon window and people will have to either resort to going to illegal websites to see a live stream (which I do not encourage you to do, but you do what you gotta do), or wait until noon in your time zone to see NBC’s coverage.

Now this is the last year for NBC’s contract with Wimbledon and Sports Illustated’s Jon Wertheim tweets that we should know next week the results of the bidding for the US rights for the next few years between NBC and ESPN. It will be interesting to see if the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will keep the status quo with NBC/ESPN and Tennis Channel as the rightsholders or go with ESPN. ESPN2 and Tennis Channel still have two years to go on their deals. If ESPN takes NBC’s package, one can expect the silly tape delays to end. Perhaps under the new Mark Lazarus era at the NBC Sports Group, the tape delays will end altogether. Let us hope so.

UPDATE, 4:35 p.m.: One thing I omitted. Tomorrow’s Murray-Nadal match will be streamed online at NBCSports.com across the country live at noon ET. It will pick up NBC’s coverage of wherever the match is at that point and go live from then on. So if you live from the Central through the Pacific time zones, you can see the match live online when NBC picks up its coverage at noon ET so you don’t have to wait for your local affiliate to air tape delayed coverage.

TBS To Announce The All-Star Game Rosters On Sunday

Before the Yankees-Mets game on Sunday, TBS will have the exclusive announcement of the MLB All-Star Game rosters in a special pregame show at noon ET. Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken, Jr. and David Wells will be on hand for the announcements. They’ll be joined via satellite by the All-Star Game managers, Ron Washington of the American League’s Texas Rangers and Bruce Bochy of the National League’s San Francisco Giants.

Following the Selection Show, TBS has Yankees-Mets to end Interleague play for this year. Here’s what TBS is saying about the MLB All-Star Game Selection Show and the action that follows the roster announcements.

2011 MLB All-Star Game Rosters Announced Exclusively on TBS on Sunday, July 3rd at Noon (ET)

Sunday MLB on TBS features Yankees @ Mets at 1 p.m. (ET)

The 2011 American League and National League MLB All-Star teams will be revealed exclusively on TBS on Sunday, July 3rd at Noon (ET) during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show. Host Matt Winer will be joined by analysts Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells to make the announcements and provide analysis on the selections. The show also will feature interviews with All-Star Game managers Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers and Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants.

The 2011 MLB All-Star Game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 12th.  The American and National League All-Star Teams will have eight starters elected via the fan balloting program. The pitchers and reserves for both squads will be determined through a combination of “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by All-Star managers Washington and Bochy, in conjunction with Major League Baseball.

Following the show, “Sunday MLB on TBS” will continue at 1 p.m. (ET) when Jose Reyes and the New York Mets host their cross-town rivals Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Freddy Garcia is scheduled to start for the Yankees against the Mets’ probable starter R.A. Dickey. Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst) will call the action.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season. Beginning in October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the four Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has served as the exclusive home of Major League Baseball’s Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007, has broadcasted MLB games for more than 30 years and was home of the Atlanta Braves from 1977-2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 3
12 p.m. (ET)	2011 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show
	Matt Winer (host), Dennis Eckersley (analyst), Cal Ripken (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)
1 p.m. (ET)	New York Yankees @ New York Mets
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 10
1:30 p.m. (ET)	Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
	Announcers: Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst)
Sun., July 17
1:00 p.m. (ET)	Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
	Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

That will do it.

CBS Sports Spectacular To Borrow Turner Sports MLB Crew on Saturday

This Saturday, CBS Sports will tap the Turner Sports crew once again for a Midseason MLB Report. The CBS Sports Spectacular will have host Matt Winer joined by TBS MLB analysts Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken, Jr. and David Wells to talk about baseball through the halfway point of the season. The show will originate from the TBS studios in Atlanta. Of course, CBS and Turner are partners for the NCAA Tournament, this is another extension of the partnership. It makes you wonder with Turner airing Sunday MLB games and the postseason, would the two partner up when MLB rights are up in 2013 and put together a bid? It makes you go, “Hmmmmm.”

Here’s the press release for CBS Sports Spectacular for this weekend.

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR STEPS UP TO THE PLATE WITH “MLB MIDSEASON REPORT” ON SATURDAY, JULY 2

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR features MLB MIDSEASON REPORT on Saturday, July 2 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET). Host Matt Winer is joined by analysts David Wells, Cal Ripken Jr. and Dennis Eckersley, who breakdown the biggest stories from the first half of the 2011 season, including the Dodgers ownership situation, the Red Sox turnaround, managerial changes, collisions at home plate, injuries to key players and more. The show also features an interview with Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson, as well as midseason awards and playoff predictions.

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR GOES YARD WITH “2011 HOME RUN DERBY” ON SUNDAY, JULY 3

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR presents “2011 HOME RUN DERBY” on Sunday, July 3 (2:00 PM, ET; taped 6/2/11) from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. This second annual event showcases eight of the nation’s premier power hitters facing off in an elimination style format. Competitors include Victor Roache (Georgia Southern University), the nation’s No. 1-ranked home run hitter, Daniel Aldrich (College of Charleston), Andrew Rash (Virginia Tech University), Doug Shribman (Bucknell University), Dylan Pratt (East Tennessee University), Joey DeMichele (Arizona State University) and Connor Harrell (Vanderbilt University). Baseball legends Paul Molitor and Joe Carter serve as honorary hitting coaches. Play-by-play announcer Adam Zucker is joined by former Major League Baseball All-Star Frank Thomas to call the action.

Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

And that’s it for this post.

Joe Pa & Coach K To Talk Life Lessons On ESPN Tonight

Tonight on ESPN and ESPNU, legendary coaches Joe Paterno of Penn State and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke will be on the same show to discuss college athletics, their effect on the men they’ve coached, college sports today and a whole variety of other topics. Rece Davis hosted. The show was taped on the Penn State campus earlier this month. The show runs tonight at 8 on ESPN, then transfers to ESPNU at 9 p.m. for an additional half-hour. We have the details of this unique program.

Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno & Krzyzewski Airs June 30

ESPN’s 90-minute special Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno & Krzyzewski – featuring an in-depth and candid discussion with legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski – will air Thursday, June 30, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and continue on ESPNU at 9 p.m.

ESPN college football and basketball studio and game announcer Rece Davis hosts the special, which was recorded on Monday, June 20 in front of an audience at Eisenhower Auditorium on the campus of Penn State. Participants include guests who have had personal experiences with each coach: Matt Millen and Michael Robinson, who played for Coach Paterno, and Jay Bilas and Jay Williams, who played for Coach Krzyzewski.

The special explores coaching, ethics, integrity, friendship, legacy, pressures and issues associated with intercollegiate athletics, working with student-athletes, and more. The program includes questions from the audience during the first hour on ESPN and audience member questions for the entire final 30 minutes on ESPNU.

Quotes from Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno & Krzyzewski:

Paterno on the challenges of NCAA rules compliance: “I broke a rule the other day. We have an indoor place and the kids were working out. I walk by, stood there and watched them work out. Didn’t talk to anybody or anything. I go back in the office and said to the staff, you know, so-and-so looked pretty good running. (A staffer said) ‘Where’d you see him? You know you broke the rule.’”

Krzyzewski on why he stayed at Duke: “I’ve never made a career decision based on money. I’ve always made it for where I’ve had a passion, where I could feel good about it, and then you make money. But I love college sports and I love Duke.”

Paterno on being an icon: “Tell me what is an icon? If you mean some good looking handsome (guy), I like it!”

Krzyzewski on his greatest moment of adversity: “Any day at practice with coach (Bob) Knight.” (Krzyzewski played for Knight at Army).

Paterno on teaching: “I got hooked on seeing what some kids lacked, that I thought ‘gee, you know what? I know better than that.’ Maybe I didn’t, but I thought I did. And I stuck my two cents in a lot of people’s lives, and at the time, I thought I was gonna get punched in the mouth!”

Krzyzewski on involving his daughters in the program: “If you ask our players, they’ll tell you that they’re like sisters. They BETTER only be sisters!”

Paterno on what makes a great teacher: “A lot of different things, a lot of different ways to teach, a lot of different people have different personalities. I think a conviction that you have as a person that you think would be appropriate for young people looking for somebody to give them some direction. I think a good teacher has some empathy towards that. Tries to find out exactly if a kid has a problem, if he doesn’t have a problem. I think there are different types of people that need different responses. Sometimes you have to kick them in the rear end, other times you have to stroke them, other times give them a big kiss.”

That’s it.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

CFL
BC at Montreal — NFL Network/TSN, 7:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/AT&T National, 1st round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
U.S. Amateur/Women’s Amateur Public Links, Day 4 — Golf Channel, 6:30 p.m.

MLB
Interleague
Boston at Philadelphia — MLB Network/NESN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Milwaukee at New York Yankees — MLB Network/Fox Sports Wisconsin/YES, 1 p.m.
New York Mets at Detroit — SNY/Fox Sports Detroit, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/WGN America, 2 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Colorado — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 3 p.m.
Florida at Oakland — Fox Sports Florida, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Toronto — Root Sports Pittsburgh/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Baltimore — MLB Network/Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.
Texas at Houston — MLB Network/Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Houston, 8 p.m.

The Rundown Live — MLB Network, 4 p.m.
MLB Tonight Live – MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 10 p.m.

NFL
Gruden QB Camp: Terrelle Pryor — ESPN, 9 p.m.

Tennis
The Championships, Wimbledon: Ladies Semifinals — ESPN2, 7 a.m./NBC, noon

The Complete Wimbledon — ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Wimbledon Update — NBC, 11:35 p.m.

Women’s World Cup
Group A
Canada vs. France — ESPN, 11:45 a.m.
Germany vs. Nigeria — ESPN, 2:45 p.m.

Entertainment
Wipeout: At Full Tilt — ABC, 8 p.m.
Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno & Krzyzewski — ESPN, 8 p.m./ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Jail — G4, 8 p.m.
Jail — G4, 8:30 p.m.
Expedition Impossible — ABC, 9 p.m.
Futurama — Comedy Central, 10 p.m.
Wilfred — FX, 10 p.m.
Ugly Americans (series premiere) — Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Golf Channel’s Live Tournament Action

Golf Channel has four live tournaments, the Champions Tour, the European PGA, the PGA Tour and the USGA Women’s Amateur and Women’s Amateur Public Links. It’s all quite busy for Golf Channel so let’s take a look at when these tournaments will air.

Golf Channel Live Tournament Coverage: June 30-July 3

Four-Round Coverage of AT&T National
Champions Tour Heads to Canada for Montreal Championship
Top Amateurs Face-Off in U.S. Amateur and Women’s Amateur Public Links
European Tour Returns to France for Alstom Open de France

AT&T National
Dates: June 30-July 3
Venue: Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Penn.

Airtimes (Eastern)
Thursday                     3-6 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday                          3-6 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday                      1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)
Sunday                        1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:
Terry Gannon (Play by Play)
Nick Faldo (Analyst)
Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)
Mark Lye (Tower)
Phil Parkin (On Course)
Steve Sands (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

• Mahan, Furyk and Compton Featured Group on Thursday – Hunter Mahan, Jim Furyk and last week’s Nationwide Tour winner, Erik Compton, will be Golf Channel’s featured group during Thursday’s opening round of coverage.  Also featured during Thursday’s live coverage will be the grouping of THE PLAYERS Champion K.J. Choi, AT&T National defending champion Justin Rose and Masters runner-up Adam Scott.
• Aimpoint  at Aronimink– Golf Channel’s Emmy-award winning Aimpoint graphics technology will be featured on holes eight and 17 at Aronimink Golf Club.  Aimpoint predicts the line of the putt and where players must aim to hole out.

Montreal Championship
Dates: July 1-3
Venue: Club de Golf Fontainebleau, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Airtimes (Eastern):
Friday              12:30-2:30 p.m. (Live) / Midnight-2 a.m. (Replay)
Saturday          6:30-9:30 p.m. (TD) / Midnight-2 a.m. (Replay)
Sunday            7-9:30 p.m. (TD) / Midnight-2 a.m. (Replay)

Golf Channel Live Tournament Broadcast Team:
Brian Hammons (Play by Play)
Curt Byrum (Analyst)
John Mahaffey (Tower)
David Marr (Tower)
Billy Ray Brown (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Huston, Lehman and Cook Featured Grouping: Dick’s Sporting Goods Open champion John Huston, current Charles Schwab Cup leader Tom Lehman and 2010 Montreal Championship runner-up John Cook will be Golf Channel’s featured grouping during live tournament coverage on Friday.
• Headlining the Field: Defending champion Larry Mize, Tom Lehman, Jay Haas, Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin, Hale Irwin, John Huston, Tom Kite, Hal Sutton and Jim Thorpe.

U.S. Amateur & Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships
Dates: June 30- July 2
Venue: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Oregon

Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday         6:30-8:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday              6:30-8:30 p.m. (Live)
Saturday          4-6 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team
Mark Rolfing (Play by Play)
Kay Cockerill (Analyst / On Course)
Charlie Rymer (Analyst)
Steve Burkowski (Tower)
Val Skinner (On Course)
Matt Gogel (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Live Coverage at Old Macdonald Course – Golf Channel’s live coverage of the U.S. Amateur and Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships will take place at the Old Macdonald Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
• Thursday Coverage: Thursday’s live coverage will feature the men’s quarterfinal matches.
• Friday Coverage: Friday’s live coverage will feature the men’s and women’s semifinal matches.
• Saturday Coverage: The two 36-hole championship matches will be featured during Saturday’s live coverage.

Alstom Open de France
Dates: June 30-July 3
Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France

Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday                     9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday                          9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)
Saturday                      8 a.m.-Noon (Live)
Sunday                        8 a.m.-Noon (Live) / 3:30-6 p.m. (Replay)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:
Tom Abbott (Studio Host)
Renton Laidlaw (Play by Play)
Warren Humphreys (Analyst)
Denis Hutchinson (Tower)
Julian Tutt (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Headlining the Field: Martin Kaymer, Bubba Watson, Matteo Manassero, Alvaro Quiros, Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke.

That’s going to do it.

ESPN Airs Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Once again, ESPN airs the annual Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest live from Coney Island on the 4th of July. Paul Page will call the eating. Rich and George Shea of Major League Eating will provide the color commentary. And reporting live from the floor so to speak will be Renée Herlocker. If you have not seen Renée from her time on E! News Now, she’ll do her first event for ESPN from Coney Island. But here’s a sneak peek of Renée.

Now here’s the ESPN press release.

ESPN to Televise Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest

First-Ever Women’s Championship Live Exclusively on ESPN3.com

For the eighth consecutive year, ESPN will televise the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest from Coney Island, N.Y., Monday at 12 p.m. ET.  Paul Page will provide bite-by-bite commentary with Major League Eating’s Shea brothers (Rich and George) and reporter Renee Herlocker. The competition will also be available live via ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV.

The one-hour telecast will include the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest featuring eaters from around the world including American Joey Chestnut, who has won the previous four events. Chestnut is the world record holder having consumed 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes during the 2008 competition.

In addition to the men’s contest, the first-ever Women’s Championship will be held live at 11:30 a.m. exclusively on ESPN3.com.  Highlights of the competition will be shown during ESPN’s one-hour telecast.  Sonya Thomas, the women’s world record holder with 41 hot dogs and buns, is favored among the female competitors.

ESPN telecast highlights include:

• a Sport Science piece on Joey “Jaws” Chestnut

o    outtakes according to host John Brenkus – the bite of competitive eaters measured at 280 pounds of force, stronger than that of a German Shepherd; competitive eaters dunk food in water, making it easier to chew and digest by essentially simulating saliva; competitive eaters stand and bounce up and down, using gravity to accelerate the process of moving food through the esophagus; Chestnut trains his stomach to increase by roughly 400 percent from its ordinary volume (one liter to four liters); and 30 hot dogs is the equivalent of 9,000 calories, meaning Chestnut can consume in five minutes the amount of calories the average person ingests in five days;

• for the first time, a heart monitor placed on eater Pat Bertoletti, which will be checked three to four times during the 10-minute contest;
• aerial shots from the Hangar One Blimp;
• interactive viewer polling throughout the show.

Over the last five years, ESPN’s coverage of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has averaged a 1.1 rating and nearly 1.5 million viewers. It is regularly the network’s highest-rated and most-viewed program of the day.

That’s all.

NHL Network Airs “Free Agent Frenzy” On Friday

The first day of NHL free agent signings will take place on Friday and through TSN in Canada, NHL Network will be all over the first contract offers and subsequent moves by said free agents. It all begins at noon ET. Following “Free Agent Frenzy”, NHL Network will air the last “NHL Live” program until October. Then NHL Network will finish everything up with a special edition of NHL on the Fly. We have your particulars of the entire day right here.

NHL NETWORK TO BROADCAST JULY 1 FREE AGENT FRENZY AND RELIVE THE HIGHLIGHT MOMENTS OF THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS THROUGHOUT SUMMER

NHL Live and NHL On The Fly Cover Deadline With Special Shows

NEW YORK (June 29, 2011) – With the 2010-11 NHL season complete, it’s time to focus on the upcoming campaign as Clubs begin to build their teams and solidify their rosters with the official start of the NHL’s Free Agency period on Friday, July 1.

Hockey fans can watch TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy show on NHL Network U.S. beginning at noon ET to follow all the signings and rumors during one of the most exciting days on the League’s calendar. Hosted by James Duthie, FREE AGENT FRENZY features two panels comprised of TSN’s team of hockey experts as well as correspondents filing reports on the day’s activities from each Canadian NHL city.

TSN Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger are joined by Gord Miller at the ‘Free Agent Signing Desk’ to bring viewers breaking news on NHL deals. Duthie is joined by TSN hockey analysts Pierre McGuire, Darren Pang and Mike Johnson on the ‘Instant Analysis Panel’ while Steve Kouleas hosts a panel with former NHL GM Craig Button and ex-NHLer Michael Peca delivering opinions on all the day’s developments. Duthie will also conduct live interviews with players and GMs from around the league, providing viewers with instant reaction from the deal-makers and players involved.

NHL Network’s daily signature show NHL Live™, streamed on NHL.com and broadcast live from the NHL Powered by Reebok store in Manhattan, will begin their broadcast to both U.S. and Canadian audiences at 5:00 p.m. ET with hosts Bill Pidto and EJ Hradek. NHL Live will bring viewers up-to-speed on the language of the day as it relates to player free agency and Club draft-choice compensation and right to match.

A special edition of NHL On the Fly will follow at 6:00 p.m. with host Brian Duff and analysts Craig Button and Mike Johnson. The panel will review the day’s news and notes and provide some predictions on what assets each team might require to build their Stanley Cup champion teams. As well as streaming NHL On The Fly, NHL.com will have the latest news and information from around the League.

As well, all summer long NHL Network U.S. will be re-airing all 2011 Playoff match-ups with “Relive The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs” programming nightly at 8:00 p.m. ET. Viewers will have the chance to watch every game from each round of the playoffs concluded with the thrilling Stanley Cup Final between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. Fans are encouraged to check www.nhlnetwork.com for a complete listing of when their favorite teams are playing as well comprehensive program schedules.

NHL Network Schedule for Friday, July 1 (all times ET)
Free Agency Frenzy (broadcast from TSN2; US only) — noon
NHL Live –  5:00 p.m.
NHL On The Fly — 6:00 p.m.

That’s all.

Fox Saturday Baseball Has Interleague Play Plus The Return of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver

After getting a week off, both Joe Buck and Tim McCarver return to Fox Saturday Baseball by hitting the Yankees-Mets game at Citi Field. It marks the 9th game in 14 weeks for Joe. Ken Rosenthal will join Joe and Tim.

Other games will be the Crosstown Series in Chicago between the White Sox and Cubs. And the third matchup will be the Battle of Ohio between Cleveland and Cincinnati.

We have your announcing assignments and regional splits for the three games on Fox this week. Check out the schedule below in the press release.,

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTE

Subway Series Showdown & Windy City Clash Highlight
FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL at 4:00 PM ET
MLB Classic All-Star Moments Down To Final Four

SUBWAY SERIES & WINDY CITY SHOWDOWN HIGHLIGHT FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL – Crosstown and interstate rivalries are the focus of the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK on Saturday, July 2 (4:00 PM ET).  The National League’s leading hitter, Jose Reyes, guides the Mets into a battle with Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and the slugging New York Yankees. Reyes is putting up one of his finest seasons, leading the NL in batting, hits, runs, triples and is second in stolen bases. In Chicago, nothing revs up fans’ emotions quite like Cubs vs. White Sox. Ozzie Guillen’s men hold the upper hand in both the 2011 standings and recent success as they visit their Northside brethren at Wrigley Field. The MLB 2011 season takes on a new shape as both the Indians and Reds find themselves in the thick of playoff races when they faceoff this Saturday on FOX. Cincinnati hitting stars Jay Bruce and Joey Votto lead the Reds hit brigade against sinkerballer Fausto Carmona.

The MLB on FOX pregame originates live from Wrigley Field in Chicago, with host Chris Rose.  Once game action begins, Rose joins Kenny Albert and Eric Karros as a field reporter.

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.  Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

New York Yankees at New York Mets, Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 79% of USA
Citi Field – Flushing, NY
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Probable Pitchers:  TBA vs. Dillon Gee, RHP (8-1, 3.32 ERA)

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs, Kenny Albert & Eric Karros, going to 10% of USA
Wrigley Field – Chicago, IL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
Probable Pitchers: Philip Humber, RHP (7-4, 2.89 ERA) vs. Matt Garza, RHP (4-6, 4.07 ERA)

Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati Reds, Thom Brennaman & Mark Grace, going to 10% of USA
Great American Ballpark– Cincinnati, OH
MARKETS INCLUDE: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Louisville, St. Louis
Probable Pitchers: Fausto Carmona, RHP (4-10, 5.89 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey, RHP (3-2, 3.86 ERA)

KLAPISCH: ARE THE YANKEES BETTER OFF WITHOUT JETER? – FOXSports.com writer Bob Klapisch questions if the Yankees are better off without Derek Jeter:  “No one in the organization will touch that question — at least not now, and certainly not on the record — but the team’s overall surge in the last two weeks has left officials wondering what to do with the aging captain when he finally comes off the disabled list,” writes Klapisch.  “Unless Jeter experiences a quick and dramatic turnaround, his return to the lineup will create the worst-possible dilemma for Joe Girardi. Not only is Jeter expecting to be reinstalled as the everyday shortstop, he intends to bat in the leadoff spot, too. Statistically, Jeter should be at the bottom of the batting order — of the Yankees’ nine starters, he ranked seventh in on-base percentage. However as one member of the organization put it, “I’d be very, very surprised” if Jeter made any such concession to his manager.”

To read Klapisch’s full column, please visit http://tinyurl.com/3fctmnp.

MLB’S TOP ALL-STAR MOMENT COMES DOWN TO THE FINAL FOUR – Four (two American League and two National League) All-Star classic moments remain with one to be named as the favorite in All-Star Game history. This week’s bracket determines each League’s moment representative with Ted Williams’ walk-off home run facing off with Cal Ripken Jr. for the AL title and Carl Hubbell’s five strikeouts and Stan Musial’s game-winning home run in 1955 vie for the NL crown.  During this weekend’s FOX SATURDAY GAME OF THE WEEK coverage, each League’s winner is announced and fans can begin voting for their favorite All-Star moment of all-time.  The Midsummer Classic with the top moment revealed during the 82nd MLB All-Star Game, broadcast exclusively on FOX on Tuesday, July 12 (8:00 PM ET).

www.MLB.com/moments

Voting Periods:
Round Three (4 Midsummer Classics): Saturday, June 25 – Saturday, July 2
Round Four (2 Midsummer Classics): Saturday, July 2 – Saturday, July 9

That will do it for this post.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 61

No guest on the Sports Media Weekly Podcast this week. Instead Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I discussed the news of the past few days including the development that the NFL is shopping the rights to the first half of Thursday Night Football to potential suitors. We also discussed the record ratings of Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in Boston and nationwide.

Then we discuss how MLB Network will utilize both Bob Costas and Al Michaels in a game in July. Both will call play-by-play and color for the Mets-Giants game.

We also go back and forth on the Women’s World Cup on the ESPN family of networks and whether people will watch.

Finally, I give my review of Boston Sports Blogapalooza from the weekend.

You can listen to the podcast

Getting The Wednesday Linkage In

Let’s do the Wednesday links while I can. It’s going to get busy the next couple of days as I try to wrap things up for the 4th of July weekend so blogging may get sparse through the weekend. Just giving you a heads up.

Here are the links for this Wednesday.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says ESPN is going all out for the Women’s World Cup whether we like it or not.

Karolos Grohmann of Reuters reports that General Electric has pledged to sponsor the Olympic Games through 2020 as part of the deal that kept the US media rights with NBC.

Lindsay Powers of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Tiger Woods has signed his first endorsement deal since his marital troubles began in November 2009.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says the NFL wants Congress to leave the silly TV blackout rules in place.

Tim Baysinger of B&C notes that Fox Soccer received its highest audience ever for last Saturday’s Gold Cup Final between the US and Mexico.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News notes the improved ratings for TNT halfway through its NASCAR season.

Mike also recaps the ESPN/espnW Women’s World Cup viewing party in New York’s Times Square on Tuesday.

Mike discusses NBC Sports Group providing full coverage of the Tour de France.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi says the NBA playoffs steered TNT to a cable ratings win in the 2nd quarter of this year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek really likes DirecTV’s Football Cops ad starring Peyton and Eli Manning.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred provides a lesson on just who Grantland Rice was and why he’s so revered.

Robert Niles of the Online Journalism Review at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism looks at the limits of free speech citing ESPN’s Jemele Hill defending David Tyree’s anti-gay marriage stance.

SportsGrid has video of Charles Barkley visiting the Sportsnet One booth during last night’s Pittsburgh-Toronto game.

SportsGrid’s Glenn Davis wonders if ESPN’s Robert Flores was caught napping on the job today.

SportsNewser’s Cam Martin writes that video game producer EA Sports plans to build a new studio in Texas.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell speaks with Nike’s CEO and President Charlie Denson on a myriad of sports business topics.

SportsbyBrooks is reporting that former Indiana and Texas A&M coach Bob Knight is preventing ESPN from hiring former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl as an analyst. I didn’t know coach Knight wielded that much power.

Andrew Gauthier of TV Spy notes the return of Len Berman to the Today Show this morning. And no one got hurt!

The lovely Kristi Dosh of the Business of College Sports explains how she got into the sports blogging business.

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times reviews USA Network’s new football-based series.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Derek Jeter haters will like one new internet product that allows them to ignore the Yankees shortstop.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says tonight’s Red Sox-Phillies game originally scheduled for ESPN2 will now be seen on the ESPN mothership.

Ken says New York’s Capital Region will be blacked out on July 8 when Bob Costas and Al Michaels team up to call their first baseball game ever.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that NBC golf reporter Dottie Pepper reaches out to the community when she’s back home.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom says handouts to sports owners are not a good thing.

John George of the Philadelphia Business Journal says MLB Network’s Mitch Williams will be seen on a DIY Network show.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog recaps a visit from consumer advocate Ralph Nader to the WaPo offices to discuss sports coverage and a new venture he’s helping to organize.

Graham Cawthorn of the Shelby (NC) Star looks at ESPN wanting to stream the American Legion World Series.

Danny Aller of the Albany (GA) Herald says Braves fans will finally be able to watch Peachtree TV games through the Fox Sports South affiliate.

Joel Hammond of Crain’s Cleveland Business says the Browns will launch a nightly radio show on the market’s dominant sports radio station.

Steve Brandt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says local officials are denying that there’s a potential bid for the 2020 Olympics in the works.

The Syracuse (NE) Journal-Democrat reports that ESPN3 will stream all games of the American Legion World Series under a new four year contract.

Andrew Blankstein of the Los Angeles Times says former Chicago Sun-Times writer Jay Mariotti must stand trial on stalking and assault charges.

The Elk Grove (CA) Citizen notes that a local high school rejected ESPN’s request to air a football game this season.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail talks about HBO hitting the ice once again next season.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on TNT’s ratings were up again this past weekend.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says viewership for the NHL Draft was up from last year.

The Big Lead wonders if NASCAR fired an in-house blogger for mentioning Kyle Busch’s marital problems.

That’s all for now.

Al Michaels & Bob Costas To Call Game For MLB Network in July

You know this was bound to happen. With Bob Costas calling games on MLB Network, you knew he would recruit his good friend Al Michaels to join him in the booth for one contest and it’s going to happen on July 8 when the New York Mets take on San Francisco. It will mark the first time to the two broadcasters will call a game together. They both called the 1995 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians for the old Baseball Network, a joint venture between ABC Sports and NBC Sports, but Michaels and Costas called the games for their respective networks with Michaels calling 3 games on ABC and Costas 3 for NBC.

So here’s the press release and I’ll post the schedule as well.

AL MICHAELS AND BOB COSTAS TO CALL NEW YORK METS AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS ON MLB NETWORK ON FRIDAY, JULY 8

Telecast Marks the First Time Michaels and Costas Will Call an MLB Game Together
MLB Network’s July Game Schedule Also Features July 4^th Holiday Doubleheader with Blue Jays at Red Sox and Yankees at Indians

Secaucus, N.J., June 29, 2011 – Legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels will join MLB Network’s Bob Costas in the broadcast booth when the two call the New York Mets at NL West first-place San Francisco Giants at 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, July 8, part of MLB Network’s live game schedule in July. The game marks the first time Michaels and Costas will call an MLB game together and the first MLB game Michaels will call since 1995. Costas and Michaels will also make special appearances on SNY’s broadcast and on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s broadcast in the game’s middle innings, while Mets announcers Gary Cohen and Ron Darling and Giants announcers Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow will appear in MLB Network’s booth during that time, as its telecast will not be available in the Giants’ and Mets’ home television markets.

MLB Network will host a media conference call with Michaels and Costas, who are expected to be joined by Cohen, Darling, Kuiper and Krukow, on Tuesday, July 5 to discuss the game telecast. Additional details on the call will be sent to media from MLB Network.

Throughout his renowned career, Michaels has called eight World Series, including Game Three of the 1989 World Series at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park that was interrupted by the Loma Prieta earthquake. He began his play-by-play career with the Hawaii Islanders in the Pacific Coast League in 1968, later joining the Cincinnati Reds in 1971, the San Francisco Giants’ broadcast booth in 1974 and ABC Sports in 1977. Michaels is currently the voice of NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” has covered more major sports events than any sportscaster, and was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sports Emmy Awards.

In 2010, the SNY and Comcast SportsNet Bay Area on-air teams were ranked by GQ as the top two local broadcast booths in all of baseball, following only the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Vin Scully. Cohen has called Mets game coverage for 23 seasons and is currently the lead play-by-play announcer for SNY’s Mets game broadcasts. Darling, a former All-star Mets pitcher, 1986 World Series champion and Gold Glove Award winner, is in his sixth season as a game and studio analyst for SNY. In 2006, Darling won a local Emmy Award for best analyst in New York.

Kuiper, a seven-time local Emmy Award winner and former Major League infielder for the Cleveland Indians (1974-1981) and Giants (1982-1985), has been broadcasting with Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for 18 seasons. Krukow, color analyst for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, is spending his 21^st season in the TV booth after a 14-year career pitching in the Major Leagues for the Chicago Cubs (1976-81), Philadelphia Phillies (1982) and Giants (1983-89).

MLB Network’s live game telecasts in July begin with an Interleague matchup between the Mets hosting their cross-town rival New York Yankees on Friday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET.  The schedule continues with an American League holiday doubleheader on Monday, July 4 featuring the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox at 1:00 p.m. ET and the AL East first-place Yankees visiting the Cleveland Indians at 6:00 p.m. ET. MLB Network will also showcase division leaders throughout the month, including the Giants at AL Central first-place Detroit Tigers, NL Central first-place Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds and the NL East first-place Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs. Later in the month, MLB Network will feature a rematch of the 2010 NLCS with the defending World Champion Giants against the 2009 National League Champion Phillies on July 26 and July 28.

Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory unless otherwise announced. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.

The schedule is after the jump.

(continue reading…)

Get Ready For “The Franchise” and “The Beard”

On July 13, Showtime premieres what it’s calling an uncensored look at the San Francisco Giants as they come off a World Series Championship. MLB Productions has been filming inside the Giants to produce “The Franchise” which began as a sneak preview before the season began. Now, we get to see what happens during the season. Of course, Giants closer Brian Wilson, aka “The Beard”, is a huge part of this series and Showtime provides us with a quick look at his humor which is quite warped.

The show will air at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Wednesdays on Showtime. We have a quick blurb and some video of “The Beard” showing off that warped sense of humor.

MEET “THE CLOSER” – GIANTS PITCHER BRIAN WILSON

THE FRANCHISE: A SEASON WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS PREMIERES JULY 13^TH ONLY ON SHOWTIME^®

NEW YORK (June 27, 2011) — SHOWTIME will present San Francisco’s beloved baseball personalities on July 13 when the premium network premieres its new documentary series THE FRANCHISE: A SEASON WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, an MLB Productions Original Series.

The most iconic personality on the team is Giants pitcher BRIAN WILSON, the face (and beard) of the defending World Champions.  On and off the field, there’s never a dull moment with Wilson and THE FRANCHISE: A SEASON WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS captures every bit of it with unprecedented access.

Sample some of Wilson’s trademark humor in a video segment before the series premieres on Wednesday, July 13 at 10PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

That does it.

This Week, It’s Sports Illustrated’s Annual “Where Are They Now?” Issue

This will be the 12th annual “Where Are They Now?” issue in Sports Illustrated. It’s always fascinating to catch up with sports heroes of yesteryear and some of the athletes we’ll read about include Michelle Akers of the 1998 USA Women’s National Soccer Team which won the World Cup, the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates and some NFL legends. Here’s the preview from SI.

Yogi Berra Graces Cover of SI’s 12th Annual “Where Are They Now?” Issue

Charlie Sheen’s Behind-the-Scenes Behavior on the Set of Major League
Catching Up With: ’71 Pirates, NBA 7-Footers, Roger Bannister, Michelle Akers and Nine NFL Legends
The Top 40 Sports Songs of All Time (We’re Not Talking Stadium Anthems)

(NEW YORK – June 29, 2011) – Yogi Berra graces the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 12th annual “Where Are They Now?” issue, dated July 4 and on newsstands now. It is the fifth cover for the Yankees great and his first since the April 2, 1984, issue. To download a hi-res JPEG of this week’s cover, click here.

MAJOR LEAGUE REVISITED – CHRIS NASHAWATY
Twenty-two years after the theatrical release of Major League, Chris Nashawaty—a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly—caught up with the cast and crew, who try to explain what makes it one of the most beloved sports movies ever. This included more than two hours spent with Charlie Sheen, who had some memorable things to say (page 90).

On adding extra zip to his fastball: “Let’s just say that I was enhancing my performance a little bit. It was the only time I ever did steroids. I did them for like six or eight weeks. You can print this, I don’t give a f—. My fastball went from 79 to like 85.”

On having women fly in to Milwaukee, where the movie was filmed: “It wasn’t as bad as on Young Guns [a year earlier]. We made that one in Santa Fe, and you would fly into Albuquerque and drive to Santa Fe on this two-lane highway. Literally, the girls that were leaving would pass the ones coming in. Major League was so physically demanding that you didn’t have a lot of time for that. You’re lying in bed and everything [hurts], and you’re thinking, I have to pitch tomorrow?! But there were certain days that we’d look at the schedule for the next day and be like, ‘Gentlemen, tonight we ride.’ ”

On what Major League means to him personally: “We had this party at my place a few months ago to watch Major League. It was awesome. The beard was there—Brian Wilson, from the Giants. We had Eddie Murray and Kenny Lofton. And I got David Ward to introduce the film. Colin Farrell showed up. And when my big strikeout at the end comes on, the place goes nuts like we’ve never even seen the movie before. I’m in between my two girlfriends, and I look over and there’s Colin Farrell giving me a thumbs-up. I reach behind me for a fist bump from Brian Wilson, who goes, ‘Winning!’ I’m telling you, David Ward created a baseball classic, and baseball is all that matters in the world. You know, I always wonder what I’m going to be in the middle of when I die. And I just hope it’s not in the middle of the greatest f—— pennant race ever.”

To read the full online version of A League of Its Own, click here.

On the Tablets: Five memorable scenes from the movie as well as a transcript from the full interview with Charlie Sheen.

YOGI BERRA WILL BE A LIVING LEGEND EVEN AFTER HE’S GONE – JOE POSNANSKI (@JPosnanski)
Yogi Berra is a Hall of Fame catcher, but his renown stems primarily from being one of the most quoted athletes of the last 100 years. Just about any famous collection of words gains prestige by being connected to his name, so much so that Yogi Berra even quips (page 62): “I never said most of the things I said.”

If his “Yogi-isms” are put aside, what remains is the fact that Berra was one of the most prolific winners in sports history. From 1957 through 1981, when New York baseball teams appeared in 13 World Series, Berra—as a player, coach or manager—appeared in every one of them.  In all, Yogi has appeared in 21 World Series, more than any professional baseball team other than the Yankees.

To read the full online version of Yogi Berra Will Be a Living Legend Even After He’s Gone, click here.

On the Tablets: A video interview with Yogi Berra and a photographic slideshow of his career.

’71 PIRATES: A BOY AND HIS BUCS – AUSTIN MURPHY (@SI_AUSTINMURPHY)
As an 11-year-old, senior writer Austin Murphy worshipped his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates during their 1971 championship season. Forty years later, Murphy connected with many of his childhood heroes at a team reunion. As players recounted stories from their winning season—facing the dominant Orioles’ starting rotation in the World Series, fielding the first-ever starting lineup that consisted solely of black and Latino players—Murphy realized that the team’s success was rooted in its off-field camaraderie. Recalls starting pitcher Steve Blass (page 124): “It was just a very open atmosphere. And what it created was a room full of friends. You could say anything to anybody. And when we went out on the ball field, we were brothers.”

To read the full online version of A Boy and His Bucs, click here.

On the Tablets: Photos from Pittsburgh’s memorable, seven-game win over Baltimore in the ’71 World Series.

NBA 7-FOOTERS: LARGER THAN REAL LIFE – Pablo S. Torre (@SIPabloTorre)
For the 7-foot set, professional basketball provides more than an occupation—it’s a near life imperative. Jokes Harry Stanback, whose 13-year-old son, Trevor, is already 6′ 8″ and is projected to exceed 7 feet: “There ain’t but two things you can do at 7 feet. One of them is play basketball. The other is clean elephant butts.” Reporter Pablo S. Torre caught up with several lofty former NBA players to talk about the challenges they’ve faced—including coping with foot and back problems, finding pants that fit and posing for pictures (page 108).

To read the full online version of Larger Than Real Life, click here.

On the Tablets: Video of Pablo S. Torre spending time with 7′ 4″ Mark Eaton near Eaton’s home in Utah.

ROGER BANNISTER: SIR ROGER’S RUN – DAVID EPSTEIN (@SIDavidEpstein)
Fifty-seven years ago Roger Bannister broke the four-minute barrier in the mile. But when staff writer David Epstein asked Bannister whether his greatest contributions came on or off the track, the 82-year-old didn’t hesitate: “Oh, medicine.” In a home decorated with awards recognizing his four-minute mile, his favorite ornament is a trophy for lifetime achievement presented to him by the American Academy of Neurology in 2005. As he describes it (page 102): “This is more important because it’s about my life as a whole and medicine, which are more important to me than whatever I did as a runner until I was 25.”

To read the full online version of Sir Roger’s Run, click here.

On the Tablets: Bannister and Epstein are interviewed together on the Sports Illustrated audio podcast. Plus, video of Bannister’s historic run from 1954.

MICHELLE AKERS: GREEN ACRES – GRANT WAHL (@GrantWahl)
Michelle Akers may be far away from the game of soccer—she now spends her days rescuing abused horses, raising her son Cody and rebuilding her farm which was devastated by a flood in 2009—but her legacy on the field will never change. Says her 1999 World Cup coach, Tony DiCicco (page 98): “I still think she’s the best player who ever played. Players like Marta will challenge that, but from a physical standpoint, with her technical ability and her mentality, from every aspect of the game, Michelle was at the top. That’s why I think she was able to play so long even with her physical challenges. Finishing, heading, dribbling—Michelle was the model.”

To read the full online version of Green Acres, click here.

On the Tablets: A timeline of the highs and lows from the first 20 years of the women’s World Cup.

NFL GREATS: SHOOTING HISTORY – WALTER IOOSS JR.
For more than five decades, Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. has captured football in all its muddy, bloody glory. Now he turns his lens on nine of the game’s living legends: Joe Namath (Jets), Jim Taylor (Packers), Jim Brown (Browns), Sonny Jurgensen (Redskins), Raymond Berry (Colts), Chuck Bednarik (Eagles), Lenny Moore (Colts), Sam Huff (Giants) and Art Donovan (Colts). Even off the field and in old age, these players are still compelling (page 21).

To read the full online version of Shooting History, click here.

On the Tablets: Nine separate podcasts of Iooss discussing each of his photo subjects as well as video of each of the shoots.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S ULTIMATE PLAY LIST – GREG KELLY
Sports and music connect on so many levels that it has been tough to ignore the role they play in each other. With that in mind, Sports Illustrated presents the 40 Best Sports Songs of All Time. They aren’t stadium anthems but rather songs by serious artists who used sports as subject and metaphor. Here’s the top five on the list (page 128):

1. Who Killed Davey Moore – Bob Dylan (1963)
2. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys (1962)
3. All Kinds of Time – Fountains of Wayne (2003)
4. Racing in the Streets – Bruce Springsteen (1978)
5. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel (1969)

To read the online version of The Ultimate Play List, click here.

On the Tablets: Samples of all 40 songs on the list.

SI PLAYERS MLB POLL
Which athlete in another sport would make the best baseball player? (page TK)

Michael Vick, Eagles QB….16%             Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB….7%
LeBron James, Heat F….13%                Drew Brees, Saints QB….4%
Sidney Crosby, Penguins C….7%

[Based on 269 MLB players who responded to SI’s survey]

FAST FACTS: Of the 31 athletes who received more than one vote, all but seven are from football (18) or basketball (6)…. Despite not playing baseball at Virginia Tech, Vick was drafted by the Rockies in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB draft…. Crosby, who played baseball until age 13, hit a 370-foot homer in batting practice at PNC Park in 2010.

Facebook Fan Picks
Tom Brady, Patriots QB….35%
Kobe Bryant, Lakers F….8%
Tiger Woods, Golfer….8%

POINT AFTER: BATTLEFIELD TO BALL FIELD – PHIL TAYLOR (@SI_PhilTaylor)
On senior writer Phil Taylor’s new favorite team, the shortstop is missing his right foot and one of the outfielders is missing his right arm up to his shoulder. So it goes with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, each member of was wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq. Yet opponents underestimate the team at their own risk. In the Warriors’ first game, in May, they beat a team from the FBI 35–10. Says the Warriors’ shortstop, former Army Spc. Matt Kinsey (page 144): “Whatever part of your body you lost, you’re not going to grow it back. So we don’t really sit around feeling bad about what happened to us. We chose to just get on with it.”

To read the full online version of Battlefield to Ball Field, click here.

SCORECARD: TWEET SMELL OF #SUCCESS – L. JON WERTHEIM (@jon_wertheim)
On the fifth anniversary of the company, it’s a good time to acknowledge that Twitter has become a permanent part of the sports firmament, moving well beyond 140-character ruminations. It’s used to shape the real-time conversation surrounding games, help fans get “digital autographs” from their favorite players and aid athletes who want to connect with consumers, brand themselves and move products. Says Cleveland guard Baron Davis, Twitter handle @Baron_Davis (page 20): “It’s a way of getting your voice out there, your personality across, where in the past, you had other people speaking for you. It’s all you, so there’s no manipulating the message.”

To read the full online version of Tweet Smell of #Success, click here.

THIS WEEK’S FACES IN THE CROWD: SPECIAL ARMED FORCES EDITION (page 32)

• Tim Jefferson Jr. (Atlanta/Air Force) – Football
• Nicholas Halbach (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Merchant Marine Academy) – Diving
• Hayley Feindel (River Ridge, La./Coast Guard Academy) – Softball
• Angela Myers (San Antonio/Navy) – Basketball
• Clint Moore (Greensboro, N.C./Army) – Baseball
• Kenton Alston (Harrisburg, Pa./Marine Corps) – Basketball

Follow Faces in the Crowd on Twitter @SI_Faces

INSIDE THE WEEK IN SPORTS (page 36)

• Baseball: Field Leveled – With offense at historically low levels, 20 teams are still in the playoff hunt as the season hits its midpoint. (Tom Verducci)
  • On the Tablets: A slideshow and video highlights of some of the first half’s most memorable moments.
• The NFL: Sharing Secrets – Talk of revenue sharing has been mostly absent from reports of CBA negotiations. Is change in the offing? (Jim Trotter, @SI_JimTrotter)
• Soccer: Resurrection – Youthful creativity won the Gold Cup for Mexico—and earned Freddy Adu new life in a U.S. uniform. (Grant Wahl, @GrantWahl)
  • On the Tablets: Soccer podcast with Wahl, Steve Davis, Jen Chang and Mark Mravic
• Tennis: Growing Pains – Once it was not uncommon for teenagers to rule the majors. Now, they’re a rare sight in the later rounds. (L. Jon Wertheim, @jon_wertheim)
• College Football: Better Duck – Oregon’s ties with a scouting service owner raise plenty of questions but likely not enough to spell sanctions. (Andy Staples, @Andy_Staples)
• Olympic Sports: Star Search – Who will be the new face of U.S. track and field? Several candidates emerged at the national championships. (Tim Layden, @SITimLayden)
  • On the Tablets: A multimedia recap of the US Track and Field Championships from Eugene, Ore.
• NASCAR: Ready to Win? – Getting that first Cup victory is the toughest task in NASCAR—and new winners are what the sport needs. (Lars Anderson, @LarsAndersonSI)

That will do it.

Ratings For First Half of TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series Up From 2010

Continuing on the trend of the 2011 NASCAR season, TNT is saying that through the first half of its six race NASCAR Sprint Cup season, ratings are up 7% from last year and averaging a 3.1 rating thus far. In addition, the races are averaging a viewership of just under 5.1 million people. Last Saturday’s race in Sonoma, CA received a 3.2 rating which is up 17% from 2010 and an average viewership of slightly under 5.2 million which is up 16%.

TNT says its online RaceBuddy companion also saw a huge jump in live streams. So let’s take a look at the press release from Turner Sports.

TNT NASCAR Summer Series Coverage Averaging Nearly 5.1 Million Viewers Through First Three Weeks of Coverage

TNT Coverage of the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Sonoma Scores 17% increase with a 3.2 Overall U.S. HH Rating and Nearly 5.2 million viewers
TNT’s RaceBuddy Continues To Shine with 848,000 Video Streams, Up +211% from Last Year and +16% from Last Week as Sonoma Records Second-Highest Total in RaceBuddy History

The TNT NASCAR 2011 Sprint Cup Series is off to a solid start through the network’s first three weeks of racing with an average of 5,097,000 viewers, up +7% over the 2010 total season average, and a 3.1 U.S. HH rating (up +3%).

TNT’s coverage on Sunday of the Toyota/SaveMart 350 from Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway earned a 3.2 U.S. HH rating, an increase of 17% from last year’s race. In addition, the race garnered 5,188,000 total viewers (up + 16%) and averaged 3,743,000 households (up + 21%).

NASCAR.com’s RaceBuddy continues to complement TNT’s television coverage with 848,000 video streams during Sunday’s race in Sonoma. Sunday’s race eclipsed last year’s RaceBuddy video stream total from Sonoma by 211% and last week’s video stream total from Michigan by 16% and became the second-highest total in RaceBuddy history behind TNT’s first race of the 2011 Summer Series in Pocono that saw a record-breaking 1.1 million video streams.

Additional TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.COM highlights from Sunday include:

• RaceBuddy Player Page Views +93%, (256,000 vs. 133,000 in 2010)
• RaceBuddy Player Visits +94%, (142,000 vs. 73,000 in 2010)
• RaceBuddy Player Unique Users +77%, (115,000 vs. 65,000 in 2010)
• 5 million total minutes streamed

That will do it.

NFL Network’s “The Top 100: Players of 2011″ Concludes Sunday

While the lockout has continued, NFL Network had original programming unveiling the Top 100 Players of today. It was similar to NFL’s Top 100, the naming of the greatest players of all time with introductions and tributes from one person discussing the player being shown on the screen. I haven’t seen this version yet, but since it’s produced by NFL Films, I’m sure it’s of high quality. The top 10 will be revealed on Sunday following a discussion program hosted by Fang’s Bites fave Lindsay Soto. It all begins Sunday night at 8 Eastern time. Here’s the press release from NFL Network.

NFL PLAYERS HAVE SPOKEN –The Top 100: Players of 2011 Unveils Top 10

Four Hours Dedicated to Naming the Top NFL Players of Today, as Determined by the Players Sunday, July 3 Beginning at 7:00 PM ET with‘The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview’
Final Top 10 Players Unveiled in Extended Two-Hour NFL Films-Produced Special at 8:00 PM ET
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Visits NFL Network and Weighs In on Top 10 During Live ‘Reactions’ Show at 10:00 PM ET
Encore of Previous Nine ‘Top 100’ Episodes Begins at 10:00 AM ET on Sunday
Complete List of Players Ranked #100-11 on NFL.com

After nine weeks, we are down to the top 10.  Who will be ranked number one?

The 10 greatest NFL players of 2011, as determined by current players, will be unveiled Sunday, July 3 at 8:00 PM ET in a two-hour series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011.

Prior to the conclusion of the series, a special The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview airs at 7:00 PM ET featuring host Lindsay Soto and analysts Brian Baldinger and Solomon Wilcots, which leads into the two-hour finale unveiling five players in each hour. For the special final episode, multiple presenters will be featured for the top 10, giving their thoughts on why each deserves a spot among the top 10 current players in the NFL.

The two key questions remaining are “Who are the Top 10?” and “Who is #1?” Following are some notes and quotes from NFL Films President Steve Sabol on the Top 10 players.

• “It’s the internal that makes him so good and what he has in his guts isn’t nearly so elegant. It’s a taste, not just for winning, but for perfection.” – NFL Films president Steve Sabol on the player ranked No. 1 on the list by his peers

• The average age of the final 10 players is 31. The youngest player checks in at 25, while the oldest player recently celebrated his 36^th birthday in May.

• “Every Sunday it looks as if he got a copy of the test before walking into the classroom while everyone came in cold. His preparation is legendary and his feel for the game is unsurpassed.” – Steve Sabol on the second-ranked player on The Top 100: Players of 2011

• The final 10 players are equally split between offense and defense.

• “He is an impact player…alters the game. Everyone is aware of his presence when the game is on the line.” – Steve Sabol

• Since 1997, players in the top 10 have accumulated 65 Pro Bowl honors, eight Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl MVP awards.

• “He has ‘disruption ability.’ He has the capacity to create a moment of pure wonder.” – Steve Sabol

Among the presenters featured in the two-hour series finale are previously ranked players Patrick Willis (No. 23), Jonathan Vilma (No. 37), Terrell Suggs (No. 40), Ben Roethlisberger (No. 41) and Terrell Owens (No. 91), as well as head coaches Rex Ryan, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, Leslie Frazier and Jack Del Rio.

Immediately following the series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011, the final episode of The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Reactions airs live at 10:00 PM ET. Vikings RB and four-time Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson will be live in-studio, joining Soto, Baldinger and Wilcots with their final thoughts on the entire list and the top 10 players.

The voice of the fan has been a large part of The Top 100 series, with viewer comments posted on Facebook and Twitter and fan video rants being featured on Reactions. During The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview show, the Top 10 Players of 2011, as voted by the fans via NFL.com, will be revealed. With nearly 20 million votes cast online in eight weeks, viewers will be able to see how the voice of the fan and the voice of the player compare.

Produced by NFL Films, The Top 100: Players of 2011 on NFL Network gave current players the opportunity to vote for the top 100 playmakers today, counting down from 100 to 1. Each player on the countdown is saluted by an individual close to the subject, from a coach to a rival on the field.

Below are the player rankings (and presenters) which have been revealed to date. For an updated list and to see where the fans ranked each player, visit http://top100.nfl.com/

Player Team Presenter

100)     Donovan McNabb                  Redskins                                 Brian Westbrook
99)       Chad Clifton                            Packers                                   Jon Gruden
98)       Darren McFadden                  Raiders                                    Maurice Jones-Drew
97)       Shaun Phillips                         Chargers                                 Kirk Morrison
96)       Nick Collins                             Packers                                   Dom Capers
95)       Jon Beason                             Panthers                                  John Fox
94)       Frank Gore                             49ers                                       Takeo Spikes
93)       Eric Berry                                Chiefs                                      Todd Haley
92)       Lance Briggs                           Bears                                       Mike Martz
91)       Terrell Owens                         Bengals                                   Brandon Marshall

90)       Joe Flacco                              Ravens                                    John Harbaugh
89)       Adrian Wilson                          Cardinals                                 Ken Whisenhunt
88)       Vernon Davis                          49ers                                       Takeo Spikes
87)       Jordan Gross                          Panthers                                  John Fox
86)       Josh Freeman                         Buccaneers                             John Abraham
85)       Jason Babin                            Titans                                      Jim Washburn
84)       Josh Cribbs                             Browns                                    Pat Shurmur
83)       Mike Williams                          Buccaneers                             Josh Freeman
82)       LaMarr Woodley                     Steelers                                   Damien Woody
81)       BJ Raji                                    Packers                                   Shaun O’Hara

80)       Jared Allen                              Vikings                                    Leslie Frazier
79)       D’Brickashaw Ferguson         Jets                                         Brian Schottenheimer
78)       Dallas Clark                            Colts                                        Jon Gruden
77)       Chris Snee                              Giants                                      Shaun O’Hara
76)       Santonio Holmes                    Jets                                         Rex Ryan
75)       Jay Ratliff                               Cowboys                                 Tom Coughlin
74)       Greg Jennings                        Packers                                   Mike McCarthy
73)       Trent Cole                               Eagles                                     Andy Reid
72)       Tony Romo                             Cowboys                                 Jason Garrett
71)       Mario Williams                        Texans                                    Gary Kubiak

70)       Miles Austin                             Cowboys                                 Jason Garrett
69)       John Abraham                        Falcons                                   Josh Freeman
68)       Antrel Rolle                             Giants                                      Calais Campbell
67)       Brian Waters                           Chiefs                                      Takeo Spikes
66)       Richard Seymour                   Raiders                                    Romeo Crennel
65)       Vonta Leach                            Texans                                    Kirk Morrison
64)       Tamba Hali                             Chiefs                                      Osi Umenyiora
63)       Cameron Wake                      Dolphins                                  Tony Sparano
62)       Jerod Mayo                             Patriots                                    Bill Belichick
61)       Brandon Marshall                    Dolphins                                  Jon Gruden

60)       Justin Tuck                             Giants                                      Steve Spagnuolo
59)       Jeff Saturday                          Colts                                        Peyton Manning
58)       Brandon Lloyd                         Broncos                                   Brian Dawkins
57)       Andre Gurode                         Cowboys                                 Tony Sparano
56)       Ray Rice                                 Ravens                                    Maurice Jones-Drew
55)       Carl Nicks                               Saints                                      Jonathan Vilma
54)       Asante Samuel                       Eagles                                     Juan Castillo
53)       Marques Colston                     Saints                                      Jon Gruden
52)       Matt Ryan                               Falcons                                   Jerry Glanville
51)       Ndamukong Suh                     Lions                                        Mike Tice

50)       Wes Welker                            Patriots                                    Chan Gailey
49)       Brian Urlacher                         Bears                                       Lovie Smith
48)       Champ Bailey                         Broncos                                   Terrell Owens
47)       Nick Mangold                          Jets                                         Brian Schottenheimer
46)       Tony Gonzalez                        Falcons                                   Mike Tomlin
45)       Dwayne Bowe                        Chiefs                                      Todd Haley
44)       Robert Mathis                         Colts                                        Raheem Brock
43)       Joe Thomas                            Browns                                    Josh Cribbs
42)       Michael Turner                        Falcons                                   Adewale Ogunleye
41)       Ben Roethlisberger                 Steelers                                   Ken Whisenhunt

40)       Terrell Suggs                           Ravens                                    John Harbaugh
39)       Logan Mankins                       Patriots                                    Bill Belichick
38)       Steven Jackson                      Rams                                      Steve Spagnuolo
37)       Jonathan Vilma                       Saints                                      Drew Brees
36)       Jason Witten                           Cowboys                                 Vernon Davis
35)       Vince Wilfork                          Patriots                                    Jonathan Vilma
34)       Jahri Evans                             Saints                                      Sean Payton
33)       Jamaal Charles                       Chiefs                                      Shaun Phillips
32)       Devin Hester                           Bears                                       Lovie Smith
31)       Reggie Wayne                        Colts                                        Brandon Marshall

30)       Maurice Jones-Drew              Jaguars                                   Montell Owens
29)       DeSean Jackson                    Eagles                                     Todd Herremans
28)       Jake Long                               Dolphins                                  Channing Crowder
27)       Calvin Johnson                       Lions                                        Jim Schwartz
26)       Philip Rivers                            Chargers                                 Norv Turner
25)       Arian Foster                            Texans                                    Vonta Leach
24)       Roddy White                           Falcons                                   Mike Smith
23)       Patrick Willis                           49ers                                       Takeo Spikes
22)       Antonio Gates                         Chargers                                 Mike Tomlin
21)       James Harrison                      Steelers                                   Damien Woody

20)       Michael Vick                           Eagles                                     Josh Freeman
19)       Clay Matthews                        Packers                                   Kevin Greene
18)       Nnamdi Asomugha                 Raiders                                    Brandon Lloyd
17)       Haloti Ngata                            Ravens                                    Maurice Jones-Drew
16)       Charles Woodson                   Packers                                   Dom Capers
15)       Dwight Freeney                      Colts                                        Matt Light
14)       Larry Fitzgerald                       Cardinals                                 Todd Haley
13)       Chris Johnson                         Titans                                      Kirk Morrison
12)       DeMarcus Ware                     Cowboys                                 Osi Umenyiora
11)       Aaron Rodgers                        Packers                                   Larry Fitzgerald

And that does it.

NFL Network’s Programming Through Tuesday

We have what’s on NFL Network through early next week. Check out what’s on tap on NFL.com too.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROGRAMMING NOTES (6/28 – 7/5)

TOP 10 PLAYERS REVEALED ON FINAL EDITION OF THE TOP 100: PLAYERS OF 2011 SUNDAY, JULY 3 AT 8:00 PM ET
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Live In-Studio on The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions at 10:00 PM ET
NFL Network Debut of Emmy Award-Winning Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets
July 4th Specials Feature Hard Knocks Marathon with Chiefs, Cowboys & Bengals Series Installments & Jets Episodes 1 & 2
CFL Action Kicks Off With Two Games Starting Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 PM ET

The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reveals the Top 10 Players in Two-Hour Finale Sunday, July 3 at 8:00 PM ET; Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Live In-Studio on The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions at 10:00 PM ET
After nine weeks, the top 10 players of 2011 as determined by current NFL players are revealed on July 3 at 8:00 PM ET in a two-hour series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011. Sunday night features four hours of new Top 100 programming, starting at 7:00 PM ET.

Multiple presenters introduce the players and give their thoughts as to why each deserves to be included in the top 10, with five players unveiled each hour. Among the presenters featured are previously ranked players Patrick Willis (No. 23), Jonathan Vilma (No. 37), Terrell Suggs (No. 40), Ben Roethlisberger (No. 41) and Terrell Owens (No. 91), as well as head coaches Rex Ryan, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, Leslie Frazier and Jack Del Rio.

Prior to the series finale, The Top 100: Players of 2011 Finale Preview show airs at 7:00 PM ET. Host Lindsay Soto and analysts Brian Baldinger and Solomon Wilcots recap players No. 100-11 and give their opinions on which player will be revealed as the greatest player of 2011.

Immediately following the conclusion of The Top 100: Players of 2011, the final episode of The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions airs at 10:00 PM ET. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson joins Baldinger, Wilcots and Soto live in-studio to discuss the players revealed and wrap up this year’s installment.

Last week, players No. 20-11 were revealed. Below is a list of the players along with their presenters in parentheses:

20. Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles (Josh Freeman):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077be7/Top-100-Michael-Vick

19. Clay Matthews – Green Bay Packers (Kevin Greene):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077b9b/Top-100-Clay-Matthews

18. Nnamdi Asomugha – Oakland Raiders (Brandon Lloyd):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077b9d/Top-100-Nnamdi-Asomugha

17. Haloti Ngata – Baltimore Ravens (Maurice Jones-Drew)
16. Charles Woodson – Green Bay Packers (Dom Capers):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/green-bay-packers/09000d5d82077b99/Top-100-Charles-Woodson

15. Dwight Freeney – Indianapolis Colts (Matt Light)
14. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals (Todd Haley):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077b9c/Top-100-Larry-Fitzgerald

13. Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans (Kirk Morrison):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077b0a/Top-100-Chris-Johnson

12. DeMarcus Ware – Dallas Cowboys (Osi Umenyiora):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077b9a/Top-100-DeMarcus-Ware

11. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers (Larry Fitzgerald):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d82077ae5/Top-100-Aaron-Rodgers

For an updated list and to see where the fans ranked each player, visit http://top100.nfl.com/

Below are video links and quotes from last week’s The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions episode:

- Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware appears live in-studio to discuss his No. 12 ranking:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d8207f0c3/Ware-I-should-have-been-No-1

- Analysts Marshall Faulk, Jamie Dukes, Willie McGinest and Jay Glazer, and Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware discuss Michel Vick’s No. 20 ranking:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d8207f07e/Vick-ranked-too-high

- NFL Network analysts examine Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ No. 11 ranking:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d8207f22c/Debating-Rodgers-ranking-Too-high-or-too-low

- “I should be the number one guy on the list.” – DeMarcus Ware on his No. 12 ranking on the list

- “Michael Vick is the type of quarterback they always hoped he’d be: he’s there first, he leaves last; he does the extra film work; he’s in with the other assistant coaches trying to learn other positions. He’ll be a more complete quarterback. In the future years, he’ll climb up this list.” – Jay Glazer on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who ranked No. 20

- “In 10 years from now, we’re going to be talking about this guy without a doubt Hall of Fame worthy.” – Jay Glazer on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who ranked No. 11

DeMarcus Ware’s Top 5 Pass Rushers (not including himself)
1. Julius Peppers – Chicago Bears
2. Dwight Freeney – Indianapolis Colts
3. Jared Allen – Minnesota Vikings
4. James Harrison – Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Clay Matthews – Green Bay Packers

NFL Network Debut of Emmy Award-Winning Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets; Hard Knocks Marathon on Monday, July 4
The Emmy Award-winning Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets makes its NFL Network debut. A sneak peak is featured on Sunday, July 3 at 11:00 PM ET following the series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011.

Following the sneak peak, the Jets Hard Knocks episodes debut Monday, July 4 through July 7 at 8:00 PM ET, with the final two episodes on Thursday.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets is also featured as part of the Hard Knocks 4th of July marathon, which includes three full seasons of the critically-acclaimed NFL Films-produced series. The marathon begins with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2007, followed by the 2008 Dallas Cowboys and the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals.

Below is a schedule of the 4th of July Hard Knocks marathon and Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets:

Monday, July 4
4:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 1
5:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 2
6:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 3
7:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 4
8:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 5
9:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 1
10:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 2
11:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 3
12 NOON ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 4
1:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 5
2:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 1
3:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 2
4:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 3
5:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 4
6:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 5
***8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 1***
***9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 2***

Tuesday, July 5
8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 2
9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 3

Wednesday, July 6
8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 3
9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 4

Thursday, July 7
8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 4
9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets – 2010, Episode 5

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets garnered three Emmys in 2010 in the categories of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology, Outstanding Camera Work and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. In the six seasons of Hard Knocks, NFL Films has won a total of seven Emmy Awards, including two in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology and three in the category of Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound.

Bengals LB Dhani Jones, Grammy Award-Winning Musician John Legend & Actor Kevin James Featured on the Latest Edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ Thursday, June 30 at 10:30 PM ET on NFL Network & NFL.com/iTunes
The latest edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ on NFL Network airs on Thursday, June 30 at 10:30 PM ET and is available on NFL.com and iTunes.

This week, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones appears in-studio to discuss the possibility of returning to Cincinnati, the future for quarterback Carson Palmer, and his new book The Sportsman: Unexpected Lessons from an Around-the-World Sports Odyssey.

Also featured on this week’s edition are Grammy Award-winning musician John Legend, and the star of the upcoming movie Zookeeper, actor Kevin James.

The podcast will be available for download on NFL.com and iTunes on Thursday immediately following the network debut.

Last week, former Super Bowl-winning defensive end for the New York Giants and current studio analyst on Fox NFL Sunday Michael Strahan joined Eisen and NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp in-studio for a lively discussion. The two former players re-lived their weekly segment on NFL Network which pitted one against the other on their respective Team Cams, as well as discussed one of Strahan’s former teammates, Tiki Barber.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew also appeared as an in-studio guest and talked about the motivation that comes from being drafted in the second round, being named No. 30 on NFL Network’s The Top 100: Players of 2011 and what the Jaguars need to do to win the AFC South.

Rounding out the guest list was actor Jason Sudeikis, star of the upcoming movie Horrible Bosses and cast member of Saturday Night Live.

Quotes from last week’s edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’:

- “I didn’t think much of him when he did play. I mean that’s the whole point. He was a fumbler all the way through his life, and then all of a sudden, somebody taught him how to hold the ball up high. And then he [left the Giants] and said, Eli [Manning] can’t lead them and they’ll never win a championship.” – Warren Sapp on former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber

- “If it comes to playing football, he can play.” – Michael Strahan on former teammate, Tiki Barber

- “I was happy that I made the list. But, there’s a part of me saying it’s not enough. I need more, I want more.” – Maurice Jones-Drew on being ranked No. 30 on The Top 100: Players of 2011

Canadian Football League Returns to NFL Network with Two Games – B.C. Lions-Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 PM ET & Toronto Argonauts-Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, July 2 at 8:00 PM ET
The Canadian Football League returns to NFL Network with two games per week, beginning on Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 PM ET when the defending Grey Cup Champion Montreal Alouettes host the B.C. Lions. On Saturday, July 2 at 8:00 PM ET, the Toronto Argonauts travel to face the Calgary Stampeders.

This season, NFL Network will broadcast two CFL games per week, with the option to show additional games in the regular season, the CFL Playoffs and the Grey Cup championship game. Last season, NFL Network carried 14 CFL games.

Below is the first five weeks of the 2011 Canadian Football League schedule on NFL Network:

Week 1
Thursday, June 30                  British Columbia @ Montreal              7:30 PM ET
Saturday, July 2                      Toronto @ Calgary                             8:00 PM ET

Week 2
Saturday, July 9                      Montreal @ Saskatchewan                4:00 PM ET
Saturday, July 9                      Hamilton @ Edmonton                       7:00 PM ET

Week 3
Saturday, July 16                    Saskatchewan @ Hamilton                4:00 PM ET
Saturday, July 16                    British Columbia @ Edmonton           7:00 PM ET

Week 4
Saturday, July 23                    Edmonton @ Calgary                         7:00 PM ET
Sunday, July 24                      Saskatchewan @ Montreal                7:00 PM ET

Week 5
Thursday, July 28                   British Columbia @ Winnipeg             8:00 PM ET
Saturday, July 30                    Calgary @ Saskatchewan                  9:30 PM ET

Orlando Predators Host Pittsburgh Power in Crucial American Conference Game on “Arena Football Friday” July 1 at 8:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Power (8-6) travel to face the Orlando Predators (8-6) in a crucial American Conference matchup rife with playoff implications on NFL Network’s “Arena Football Friday” on Friday, July 1 at 8:00 PM ET. Fran Charles provides the play-by-play while Steve Wyche serves as game analyst. Anthony Herron provides reports from the sidelines of the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

In their inaugural season, the Power currently sit in a tie with the Cleveland Gladiators atop the East Division of the American Conference. Meanwhile, the Predators are on the edge of a Wild Card berth with an 8-6 record. Four teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs – the two division winners and two Wild Card teams.

The Power enter the game coming off a narrow victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs, a 39-38 win thanks to a late touchdown reception by wide receiver Lonnell Dewalt. On the other side of the ball, the Predators look to halt a three-game losing streak. This game is the first and long meeting of the season between the two teams.

Pittsburgh is making its second of three appearances on NFL Network this season. The Power kicked off the “Arena Football Friday” schedule with a 58-52 loss at home to the Philadelphia Soul on March 11. Orlando is making its fourth and final NFL Network appearance this season. In their previous three nationally televised games, the Predators are 1-2, with a win against the Tampa Bay Storm (63-61, May 6) and losses to the Storm (46-44, June 17) and the Jacksonville Sharks (76-55, April 30).

Last week on “Arena Football Friday,” the Utah Blaze defeated the Kansas City Command 61-60 at EnergySolutions Arena to remain in contention for the final playoff spot in the National Conference. Utah quarterback Tommy Grady threw eight touchdown passes to increase his season total to 103. Kansas City quarterback Steve Wasil threw seven touchdown passes in the loss.

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM

Thursday, June 30

• CHAT: Steve Wyche (12 NOON ET)

Friday, July 1

• CHAT: Bucky Brooks (12 NOON ET)

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

Wednesday, June 29
12 NOON – 1992 Buffalo Bills
12:30 PM – NFL’s Greatest Games: Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers – 1992 AFC Wild Card Game
2:00 PM – 2004 Philadelphia Eagles
2:30 PM – 2004 New England Patriots
3:00 PM – Game of the Week: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl XXXIX
4:00 PM – 1986 Denver Broncos
4:30 PM – NFL’s Greatest Games: Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns – 1986 AFC Championship Game
6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Quarterbacks of the 80s
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #30-21
9:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #20-11
10:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #20-11
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Thursday, June 30
12 NOON – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #20-11
1:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #20-11
2:00 PM – 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
2:30 PM – Game of the Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks – Super Bowl XL
3:30 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #20-11
4:30 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #20-11
5:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Overtime Finishes
6:30 PM – NFL Total Access
7:30 PM – Canadian Football League: B.C. Lions vs. Montreal Alouettes
10:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Friday, July 1
12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Characters
1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Defenses
2:00 PM – 2006 Chicago Bears
2:30 PM – 2006 Indianapolis Colts
3:00 PM – Game of the Week: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears – Super Bowl XLI
4:00 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
4:30 PM – Sound FX: Bill Belichick
5:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Defenses
6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Games With Names
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Arena Football Friday: Pittsburgh Power vs. Orlando Predators
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Saturday, July 2
9:00 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
9:30 AM – Sound FX: Bill Belichick
10:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #30-21
11:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #20-11
12 NOON – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #20-11
1:00 PM – 1986 Denver Broncos
1:30 PM – NFL’s Greatest Games: Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns – 1986 AFC Championship Game
3:00 PM – America’s Game: 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers
4:00 PM – America’s Game: 2009 New Orleans Saints
5:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Dallas Cowboys
6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Pittsburgh Steelers
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Canadian Football League: Toronto Argonauts vs. Calgary Stampeders
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Sunday, July 3
7:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Characters
8:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Dallas Cowboys
9:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #100-91
11:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #90-81
12 NOON – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #80-71
1:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #70-61
2:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #60-51
3:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #50-41
4:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #40-31
5:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #30-21
6:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #20-11
7:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Finale Preview
8:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #10-6
9:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #5-1
10:00 PM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #10-1
11:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #1
12 MIDNIGHT – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #10-6
1:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011: #5-1
2:00 AM – The Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions: #10-1
3:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #1
4:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs: Episode #1
5:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs: Episode #2

Monday, July 4
6:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs: Episode #3
7:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs: Episode #4
8:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs: Episode #5
9:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys: Episode #1
10:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys: Episode #2
11:00 AM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys: Episode #3
12 NOON – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys: Episode #4
1:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys: Episode #5
2:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals: Episode #1
3:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals: Episode #2
4:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals: Episode #3
5:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals: Episode #4
6:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals: Episode #5
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #1
9:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #2
10:00 PM – Sound FX: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets – Thanksgiving Day, 2010
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Tuesday, July 5
12 NOON – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #1
1:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #2
2:00 PM – Hey Rookie Welcome to the NFL: 2004
3:00 PM – Hey Rookie Welcome to the NFL: 2005
4:00 PM – Sound FX: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets – Thanksgiving Day, 2010
5:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #1
6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Gutsiest Calls
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #2
9:00 PM – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets: Episode #3
10:00 PM – America’s Game: 1968 New York Jets
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

And that will conclude this post which was supposed to go up before 12:30 a.m., but because I fell asleep with the computer on, it’s going up now.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Cycling
Tour de France Preview — Versus, 7 p.m.

MLB
Interleague
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay — Fox Sports Ohio/Sun Sports, noon
Los Angeles Dodgers at Minnesota — Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Fox Sports North, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at Seattle — SportSouth/Root Sports Northwest, 3:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Arizona — STO/Fox Sports Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
Boston at Philadelphia — ESPN/NESN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at New York Yankees – Fox Sports Wisconsin/YES, 7 p.m.
New York Mets at Detroit — SNY/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Toronto — Root Sports Pittsburgh/Sportsnet One, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Baltimore — Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.
Washington at Anaheim Angels — MASN2/Fox Sports West, 7 p.m.
Texas at Houston — Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Houston, 8 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Colorado — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Florida at Oakland — Fox Sports Florida/Comcast SportsNet California, 10 p.m.

National League
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/WGN America, 8 p.m.

The Rundown Live — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight Live — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 10 p.m.

NASCAR
Inside NASCAR — Showtime, 9 p.m.

Tennis
The Championships, Wimbledon: Men’s Quarterfinals — ESPN2, 7 a.m./NBC, 10 a.m. (in all time zones)/ESPN2, 1 p.m. (ESPNews on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time)

Wimbledon Primetime — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.
Wimbledon Update — NBC, 11:35 p.m.

Women’s World Cup
Group D
Norway vs. Equatorial Guinea — ESPN, 8:45 a.m.
Brazil vs. Australia — ESPN, 11:45 a.m.

Entertainment
Web Soup — G4, 8 p.m.
America’s Got Talent — NBC, 9 p.m.
Franklin & Bash — TNT, 9 p.m.
Primetime Nightline: Beyond Belief — ABC, 10 p.m.
Locked Up Abroad: Heroin Sting — National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
Necessary Roughness (series premiere) — USA, 10 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Fang’s Bites at Boston Sports Blogapalooza

The lovely Jessica Camerato of Comcast SportsNet interviewed four bloggers at Boston Sports Blogapalooza including yours truly about why we attended Saturday’s event at West End Johnnie’s. Carl Desberg of Boston Sports Then & Now, Kat Hasenauer of Sports Girl Kat, Bob Hyldburg of Total Patriots and myself were interviewed. Now three of the four people look fine. If I could take the opportunity to superimpose the old WWF Big Red X over my face, I would, but I can’t. Turn away from the screen and just listen to my answers to Jessica. It’s like the Beauty and Beast when she has to stand next me.

Anyway, here’s the video. Because the video autoplays, I am no longer embedding the video on the site. I would like to embed it here, but I can’t. Perhaps if gets fixed.

TNT Airs “Wide Open” Coverage From Daytona On Saturday Night

TNT will offer its “Wide Open” coverage of the Daytona 400 on Saturday night, live from the Daytona International Speedway. This means commercial-free coverage, plenty of racing and animated sponsor messages throughout the race. I know that NASCAR fans hate missing action during the breaks and this allows for fans to see everything as it happens.

Here’s what TNT is saying about this weekend’s Sprint Cup race from Daytona.

TNT’s Groundbreaking Wide Open Coverage Returns for its Fifth Year in Primetime at the Daytona 400

Wide Open coverage hasn’t missed a total lap of green flag racing over the past two years

TNT’s innovative Wide Open television format will return for the fifth consecutive year during the network’s exclusive coverage of the primetime Daytona 400 on Saturday, July 2. The network’s Wide Open coverage debuted during the 2007 Daytona 400 race and has resulted in only nine missed laps of green flag racing in four years, and zero laps in the last two races.  The groundbreaking format provides continuous race coverage free of national commercial breaks and features more than 20% unobstructed race action, than that of a standard telecast, by using a letterbox widescreen format, which allows for a continuous scroll of race information.  In place of the national ads, the telecast features a variety of animated sponsor messages, unique branded content and distinct on-screen graphic elements.

No stranger to televising NASCAR racing with uninterrupted coverage, Turner was the first network to use side-by-side coverage in 2000 during the UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR Race on Oct. 8 in Charlotte with TBS’ “No Breaks Coverage.”

“We look forward to our fifth consecutive year of providing viewers with continuous green flag racing and more information on the 43 drivers in the field for the signature race of TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series,” said Jeff Behnke, Executive Producer/Senior Vice President of Turner Sports.  “Through TNT and NASCAR.COM, we look forward to providing race fans with an all-access pass to all the sights and sounds of our primetime race in Daytona.”

The network will rev up its pre-race coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET with Countdown to Green with Lindsay Czarniak (host) and Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds (analysts). TNT’s acclaimed Pride of NASCAR series will feature a profile of the three-time National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year Cale Yarborough who won the Daytona 500 four times (1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984).  Joining the studio show prior to the race will be No. 29 Kevin Harvick for an interview to talk about his season. Other pre-race features include McReynolds in a wind tunnel with No. 14 Tony Stewart’s crew chief Darian Grubb to explain how the two-car draft works and why it’s important at Daytona International Speedway.

TNT will air the Daytona 400 beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander calling the race alongside analysts Petty and Wally Dallenbach in the booth.  In addition, McReynolds will make frequent contributions from the infield as he breaks down crew strategy and analyzes car adjustments using the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car (TORC). Pit reporters Chris Neville, Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum will provide reports throughout the race.

TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.COM will once again provide live companion coverage online.  Fans can choose from a total of ten camera views, including two Mosaics. Eight individual camera angles include four In-Car Driver Cams, two Battle Cams highlighting head-to-head competition between drivers, a Backstretch Cam and a Pit Road Cam.  The two Mosaic Views allow fans to view four streams at once.  Returning features to the site include the DVR Function, an Enhanced LIVE Leaderboard and RaceView’s position tracker:  Fans can also connect throughout the race on Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger and MySpace in a seamlessly-integrated social media experience.

2011 NASCAR on TNT Summer Series:
ALL TIMES EASTERN (ET)

SATURDAY, JULY 2
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.	Countdown to Green
7:30 – 11 p.m.	Daytona 400 (Daytona International Speedway)
SATURDAY, JULY 9
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.	Countdown to Green
7:30 – 11 p.m.	NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Kentucky  (Kentucky Speedway)
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Noon – 1 p.m.	Countdown to Green
1 – 4:30 p.m.	NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from New Hampshire (New Hampshire Motor Speedway)

That’s all.

Fox Soccer Crows About Gold Cup Final Ratings

Fox Soccer received an audience of just over 950 thousand viewers and gained a rating of 1.43 for the USA-Mexico Gold Cup Final game on Saturday. Combined with the Univision numbers, you had a total audience of almost 9 million people watching soccer on a dead night for TV (or so the networks would have you believe). That’s quite an impressive number. And the ratings are up almost double from the last Gold Cup Final in 2009 which received a 0.77 rating.

Fox Soccer says Saturday’s viewership beats the previous high of 418,000 viewers for an English Premier League game earlier this year. We have the press release from Fox Soccer.

U.S. – MEXICO GOLD CUP FINAL CRUSHES AUDIENCE RECORD ON FOX SOCCER

Telecast DOUBLES the network’s previous viewership and ratings records

Los Angeles (June 28, 2011) – FOX Soccer drew the largest audience in its history during Mexico’s decisive 4-2 defeat of the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Saturday, June 25, 2011.  According to figures released by Nielsen Media Research, 954,000 viewers watched FOX Soccer’s U.S-Mexico telecast, by far a new FOX Soccer record and the most-watched soccer match on English language cable television since the 2010 World Cup.   The telecast more than doubles FOX Soccer’s previous record of 418,000 viewers for this year’s Chelsea vs. Liverpool “Game Before the Game” pre-Super Bowl telecast on February 6, 2011.

US-Mexico delivered a 1.43 household coverage area rating, becoming the first FOX Soccer telecast in the network’s history to break a 1.0.  The 1.43 nearly doubles FOX Soccer’s previous record HH rating of 0.77 for the 2009 Gold Cup final between the same two countries.

“The US-Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup final was a must see event for American sports fans,” said FOX Soccer General Manager David Nathanson.  “Breaking our viewership record twice in one year speaks to not only the growth of soccer in the United States, but also to the destination FOX Soccer has become in carrying the world’s biggest soccer events.”

The Gold Cup final also delivered record ratings for FOX Soccer in the coveted M18-49 demo, earning a 1.65/383,000 and in the 18-34 year old demo, earning a 1.64 or 194,000 viewers, making it FOX Soccer’s highest key male audience of all time and beating network competitors ABC, CBS and NBC in impressions in that age group from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. ET.

That’s going to do it.

Providing Your Tuesday Linkage

Let’s go for your links today.

Starting with Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated, he explores whether the Women’s World Cup can find an audience and he also scolds Pierre McGuire.

Steve Weiberg of USA Today says a group of former college athletes is suing ESPN and CBS plus other networks for using their likenesses on commercials, promos and classic programming without their permission. This is going to be a very interesting case.

Sergio Non of USA Today says Spike’s replay of an old UFC event beat a new UFC card airing on Versus in the ratings on Sunday.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost looks at the NFL seeking yet another TV package to help drive up revenue.

George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable writes that NBA Digital saw record traffic for the Draft last week.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the Sportsman Channel continues to gain HD access on Comcast systems in the South.

Mike says a couple of presenting sponsors of ESPN’s self-aggrandizing ESPY Awards are back for another year.

Anthony Crupi at Adweek tells us that TNT still has a few spots open for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Daytona this Saturday.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life says the Women’s World Cup is a top draw on TV this week.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser says Fang’s Bites fave Bethanie Mattek-Sands has issued a challenge to the Larry Brown Sports blog.

Chris Ariens at TVSpy notes that there’s a baby boom among female sportscasters in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex including my Twitter friend, Gina Miller of KTVT/KTXA .

Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN’s True Hoop NBA blog network notes that the league’s techies and social media gurus are possibly looking at websites without the likenesses of any of its players in case a lockout becomes reality. Thanks to Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser for the link.

Dan Fogarty from SportsGrid notes that ESPN is stocking up on attractive blond female sportscasters.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with DirecTV Football Cop C.J. Hunter a.k.a. Eli Manning.

Dave Seminara of the New York Times’ Straight Sets blog isn’t a big fan of having to shuffle around NBC and ESPN2 to find the Wimbledon match he wants to watch.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at Tiki Barber’s attempted NFL comeback.

And Neil has more with Tiki in his blog.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog has the results of a local magazine’s sports media poll.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business notes that former Cubs and Nationals manager Jim Riggleman will be a guest analyst for the Cubs-White Sox series on Comcast SportsNet.

The Idaho Press-Tribune notes that CBS Sports Network gets an important pickup in Big Sky country and for fans looking to watch Boise State football.

Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman says CBS Sports Network will be added to a digital tier which means customers will have to pay extra to see it.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times says the NFL is going full speed ahead with a new TV package.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page says Comcast hopes to use a Thursday Night NFL Football package to challenge ESPN.

Jim Barthold of Fierce Cable talks about Comcast desperately wanting to pick up the NFL for Versus.

Barry Janoff of The Big Lead says when athletes tweet, they engage their fans.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says the Pierre McGuire-to-NBC story is just about official.

Sports Media Watch notes that the USA-Mexico Gold Cup Final captured plenty of viewers on Univision.

SMW says the NBC Sports Group has yet to settle on a new name for Versus.

SMW has some announcing recommendations for MLB’s TV partners.

Joe Favorito says it’s time for the Yankees Old Timers Game to shuffle into a new era and bring in a “new generation” of old timers.

Awful Announcing’s Bob Bender is not a fan of ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup or of women’s soccer in general. And the USA played North Korea today, not China.

And I’ll end it there for today.

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

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

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

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

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

Two day broadcast from Fenway Park to help strike out cancer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s it.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Baseball
College World Series, Omaha, NE
Championship Series
Game 2/South Carolina vs. Florida — ESPN, 8 p.m.

MLB
Interleague
Boston at Philadelphia — MLB Network/NESN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay — Fox Sports Ohio/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at New York Yankees — MLB Network/Fox Sports Wisconsin/YES, 7 p.m.
New York Mets at Detroit — SNY/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Toronto — Root Sports Pittsburgh/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Baltimore — Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Minnesota — KCAL/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Texas at Houston — Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Houston, 8 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Colorado — WCIU/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Arizona — STO/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Seattle — SportSouth/Root Sports Northwest, 10 p.m.
Kansas City at San Diego — Fox Sports Kansas City/Cox 4, 10 p.m.
Washington at Anaheim Angels — MASN2/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/WGN America, 2:20 p.m.
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.

The Rundown Live — MLB Network, 3 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight Live — MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Tennis
The Championships, Wimbledon: Ladies’ Quarterfinals — ESPN2, 7 a.m./NBC, 10 a.m./ESPN2, 1 p.m.

Wimbledon Primetime — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.
Wimbledon Update — NBC, 11:35 p.m.

WNBA
Los Angeles at Connecticut — ESPN2, 8 p.m.

Women’s World Cup
Group C
Colombia vs. Sweden — ESPN, 8:45 a.m.
USA vs. North Korea — ESPN, 11:45 a.m.

Entertainment
Wipeout — ABC, 8 p.m.
America’s Got Talent — NBC, 8 p.m.
Feherty — Golf Channel, 9 p.m.
101 Ways to Leave A Game Show — ABC, 9 p.m.
Deadliest Catch: It’s Not All Mai Tais and Yahtzee — Discovery, 9 p.m.
After the Catch: Save Me — Discovery, 10 p.m.
I (Almost) Got Away With It: Got to Impersonate A Guard — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Recap of Boston Sports Blogapalooza III

I had the opportunity last Saturday to attend the third incarnation of Boston Sports Blogapalooza at West End Johnnie’s in Boston. Organized by Joe Gill of the site Boston Sports Then & Now, the event has grown by leaps and bounds from each previous edition.

With more than 150 bloggers in attendance on Saturday, there’s no doubt that bloggers in the New England area want to network, exchange ideas, work together and form alliances that could lead to bigger and better things down the road.

I had the opportunity to cross paths with Boston Celtics beat reporter Jessica Camerato of Comcast SportsNet New England, former WEEI personality Pete Sheppard now of Hurricane Radio.net, former WFXT (Fox 25) sports anchor Butch Sterns who is part of The Pulse Network’s Sports Buzz, Kevin Paul of The Wife Hates Sports, Kat Hasenauer of Sports Girl Kat, Kisha Tapangan of WPRO.com and Necessary Roughness with Kisha, Kathy McConnell of Boston Sports Woman, Russ Goldman of Patsfans, and Mike Riley of WEEI.

There were panel discussions, but to be honest, I did not pay attention to them. I was at the event to network, to meet bloggers who had similar interests as me and to find future opportunities for Fang’s Bites. I cannot stress enough for bloggers in other cities to organize similar events. It does not have to be on the same scale as Blogapalooza, just a mere Tweet Up of 10 to 20 bloggers will provide the impetus for future events and to provide writers with the chance to network.

I’ve found events like Blogapalooza and Blogs With Balls to be very helpful in growing my blog. I’m always happy to meet new people and find what my fellow bloggers are writing about. It makes for an excellent exchange and for a great opportunity to catch up as in the instance of Pete Sheppard with whom I used to work with.

Let’s take a look at what other people are saying about last Saturday’s event.

Kisha Tapangan of Necessary Roughness gives her impressions on Blogapalooza.

Carl Desberg from Boston Sports Then & Now talks about his experience on Saturday.

The Pulse Network’s Sports Buzz has a complete wrap up of the event complete with interviews conducted by Butch Sterns with Jessica Camerato, Pete Sheppard (if you look closely in the background, you can see me talking with Jessica), Kat Hasenauer and Joe Gill.

And the whole thing was done very well complete with a silent auction and a raffle.

I look forward to the next event and I hope that there will be more Blogapaloozas down the road.

Universal Sports Brings A Whole Slew of Skiing Events Into The Fold

Announced today by NBC Sports Group’s Universal Sports arm, the Olympic sports channel has signed a five year deal to air a whole slew of skiing events including Alpine Skiing, Ski Jumping, Cross Country, Nordic Combined and Snowboarding. Universal Sports will get to show events from the International Ski Federation starting this year and run through the 2015-16 season.

We have the official announcement from Universal Sports.

Universal Sports and Infront Announce Exclusive Media Rights Deal for FIS World Cup events

Multi-discipline agreement ensures U.S. coverage of top international skiing and snowboarding events for next five seasons
Network will be home to the 2013 FIS Alpine and Nordic World Championships

Los Angeles, CA—June 27, 2011 – Universal Sports network, the premier destination for Olympic-related sports programming, and international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media have announced an exclusive media rights agreement for a comprehensive number of International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup events through the 2015-16 season. The deal covers each of the World Cup races for FIS Alpine Skiing, Ski Jumping, Cross Country, Nordic Combined, Snowboard and Freestyle, or almost 200 events per season, beginning in the fall of 2011.The new agreement includes rights in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on all platforms, including television, on-line and mobile.

“The agreement with Infront allows our network to continue bringing multi-platform coverage of the FIS World Cup events to millions of winter sport enthusiasts across the U.S.,” said David Sternberg, CEO of Universal Sports. “We are excited to showcase some of the greatest athletes on the planet competing week in and week out at stunning venues around the world.”

“The United States is one of the major sports markets worldwide and – with its successful athletes and prestigious races – also a key nation in skiing,” said Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports. “The prolonged agreement with Universal Sports ensures that the extensive US audience is connected to the FIS World Cup events on a long-term basis. Universal Sports has acquired the rights to transmit an impressive 1,000 events to TV screens across the country over the next five years – in turn this will generate comprehensive exposure for one of the most popular winter sports in the world.”

“In the past you’d see one or two big races broadcast on TV each season, but the FIS World Cup is about a full season of skiing with a million factors coming into play at each race,” said Bode Miller, a five-time Olympic medalist. “The guys who are fast all season are able to process all of those factors, break them down and take the right amount of risk. You can’t see that in one race. It’s cool that Universal Sports is stepping up to show the full World Cup story.”

As part of the deal, Universal Sports has also licensed three dedicated magazine programs on FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Alpine Skiing. Each magazine series is made up of regular 25-minute shows featuring race action, interviews, backstage shots and stories of interest from the world’s top winter sports resorts.

Finally, in a separate agreement with Infront, Universal Sports has also acquired the U.S. media rights for the 2013 FIS Alpine and Nordic World Ski Championships. These biennial events will take place from February 4 to 17, 2013 in Schladming, Austria, and February 20 to March 4, 2013 in Val di Fiemme, Italy, respectively.

That will do it.

Pierre McGuire Creeps People Out

It’s a well-known fact that Pierre McGuire is a close talker. He’s that guy who stands too close to you to talk. There are several examples on YouTube like this video from 2008 during TSN’s coverage of the NHL Trade Deadline when Pierre stood way too close to Darren Dutchyshen. Why does he have to stand sideways and then tell Darren he has a long stick? That’s not too creepy.

And during a game in Buffalo, Pierre touches MSG Buffalo’s Rob Ray and as you can tell, Ray is none too happy about being grabbed. I thought Ray was going to pummel Pierre like he used to do to Tie Domi during his playing days with the Sabres.

And there you have it.