I’ll give you some linkage today. Been busy with paperwork and getting ready for the end of the month/beginning of the month stuff so that took my time today.
We begin with Michael McCarthy of USA Today who has the some of the names who will show some skin in ESPN The Magazine’s now highly anticipated “Body Issue.”
Sean Leahy of USA Today’s The Huddle blog has Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens blaming the media for trying to goad him into saying something controversial after Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Another link from the Nation’s Newspaper, Michael Hiestand has a look at the ratings from some of this past weekend’s events.
In the Sporting News, Dan Levy of On The DL writes about his experience watching NFL Network’s RedZone.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell discusses a new trading card deal for Kobe Bryant.
The always lovely Daryn Kagan talks about the NFL going pink this weekend to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Evan Weiner tells us why September 30, 1961 is the most important day in the NFL’s TV history.
Amanda Bruno from Batter-up with Bruno looks into the suddenly growing number of sports news sites fighting for Boston’s attention.
Jackie Majerus of the Bristol (CT) Press writes about Usain Bolt’s visit to ESPN and promptly winning a race against several employees. Like he was going to lose.
In the New York Times, Richard Sandomir talks with ESPN’s Bill Simmons about the network’s new “30 for 30” documentary project.
Richard writes that on Sunday when five New York teams played simultaneously, it was the Jets that won the ratings battle.
Newsday’s Neil Best column has a potpourri of topics including locker room champagne spraying, the Jets being ratings kings and NBC’s Rodney Harrison.
Neil has highlights of an ESPN media conference call involving new/old Baseball Tonight analyst Bobby Valentine.
The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman also writes about Valentine’s return to ESPN after six years managing in Japan.
Writing for New York Sportsbeat, Jerry Barmash talks with WFAN update anchor Harris Allen.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that the Oakland Raiders attempted to ban its former QB and current CBS NFL analyst Rich Gannon from a pregame meeting last week.
Laura Nachman says Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson will get his own local radio show.
And Laura writes that CBS’ James Brown will be in Philly this week for a book signing.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says Jets coach Rex Ryan has become a darling of the NFL broadcast partners.
Dave Shenin of the Washington Post says Bobby Valentine’s return to ESPN will lead to speculation about him filling MLB manager openings next season.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News takes a look at the ratings of five of New York sports teams on Sunday and is also beginning his whimsical war with Newsday’s Neil Best again.
Barry says the overnight ratings for last night’s Panthers-Cowboys game were very good in the Metroplex.
Mede Nix of the Morning News notes that ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew noted the lack of vital information on the Cowboys Stadium huge video screen.
And Mede says the mayor of Arlington, TX is happy with ESPN correctly identifying the location of Cowboys Stadium.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Saturday’s Texas Tech-Houston game did well in the local ratings.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Steelers-Bengals game cleaned up in the Queen’s City on Sunday.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business talks with Blackhawks President John McDonough on why he agreed to have the team start the NHL regular season in Finland.
Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times has Rich Gannon’s response to the Raiders’ attempts to ban him from CBS’ broadcast of the Broncos-Oakland game. McDonald is clearly writing with tongue-in-cheek.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star is amazed at how exhibition hockey topped the ratings in Canada over the weekend.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the five things he’d like the NHL TV partners to adopt this season.
Maury Brown in the Biz of Hockey says while ESPN may ignore the NHL in the US, it’ll provide plenty of coverage on its channels in the UK.
Now some links to the Sports Media Watch.
First, CBS saw a ratings drop for its NFL doubleheader on Sunday.
However, Fox had a ratings spike for
its regional NFL coverage.
ABC got a nice ratings boost for its college football coverage.
But NASCAR on ABC continues to slide.
And the Tour Championship on NBC with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in contention rode a nice ratings wave.
Joe Favorito wonders if 24/7 high school sports coverage is a good thing.
Chris Byrne of Eye on Sports Media says in a roundabout way, CBS got a good matchup in LSU-Georgia for Saturday.
And we conclude with the latest edition of the Five from Kristine Leahy of WEEI.com.
That’s going to do it for now.
