Some Monday Linkage

Let’s do some linkage on this rainy Monday in Southern New England. Such a drab day and I just can’t get started. Maybe it was due to watching The Oscars abortion last night. Anyway, here are your links to start off your work week.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand reviews Golf Channel’s State of the Game Live panel discussion that had both NBC and Golf Channel analysts together.

Ryan Ballengee of Pro Golf Talk recaps the Golf Channel special.

Jason Gay at the Wall Street Journal tries to understand the attraction of watching the NFL Scouting Combine.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center where Jason Fry lists some of his favorite Mets stories that he’s culled online from the past week.

At Mediaweek, Katy Bachman notes that online streaming provider Ivi TV got shut down over complaints from the networks and MLB.

Jeanette DeForge at the Springfield (MA) Republican reports on ESPN.com contributor Howard Bryant getting arrested over the weekend for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife. This story was picked up over the weekend by several blogs.

The Boston Herald where Bryant used to work has a story on the incident from Jessica Heslam.

The Connecticut Post says ESPN MLB analyst Bobby Valentine is interested in buying a piece of the New York Mets.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that SNY will be visiting Mets third baseman David Wright’s home.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels Mets owner Fred Wilpon is flip-flopping over his money problems.

To Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union. He has the America East conference tournament TV schedules.

Pete also has the MAAC Conference tournament TV schedule.

Down to Washington, DC where CBS-owned WJFK-FM has announced it will be the new flagship station of the Nationals for this season.

This also gives me an opportunity to link to Friend of Fang’s Bites Liz Drabick of WJFK (she’s an update anchor) website and her Twitter page. If you’re on Twitter, say hello to her.

From the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg notes that Sports lllustrated is being harsh on Capitals  star Alexander Ovechkin. Maybe truthful is more like it.

Cindy Boren of the WaPo’s The Early Lead blog also discusses the Nationals’ new flagship radio station.

Nathan Warters from the Lynchburg (VA) News & Advance says ESPN’s Digger Phelps helped to inspire Virginia Tech to an upset of Duke on Saturday.

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times looks at the weekend in sports TV.

John Helsley of the Daily Oklahoman talks with the Perpetually Angry Doug Gottlieb of ESPN to talk about his alma mater’s chances of making a run in the NCAA Tournament.

Dan Stupp of the Dayton Daily News talks about UFC using social media to promote its next card.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post notes ESPN’s Doris Burke’s ability to be analyst or sideline reporter.

At the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bruce Dowbiggin says the NHL TV analysts are taking off the gloves.

And I’ll end there.

Let’s Try To Do Some Friday Megalinkage

Ok, I have some time to do some blogging this evening and I figure I’ll do the Friday megalinks, something which has been sorely lacking here. Let’s get cracking on the links.

As always, you can check the Weekend Viewing Picks for all of your weekend in sports and primetime TV.

Now let’s do your linkage.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether the U.S. Army should be throwing $7 million at sponsoring NASCAR.

Speaking of NASCAR, Hiestand talks about Fox using a new camera at the Daytona 500 that can pick up heat fluctuations.

At Quickish, Dan Shanoff feels the new Captain Blowhard project at ESPN.com will succeed.

Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable looks at Fox Soccer Channel extending its rights deal with Major League Soccer.

Ryan Ballengee of NBC’s Pro Golf Talk says Golf Channel’s Jim Gray was clearly in the wrong to interrupt golfer Dustin Johnson during the 1st round of the Northern Trust Open. Following Gray’s interview with Johnson, the reporter got into a heated argument with Johnson’s caddie which led to Golf Channel removing him from the broadcast for the rest of the weekend.

Emma Carmichael at Deadspin finds an excerpt from a 1990 book which recounts an incident where former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto found a way to get revenge on Jay Mariotti.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid notes that Tony Kornheiser is wary of blogs and the internet in general. Whatever. Mr. Tony really shouldn’t be talking anymore.

Sports Media Watch notes that the PGA’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am got a big ratings increase from last year for CBS.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says gets info from NBC Sports how Hockey Day in America will be presented on Sunday.

Awful Announcing has the video of an awkward interview between TNT’s Craig Sager and Washington Wizards rookie John Wall.

Joe Favorito says the New Jersey Devils are bringing fans closer to the game by allowing them to live tweet during games at the game and bring bloggers and broadcasters into the mix.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says a new ruling regarding the use of likenesses could allow athletes to go after video game manufacturers.

Fred Hickman, formerly of CNN, ESPN, YES and Fox Sports Net, has launched his own media training company for athletes. The question is, will Fred actually show up for his training sessions? Fred’s reputation precedes him.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn at the Boston Globe wonders what’s going on at WEEI?

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette also discusses the WEEI lineup changes.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that New York Mets tickets are selling well despite the team’s troubles on and off the field.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir looks at a new Broadway sports play being produced by the same people who brought “Lombardi” to the Great White Way.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Times attacks ESPN for allowing its personalities to sign endorsement contracts.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says Mets owner Fred Wilpon is not ducking questions about convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union says NASCAR has to learn to be able to take punches when people like Tony Kornheiser make silly statements about their sport.

Pete has a composite Spring Training TV schedule.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com says the effects of the Orioles leaving the CBS Radio-owned sports station are still being felt now.

Dave talks with former Baltimore Sun sports media writer Ray Frager who’s now the managing editor at the CSN Baltimore and CSN Washington websites.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says NFL Network will be all over the Scouting Combine next week.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times talks about Kornheiser’s NASCAR comments and other sports media issues.

The Chattanoogan previews ESPN’s new documentary on Tennessee’s first African-American quarterback.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Fox will have plenty of storylines for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that the late Dale Earnhardt still casts a big shadow over NASCAR.

Kirk Bohls from the Austin American-Statesman says the traditional Texas-Texas A&M Thanksgiving Night football game might be moved to accommodate the Big 12′s TV contract.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman talks with Turner Sports’ Kevin McHale about the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk competition.

Mel has his media notebook featuring Fox Sports MLB primetime games.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says former Reds teammates Eduardo Perez and Barry Larkin are reunited at ESPN.

Micheal Zuidema at the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with an area native who covers NASCAR for the Motor Racing Network.

Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at how Comcast is bringing NBC to work together with its sports networks.

Neal Justin of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that the Minnesota Twins have gone all-cable with its new TV deal with Fox Sports North .

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the whole Albert Pujols contract dispute with the Cardinals has become a feeding media frenzy.

West

The Salt Lake Tribune notes that Fox Soccer Channel will pick up a couple of Real Salt Lake MLS games.

John Maffei at the North County Times marks the 25th anniversary of the great movie, “Hoosiers”.

John talks about how NASCAR’s Super Bowl takes place at the beginning of the season, not at the end.

Jim Carlisle from the Ventura County Star says the new Los Angeles Lakers channel to be run by Time Warner Cable is a gamechanger.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times talks about Jim Gray’s dismissal from the Northern Trust Open.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News says the Time Warner-Lakers deal will have far-reaching effects.

Tom catches up on the two weeks in sports media and has his extensive media news and notes.

Tom also writes about Jim Gray being sent home by Golf Channel.

Jon Wilner from the San Jose Mercury News has an extensive look at the Pac 12 TV negotiations.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that CBC’s announcers for the Heritage Classic differ on how the game will affect Montreal and Calgary down the line.

The Canadian Sports Media blog notes that curling is back on TSN this weekend.

And we are done.

Two Developing Sports Media Stories of Note: Bill Simmons and Jim Gray

A couple of developing stories this morning on two well known names in the sports media.

First, John Ourand of Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal tweeted details of the now not so secret ESPN.com-owned Bill Simmons project.

And added this:

John also talked with Simmons about the site.

We know that former Deadspin contributor Katie Baker will be part of the site. Peter Kafka from All Things Digital’s Media Memo learned that Chuck Klosterman will also write for Simmons.

The site is expected to launch sometime in the Spring.

UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.: A third writer for Simmons’ site has now been identified. Lane Brown of New York Magazine’s Vulture site announced that he’ll be working there as well.

So the mix will be 70% sports and 30% pop culture. Not that I read Captain Blowhard, his columns became extremely tedious after 2004, but I’m not sure I’ll be visiting this site. Not that he needs my input or cares what I do, but I find him to be very pompous and long-winded. Simmons is not my cup of tea, but he has a large legion of fans so apparently I’m in the minority who dislikes his writing. I don’t begrudge anyone who likes him. It will be interesting to see how this site takes off.

The other story that broke this morning comes from the great Mike McCarthy of USA Today who reports that Golf Channel has removed the polarizing Jim Gray from its coverage of the PGA Tour’s Northern Trust Open after he got into yet another argument, this time with Dustin Johnson’s caddie.

Ryan Ballengee of NBC’s Pro Golf Talk has some more details on yesterday’s incident.

You may remember that Gray got into an argument last year with Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and his wife after he reported that Pavin would name Tiger Woods to the team, something that Pavin denied at the time.

It may be the last time Gray works for Golf Channel. A spokesman would not tell Mike if Golf Channel would use him again. Of course, Gray didn’t come off well as the hand-picked interviewer for the LeBron James-led abortion known as “The Decision” back in July.

This could be the third strike for Gray as he seems to attract controversy everywhere he goes. Ever since his 1999 World Series interview of Pete Rose where he treated Rose like a hostile witness, Gray has been a lightning rod. There’s no doubt that Gray is a very good bulldog reporter, but these arguments and confrontations don’t help a reputation that’s shotty to begin with. Whether Gray works for Golf Channel again is anyone’s guess. I would think the window of him working for any of the major networks has closed for good.

This certainly has become one of the more interesting days covering the sports media.

Late Night Thursday Links

I wasn’t able to provide links during the day and I keep accumulating sports media stories and I don’t want to get into this pattern where I can provide links Monday through Wednesday, but not from Thursday through Sunday. That’s not good especially since you have come to expect linkage just about every day. So I’ll burn the midnight oil and do some linkage for you.

Let’s start with Milton Kent of Fanhouse who fears that Dan Patrick might be risking becoming an enabler to Charlie Sheen after two interviews that have been picked up by the tabloid press.

To Advertising Age where Michael Bush looks at the Super Bowl ads that remain on the national conscience while other brands have faded from memory.

Rich Thomaselli from AdAge looks at the LPGA’s new ad campaign in an attempt to raise awareness and bring the tour’s stars to the forefront. You might recognize the name of a certain sports media blogger in the story.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid explains why you haven’t seen Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle on ESPN2′s SportsNation recently.

Also from SportsGrid, Brad Cohen feels Tony Kornheiser looks bad over his refusal to speak about Dan Snyder’s lawsuit against the Washington City Paper on his radio show.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk says Mr. Tony loses credibility the longer he protects Snyder.

Jeff Neuman at Real Clear Sports has an interesting article on the making of the great movie, Slap Shot and some casting decisions that might have changed the movie we know and love.

At Adweek, Anthony Crupi tries to read between the lines at comments made by new NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke on whether the network will actually make a run at bidding for the 2014/2016 Olympics.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center where Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes that sports broadcasters should be held to the same standard as broadcast news journalists when it comes to endorsing products.

The Hollywood Reporter has Dan Patrick explaining how he got Charlie Sheen on his syndicated radio show.

Sofia M. Fernandez of the Reporter says Comcast’s new 3-D channel debuts Sunday with the airing of the NHL’s Heritage Classic.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News notes that HBO has scheduled its first boxing pay-per-view event of 2011.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel reports on ESPN’s dedicated channels being available online to Verizon Fios TV subscribers.

Alex Weprin from SportsNewser notes that the producers of the Broadway play, Lombardi, now want to bring another sports story to the Great White Way.

A.J. Daulerio of Deadspin laments the loss of contributor Katie Baker to Captain Blowhard’s yet-to-be-named project at ESPN.com.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media provides the market-by-market breakdown for the early games of NBC’s Hockey Day in America doubleheader.

The Boston Herald’s Jessica Heslam talks with outgoing WEEI midday host Dale Arnold who still is shellshocked about losing his show.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds will be seen quite often on MLB Network during Spring Training.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel searches for the lost younger NASCAR viewer.

Bob says the Miami Heat are burning up the NBA’s ratings.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business notes that the Windy City will be the host and the focus for NBC’s Hockey Day in America.

Michael Olivera of the Canadian Press notes that viewers are cutting the cable as they find affordable ways to watch their favorite hockey team either through their mobile phones.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says CBC and Rogers Sportsnet will team up to air every game of the Women’s World Cup later this year.

Sports Media Watch says the Chicago Bulls are on a pace to set a regular season ratings record for Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

SMW says the NBA’s marquee teams are helping to raise the ratings for ABC’s Sunday games.

I think that will hold us over until the regular Friday features start posting. Good night.

Some Mid-Week Linkage

Ok, time for some links on this Wednesday. Let’s provide some for you while I can.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that former CBS college basketball analyst Billy Packer is not enthused about the new TV arrangement for the NCAA Tournament.

I’ve written a story for Dan Levy’s Press Coverage site on what the Los Angeles Lakers’ new regional sports networks will mean for viewers.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports is not a fan of excess sports coverage like the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse recaps the strange, but very interesting appearances by embattled actor Charlie Sheen on the Dan Patrick Show.

Mark Cina of the Hollywood Reporter also recaps Sheen’s call to DP on Wednesday.

Etan Vlessing of the Reporter notes that ESPN’s new Sunday Night Baseball voice Dan Shulman will return to Canada to provide some baseball commentary for his original network, TSN.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News reports that Cartoon Network is tapping stars from the sports world to take part in its inaugural awards show.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel takes a look at the new Time Warner Cable/Lakers regional sports networks.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser recaps Jay Mariotti’s first public appearance since his arrest on domestic assault charges and the subsequent loss of his jobs from ESPN and Fanhouse.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell takes a closer look at St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and his contract demands.

Darren says Sports Illustrated did a great job marketing this year’s Swimsuit Issue.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has the comments from outgoing WEEI midday host Dale Arnold who is the odd man out in a lineup shuffle.

Chad also writes about the WEEI lineup changes that smack of desperation.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that ESPN has apparently dropped out of the bidding for the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner wonders if NBC will pick up the Belmont to reunite the race with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

Press Box says WBAL-AM will pick up a slew of Baltimore Orioles spring training games.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle takes a look at two of the bigger sports media stories from the week.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer has Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Cheryl Burke admitting she had a fling with Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. I know, it’s not a sports media story, but it fascinates me and I like Cheryl Burke, ok?

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discovers that the Brewers are not on the MLB on Fox schedule.

Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs have found a replacement for the late Ron Santo on their radio broadcasts.

Steve Rosenbloom of the Tribune wants to know if Cubs fans are ready to hear a traditional radio broadcast from now on.

Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with new Cubs radio analyst Keith Moreland.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Blackhawks have extended their deal with WGN-TV.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times says the new Time Warner Cable deal with the Lakers may end up hurting the team in the long run.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says one local sports radio station might be left behind in a battle of media titans.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog speculates what the 2012 Olympics will look like on the Canadian Olympic Broadcast Consortium.

Dashiell Bennett from the Business Insider sports page notes that ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons has hired Deadspin contributer Katie Baker (and a Friend of Fang’s Bites) for some unknown project at the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing notes that many people were none too happy over ESPN’s experimentation during the Mississippi State-Kentucky game.

Deadspin has obtained a copy of the Colin Cowherd sitcom script. It’s not pretty, let me tell you.

Brad Cohen at SportsGrid tells us how the extremely overrated Oprah Winfrey got the Michael Vick interview.

Dave Kohl of Major League Programs talks about the new Time Warner Cable/Lakers deal.

I’ll leave it there for now.

Some Super Bowl Sunday Links

I’ve been trying to do linkage today since I haven’t done any since Wednesday. Work is crazy. Dealing with family is crazy. But since 9 a.m., I’ve been trying to do links, but haven’t been able to get to it as I get phone calls asking to do errands and then I get bogged down. I hope I can get this done without being interrupted.

By the way, I’ll be live blogging the Super Bowl ads and grading them just as I have for the last two years. I hope you’ll join me.

We’ll start with a very interesting story today. David Roth and Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal report that a tape of Super Bowl I has been found and been restored. It’s not a complete tape, but it’s the first known copy to be found as it’s been thought for years that the tape has been lost. If you don’t know, both CBS and NBC aired Super Bowl I, which wasn’t called the Super Bowl then. Neither network saved the tape, but apparently a private citizen did. Very good find.

A few stories from the Nielsen Ratings Wire blog. First, we find that most Americans will watch the Big Game at home.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes that most of the online buzz for the Super Bowl leans towards Green Bay.

And Nielsen looks at which advertiser will reap the rewards of not only buzz for its commercial, but also getting revenue from consumers.

Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age has the advertisers in today’s Super Bowl.

Brian says Chrysler is paying for a 2 minute Super Bowl spot.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News writes that the Cox Communications worker responsible for inserting a porn clip into Super Bowl XLIII on Comcast Tucson, AZ systems has been arrested and charged.

Jon Lafayette from Broadcasting & Cable says NBC Sports is putting its stamp on Golf Channel.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse says Fox is going for some more creativity in its Super Bowl pregame show.

Milton writes that Fox Sports’ Super Bowl statistician is hoping to remain anonymous during today’s game.

Milton tells us that the Super Bowl is just another game to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

Marcus Vanderberg from SportsNewser notes that one of the men in the Visa ad who has attended every Super Bowl will not be at the game today.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says bad weather in Dallas definitely hurt the local economy during Super Bowl Week.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times takes a walk back in time to remember the “Playoff Bowl” which was played the week after the NFL Championship Game or the Super Bowl. Seriously.

To Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News who makes no sense today.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post makes even less sense than Raissman.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record offers the thoughts of Fox’s announcers on the Super Bowl quarterbacks.

Mark Kaboly in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review talks with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

Teresa F. Lindman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says cell phone companies are increasing capacity around Cowboys Stadium as fans will be Tweeting and going on Facebook during the game.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports President Eric Shanks about today’s Super Bowl production.

Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Fox’s Troy Aikman is expected to take a bigger role in the Metroplex’s bid for Super Bowl XLVI in 2016.

Gary West from the Star-Telegram says ESPN’s crew is deeming its visit to Sundance Square disappointing based on the weather and what could have been.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has your Super Bowl viewing guide today.

Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune explains why we’re seeing big name musical acts for Super Bowl halftime in recent years.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says KMOX is bringing back the Cardinals radio announcers for the long-term.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News continues his discourse with SoCal announcers on Vin Scully.

He talks with former Lakers announcer Paul Sunderland.

Tom has words with Cal State-Northridge announcer Dave Caldwell.

Tom gets advice from former USC announcer Larry Kahn.

Tom finds former Angels announcer and current Detroit Tigers TV voice Mario Impremba.

Tom gets to Dodger pregame host, Josh Suchon.

Tom hears from a minor league baseball and hockey play-by-play man.

Tom talks with former ESPN’er and Lakers announcer Larry Barnett.

Tom gets advice from current Lakers radio voice Spero Dedes.

And Tom speaks with a sportscasting professor on Vin Scully.

Finally, Tom writes about Vin Scully the man.

The Big Lead has three finalists to replace Rob Neyer at ESPN.com.

Sports Media Watch has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

ESPN’s Plans for Super Bowl XLV

ESPN will set up shop in Sundance Square in Fort Worth, TX and that will be its headquarters for Super Bowl XLV. Its headquarters will be the command post for some 18 platforms on TV, radio, print and the internet. I can’t believe how ESPN’s coverage has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. We’re talking live shows, chats, special coverage, features, you get the idea.

Here’s the release. It’s quite long. We will need a jump break.

ESPN at Super Bowl XLV in North Texas

ESPN kicks off its week-long comprehensive coverage of Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers in North Texas Monday, Jan. 31, at 6 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. CT. ESPN’s on-site multiplatform coverage will originate from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas, through Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 6). Highlights:

• Super Bowl-related content across 18 ESPN platforms: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS HD, ESPNU HD, ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, ESPNRadio.com, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNdeportes.com, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Mobile properties;
• More than 90 hours of Super Bowl-related programming on domestic television and more than 55 hours of Super Bowl-related programming on ESPN Radio from North Texas;
• ESPN International will air Super Bowl XLV live throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and much of Europe.  In total, ESPN International will deliver live Super Bowl coverage to more than 53 million households in 159 countries and territories. Commentary and analysis will be provided in English, French-Canadian and Spanish;
• More than 30 on-air commentators (hosts, analysts, reporters and contributors) will be in North Texas;
• ESPN’s production operations for Super Bowl week will be based at Sundance Square (195 West 3^rd Street) in Fort Worth. The location will include: a main set (62 x 40 ft.) overlooking the historic Chisolm Trail mural, a radio set/stage (28 x 48 ft.), two pod camera locations, and a demo field (20 x 20 ft.). ESPN will also utilize a “Flycam” suspended 42 ft. in the air that will travel the length of a football field and provide aerial views of the set.

What’s New:

• ESPN’s main set at Sundance Square will include an enclosed indoor studio developed by ESPN’s Creative Services team that will utilize virtual elements for the first time, including player cards, statistics, and touchscreen technology;
• Live morning editions of SportsCenter will air from the Super Bowl for the first time with Hannah Storm anchoring from Sundance Square;
• SportsNation (M,W-F, 4 p.m. and Tuesday, 5 p.m., ESPN2) will originate from Super Bowl for the first time with hosts Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. A special two-hour SportsNation is also planned for Super Bowl Sunday, live from Sundance Square (noon, ESPN2).
• New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who led the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship a year ago, will join ESPN for three days of analysis in North Texas. Payton will appear on SportsCenter Special (Thurs., Feb. 3, at 3 p.m.), SportsCenter Special: The Champions (Fri., Feb. 4, at 3 p.m.), as well as SportsCenter (9 a.m.) and Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m.) on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6.

Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 6): ESPN’s weeklong coverage will peak with more than 16 hours of TV and radio coverage on Super Bowl Sunday, beginning with a special edition of Mike & Mike in the Morning at 6 a.m. (ESPN Radio/ESPN2); Chris Berman, covering his 29th Super Bowl, will host the special four-hour Super Bowl edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) from Sundance Square with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen and Insider Adam Schefter. Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, and Steve Young – all Super Bowl champions – will also contribute to the show from Fort Worth, while the Monday Night Football team of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden will be joined by Saints head coach Sean Payton at a Cowboys Stadium set in Arlington. In all, ESPN’s Super Bowl Sunday analyst team will feature former players and coaches with a combined 13 Super Bowl rings in 23 appearances in the NFL’s biggest game. Reporters Suzy Kolber (covering Steelers) and Ed Werder (Packers) will provide team updates. Postgame coverage on ESPN will begin immediately following the game with Berman, Jackson and Young on the field at Cowboys Stadium for NFL Primetime, followed by a 90-minute SportsCenter; ESPN Radio’s “Super Sunday” program lineup will include Mike & Mike in the Morning for the fourth straight year (6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2). Brian Kenny will anchor ESPN Radio’s post-game coverage from 103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas until 1 a.m.

ESPN – ESPN2 – ESPNEWS – ESPNU – ESPN Classic

ESPN’s primary host location throughout Super Bowl week will be an outdoor set – open for public viewing – at Sundance Square in Fort Worth.  Planned highlights:

• SportsCenter (Monday, Jan. 31 – Sunday, Feb. 6) – daily editions of ESPN’s flagship news, information and highlights show with anchors Mike Greenberg, Steve Levy, Stuart Scott, and Storm, joined by Mortensen, Schefter, reporters Kolber and Werder, and analysts Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Young, etc.; Additionally, Storm and three-time Super Bowl Champion Darren Woodson will report from NFL media day, Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon on ESPN;
• SportsCenter Special: The Champions (Friday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m., ESPN) – Tirico hosts this special with all of ESPN’s NFL analysts in North Texas who have won Super Bowl rings (Bruschi, Dilfer, Ditka, Gruden, Johnson, Mark Schlereth, Woodson and Young), and Saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton. In all, members of The Champions panel – with a combined 19 rings in 25 Super Bowl appearances – will discuss their personal experiences of playing in the NFL title game and what they expect for Super Bowl XLV;
• NFL Quarterbacks Field Pass (Monday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m., ESPN2) – Part of ESPN’s “Year of the Quarterback” initiative, this one-hour NFL Films all-access special includes footage and audio from the 2010-11 NFL season, featuring quarterbacks Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Jay Cutler, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Super Bowl starters Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, and Michael Vick. Super Bowl legends Troy Aikman, John Elway and Steve Young will also be highlighted;
• “I Am a World Champion,”, is a feature series offering first-person narratives from the quarterbacks who have led their team to victory and walked off the field World Champions.  The original content, which showcases the quarterback’s travails and triumphs, will run during NFL Live and afternoon editions of SportsCenter and will also be available online;
• SportsCenter Special and NFL Live (Monday, Jan. 31 – Thursday, Feb. 4, 3-4:30 p.m.) – Trey Wingo and Tirico will host these back-to-back daily shows throughout Super Bowl week;
• SportsNation (M-F, 4 p.m., ESPN2) will originate live from Sundance Square all week beginning Monday, Jan. 31. Hosts Cowherd and Beadle will be joined by special guests all week. Shows will include Super Bowl-themed polls and games, and animals from a local zoo will make Super Bowl picks.  A special two-hour SportsNation is also planned for Super Bowl Sunday, at noon ET live from Sundance Square on ESPN2.
• NFL Matchup (Sunday, Feb. 6, 3 and 6:30 a.m., ESPN and 5:30 a.m., ESPN2) – the popular 30-minute X’s and O’s analysis show hosted by Sal Paolantonio with Merril Hoge and Jaworski will preview the Super Bowl from North Texas;
• Rome is Burning (M-F, 4:30 p.m., ESPN) – current and former NFL players will join host Jim Rome live from Sundance Square each day to discuss the Super Bowl;
• Around the Horn (M-F, 5 p.m., ESPN) – daily panelists will opine from North Texas;
• Pardon the Interruption (M-F, 5:30 p.m., ESPN) – co-host Michael Wilbon and ‘Five Good Minutes’ guests will participate from North Texas;
• Sports Reporters (Sunday, Feb. 6, at 8:30 a.m., ESPN) – John Saunders will host the popular Sunday morning sports journalism and discussion program from Fort Worth with panelists Mike Lupica (New York Daily News), William C. Rhoden (New York Times) and Bob Ryan (Boston Globe). The show’s traditional “Parting Shots” segment will feature each reporter’s most memorable moment from the 2010 NFL season.
• Mike & Mike in the Morning (M-F, 6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2) – Co-hosts Mike Golic and Greenberg will kick off ESPN Radio’s on-site coverage live from Sundance Square in Fort Worth on Monday, Jan. 31, followed by The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 a.m. – 1 p.m./ESPNU), and co-hosts Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo on The Scott Van Pelt Show (1-4 p.m./ 2-3 p.m. on M, W-F, ESPN2). Each program will feature NFL guests and experts on-set with the hosts throughout the week;
• First Take (M-F, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., ESPN2) – will include Super Bowl-related interviews and previews all week;
• ESPNEWS will offer all the news each day leading up to Super Bowl XLV, including the Hall of Fame announcement live on Saturday and extensive pre and postgame reporting on Super Bowl Sunday, including interviews, news conferences, highlights and analysis;
• Starting Tuesday, Feb. 1, ESPN Classic will air a variety of ESPN Super Bowl-themed programming from the SportsCentury, 30 for 30, Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame and Who’s #1 series, along with interview shows hosted by Dick Schaap, Roy Firestone, Jim Rome and Rick Reilly in Homecoming.  The week will culminate with 39 consecutive hours of NFL-related programming starting Friday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

ESPN Radio– ESPNRadio.com

ESPN Radio’s weekday Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ), The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and The Scott Van Pelt Show (1-4 p.m.) will all originate from  Sundance Square in Fort Worth during Super Bowl week. Guests visiting the sets will include current and former NFL players and coaches, celebrities, and newsmakers from the sports world.

103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas

Locally, ESPN Radio’s owned-and-operated 103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas will broadcast its weekday Ben and Skin Show (9 a.m.-noon CT), Coop and Nate Show (2-3 p.m.) and Galloway and Company (3-7 p.m.) from the “103.3 Stage” in Sundance Square. The station will also host an interactive area featuring NASCAR simulators, a football-toss game, PS3’s to play “Madden 11” and a podcast center to sample ESPNDallas.com’s new apps for the iPad, iPhones and other devices.

Additionally, 1540 AM ESPN Deportes programming will originate from its stage throughout Super Bowl week: Al Despertar (4-7 a.m.); Frecuencia Deportiva with Xavier Olalde (7-8 a.m.); Charla Deportiva with Luis Fernando Perez (11 a.m.-noon); Zona ESPN with Renato Bermudez (noon-2 p.m.); Jorge Ramos y Su Banda (Friday 3-6 p.m.).

For the fourth straight year, Mike & Mike in the Morning will kick off the special “Super Sunday” lineup (6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2 from 6-8 a.m.). Kenny will anchor ESPN Radio’s post-game coverage from Dallas until 1 a.m.

ESPNRadio.com will provide live audio and video streaming of ESPN Radio programs throughout Super Bowl week, as well as on-demand highlights of every show and every interview.

(continue reading…)

Wilbon! Michael Wilbon Will Write For ESPN.com & ESPN Chicago

Just a day after his last Washington Post column was published, ESPN announces that Michael Wilbon will be joining the Alleged Worldwide Leader as a featured columnist. He’ll write for the main ESPN.com website and also write for the ESPN Chicago site. In addition, he’ll make weekly appearances on ESPN Radio’s Chicago affiliate.

His first column for ESPN.com will appear later today. Let’s take a look at the press release.

Michael Wilbon Joins ESPN.com, ESPNChicago.com as Featured Columnist

Will Make Weekly Appearance on ESPN Radio 1000’s Waddle and Silvy Show in Chicago

Longtime Pardon the Interruption co-host and ESPN NBA studio analyst Michael Wilbon, one of the nation’s most respected sports journalists, will expand his role with ESPN as a featured columnist for ESPN.com and ESPNChicago.com, ESPN’s local online destination for in-depth sports coverage of his beloved hometown, in addition to appearing weekly on ESPN Radio 1000’s Waddle and Silvy Show in Chicago. Wilbon, a veteran sports columnist who most recently concluded three decades with The Washington Post, delivers his first column and chat at 1:30 p.m. ET today on ESPN.com and ESPNChicago.com.

“We’re thrilled to have a writer and a voice of Mike’s stature joining ESPN.com and ESPNChicago.com, where his strong opinions and thoughtful commentary on the most important issues in sports and culture will engage our fans in new ways across our platforms,” said Rob King, vice president and editor-in-chief for ESPN Digital Media.

Wilbon added: “Although I’ve been working for ESPN as co-host of PTI since 2001, writing is my first love and I’m particularly excited to be able to join an impressive stable of columnists at ESPN.com. And to lead some of the discussion in the best sports city in America, which is also my hometown, is both a challenge and dream-come-true.”

Wilbon joined The Washington Post in 1980 as a general assignment sports reporter and was a full-time sports columnist from 1990-2010. In 31 years, Wilbon covered everything from local and national sports to Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the NBA, as well as professional tennis, soccer, and hockey, the Olympic Games; and 20 Super Bowls, 20 Final Fours, and any number of World Series and NBA Finals as a reporter and columnist. 

A pioneer in sports journalism, Wilbon was one of the first sports writers to broaden his success beyond newspapers to include television, radio and other media. He and fellow Post sports columnist Tony Kornheiser have co-hosted ESPN’s popular PTI show since its debut in September 2001, combining fast-paced, wide-ranging and humorous discussion of the day’s most important and interesting news in sports. Wilbon expanded his role in 2006 to include NBA studio analyst work. He currently appears on the NBA Sunday Countdown pregame show on ABC in addition to ESPN.

Wilbon’s work has earned national recognition from a variety of organizations for distinguished reporting or commentary. In April 1997, Wilbon was inducted as an inaugural member into Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement, and in 2000 Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, honored him as the top sports columnist in the nation. The Society of Professional Journalists named Wilbon the top sports columnist of the year in 2001. In all, he has been among the top three national sports columnists selected by the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) three times. Wilbon received the prestigious Eugene Meyer Award in 2007 from The Washington Post, and he was honored with the National Association of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

More coming up.

ESPN.com’s Mayne Street Returns This Week

The web series, Mayne Street, returns for a fifth season with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne playing a fictional Kenny Mayne with a fictional ESPN producer, Sarah Morton, played by the always lovely Alison Becker featuring various real ESPN personalities playing a fictional side of themselves. You get the idea of the fictional part.

Here’s the press blurb.

Mayne Street Begins Fifth Season on ESPN.com

ESPN.com’s original scripted series Mayne Street kicks off its fifth season with six new webisodes debuting every Tuesday at 9 a.m. This season will feature one continuous storyline featuring Kenny challenged by a new executive producer who fastly becomes his arch nemesis. On Mayne Street, Mayne stars as himself in a fictionalized version of life at a sports television network. His reoccurring foils revolve largely around his fictional production crew, as well as other ESPN personalities.  

Mayne Street joins a lineup of video that is among the most popular online. ESPN.com leads the sports video category, capturing nearly 34 percent of the total minutes spent by users.

If I have time, I’ll embed the webisodes here.

ESPN3.com Will Be On Your Xbox!

Imagine you’re playing MLB 2K10 on your Microsoft Xbox and you wanted to compare how one of your plays compare to the real thing. Come November you can. ESPN and Microsoft have signed a deal that brings live streaming sports events to the Xbox through ESPN3.com and streaming video content from ESPN.com.

You’ll have to be and Xbox LIVE Gold member plus your internet service provider has to have a deal with ESPN3.com, but you’ll have access to a ton of events including college sports, MLB, NBA, tennis and international sports like Australian Rules Football and cricket.

Here’s the release.

ESPN, Microsoft Enter into Exclusive Deal

Over 3,500 live events from ESPN3.com and ESPN.com clips delivered to the Xbox 360 console this Fall

ESPN today announced a collaboration with Microsoft, exclusive within the game console category, to introduce the ultimate interactive experience for sports fans. The deal will bring ESPN3.com’s live events, ESPN.com’s video-on-demand clips and sports highlights and other interactive features to the Xbox 360 console.

Beginning in November, Xbox LIVE Gold members who receive their Internet connection from an affiliated service provider will have access to more than 3,500 live, global events every year via ESPN3.com – ESPN’s 24/7 broadband sports network – including college basketball, college football and bowl games, MLB, NBA, international soccer, tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments, golf majors and more. Fans will also be able to replay sports and events with full DVR control, pull up current scores on-demand while watching the game and easily switch between events and see what the most popular games are in the Xbox LIVE community in real time.

ESPN content and features available to all Xbox LIVE Gold members include:

Daily Highlights: Access to ESPN.com video clips and daily sports highlights streamed on-demand;

Kinect for Xbox 360 Integration: Microsoft’s new technology allows fans to control the content they watch with just their voice or wave of the hand;

Team Affiliation: Declare favorite teams and see how many other people in the Xbox LIVE community are also fans;

Social Activities: Connect to the Xbox LIVE community with in-game social activities like polls, trivia and prediction questions and more.

ESPN3.com is available in more than 50 million households nationwide – two-thirds of U.S. broadband homes – via dozens of affiliated Internet service providers including Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Cox, Charter, Windstream, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and many more. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

That’s it.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 34

After a week’s absence, the Sports Media Weekly Podcast returns with a vengeance with a super-sized edition.

Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal is back after a week’s vacation to discuss the latest sports media news with your humble blogger. In this edition, we talk about the record ratings for the NHL in the Conference Semifinals. We also look at the Fox Sports experiment to expand its MLB primetime offerings for Saturday nights which begins this week. In addition, we look at the new ESPN/ACC contract that puts the conference on a part with the TV deals for the SEC and Big Ten. And we end our segment by delving into ESPN’s upfront presentation to advertisers and marketers this week.

Speaking of ESPN, we talk with Rob King, the Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Digital Media. In our interview, Keith and I ask Rob about the evolution of ESPN.com from its early years when it was known as ESPN Sportszone to a newsgathering operation. In addition, we look at the fast growth of ESPN’s local sites in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York. And we discuss ESPN’s social media and Twitter policy that was imposed last summer.

You can head on over to iTunes by searching for Sports Media Journal and downloading previous editions of our podcast. Or you can

ESPN Platforms Take Home Seven Sports Emmys

ESPN’s networks and platforms took home seven Sports Emmys including Studio Analyst (Kirk Herbstreit), Weekly Studio Show (College Gameday), Daily Studio Show (Pardon The Interruption) and in an upset over HBO’s Real Sports which had four nominees, Outstanding Journalism for an E:60 piece fronted by Jeremy Schaap.

Again, I did not receive this press release. I’ll have to check my spam folder to see if ESPN’s press releases are landing there, but usually, the public relations department in Bristol, CT is very good in sending releases to Fang’s Bites. Lately, I’ve had to find them on the PR website.

Here’s the breakdown of awards won.

ESPN Wins Seven Sports Emmy Awards

ESPN won seven Sports Emmy Awards, presented for the 31^st year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences last night in New York. ESPN’s commitment to innovation was recognized through honors for three of the network’s more creative series (Pardon the Interruption, E:60 and SportsNation), ESPN.com content, and the ground-breaking College GameDay weekly football road show.

E:60 won its first two Sports Emmys, in the Long Feature category for “Catfish Hunters,” a piece by Wright Thompson about fishing for catfish with bare hands, and in the Journalism category for “Wanted: Fugitive,” a Jeremy Schaap report about a former Binghamton University basketball player who fled to Serbia to avoid criminal charges in the U.S. It was the ninth consecutive year ESPN received a Sports Emmy in one of the two categories for Features and the ninth time the company was honored for Journalism.

Two other shows also won their first Sports Emmy: Pardon the Interruption in the category Studio Show Daily; and SportsNation, which debuted in July 2009, in the category Graphic Design.

College GameDay won the Studio Show Weekly Sports Emmy for the second time in three years, and the show’s Kirk Herbstreit was named the best Studio Show Analyst with the first Sports Emmy in his 15-year ESPN career.

ESPN.com was honored in the New Approaches – Sports Programming category for the feature “Super Bowl MVPs.”   ESPN has been honored with at least one award in each of the years online entries have been considered (since 2006).

ESPN has now won 135 Sports Emmy Awards in 23 years of eligibility.

ESPN’s Sports Emmy Awards (all are ESPN, except as noted):

Studio Show/Weekly                College GameDay
Studio Show/Daily                   Pardon the Interruption
Journalism                               E:60 – Wanted: Fugitive (ESPN2)
Long Feature                            E:60 – Catfish Hunters (ESPN2)
New Approaches –
Sports Programming          Super Bowl MVPs (ESPN.com)
Studio Analyst                         Kirk Herbstreit
Graphic Design                        SportsNation (ESPN2)

Congratulations to ESPN on the Sports Emmy Awards.

Complete List of Winners At The 31st Annual Sports Emmy Awards

Last night, I gave you some of the winners of the 31st Annual Sports Emmy Awards which were handed out in New York. I garnered the info as best as I could. We now have the complete list of winners. A press release which was put on the Sports Emmy Awards website will be posted here shortly. The entire list of winners from Monday night’s festivities comes to you right after the break. This is a long list so I’m dong a jump.

OUTSTANDING LIVE SPORTS SPECIAL

Super Bowl XLIII – NBC

Executive Producer
Dick Ebersol

Producer
Fred Gaudelli

Director
Drew Esocoff

Replay Producers
Robert Hyland, Mark Teitelman

Sideline Producer
Michele Froman

Senior Associate Director
Charlie Vanacore

Segment Producers
Rebecca Chatman, Israel DeHerrera, Ken Hirdt, Kaare Numme

Associate Producers
Charles Dammeyer, Drew Devine, Bryan Dumas, Wade Junco, Margaret Murphy, Vinny Rao, Craig Rothberg, Michael Rothman, Russell Sprole

Associate Directors
Brigette Boginis, Pierre Moossa

OUTSTANDING LIVE SPORTS SERIES

NBC Sunday Night Football – NBC

Executive Producer
Dick Ebersol

Producer
Fred Gaudelli

Director
Drew Esocoff

Replay Producer
Charlie Vanacore

Sideline Producer
Michele Froman

Associate Director
Pierre Moossa

Segment Producers
Ken Hirdt, Wade Junco, Kaare Numme

Associate Producers
Bryant Anderson, Erin Bollendorf, Charles Dammeyer, Andrew Macchio, Ryan Meyers, Margaret Murphy, Vinny Rao, Craig Rothberg

 

OUTSTANDING LIVE EVENT TURNAROUND

Inside the Headsets/The 25th All Star Race – Speed/NASCAR Media Group

Executive Producers

Jay Abraham, Paul Brooks, Steve Craddock, Jeff Hillegass, Jim Jorden, Hunter Nickell, Frank Wilson

Producers

Quinn Collins, Nora Driscoll, Kevin Foley, Brian Goodwin, Sol Horner, Kevin Jackson, Rory Karpf, Wes Konick, Scott Leatherman, Brad Lockhart, Joel Maydak, Pete Nickell, Ben Reed, Wayne Riley, Shawn Truax

Director

Al Francesco

Associate Producers

Jeff Lotierzo, Chris Rohlfs, Katja Schwarz, Jamie Vancil, Glenn Vasko, Dawn Williams

Associate Directors

Pat Berger, Brent Buntyn, Harry Cogan, Dave Colozzi, Gina Gupton, David Harrison, Andre Ihle, Craig Johnson, Gary Johnson, Suzy Slater

 
OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SPECIAL

24/7 Mayweather?Marquez – HBO Sports/Red Line Films

Executive Producers

Rick Bernstein, Ross Greenburg

Senior Producer

David Harmon

Coordinating Producer

Scott Boggins

Producers

Abtin Motia, Thomas Odelfelt

Operations Producer

Cris DiLegge

Field Producers
Jackson Nguyen, Gabriel Spitzer

Associate Producers

Brad Buckwalter, Aaron Cohen, Peter Cooley, Jeff Fisher, Danon Hinty, Jonathan Katz, Adam Marinelli, Dan Marks, Alastair McKewitt, John Tipton, Andres Vazquez

OUTSTANDING SPORTS DOCUMENTARY

Assault in the Ring – HBO Sports/ Live Star Entertainment/Wonder Sound

Executive Producers

Rick Bernstein, Eric Drath, Ross Greenburg, Barry Murphy

Executive in Charge of Production

Fredric Cambria

Supervising Producer

Joseph M.Lavine

Operations Producers

Kenneth Clausen, Holly Peterman

Associate Producers

Aaron Cohen, Tripp Dixon, James Fideler, Brian Hartough, Zachary Heinzerling, Bill McCullough, Brian Murphy, Abby Oakes

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SERIES/ANTHOLOGY

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals/HBO Sports/NFL Films

Executive Producers

Rick Bernstein, Ross Greenburg, Howard Katz, Steve Sabol

Coordinating Producers

David Harmon, Patrick Kelleher, Ross Ketover

Producer

Ken Rodgers

Co-Producer

Keith Cossrow

Director

Steve Trout

Segment Producers

Charlie Askew, Chris Barlow, Dave Douglas, Garrett Fittizzi, Greg Frith, hannon Furman, Rob Gehring, Jay Jackson, Jeff Larsen, Steve Lucatuorto, Nicholas Mascolo, Eric Monaco, Gerry Reimel, Margaret Ruffing?Morris, Adam Ryan, Bob Smith, Greg Smith, Angela Torma, Mike Wimmer

Associate Producers

Pamela Alexo, Heidi Bahnck, Jim Barnett, Greg Bocchetti, Tom Brant, Kevin Bushman, Chris Corbellini, Matt Curran, Matt Dissinger, Deanna Forgione, Michelle Girardi, Mike Greenwood, Jared Hilbert, Nick Kehoe, John Marsh, Leo McCafferty, Tiffany Orbin, Erik Powers, Tim Rumpff, Jeremy Saidel, Jamil Smith, David Stiles, Justin Stoll, Chris Weaver, Alicia Zubikowski, Joe Zucco

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY
College GameDay – ESPN

Executive Producers
Steve Anderson, John Skipper, Norby Williamson

Executive Editor

John Walsh

Managing Editor

Mark Gross

Director of News

Vince Doria

Senior Coordinating Producers

Michael Fountain, Jay Levy, David Miller

Coordinating Producer

Lee Fitting

Senior Coordinating Director

Jay Francis

Senior Director

Scott Favalora

Director

Lorenzo Lamadrid

Senior Coordinating Producer, Features

Craig T. Lazarus

Coordinating Producers, Features

Valerie Gordon, Tom McCollum, Victor Vitarelli

Feature Producers

Nancy Devaney, Joseph Disney, Tom Engle, Kory Kozak, Michael Sciallo, Richard Thomas, Benjamin Webber 

Associate Producers

Rick Allison, Elisa Aniskoff, Ben Branch, Matthew Brooks, Jenn Brownsmith, Derek Chang, Lee Clark, Dick Dorner, Justin Endres, Chris Fallica, Gregory Fonseca, Chris Fulton, Joalin Goff, Chad Hanna, Kirk Henry, Timothy Horgan, Dirk Howard, Robert J. Labay, Seth Madway, Timothy McShay, Rick Mickler, Wendy Nickson, Carolyn Rauen, Tim Richard, Marc Rowley, Chuck Samataro, Shelley Saunders, Nicholas Sciallo, Claudia Slocum, Jeremiah Swartz, Reginald Walker, Lynne West, Mike Whittaker, Jonathan Whyley, Steve Widuch, Jonathan Williams

Associate Directors

Brian Albon, Kristy Higgins

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – DAILY

Pardon the Interruption – ESPN

Executive Producers

Steve Anderson, David Brofsky, Tony Kornheiser, Erik Rydholm, John Skipper, Michael Wilbon, Norby Williamson

Executive Editor

John Walsh

Managing Editor

Mark Gross

Director of News

Vince Doria

Coordinating Producer

Matthew Kelliher

Directors

Mike Foss, Tom Howard

Associate Producers

Elizabeth Hardwick, Megan McHale, Michael Morrell, Frankie Nation, Matthew Ouano, Anthony Reali, Amy Shapiro

Associate Director

Bonnie Berko

OUTSTANDING SPORTS JOURNALISM
E:60/Wanted: Fugitive – ESPN2

Executive Producers
Andy Tennant, Bob Wallace

Director of News
Vince Doria

Coordinating Producers
Robert Abbott, Michael Baltierra, Robbyn Footlick

Feature Producer
Yaron Deskalo

Senior Producers
Ben Houser, Martin Khodabakhshian

Associate Producers
Pascal Charpentier, Timothy Horgan, Phil Iglesias, Dragana Jovanovic, Matt McCormick, Tim Spero, Hillary Wasch

Reporter
Jeremy Schaap

OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE

Inside the NFL/ Fighting for #62?The Nick Reardon Story – CBS/Showtime

Executive Producers
Harold Bryant, Sean McManus

Coordinating Producer
Pete Radovich, Jr.

Producer
Sarah Rinaldi

OUTSTANDING LONG FEATURE
E:60/Catfish Hunters – ESPN2

Executive Producers
Andy Tennant, Bob Wallace

Director of News
Vince Doria

Senior Producers
Ben Hauser, Martin Khodabakhshian

Coordinating Producers
Robert Abbott, Michael Baltierra, Robbyn Footlick

Associate Producers
Barry Dycus, Aaron Johnson, Matt McCormick, Tom Moore, Ray Sullivan, Warren Wolcott

Reporter
Wright Thompson

AND

NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship/The Magic of J?Mac – CBS
 

Executive Producer
Harold Bryant

Senior Producer
Eric Mann

Coordinating Producer
Stephen Karasik

Producer
Pete Radovich, Jr.

Associate Producers
Ken Bolkcom, Dave Brodsky, Anthony Cortese, Jim Karabin, Stuart Millstein, Mark Young

OUTSTANDING OPEN/TEASE

College Football on CBS/Army?Navy Game – CBS

Executive Producer
Harold Bryant

Coordinating Producers
Stephen Karasik, Craig Silver

Producer
Pete Radovich, Jr.

Associate Producers
Derek Ambrosi, Shelby Campbell, David Finch, Jim Karabin, Jon Taggart

  

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

CBS Mobile NCAA March Madness On Demand – CBS Mobile

Executive Producers
Randy Ahn, Harold Bryant Robert Gelick, Curtis Kadohama, Jeff Sellinger

Coordinating Producers
Robert Dekas, Stephen Karasik

Coordinating Director
Robert Fishman

Senior Producer
Eric Mann

Producers
Victor Frank, Ken Mack, Robert H. Mansbach, Steve Scheer, Ross Schneiderman, Craig Silver, Mark Wolff

Directors
Michael Arnold, James Cornell, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Grant, J. Bryan Lilley, Robert Matina, Suzanne Smith, Christopher Svendsen

Associate Producers
Chris Burns, Ryan Dougherty, Adam Holzman, Brian Jagoda, Todd Keryc, Bryan Kosowski, Jawn Morales, Steve Murphy, Kurtis Perdelwitz, Brian Seeling, George Wishart

Associate Directors
Alex Bertsche, Alanna Campbell, Cory Fishman, Andrew Freedman, James W. Johnson,
Julie Landa, Steve Mc Kee, Kimani Morales, John Paquet, Jason Ross, Jonathan Segal, William Thayer

 
OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING

Super Bowl MVP’s – ESPN.com

Executive Producers
Robert King, John Kosner, Patrick Stiegman

Producers
John Banks, Jeffri Chadiha, Sheldon Spencer

Feature Producer
Christina Houser

Associate Producers
Nisha Arleth, Peggy Coe, Sean Hintz, Alex Kimball, Steven Kudirka, Robert Labay, Nick Manning, Jason Potterton, Lara Sasaran, Juan Sichon, Aaron Talasnik, David Weiner

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING – SHORT FORMAT

Countdown to Vancouver – NBCOlympics.com

Executive Producers
Dick Ebersol, Perkins Miller, David Neal, Gary Zenkel

Senior Producer
Eric Hamilton

Coordinating Producers
Dave Gabel, Mark Levy, Jim Thompson

Producers
Israel DeHerrera, Phil Parrish

Associate Producers
Matthew Allen, Jamie Anton, Tom Davidson, Lena Glaser, Lee Ann Gschwind, Nikki Spetseris, Ryan Yeager

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – STUDIO HOST
Bob Costas – NBC/MLB Network

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – PLAY-BY-PLAY
Jim Nantz – CBS

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – STUDIO ANALYST

Kirk Herbstreit – ESPN

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – SPORTS EVENT ANALYST

Cris Collinsworth – NBC

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM REMOTE

Red Bull Air Race World Series – FOX Sports Net/G.R.A.C.E Productions

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM STUDIO

MLB Tonight – MLB Network

OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK:

24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto – HBO Sports

Director of Photography
Thom Stukas

Camerapersons
Jeff Fisher, Alastair McKewitt, John Tipton

OUTSTANDING EDITING
24/7 Mayweather/Marquez – HBO Sports

Editors
Brad Buckwalter, Jonathan Katz, Dan Marks

THE DICK SCHAAP WRITING AWARD

24/7 Pacquiao/Hatton – HBO Sports

Writer
Aaron Cohen

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION/DIRECTION/LYRICS

Ted Williams – HBO Sports

Composer
Gary Lionelli

OUTSTANDING LIVE EVENT AUDIO/SOUND

NASCAR on FOX – FOX

Sound/Audio
Fred Aldous, Ben Altopp, Tim George Denmark, Barbara Hanford, Anthony Lomastro, Kevin McCloskey, Steve Onuska, Allen Slansky, Chip Weaver, Doug Wilson

OUTSTANDING POST PRODUCED AUDIO/SOUND

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – HBO Sports/ NFL Films

Sound/Audio
Vince Caputo, Paul Flinton, Kyle Hartigan, Mike Kennedy, Jerry Mahler, Rich Markowitz, Steve Moseley, Geoff Pawlikowski, Paul Pizzica, Mark Ricci, Scott Scharf

AND

Inside the NFL/Sounds of the Year – CBS/Showtime/NFL Films

Sound/Audio
Scott Carter, Kyle Hartigan, Jesse Legrazie, Jerry Mahler, Debbie Markowitz, Shane McMartin, Geoff Pawlikowski, Paul Pizzica, Mark Ricci, Scott Scharf, Ron Schreier

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN

MLB Tonight – MLB Network

Senior Graphic Designers
Chris Mallory

Graphic Designers
Alex Avdynshin, Jeff Boccia, C.J. Bottitta, Robert Brienza, Bob Brower, Dan Coldwell, David Corrado, Amanda Dunk, Michael Farris, Steve George, Santosh Isaac, Anthony Kounouklos, Premier Maldonado, David Mayzis, Jocelyne Meinert, Mike Moore, Jillian Nalasco, Oscar Navarro, Brian Perkins, Kaitlin Rose, Shannon Wong, Chung Wu

AND

SportsNation – ESPN2

Graphic Designers
Charlie Collin, Kyle Cooper, Mark DiGiovanna, Mark Groeschner, Dale Harney, Joe Hribar, Justin Linde, Scott Lodge, Chris Mantzaris, Paul Mitchell, Tim O’Shoughnessy, Rick Pavia, Alex Popkin, Danielle Robinson, Michael Ruddy, Renata Sedzimir, Heewon Sohn, Kristen Suermann, Michael Szykowny

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION DESIGN/ART DIRECTION
MLB Tonight – MLB Network

Production Designers
John Entz, Jim Fenhagen, Bruce Ferri, Gary Fippinger, Bryan Higgison, Joe Lamberta,Chris Mallory, Tony Petitti, Tony Santomauro, Michael Sheehan, Susan Stone, Karen Whritner

THE GEORGE WENSEL TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

US Open Tennis/Flomotion - CBS

Innovators
Ken Aagaard, Julianna Barbieri, Arturo Brena, Harold Bryant, Julie Curtiss, Shaun Dail, Robert Fishman, Joel Hahn, Stephen Karasik, Julie Landa, Robert H.Mansbach, John Paquet, Jason Ross, Moshe Samet, Eyal Stessel

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – INSTITUTIONAL

Football Season Never Ends/Run – NFL Network/Motion Theory

Executive Producers
Kevin Balluff, Steve Bornstein, Dena Kaplan

Creative Director
Greg Carson

Producers
Javier Jiminez, Jason Myers, Anne Pierce, Liz Ross, Jason Trautwein

Director
Matt Cullen

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – EPISODIC

24/7 Jimmie Johnson Race to Daytona/Mystical Forces – HBO/Ultrabland

Producer

Justin Joseph

Director

David Roofthooft

Here is the breakdown of winners by network.

The 30th Annual Emmy Awards for Sports

SUMMARY OF WINNERS BY NETWORK

HBO Sports/HBO (9)

            24/7 Mayweather-Marquez ………………………………………………….  2

            Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals ..  2

            24/7 Pacquiao-Cotto …………………………………………………………….  1

            24/7 Pacquiao -Hatton …………………………………………………………  1

            24/7 Jimmie Johnson Race to Daytona ………………………………  1

            Assault in the Ring ……………………………………………………………….  1

            Ted Williams …………………………………………………………………………  1

CBS (4)

            College Football on CBS ……………………………………………………….  1

            NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship ……………………………….  1

            Jim Nantz  ……………………………………………………………………………..  1

            US Open Tennis …………………………………………………………………….  1

MLB Network (4)

            MLB Tonight ………………………………………………………………………….   3

            Bob Costas ……………………………………………………………………………  1

NBC  (4)

            Cris Collinsworth  …………………………………………………………………  1

            Bob Costas ……………………………………………………………………………  1

            NBC Sunday Night Football  ………………………………………………….  1

            Super Bowl XLIII  …………………………………………………………………..  1

ESPN  (3)

            College GameDay…………………………………………………………………. 1

            Kirk Herbstreit ……………………………………………………………………..  1

            Pardon the Interruption ………………………………………………………..  1

ESPN2  (3)

            E: 60 ………………………………………………………………………………………  2

            SportsNation …………………………………………………………………………  1

CBS/Showtime  (2)

            Inside the NFL ……………………………………………………………………….  2

CBS Mobile   (1)

            CBS Mobile NCAA March Madness on Demand………………….. 1

ESPN.com   (1)

            Super Bowl MVPs ………………………………………………………………..  1

FOX  (1)

            NASCAR on FOX ………………………………………………………………….   1

FOX  Sports Net (1)

            Red Bull Air Race World Championship …………………………….   1

NBCOlympics.com  (1)

            Countdown to Vancouver  ………………………………………………….  1

NFL Network  (1)

            Football Season Never Ends ………………………………………………  1

Speed  (1)

            Inside the Headsets …………………………………………………………….  1

Good stuff.

Our Back To The Work Week Links

Let’s do some linkage for you as many of us are back to work today.

Starting with the Sports Business Journal, we have the nominees for the publication’s 2010 Sports Business Awards.

On The DL’s Dan Levy breaks down CBS’ announcing teams and assignments in the Sporting Blog.

Greg Risling of the Associated Press says Erin Andrews’ stalker will be sentenced in court today.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says CBS turned in a yeoman’s effort for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell goes inside the financial numbers for the NCAA Tournament.

Darren wonders if Duke’s athletic department lost money in the previous academic year.

The great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated talks with CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus about what the return of Tiger Woods would mean for the network that covers it.

In her blog, Daryn Kagan tells us what she would ask Tiger Woods if she had the opportunity.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on Reggie Miller with a jaded eye towards the New York Knicks.

Phil Mushnick from the New York Post goes after the Big East Tournament.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has some quotage from ESPNU’s “The Experts” who weighed in on Siena’s chances in the NCAA Tournament.

Pete has the NIT schedule complete with tip times and TV network.

And Pete notes that the perpetually angry Doug Gottlieb is on the Siena bandwagon.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Times Herald-Record tries to figure out which NCAA Tournament games will be aired in the New York metropolitan area.

And Ken lists the 10 NIT games that will be aired on ESPN2 and ESPNU this week.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says Universal Sports will be all over the Paralympics in Vancouver starting today.

And Jim says MASN will air the Nationals-Braves game tonight.

Israel Gutierrez from the Miami Herald feels the NCAA Tournament should stay at 65 teams and not have ESPN get involved.

Monte Hale, Jr. of the Tennessean writes that ESPN’s cameras will be catching the reaction of Middle Tennessee State during its NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show tonight.

James Jahnke from the Detroit Free Press says former Michigan State star Mateen Cleeves will join Fox Sports Detroit as an analyst for select Pistons games.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Marquette got a nod from CBS/Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis. 

Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post is impressed by Bob Knight’s work on ESPN. 

Greg Hansen in the Arizona Daily Star says the Pac-10 Tournament on Fox Sports Net needs an infusion.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the SoCal sports calendar for the week.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says when Don Cherry denounces the NHL on head shots, it’s time to take notice.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says a beloved curling analyst has worked his last match.

Steve Lapore at Puck The Media says Don Cherry was clairvoyant in his Coach’s Corner segment on Sidney Crosby.

The great Midwest Sports Fans blog has a look some of the best Gus Johnson moments at the NCAA Tournament.

Rob Tornoe of Tornoe’s Cartoon News blog reports that former Rocky Mountain News sports cartoonist Drew Litton is now displaying his work at ESPN.com. You can see Drew’s first cartoon right here.

The Sports Media Watch says South Park will be the next to lampoon Tiger Woods.

That’s going to do it for the links today. 

Doing the Mid-Week Link Thing

Ok, doing some linkage today. Lots of stuff to get to.

Starting with USA Today’s Michael Hiestand who says one has to take NBC’s Olympic primetime ratings with a grain of salt.

Michael also writes about Tony Kornheiser’s two week suspension for his comments about Hannah Storm’s attire.

From Slate, Jack Shafer says Mr. Tony isn’t the nicest guy, but his suspension wasn’t warranted.

John Feinstein, Kornheiser’s colleague at the Washington Post and notorious ESPN-hater, calls out the Mothership for hypocrisy. 

The Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal Winter Olympics site says the NBC’s coverage is drawing younger viewers.

Tripp Mickle of SBD/SBJ writes that Panasonic is using the Olympics to showcase 3-D TV.

And Tripp says Yahoo! has increased its commitment to covering the Olympics and has made it profitable.

John Ourand in Sports Business Journal says Turner Sports will meet with the NBA on tweaking the Slam Dunk competition for next year and beyond.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the Japadog has been a big seller in Vancouver. What is a Japadog? Darren explains. 

Dan Levy of On The DL writes in the Sporting News’ Sporting Blog that NBC has made the Olympics a test lab and we the viewer are the lab rats.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Canadians are flocking to CTV’s Olympics website to watch the games online.

Multichannel News has Versus’ NHL spot that has been running during the Olympics.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel says NBC’s Monday Olympics primetime ratings actually fell below the Turin games for the first time.

Steve McClellan of Adweek notes that Americans have been flocking to NBC’s multiple platforms to watch the Olympics and to catch up on certain moments.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine reports that after losing to NBC’s Olympic coverage last week for the first time, Fox’s American Idol was back on top last night.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch has your Olympic viewing guide for today.

Long time Red Sox beat writer for the Providence Journal, Country Joe McDonald has left the paper and joined ESPN Boston as of today.

Christopher Clarey of the New York Times writes that a moguls skier who was paralyzed in an accident three years ago is now an Olympic analyst for French TV. 

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says today’s USA-Switzerland game will be live on NBC for the Eastern half of the country.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette has the Yankees spring training TV schedule.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News notices that a local TV news anchor has forgotten or doesn’t seem to know that the Olympics are on.

Tim Lemke lists his favorite Winter Olympics sports from top to bottom.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner says tonight’s Olympic lineup on NBC could be filled with gold medal winners in alpine skiing and short track. 

Jim says there will be plenty of thrilling Olympic hockey to watch today.

Sarah Talalay from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the Miami Heat are freezing season ticket prices for current holders and holding the line on concessions.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News is not in any mood to hear complaints about USA-Canada not being on NBC.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman also delves into the USA-Canada on MSNBC issue.

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman wants to know why the Windy City’s baseball announcers aren’t ranked higher on MLB Network’s greatest announcers list.

Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune says people complain about NBC’s tape delayed Olympics coverage, but they’re still watching.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says there’s no excuse for Tony Kornheiser’s comments on Hannah Storm’s attire.

Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune would prefer to watch hockey over ice dancing.

Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times says NBC is showing the USA-Switzerland game on delay, but it will be live online.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says Monday’s coverage on CTV’s Olympic Broadcast Consortium was a mixed bag.

Chris also talks about the Olympics experience online.

The Sports Media Watch says ESPN2 saw a ratings decline for Danica Patrick’s second NASCAR race.

SportsbyBrooks explores why Tony Kornheiser was suspended from Pardon The Interruption and not his local radio show where he made his now-infamous comments about Hannah Storm.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media received an assurance that NBC will air today’s USA-Switzerland game in its entirety despite its 2 hour timeslot listed in newspapers and websites.

And we end with Len Berman’s Top 5 stories of the day.

Later today, I’ll post the Sports Media Weekly podcast and this week the guest is Dave Sims from Westwood One Radio and FSN Northwest.

Keep your RSS and Twitter feeds updated.

Mayne Street – Can Staubach Go Left?

In the season finale, Kenny and Adam Corolla audition for a movie based on former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach. It ends up disastrous just like many things in Mayne Street.

I liked this one. It’s also the last webisode in the Los Angeles part of the series.

Mayne Street – Just Give Me The Tickets

In this webisode, Kenny and Sarah (Alison Becker) are called into a special Sunday meeting with Evan Mintz and his assistant, Robin Gibney, only to find a confrontation waiting for them. Hilarity ensues. Or maybe not.

Nice to see Aubrey Plaza playing Robin once again. But overall, the real star of Mayne Street is Alison Becker. We all know it.

This Is Monday’s Linkage

On this day when New England sports fans are talking about the Bill Belichick decision that cost the Patriots a win against the Colts, I’m enjoying the agony. Being a Browns fan, I need something to help me endure the season. And the Indianapolis Star has a picture of one of Belichick’s henchman shoving an NBC photographer after the game. Thanks to the Big Lead for the pic.

Let’s do the links for you.

We start with the Sports Business Journal and a few stories for you.

John Ourand writes that Comcast is set to compete with ESPN at the local level.

Tripp Mickle says not as many U.S. newspapers will be staffing the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February.

Terry Lefton reports that with the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl being held at the same venue in 2010, the NFL plans to offer some different events.

In today’s Sports Business Daily, Eric Fisher writes that ESPN.com is now featuring a new section for commentary including the ESPN Ombudsman.

To the Sporting News and Dan Levy of On The DL writes about Jon Gruden’s decision to sign a multi-year contract with ESPN.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk says ESPN isn’t saying much about Gruden’s staying to call Monday Night Football for next season and possibly beyond.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry says it’s time to blow up the current standard for the game story and invent a new one.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says now that Michelle Wie has won a golf tournament, what’s next for her?

Noam Cohen of the New York Times says ESPN’s Bill Simmons is the future of columnists. If he is, then I find that very sad. One of these days, I’ll explain why Simmons is one of the worst things to happen to sports and is a massive charlatan.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post loves to point at college football players who have arrest records and not properly mentioned on the networks.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union also looks at Jon Gruden’s new contract with ESPN.

Pete wonders if Sunday Night Football shouldn’t start earlier.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News says this means that Gruden won’t be moving to the Bills.

John Rowe of the Bergen (NJ) Record says believe it or not, one school wanted to play in the 6 a.m. ET slot in tomorrow’s 24 hour college basketball marathon on ESPN.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes about Jon Gruden’s staying with ESPN.

Jim provides the best quotage from the Sunday NFL pregame and postgame shows.

To Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times who reviews the weekend in televised sports and feels there are too many college football games on TV.

And Tom also has a story on Gruden’s new contract at ESPN. Apparently this is a big story today.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has the postmortem on the Cowboys’ loss to Green Bay yesterday.

Barry notes a former Dallas radio sports director who has been honored as a Minor League Baseball broadcaster of the year.

Barry also has his take on the Gruden/ESPN signing.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports South in HD has been added to local cable systems.

John writes the Bengals-Steelers game set a local ratings record on Sunday for the local CBS affiliate.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says noted local sports personality Mike North is doing a guest spot on one of the news/talk stations this week.

Ed looks at the economics of firing three noted coaches.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says there was plenty of Rx from the TV football doctors for what ailed the Packers.

Dusty Sanders of the Denver Post says Northern Colorado takes an early role in ESPN’s 24 hour college basketball marathon on Tuesday.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s sports calendar for SoCal.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail says a TSN CFL analyst is getting the job done.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star reviews ESPN’s 30 for 30 Wayne Gretzky documentary which has its Canadian premiere on Wednesday.

William Houston in the Truth & Rumours blog looks at the NHL’s record on head shots and the media’s passive attitude towards the league’s head of discipline, Colin Campbell.

The great Amanda Bruno of Batter-up with Bruno is joining a new website called BostonSportsWoman. Best of luck on the new venture, Amanda!

Also joining the site is a Twitter friend, Kayla Chadwick of the Off The Monster blog.

My best wishes to Amanda and Kayla and I wish nothing but success for Boston Sports Woman.

The Sports Media Watch says Cowboys-Packers steered Fox to big ratings yesterday.

And SMW notes that Pats-Colts did very well for NBC last night.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media takes us inside the production truck as he worked a women’s volleyball game yesterday. I love these features and I hope you do too.

Chris notes how one network creatively marketed its brand when it was using an outsourced production truck.

Chris lets us know the enormity of the production crew that regularly work a college football game.

And we end with The Five from WEEI.com hosted by Kristine Leahy.

That’s it for the day.

Mayne Street – The Sports Guy Mansion

Here we are with the season premiere of Mayne Street, the ESPN web series that has been quite fun to watch. I’ve enjoyed them for the most part. Here’s the first webisode of the new season. Here, Kenny visits the ever so pretentious Bill Simmons and the Sports Guy unveils the curtain behind his Boston persona.

Nice to see Stacy Keibler making a cameo. I think this series will get better. And we had better see Alison in the next webisode!

General Sports TV Press Releases

Let’s finish our press releases with a mishmash of subjects. Lots of stuff to post and they all don’t fit under one particular theme.

As we get closer to the start of the NHL season, ESPN tells us that analysts Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby will return to talk puck on SportsCenter.

Barry Melrose & Matthew Barnaby Return for NHL Season

ESPN NHL analysts Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby return to the air of ESPN studio programming Wednesday, Sept. 30, the night before the opening puck drop, to provide a preview of the 2009-10 season.

Throughout the regular season, Melrose, in his 14th year with ESPN, will offer insight and analysis every Tuesday and team up with Barnaby every Wednesday. Then Barnaby, entering his second season with ESPN, will appear solo on Thursdays. The analysts will review and preview games and talk X’s and O’s on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, ESPN.com and other platforms.

Barnaby and Melrose selected teams to watch and made their preseason Stanley Cup predictions:

Teams to watch

Melrose: “The usual suspects, such as Washington and Pittsburgh, will be good, but Philadelphia has really changed by adding Chris Pronger.”

Barnaby: “Washington and the New York Rangers are the teams to look for this season. The Rangers have added help on the power play with Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal.”

Stanley Cup predictions

Melrose: “I am picking Chicago vs. Philadelphia.”

Barnaby: “I think in the Finals we will see San Jose vs. Washington.”

ESPN.com says its popular web series, Mayne Street returns next month.

Keibler, Kimmel among Guest Stars on New Mayne Street Webisodes on ESPN.com

ESPN.com’s original scripted series Mayne Street returns with six new webisodes Tuesdays at 9 a.m. starting Oct. 13. On Mayne Street, Mayne stars as himself in a fictionalized version of life at a sports television network. His reoccurring foils revolve largely around his fictional production crew, as well as other ESPN personalities. The new webisodes feature guest stars Stacey Keibler, Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Simmons and Ben Stiller.

Showtime announces that Fox Sports’ Curt Menafee will host and call its ShoBox: The Next Generation series while regular host Nick Charles recovers from cancer.

NFL STUDIO HOST CURT MENEFEE TO JOIN

SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION ANNOUNCE TEAM

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Versatile Veteran Sportscaster To Sub For Nick Charles

Beginning With Live ShoBox Telecast, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

NEW YORK (Sept. 28, 2009)–Veteran sportscaster Curt Menefee will join the ShoBox: The New Generation announce team, substituting for Nick Charles, the perennial host and play-by-play announcer who is currently battling bladder cancer.

Menefee will anchor the remaining ShoBox telecasts in 2009, joining color analyst Steve Farhood, beginning Friday, Oct. 2, when top-ranked super middleweight contender Allan Green (28-1, 20 KOs) takes on late replacement Tarvis Simms (25-0, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Also working the announce booth on Oct. 2 will be former light heavyweight kingpin Antonio Tarver who will be serving as guest commentator for his third stint on ShoBox.

“It’s an honor to be offered this role and to join the SHOWTIME Sports family,” Menefee said. “As a boxing fan, I feel as though I just scored a knockout victory. After watching the network for decades, I am honored to be a small part of the tireless and talented SHOWTIME Sports team.”

While Menefee is excited for the opportunity, he wishes Charles the best and hopes for a speedy recovery and return to ShoBox.

“I started as an intern at CNN in Atlanta in 1984 when Nick (Charles) and Fred Hickman were the hosts,” Menefee said. “It is difficult to hear what Nick is going through. I am pulling for him in this fight.”

Menefee is best known as studio host for FOX NFL SUNDAY alongside co-host Terry Bradshaw and studio analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan.

An avid sports fan, Menefee began his career at FOX Sports in 1997 as a sideline reporter, and later moved to the game booth to call play-by-play for NFL and NFL Europe League coverage on FOX Sports and FSN. Through his work at WNYW FOX5 and MSG in New York, Menefee established himself as one of the city’s most popular sportscasters.

Menefee has boxing broadcast experience, having provided ringside commentary for three international feeds for Top Rank, and is excited to work with Farhood.

“To have the opportunity to work on the ShoBox series with a historian like Steve Farhood is like taking a masters degree course from the professor who wrote the text book,” Menefee said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley and Bernard Dunne.

And Golf Channel gets ready for the next edition of Big Break.

It Will Take More Than Magic to Win Big Break Disney Golf

View preview of Big Break Disney Golf

http://video.thegolfchannel.com/temp_download/gc_bbdc_trailer_090809_16x9.wmv

(L- R) Andrew Giuliani, Andres Huber, Mike Perez, J.R. Reyes, Sean Kalin, Blake Moore, Gipper Finau, Kevin Erdman, Tony Finau, Vincent Johnson, Kevan Maxwell, Ed Moses

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2009) – GOLF CHANNEL’s popular Big Break series returns for a 12^th season to a magical setting that will make one contestant’s dream of playing on the PGA TOUR come true. Premiering Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. ET, Big Break Disney Golf will showcase a field of 12 men – collectively the most talented cast in series history, but individually at different stages in their careers – battling for the opportunity to fulfill the desire to play professional golf at the highest level.

Shot mainly at both the Magnolia and Palm Courses at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., the winner of Big Break Disney Golf will receive an exemption to compete in the 2010 Children’s Miracle Network Classic on the PGA TOUR. The series marks the first time that a Big Break winner will compete in a TOUR event on the same course in which the series was filmed.

Utilizing unique venues throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, Big Break Disney Golf’s challenges also will take place at Main Street U.S.A., Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and the Walt Disney World Speedway. Intertwined into several episodes will be cameos by PGA TOUR players and memorable moments from the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.

And that’s it for tonight. See you in the morning.

A Few Monday Morning Press Releases

Let’s give you some releases this morning and then I’ll do some links in about an hour.

Starting with TBS and some quotage from yesterday’s MLB On Deck pregame show.

Notes from Sunday MLB on TBS – September 27, 2009

Sunday MLB on TBS concludes on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a game to be announced. TBS’ coverage will begin with a 30-minute pre-game show prior to the game with its exclusive coverage of MLB’s Division Series beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

MLB on Deck

Announcers: Host Ernie Johnson with analysts Cal Ripken, Dennis Eckersley and David Wells

Ripken on the teams battling for a spot in the Postseason: “This is the coolest part of the game, and I thought we weren’t going to have these kinds of races down the stretch. Minnesota comes back and they are playing really well. Colorado, I still can’t figure out Colorado; they are just riding out the momentum. This is more pressure and more fun than the playoffs.”

Eckersley on the pressure being on the team that is leading the standings: “I was never in that position all that much coming down to the last week, to only have a two or three game lead. The pressure I think is definitely on the team that’s leading, if you don’t win, you choked the last week of the season. The pressure is definitely on Colorado and Detroit.”

Wells on the Colorado Rockies: “The thing about Colorado is that anything can happen anytime. These guys are so notorious for coming back and making a playoff run. They did it a few years ago against San Diego. Are they going to be able to do it again? We’ll find out, but the thing about them is they play better at home.”

Wells on the San Francisco Giants problems producing runs: “I was working the (Giants) game a few weeks ago and talking to (manager Bruce) Bochy. I said, ‘Bochy, what happened to you guys?’ And he threw up his hands and said, ‘we just can not score.’ I said, ‘there’s a new invention called trying to manufacture runs.’ When you’re in that situation with the type of pitching you have, they’ve got guys that can pitch and win 1-0 ball games. And they’ve got guys who can hit, but you want to talk about going in the tank, they are the definition of going in the tank.”

Eckersley on how the Yankees and Red Sox are the two best teams in baseball by far: “My pick is the New York Yankees, and I follow the Red Sox all year, and I think they are a close second. As far as the National League, that’s an inferior league, that’s like Triple A. Come over to the American League East and try to win some ball games.”

Wells on Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain: “I had no clue what they were doing with (Joba Chamberlain) to begin with when he was a reliever. He was setting up Mo (Mariano Rivera) very nicely, it was the (John) Wetteland, Rivera one-two punch. Then they had Joba and Rivera, but they tried to make him a starter because they didn’t have any starting pitching and they were tinkering with that. This guy was so good at his position and now he’s lost. I think they have the Joba rule, 70 pitches no matter how many innings you go. What does that do to a guy’s mental state of mind?”

Ripken on three teams to watch during the Postseason: “(The Yankees) are the better team, I love the team chemistry this year as an intangible. They are on the same page; winning does that. The Red Sox are an awfully dangerous team; the experience, they have, the nasty factor that we talk about. But keep your eye on the Angels. I have no real reason why, they’ve lost the last two years in the playoffs, but I think they’ve been pushed a little bit more this year and I think they might be due.”

TBS analysts rank the best National League teams:

Wells: “Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis and Philadelphia.”

Ripken: “The Cardinals first, I like Philly second and the Dodgers third.”

Eckersley: “St. Louis first, and number two is the Dodgers, and who cares after that?”

Sunday MLB on TBS

St. Louis Cardinals (3) @ Colorado Rockies (4)

Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst) and Marc Fein (field reporter)

Martinez on Rockies manager Jim Tracy taking over mid-season: “When you’re a manager taking over a team mid-season, guys like (Todd) Helton are invaluable. (Manager) Jim Tracy talked about the biggest asset he had in the dugout he said Helton, (Brad) Hawpe, (Aaron) Cook, they are all veterans who really validated his presence.”

Martinez on Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan’s pitching philosophy: “When you throw a lot of strikes it keeps you in the ballgame. The Cardinals’ starters have pitched a ton this year, when you’re out on the field pitching into the seventh and eighth inning you always have a chance to win. (Cardinals pitching coach) Dave Duncan has always been a proponent of throwing strikes. As a pitching coach, you convince your pitchers to throw it over, challenge the hitters to put it in play, plus, you always keep the defense on their toes.”

Martinez on throwing breaking balls high due to the dry air in Colorado: “That will happen to pitchers because of dry air, you don’t get a real good grip on a breaking ball and it will slip out of your hand from time to time.”

Johnson, Ripken, Eckersley and Wells called the bottom of the fifth inning and a portion of the sixth inning.

Wells on watching the scoreboard during a game to see how other teams are doing: “Every inning (I watched), you’ve got to adjust to the scoreboard. Those guys just won, now that puts us in a predicament, and as a pitcher, now I’ve got to make smart pitching and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. You try not to put pressure (on yourself), but I know when I get in situations I’ve got to be smart.”

Ripken on preferring to face an established pitcher over a new player: “Towards the end of the season I didn’t like facing new guys. Sometimes when you face a spoiler team and they are going to spot start a guy, and it felt like it took until the third at-bat to get to know him a little bit. I’d rather face a guy I know even if it means playing the tougher competition. There are all kinds of tricks you can do (to a rookie), but I would always rather know what I’m expecting because the advantage goes to the pitcher.”

Wells on Royals starter Zack Greinke pitching seven innings to help secure a victory against the Minnesota Twins who are trying to make it to the Postseason: “(Royals Zack Greinke) is playing the role of spoiler and that’s what you want to do. When you get an opponent to go out and spoil someone’s postseason, that’s almost like winning a postseason game because you’ve done the job and you’re gong to make some people mad and some people happy. But he’s going to go out and do the job because he’s a Cy Young candidate with the way he’s been throwing the ball.”

Martinez on Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s second error of the game on a bad throw to first baseman Todd Helton: “I don’t know why (Troy) Tulowitzki throws it on the run and handcuffs Helton. (Helton) is a Gold Glover, but you don’t want to put him in this position.”

Eckersley on the Tigers allowing it to become a race with the Minnesota Twins: “I keep thinking about Detroit, thinking they have messed up. They could have taken it, they should have won this thing long before the last week of the season.”

Wells: “No question. When you have an opportunity to capitalize and you don’t…if you’re pitching falls. The Tigers only have a couple of guys in the lineup doing it (with scoring), and that’s (Miguel) Cabrera, (Brandon) Inge has been in and out, so you don’t know what you’re going to get, but you have to do it.”

Golf Channel tells us that they’re airing this week.

COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2009

Meet the Cast of Big Break Disney Golf

Dr. J and Billy Andrade Headline Playing Lessons from the Pros

Original Programming Premieres and Highlights

(All times eastern)

Big Break Disney Golf: Preview Show

Time: Tuesday, 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Hosts: Vince Cellini, Stephanie Sparks

Tuesday’s Big Break Disney Golf preview show will introduce the contestants, offer a glimpse of the upcoming challenges and provide an inside look at the drama that will ensue in the series. Big Break Disney Golf will premiere Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. ET and will showcase a field of 12 men – collectively the most talented cast in series history, but individually at different stages in their careers – battling for the opportunity to fulfill the desire to play professional golf at the highest level. Competitors range from an Olympic gold medalist to those merely chasing a dream.

Playing Lessons from the Pros – “Dr. J” Julius Erving and Billy Andrade

Time: Monday, 10-10:30 p.m.

NBA Hall-of-Famer “Dr. J” Julius Erving will join PGA TOUR professional Billy Andrade for a round of golf on Playing Lessons from the Pros. Taking place at Celebrity Golf Club International in Atlanta, Ga., Andrade will provide tips on bunker shots, chipping around the green and golf course management.

Top 10: Fred Couples Highlights

Time: Tuesday, 9-9:30 p.m.

Host: Lauren Thompson

The only thing smoother than Fred Couples’ disposition is his fluid golf swing. Host Lauren Thompson will count down the top 10 Fred Couples highlights, featuring his Presidents Cup successes and his par-3 miracle in capturing the 1992 Masters. Top 10 will include insight and interviews from fellow PGA TOUR professionals and noted sports journalists, including Couples’ college roommate at the University of Houston, CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz.

Golf’s Amazing Videos: Hole-in-One Spectacular

Time: Monday, 9 – 9:30 p.m.

Golf’s Amazing Videos returns with a new episode showcasing some of the most remarkable holes in one ever recorded, both on the professional tours and in the amateur ranks, including aces by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Natalie Gulbis and Vijay Singh. Nick Faldo will give a step-by-step lesson on how to make an ace, and viewers will witness two amateurs hit million dollar aces.

Quest for the Card

Time: Wednesday, 7:30-8 p.m.

Host: Jerry Foltz

Quest for the Card will recap the 2009 Albertsons Boise Open and the WNB Golf Classic. The half-hour show also will profile Nationwide Tour players as they continue their quest to earn PGA TOUR cards for the 2010 season.

News and Talk Show Programming Highlights

Golf Central

Live Airings: Monday – Wednesday, 6-6:30 p.m./11:30 p.m.-12 a.m.

Thursday – Sunday, 6-6:30 p.m./12:30-1 a.m.

Golf Central will recap the news and storylines coming out of THE TOUR Championship and preview upcoming tournaments on all of the various tours, including the Turning Stone Resort Championship and the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship – a major on the Champions Tour.

Golf Central Pre Game

Live Airings: Thursday – Sunday, 12:30-1 p.m.; 3:30-4 p.m.

Golf Central Pre Game will prepare viewers for all of the action at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by a second Pre Game show at 3:30 p.m. ET previewing the Turning Stone Resort Championship and all of the tournaments on the various golf tours with news, interviews and analysis.

The Golf Fix

Time: Monday, 8-8:30 p.m.

Host: Michael Breed

Hosted by Michael Breed, GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced, interactive instructional show will highlight viewer call-ins and e-mails and provide drills that viewers can practice both on and off the golf course. GolfChannel.com also will include a bonus segment following the conclusion of the live show on Monday.

The Approach with Callaway Golf

Time: Tuesday, 8-8:30 p.m.

Host: Vince Cellini

Panelists: Alex Miceli/Andrew Magee

Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will recap THE TOUR Championship and preview the upcoming tournaments on the various tours in an entertaining and informative manner.

Grey Goose 19^th Hole

Time: Wednesday, 8-8:30 p.m.

Host: Vince Cellini/Analyst Jeff Rude

Grey Goose 19^th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show, will feature debates on the hot topics in golf coming out of THE TOUR Championship and will preview the upcoming tournaments on the various tours.

From the NBA and ESPN, we have this new collaboration on NBA.com’s Fantasy Basketball.

ESPN and NBA Digital Team Up for ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball

Distinctive Collaboration includes Official Game on both ESPN.com and NBA.com, Multi-Platform Content and Co-Promotion

NBA Digital and ESPN announced today a unique multi-year agreement that will make ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball, the official commissioner-style fantasy basketball game for both ESPN.com and NBA.com. The collaboration between NBA Digital and ESPN means that fantasy sports players on two of the leading NBA destinations online will now have a single, integrated game and access to the very best fantasy basketball content online and on mobile devices. The companies will also develop cross-platform promotions through a multitude of ESPN and NBA Digital platforms.

“This collaboration takes NBA Digital’s multi-platform philosophy to unprecedented levels,” said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager, NBA Digital. “By marrying the TV, internet and wireless assets of ESPN and NBA Digital, fantasy sports fans will be able to engage in the game and related content in more ways than have ever been offered in the fantasy arena.”

“Working together with NBA Digital on ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball builds upon the great, multi-faceted relationship we have with the NBA and will provide fans with the very best fantasy basketball game and content available,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media. “Fans will benefit this season and in seasons ahead from new innovations and an enhanced interactive experience, while advertisers will get more value than ever before from their connection to a best-of-breed multi-platform game and content experience.”

The game is available now on NBA.com and ESPN.com and on ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites. Fans will be able to manage their teams with the latest information on their players, check scores and set their lineups. Following a record-setting season for the free commissioner-style fantasy game on ESPN.com (including nearly 40 times the growth in participation from the previous season) ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball will allow players to create leagues and teams, schedule drafts, conduct mock drafts and more. Other features include:

• Integrated access to all the leading NBA Digital and ESPN Fantasy news, analysis and information including video, podcasts, columns, features and more;
• NBA TV and ESPN studio personalities competing in the game throughout the season;
• Mobile companions allowing team management through the ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites, as well as a downloadable Draft Kit mobile application developed by ESPN;
• A co-branded and cohesive marketing campaign featuring 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz), three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls).

As part of the agreement, ESPN and NBA Digital will cross promote the game and the Fantasy Draft Kit across their multiple media platforms. ESPN and NBA Digital will work together to develop new features throughout the 2009-10 NBA regular season (begins Tuesday, October 27) and in seasons ahead, including the integration of video from the NBA Digital and ESPN libraries. In addition, ESPN and NBA Digital will jointly develop sponsorship packages and co-marketing initiatives around ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball.

And ESPN has its motorsports schedule for the week.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Live from Kansas on ABC

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup continues this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for 400 miles on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. ESPN’s live, flag-to-flag coverage of the race will air on ABC. The telecast begins with NASCAR Countdown at 1 p.m. ET and the race’s green flag is at 2:15 p.m.

ESPN’s coverage of the final 11 races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will air on ABC, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. ESPN’s coverage from Kansas includes NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m. and a same-day telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup final practice on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m., both on ESPN2.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, co-owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Kansas on ESPN2

ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend as the series races at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. The live, flag-to-flag telecast airs Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. ET, with the green flag at 3:46 p.m. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.

Coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice airs Friday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

Evernham, Said, Craven on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR on ESPN analysts Ray Evernham, Boris Said and Ricky Craven will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday through Thursday of this week at 5 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. following ESPN2’s coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice at Kansas Speedway.

Massaro will be joined by Said for the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at 10 p.m. Sunday. Nicole Manske and Terry Blount will report from Kansas for both programs.

NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

Countdown to 1 Continues in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues its Countdown to 1 playoffs as the series visits Memphis Motorsports Park for the NHRA Mid-South Nationals this weekend. ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action, with qualifying airing Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations action airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., with a re-air Monday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

The tour’s annual stop in “the birthplace of the Blues” is being contested for the third straight season in what should be cooler climes from its previous late-August date. For the teams still in the Countdown to the Championship for NHRA Full Throttle world titles, this is the halfway point of the Countdown to 1, the third of six events that will determine the world champions.

Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, Dave Rieff and John Kernan report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.

Other NHRA programming airing on ESPN Networks this week includes highlights from the 2004 Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, airing Monday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. on ESPN Classic. In addition, action from the recent Sportsman Series event in Dallas airs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Traxxas TORC Series Action on ESPN2 Sunday

Action from the Traxxas TORC Series returns to ESPN2 on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 a.m. ET with highlights of the event held in Perris, Calif. The premier short-course racing series with the top stars in off-road racing, this exciting form of door-to-door action is appearing on both ESPN2 and ABC this season.

The 2009 season features eight total rounds of racing. ESPN2 will air five rounds with three to appear on ABC. Marty Reid, lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 and selected NASCAR races, will call all of the TORC Truck Series events on ESPN2 and ABC. Joining Reid will be long-time extreme sports announcer Tes Sewell and former Miss USA Kimberly Pressler as pit reporter.

That’s it. Links are coming up.

Some General Releases Now

Ok, we have almost caught up with the releases. I’m going to give you some stuff that doesn’t fit any particular category. As usual, most of them have to do with ESPN. They just keep sending the releases. Not that I mind, of course.

ESPN Radio tells us that Rescue Me star Denis Leary will co-host Mike & Mike in the Morning for the entire show next Wednesday.

Denis Leary to Co-Host Mike & Mike in the Morning

Five-time Emmy Award-nominated comedian/actor Denis Leary will co-host all four hours of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET, M-F) on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The show is simulcast on ESPN2 and streamed live on ESPNRadio.com. Leary, a big sports fan who says ice hockey is his favorite sport and the Boston Bruins are his favorite team, will join Mike Greenberg in ESPN Radio’s studios in Bristol, Conn. Leary, also a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, will be subbing for co-host Mike Golic.

ESPN2′s tennis coverage continues as it all leads to the U.S. Open in New York later this month. This week, it’s the US Open Series in Montreal and Cincinnati.

US Open Series Heats up: Nadal Returns with Federer & Roddick in Montreal;

Clijsters Starts Comeback in Cincy with No. 1 Safina & Williams Sisters

The US Open Series’ hardcourt action across North America continues to heat up the summer as the top players prepare for the US Open in New York, which starts Monday, Aug. 31, on ESPN2. This week’s action is highlighted by the return of Rafael Nadal, who has not played since his early exit from the French Open in May. Nadal will be in Montreal along with the other four top ranked male players: Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, and ESPN2 will have live telecasts tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16. Chris Fowler calls the action with analysts Darren Cahill and Brad Gilbert.

Meanwhile, the women, featuring the return to the WTA Tour by former #1 Kim Clijsters who won her opening-round match Monday, are in Cincinnati. The field includes current #1 Dinara Safina, #2 Serena Williams and #3 Venus Williams. ESPN2 will be there Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 16 when the final will immediately follow the men’s championship north of the border. Cliff Drysdale hosts with analysts Mary Joe Fernandez and Pam Shriver.

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Site
Thu, Aug 13	1-3 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
Fri, Aug 14	1-5 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
	5-7 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open	Cincinnati	Same day
	7-9 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live
Sat, Aug 15	1-3 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open	Cincinnati	Live
	7-11 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters	Montreal	Live/SD
Sun, Aug 16	1:30-4 p.m.	ATP Rogers Masters – final	Montreal	Live
	4-6 p.m.	WTA W&S Fin. Group Open – final	Cincinnati	Live

Another ESPN-related release regards a web-exclusive series related to tennis and hosted by Jennifer Williams.

ESPN.com Serves Up New Original Digital Tennis Series, ESPN Digital Serve

ESPN.com is covering all the tennis action on the court in its newest original digital series ESPN Digital Serve, a weekly Web-exclusive show that offers ESPN.com users highlights and in-depth analysis on the world of tennis. The show also provides a weekly roundup of all the latest tennis news every Monday.

Hosted by Jennifer Williams, the two-minute videos begin with Top Spin, a rundown of all the latest headlines and tournament action, followed by a look at the latest Power Rankings for the men’s and women’s circuits and concludes with Match Point, a highlight of the week’s top tennis story on ESPN.com.

For more on ESPN Digital Serve, visit the Video Hub on ESPN.com and click on Tennis, or watch this week’s webisode here.

You want another ESPN-related release? Sure you do. This is from Tuesday and a conference call regarding ESPN2′s coverage of this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan.

Highlights from NASCAR ESPN Backseat Drivers Media Conference Call

ESPN2’s live coverage of the Aug. 15 CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway will have a new and different approach as the telecast will prominently feature five former NASCAR champions and will be done without a traditional “play by play” announcer. ESPN’s “Backseat Drivers” telecast will engage NASCAR fans with the authenticity and experience of analysts Tim Brewer, Ray Evernham, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace. With Brewer contributing reports and analysis from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, Evernham, Jarrett, Petree and Wallace will call the race from the booth. In addition to the five champions, the telecast will include pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, while Allen Bestwick will host. The race airs Saturday, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Wallace and Evernham participated in NASCAR’s weekly media video conference call today. Some highlight quotes:

General thoughts on the format of the telecast:

RUSTY WALLACE: Well, I’m looking forward to the idea. Myself and Ray and Andy and DJ, we’ve probably got a lot to talk about, that’s for sure. We’ve all won at Michigan before and we’ve all got stories to tell.

I guess my biggest concern is that I don’t step over the top of each other and we don’t keep interrupting each other and stuff like that. I think once we get about ten minutes into the broadcast we’ll find our home and understand where we’re at. It’s going to be a different process for sure; instead of saying here they go, here they come, this guy is passing this guy or whatever, we’re going to be able to comment on how the race is going and from our past experience what we thing we should do to do win is race or what I would have done or what Ray might do. It’s going to be a different type of broadcast. I feel comfortable with it, I’m excited about it, and when it’s all said and done, it’s either going to work or won’t work and we’ll see what happens.

RAY EVERNHAM: I really enjoy the role on ESPN. After racing for years with DJ and Andy and Rusty, it’s like we’re all kind of doing the same thing still, so I get to see the guys. But as much as we’ve done together, we still have different opinions on things, and it’s great to be able to spar back and forth, and you’ve got DJ and Andy in the booth, and they’re kind of you know, they’re one way, more conservative, type of approach, and then you’ve got Rusty and I, we’re wide open, do, whatever, gamble, two tires, no tires. So I think it’s going to be a great deal and I’m really looking forward to it. Unlike Rusty, I really believe that we’re going to be talking over one another and stopping and saying, no, man, that’s not the way it is. But I think that’s what ESPN wants, and I think that’s what the fans are really going to enjoy.

On the subject of who among the analysts is going to be leading the show:

RAY EVERNHAM: As far as I know, when we drop the green flag we’re all headed towards the first corner together, so you know this group, someone is going to be trying to lead. I think I’m going to rely on DJ a little bit to help in and out and Allen Bestwick will really be traffic cop, but it’s going to be up to us. We’ve all been able to take tosses from the director, from (ESPN senior motorsports producer) Neil Goldberg, on when to pass to the pit reporters or when to go to break, so we can all kind of do that. It will be a bit of a different show.

It’s not really going to be a free for all because we really do have a conversation flow. I don’t know if you got to see the roundtable discussion that we did from the boxing ring for ESPN, but it’ll be a little bit of stepping over. But I think clearly ESPN doesn’t want a direction, they don’t want somebody in the lead. They want us, they want our personalities, they want us to be just like we’re sitting around a table at somebody’s house watching the race on television talking about it.

RUSTY WALLACE: I totally agree, I think DJ has been in the booth a lot the last couple years, and I think when it comes down to maybe trying to end a conversation or take it to a break or to commercial, Neil Goldberg our producer will tell him that, but we’ll be all hearing the same thing. This isn’t something that’s real hard. We’ve been doing this for a long time.

But one thing I think you’ll see that will be different, I don’t think you’ll hear a lot of numbers. You won’t be hearing a lot of statistical information. You’ll hear a lot of talk about what we’ve done in the past and what we would do or what we wouldn’t do and more of kind of an open table conversation. We won’t be talking about what city the guy grew up in, how many top 10 finishes he’s had, how many top 5s he’s had, all the number stuff that to me is really boring. I think we’re going to talk racing and try to call what’s on the track, and like Ray said, DJ will be a little bit of a traffic cop in there.

RAY EVERNHAM: You’ll probably hear some of, “Don’t tell me, I beat you in 2000,” or “Don’t tell me, I beat you in 2001,” and “you should have done this.” It’ll be a lot like that.

On the subject of Evernham’s role with ESPN and if he misses the competition side of the sport:

RAY EVERNHAM: I think you miss certainly certain aspects of it. I mean, I love cars, I love to work on them and I love to be in the race. But I don’t miss the 36 or 40 weekends a year and all the stress that went along with it.

I had a good career, and I’m happy with that. I don’t really feel like I’ll be looking to do something full time in Cup. I love to be involved, consult. As I said, I love the sport. I don’t ever plan on walking away from it, but I don’t really ever plan to get back up on the box full time, either.

I do enjoy my role with ESPN. I’m a very team oriented person, and I love to go to the racetrack with these guys. When you get there it’s a team atmosphere. You’re around a bunch of racing people in a relaxed mode. As I said, Rusty and DJ and Andy and I have all become good friends because we don’t have to compete against each other every week. Heck, there was a time you couldn’t keep Rusty and I from wanting to fist fight and now we travel around together. I do enjoy the ESPN role a lot. I do see myself somehow being involved either in NASCAR or from the mechanical side in the future but certainly not on a full time basis.

The analysts were asked how they will keep themselves from second-guessing the teams and drivers during the telecast:

RAY EVERNHAM: We’re not. That’s the whole reason for the broadcast. We’re going to second guess the teams, we’re going to second guess one another, we’re going to talk about stuff that we did, we’re going to say what’s good and what we think is wrong. I mean, we’re going to have fun with it, and you go out on a limb sometimes when you’re second guessing some strategy and find that you get taught something by some of these new crew chiefs. So I’m looking forward to it. I guess that’s the point is they’re hoping that DJ and Rusty second guess the drivers, and they’re opening that Andy and I are second guessing crew chiefs and that we’re second guessing Rusty and DJ and vice versa, no different than it really is on the radio between a crew chief and a driver. You’re always going back and forth. There’s going to be a lot of that going on from our side.

RUSTY WALLACE: I agree. We’re going to say what we think. We’re not going to go into the broadcast trying to say, okay, I’m going to disagree with you six or eight times just to try to spice the show up, none of that stuff. I’m going to say, look, when I won my four races at Michigan, this is how I did it and this is what happens in the race. You’re going to qualify down low, you’re going to race on the top of Turn 3 and 4, you’re probably going to be on the bottom of 1 and 2. Yeah, it’s a wide racetrack, it’s one of the biggest racetracks out there. We’re going to say it’s in all the car companies’ backyards so there’s extra incentive to run.You’ll hear things like that. I don’t think you’ll hear a lot of emotional, he’s passing low, he’s passing high, like a play by play guy might do. Obviously we’ll do some of that, but there should be a lot of information flowing back and forth.

Let’s break the ESPN monopoly and promote two upcoming National Geographic Channel programs airing back to back on August 23.

Sunday, August 23 at 9PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/alien-earths-3637/Overview

Join leading astronomers on a visual journey beyond our solar system in search of planets like Earth. Using CGI animation, we’ll explore bizarre worlds that stretch our imagination: planets with iron rain and hot ice, with diamonds everywhere, and endless oceans of gas. Planets with abnormal orbital patterns and planets with no pattern at all that drift alone in the Milky Way. Planets so strange we never could have predicted them before. Could life exist there?

CGI: The runaway Planemo in a star forming region. (Image Credit: © SkyWorks Digital, Inc.)

Video #1 – Extreme conditions abound on planemos. But spring and fall are just right. Can life survive beyond the Goldilocks Zone?

Video #2 – Adrift in space with no star to keep them warm, some planemos still manage to support life.

Video #3 – “Planetary zombies” can orbit a pulsar, but radiation makes it impossible for life of any kind to survive on them.

On our ALIEN EARTHS program Website, you can also:

• Navigate the Planetary Investigation Lab and explore 3D life form rotations, videos, photos and high resolution concept art.
• Learn about current and future NASA missions, including the Keck Interferometer Telescopes, Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Kepler Mission.
• Check out a photo gallery of the planets, and more.

NAKED SCIENCE: HAWKING’S UNIVERSE

Sunday, August 23 at 10PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/3898/Overview

Stephen Hawking is one of the world’s most famous scientists. But ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, has left him almost totally paralyzed and it is progressing. Unable to walk, talk, or write, his only way of communicating is through a computer program that turns a small movement of a finger or the blink of an eye, into words from a vocal synthesizer. But Hawking remains determined to discover a theory of everything, a complete set of rules for the Universe. Where did the Universe come from and where is it going? What is the nature of time? Will it ever come to an end? This program will explore Hawking’s major contributions to the understanding of our Universe – from his revolutionary proof that our Universe originated in a Big Bang; to his ground breaking discovery that Black Holes are not completely black, but rather emit radiation and eventually evaporate and disappear, to his insights on string theory. Will he unlock the secret of creation before his time runs out?

Stephen Hawking at CERN 2006. Hawking is one of the world’s most famous scientists. He is on a quest to answer how the Universe came to exist. (photo credit © CERN/Maximilien Brice/Claudia Marcelloni)

Video #1 – No one’s found the Theory of Everything yet, but when Hawking discovers that black holes emit radiation, he gets very close

Video #2 – When Hawking loses his voice to a tracheotomy, new speech software technology keeps his research on track.

As usual, great looking stuff from NatGeo and thanks to Minjae Ormes for sending me the releases and links to videos.

All plans to do links have been shot to hell. I’ll do a massive link session tomorrow. Good night.

Some Football-centric Press Releases

Let’s move to football, both college and pro for this press release post.

We’ll begin with the NFL Network and the exhibition games it will air this week.

EXHIBITION SEASON WEEK 1:

FIVE LIVE GAMES ON NFL NETWORK FEATURING DEBUTS OF TOP QB PICKS MATTHEW STAFFORD & MARK SANCHEZ, JAY CUTLER’S FIRST GAME WITH BEARS AND TERRELL OWENS’ FIRST GAME IN BUFFALO

First-Ever Live Exhibition Season Tripleheader on Saturday

Live Telecasts This Week:

Rams at Jets, Friday at 7:00 PM ET

Broncos at 49ers, Friday at 10:00 PM ET

Falcons at Lions, Saturday at 4:00 PM ET

Bears at Bills, Saturday at 7:00 PM ET

Seahawks at Chargers, Saturday at 10:00 PM ET

Fantasy fans sharpen your pencils. The 2009 exhibition season is here and all the action is on NFL Network. For the first time, all 65 games can be seen on NFL Network in high definition.

The live coverage kicks off with a doubleheader on Friday, August 14 at 7:00 PM ET when the St. Louis Rams face the New York Jets in a game that marks the debut of Jets first-round draft pick QB Mark Sanchez, and new head coaches Rex Ryan (Jets) and Steve Spagnuolo (Rams). At 10:00 PM ET, Denver Broncos’ head coach Josh McDaniels begins his tenure with a new QB in a battle against the San Francisco 49ers.

Saturday, August 15 will feature the first-ever live tripleheader with the Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions beginning at 4:00 PM ET. Lions QB Matthew Stafford season begins his rookie season after he was selected with the top pick in the draft. Immediately following at 7:00 PM ET, the Chicago Bears face the Buffalo Bills. The Bears unveil their new QB Jay Cutler while WR Terrell Owens makes his debut in front of the Bills home crowd. Finally, at 10:00 PM ET, the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Diego Chargers in a matchup of teams that have each won their division title four of the past five seasons.

During the 2009 NFL exhibition season, NFL Network will televise a record 65 games – up from the 54 shown in 2008. The exhibition season schedule, which is entirely in HD for the first time, also includes a record 12 live games and 97 encore telecasts so that no one will miss a game.

NFL NETWORK AIR TIMES FOR 2009 WEEK 1 EXHIBITION SEASON GAMES

(ALL TIMES EASTERN; ALL GAMES IN HIGH DEFINITION)

Monday, August 10

12:30 AM – Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans – encore

Tuesday, August 11

12:30 PM – Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans – encore

Thursday, August 13

12:30 AM – Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans – encore

11:00 PM – New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles

Friday, August 14

2:00 AM – Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders

3:00 PM – Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens

9:00 AM – New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles – encore

12:00 PM – Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders – encore

7:00 PM – St. Louis Rams at New York Jets – LIVE

10:00 PM – Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – LIVE

Saturday, August 15

1:00 AM – Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts

7:00 AM – Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints

10:00 AM – Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens – encore

1:00 PM – Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

4:00 PM – Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – LIVE

7:00 PM – Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills – LIVE

10:00 PM – Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – LIVE

Sunday, August 16

1:00 AM – Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers

4:00 AM – Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints – encore

7:00 AM – St. Louis Rams at New York Jets – encore

10:00 AM – Houston Texans at Kansas City

1:00 PM – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans

4:00 PM – New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles – encore

7:00 PM – Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders – encore

10:00 PM – Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts – encore

Monday, August 17

1:00 AM – Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – encore

4:00 AM – Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – encore

7:00 AM – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – encore

10:00 AM – Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – encore

1:00 PM – Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills – encore

4:00 PM – Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers – encore

11:00 PM – Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins

The new Monday Night Football announcing team featuring former Tampa Bay coach Jon Grudin makes its debut this Thursday.

Jon Gruden Makes MNF Exhibition Season Debut Thursday with Super Bowl XLIII Rematch

ESPN will kick off its Monday Night Football Exhibition Season schedule with a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers host wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 8 p.m. ET. Jon Gruden will make his debut in the MNF booth alongside play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico and analyst Ron Jaworski in the first of four ESPN MNF exhibition games in August. Reporter Suzy Kolber will also be in Pittsburgh as the two teams take the field for the first time since Santonio Holmes caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds to play and the Steelers defeated the Cardinals 27-23 for their sixth title in franchise history.

The Cardinals-Steelers matchup will be preceded by a one-hour Monday Night Countdown (7 p.m.) hosted by Chris Berman with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, whose three-week NFL training camp bus tour will make a one-day visit Thursday to the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football 2009 NFL Exhibition Season Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Teams
Thu, Aug 13	8 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Mon, Aug 17	8 p.m.	Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
Mon, Aug 24	8 p.m.	New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Mon, Aug 31	8 p.m.	Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

Suspended wide receiver Donte Stallworth from my Cleveland Browns will speak to ESPN’s E:60 tomorrow night.

Suspended Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver Donte Stallworth Speaks Exclusively to E:60 Tuesday, August 11, at 7 p.m. ET

Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth, in an exclusive E:60 interview, will talk in detail with correspondent Michael Smith on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. ET, about the early morning hours of March 14, when Stallworth killed a man while driving under the influence in Miami.

A plea deal was reached in June, and Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail for DUI manslaughter. After serving 24 days of his sentence, Stallworth was released and is under an indefinite suspension from the NFL after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 5. It is not known when Goodell will rule on Stallworth’s request to return to the NFL.

Critics have expressed outrage that Stallworth is just another example of a rich athlete buying his way out of hard time. E:60 will air the complete interview with Smith on Tuesday. Stallworth talks for the first time about the morning he killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes, lessons learned while in jail and how he hopes to make a positive impact in the future, on and off the football field.

The UFL has unveiled the name for its Las Vegas franchise.

UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE INTRODUCES LAS VEGAS LOCOMOTIVES AS TEAM NAME & UNVEILS UNIFORMS

LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2009) – At a press conference today, United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue announced the Las Vegas franchise will be named the Locomotives and unveiled innovative team uniforms showcasing the Locomotives’ “Premiere” season colors of silver, blue and white. The name “Locomotives” was selected after reviewing more than thirty thousand fan entries and receiving interpretation from industry experts and an in-house creative team on what attributes the fans were seeking with their submissions. Las Vegas Locomotives Head Coach Jim Fassel was also in attendance at the press event.

“It was critical for us to select team names that we felt best reflected the local community while simultaneously defining the personality of the team,” said Commissioner Huyghue. “Las Vegas was originally established in 1905 with the opening of the Salt Lake, San Pedro and Los Angeles Railroads. We wanted to honor the vast history of the city and the intrinsic benefits that this innovation provided to the community.”

Previously, the UFL announced Miami-based GameWear Team Sports as the League’s official uniform supplier. GameWear Team Sports is one of the leading athletic uniform outfitters in the country and has worked extensively in growing the sport of football on the grassroots level. Award-winning designer Ron Caruso of Purepartner created all the teams’ uniforms using derivatives of the official League logo for all the designs while making each one distinctive.

“The inspiration for the “Premiere” season uniform design comes directly from the UFL shield and its foundation colors which represent “green grass”, “blue sky” and silver for innovation,” said Caruso. “Throughout the uniforms, we used the dimensional “arc” of the shield on the chest and supporting “arcs” on the sleeves and pants. The unique font of the numbers reinforces the shield’s classic bold typeface with angles and dimensional treatments conveying depth and motion. The four uniform designs work together in a unified branded system, providing manufacturing efficiencies while allowing each team to retain its own unique and differentiated character.”

Tomorrow, the United Football League will be holding a press conference at AT&T Park to announce the San Francisco team’s name. Similar events will be held in Orlando on Wednesday and in New York on Thursday. Photos of each of the team’s uniforms will be available on the League’s website, www.ufl-football.com, along with video from the press events.

“We are extremely pleased with the names selected for all of our teams and the overall “Premiere” season uniform design,” said Frank Vuono, COO of the UFL. “Name selection for a new sports franchise can be an arduous process having to take into account the disqualification of many great possibilities due to trademark and copyright issues. There was a team of experts headed up by Jeff Sofka of Bendigo Co., and included Charley Inc., GameWear Team Sports, Purepartner, and many others who assisted in the name selection and uniform design processes and we are grateful for all of their hard work.”

The UFL launched its Name the Team Campaign with the redesign of its website in February. From that time, more than thirty thousand entries were submitted. Fans who submitted the selected names will be notified and given the appropriate credit.

The Las Vegas Locomotives’ first game of the season will be on October 8^th at Sam Boyd Stadium against San Francisco.Tickets are now on-sale and can be purchased by calling UNLV Tickets Charge by Phone at 702.739.FANS or log onto www.UNLVtickets.com.

To college football and ESPN.com is unveiling some fantasy games just for you.

ESPN.com Debuts Its First Player-Based Fantasy College Football Game, College Football Challenge

Newly Redesigned ESPN College Pick ‘Em, College Bowl Mania Return This Season

ESPN.com recently kicked off its newest and first player-based fantasy college football game, College Football Challenge, for sports fans this season. Players can register now for a chance to submit up to three entries in a specific conference within the Division 1-A football bowl subdivision (excluding 1A Independents), across all conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, 1A Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, Sun Belt, SEC or WAC) or both. Entrants of College Football Challenge select a roster of six offensive players, one team kicker and one team defense each week. ESPN will award the winner with the most points at the end of the season and a guest a trip to the 2010 national championship game.

Returning this year and launching August 11 is the newly redesigned College Pick ‘Em, with a more user-friendly interface for fans and more content integration with ESPNU. The game, which will feature ten – 10 – Saturday college football games played with confidence points, will once again include a mobile extension for players on their phones. Since it was first introduced to fans in 2000, College Pick ‘Em has grown to nearly 300,000 users in 2008, up 83 percent compared to five years ago.

College Bowl Mania, a special pick ‘em game for the 2009-2010 bowl season, will also return this year in December along with its annual TV special. The game, also played with confidence points and first introduced in 2000, grew 140 percent last year compared to 2003, with approximately 480,000 users in 2008 alone. Prizing will be awarded to first place finishers for College Pick ‘Em and College Bowl Mania.

That’s going to wrap up this post. A more general press release post comes up right after this one.

Crazy Thursday Linkage

Well, where do I begin? There’s the Erin Andrews story which continues to pick up momentum. And we have ESPN finally acknowledging the Ben Roethlisberger civil lawsuit story two days after other media outlets have been reporting it. Personally, I found some Harry Chapin albums on iTunes and videos on YouTube so expect to see those in a future edition of Videos of the Week.

Here’s one video before we go to links. Harry Chapin doing “Mr. Tanner” with bassist John Wallace doing the baritone backup. Great song.

After that, it’s time to delve into the links.

Yesterday, I did an interview with 16 year old Alex Reimer of the Without A Curse podcast. We talked about the WEEI/WBZ-FM competition. Click here and you can forward the podcast to about the six minute mark and we talk for about ten minutes or so. Adam does a good job. He knows his stuff.

Starting with Sean Leahy of USA Today’s The Huddle blog, he writes that ESPN finally reported the Roethlisberger story last night.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes that ESPN for whatever reason played it cautious with the Roethlisberger civil lawsuit.

I’m warning you before the link that Newsday’s website underwent a major redesign so you may be a bit shocked when you see white fonts on a blue background instead of dark fonts on a white background. Anyway, Neil writes about ESPN’s decision to come out of its ivory tower and report on Roethlisberger.

Christopher Byrne of Eye on Sports Media writes that ESPN is taking a hit to its integrity to which I say it hardly has any for its reporting of this story.

Kevin Blackistone of Fanhouse believes ESPN swung and missed by joining the coverage late.

Excellent article from the great Ed Berliner, a former sports TV anchor himself, saying ESPN did not do itself any favors.

Dan LeBatard writing in the Miami Herald says ESPN showed restraint by not reporting the story originally. I don’t think it was restraint, it might have been protecting an interest.

To the Erin Andrews story.

Bob’s Blitz which has done a tremendous job following the story says the New York Post is hitting back at ESPN banning its reporters from its network and radio stations for publishing pictures of the creepy video, saying Erin Andrews’ lawyer is to blame for all this putting the name of the website on its complaint.

Here’s the New York Post Page Six article referred to in Bob’s Blitz post.

The Big Lead asks now that New York Post reporters are banned from ESPN, will Fox News be next after Bill O’Reilly ran the video on his show last night.

Jay Mariotti of Fanhouse fires shots at everyone over the video.

The Rookies blog fires back at Jay.

The Buffalo News reports the video may have been shot in Western New York, although that is rather sketchy.

Steve Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says the coverage of Erin Andrews has hypocrisy written all over it.

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times wants all of us to grow up.

Reid Cherner and Tom Weir of USA Today’s Game On! blog has Christine Brennan clarifying her comments about Erin Andrews.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says NESN’s Heidi Watney has chimed in on the video.

To the SEC Network.

Tim Griffin of ESPN.com says the Big 12′s fears came true when it was announced that the SEC Network’s footprint extended into Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Marc Weiszer of the Savannah (GA) Morning News says the SEC just got bigger thanks to ESPN’s power.

Andy Bitter and David Hale of the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer write that ESPN will air 23 more SEC football games this season thanks to the SEC Network.

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tries to sort out the new ESPN/SEC contract.

Bill King of the AJC says Georgia fans can sit back and turn on their TV to see every game this season.

Tommy Hicks of the Mobile (AL) Press-Register says the SEC has released the TV schedule for the first three weeks of the season.

Let’s move on to other links now.

This might have been a lead story had it not been for Erin Andrews, Ben Roethlisberger and the SEC Network. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit is suing the Internal Revenue Service for not allowing him to claim a tax deduction after he donated his house to the local fire department. Is suing the IRS a good idea?

Writing in the Baltimore-centric Press Box site, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com has several local news and notes including the departure of the long-time WBAL-AM vice president and station manager.

From the DC Metro Weekly paper, Sean Bugg interviews Tennis Channel analyst and World Team Tennis player Rennae Stubbs.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that the Capitals will remain on its current radio flagship station.

Back to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and TV/radio writer Rodney Ho who reports the Braves are changing their radio flagships next season.

John Royal of the Houston Press says the Texas Bowl made the right move in going to ESPN after not being seen on the NFL Network for the last three years.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers a day early.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes about tonight’s ESPN Homecoming show starring former Rams QB Kurt Warner.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News digs into the Sports Illustrated vaults and finds an article from 1979 about a small cable TV network that was hoping to show sports 24 a day.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News asks what’s the big fuss over the LeBron James dunk video which was no big deal after it was released yesterday afternoon.

Erica Ogg of CNET.com looks at the MLB At Bat iPhone app which now has every game available on streaming video.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball has an excellent article on the top 10 Marketing issues facing MLB right now.

Evan Weiner writing at the MCN Sports site calls on Congress to change the cable TV laws that allowed networks like ESPN to get too big.

David Goetzl of Mediapost writes about Fox Sports taking a stake in Open Sports Network for fantasy sports.

Wayne Friedman of Mediapost says NBC Universal putting on the USA-Mexico World Cup qualifying match on a little-known and barely seen channel is all about business.

Colby Hall of Mediaite talks with ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons. The less I say about him the better.

Chuck Hanf of the Two Cents from Beantown blog lists his five top sports stars of all time in the Hub. I like his top choice.

I would be remiss if I didn’t link you to the latest edition of The Five on WEEI.com hosted always by the lovely Kristine Leahy.

Wow. Lots of links. I need to clear my head so I’m taking a walk. See you later.

Posting Press Releases Before Bedtime

After watching a completely boring Home Run Derby tonight in which I fell asleep in the easy chair, it’s time to post some press releases before I shut off the lights and go to bed.

I’ll begin with this release from MLB which states Walking Talking Conflict of Interest Bud Selig holds a Town Hall on Tuesday.

COMMISSIONER SELIG TO HOLD TOWN HALL CHAT ON MLB.COM

ST. LOUIS, July 13, 2009 — Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig once again will host an online Town Hall Meeting exclusively on MLB.com from Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest in St. Louis tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

A live video stream of the interactive chat session with baseball fans will be carried on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball. A transcript of the dialogue, as well as an archived replay of the chat, also will be available.

The Commissioner will make brief opening remarks and then answer e-mailed questions from fans. Fans may submit their questions for the Commissioner via e-mail to allstarchat@website.mlb.com now.

Commissioner Selig will respond to fans’ questions in front of a live audience, including members of the media in St. Louis to cover the 80th All-Star Game tomorrow at Busch Stadium.

Sirius XM will have live coverage of the Open Championship this week.

BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AIRS NATIONWIDE ON SIRIUS XM RADIO

Comprehensive coverage from The Ailsa Course in Turnberry, Scotland airs July 16-19

SIRIUS XM will provide more than 45 hours of live on-course play-by-play Thursday through Sunday

NEW YORK – July 13, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it will air the 138th British Open Championship live nationwide this Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 19, on XM channel 146 and on SIRIUS channel 209 with the “Best of XM” programming package.

SIRIUS XM will provide listeners with live hole-by-hole coverage of the Open Championship from The Ailsa Course in Turnberry, Scotland as well as live updates and analysis from SIRIUS XM’s T.J. Rives, Brian Katrek, Bob Stevens and Earl Forcey.

Live coverage will start Thursday and Friday at 3:00 am ET and Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 am ET and will continue until the conclusion of each day’s play. On-course coverage will be immediately followed by a two-hour wrap-up of the day’s action on Open Championship Replay, hosted live by T.J. Rives and Bob Stevens, which will include highlights, analysis and interviews with players. Following Open Championship Replay, SIRIUS XM will rebroadcast the day’s play-by-play during afternoon drive time and evening hours until live coverage begins the next morning.

In all, listeners will have access to more than 45 hours of live play-by-play from Thursday through Sunday plus comprehensive replays that will cover all the day’s highlights and the performances of the tournament leaders.

The Open Championship is the oldest, and to many the most prestigious, of golf’s four major championships. This will be the third championship hosted at The Ailsa Course, the last being won by Nick Price in 1994. Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, winner of the last two Open Championships, comes to Turnberry this week looking to take home the Claret Jug for the third straight time.

Golf fans will also hear daily talk and analysis by SIRIUS XM’s lineup of expert hosts leading up to tournament coverage.

Playing Thru hosted by T.J. Rives will air live Monday through Wednesday (8:00 – 10:00 am ET), followed by Making the Turn with Peter Kessler (10:00 – 11:00 am ET).

Tuesday morning (7:00 am ET), PGA TOUR member Chris DiMarco and broadcaster Greg Warmoth will host a new edition of their weekly talk show, oPINionated. DiMarco, who was the runner-up in 2006 British Open at Hoylake, will share his thoughts on the Open Championship and the players competing in this year’s event. oPINionated replays several times throughout the week.

On Wednesday (2:00 pm ET), Rives and Stevens will host the hour-long Open Championship Preview Show, giving listeners all the latest news and updates from Scotland plus a look at the championship field teeing off the following morning.

For more information on SIRIUS XM’s golf coverage, visit www.xmradio.com/pgatour.

While most of the world’s elite golfers are in Scotland for the Open Championship, those left behind in the States will take part in what used to be known as the Greater Milwaukee Open.

GOLF CHANNEL LIVE TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

July 13 – 19, 2009

U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee

Dates: 7/16 – 7/19

Venue: Brown Deer Park Golf Course, Milwaukee, Wis.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 4-7 p.m. (Live) / 1-4 a.m. (Replay) Friday 4-7 p.m. (Live) / 1-4: a.m. (Replay) Saturday 4-7 p.m. (Live) / 1-4 a.m. (Replay) Sunday 4-7 p.m. (Live) / 1-4 a.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Jerry Foltz (Play by Play)

Curt Byrum (Analyst)

Mark Lye (Tower)

Billy Ray Brown (Tower)

Dottie Pepper (On Course)

Scott Walker (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes: Mutual of Omaha Putting Line powered by Aimpoint, the graphics technology that predicts the break of a putt and suggests where a player must aim to hole out, will be used during the telecast on holes No. 16 and 18 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course.

Congratulations to TNT’s Doug Collins and the New York Post’s Peter Vescey for being named as the recipients of this year’s Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

DOUG COLLINS and PETER VECSEY

NAMED RECIPIENTS OF PRESTIGIOUS

CURT GOWDY MEDIA AWARDS for 2009

Basketball Hall of Fame to Honor Legendary NBA and Olympic TV Commentator and longtime Pro Basketball Reporter and Columnist at 2009 Enshrinement Ceremonies, September 10-11.

SPRINGFIELD, MA – (July 13, 2009) – Doug Collins, the highly respected player and coach who is now the lead commentator for Turner Sports (TNT) and for NBC Sports’ coverage of basketball at the Olympic Games and Peter Vecsey, the longtime pro basketball writer for the New York Post have been selected to receive the 2009 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during Enshrinement festivities scheduled for September 10-11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Gowdy Media Award is named in honor of the legendary sports broadcaster and former Basketball Hall of Fame President, the late Curt Gowdy. This prestigious award is presented annually to members of the print and electronic media whose longtime efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball.

“The Gowdy Media Award is an honor that is very proudly presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in memory of the late Curt Gowdy, one of the legendary figures of sports media,” said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President & CEO. “Doug Collins and Peter Vecsey have dedicated much of their professional careers to report on the game of basketball while they entertain and educate millions of fans, readers and television viewers around the world. The Basketball Hall of Fame is very proud to recognize their extraordinary efforts.”

Former NCAA, NBA and Olympic player and NBA coach Doug Collins, the 2009 honoree for the Electronic Media, is widely recognized as the consummate NBA television color analyst. Collins brings a unique perspective and experience to the booth for Turner Sports broadcasts on TNT, providing insight from both the player’s and coach’s perspective. Following a very successful career as a player after being selected as the number one pick in the 1973 NBA Draft, Collins moved to the coaching ranks where he led the Chicago Bulls (1986-89), Detroit Pistons (1995-98) and Washington Wizards (2001-03).

In 1989, Collins first joined the Turner Sports family as its NBA color commentator.

After leaving to pursue further coaching opportunities, he returned to Turner Sports in 2003. Collins is TNT’s lead analyst for both the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA Conference Finals.

In addition, Collins was the lead analyst for NBC, for which he called four NBA Finals and three Olympic Games. Overall, for the better part of the past two decades, Collins has been a mainstay in the television coverage of the NBA, providing viewers with expert analysis and anecdotes from his experiences from the bench and on the court.

Collins, a graduate of Illinois State University, was also a member of the 1972 Olympic team, which lost the gold medal to Russia with a controversial call after Collins hit two free throws to give the US an apparent victory. He and his wife Kathy have two children, son Chris and daughter Kelly.

Peter Vecsey, The 2009 Print award winner, is a longtime resident of New York who has spent the majority of his life in that great basketball city which recognizes him as one of the most prominent sports writers to ever cover the sport of pro basketball. A native of Queens, NY, Vecsey attended academic and athletic powerhouse Archbishop Molloy High School, and upon graduating in 1961, enrolled at Hofstra University. After graduating from Hofstra, Vecsey enlisted in the Armed Forces during the most intense period of the Viet Nam war and became a sergeant with the U.S. Army’s Green Beret Special Forces Unit from 1965 to 1967.

Vecsey currently writes his NBA column for the New York Post, providing insight to his many readers as he frequently breaks news of blockbuster trade details and the ‘behind the scenes’ information that pro basketball fans around the world crave on a daily basis. Vecsey has built a lifetime of valuable relationships and trustworthy sources who frequently provide him with access to confidential and newsworthy information. Vecsey is widely known for his open criticism of team executives, players and coaches, a sportswriting tactic that stirs up controversy. Vecsey has written his “Hoop du Jour” NBA column for the Post from 1976 through 1989, then covered the NBA for USA Today from October 1990 through September 1993 before returning to his New York roots at the Post.

While Vecsey is widely known for his news-breaking and reporting in print, he is no stranger to the television screen. During the 1987-88 season, he hosted a syndicated television show that highlighted the NBA with analyst and former New York Knicks coach and Hall of Famer Hubie Brown. In 1985 and 1986, he hosted a one-hour NBA talk show with Lee Zeidman on SportsChannel New York. Vecsey also worked as an “NBA Insider” on TNT, joining Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith in the award-winning studio show, as well as serving as one of “The Insiders” on NBC Sports’ pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the game via “NBA Showtime,” where he regularly broke news stories and provided insight with player features, pregame reports, locker room gossip and sideline reporting.

Sportswriting runs in the Vecsey family, as Peter’s brother George Vecsey writes The Sports of the Times column for the The New York Times. Peter resides on Long Island with his wife, Joan, and their two children, Taylor and Joseph.

Previous Curt Gowdy Media Award Winners

Year Print Electronic

1990 Dick Herbert Curt Gowdy

1991 Dave Dorr Marty Glickman

1992 Sam Goldaper Chick Hearn

1993 Leonard Lewin Johnny Most

1994 Leonard Koppett Cawood Ledford

1995 Bob Hammel Dick Enberg

1996 Bob Hentzen Billy Packer

1997 Bob Ryan Marv Albert

1998 Larry Donald/Dick Weiss Dick Vitale

1999 Smith Barrier Bob Costas

2000 Dave Kindred Hubie Brown

2001 Curry Kirkpatrick Dick Stockton

2002 Jim O’Connell Jim Nantz

2003 Sid Hartman Hot Rod Hundley

2004 Phil Jasner Max Falkenstien

2005 Jack McCallum Bill Campbell

2006 Mark Heisler Bill Raftery

2007 Malcolm Moran Al McCoy

2008 David DuPree Bob Wolff

HBO will remember the late Arturo Gatti with a look back at the epic trilogy with Irish Mickey Ward this weekend.

HBO SPORTS TO COMMEMORATE THE CAREER OF ARTURO GATTI WITH SPECIAL REPLAY OF ONE OF BOXING’S ALL-TIME GREAT TRILOGIES

ARTURO GATTI VS. MICKY WARD I, II & III JULY 17 AND JULY 18

After televising 21 of Arturo Gatti’s riveting portfolio of professional prizefights from 1995 to 2007, HBO Sports will commemorate the career of former two-time world champion Arturo Gatti, with a special presentation of his classic trilogy when ARTURO GATTI VS. MICKY WARD I, II & III is seen FRIDAY, JULY 17 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO2 and Saturday, July 18 (10:15 a.m. ET/PT) on the main HBO service. The three fights will air consecutively on both days.

Arturo Gatti, 37, was found dead Saturday in Brazil.

Regarded by boxing historians as one of the great trilogies in boxing history, the three-fight series between the two junior welterweights featured no belts or championships on the line, but included 30 total rounds of non-stop action, remarkable displays of will and fortitude and unparalleled sportsmanship. The series began on May 18, 2002 in Uncasville, Conn. as an HBO “Boxing After Dark^®” presentation with Ward staging a surprising upset victory in an all-out battle. USA Today praised the fight, saying “the ninth round is one of the greatest action-filled [moments] in history.” The two met again on Nov. 23, 2002 in Atlantic City on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing” and Gatti bounced back with a unanimous decision victory. The epic series concluded with another brilliant effort by both fighters on HBO on June 7, 2003 in Atlantic City, with Gatti scoring a unanimous decision victory.

A Montreal native, Gatti (40-9, 31 KOs) fought out of Jersey City, NJ and was one of boxing’s brightest stars during his exciting career. Ward, now 43, long known for his dogged determination and ring workmanship, hails from Lowell, MA and retired as an active fighter after the three showdowns with Gatti. Ward later trained his former opponent in the closing chapter of Gatti’s professional career.

Can you believe that ESPN.com’s web series Mayne Street is ending its current run with tomorrow’s webisode? Say it isn’t so?

Mayne Street Finale: Kenny Races against Time

Forget about Twitter. In the finale of the current run of ESPN.com’s original scripted series Mayne Street (debuts Tuesdays at 9 a.m.), Kenny discovers breaking news the old-fashioned way – through interviews. But, how is he going to get the golden footage back to the studio?

In Mayne Street, Mayne stars as himself in a fictionalized version of life at a sports television network. His reoccurring foils revolve largely around his fictional production crew, as well as other ESPN personalities. Mayne Street joins a lineup of video that is among the most popular online. ESPN.com captures nearly 50 percent of the total minutes spent by users viewing online sports video. In April, ESPN.com was No. 1 in the sports category with 72.3 million total streams, 59 percent more than the closest competitor for the month.

Finally, here’s what ESPN is covering for motorsports this week.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

NASCAR Nationwide Series in Prime Time from St. Louis

The NASCAR Nationwide Series races in prime time on Saturday night as it makes its only appearance of the season at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast of the 250-lap race on Saturday, July 18 beginning at 9 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.

Also this weekend, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Friday, July 17, at 9 p.m.

Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro.

NASCAR Journalist Guests on NASCAR Now Roundtable

One of the most widely-read journalists regularly covering NASCAR racing will be a guest panelist on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, July 20, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Joining host Mike Massaro will be Associated Press motorsports writer Jenna Fryer, whose writing appears in hundreds of publications on a weekly basis, and Ryan McGee of ESPN the Magazine and ESPN.com.

Nicole Manske hosts half-hour episode of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday through Friday of this week at 5 p.m. NASCAR Now originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

Inaugural Brickyard 400 Kicks Off NASCAR Week on ESPN Classic

The 1994 Brickyard 400 is regarded as one of the most important events in NASCAR’s 60-year history, and NASCAR fans will have an opportunity to go back in time and watch history in the making as ESPN Classic presents highlights of the watershed event on Monday, July 20, at 6 p.m. ET.

The presentation kicks four consecutive nights of past Brickyard 400 telecasts on ESPN Classic, helping get fans ready for the 2009 edition airing Sunday, July 26, at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Jeff Gordon won the inaugural race in 1994, the first stock car race ever held on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Also this week on ESPN Classic, the ESPN signature series SportsCentury featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. airs Wednesday, July 15, at 8 a.m.

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing from Seattle on ESPN2

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues its western swing at Pacific Raceways near Seattle this weekend, and ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action on a same-day basis. Qualifying from the NHRA Northwest Nationals airs Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. ET, with eliminations airing Sunday at 9 p.m. Finals coverage re-airs Monday, July 20, at 2 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

In one of the tour’s most breathtaking environments, Pacific Raceways is surrounded by towering Douglas fir trees and parked in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier. The trees add more than beauty at the middle stop on the Western Swing: They emit tons of power-enhancing oxygen to feed the appetites of the high-horsepower machines, resulting in prime performances.

Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould and Dave Rieff report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.

Other NHRA programming airing on ESPN Networks this week includes the 2003 Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals from Joliet, Ill., airing Monday, July 20, at 1 p.m. on ESPN Classic, following the noon presentation of an hour of NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series action from Topeka, Kansas.

Traxxas TORC Series Action on ESPN2 Sunday

Action from the Traxxas TORC Series returns to ESPN2 on Sunday, July 19, at 11:30 a.m. ET with highlights from the series event held in Bark River, Mich. The premier short-course racing series with the top stars in off-road racing, this exciting form of door-to-door action will appear on both ESPN2 and ABC this season.

The 2009 season features eight total rounds of racing. ESPN2 will air five rounds with three to appear on ABC, including a live telecast on ABC of the Crandon 40^th Anniversary of Off-Road Racing. Marty Reid, lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 and selected NASCAR races, will call all of the Traxxas TORC Truck Series events on ESPN2 and ABC. Joining Reid will be long-time extreme sports announcer Tes Sewell and former Miss USA Kimberly Pressler as pit reporter.

Red Bull X Fighters Return to ABC on Sunday

The Red Bull X Fighters international freestyle motocross tour returns to ABC on Sunday, July 19, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Highlights from an event at the Fort Worth (TX) Stockyards will be featured in the one-hour program.

The World Tour became the sport’s undisputed number one event last year. Taking the sport to the ultimate level and combining it with creative orchestration at iconic locations, the tour staged spectacular contests in the bull fighting arenas of Mexico City and Madrid, the stone quarry of Wuppertal in Germany, the Sambadrom parade ground in Rio de Janeiro, a rodeo arena in Texas and a gigantic historic stadium in Warsaw.

That’s it. Good night.

Monday’s Press Releases

I have quite a few releases to post tonight so let’s get to them and hopefully, I won’t fall asleep with the computer on.

I’ll begin with Fox Sports which says it will be Tweeting during the All-Star Game on July 14th.

FOX SPORTS ALL A-TWITTER AT 80^TH MLB ALL-STAR GAME

MLB on FOX Plans Extensive Coverage via Tweets from St. Louis;

Reporter/Insider Rosenthal to Answer Questions In-Game

New York – There’s no way to be 100% sure without checking each of MLB on FOX’s 10 prior MLB All-Star Game broadcasts, but it’s unlikely you’d find the words “Twitter” and “tweet” anywhere in the coverage. That’s about to change.

As communication via Twitter continues to grow, MLB on FOX plans extensive coverage of the 80^th MLB All-Star Game via the Internet-driven messaging service, it was announced today by FOX Sports president, Ed Goren. FOX Sports’ coverage of the Mid-Summer Classic begins at 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, July 14, live from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In addition to “tweets” generated by the MLB on FOX on-air team and FOXSports.com in the days and hours leading up sports’ most-popular all-star event, MLB on FOX reporter and FOXSports.com MLB Insider extraordinaire Ken Rosenthal answers Twitter-submitted questions from fans as the game progresses.

“There’s no denying that Twitter is a communications phenomenon that continues to grow, and our hope is that those who follow us on Twitter will use it to deepen their enjoyment of the All-Star Game broadcast,” said Goren. “Ken is the best connected writer following the game today, and he’s been our biggest single tweeter. Our hope is that fans will have fun tweeting with him during the game, which in turn will make their All-Star Game experience more enjoyable.”

“I’m all about reaching fans with the information I gather, be it on-air, through FOXSports.com, via Twitter or our Facebook and Myspace pages,” added Rosenthal. “I’m sure time will permit me only a few on-air opportunities during the game, so this gives me a forum to answer as many questions from fans as possible and report more of what I learn and observe.”

Initiated as a complement to MLB on FOX on-air coverage to engage viewers more deeply, www.twitter.com/mlbonfox has broken news, provided in-game observations and insights, guided fans to exclusive columns at FOXSports.com, sent out dozens of exclusive photos and issued programming alerts and tune-in information. The twitter.com/mlbonfox page was launched at 12:52 PM ET on April 7, 2009 with a link to Rosenthal’s 2009 predictions, and since then over 9000 fans have become followers, with access to over 400 updates issued. A prolific contributor, Rosenthal is responsible for generating over 100 tweets, thus far this season. Besides Rosenthal, also contributing from St. Louis throughout All-Star festivities will be play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, game analyst Tim McCarver and dugout reporters Eric Karros and Chris Rose, who also serves as pre-game host.

Twitter reportedly has more than 10 million followers around the world at present, doubling its number over the last few months. Users exchange messages of no more than 140 characters, instantaneously.

Next, HBO Sports debuts Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 in August leading up to the Floyd Mayweather/Juan Manuel Marquez fight in September.

HBO SPORTS’ MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7,

A FOUR-EPISODE ALL-ACCESS SERIES LEADING UP TO THE PAY-PER-VIEW SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO BOXING SUPERSTARS,

DEBUTS AUG. 29, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

NEW YORK, June 29, 2009 – With the intriguing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez rescheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured seven Sports Emmy^® Awards, will premiere MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 on SATURDAY, AUG. 29 (10:15-10:45 p.m. ET/PT), it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. The all-new, four-episode, all-access series spotlights a host of intriguing storylines, with Floyd Mayweather, the sport’s most irrepressible superstar, returning after a year-and-a-half absence to face Juan Manuel Marquez, one of boxing’s most accomplished performers, as they prepare for their September pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Noted Greenburg, “Now that the fight has been rescheduled, we are excited to resume production. This latest edition of ‘24/7’ features all the ingredients that we look for in greenlighting the ‘24/7’ franchise: big-time boxing stars, engaging storylines and in Floyd’s case, a larger-than-life personality that is tailor-made for reality television.” Episodes two and three of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 debut on subsequent Saturdays – SEPT. 5 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) – while the finale debuts FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), just one night before the fight. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors prepare for their mega-fight. This is Mayweather’s third “24/7” appearance, while Marquez is making his HBO reality series debut. Regarded as the best boxer of his era, the undefeated Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) is back after a brief self-imposed retirement. A training camp injury forced the fight date to be reset to Sept. 19.

Marquez is a dynamic fighter (50-4-1, 37 KOs) from Mexico City who shares at least one thing with his flashy opponent: They’re both willing to fight anybody in the sport, regardless of division. Marquez is moving up from the lightweight ranks to challenge boxing’s most provocative star.

Storylines for this fast-paced series will include the interaction between Mayweather and his uncle/trainer, Roger Mayweather, and Marquez’s rock-solid relationship with his longtime trainer Ignacio Beristain.

MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 is the latest installment of the widely acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007 on HBO with “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7.” The series continued in 2008 with “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” and “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7,” and resumed in 2009 with “Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7.”

Newsday.com has observed, “HBO’s 24/7 series is the best sports program on television. Bar none.”

At the 2009 Sports Emmy^® Awards, “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthologies, while “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. At the 2008 Sports Emmy^® Awards, “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, while “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Camera Work and Outstanding Writing.

On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Mayweather vs. Marquez,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The executive producers of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon. Liev Schreiber narrates.

ESPN previews the next webisode of Mayne Street.

Fresh Mayne Street Hits the Web(Tues. 9 a.m.): Kenny Experiences the Economic Wrath

This week, ESPN.com’s original scripted series Mayne Street (Tuesdays at 9 a.m.) features Kenny and his crew dealing with the current recession. Fans also learn the fate of Kenny’s boss Evan Mintz. ESPN personality Kenny Mayne stars as himself in a fictionalized version of life at a sports television network.

Mayne, known for his dry wit and offbeat sensibilities, maneuvers through each of the three- to five-minute Webisodes, six overall, in the clever and entertaining style that has made him one of ESPN’s most popular personalities. Mayne’s reoccurring foils consist largely of his fictional production crew, which includes his producer Sarah (Alison Becker); Video Cowboy (Jon Glaser); production assistant Chris (Chris Smith); network executive Evan Mintz (Ben Schwartz), as well as ESPN personalities Jeremy Schaap, Linda Cohen and others.

Mayne Street joins a lineup of video that is among the most popular online. ESPN.com captures nearly 50 percent of the total minutes spent by users viewing online sports video. In April, ESPN.com came in No. 1 in the Sports category with 72.3 million total streams, 59 percent more than the closest competitor for the month.

Golf Channel previews the tournament action you’ll see this week.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

June 29 – July 5, 2009

AT&T National

Dates: 7/2 – 7/5

Venue: Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/ 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Prime Replay)

Friday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/ 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Prime Replay)

Saturday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live) / 8 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live) / 8 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Kelly Tilghman (Play by Play)

Nick Faldo (Analyst)

Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)

Frank Nobilo (Tower)

Bobby Clampett (On Course)

Billy Ray Brown (On Course)

Steve Sands (Reporter)

Broadcast Notes: Thursday – Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET, PGA TOUR Primetime will re-air the opening rounds of the AT&T National with special bonus coverage not seen during the live telecast… In addition to Thursday and Friday’s coverage, GOLF CHANNEL will air live early round action on the weekend beginning at 1 p.m., and will re-air CBS Sports’ live tournament coverage at 9:30 p.m… Mutual of Omaha Putting Line powered by Aimpoint, a graphics technology that predicts the break of a putt and suggests where a player must aim to hole out, will be used during the telecast on holes No. 9 and 17 at Congressional Country Club… GOLF CHANNEL reporter Steve Sands is a native of Washington D.C. and will cover his hometown event.

Open de France ALSTOM

Dates: 7/2 – 7/5

Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Live)

Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Live)

Saturday 8 – 11 a.m. (Live)

Sunday 8 – 11 a.m. (Live)

PGA.com and noted golf instructor Hank Haney are teaming up for some instructional videos.

Hank Haney and PGA.com Sign Development Deal for Exclusive Golf Instruction Series

One of golf’s top instructor to provide tips on all facets of the game in webisode series on the Official Site of The PGA of America

PGA.com, the Official Site of The PGA of America, announced today a development deal to air an exclusive online series of golf instructional segments from world renowned golf coach and 25-year PGA member Hank Haney. As part of this Hank Haney-branded instructional platform, this webisode series is expected to begin production in the next few months and will include golf tips on all aspects of the game, both mental and physical.

Haney, the 1993 PGA Teacher of the Year, is the golf coach to the world’s #1 player Tiger Woods. He has taught golf since 1976 and given over 40,000 lessons around the world. Haney has also given instruction to over 200 touring professionals from the PGA TOUR to the LPGA, Champions, European, Japanese, Australian and Asian Tours. Haney, who is represented by Octagon, also has his own television series on The Golf Channel called “The Haney Project” which, in its inaugural season, featured his personal insight and golf instruction to NBA legend and TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley.

“PGA.com is a leading resource for golf instruction and I am excited to incorporate some of the tips and practice methods I use on a daily basis into their site,” said Haney. “I am really excited about this partnership as the instructional content we will be releasing will help golfers of all ages and abilities with many aspects of their game.”

“Hank is a great motivator with a great work ethic,” said Barkley. “He has helped me understand my swing better and I’m confident his online lessons will do the same for many other golfers of all ages.”

“PGA.com is proud to partner with a teacher as accomplished and well-respected as Hank Haney, one of the world’s pre-eminent golf instructors and a long-time PGA Professional,” said Matthew Hong, vice president and general manager of sports digital at Turner Sports. “The addition of instructional video from Hank to the existing industry-leading content at PGA.com will continue to make the site a premier destination for golfers of all levels looking to improve their game.”

ESPN previews its week in motorsports on its family of networks.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

NASCAR Nationwide Series on ESPN in Prime Time from Daytona

A high-speed, Friday night shootout in prime time is expected when the NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its second visit of the season to Daytona International Speedway this weekend. ESPN will have a live, high definition telecast of the Subway Jalapeno 250 on Friday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Saturday, July 4, at 3 a.m. on ESPN2 and again at noon on ESPN Classic.

Also this weekend, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs Friday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

In other NASCAR-related programming this week, ESPN Classic airs the 1995 Save Mart Supermarkets NASCAR Cup race from California’s Infineon Raceway on Monday, July 6, at 6 p.m. In addition, ESPN Classic will air an episode of the award-winning series SportsCentury earlier that day at 8 a.m. The episode features NASCAR star Tony Stewart.

Craven, LaJoie, Newton on NASCAR Now Roundtable

ESPN NASCAR analysts Randy LaJoie and Ricky Craven and ESPN.com reporter David Newton will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, July 6, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro slides into the host role for a half-hour episode of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m., while Nicole Manske hosts the remainder of the week, with shows Wednesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Saturday, July 4, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Craven will join Manske on the set, while Massaro and Angelique Chengelis will report from the track.

NASCAR Now originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

IndyCar Series Races at Watkins Glen Live on ABC

The IndyCar Series goes road course racing at one of America’s historic venues this weekend when it competes Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, N.Y. ABC will have live coverage of the event on Sunday, July 5, at 1 p.m. ET.

Watkins Glen has hosted the IndyCar Series annually since 2005, when Scott Dixon won the inaugural event and went on to win three consecutive years. Ryan Hunter-Reay scored an upset victory last year.

Marty Reid will call the race for ESPN on ABC’s coverage with analysis by former IndyCar Series star Scott Goodyear. Reporting from the pits will be Jack Arute, Brienne Pedigo and Vince Welch.

NHRA Programming Includes Classic Sonoma Event, Sportsman Series

Four hours of NHRA drag racing programming will air on ESPN Networks this week, including a classic event with the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and three hours of action with the Lucas Oil Sportsman Series.

ESPN Classic airs highlights from the 2003 Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Monday, July 6, at 1 p.m. ET.

Action from the recent event at Norwalk, Ohio, will be featured in an hour-long program of Lucas Oil Sportsman Series competition on Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

ESPN Classic airs two hours of Sportsman competition on Monday, July 6, at 2 p.m. The first hour features action from Baytown, Texas, while racing from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway airs at 3 p.m.

Featuring race vehicles that range from 5-second Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars to 15-second Stockers, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is the premier Sportsman series in drag racing. Eight categories are included in the series, which is showcased at select NHRA national events. ESPN’s Dave Rieff will anchor the coverage from Norwalk.

And Comcast SportsNet New England is asking fans to predict which young athlete will be the next big thing in Boston.

PREDICT WHICH BOSTON YOUNG GUNS WILL BE THE NEXT “GREATS” BY RATING THE TOP 20 UNDER 25 AT CSNNE.COM

BURLINGTON, MA – The general managers of the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots pride themselves on player development and the results – 6 combined league titles – speak volumes. Some next generation players like Dustin Pedroia and Vince Wilfork are well on their way to prolific careers, while an even younger crop is quickly rising to the big leagues.

Comcast SportsNet asks fans to rate its select list of the “Top 20 Under 25” to predict which players are the next hall of famers, all-stars, consistent starters, role players or busts. Fans can rate CSN’s Top 20 Under 25 at CSNNE.com through Thursday, July 2. The results will be unveiled that night on the 6:30 and 10 p.m. editions of Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight.

The Top 25 Under 25:

Name Age Stats

Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 24 5-1, 1.9 ERA, 80.2 IP (Pawtucket 2009)

Kendrick Perkins, Celtics 24 5.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.3 BPG (career)

Laurence Maroney, Patriots 24 30 G, 1,673 YDS, 4.3 AVG, 13 TD (career)

Justin Masterson, Red Sox 24 8-7, 3.36 ERA, 147.1 IP, 118K (career)

Matt Hunwick, Bruins 24 66 GP, 6 G, 22 A (career)

Kevin O’Connell, Patriots 24 2 G, 23 YDS, 3.8 AVG/ 0 TD (career)

Daniel Bard, Red Sox 23 0-0, 3.44 ERA, 17 SO (career)

Patrice Bergeron, Bruins 23 303 GP, 80 G, 148 A (career)

Glen Davis, Celtics 23 5.58 PPG, 3.5 RPG (career)

Rajon Rondo, Celtics 23 9.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG (career)

Jerod Mayo, Patriots 23 16 G, 128 TT, 100 SOLO (career)

David Krejci, Bruins 23 144 GP, 28 G, 72 A (career)

Junichi Tazawa, Red Sox 23 7-4, 71 K, 2.92 ERA, 77 IP (Minor career)

Blake Wheeler, Bruins 22 81 GP, 21 G, 24 A (career)

Michael Bowden, Red Sox 22 3-4, 3.11 ERA, 49 SO (Pawtucket 2009)

Tuukka Rask, Bruins 22 5 GP, 3-1, 2.46 GAA, 1 SO

Lars Anderson, Red Sox 21 .257 AVE, 7 HR, 35 RBI (Minor career)

Phil Kessel, Bruins 21 222 GP, 66 G, 60 A (career)

Bill Walker, Celtics 21 3 PPG, 1 RPG, (career)

Milan Lucic, Bruins 21 149 GP, 25 G, 44 A (career)

CSN’s list of Top 20 Under 25 was complied from the collective expertise of CSN’s on-air and on-line contributors including hosts Gary Tanguay and Michael Felger, producer Kevin Miller, and Wicked Good Sports contributors Rich Levine and Jason Levine.

That’s going to do it for the press releases. Back tomorrow.