Got to work early so I figure that I’ll do linkage early and then do some what I have to do at the office.
Let’s begin with a look at some of the ratings from the weekend via USA Today’s Michael Hiestand.
Michael notes that the Cam Newton saga at the NFL Draft could bring viewers to the table for ESPN and NFL Network despite ongoing lockout drama.
Mike McCarthy of USA Today says Fox’s Howie Long blasted the NFL Scouting Combine in a taping of a Big Lead/The Experts Network Draft Special. Disclaimer: Fang’s Bites is a member of Big Lead Sports, but is an independently owned and operated blog.
A couple of interesting op-ed pieces today. First, NFL Commish Roger Goodell in the Wall Street Journal claims the end of the league as we know it if there’s no collective bargaining agreement with the players.
Next in the Washington Post, Washington DC NFL Team owner Daniel Snyder explains why he’s suing the Washington City Paper and it certainly doesn’t help his argument.
If you want to help the Washington City Paper in its fight against Snyder, go here and lend your support.
To the Sports Business Journal and John Ourand who says ESPN’s new endorsement guidelines are just a small ointment to a bigger problem.
John writes that NBA Draft prospect Jimmer Fredette has authorized a production company to follow him for a potential documentary on his experience leading up to the Draft.
Daniel Kaplan from the SBJ says NFL teams and sponsors are getting ready for the NFL Draft.
And Terry Lefton at the SBJ notes that Michael Vick’s image is at the point where he can endorse products again.
Tom Van Riper at Forbes is in favor of Major League Baseball expanding its playoffs.
Tim Baysinger from Broadcasting & Cable notes that Comcast SportsNet Chicago garnered record ratings for Canucks-Blackhawks Game 6 on Sunday.
Mike Reyolds at Mulitchannel News says NESN received its third highest ever ratings for a Boston Bruins playoff game on Saturday.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has ESPN/ABC’s Mark Jackson calling out ESPN The Magazine for publishing an anonymous NBA player’s column.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says despite first round ousters, the Knicks and Rangers drew very good TV ratings in New York.
Also from SportsNewser, Cam Martin notes that a documentary on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is in the works.
And Alex Weprin of SportsNewser talks with ESPN personality Stephen A. (A is for Angry) Smith.
Bill Mann of Marketwatch.com says the NBC/Versus deal with the NHL will have a ripple effect in Canada.
Ken Kerschbaumer at Sports Video Group looks at NFL Network’s production preparation for the NFL Draft.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says all Judge Susan Nelson did in overturning the NFL lockout was to lead to massive confusion among the league and the players.
The Boston Globe notes that local athletic shoe company, Saucony is launching a new ad campaign that will air on ESPN and other sports networks starting this week.
Paul Devlin of the New Canaan (CT) Patch profiles local resident and ESPN Dictator George Bodenheimer.
Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union has the NFL Draft programming for both ESPN and NFL Network.
Pete says the New York Knicks delivered killer ratings for both ABC and MSG Network.
Pete has the updated NBA Playoffs TV schedule.
From the New Jersey Press, David P. Willis looks at the new Cablevision iPad app which allows subscribers to watch TV programs on their Apple tablets.
In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner wonders why politicians aren’t speaking out against the NFL lockout.
Zach Berman from the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger has five questions for NFL Network Draft guru Mike Mayock.
Mike Jensen from the Philadelphia Inquirer profiles native Mike Mayock of NFL Network.
Joseph Santoliquito of the Marple Newtown (PA) Patch profiles Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia host Michael Barkann who is a longtime resident of the community.
At the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that former DC NFL Team executive Vinny Cerrato will now co-host a nightly radio show in Baltimore.
The Spartanburg (SC) Herald Journal reports that the local ESPN Radio affiliate will pick up high school football games this fall.
Mel Bracht from the Daily Oklahoman notes that TNT’s Mike Fratello got the job done during last night’s Denver-Oklahoma City NBA playoff game.
Bill Haisten from the Tulsa (OK) World says local native Dari Nowkhah of ESPN almost quit TV for teaching until a sudden call from Bristol, CT came his way.
Jamie Samuelsen in the Detroit Free Press says Matt Millen should expect a less-than-warm welcome to Ford Field when he makes his first return there with the Monday Night Football crew this fall.
Robert Snell of the Free Press says NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk owes the IRS a big chunk of change.
Cole Manbeck of the Manhattan (KS) Mercury says Kansas State is expecting a huge cash payment from the new Fox/Big 12 TV deal.
Jeff Wolf of the Las Vegas Journal-Review says baseball fans in town are fed up of being blacked out of six teams that claim the market as their territory.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog goes after Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail for not doing his homework.
Sports Media Watch notes that NBA ratings in Boston and Chicago are way up from last year.
SMW also looks at the local NHL ratings in various markets.
And SMW has some more NHL ratings for us.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the ratings for nights 9 and 10 of the NHL Playoffs on Versus.
And I think we’re done now. Back to work now.
