Let’s do some linkage on this wet Monday in the Northeast. I’m building an ark and gathering animals 2×2. If you want to help, let me know.
First, we have this story from the Sports Business Journal. A rare triple byline. John Ourand, Terry Lefton and Daniel Kaplan combine for a story in which ESPN and the NFL have agreed to expand the network’s rights beyond TV. The Alleged Worldwide Leader gets streaming, cell phone and UK TV rights for Monday Night Football, plus it gives the NFL protection in case of a lockout.
Also from SBJ, Terry Lefton goes solo on this story regarding MLB and Disney hooking up for a cross-licensing deal.
Over to USA Today and Friend of Fang’s Bites Michael McCarthy who writes about Erin Andrews whose contract at ESPN is expiring.
Michael David Smith from Pro Football Talk says the ESPN/NFL deal will help to expand the league’s fanbase in the UK.
In the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry gives the recipe for small weekly newspapers on how to survive in this digital age.
Todd Spangler of Multichannel News looks at DirecTV committing to ESPN3D.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel looks at Cox Communications offering 3-D coverage of The Masters to its customers.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks back at impending New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s appearance on 60 Minutes on Sunday.
The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick spews hate at tattooed basketball players. I guess Phil is running out of ideas.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner introduces an addition to Baltimore sports talk radio.
Jim looks at the voting for the best sports radio talk show in DC.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says despite its recent Twitter troubles, the White Sox are speeding ahead with plans for an MLB Network reality show.
Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post feels some of Jay Bilas comments on the year in college basketball should be challenged.
Christopher Goddard of the Los Angeles Times looks at the very sad demise of sportswriter Mike Penner who went through a transition to Christine Daniels, and then back to Mike.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar in SoCal for this week.
Ray MacGregor in the Toronto Globe and Mail suggests the networks use Europeans in the broadcast booth for hockey games. Ok.
Bruce Dowbiggin in the Globe and Mail would like CBC, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet to shake up their hockey formats.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star feels some analysts need translation.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media takes the NHL Network to task for ignoring the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament after airing college hockey during the regular season.
Steve also appeals to hockey purists not to ruin a potential Washington-Pittsburgh Winter Classic.
That’s it for now.
