Doing the linkage now after being all over the place this morning and tomorrow will be much worse as I’ll be out of the office for most of the day so don’t expect too many posts on Thursday. But before that, I can provide the linkage for today.
We’ll begin with Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand who tweets that Fox and the Big 12 Conference are expected to officially announce a long term rights deal today.
There’s plenty of outrage over a column written by Pittsburgh sports personality John Steigerwald in the Washington (PA) Observer Reporter, about the San Francisco Giants fan who was beaten into a coma by two Los Angeles gang members outside Dodger Stadium. Steigerwald said by wearing a Giants uniform into an opposing team’s stadium, 42 year old fan Bryan Stow was basically asking to get beaten up. I can link you to plenty of blogs and articles calling out Steigerwald from here to eternity. I was also outraged on Twitter yesterday. Yeah, the guy feels it’s not smart for a fan of a visiting team and a grown man to wear a baseball uniform, o.k., that’s understandable, but to say that Stow was asking for a beating is horrific.
To begin with, Steigerwald originally spelled the victim’s name wrong as Snow, not Stow and the headline originally had “Outgrow” instead of “Outgrown”, but that was not Steigerwald’s fault, but it only compounded the error and hate-filled column. And as outrage grew, the Again, I can link you to plenty of articles, but I’ll just do a couple here.
First, Art Spander at Real Clear Sports, a former San Francisco newspaperman and an outstanding one at that, has his response to Steigerwald.
Jerrod Morris of Midwest Sports Fans has a very good post on Steigerwald’s column.
At his own blog, Steigerwald attempts to defend his writing.
Again, plenty of reaction to Steigerwald. I don’t think the uproar is going to be dying down anytime soon.
The Big Lead breaks news on Josh Elliot’s replacement at ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Deadspin has apparently found the reason why former 49ers radio analyst Gary Plummer was fired from his job. Over a sexually charged podcast that had nothing to do with football, no less.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today says a group of sports television analysts have formed their own business group and will take part in an online webcast previewing the NFL Draft.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch notes that ESPN is simplifying its NFL Draft coverage.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says some insurance salesmen are angry at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s throwaway line in ESPN’s “The Brady 6” documentary.
Brian Lowry of Fox Sports says golf and the NBA are particularly awash in foreign players.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News discusses ESPN’s big ratings for Sunday Night Baseball.
Mike Shields at Adweek says MSG Network will unveil a companion website for the New York Knicks run through the NBA Playoffs.
Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life says while the NHL Playoffs begin tonight, media watchers are keeping a close eye on who wins the league’s US TV contract.
Alex Weprin of SportsNewser notes that during its upfront presentation, truTV announced that it will keep up with its sports programming in the fall.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue model Kate Upton.
Tom Rotunno of CNBC notes that LeBron James has reclaimed the top spot in NBA jersey sales.
The Business Insider’s Sports Page notes that the new Editor-in-Chief of ESPN The Magazine might have been recruiting some new staffers via Twitter.
The always lovely Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says sports topped the ratings in the Hub on Sunday.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union advises ESPN to put Baseball Tonight back in the studio on Sunday nights.
Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record talks with the radio host of Army football about the late football coach Homer Smith.
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says it appears Capitals/Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is at war with the local ESPN Radio affiliate, owned by DC NFL Team owner Dan Snyder.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that it will be technical city galore at the Phone Booth in DC as four different networks will be at Verizon Center for the Capitals-New York Rangers NHL series.
Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News talks about the Big 12 TV deal.
Rich Heldenfels of the Akron Beacon Journal writes about tonight being Joe Tait’s last game as Voice of the Cleveland Cavs.
Mike Popovich of the Canton Repository speaks with several broadcasters on their memories of Joe Tait.
The Ohio Media Watch also looks at Tait’s last call as Cavs voice tonight.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says one Packers preseason game has been selected for national viewing in August.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says the Blackhawks need to some playoff success this season to build on last year’s championship.
Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune notes the new Editor-in-Chief of ESPN The Magazine is a Chicagoland native.
Blair Kerkhoff from the Kansas City Star says details have begun to leak out about the Fox/Big 12 TV deal.
Greg Braxton of the Los Angeles Times says CBS did not announce any alternative plans for two NFL preseason games in case of a lockout. It should be noted that ESPN and NBC did not either.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News says USC and Fox are trying to work out a deal on the school’s multimedia rights.
Daniel Brown from the San Jose Mercury News talks with former 49ers radio analyst Gary Plummer on why he thinks he lost his job.
Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail wants CBC’s Don Cherry to stick to the basics during the NHL Playoffs. Whatever, Bruce.
The Toronto Sports Media Blog says TSN Radio launched today.
Sports Media Watch notes that the NBA on TNT’s ratings remain strong.
The always hustling Steve Lepore at Puck The Media speaks with NHL Network Executive Producer Mark Preisler about the channel’s presentation of the game.
The Big Lead talks with ESPN’s NHL analyst Matthew Baranaby. That lucky dog, Barnaby.
Awful Announcing has part two of its interview with the great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. In case you missed it, part one has plenty of good stuff too.
And that’s where we’ll leave things today.
