Fang's Bites

The NFL Season Opening Links

Well, the morning of NFL regular season opener is like Christmas. You’ve been waiting all night to unwrap the presents and you’re high in anticipation. And when the kickoff occurs, it’s like getting that toy or game you’ve been wanting for months. It’s like that with the NFL. The Super Bowl ends, then there’s the anticipation for the season to begin. The waiting is over and the games begin for real tonight.

And the NFL has made the season opener a very good matchup involving the Super Bowl defending champions which is a very good thing. Tonight’s Minnesota Vikings-New Orleans Saints game should do quite well in the ratings. So let’s go to the linkage which has a lot of NFL slants which is understandable.

The great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated provides all of the pregame and game announcing crews for all of the NFL TV partners.

Sports Business Daily’s John Ourand says NBC and DirecTV have teamed up to produce Sunday Night Football promos sponsored by NFL Sunday Ticket. 

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says new Fox Sports NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira will be on TV to help fans understand the league’s regulations.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says the NFL will provide a delayed webcast for markets where local games have been blacked out.

Mike says Dan Hampton who apologized for comments about Hurricane Katrina in last week’s Pro Football Weekly show will have to make another apology for another wild analogy in the same program.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes the Dallas Cowboys are still America’s most popular NFL team.

Georg Szalai in the Hollywood Reporter says while an NFL lockout looms next season, the league’s TV partners won’t lose much financially even though they’ll still be paying rights fees if games aren’t played.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse writes local blackouts blot the record of NFL Commish Roger Goodell.

Milton says Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Joe Montana told Dan Patrick that the movie Rudy was not very accurate. I’ve always doubted the validity of some of the events in that overrated movie.

Noah Davis of SportsNewser recaps a CBS Sports NFL Today conference call from Wednesday.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News says despite high interest from consumers, not many people are running out to buy 3-D TV sets. The price is too high and the glasses are a hindrance.

Todd says ESPN will showcase its 3-D programming next week to help sell more TV sets.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at Mr. America, Tim Tebow, creating his own social networking empire. I think we have a new glossary term, but Tim Tebow is not in the sports media.

Darren writes about a $300 pair of athletic shoes.

Andrea Kremer of NBC Sports writes for the Today show that women can get into football too.

Maggie Hendricks of Yahoo’s Cagewriter blog says Mixed Martial Arts fans have trouble seeing some events on TV.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that CBS’ NFL “A” announcing team spends plenty of time calling Patriots games.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says HBO’s Hard Knocks helped to transform the attitude surrounding the New York Jets.

John Martin of the Times wonders if 3-D TV can be used as a training tool for tennis players. 

Neil Best sighting! Neil Best sighting! Newsday’s Neil Best also looks at the season finale of Hard Knocks.

To Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says MSG+ has hired Butch Goring to replace Billy Jaffe on Islanders game broadcasts.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog writes that all regular season Capitals and Wizards games will be aired in HD on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times tells Tampa Bay Bucs fans how they can watch Sunday’s blacked out game.

The Tampa Tribune’s Ira Kaufman talks with Bucs’ cornerback Ronde Barber who remembers the last time the team was blacked out on TV locally.

Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel says a local man beat the Inside the NFL crew to win a visit to the show’s set and NFL Films headquarters in New Jersey.

Dave Walker of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that former Saints coach Jim Mora, Sr. will join a local NBC affiliate’s pregame show in anticipation of today’s season opener. 

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle has the weekly football shows and appearances on local radio for the season.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman recaps the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson’s appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Bearcats’ home opener on Saturday will be seen on local over the air TV.

John talks with Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham who’s starting his 25th season in the broadcast booth.

John has more with Dave in his blog.

John says Fox Sports Ohio may not show the entire pregame ceremony honoring Pete Rose on Sunday. 

John Fay of the Enquirer says former Reds announcer George Grande will return to Fox Sports Ohio this month to call 7 games.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business talks with the editor of the latest SB Nation local site.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Vikings-Saints is true primetime drama.

Over to Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who writes that NFL TV analysts like the progress of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the NFL games on TV in SoCal this week.

Tom says today is the 45th anniversary of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game for the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs.

Sports Media Watch notes that the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship sank in the ratings from last year.

SMW says Labor Day Weekend didn’t bring viewers to the U.S. Open on CBS.

SMW has various ratings news and notes.

SMW says ESPN saw a slight increase for last Sunday’s NASCAR race.

For some reason, Chris Berman is sporting a porn mustache. 

Joe Favorito notes that Mercedes Benz is getting high brand activation in New York City.

Plenty of linkage on this Thursday. Enjoy the NFL season opener.

The Mid-Week Links

Let’s do your mid-week linkage. I’m stuck at the home office in Rhode Island so while I’m waiting on a few things, I’ll give you links.

Looks like Jay the Rat might have escaped charges as the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office is declining to press charges against Jay Mariotti. The Big Lead links us to the Beverly Hills Courier which reports that the case has been referred to the LA City Attorney’s Office. Mariotti was arrested last month on charges he allegedly beat up his girlfriend. He has not written for Fanhouse and not appeared on ESPN since then.

SportsbyBrooks explains that Mariotti can still face charges. 

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that Fox NFL Sunday’s studio analysts will be making cameo cut-ins on game broadcasts.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times lectures the WaPo’s Mike Wise on his failure to understand the new age of online journalism. Very good article.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse says NFL Commish Roger Goodell isn’t happy with Jets coach Rex Ryan’s language on Hard Knocks, but won’t go so as far to fine him.

Milton has a short blurb on Rich Eisen’s new duties at NFL Network/NFL.com. 

To Press Coverage where Dan Levy likes the idea of Rich Eisen doing a weekly podcast for NFL.com.

Brian Lowry at Fox Sports feel announcers ramp up the hyperbole way too much. 

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NESN is launching a national version of its channel to Time Warner Cable systems in the Carolinas and is looking to add more markets.

Mike Shields from Mediaweek writes that ESPN and YouTube have teamed up to encourage fans to upload their own highlights that could be aired on SportsCenter.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine says Monday’s Boise State-Virginia Tech game garnered strong ratings for ESPN beating all programming on both cable and network TV.

TV Technology says Sony will sponsor an ESPN 3D college football series.

The great Darren Rovell of CNBC says Boise State continues to hit the marketing jackpot as its football continues to grow in stature.

In Digital Spy, Andrew Laughlin says ESPN UK has hired a new executive to head its channel. 

From All Media Scotland, we find that a Scottish sports reporter is heading across the Atlantic to work for ESPN International in the US.

Michael Bodley of The Australian notes that ESPN International is airing Monday Night Football down under.

All Access reports that Fox Sports Radio’s Tony Bruno and Bay Area sports radio host Gary Radnich will front a new weekly show for Comcast SportsNet California.

Bruce Allen at Boston Sports Media Watch calls out the Curly-Haired Boyfriend, Dan Shaughnessy.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says the director of the 30 for 30 documentary on George and Hal Steinbrenner bit off more than she could chew.

Ken Belson at the Times notes that while some sports arenas and stadiums are just memories to sports fans, their debt remains very much alive to taxpayers.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the NFL Week 1 TV schedule with the games shown in the Capital Region.

The Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun-News’ Coastal Carolina Home & Lifestyle profiles South Carolina native Wendi Nix of ESPN. 

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times doesn’t appreciate a Cleveland Plain-Dealer writer making fun of Tampa.

John Bedell of the South Lake (FL) News-Sun looks at several upcoming film and stage projects on the late Vince Lombardi.

Mark Lorando of the New Orleans Times-Picayune says tonight’s premiere of America’s Game on the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV win will not disappoint fans. 

In the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn has the NFL TV Week 1 schedule for the Metroplex.

Richard Olive of the San Antonio Express-News notes a local resident is part of the new Big Break: Dominican Republic that will start airing on Golf Channel later this month. 

The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal says the local Fox affiliate has found its sports anchor.

Robert Feder also writes about the Fox Chicago move.

Over to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel where Bob Wolfley tells us that many prognosticators are picking the Green Bay Packers to do well this season.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune begins a new partnership with Fox Sports North for high school sports coverage. 

Helene Elliot at the Los Angeles Times notes that all but one of the Anaheim Ducks games will be available on local television.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says it’s time for the CFL to start building new stadiums.

William Houston at Truth & Rumours returned from a summer hiatus to announce that he’s shutting down. For now. Nice, William.

SportsNewser says NBC News and the National Science Foundation will be teaming up to produce an educational series on the Science of the NFL.

Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN on ABC’s Saturday Night Football got off to a rough ratings start.

SMW also has more college football ratings news.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that former New Jersey Devil Bobby Holik will be a regular analyst on NHL Network’s On The Fly.

Jared Smith at Awful Announcing can’t believe that there’s another ESPN segment featuring arguing sportswriters.

Brian Packey at AA noticed a boob grab at last night’s Marlins-Phillies game.

Ok, I’ve done all I can to find links. Gotta work. Gotta look productive. Back later.

On The Season Finale of Hard Knocks

If you’re a conspiracy theorist, then the New York Jets’ signing of holdout Darelle Revis on Sunday to make it on the last Hard Knocks of the season is right up your alley. And apparently, NFL Films wrapped up filming at Jets’ camp on Monday, the day of the Jets’ press conference announcing the signing.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but you have to expect HBO to be highly anticipating the final installment of Hard Knocks with the ratings it’s receiving this season. We have the press release previewing this season’s final episode.

HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS

SERIES FINALE DEBUTS SEPT. 8

            HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the New York Jets, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS.  The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – concludes its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, with an encore play immediately following at 11:00 p.m.

            Episode #5 (series finale)

            Debut:  WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

            Other HBO playdates:  Sept. 8 (11:00 p.m.), 9 (2:30 p.m., midnight), 10 (11:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m., midnight), 11 (10:00 a.m., midnight), 12 (8:00 a.m.) and 13 (9:00 a.m., 1:00 a.m.)

            HBO2 playdates:  Sept. 12 (midnight) and 14 (7:00 p.m.)

            As the preseason comes to a close, the coaches and general manager evaluate player performances in order to make their final roster decisions; All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis agrees to a new contract and reports to the team a week before the regular season opener versus Baltimore.

            A 24-person NFL Films crew is living at Jets training camp, shooting up to 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series.  Camera and sound crews are given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training facilities  and practice fields.

One more release coming up.

HBO Previews Hard Knocks, Episode 2

Here is HBO’s press release on this week’s episode on Hard Knocks.

HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS

AUG. 18 EPISODE

            HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the New York Jets, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – continues its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, with an encore play immediately following each episode’s debut at 11:00 p.m., culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.

            Episode #2

            Debut:  WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

            Other HBO playdates:  Aug. 18 (11:00 p.m.), 19 (3:00 p.m., midnight), 20 (noon, midnight), 21 (10:00 a.m., 11:00 p.m.), 22 (11:00 a.m.), 23 (10:00 a.m., 1:25 a.m.) and 24 (8:00 p.m.)

            HBO2 playdates:  Aug. 22 (11:30 p.m.), 24 (7:00 p.m.) and 31 (9:00 p.m.)

            The pace of training camp heats up as the pre-season schedule kicks off with the Jets meeting the New York Giants – their rival and co-tenant – in the first football game at the new Meadowlands Stadium. Defensive lineman Vernon Gholston competes to impress the coaching staff.

            A 24-person NFL Films crew is living at the Jets training camp, shooting up to 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews are given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training facilities, dormitories and practice fields. The Jets are training at the SUNY campus in Cortland, NY.

We’re done here.

Sunday Night Linkage

Today ended up being one of the busiest weekend days I’ve experienced this year. And they say the weekend is supposed to be for rest. To that I say bullshit! I’ve been driving all over Rhode Island today and it’s kept me from turning on my computer until after 6 p.m. ET. I’m not happy about it, but I’ll do linkage for you, albeit late.

First, Rob Dibble responded to criticisms that what he said during a Washington Nationals game on MASN was sexist. Thanks to my Twitter Trophy Wife, Amanda Rykoff for the info.

And Dibble writes in circles on his MASN blog.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News reports that Universal Sports will provide daily coverage of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

David Goetzl of Mediapost has NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol promising regulators that the big ticket sporting events like the Super Bowl and Olympics won’t go all-cable when Comcast takes over NBC.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk reports that NFL insider Len Pasquarelli has left ESPN.

Ken Lipshez in the New Britain (CT) Herald profiles minor league baseball broadcasters Joe D’Ambrosio (a.k.a Voice of the UConn Huskies) and Jeff Dooley as they call the local Rock Cats.

Lee Lewis at the Waterbury (CT) Republican-American is amazed that preseason football can draw big ratings.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News feels the New York Jets used HBO’s Hard Knocks to negotiate with holdout Darelle Revis.

Dr. Gloom and Doom at the New York Post gets on golf announcers. Whatever.

In SB Nation New York, Puck The Media’s Steve Lepore has part 3 of ranking the best tri-state area announcers. 

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner previews tonight’s MLB Network documentary on the 1994 Montreal Expos that paved the way for the team to move to Washington.

Tim Clodfelter in the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal says a Journal copy editor will be part of an ESPN special on the Baseball Hall of Fame this week. 

Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union writes that with Tiger Woods sinking and a TV deal pending, the PGA Tour is at a crossroads.

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times feels Hard Knocks got off to a roaring start.

Kyle Veazey of the Clarion (MS) Ledger says Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen will be going through what’s known as the “Car Wash” at ESPN this week. 

The Munroe (LA) News Star notes that ESPN2 will be in town for a boxing card this week.

Larry Vaught of the Danville (KY) Advocate has University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari says only his program would have a three game exhibition trip to Canada televised live to a network of 14 states. 

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer goes behind the scenes with Fox Sports Ohio as it produces 145 Reds games this season.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says “experts” who anointed Ohio State as the winners of the Big Ten might want to hold off just yet. 

Dave Van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune has White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen giving his endorsement to MLB Network’s The Club. 

The LA Late blog says Screamin’ Gus Johnson had to refute reports that he was dead.

Artie Gigantino of the San Francisco Examiner looks at Fox Sports’ Jimmy Johnson being in this season’s Survivor.

Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times searches for former NFL bust turned acting bust turned broadcasting bust Brian Bosworth. 

Matthew Coller at the Biz of Baseball has a good feature on the lack of minority broadcasters in baseball.

The Sports Media Watch has his Weekend Ratings Predictions.

Joe Favorito talks about the death of the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

In Sports Business Digest, Emmett Jones writes about the Dallas Cowboys signing a sponsorship deal with Yokohama Tires.

And you have your linkage for Sunday.

Saturday’s Linkfest

I have a little bit of time to do some linkage today. Let’s get to it.

In Sports Illustrated, Andy Staples and Stewart Mandel look at the ten trends that will influence college football in this decade including how TV will be involved. 

At Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio says after using HBO’s Hard Knocks to pound their position on holdout Darelle Revis, the New York Jets are now using players as mouthpieces to the media in hopes of getting the player in camp. 

Comcast SportsNet New England has some of the best flubs, one liners and other stuff from the week. Ignore Jon Meterperel’s one brief appearance. 

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News talks with Yahoo NBA writer Adian Wojnarowski on how Yahoo! Sports has become the #1 destination on the web over established brand names like ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.

Shannon Owens from the Orlando Sentinel has ESPN’s Lee Corso predicting Tim Tebow will the Denver Broncos’ starting QB by Week 6? Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes about the Texas Rangers setting rating records this season.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman has his media notes today. 

Kevin Hoffman of the Minnesota City Pages says Gawker Media, owner of Deadspin, is defending the site’s decision to post the Brett Favre sexting story.

KFBB-TV in Great Falls/Helena, Montana reports that the Big Sky has announced its TV schedule which means most of the conference’s football games will be televised throughout its footprint.

Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the demise of the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that the launch of Rogers Sportsnet One today means another Canadian cable channel dispute.

TV Squad notes the return of Pat O’Brien to sports broadcasting with his hire by Fox Sports Radio.

Susan Ashworth at TV Technology says CBS is looking at how to employ 3-D TV at the upcoming U.S. Open at Flushing Meadow.

Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball says the new Texas Rangers ownership is already scoring with fans by lowering prices across the board.

And that’s going to finish our links for today.

Friday Night Megalinks

After playing chauffeur all day today, it’s time to do some linkage for you.

As usual, we have the Weekend Viewing Picks. And now to our links.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate the Jim Gray/Corey Pavin dispute.

Fanhouse’s John Walters was able to go inside ESPN’s college football meetings this week.

John writes that ESPN’s College Gameday is a rolling ambassador for college football.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that ESPN2 and Fox Soccer Channel will be all over the English Premier League for the next three seasons.

Mike says this past Wednesday’s Yankees-Rangers game set a ratings record for Fox Sports Southwest.

Katy Bachman of Mediaweek writes about ESPN the Gas Station continuing for a few more years. I actually wrote about this three years ago.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred goes after the Miami Herald’s Dan LeBatard. Just a mere few weeks since going after the Detroit Free Press’ Mitch Albom.

Bill Krueger at the Poynter Institute feels Deadspin betrayed Jenn Sterger by not waiting for her to confirm the Brett Favre sexting story.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with Nike’s president about two of its most embattled clients.

Darren says Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is beginning to reap the benefits of being a star in New York.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk says he’s no longer writing for the Sporting News. 

Mike says HBO’s Hard Knocks’ season premiere featuring the New York Jets had a higher viewership than last year’s premiere with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Florio says Green Day will perform at halftime of the opening Monday Night Football game at the new Meadowlands Stadium.

Joe Favorito notes that bloggers are writing better and gaining more notoriety.

Sports Media Watch notices that last Saturday’s Red Sox-Yankees game on Fox actually drew a lower rating than Braves-Reds the week before.

SMW says last weekend’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductions received a huge ratings bump from last year thanks to some star power.

SMW says ratings dropped for ESPN’s NFL preseason opener.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media feels NHL Network should remember some of the league’s teams that no longer exist.

My Twitter trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff, a.k.a. The OCD Chick, has a roundup of reaction to sexist remarks made by MASN’s Rob Dibble earlier in the week.

The always awesome Rebecca Glass in This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes (well, except for the Pinstripes part, but she’s still awesome) tells Dibble to shut up. 

Dave Kohl at the Major League Programs blog notes that baseball local radio ratings don’t often match the local TV numbers.

Emmitt Jones at the Sports Business Digest likes the idea of the University of Oregon soccer scarves doubling as season tickets.

Susan Shan covers a pick-up basketball game between two social media companies. 

Proud Canadian and unabashed Montreal Expos fan Jonah Keri asks us to watch MLB Network’s special on the 1994 Expos on Sunday.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe says there will be plenty of media outlets for new Celtics backup center Shaquille O’Neal to play with this upcoming season.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald writes that NESN is branching out from sports and will carry a program hosted by a former Massachusetts Lt. Governor.

Boston Sports Radio Watch says the local sports radio war is getting even tighter in the ratings.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes on the return of Bob Uecker to the Milwaukee Brewers radio booth after heart surgery.

Neil Best sighting! Neil Best sighting! Neil Best of Newsday talks about seeing ads for New York Football Giants tickets, something he never thought would never happen in his lifetime.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News likes how SNY’s Bob Ojeda doesn’t mince words after another clubhouse incident involving the Mets.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post wonders if WFAN’s Craig Carton, a noted critic of MSG head James Dolan, will be willing to still criticize now that his radio show will be simulcast on MSG Network.

Mark Cannizzaro of the Post says the Jets give themselves high marks after seeing themselves on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for MLB Network’s Jim Kaat.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union catches up with New York Giants left tackle David Diehl who took part in the NFL Broadcasting Boot Camp earlier this summer.

At the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that the Orioles are beginning to make a ratings dent in the nation’s capital.

Dan recaps DC NFL team owner Dan Snyder’s appearance on Friday night’s preseason game telecast.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner talks about the DC NFL team’s broadcast teams ready and rarin’ to go for the season.

Dave McKenna of the Washington City Paper profiles sportscaster Grant Paulsen who had to restart his broadcast career after it stalled after high school.

South

Bob Molinaro of the Virginian-Pilot says a local TV station values carrying the DC NFL team, but still isn’t showing the games in HD.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Florida coach Urban Meyer has a Twitter coordinator.

Jeff Shain of the Sentinel says the Jim Gray/Corey Pavin tiff is another in a line of Golf Channel strife. 

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Ray Buck talks football and baseball with former Fox Sports NFL announcer Pat Summerall.

Mike Graham of the Dallas Morning News says Texas Tech is trying to reach more recruits by producing its own reality show and syndicating it to various cable systems in the South. 

To David Barron at the Houston Chronicle who talks with ESPN Radio hack (my words, not his) Colin Cowherd.

Richard Connelly of the Houston Press notes that ESPN Deportes Radio has arrived in town. 

This story is from last month, but I somehow missed it. From the Daily Oklahoman, Mel Bracht talks with ESPN legendary play-by-play man Ron Franklin about his return to the Alleged Worldwide Leader after originally deciding to retire in February.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer isn’t too happy with the Fox Sports Radio hiring of Pat O’Brien when a perfectly good candidate is working in the local area.

Jeff Bell of Business First of Columbus (OH) says the dispute between Time Warner and Disney which could take ESPN off cable systems follows a familiar pattern. 

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus isn’t too concerned over Tiger Woods’ finish in the PGA Championship.

Duane Dudek of the Journal Sentinel is puzzled over three local TV stations focusing on Tiger Woods’ personal life instead of golf.

Tim Cuprisin in OnMilwaukee looks at the off and on coverage of the Brett Favre sexting story.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has Fox’s Joe Buck still refusing to take responsibility for getting the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez hurt last Saturday.

Dan says the Gateway City’s top-rated sports radio station is forming a partnership with the market’s CBS affiliate to provide content and reports.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News says when Utah heads to the Pac 10/12, finding their games could be just as big an issue as it is currently.

Dick Enberg answered readers’ e-mails for the Denver Post. 

John Maffei at the North County Times writes that even though Fox is picking up the San Diego Padres on Saturday, just the West Coast will see them.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes about how Lakers owner Jerry Buss had the vision to realize how forming a cable channel would only help his team expand its fanbase.

Tom has his extensive sports news and notes in his blog (plus a link back to Fang’s Bites, thanks Tom).

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says the whole Jim Gray/Corey Pavin story is a “he said, she said” affair.

The Toronto Star’s Chris Zelkovich warns Blue Jays fans about another potential dispute over a new cable sports channel.

That will conclude the megalinks. We’re done.

Your Thursday Links

Let’s do the Thursday links as I have to leave early to avoid Patriots traffic ahead of their preseason game against the Saints tonight.

Onto the links.

Steve Elling of CBSSports.com reports about a confrontation between Golf Channel’s Jim Gray and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin over a quote Gray reported earlier this week. 

Stephanie Wei of the excellent Wei Under Par golf blog is reporting on the PGA Championship for the Wall Street Journal and she examines the whole Gray/Pavin shouting match which occurred after a press conference on Wednesday.

Mike Buteau of Bloomberg says Tiger Woods falling play and golf’s falling ratings could lead to more PGA Tour stops going to cable in the next TV contract. 

Golf Digest takes a tour of Golf Channel host Kelly Tilghman’s hometown of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Radio Ink Magazine reports that former CBS Sports personality/Access Hollywood/Entertainment Tonight/The Insider anchor Pat O’Brien is now joining Fox Sports Radio as a co-host of an afternoon drive show. I wonder if Betsy will be there (NSFW).

John Walters of Fanhouse says ESPN’s Pat Forde has transformed from Twitter hater to Twitter lover.

Chris Botta at Fanhouse spoke with NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins about NHL Network and other matters.

Georg Szalai in the Hollywood Reporter says Verizon will produce the first NFL game in 3-D TV in just a couple of weeks.

Glen Dickson of Broadcasting & Cable says Samsung is teaming with ESPN to produce an app for “smart TV’s”.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes about a new three year deal between ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel to air English Premier League games on ESPN2.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek reports that when the new expanded SportsCenter begins on ESPNews at the end of this month, it will have fewer ads so more content can be aired.

Ryan Berenz at Channel Guide has the outlets airing this week’s PGA Championship. 

Andrew Laughlin of Digital Spy UK says ESPN is launching an iPhone app which will provide video of all English Premier League goals scored within minutes after they occurred.

Robert Andrews in paidContent talks about ESPN’s English Premier League mobile and streaming rights in both the UK and the US.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog wonders if a “Hard Knocks”-type program would work for the NHL.

Bob Ryan in the Boston Globe writes about colleague Jackie MacMullen who’s being honored by the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight. 

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at Fox Sports Wisconsin going commercial-free for a Milwaukee Brewers game to raise money for charity.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union notes the passing of former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Nellie King.

Pete says SNY’s Ron Darling will be honored by Little League Baseball.

Pete also has ESPN’s MLB schedule through Sunday, August 22.

Robert Dvorchak and Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette remember the late Nellie King.

Ron Fritz in the Baltimore Sun has enjoyed listening to Fang’s Bites fave Michelle Beadle subbing on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning.

Jamison Hedley at the Sun notes that the Ravens have formed a TV network that has similar reach to what MASN gave the team.

Fred Bowen in the Washington Post feels women’s sports is getting the shaft on the networks.

Ryan Sharrow writes in the Washington Business Journal notes that Ravens have added DC affiliates to its radio network.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the Ravens have pieced together a new TV network after talks with MASN broke down earlier this month.

Jim says Fox picks up this Saturday’s Orioles-Rays game.

Ben Goessling of MASN says the Washington Nationals will be giving away DVD’s of Stephen Strasburg’s Major League debut during tonight’s game against the Marlins. 

Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times says the NHL Network will air the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup clinching game from 2004 on Friday.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Texas Rangers set another ratings record on Fox Sports Southwest which will probably be broken very soon.

Also from the Morning News, Mike Heika reports that Fox is dropping out of the bidding for the Dallas Stars. 

Steve Watkins in the Cincinnati Business Courier says the Reds drew great ratings on Tuesday for its brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

John Kieswetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports Ohio will air three University of Kentucky exhibition games in Canada next week.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business notes that the bank wants to seize memorabilia from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Ed says Bulls fans who want to get their LeBron/Miami Heat fix can also go to Milwaukee to see them.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley notes that Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers gave playing tips on the Whistling Straits golf course to ESPN Radio. Whistling Straits is where the PGA Championships is being played this week.

Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel looks at Turner Sports’ 3-D coverage of the PGA Championship.

Benjamin Wideman of the Sheboygan (WI) Journal goes behind the scenes with Turner Sports on its 3-D coverage of the PGA Championship.

Dan Caesear of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Tuesday’s brawl between the Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds led to record ratings for Fox Sports Midwest.

St. Louis’ KMOV-TV has formed a partnership with the ESPN Radio affiliate. 

The Los Angeles Times has a reporters roundup of opinions regarding the whole Jim Gray/Corey Pavin argument.

Dave Boling of The Olympian says Ken Norton, Jr. was plucked from NFL Network to be Seattle Seahawks linebackers coach.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star notes that MLS is not striking a chord with Canadian viewers.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN could take a ratings and advertising hit if the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats move from its English-speaking to French-dominant Quebec.

At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore wants a Hard Knocks edition for the NHL.

Joe Favorito says baseball really needs to become more global.

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann remembers his friend, former Pirates announcer and pitcher Nellie King.

The great Maury Brown at the Biz of Football notes that the Madden NFL 11 video game will be made available for the iPad and iPod Touch.

That’s going to end it for us today. Lots of good links.

The Tuesday Links Or Getting Through Some Stuff

Dealing with work and trying to finish up some stuff, but while I have a break, let’s do the linkage for you.

First, USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at the ratings from various events from the weekend. 

Mike also writes about Fox NFL Sunday analyst Jimmy Johnson being a contestant on CBS’ Survivor: Nicaragua this fall.

Over at FoxSports.com, Brian Lowry says as Tiger Woods goes, so goes golf’s TV ratings.

Former Fox Sports Radio morning host Steve Czaban breaks his own news by informing fans on his blog that he’s going to be the morning host at Sporting News Radio. Thanks to reader “Tuskaloosa” for the tip.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse has CBS President of News and Sports Sean McManus and Jim Nantz talking PGA Championship.

Milton writes that a major reason why the Baltimore Ravens are no longer on MASN is due to Orioles and MASN owner Peter Angelos’ meddling. 

David Goetzl at Mediapost previews Turner Sports’ 3-D coverage of the PGA Championship.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News writes that former Showtime Sports executive Jay Larkin has passed away after a bout with cancer.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel says SportsCenter’s realm is being expanded to ESPNews at the end of this month.

Ryan Berenz of Channel Guide Magazine has the national TV NFL preseason schedule.

To the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center where the St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans tells us that without Jets holdout Darrelle Revis, HBO’s Hard Knocks will lose some bite.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that the Florida Panthers are taking a page out of Priceline.com.

Darren reports that after a 7 month hiatus, Golf Digest has renewed its relationship with Tiger Woods. 

Darren adds that Frosted Flakes get plenty of free advertising from Shaquille O’Neal.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir says the rehiring of the embattled Isiah Thomas by Madison Square Garden couldn’t be a worse public relations move by the company.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News can’t understand it either.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says NBA TV will air the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremonies this Friday.

Pete says TNT gets the Miami Heat’s (and LeBron James’) first visit to Cleveland this season. 

Pete also has the NFL preseason schedule for this week.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says boxing is being showcased on local TV this month.

Leonard Shapiro in the Washington Post notes that golf gets low ratings when Tiger Woods is not in the proverbial hunt. 

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Steve Czaban about returning to national sports talk radio. 

Jon Solomon in the Birmingham (AL) News says with Tim Tebow in the NFL, CBS might experience a ratings downturn with SEC football this season.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News feels a Cowboys practice would beat New York Yankees-Texas Rangers in the ratings.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle discusses his brief visit to ESPN and also talks about the ESPNews rebranding.

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports Ohio will air a softball game featuring local celebrities later this week.

The Enquirer looks at Fox Sports Ohio’s High School Football Game of the Week series. 

Tim Feran of the Columbus Dispatch says the NFL Network was booted off the local cable system due to what? A fee dispute, what else?

In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman asks why the White Sox aren’t sold out for an important series against the Twins?

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has CBS’ Jim Nantz talking international golf ahead of this week’s PGA Championship.

Judd Zulgad in the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Twins have reupped with their radio flagship station for two more years.

Chris Newmaker of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal also writes about the Twins’ renewal with KSTP.

Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times has the video of newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith calling NBC’s Al Michaels by a new name.

Sports Media Watch notes Red Sox-Yankees drew well for ESPN, but not as well as in the past.

SMW says this past weekend’s NASCAR race did decently for ESPN, but still lags behind previous editions.

John Daly at The Daly Planet notes that ESPN2 NASCAR Now host Nicole Briscoe took down her Twitter account.

Over to Dan Levy’s new website, Press Coverage, he writes that America really likes football, even the preseason variety.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media concludes his five part series on the future of the NHL on US TV.

Steve also tells us about the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames ending their pay per view outlets after signing a new 10 year deal with Rogers Sportsnet.

The Big Lead speaks with Dr. Lou, ESPN college football analyst Lou Holtz.

That’s going to do it for us today.

HBO’s Hard Knocks Premieres on Wednesday

The new season of Hard Knocks is just about here and HBO is pulling out all the stops to make sure you know. We have the press release previewing the premiere on Wednesday.

HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS KICKS OFF ITS FIVE-EPISODE SEASON AUG. 11, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

          HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the New York Jets, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – begins its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, with an encore play immediately following each episode’s debut at 11:00 p.m., culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.

         Episode #1

          Debut:  WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

          Other HBO playdates:  Aug. 11 (11:00 p.m.), 12 (3:00 p.m., midnight), 13 (5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., midnight), 14 (noon, midnight ET only, 11:30 p.m. PT only), 15 (10:00 a.m.), 16 (10:00 a.m., 12:30 a.m.) and 17 (6:30 p.m.)

          HBO2 playdates:  Aug. 15 (11:30 p.m.) and 31 (8:00 p.m.)

          Players begin to arrive and settle into their new quarters at Jets training camp in upstate New York. Coaches take the players thru week one of two-a-day drills.

          A 24-person NFL Films crew is living at the Jets training camp, shooting up to 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews are given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training facilities, dormitories and practice fields.  The Jets are training at the SUNY campus in Cortland, NY.

More releases coming up.

A Few Sunday Links

For some reason, Saturday ended up being a very busy day as I was out of the house all day. Not what I had planned, but I’m hoping to get some linkage done today so let’s get to it.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News talks about HBO Sports being very excited about this season’s edition of “Hard Knocks”

John Eggerton of Multichannel writes that the National Association of Broadcasters is asking member stations to help the USA’s bid to get the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says writers who go the extra mile are rewarded. 

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says a mustard company wants Amar’e Stoudamire to put his money where is mouth is.

Billy Witz of the New York Times talks with Dick Enberg about his first season as the full-time San Diego Padres TV voice.

Bob Raissman in the New York Daily News feels MSG’s announcers overgushed on the Knick’s Amar’e Stoudamire’s trip to Israel.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union gets a video tour of Adam Schefter’s bus that he’s using to tour NFL training camps for ESPN.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with Sirius XM’s head of sports programming about the recent launch of a 24/7 Fantasy Sports channel on the satellite radio service.

Michael Casagrande in the Times Daily (AL) says an ESPNU program and a movie on Alabama coach Nick Saban shed an inside look on the Crimson Tide football team. 

Artie Gigantino in the San Francisco Examiner opines on the sad Albert Haynesworth debacle.

The Sports Media Watch has its weekly ratings predictions.

SMW says the X Games’ ratings were down.

SMW also has some ratings news and notes.

That’s it for now. I hope to do some more linkage and post some press releases later on.

Time For Friday Megalinking

Ok, we have time during the time where I can do the Friday media links. Nice to be able to them earlier than late at night.

Before we get to the links, there’s the Weekend Viewing Picks and you can see what’s on tap in sports and primetime right here.

National

Starting with USA Today, Michael Hiestand notes that NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci was in the middle of the Brett Favre story.

To Milton Kent at Fanhouse who writes we’re learning more about Versus’ Jenn Sterger thanks to Deadspin’s Brett Favre sexting story.

Jeff Bercovici of Daily Finance says Deadspin betrayed a source’s confidence by trying to push Sterger to come forward and put her name on the story.

In the meantime, Deadspin continues to pursue the story and says a friend of Jenn’s claims she has seen the evidence of Favre in question.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter says Madison Square Garden’s TV networks helped to drive the company to a strong financial 2nd quarter.

SportsbyBrooks reports that Keith Olbermann will not be on Football Night in America this season by request of NBC News.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell offers this year’s College Football all-name team.

Darren says a minor league baseball team plans to recreate the moment when the St. Louis Browns sent 3’7″ Eddie Gaedel to bat in an actual Major League game.

Steve Lepore of Puck the Media has part two of his series on the future of NHL TV and he looks at the possibility of bringing ESPN back into the fold.

Part 3 of Steve’s series explores whether Fox and/or CBS/Turner would be a good fit for the NHL.

If you missed Part 1 on NBC/Versus, check it out here.

Joe Favorito compares and contrasts ESPN and Deadspin on the stories the two entities had to deal with.

The Big Lead says the Chicago Sun-Times is not backing down from a story in which it said a Kentucky basketball recruit was offered money.

The Orbitcast satellite radio blog says Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will host a show on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio starting this weekend.

East and Mid-Atlantic

In the Boston Globe, Chad Finn talks with Bob Neumeier who has been spending his summer filling in on two competing sports radio stations.

Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant writes about the new media rights deal between the University of Connecticut and SNY for football and basketball games.

Jackie Majerus in the Bristol (CT) Press talks with ESPN’s head of security. 

Neil Ostrout of the Greenwich (CT) Time says the deal between SNY and UConn will last three years.

Mark Nailor of the Ridgefield (CT) Press profiles the lead producer of “This Week in Baseball.”

Sox & Dawgs has the video of Red Sox teammates Marco Scutaro and Victor Martinez conspiring to touch Adrian Beltre’s head after he hit a grand slam home run against Cleveland last night. 

Justin Terranova at the New York Post says NFL Films and HBO have high ratings expectations for this season Hard Knocks.

Also from the Post, here’s Phil Mushnick’s annual anti-Little League World Series on ESPN column.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News gets on Hard Knocks for not spotlighting Darrelle Revis’ holdout from Jets’ camp. Does he want them to focus on it for the entire program?

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks with ESPN’s Adam Schefter who’s been traveling by bus to half of the NFL’s training camps.

Evan Weiner of the New Jersey Newsroom says don’t expect to hear criticisms of BP from International Olympic Committee Chairman Jacques Rogge as the company is a huge sponsor.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog talks with the departing CEO for the Dan Snyder-owned sports radio stations.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with ESPN/ABC college football analyst Todd Blackledge about … ACC football???

Jim says former DC NFL team great Russ Grimm’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be covered extensively by local TV and radio this weekend.

South

To the Miami Herald where Barry Jackson looks for the unique standouts in South Florida sports radio and TV.

Barry Shlachter of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg had to dig deep to finally win ownership of the Texas Rangers.

The Star-Telegram’s Ray Buck talks with Fox Sports/NFL Network analyst Daryl Johnston about his ex-Cowboys teammate Emmitt Smith who’s going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says having Nolan Ryan as an owner of the Rangers means good news for Fox Sports Southwest.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says a local TV station will air a one hour special to hype the new Pete Rose movie.

Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star writes that Lucas Oil Stadium being the site of the new Big Ten Football Championship in 2011 will be a big economic shot for the city.

The South Bend Tribune notes that former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown is joining ESPN 3D.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers in sports business and media.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals radio rights saga has plenty of intrigue.

West

The Denver Post reports that former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese will join the team’s radio broadcasts this season.

Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the local ESPN Radio affiliate is changing formats at the end of this month. Jay mentions that today’s sports media column will be his last as he’s taken over as editor of the Union-Tribune’s sports section.

John Maffei at the North County Times notes that after several years, the mtn. is still not carried on Time Warner Cable systems.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game means the NFL is back.

In the Los Angeles Daily News, Tom Hoffarth talks about the dangers of reporting through Twitter.

Tom expresses more of his Twitter concerns along with posting his extensive news and notes in his blog.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says reports of the firing of a legendary Vancouver Canucks analyst are untrue.

That will conclude the megalinks for today.

The Wednesday Links

Let’s do the links for the middle of the week.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says the NFL TV partners are salivating over if and when Brett Favre retires. I don’t want to see him after he retires. Sick of him.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse writes that Darelle Revis’ holdout from New York Jets camp provides some journalism questions for HBO’s Hard Knocks this season.

Milton looks at ESPN selling BASS, LLC to a former Time, Inc. executive and former fishing show host.

In the part two of a four part series, Clay Travis of Fanhouse talks with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive about the conference’s huge TV contract. Part one is here.

One more from Fanhouse. John Waters writes that Mike Mayock has finally made it to Notre Dame.

Jon Lafayette in Broadcasting & Cable says the NBA’s Christmas Day games have been announced.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says HBO is holding a rally in New York’s Time Square to kick off the new season of Hard Knocks.

Ben Leach of the London (UK) Telegraph reports that the BBC will have a woman host its Formula 1 broadcast for the first time in its 60 year history. Thanks to Daryn Kagan for the link.

Pete Thamel of the New York Times notes that the fate of the Big East is in the hands of other parties. 

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the NFL is exploring about installing a computer chip in its game balls to help determine close plays.

Over to the Schenectady Gazette and Ken Schott who talks about the unveiling of the NBA’s Opening Week, Christmas and MLK Day schedules.

Brent Johnson of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger reports that an ESPN computer technician is missing after visiting his mother last week.

Jonathan Takiff from the Philadelphia Daily News mentions that there’s plenty of 3-D TV to watch for the 21 people who own a set. 

Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says TV network was the hot talk of yesterday’s Big East media day.

Corky Blake of the Lehigh Valley (PA) Express Times says it’s time for Little League Baseball to end its relationship with ESPN. Wow, that came out of left field. 

Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County (MD) Times says the Baltimore Ravens are scrambling to piece together a TV network to match the reach of MASN.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution catches up with NFL Network’s Deion Sanders as he participated in a local youth football program.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has a preview of tonight’s NFL Network special on former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith.

Kyle Whitfield of the Morning News notes that a local high school football matchup is slated for ESPNU. 

Barry Shlatchter of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is covering today’s auction of the Texas Rangers which includes Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban as a potential suitor.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle says with Fox dropping out of the bidding for the Rangers, their actions still have an effect on the Astros.

John Rohde in the Daily Oklahoman notes that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Fox Sports Southwest have agreed to put all 82 regular season games on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network subscribers are shut out from watching MLB Network and “The Club”.

Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star says two Missouri University football games are slated for pay per view. 

Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times says Time Warner Cable subscribers are the losers in the dispute with Disney/ABC/ESPN.

The Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has a look at Versus/NBC’s partnership with the NHL and where it could go beyond the 2010-11 season.

AJ Daulerio of Deadspin notes that Versus’ Jenn Sterger is alleging that Brett Favre sexted her. I have no reason to believe this either way. Just putting out this link.

Joe Favorito says it’s important to give back to the community.

Dave Kohl in Major League Programs looks at the Time Warner Cable/Disney dispute and the MSG simulcast of WFAN’s Boomer and Carton show.

We’re done here.

Friday Night Megalinkage

Ok, time to do the Friday megalinks. Coming at night again after shuffling between two offices and playing chauffeur. So blogging had to take a back seat for a bit.

I thank everyone who sent in questions for the Fang’s Bites mailbag. I will answer the questions this weekend. It’s my hope that the mailbag will become a regular feature on Fang’s Bites, perhaps every two or three months.

For the Weekend Viewing Picks, go here to check out what’s happening in sports and primetime TV.

Time for the links.

National

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks about the play about legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi heading to the Great White Way.

Mike Lopresti of USA Today discusses the ESPN Outside the Lines report that has many people buzzing about ballpark food safety.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse is confused as to why a former ESPN executive with a poor track record would be brought on by NFL Network to consult on programming.

Kevin Hench of Fox Sports writes that the spiked LeBron James story by ESPN only raises questions about its relationship with certain athletes.

David Goetzl of Mediapost says Proctor & Gamble will be seen aplenty during Olympics coverage from 2012 – 2020.

John Eggerton at Multichannel News talks about Fox’s Jay Glazer joining NFL Network to compliment his regular job.

The Sports Media Watch says the MLS All-Star Game saw a 50% ratings jump as compared to last year.

Paulsen at SMW has some various MLB ratings news and notes.

SMW has some ratings news on other sporting events.

Joe Favorito wonders if the Pac 10/12′s media blitz in the East will give the conference some juice outside of its normal footprint.

The Big Lead has a quick roundup of media reaction to the ESPN spiking of Arash Markazi’s story on LeBron James’ Boys Night Out in Las Vegas.

SportsbyBrooks notes that Rich Eisen’s contract with the NFL Network expires on Sunday.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs explores how a radio interview with Minnesota Timberwolves President David Kahn got him fined by the NBA.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Boston Sports Media Watch’s Bruce Allen writes in SB Nation Boston about the whining by Red Sox beat writers when a player doesn’t speak with them.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says ESPN’s spiking of the LeBron James story on its website raises more eyebrows on its relationship with the Miami Heat player.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post feels USC coach Lane Kiffin is complaining for the wrong reasons.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union reports that Time Warner Sports will produce one hour specials on the Buffalo Bills throughout the preseason.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette continues to shake his head on the ESPN/LeBron James relationship.

Ken McMillan at the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record has the entire NFL TV preseason schedule.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV writes in Press Box of the continued lineup changes at one Baltimore sports radio station.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner says New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is ready for his closeup on this season of Hard Knocks on HBO.

The great Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog discusses some changes with the Post’s beat writers.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Dolphins are starting a very aggressive multiplatform campaign in South Florida.

Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel writes that ESPN was correct to pull the LeBron James story off its website, but not for the reasons you think.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Ray Buck says former Dallas Cowboy and current sports radio co-host Nate Newton has slimmed down. A lot.

In the Houston Chronicle, David Barron talks with NFL Films President Steve Sabol about the new season of Hard Knocks.

David has an extensive interview with ESPN’s vice president for content John Skipper on a myriad of subjects. It’s at the bottom, but Skipper notes that ESPNews’ viewership is in decline and changes could be coming both ESPN Classic and ESPNews in “30 to 60″ days. Nothing like burying the lede.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with Ray Bentley who will be leaving ESPN2′s warm booth to become a sideline analyst for ESPN 3D’s college football productions.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says MLB Network will have two new episodes of “The Club” on Sunday.

Ed also has his winners and losers.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Minnesota native Brad Nessler will call the 2nd game of the opening Monday Night Football doubleheader in September.

West

John Maffei at the North County Times says filming on the movie version of “Moneyball” begins this weekend.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has former ESPN’er Roy Firestone looking to get back to his old roots.

Tom explores why ESPN killed the LeBron James story.

Tom has his usual extensive media notes.

Canada

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says a new Rogers Sportsnet channel means more money for Canadians to pay on their cable bills.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the new Rogers Sportsnet channel will allow for more live sports for Canadians.

And we’re done with the megalinks.

HBO Preps You For This Season’s Hard Knocks

On Wednesday, HBO Sports previews its new season of Hard Knocks, an inside look at an NFL team’s training camp. The preview will last only 12 minutes, but it’ll give us plenty of info as to what we’ll see when NFL Films cameras went inside the New York Jets training camp. Here’s a press release from HBO Sports.

COUNTDOWN TO HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 ON HBO^®

             HBO Sports^® will present “Countdown to Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The New York Jets,” a 12-minute preview of the upcoming NFL reality series featuring the New York Jets, which is set to air exclusively on HBO.  Debuting Wednesday, July 28 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, the 12-minute preview special will serve as an introduction to the acclaimed series for new fans as well as a first look at the 2010 New York Jets football team, which reports to training camp on Aug. 1 in Cortland, NY. Last season, under the guidance of first-year head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets stormed into the NFL post-season as a wild card and earned a berth in the AFC Championship Game. 

          “Countdown to Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The New York Jets” will air a total of 11 times on the main service. 

The dates and times are:

Wed. July 28 at 11:00 p.m.

Fri. July 30 at 2:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Aug 1 at 9:45 a.m.
Wed. Aug 4 at 7:45 p.m.
Sat. Aug 7 at 9:45 p.m.
Mon. Aug 9 at 7:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.  
Tue. Aug 10 at 10:45 p.m.
Sat. Aug 14 at 11:45 a.m.
Mon. Aug 16 at 3:30 p.m.
 All times are ET/PT.

  

          The Emmy-Award^®-winning reality series premieres season six when “Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The New York Jets” debuts Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.  The hour-long program will air for five consecutive Wednesdays with multiple replay dates and times, including an immediate encore replay Wednesdays at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

I will have one more press release post.

NFL Network To Run A Hard Knocks Marathon This Weekend

As we approach another holiday weekend, the cable networks prepare marathons for you. It’s easy programming. Just run all the installments of one series one after another and you don’t have to worry about running original shows. So NFL Network will air every season of Hard Knocks, the show originally aired on HBO and co-produced between HBO Sports and NFL Films. This will get you ready for the NFL exhibition season as the first games will be played in a short month from when Hard Knocks starts airing on NFL Network and it also gets you ready for a new season which starts in July.

Here’s the press release.

JULY 4^TH WEEKEND FEATURES HARD KNOCKS MARATHON ON NFL NETWORK

NFL Network Debut of 2009 Emmy Award-Winning ‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals’ Sunday at 8:00 PM ET

Independence Day Marathon Features More Than 45 Hours of NFL Films-Produced Programming

Escape the heat this 4^th of July and spend some time at training camp with your favorite teams, players and coaches from the past ten years. As part of NFL Network’s programming for the holiday weekend, the network will air a special marathon of the NFL Films-produced series Hard Knocks. Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens from 2001 kicks off the marathon Sunday at 3:00 AM ET, followed by the 2007 Kansas City Chiefs at 9:00 AM ET and the Dallas Cowboys from 2002 beginning at 2:00 PM ET. 

The Emmy-award winning Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals makes its NFL Network debut Sunday, July 4^th at 8:00 PM ET with episode #1 of the fifth season.  The remaining four episodes from season five will debut chronologically, with one episode per night Monday, July 5^th through Thursday, July 8^th, also at 8:00 PM ET. An encore of the entire fifth season airs Sunday, July 11^th beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

Hard Knocks documents the daily challenges and interactions that come with a career in professional football. Each season focuses on a specific team, giving viewers a unique and candid glance into the lives of their favorite players and coaches. Episodes offer a captivating behind-the-scenes look into the highs and lows of preseason training, all while displaying the superior film quality and sound of an NFL Films product. 

The show has been praised as the first sports-based reality series and boasts one of the fastest turnaround times of any show of its type, with seasons premiering just weeks after training camp finishes. Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals was the recent recipient of a Sports Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Edited Sports Series, and two past seasons—2007 Kansas City Chiefs and 2008 Dallas Cowboys—have won Sports Emmys for their industry-leading production and composition. Set in late summer and focused on America’s favorite sport, Hard Knocks is the perfect addition to any fan’s 4^th of July weekend.

Sunday, July 4

3:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 1

4:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 2

5:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 3

6:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 4

7:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 5

8:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens – 2001, Episode 6

9:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 1 (HD)

10:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 2 (HD)

11:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 3 (HD)

12:00 NOON ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 4 (HD)

1:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Ep. 5 (HD)

2:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 1

3:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 2

4:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 3

5:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 4

6:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 5

7:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2002, Episode 6

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 1 (HD) – NFL Network debut

9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 1

10:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 2

11:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 3

12 MIDNIGHT ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 4

1:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 5

Monday, July 5

2:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 1

3:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 2

4:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 3

5:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 4

6:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 5

7:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 2004, Episode 6

8:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 1 (HD)

9:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 2 (HD)

10:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 3 (HD)

11:00 AM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 4 (HD)

12:00 NOON ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs – 2007, Episode 5 (HD)

1:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 1

2:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 2

3:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 3

4:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 4

5:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys – 2008, Episode 5

6:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 1 (HD)

7:00 PM ET – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 2 (HD) – NFL Network debut

Tuesday, July 6

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 3 (HD) – NFL Network debut

Wednesday, July 7

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 4 (HD) – NFL Network debut

Thursday, July 8

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 5 (HD) – NFL Network debut

Sunday, July 11

8:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 1 (HD)

9:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 2 (HD)

10:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 3 (HD)

11:00 PM ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 4 (HD)

12:00 MIDNIGHT ET – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2009, Episode 5 (HD)

That will do it.

NFL Films Won Its 100th Sports Emmy

Thanks to its multiple collaborations with HBO and CBS/Showtime, NFL Films and NFL Network combined for four Sports Emmy Awards including three for the prestigious NFL Films.

The multimedia arm of the National Football League is one of the best in-house branches that documents every game of the league and archives them. One of these days, I’d love to visit the headquarters just to see the mountains of film stored. In any event, let’s take a look at the awards NFL Films and NFL Network won in New York last night.

100^TH SPORTS EMMY FOR NFL FILMS

NFL NETWORK WINS FOR “FOOTBALL SEASON NEVER ENDS – RUN” PROMOTIONAL SPOT

HARD KNOCKS WINS FOR OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SERIES

NFL Films and NFL Network combined to win four 2009 Sports Emmy Awards, it was announced last night in New York. 

NFL Films, the most-honored filmmaker in sports, earned three Sports Emmys to bring its total to 100. The 100^th Emmy for NFL Films came as the critically acclaimed Hard Knocks series, which airs on HBO, won its first Emmy in the Outstanding Edited Sports Series – Anthology category. 

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals was also one of two NFL Films winners for Outstanding Post Produced Audio – Sound. Inside the NFL on Showtime also earned a Sports Emmy in the category for “Sounds of the Year.”

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals will encore on NFL Network this summer.

NFL Network won in the Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Institutional for its “Football Season Never Ends – Run” spot, which featured Raiders running back Darren McFadden running through the year-round NFL season beginning with the NFL Scouting Combine and progressing through the NFL Draft, training camp, the preseason and the regular season.

(Following is a link to the spot: http://motionographer.com/theater/motion-theory-nfl-run/).

NFL Network has won seven Sports Emmys in its six-year history. 

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive Internet home of NFL Network. 

Following is a list of the winners:

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SERIES/ANTHOLOGY

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

OUTSTANDING POST PRODUCED AUDIO/SOUND

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

Inside the NFL: Sounds of the Year (CBS/Showtime/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – INSTITUTIONAL

2009 Football Season Never Ends – Run (NFL Network/Mering Carson/Motion Theory)

Congratulations to NFL Films and NFL Network for their Sports Emmy Awards.

The Friday Megalink Thing

Ok, it’s time for the Friday megalinks. Wasn’t able to do them last week and now it’s time to bring them to you while I can. There’s a new look here and I’m experimenting with the template and colors. Let me know what you think either via a comment here or through a quick e-mail. I like to hear your comments.

You can always check your Weekend Viewing Picks for sports and primetime TV.

Now to your links.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with CBS’ Dick Enberg who will call his final NCAA Tournament game tomorrow before embarking on a new phase of his broadcasting career.

Also in USA Today, sports broadcasting historian David J. Halberstam looks at the large number of veteran play-by-play men, including Enberg, who continue to call their respective sports well into their 70′s and some into their 80′s

And USA Today’s version of Mike and Mike, Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate the value of expanding the NCAA Tournament from its current 65 teams.

Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable says MLB is rebranding its Home Plate channel on Sirius XM Satellite Radio to MLB Network Radio and will simulcast its programs at night.

Multichannel News looks at the life of former NBC Sports and ESPN President Chet Simmons who passed away Thursday at the age of 81.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel notes that Spike and UFC have put together a website for their Ultimate Fighter reality series which archives all ten seasons of the show.

Katy Bachman of Mediaweek looks at ESPN launching a New York-centric website.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the NCAA Tournament steered CBS to an overnight ratings victory on Thursday.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes that Louisville in basketball-crazy Kentucky is the top rated market for the NCAA Tournament through the first two rounds.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred says it’s important to see both sides of the story. 

The Sports Media Watch says Tiger Woods is shooting a new commercial.

Joe Favorito writes that the New York Jets made the right decision in participating in this season’s Hard Knocks program on HBO.

Gail Sideman in Sports Networker provides 5 proactive public relations tips for athletes to prevent them from getting into trouble.

Len Berman has his top five stories of the day.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe compares and contrasts the ESPN and Golf Channel interviews of Tiger Woods.

The New York Times speculates that HBO could be ending “Joe Buck Live” after three mostly lackluster shows.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post isn’t a fan of MLB Walking, Talking Conflict of Interest Bud Selig’s job on steriods.

Over to Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News who writes that the Jets are taking a stab at HBOs Hard Knocks after turning a request last year.

Writing in Baltimore’s Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com has the latest on the Charm City’s sports radio ratings wars and other media moves.

In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams asks his readers which is the best sports radio talk show in DC?

South

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson looks at an upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on Dolphins running back Ricky Williams.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel takes Florida football coach Urban Meyer to task for verbally attacking one of his colleagues this week.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has the latest ratings for the sports radio stations and they’re not good for the local ESPN Radio affiliate.

Ray Buck from the Fort Worth Star Telegram says the national media spotlight will be on Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington after last week’s admission that he took cocaine.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that CBS’ Jim Nantz returns to Houston to call the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with a national women’s college basketball analyst about Oklahoma’s play in the ladies NCAA Tournament.

In his media notebook, Mel discusses the upcoming season of Hard Knocks and the recent Sports Emmy Award nominations.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press looks at former Michigan State star Mateen Cleaves who’s hoping to start a new career on TV.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the Fox Sports’ NFL analysts’ reaction to the new overtime rules.

In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman says WGN-AM has eliminated a long-running talk show in place of more Cubs programming.

Ed also has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.

Paul Christian in the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin has a whole bunch of media stories in his Friday column.

To Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who writes about Verne Lundquist’s return to the Gateway City where it’s memorable for a very big reason.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) Morning News says despite having two NCAA Tournament games in town last night, CBS beamed the games from Syracuse into the local market.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports on a continued contract dispute between a local sports radio station and its morning show. 

And John Maffei of the North County Times says on-air auditions for potential replacements have turned out to be disastrous.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star explores why ESPN and Golf Channel accepted interviews with Tiger Woods and why CBS did not.

Jim looks at how CBS handled the first four days of the NCAA Tournament.

John Scheibe in the Los Angeles Times says upsets have not hurt CBS’ ratings for the NCAA Tournament.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes about the new social networking venture by new Angels TV voice and Friend of Fang’s Bites, Victor Rojas.

In his blog, Tom expands on Victor’s venture.

Tom also has his extensive media news and notes.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail previews the CBC mini-series on Don Cherry.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star is puzzled as to why the Blue Jays have yet to release their TV schedule.

In Truth & Rumours, William Houston says the Don Cherry movie is definitely worth watching.

And that will conclude the megalinks.

HBO Sports & NFL Films Team Up For Hard Knocks With The J-E-T-S

It was broken yesterday by the New York Daily News and confirmed today by the NFL. The New York Jets will be the focus of this year’s edition which will be co-produced by NFL Films and HBO Sports. Last year’s series on the Cincinnati Bengals turned out to be quite entertaining, especially when we learned Chad Ochocinco’s term of endearment was “Child, please!”

Here’s the joint press release from HBO Sports and NFL Films.

HBO SPORTS®, NFL FILMS AND THE NEW YORK JETS JOIN FORCES FOR A NEW SEASON OF THE ULTIMATE SPORTS REALITY SERIES WHEN HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS, CHRONICLING THE RIGORS AND DAILY DEMANDS OF NFL TRAINING CAMP, DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

            NEW YORK, March 25, 2010 – HBO Sports, NFL Films and the New York Jets team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS debuts in August. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – kicks off its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale, with regular encore plays on Thursdays.

            “We are delighted that HARD KNOCKS will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on charismatic Jets head coach Rex Ryan and his engaging team of proven veterans and emerging stars,” says Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. “As always, there will be plenty on the line for veterans, free agents and rookies alike during training camp. After last year’s postseason run, this is certainly a championship-caliber team with big-name talent. Get ready for some of Coach Ryan’s ‘blunt force trauma’ behind the scenes with this staff and this talent.”

            “HARD KNOCKS has successfully traveled the country over the last several years,” says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “There have been shows in Dallas, Baltimore, Kansas City and Cincinnati. Now we’ve got our act together – we’re finally ready to open on Broadway!”

            The cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the dynamic New York Jets, who compete in the ultra-competitive AFC East, prepare for the 2010 NFL season. HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS will chronicle second-year head coach Rex Ryan and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason. Each week, players will experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

            “We are committed to being an organization that is open and accessible,” says New York Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson. “HARD KNOCKS serves as a tremendous vehicle for fans everywhere to receive unprecedented access and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look as we prepare for the 2010 season. HBO and NFL Films have an award-winning track record and we are excited about working with them.”

            A 24-person NFL Films crew will live at the Jets’ training camp, shooting more than 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will be given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.

            HARD KNOCKS launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Sports Emmy®. In 2008, the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy® for production excellence. In 2009 HARD KNOCKS spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals franchise.

            GQ magazine wrote that HARD KNOCKS was reason No. 18 of 73 reasons why “we’re living in a new golden age of football,” adding that “‘Hard Knocks’ might be the second-best thing on television,” while Esquire observed, “There’s a brilliant late-summer reality TV treat on HBO.”

            HBO and NFL Films recently received four Sports Emmy® nominations for last season’s “Hard Knocks:  Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals,” including Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology, Outstanding Camera Work, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound. The winners will be announced April 26.

We’ll preview each episode with press releases so look for them starting in August.

NFL Discusses Its Emmy Nominations

The combined forces of NFL Network, NFL Films and NFL.com are discussing the Sports Emmy Award Nominations. Quite impressive. Take a look at the list in this press release.

NFL NETWORK, NFL FILMS & NFL.COM EARN RECORD 18 SPORTS EMMY NOMINATIONS

‘NFL REDZONE’ EARNS NOMINATION IN DEBUT SEASON

‘NFL FILMS PRODUCED HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CINCINNATI BENGALS’ EARNS FOUR NOMINATIONS

NFL.COM RECEIVES TWO HONORS IN OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING

NFL NETWORK EARNS NOMINATION IN OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

NFL Network, NFL Films and NFL.com recorded 18 Sports Emmy Award nominations, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced today. This total surpasses the 15 nominations the NFL received last year, setting a new record.

Following its debut season, NFL RedZone earned NFL Network a nomination in the Outstanding New Approaches Sports Event Coverage category. NFL Network/NFL.com received two nominations in Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming with NFL Weekly Countdown and the webisode On the Fringe – Fighting for their NFL Lives each receiving a nod.

NFL Network’s critically-acclaimed America’s Game series, produced by NFL Films, continued its run of success with America’s Game: 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers earning a nomination for Outstanding Edited Sports Special. America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions took home an Emmy in 2007 in the Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology category. 

NFL Films, which has earned 97 Sports Emmys, garnered 15 nominations including four nods for Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals. Inside the NFL, which NFL Films produces with CBS/Showtime, earned its second straight nomination for Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly, as well as for two features, Sounds of the Year and NFL Shots of the Year.

NFL Network and NFL Films also garnered honors in the Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement category, earning recognition for the “2009 Football Season Never Ends – Run” and “Full Color Football: History of the AFL” creative.

The 31^st Annual Sports Emmys Awards will be presented on Monday, April 26 in New York City at Rose Hall at Lincoln Center.

Following is a list of the nominations:

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SPECIAL

America’s Game: 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SERIES/ANTHOLOGY

NFL Films Presents (NFL Network/NFL Films)

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

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY

Inside the NFL (CBS/Showtime/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE

Inside the NFL: Sounds of the Year (CBS/Showtime/NFL Films)

NFL Films Presents: One Shot (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

NFL RedZone (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING

NFL Weekly Countdown (NFL Network/NFL.com/NFL Films)

On the Fringe – Fighting for their NFL Lives (NFL.com/NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK

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

Inside the NFL: NFL Shots of the Year (CBS/Showtime/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING EDITING

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

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION/DIRECTION/LYRICS

Truth in 24 (NFL Films/Intersport/FX)

OUTSTANDING POST PRODUCED AUDIO/SOUND

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

Inside the NFL: Sounds of the Year (CBS/Showtime/NFL Films)

Truth in 24 (FX/Intersport/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – INSTITUTIONAL

2009 Football Season Never Ends – Run (NFL Network/Motion Theory)

Full Color Football – History of the AFL (Showtime/NFL Network/NFL Films)

One more Sports Emmy Award nomination release coming up.

Doing the Friday Megalinks

Ok. After hardly doing links this week, it’s time to make up for it today. And I hope to finish this during the day. Let’s get to it.

First, the Weekend Viewing Picks.

College Football has good matchups this weekend including USC at Washington on ABC, Michiga State at Notre Dame on NBC, and Texas Tech at Texas in primetime on ABC. ESPN College Gameday is in Austin, TX to preview the Aggies-Longhorns game. The College Football Viewing Picks in full are right here.

To the NFL where we have some intriguing games in Week 2. CBS has the doubleheader this week and a good early game with the Patriots at the Jets especially in the wake of coach Rex Ryan’s trash talking. The showcase late game for CBS will be Pittsburgh at Chicago. For Fox, it’s regional coverage and New Orleans at the Eagles will be called by Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver. On Sunday night, it’s the regular season debut of the new Cowboys Stadium on NBC with the Giants and the Cowboys facing off. The entire Sunday schedule along with announcer assignments, DirecTV channels, satellite radio channels and anything else I wanted to add are in the NFL Viewing Picks.

For baseball, Cubs-Cards and Angels-Rangers will be featured on the national networks this weekend. You can see what’s being covered in Baseball Viewing This Weekend.

Other programming notes of interest include Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Miguel Marquez on HBO pay per view called by Jim Lampley, Emanuel Steward and boxing charlatan Max Kellerman and UFC 103 on pay per view.

NASCAR is in New Hampshire for the Sprint Cup Series on ABC at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Weekend Viewing Picks in full not only have your sports picks, but primetime viewing as well.

Let’s get to your links.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes about Fox Sports unveiling new programming online and from what I hear, some nudity in the weekly “Cubed” series.

Sports Business Daily looks into the beginning of Fox Sports’ online initiative and the nudity on “Cubed”.

Brian Helfrich of SBD writes about Fox Sports not only cutting out the nudity in “Cubed” but also cutting down the web show from 16 minutes to under 2.

Eric Fisher in Sports Business Daily writes that the NFL has brought increased traffic to various sports news websites.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated reviews the Week 1 performances of several new NFL TV analysts.

The Nielsen ratings Wire blog says the early returns show ratings success for both college and pro football.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says ESPN, Fox and NBC all saw ratings jumps for their first offerings of the NFL regular season.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that the Cubs are feeling the effects of the recession.

Darren looks at how MillerCoors is getting notice for its brand at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Nick Saint of the Silicon Valley Insider notes that CBS Sports will stream its entire 15 game SEC football schedule online.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog reports that DirecTV and Versus are talking to bring the sports channel back, but it appears it won’t be in time for the NHL season openers.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News also writes about the DirecTV/Versus negotiations.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel says Spike is seeing excellent ratings for “The Ultimate Fighter” season premiere.

Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable says Bright House Sports will be picking up a slate of SEC games thanks to a new deal with ESPN Regional Television.

Ben Grossman of B&C writes that CBS is back in the Mixed Martial Arts business signing a deal to air Strikeforce bouts starting in November.

Steve Schwankert of the Hollywood Reporter notes that the NFL is expanding its broadcasts into Communist China and in democratic Taiwan.

Diego Vasquez of Media Life Magazine writes about a successful opening to the NFL season on the league’s TV partners.

Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media notes that ESPN is already releasing the opener to next year’s college football season.

Chris has the video of former Detroit Tigers voice Ernie Harwell saying thanks to his fans. Ernie was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and there has been a huge outpouring of support from all over baseball for Ernie.

The Big Lead talks with ESPN.com college football reporter Joe Schad.

The Sports Media Watch looks at the ratings of the recently completed US Open.

SMW tells us that of the NFL TV partners, only CBS saw a decrease in ratings for Week 1.

Here’s the first edition of a podcast I did with Sports Media Journal’s Keith Thibeault.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes about some of the latest developments in new media in Boston.

Amanda Bruno of the Batter-up with Bruno blog notes that the Boston Globe has made a new hire to cover the Red Sox.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with Ron Jaworski of ESPN’s Monday Night Football about the Patriots’ performance against the Bills.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes that YES is not producing a postgame for the entire Yankees schedule.

Neil writes a feature on Newsday’s owner, Cablevision, increasing its commitment to high school sports.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News writes that CBS’ Phil Simms seems to be the only one not jumping on the Jets’ bandwagon.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post rips the NFL replay rule.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks with ESPN Radio’s Freddie Coleman who got his sports radio start in New York’s Capital Region.

Pete also has five questions with Freddie.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com talks with WNST’s Nestor “Nasty” Apricio.

South

To the Miami Herald, Barry Jackson says the Dolphins are excited about having their home opener on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Gary Smits in the Florida Times-Union says the DirecTV/Versus dispute is preventing Florida State fans from seeing Saturday’s game against BYU.

Jeff Caplan in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that NBC will be ready to cover the punts and the now-infamous video board at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Ray Buck of the Star-Telegram says NBC will showcase the new stadium this weekend.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says Michael Irvin will be all over the place on Sunday and Monday.

Barry writes that a local sports radio station will talk with former President George W. Bush next week.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says College Gameday is back in Texas on Saturday.

In his blog, David looks at the football segments on local radio this weekend.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says a Fox Sports Net college football analyst can feel Oklahoma University QB Sam Bradford’s pain.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press feels there are too many retired NFL players on his television.

Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that you won’t be seeing the Packers on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

Bob Wolfley in the Journal Sentinel says Milwaukee viewers will see up to 8 Minnesota Vikings games with former Packer Brett Favre this season.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers.

In the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin, Paul Christian writes about the return of MMA to CBS.

Paul says a popular Twin Cities sports radio show makes a local appearance this weekend.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Joe Buck’s second HBO show has been retooled.

Dan writes that the ratings for the Rams’ season opener were up from last year.

Tom Timmerman of the Post-Dispatch reports that the Big 12 Conference is looking to expand its TV footprint similar to what the SEC did this year.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News feels ESPN’s Bob Griese is a BCS lackey.

Jay Posner in the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the US Open fireworks helped to prepare CBS’ Dick Enberg for the new NFL season.

Jay says Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton returns to the local airwaves in October.

John Maffei of the North County Times pays tribute to a colleague who recently passed away.

Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star writes that football brings in the ratings.

Jim says the new Cowboys Stadium gets a real public Open House this Sunday.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times says fans are truly ready for some football.

Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News says don’t count out newspapers yet.

As usual, Tom has his extensive media notes in his blog.

And that’s going to conclude this edition of the megalinks.

Our Never-Ending Friday Megalinks

Ok, as I was out for most of the day in Connecticut, I’ll do the megalinks while I can as I have to head back into the office again tomorrow.

The Weekend Viewing Picks have plenty to choose from as the NFL season kicks off in earnest on Sunday. College football has some early intriguing matchups on Saturday. MLB heads into the home stretch and the US Open tries to ramp up towards a conclusion plus NASCAR is in Richmond on Saturday.

The NFL regular season is here and we have a whole slate of games on Sunday. Fox has the doubleheader with Washington at the Giants being its featured late game. Early games on CBS and Fox include Jacksonville at Indianapolis and Minnesota with Brett Favre playing my Cleveland Browns. Then Sunday Night Football has Chicago at Green Bay. You can check out the entire Sunday schedule plus announcing assignments, the links to NFL distribution maps and other recommendations in my NFL Viewing Picks.

In the college ranks, two of the tastier matchups are Notre Dame at Michigan on ABC and USC at Ohio State on ESPN. Other good games include UCLA at Tennessee on ESPN and Purdue and Oregon on FSN. Your College Football Viewing Picks have the national games in full.

To baseball, Fox has three games on Saturday highlighted by the Mets-Phillies. MLB Network airs the Dodgers-Giants on Saturday night as does TBS on Sunday afternoon. Mets-Phillies is also your Sunday night game on ESPN.

NASCAR is in Richmond for the Sprint Cup Series on ABC, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The US Open was sent into the spin cycle thanks to the rains that postponed play from Thursday night to Friday. Now the schedule has been turned on its head. It all leads to a Monday finish and I have the revised broadcast schedules right through the Monday men’s final right here.

To see the full picks including English Premier League games and primetime picks, go see the Weekend Viewing Picks.

Now to your links.

National

The Sports Business Daily’s Erik Swanson conducted a media writer and blogger roundtable about the NFL broadcasting and it included Neil Best of Newsday, Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dan Levy of On The DL, Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead and your humble blogger. Some good topics were broached.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand conducts an NFL TV quiz.

As we head into a new NFL season, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch has a primer on the lineup changes for each network and there are quite a few.

Richard talks with new Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden.

Some stories from CNBC’s Darren Rovell. First he talks with the NFL’s Chief Financial Officer Anthony Noto.

Darren notes that Michael Jordan has become the very first $1 billion athlete.

And Darren says it didn’t take long for extreme fighter Kimbo Slice to return to the spotlight.

Joe Favorito takes the time to remember those lost in 9/11.

Nellie Andreeva of the Hollywood Reporter says TBS has renewed the sports-themed “My Boys” for a fourth season.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that the AT&T U-Verse picks up the NFL Network’s RedZone in time for Week 1.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says the war of words between Cablevision and Tennis Channels is escalating.

Mike reports that CBS College Sports is teaming up with a high school sports website to cover high school football games.

John Consoli of Mediaweek says DirecTV will be peppering different ads throughout Fox’s NFL games this Sunday.

Also from Mediaweek, Anthony Crupi writes that the NFL will be offering full replays of blacked out games in their local markets on its website for 72 hours after the game is played.

The Sports Media Watch says the NFL season opener scored well for NBC on Thursday.

SMW says ESPN2 is crowing about its US Open ratings.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball says MLB Network airs a new behind the scenes show on Sunday.

The Big Lead has Erin Andrews quotage from her appearance on a man hating show on Friday.

Deadspin says former ESPN blowhard Sean Salisbury is out of another job.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has the thoughts of Dan Marino and the other CBS NFL analysts about Tom Brady’s return to the Patriots.

Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch bids farewell to ESPN Radio’s Boston affiliate which is leading to rumors that ESPN will announce a new and stronger station to accompany its new website which launches Monday.

The Two Cents from Beantown blog has another edition of its show where it dishes on Derek Jeter and Richard Seymour’s departure from the Patriots.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with Patriots radio voice Gil Santos about calling his 33rd NFL season.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times goes into the NFL replaying blacked out games on its website.

Richard is not a fan of Pam Shriver’s crowd reports during ESPN2′s coverage of the US Open. I disagree with this. I like Pam.

Neil Best of Newsday writes that despite network announcing upheaval, the NFL remains the sports ratings king.

Neil notes that Mets announcer Howie Rose teams with former Mets announcer Tim McCarver on Fox.

Neil says Tennis Channel is using MSG Network’s new high school sports channel in its latest salvo against Cablevision.

Neil tells us that WFAN’s Mike Francesa has a new simulcast on YES this Sunday.

Our man Neil has CBS’ Phil Simms giving Jets fans some advice on rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

Neil talks with Bonnie Bernstein about her new radio gig.

Our last link from Neil tonight. He says the US Open TV schedule is a mess.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has lost his mind.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union has the NFL TV analysts dishing on the area’s teams.

Pete has the NFL TV schedule for the Capital Region.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes that the NHL Network will carry 10 exhibition games this month.

Mike Waters of the Syracuse Post-Standard says the Orangemen will be on TV aplenty during Big East hoops season.

Laura Nachman notes that Bob Costas will be in Philadelphia for a reception for the release of Mitch Albom’s new book.

Laura also has the Eagles Radio Network pregame show announcing lineup.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner has video of Tennis Channel’s Jimmy Connors talking with ESPN/CBS’ John McEnroe.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post says the October 10 World Cup Qualifier between the US and Honduras may not be seen on US TV at all.

South

Alexis Stevens of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says breakout tennis star Melanie Oudin will be making more TV appearances soon.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says Jon Gruden has the potential to be a great analyst.

The St. Petersburg Times’ Tom Jones talks with Fox Sports’ Kenny Albert who calls the Cowboys-Bucs game this Sunday.

Etan Horowitz of the Orlando Sentinel says there are gadgets for your TV or cell phone that can help the displaced fan keep track of his/her favorite NFL team.

Roger Clarkson of the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald writes that Georgia fans had better be ready to see their team play at night more thanks to the new SEC contract with ESPN.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram talks with Fox’s Tony Siragusa about the Cowboys.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says it doesn’t appear the NFL Network will be on Time Warner Cable this season.

Barry has the monthly sports radio ratings report.

Barry writes that those with DirecTV won’t be seeing the Texas-Wyoming game as Versus is still not on the satellite provider’s system.

Barry has Sean Salisbury’s take on his departure.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle has CBS’ Jim Nantz looking forward to calling the Jets-Texans game on Sunday.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman writes that Spike will be in town to air a UFC card next week.

Mel has CBS’ SEC analyst Gary Danielson taking a shot at Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops over the return of QB Sam Bradford. Really?

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Bengals gave HBO’s Hard Knocks good ratings compared to last season’s edition with the Dallas Cowboys.

Joe Reedy of the Enquirer says an extension helped the Bengals avoid a blackout this Sunday.

Michael Zuidema in the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with Fox rookie NFL analyst Trent Green about Lions rookie QB Matt Stafford.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks with Brewers announcer Brian Anderson about his rather strange high ranking in a recent Wall Street Journal story.

In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman has his winners and losers.

To the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Dan Caesar who writes that the local CBS TV affiliate continues to de-emphasize sports.

Dan tells us that the next two Missouri football games move to pay per view.

Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star writes about the continuing NFL Network/Time Warner Cable dispute.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News feels BYU is in trouble after ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit sang their praises.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the NFC Champion Cardinals managed to avoid a blackout on Sunday.

David Hattfield of Inside Tuscon Business explains how Fox Sports Arizona managed to get back into airing University of Arizona football and basketball.

Over to Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune who tells us that Fox switched games at the last minute to give fans a chance to see Brett Favre on Sunday.

John Maffei of the North County Times feels Jon Gruden is just right for Monday Night Football.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says USC QB’s both past and present will be in the TV spotlight this weekend.

Jim writes that Melanie Oudin’s run at the US Open gave ESPN2 a ratings boost.

The great Diane Pucin (and fellow tennis fan) of the Los Angeles Times also talks about Melanie being a TV darling for ESPN2.

Diane says rain forced CBS to dig deep into its vaults during Friday’s coverage of the Open.

Joe Flint of the Times’ Company Town blog talks with NFL Network Czar Steve Bornstein.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News goes into bizarro world which includes the horrific Mark Whicker column in the Orange County Register this week. And thanks to Tom for linking to my post on the aforementioned Whicker story.

Tom goes over Lou Holtz’s pep talk for Ohio State that was seen Thursday on ESPN.

In his column, Tom talks about ESPN’s 3-D experiment for the USC-Ohio State game.

Tom has more on the 3-D experiment and a lot of other stuff in his media notes.

Tom also goes over the week in blogging.

Joe Kukura writing for KNTV in San Francisco says the Raiders have an extension until 5 p.m. local time on Saturday to prevent a blackout on Monday night.

Canada

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star has a look at the ratings in Canada from last weekend.

Chris chronicles an on-air fight that was seen on Rogers Sportsnet and heard on sports radio in Toronto on Thursday.

Tom Tebbutt of the Toronto Globe and Mail feels CBS has too much say in the US Open scheduling.

The Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin talks with ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen who bemoans the lack of hockey on the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Rogers Sportsnet has signed to be the Canadian home of the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package.

And that is going to do it for Super Sized edition of the megalinks.

Some Monday Night Links

Because I’ll be leaving my house at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday to be at a jobsite, I won’t be able to provide linkage while I’m there so to help tie you over, I’ll do some now. I’ve already done the Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks for Tuesday and expect to see that at 9 a.m.

Starting with USA Today’s Michael Hiestand, he has some quotes from the Erin Andrews appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show taped last week and to be aired on September 11.

Dan Levy of On the DL reviews the weekend in sports media for the Sporting News.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says time is running out for former tennis prodigy Donald Young.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times talks about the Tennis Channel’s difficulty in getting carriage in the Big Apple for the US Open.

Jerry Barmash of the New York Examiner writes about former WCBS TV sports anchor Chris Wragge now making his mark on the news side.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says golf and exhibition football were ratings winners on Sunday.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer talks about Sunday Night Football being a ratings hit in the exhibition season.

John also has a preview of the next episode of Hard Knocks.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the jettisoning of popular Rams analyst Jim Hanifan to pre and postgame shows has ruined a good first 8 months for a new sports radio station.

Jon Solomon of the Birmingham (AL) News wonders if SEC fans will welcome ESPN’s announcing crews this season.

Jon writes about Fox Sports’ extending its deal with the Cotton Bowl.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News writes that Fox plans to make the Cotton Bowl a primetime affair for the first year of a new four year contract starting in 2011.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks about Stacey Dales joining the NFL Network this season.

Wayne Friedman of Mediapost says the NFL should be worried about several key markets that will experience blackouts of local games, especially in Jacksonville which may not see any home games this season.

Maury Brown in the Biz of Football talks about the waning hours of Versus on DirecTV as the two try to hash out an agreement before the midnight deadline and several college football games that will suddenly have a smaller audience if the channel is by the satellite provider.

The Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

Christy Hammond of the Sports PR blog looks at the New Jersey Devils using social networking to promote Martin Brodeur Day.

Joe Favorito says look for ESPN/Marvel tie-ins with the Disney purchase of the famed comic book company today.

The 38 Cliches blog has some thoughts from Sunday’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game.

Ok, I’ll end it there. Gotta sleep now.

Friday Megalinks

I’m trying something new to get the Friday megalinks in during the day. I hope it works.

As always, we highlight the Weekend Viewing Picks and there are quite a few this weekend.

The PGA Championship, golf’s last major of the year is taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. CBS is hoping to see Tiger Woods in contention as he has helped raise the network’s golf ratings over the last few weeks. If he’s at or near the top throughout the weekend, then you’ll see the ratings rise significantly. If not, then it’ll be a long weekend for CBS. TNT has early 3rd and final round coverage at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. CBS then joins at 2 p.m. for full 18 hole coverage.

Baseball continues to head towards the pennant races. Fox has three games highlighted by Philadelphia at Atlanta. Neither Joe Buck nor Tim McCarver are working on Saturday meaning that this is not a major showcase weekend in Fox’s mind. Phillies-Braves will also be the ESPN Sunday Night game. MLB Network and TBS will air Boston at Texas for their Saturday night and Sunday afternoon games respectively. And WGN has Pirates at Cubs on Sunday. MLB this weekend including regional splits and announcing assignments for Fox and ESPN are located right here.

The English Premier League returns this weekend and ESPN2 is an addition to the U.S. rightsholders. It will carry a Saturday morning and Monday afternoon game every week. This is part of the deal that ESPN signed with the EPL to carry games in the UK. Setanta Sports and Fox Soccer Channel will continue to carry games here as well. ESPN2′s debut will be Chelsea vs. Hull City at 7:30 a.m., Saturday.

NASCAR heads to Michigan International Speedway and the Carfax 400 which ESPN carries Sunday at 2 p.m.

If you need your football fix, NFL Network has a live exhibition game tripleheader on Saturday. It will carry both the home and away feeds of each game.

NBC has Olympic sports including the VISA Gymnastics Championships where gold medalist Nastia Liukin will participate Saturday night at 8. And there’s the World Track & Field Championships from Berlin which NBC carries Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Versus also has coverage Saturday night at 7.

And in primetime, the season premiere of Mad Men is on AMC, Sunday night at 10.

Check out the Weekend picks in full right here.

Now to the links.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand notes some changes to the Fox Sports NFL announcing lineup.

Mike Florio of Pro Football talk speculates that CBS’ Jim Nantz knew all along that Michael Vick was going to sign with an NFL team this week.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the winners and losers in the Michael Vick signing.

Darren takes a gander at the ticket sales for various games involving Michael Vick.

And Darren asks readers for the potential signs Vick will see this season.

Christopher Byrne at the Eye on Sports Media looks at whether Louisville coach Rick Pitino faces excommunication from the Catholic Church for paying for an abortion.

Chris also looks at the NIT Tip-Off field.

Chris feels the promo for the Baseball World Cup in Nettuno, Italy stepped over the line.

The Sports Media Watch notes that former ESPN’er Steven A. Smith has become a go-to guy on the cable news networks.

Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable says Spike hopes to take some MMA thunder away Showtime’s Strikeforce by showing highlights from UFC 100.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that CBS College Sports has made some new hires for college football season.

Mike reports that Telemundo and Mun2 scored in their simulcast of the US-Mexico World Cup soccer qualifying match on Wednesday.

Mike adds that ESPN Deportes also did well in its wraparound programming for US-Mexico.

And Joe Favorito says by going on HBO’s Hard Knocks this season, the Cincinnati Bengals are not only helping their brand, but their practice jersey sponsor as well.

East and Mid-Atlantic

From the Boston Globe, Chad Finn feels the new 98.5 The Sports Hub had a decent debut and needs some work.

But Christine McConville of the Boston Herald wasn’t impressed.

Kristine Leahy has Friday’s edition of The Five at WEEI.com.

Amanda Bruno from Batter-up with Bruno gives Chad Finn’s new Maple Street Press Patriots annual a plug.

Newsday’s Neil Best learns that Frank Gifford will be doing taped vignettes for ESPN to celebrate Monday Night Football’s 40th anniversary.

In his column, Neil talks with New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling. Neil lists some of Sterling’s famous home run calls. Neil has some more on Sterling in his blog.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman urges all of us to watch James Brown’s 60 Minutes interview of Michael Vick with a critical eye. Whatever you say, Bob. Go eat your oatmeal now.

Richard Huff from the Daily News writes that WCBS-TV sports anchor Sam Ryan is leaving to focus on duties for CBS College Sports as well as CBS Sports.

Over to Phil Mushnick from the New York Post and Phil is in a very bad mood today judging from the hate he spews at ESPN for its live game coverage.

The Post’s Justin Terranova talks with NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger about the Jets’ and Giants’ quarterbacking situation.

Justin has five questions for CBS golf analyst Sir Nick Faldo about the PGA Championship.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union speaks with local native Dottie Pepper who will be Golf Channel’s analyst for next week’s Solheim Cup.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette feels Michael Vick deserves a second chance.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV writes in the Baltimore-centric Press Box about the happenings in DC and Baltimore sports media.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Redskins fans will be covered on the radio throughout the season.

South

Rodney Page of the St. Petersburg Times feels Jon Gruden got better as he went along during his ESPN debut on Thursday.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says former Astro Craig Biggio will be on Fox Sports Net this weekend analyzing a high school baseball All-Star Game.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News is amazed at the ratings for the Cowboys’ exhibition game opener.

Barry also looks at the local sports radio ratings.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer gets the first word on Hard Knocks’ second episode.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley feels James Brown won’t be soft on Michael Vick.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.

Ed tells us that he’ll be taking over hosting duties for a local golf show on WSCR.

To Paul Christian of the Rochester Post-Bulletin who says Tiger Woods is very good for golf ratings.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Cardinals are dispelling rumors that they’re changing radio stations.

Dan says former Rams QB Trent Green will be in the booth for two of the team’s exhibition games.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times writes that the Chargers will be blacked out Saturday.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times says Tiger Woods is helping out TNT and CBS during the PGA Championship this week.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says a big name needs to step and win the PGA Championship to help the tournament’s ratings.

Those are your links. Not as many as previous weeks as some media writers are on vacation.

Some Late Thursday Night/Early Friday Morning Linkage

I’ll give some linkage tonight before I sleep.

Newsday’s Neil Best reports that CBS Sports reporter Sam Ryan is giving up her gig as sports anchor at WCBS-TV in New York to focus on her national duties.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says there will be a lot of pressure on Michael Vick to say the right thing during his Friday press conference to announce his signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Darren wonders how many NFL blackouts there will be this season.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union says Golf Channel will leave coverage of the Solheim Cup for two hours next Friday due to PGA Tour commitments.

The great Keith Thibeault of the Sports Media Journal continues his series of interview with NFL play-by-play men and the latest talk is with legendary New Orleans Saints voice Jim Henderson.

Ray Frager writing for the SMJ has some inside stuff on the first season of HBO’s Hard Knocks which focused on the Baltimore Ravens.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times notes that a big tenant is signing up to lease space near the Nationals ball park.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says one cable provider is pulling the plug on running Hard Knocks because of the language. I just shake my head. It’s HBO, not ESPN.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times writes that the Clippers are changing radio stations for next season.

Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says Roku is becoming a content provider player by nabbing the MLB.TV subscription package.

The Sports Media Watch says the Phillies set another ratings record for Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

Steve Lepore at Puck the Media looks for clues at the Versus schedule by checking at the Columbus Blue Jackets TV grid.

The 38 Cliches blog notes that WEEI’s Dale Arnold was in the Red Sox radio booth on Wednesday but he wasn’t there to call the game.

The great Amanda Bruno of Batter-up with Bruno caught an addition error on MLB.com on Thursday.

Sumner Widoes of Sports Fan Live wraps up his extensive interview with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne.

That will include the late night linkage. Get ready for the regular Friday features. Lots of stuff coming.

HBO’s Hard Knocks Selects the Cincinnati Bengals

This just in from HBO Sports. The next version of Hard Knocks will focus on the Cincinnati Bengals.

HBO SPORTS, NFL FILMS AND THE CINCINNATI BENGALS JOIN FORCES FOR A NEW SEASON OF THE ULTIMATE SPORTS REALITY SERIES WHEN HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CINCINNATI BENGALS, CHRONICLING THE TRIUMPHS AND HEARTACHES OF NFL TRAINING CAMP, DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

CINCINNATI, May 14, 2009 – HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Cincinnati Bengals will team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CINCINNATI BENGALS debuts in August. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – kicks off its fifth season WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO and presented in HD. New hour-long episodes air subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 9 season finale, with regular encore plays on Thursdays.

“We are delighted that HARD KNOCKS will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on head coach Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals,” says Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. “There will be plenty on the line during training camp for veterans, free agents and rookies alike, and we are eager to chronicle all the passion, heartache and achievement.”

“This is a fascinating team,” says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “They’ve got a lot to prove to themselves and to the fans. As Coach Lewis has said, ‘This is a team with a chip on their shoulder.’ Training camp is a laboratory of human emotions and the Bengals have a compelling mix of personalities that should make for dramatic television.”

The five-episode cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the Cincinnati Bengals, who compete in the AFC’s ultra-competitive North Division (which sent two teams to the playoffs last January), prepare for the 2009 NFL season. HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CINCINNATI BENGALS will chronicle seventh-year head coach Marvin Lewis and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason. Each week, players will experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

“HARD KNOCKS will give Bengals fans a tremendous opportunity for an inside look at their team,” says Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “And for NFL fans across the country, it will provide another expertly produced program on how an NFL team operates behind the scenes. As for our players and coaches, the presence of HBO and NFL Films on a daily basis during the preseason will bring a heightened sense of excitement and intensity to the jobs we are all doing to get ready for a great year.”

A 24-person NFL Films crew will live at the Bengals’ training camp at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., shooting more than 1000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will be given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.

HARD KNOCKS launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs and the 2008 edition, which received a Sports Emmy^® Award for Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound, featured the Cowboys for the second time.

GQ magazine wrote last summer that HARD KNOCKS was reason No. 18 of the 73 reasons why “we’re living in a new golden age of football” and that “Hard Knocks might be the second-best thing on television.”

As mentioned in the release, the first show premieres on August 12.

Your Thursday Linkfest

Let’s do some links before I do some work and finish what I have to do today.

Newsday’s Neil Best is amazed at the Red Sox beating the Celtics and Bruins in the ratings last Sunday night. Neil says Mets and Yankees fans are finding bargains on tickets. Neil writes that former ESPN NFL analyst Michael Irvin felt the network worked him hard.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the number of sports movie companies is growing as more sports movies are being made. Darren says the old Yankee Stadium memorabilia sale is going well. Darren has finally heard from aspiring beach volleyball player Nora Tobin.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says Don LaGreca has returned to NHL Live, just for one day.

Jackie Majerus of the Bristol (CT) Press reports that ESPN lobbied the state legislature to keep tax breaks in place.

Cris Barrish from the Delaware News-Journal says the NFL is asking the state Supreme Court to block a proposed plan to allow sports betting.

Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that last night’s Game 7 of the Penguins-Caps set another ratings record for FSN Pittsburgh.

The Washington Post’s Leonard Shapiro reports that two DC area sports radio personalities were pulled from the air last week.

The Tampa Bay Business Journal tells us that Outback Steakhouse will continue to sponsor the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl through 2014.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes that Michael Irvin is on the publicity train for his new Spike TV show.

Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News opines that CBS’ David Feherty should not be working the Texas Open this weekend.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Bengals will be on the next edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the owners of the local professional sports teams are not in Sports Illustrated’s Best or Worst Owners.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business tells us that NBC and Versus are rooting hard for Detroit to win tonight’s Game 7 against Anaheim.

Scott M. Reid from the Orange County (CA) Register says the Pac 10 Conference is now looking to launch its own cable TV network.

Stuart Levine of Variety reports that Versus is seeing a double digit ratings increase for the NHL Playoffs.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says there were 800,000 thousand buys for the Manny Pacquaio-Ricky Hatton fight earlier this month.

Wayne Friedman from MediaPost talks about NBC making a deal to put sports programming on the Flo TV cell phone service.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV writes in the Baltimore Press Box site that the newest sports radio station in town is making a dent in the ratings.

Christopher Byrne of Eye on Sports Media wonders why a local newspaper has covered up the story of a DUI arrest.

The Sports Media Watch says the NBA Playoffs on ABC continue to perform lower than last year. And Paulsen has some various ratings news and notes.

Dennis Wyatt of TV Sports Daily is not a fan of TNT’s Charles Barkley.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball tells us that the Florida Marlins have launched a webcam showing the progress of construction of its new ballpark.

I’ll end it there for now. I have other things to do, but I will post a few press releases before then.

Preview of the Season Finale of Hard Knocks on HBO

Here’s what you can expect for tomorrow’s season finale of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys:

HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS:

SEASON FINALE DEBUTS SEPT. 3

HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the Dallas Cowboys, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – concludes its five-episode season WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Each week, players experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

This week’s show:

Episode #5

Debut date: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates for episode #5: Sept. 3 (5:00 a.m.), 4 (1:30 p.m., midnight), 5 (midnight), 6 (11:45 a.m., 12:45 a.m.), 7 (9:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m.), and 8 (8:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate for episode #5: Sept. 5 (8:00 p.m.)

The Cowboys face off against the Minnesota Vikings in their final preseason game; with jobs on the line, the coaching staff makes final roster cuts.

I don’t know if HBO and NFL Films will continue Hard Knocks during the regular season. There has been talk that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would like the NFL Films cameras to show what goes on during the regular season, but nothing concrete thus far.

It’s a Thursday Linkage Thing

As I’m trying to watch the USA-Brazil gold medal women’s soccer game through NBCOlympics.com, but the video keeps buffering and it’s quite annoying. This is due to the speed of my DSL here at work. Not very fast compared to my Verizon Fios at home which is very fast. Just did it again. I just may to have to depend on a backdoor site. I found one so I’m happy, but I would have preferred the HD-like quality of NBCOlympics.com. Oh well.

UPDATE – The IOC came in and knocked out the backdoor site again so I was able to get back on NBCOlympics.com and watch the game in clear HD-like quality. And despite being outplayed, the USA won the gold, making up for the loss in softball earlier today.

Let’s get to some linkage now.

Let’s start with an agreement between ESPN and Major League Baseball Advanced Media which allows ESPN360 to simulcast Sunday Night Baseball, Monday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. The agreement runs through 2013.

The Associated Press says the deal between ESPN and MLBAM includes selling games on iTunes.

Staci Kramer of paidContent.org says the new deal also includes international rights.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Usain Bolt is one of the best names for marketing ever. As Michael Phelps graces the cover of Sports Illustated for the 4th time this week, Darren looks at other SI cover subjects. And Darren says thanks to Kerri Walsh and other beach volleyball players, Kinesio tape has found a way to get its name into the public.

The Sports Business Daily/Journal’s Olympic website says Tuesday’s ratings for the Olympics went back over the magic 16 threshhold.

David Bauder of the Associated Press reports that NBC hopes to ride the Michael Phelps gravy train as it has signed to televise the World Swimming Championships next year as well as other swimming events leading up to the 2012 Olympics.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about NBC’s “LIVE” graphic which has caused consternation on the West Coast.

Newsday’s Neil Best laments the loss of indoor volleyball coverage at the expense of beach volleyball.

Michael Ozanian of Forbes magazine says NBC force fed beach volleyball to viewers.

Richard Sandomir talks with NBC’s Bob Costas and Bela Karolyi about the colorful commentary Bela has been providing during the gymnastics competition.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ wishes NBC would focus some time on US gold medal winning wrestler Henry Cejudo. And Tom has NBC’s Cris Collinworth and Mary Carillo defending their sugar-coated stories while not doing any hard news stories from Communist China.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer has Collinsworth having fun in Communist China.

Ron Judd of the Seattle Times says NBC has to be considered a big winner for these Olympics.

As the US women’s soccer team is playing for the gold medal this morning, Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog remembers what it was like in 1996 when the women’s soccer team won the gold medal in Athens, GA.

The Dallas Morning News’ Barry Horn talks about ESPN’s plans to bid for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics. And Barry has a review of the latest episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks.

Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel lists his favorite Olympic human interest stories.

The Canadian Press reports that CBC Olympics primetime host Ron McLean has left Beijing after learning that his mother had died. Our sympathies go to Ron.

The Toronto Star’s Chris Zelkovich says CBC has been working extra hard to tug at viewers’ heartstrings.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC has earned a license to launch an all-sports cable channel.

Bill Virgin of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is speculating that the Northwest’s news power, KIRO-AM could switch to all-sports after putting its news and talk programming on an FM station.

The Big Ten Network has picked up another cable company, this time U.S. Cable which has subscribers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

On the other hand, Jeff Bell of Business First of Columbus (OH) writes that Ohio State University Athletics Director Jeff Smith feels an agreement between BTN and Time Warner Cable is unlikely before the beginning of college football season. George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal says Smith is urging OSU fans to switch video providers so they can watch Buckeye football.

Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette profiles NFL Network host Paul Burmeister.

CBS Sports has two NFL exhibition games this weekend. CBS Sports previews its coverage of the first leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, the Barclays. And CBS has coverage of the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament this weekend.

And that will do it for now.

Preview of the Next Hard Knocks on August 20

AUG. 20 EPISODE

HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the Dallas Cowboys, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – continues its five-episode season WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Subsequent hour-long editions air each Wednesday at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 3 season finale.

Each week, players experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

This week’s show:

Episode #3

Debut date: WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates for episode #3: Aug. 20 (5:05 a.m.), 21 (3:30 p.m., midnight), 22 (11:00 p.m.), 23 (10:30 a.m., 11:15 p.m.), 24 (9:30 a.m., 11:15 p.m.), 25 (11:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates for episode #3: Aug. 22 (4:00 p.m.) and 23 (1:30 p.m.)

The coaching staff evaluates player performances after their first pre-season loss at San Diego. The Cowboys break camp and head to Denver, CO to scrimmage with the Broncos prior to their pre-season game. Tempers flare up between the two teams.

A 24-person NFL Films crew is living at the Cowboys’ training camp, shooting more than 700 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews are given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.