Fang's Bites

Bringing Out The Sunday Links

Let’s provide the links on this Sunday.

Tim Goodman in the Hollywood Reporter writes about how the MLB Postseason remains compelling even without big market teams.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes that Game 4 of the National League Championship Series became the third most watched NLCS game on cable.

John Eggerton of Multichannel says DirecTV will air the first ever 3D production of pro bull riding.

Mike says Golf Channel is off to record ratings for the PGA Tour’s Fall Series.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel notes that ESPN has closed its Content Development department which was responsible for its critically acclaimed “30 for 30″ series.

The Big Lead notes that ESPN.com college football reporter Pat Forde is leaving to join Yahoo! Sports.

Barry Janoff of The Big Lead writes that the NHL is now red hot for marketers.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says ESPN will not discipline New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica for an anti-President Obama piece.

From Media Bistro’s Agency Spy site, Kiran Aditham wonders which agency won the NBC Sports account.

In Sports Media Journal, Southern New England media mogul Keith Thibault delves into the controversial Boston Globe piece on the collapse of the Red Sox.

Matthew Holehouse of the London (UK) Telegraph looks at ESPN UK’s new virtual studio for its English Premier League broadcasts.

The Hartford Courant says both the State of Connecticut and NBC are not commenting about reports that NBC Sports could be moving its headquarters to Stamford.

To the New York Post where Phil Mushnick has some suggestions for the TV networks.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call speaks with former CNN Sports Tonight co-host Fred Hickman about his friend, the late Nick Charles.

Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Times says a retired Philadelphia sportscaster will have new book coming out this week.

The Washington Post’s Reliable Source column notes that ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak tied the knot with an MSNBC anchor.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has a few sports media tidbits.

The Miami Herald says E:60 will have a feature on a WWE wrestler who’s been locked in a battle outside of the ring.

Tommy Stevenson of the Tuscaloosa (AL) News says sports television coverage of this year’s devastating tornado has showed the city’s resilience to the nation.

George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press notes that ESPN’s College GameDay will be on the Michigan State campus this week.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times looks at HBO Sports tapping the Showtime ranks for its new division president.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog replies to a blogger who wants the CBC to be privatized and no longer be funded by the government.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes the passing of a Canadian sportswriter.

Sports Media Watch says the ratings for the NLCS are improving, but still down from last year.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media goes off the beaten path and says realignment in college football could mean some good things for Versus/NBC Sports Network.

Awful Announcing introduces the Dick Stockton Chronicles.

And that will do it for today.

A Few 4th of July Links

Let’s provide some linkage on this 4th of July holiday. I hope you’re having a great day wherever you are.

Aaron Couch of the Hollywood Reporter writes about ESPN taking over the Wimbledon TV contract after a 43 year association with NBC.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC wanted to use Versus as part of its Wimbledon coverage.

Diane Pucin from the Los Angeles Times notes that NBC pledged to end the Wimbledon tape delays by 2014, apparently not soon enough for All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union is not a fan of ESPN2′s tennis crew.

Back to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times and he has a good background story on how Fox has played a role in the whole Los Angeles Dodgers-Frank McCourt ownership debacle.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with Versus’ Paul Sherwin about the Tour de France.

Ron Morris of The State wishes ESPN would cut down the time in-between innings at the College World Series.

Brandon Marcello of the Shreveport (LA) Times speaks with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive about the state of the conference and the league’s TV contracts.

Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram looks at how Fox Sports Southwest has teamed with an organization to help troubled teens.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says comedy and sports can be mixed.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says an e-mail exchange with a reader over soccer bordered on racism.

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

The extremely uninformed Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN and Rogers Sportsnet failed to get the job done on NHL Free Agent Frenzy on Friday and at the bottom, he writes “hot rumour of the weekend is ESPN snatching rights from NBC for next year’s (Wimbledon).” It’s not rumor, Bruce!

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes that talented CBC Hockey Night in Canada Radio Jeff Marek is leaving and heading to Rogers Sportsnet. I have enjoyed listening to Jeff on HNIC Radio over the years on Sirius Satellite Radio. He will be missed on the show.

On this day of the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Luke O’Brien looks at the Competitive Eating Champion-in-Exile, Kobayashi.

Mike Silva’s NY Baseball Digest speaks with ESPN Radio New York’s Brandon Tierney who’s heading out West.

Joe Favorito looks at the collateral damage from the NBA and NFL lockouts.

Awful Announcing says Jon Sciambi drew the short stick in having to call the Harlem Globetrotters on ESPN.

The Ringside Report speaks with former CNN Sports anchor Fred Hickman about his friend, the late Nick Charles.

That will do it.

Showtime Sports Statement on Nick Charles

Trying to clear out some press releases that have arrived today.

This is Showtime’s statement on the passing of Nick Charles. He called Showtime’s ShoBox: The Next Generation with Steve Farhood and Al Bernstein. Here is what Showtime is saying.

From all of us at SHOWTIME Sports on the passing of Nick Charles:

For nearly 10 years Nick Charles served this network as host of the popular boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation.  Nick infused every telecast with genuine intrigue and unfailing enthusiasm whether it take place at a parking lot in North Dakota or a historic boxing club in London. His unique ability as a storyteller also allowed viewers to connect with the athletes themselves, as he helped to dramatize what was at stake for the fighters that night and beyond. As ShoBox prepares to celebrate its 10^th anniversary, SHOWTIME is preparing a special tribute to one of boxing’s most passionate fans—Nick Charles. He will be missed, but never forgotten by the men and women who televise ShoBox and the many viewers who have been entertained and enlightened by Nick’s insight over the years.  To mention the ShoBox series is to remember a man who helped define it.

That’s it.

A Monday Link Thing

Let’s do the Monday linkage. Some interesting stories out there already.

I’ll start with some housekeeping from the weekend in regards to Saturday’s passing of Nick Charles.

Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski who wrote a wonderful and poignant article in March on Nick’s coming to peace with his cancer and how he attempted to make every day count, has another wonderful and poignant article on Nick’s passing.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun remembers Nick’s time in Baltimore.

Matt Schudel of the Washington Post has an obituary for Nick from another market where he worked before hitting it big with CNN.

Michael Marley at Examiner.com notes how boxer Mike Tyson made up with Nick before Charles’ passing.

Jason Levine of the Delaware News-Journal mourns Nick’s passing as well as USA Today baseball writer Rod Beaton.

Becky Schlikerman of the Chicago Tribune writes about Charles never forgetting his Windy City roots.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News also has a remembrance of Charles and calling his last fight earlier this year for HBO.

At Fight News, Nick’s Showtime partner, Steve Farhood, also gives his thoughts on Charles’ passing.

Now to other sports media and business news of the day and there’s quite a bit on this Monday.

One big story surfacing today is the potential bidding for the first half of a Thursday Night Football package that would begin in 2012. John Ourand and Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal write about it. I add some thoughts as well.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have filed for bankruptcy after MLB Commissioner Bud Selig rejected the team’s 17 year deal with Fox for media rights. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports on owner Frank McCourt’s filing in bankruptcy court.

The Times has the Dodgers’ statement on the bankruptcy filing.

Chris Dufrense of the Times has a good story on how the Dodgers lost their toehold on Los Angeles to the Lakers.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reports on some of the biggest Dodgers creditors.

Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal writes that McCourt’s filing sets up a battle with Selig.

David McLaughlin of Bloomberg News also has a story on this latest Dodgers development.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Pro Hardball Talk tells us what bankruptcy means for the Dodgers.

From Sports Business Journal, we have a couple of stories from this week’s issue.

First, Terry Lefton breaks news that the new Meadowlands Stadium, home to the Giants and Jets,  is close to having a new sponsor for naming rights.

Tripp Mickle reports that Sprint is about to roll out a new promotion with NASCAR that will benefit both fans and drivers.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today explains how NBC’s tape delayed shenanigans at Wimbledon will work this week. This is the last year of NBC’s contract with Wimbledon. Let’s hope the shenanigans end in 2011.

Mike writes that ESPN college football analyst Craig James could be starting a political career.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reviews ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage.

Mick Mulvenney from Reuters says the International Olympic Committee says athletes can go on Twitter during competition during the 2012 Olympics so long as they don’t do it for commercial purposes.

Jason Fry writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center discusses some of the comparisons Grantland faces with the late, great The National.

SportsGrid notes some nutty behavior by some baseball announcers over the weekend.

SportsGrid has video from Wendi Nix’s subbing for Karl Ravech on Baseball Tonight from Sunday and it apparently didn’t go over well.

Fox Sports in Australia has announced that tennis analyst John McEnroe will be part of its Australian Open coverage in 2012. He had previously called matches for 7 Network, but had not been in Australia since 2004.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels WFAN’s Craig Carton can be a good listen when he wants to be.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY has ESPN Radio New York’s Jared Max reaction to the New York State Senate passing the same sex marriage bill last Friday.

At the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that the Nationals’ TV ratings are beginning to surpass other teams in the market.

Dan has some observations from the news conference involving Wizards top draft pick Jan Vesely who made a big splash last week with a kiss from her girlfriend at the NBA Draft.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times shares his thoughts on the sports weekend on TV.

Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel says the local NBC station won’t be airing Wimbledon this week due to its wall-to-wall coverage of the Casey Anthony trial.

Jeff Korbelik of the Lincoln (NE) Journal-Star says a new local sports radio station will pick up programming from Fox Sports and Premiere Radio Networks in addition to having some local shows.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says soccer’s popularity is rising.

Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News has your Southern California sports calendar for the week.

Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News writes that the Pac-12 Conference is consideration all distribution options on both TV and the internet for its in-house channel.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail writes about the NHL delaying a decision about participating in the Olympics and the media rights for the new Winnipeg Jets.

The Toronto Sports Media blog says expect to hear some changes at the local Rogers Sportsnet’s radio station.

With some upheaval expected for next season, Paulsen at Sports Media Watch has some announcing suggestions for the NBA’s TV partners.

At Puck The Media, Steve Lepore notes that the NHL Awards saw increased ratings on both Versus and CBC last week.

And Steve says NHL Network will pick up TSN’s coverage of the first day of the league’s free agent signing period.

Doug Farrar at Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner wonders if NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens injured himself during the taping of a VH1 reality show.

EPL Talk looks at ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup.

The Big Lead notes that Dallas Mavs owner Mark Cuban shot a new Transformers 3 movie ad.

Jack Dickey at Deadspin says it seems Marv Albert’s conviction on sexual assault charges has been long forgotten.

And that’s where we’re going to leave it.

Nick Charles of CNN Sports Tonight (1946-2011)

Just learned of the passing of original CNN Sports Tonight co-anchor Nick Charles. CNN reported on Nick’s death this morning. Nick and Fred Hickman were on the first night CNN signed on back on June 1, 1980. He remained with CNN until 2001. Among his co-anchors on CNN Sports Tonight including Hickman were Jim Huber, Dan Patrick, Dan Hicks, Hannah Storm and so many others.

Upon leaving CNN, he began a distinguished career calling boxing for Showtime, particularly ShoBox: The Next Generation and continued until he learned he had stage 4 bladder cancer in 2009. After undergoing chemotherapy, Nick returned to Showtime in early 2010, however, the cancer became more aggressive and he left Showtime for good. He did come back to the air one more time in March of this year, calling fights for HBO’s Boxing After Dark. It was his goodbye to the fans who were such a big part of his life.

Throughout this treatment, Nick handled cancer with dignity. He thought the disease was in remission in 2010, but when the cancer returned, he went through more treatments, but after realizing the cancer had taken its toll, he stopped them.

Charles began recording messages for his young daughter to be played after his death.

Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski wrote a very poignant story on Charles earlier this year chronicling his embrace of life and his attempts to make every day special before passing.

Charles’s former colleague Jim Huber has reacted to his passing.

Here’s a story from Dr. Sanjay Gupta with Nick Charles.

Here are some of Nick’s former CNN colleagues including Keith Olbermann, Dan Hicks, Fred Hickman, Jim Huber and Vince Cellini discussing his passions and his legacy.

It’s truly a sad day. Charles was truly a pioneer in cable sports helping to establish one of the early cable sports rivalries with ESPN and forming one of the best anchor teams with Fred Hickman.

He will be missed.