Let’s do some linkage for you on the day before the real action on the NCAA Tournament begins. I tried watching last night’s Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Wofford game, but I just couldn’t. It was tough. So I went to Lost which was a bit more exciting.
To the links.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks to the CBS executive in charge of putting the tip times together for the NCAA Tournament.
The Nielsen Wire blog looks at Tiger Woods’ return to golf and what it means for the ratings for The Masters.
In Mediapost, Wayne Friedman writes that CBS and ESPN won’t see any more money with increased viewership in The Masters because advertising has already been sold and inventory is limited by the Augusta National Country Club.
Anthony Crupi in Mediaweek says ESPN and CBS should see increased ratings for The Masters with Tiger’s return and the PGA Tour should benefit as a result.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the big winner at The Masters will those be holding the coveted badges to get into Augusta National to see Tiger.
Darren wonders if the controversial secret coin flip that put the New York Jets on the opening Monday night in their new stadium will cost the team or help it.
And Darren gives us an idea what a 96 team NCAA Tournament bracket would look like.
Lisa Olson in Fanhouse says the last six months for Erin Andrews have been a nightmare.
Cameron Frye wonders if two and a half months are enough for Michael David Barrett, the man convicted of stalking Erin.
Eric Fisher in Sports Business Daily reports on the purchase of the Citizen Sports Network by Yahoo.
Claire Atkinson of Broadcasting & Cable says Univision is close to selling out its ad inventory for the World Cup.
Richard Sandomir writes in the New York Times that the New York Giants and New York Jets are in a battle to sell out seats in their new stadium.
Richard says team owners have to work harder in these economic times to make money.
Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News feels CBS’ announcing team won’t be talking much about Tiger Woods’ ordeal during The Masters.
Phil Mushnick in the New York Post says Tiger Woods at The Masters will be must-see TV.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the Thursday NCAA Tournament schedule for the local CBS affiliate.
Pete says Time Warner Cable will pick up the New York State girls’ high basketball championship games.
Laura Nachman says Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and the Philly CBS station will both air NCAA Tournament specials.
Jim Willams in the Washington Examiner writes that Tiger Woods will be lampooned on South Park tonight.
Jim writes that Lance Armstrong’s return to cycling this year will be aired on Universal Sports this weekend.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has Thursday’s NCAA Tournament TV schedule for the Metroplex.
Barry has Friday’s TV schedule and notes one glaring omission.
Barry has more on the aforementioned omission.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle says the Texans are lobbying to be on HBO’s Hard Knocks later this year.
The Chronicle’s David Barron writes about another media feud, this one between CNN’s Roland Martin and ESPN’s Rick Reilly, and adds a few NCAA Tournament notes.
And David is not in favor of the University of Houston playing two home football games on Friday nights in direct competition with high school games.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the local CBS affiliate and its digital station will be able to show twice the action during the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business urges Tiger Woods to speak to the media before The Masters gets underway.
Ed explains why Tiger chose The Masters to make his return to golf.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notices a trend among sports teams to blanket their fans.
Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Globe says the Vancouver effect is producing a ratings mixed bag for Olympic sports.
Amanda Bruno at Batter-up with Bruno notes that the Boston Globe sports section as well as one of its writers have won Associated Press S
ports Editors Awards.
The Sports Media Watch has the weekend overnight ratings.
SMW says Tiger Woods is returning to the PGA Tour at the right time as last weekend’s stop in Florida dropped by over 40% in the ratings.
SMW notes that a good lead-in from the SEC Championship on Sunday gave the Celtics-Cavs good ratings for ABC.
Joe Favorito explores Spongetech which bought sponsorships with teams and venues last year and now is under Federal investigation for faulty business practices.
At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore lists the dates of NHL playoff action on NBC.
Steve investigates why the local ratings for Sunday’s Washington-Chicago game on NBC were low.
We’ll end it there.
