Let’s get to the megalinks today. Lots to get to including some interesting news that is breaking today.
First, the Weekend Viewing Picks are back after a week’s absence. Check out what sports and entertainment viewing recommendations I’ve made.
Now to the links.
National
Developing today is a story out of Boston that CBC and NBC NHL analyst Mike Milbury allegedly assaulted a 12 year old boy during a youth hockey game last week. WCVB in Boston has broken the story and we’ll what develops. Milbury has been charged by police, but still worked on Versus this week.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today says expect more reality TV like HBO’s 24/7 in sports.
Jen Floyd Engel from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes for Fox Sports that Craig James’ US Senate run should be music to college football fans who have had to endure his analysis on ESPN.
In a related note, Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that James is taking leave from ESPN due to his run.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says the NFL, the TV networks and the fans are all winners in the latest 9 year rights deal.
Richard says as he becomes more popular, it’s only natural to see more media coverage of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.
Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable writes that Pac-12 Networks about to take operation next year, has secured headquarters in San Francisco.
John Eggerton of B&C says the American Cable Association is sounding the alarm bell on the new NFL TV deals.
Todd Spangler from Multichannel News writes that AT&T U-Verse customers in Connecticut will see MSG Network and its companion networks in HD starting in January just after Verizon Fios picked them up as well.
Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writing in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center looks at some of the negatives of the new NFL TV deals.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us to prepare for DirecTV and NFL Sunday Ticket in cars. Yes, cars.
Leave it to Deadspin. Tommy Craggs has video of a young Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports appearing in an edition of HBO’s Real Sex from the 1990’s. Hilarious.
Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing breaks down the new NFL TV deals.
In the wee hours of this morning, I wrote some thoughts on the NFL TV deals and HBO’s 24/7 season premiere among other things.
Sports Media Watch says new NBA on TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal will not join Turner Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament in March.
At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore wonders what’s up with a new program listing for NHL Network.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe feels five NBA games on Christmas Day are too many.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times mulls over the numbers in the new NFL TV deals.
Richard reviews the upcoming Army-Navy documentary produced by CBS Sports/Showtime.
George Vescey has written his last “Sports of the Times” column for the New York Times.
Newsday’s Neil Best says New Yorkers will not see New England-Denver on CBS this Sunday.
Neil notes that TNT’s Charles Barkley now endorses Weight Watchers.
Neil looks at Jeff Van Gundy’s frequent flyer mileage as he works two NBA games on Christmas Day.
New York Post curmudgeon Phil Mushnick says NFL TV analysts give Tim Tebow way too much credit.
Justin Terranova of the Post has ESPN/ABC announcer Sean McDonough complaining about too many bowl games.
Terranova has five questions for NFL Today analyst Shannon Sharpe.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union looks at one local radio station’s move to dump the New York Mets in favor of the Boston Red Sox.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette likes the new edition of HBO’s 24/7 Flyers/Rangers.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says there’s nothing like the NFL as a ratings draw.
In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com has the latest sports media news from the Baltimore-Washington, DC area.
At the DC Sports Bog, the Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg notes that John Riggins has ended his daily sports talk show in favor of a new outdoors career.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says the Nationals could see a hefty increase in their rights fee from MASN.
South
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times talks with NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock who will call Saturday’s Dallas-Tampa Bay game with Brad Nessler.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle has some quotes from Fox NFL Sunday analyst Jimmy Johnson.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has quotes from TNT’s Charles Barkley on the two Los Angeles NBA teams.
Mel has TNT’s NBA analysts discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder’s chances this season.
Mel notes that ESPN/ABC’s Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy will be quite busy on Christmas Day.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer looks into the sudden quitting of one local sports talk show host this week.
Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with Fox Sports Detroit NBA analyst Greg Kelser about the Pistons.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers in sports business and media.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that CBS’ Dan Dierdorf gets to call a rare “home” game on Sunday.
West
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the Chargers have avoided a blackout for Sunday night’s game against the Ravens.
John Maffei of the North County Times says Louisiana Tech is happy to finally to have some exposure on the ESPN mothership after being relegated to ESPNU 9 times this season.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes that the Los Angeles Clippers are no longer a media laughingstock.
Jim looks into the new NFL TV deals.
Jim has his weekend viewing picks.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with former DC NFL team QB Mark Rypien and his daughter Angela, who’s now one in the Lingerie Football League.
Tom talks with TNT’s Charles Barkley.
Tom has a few more hits that didn’t make his Barkley column.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail reviews the season premiere of HBO’s 24/7.
And that’s going to do it.
