Fang's Bites

Let’s Get To Some Linkage

Before the day is through, let’s do some linkage for you.

Steve Berkowitz from USA Today looks at the Pac-12′s TV contract which is the richest in college sports (for now).

Speaking of USA Today, Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report says the newspaper is restructuring its sports department and about a dozen staffers have been laid off. That includes Friend of Fang’s Bites Mike McCarthy and Game On! blogger Tom Weir. Very sad to see this. I met Mike a few years ago when we covered an event at ESPN. Good reporter and writer. I hope to be linking to him again soon.

Ed also writes about ESPN holding onto the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

ESPN Ombudsman Jason Fry of the Poynter Institute watches ESPN’s interviewing guru critique the questioning style of some of its reporters.

Marisa Guthrie at the Hollywood Reporter looks at NBCUniversal’s plans to offer some 5,500 hours of coverage on the Olympics.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says Golf Channel will have live coverage of U.S. Open qualifying on June 4.

Tim Baysinger at B&C recaps last night’s Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily’s Sports Business Awards.

Rich Thomaselli from Advertising Age says the NHL’s social media and traditional ad campaigns have helped bring casual fans to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After being disrespected by its own local media last week, the Los Angeles Kings made this infographic giving a brief history on its logo, names of players and number of times the team has been in the postseason. This season, the Kings have stepped its social media campaign and website to provide fans with a very humorous, but also informative experience. Keep it up, Kings. You guys rock!

Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times, writing in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, notes the difficultly for women to find a proper role in sports television.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton’s past is preventing collectors from lining up at his doorstep.

Congratulations to Steve Lepore of Puck The Media who has become SB Nation’s NHL Media writer. Steve is a hard worker who has created a very good niche for himself. And his first column for SB Nation is about the ratings for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final clincher.

Steve also writes about the controversy over NHL on NBC charlatan Pierre McGuire’s withholding of information over an incident between the benches during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY says MSG Network will air two specials on the upcoming Belmont Stakes in which I’ll Have Another will go for horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says in addition, MSG Plus will air some horse races this summer.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes that ESPN has expanded its 3-D coverage of Wimbledon.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says Al Jazeera will be launching two soccer channels this summer.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call looks at ESPN on ABC’s plans for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says former ESPN’er Dave Feldman is leaving the local market to go home to his native Northern California.

Dan says former DC NFL Team running back and sports radio host John Riggins will be hosting an outdoors show next year.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says a deadline is fast approaching in which the Nationals will find out how much MASN will be paying them for TV rights.

Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says the Rays are paying tribute to Fox Sports MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal by wearing bow ties.

Tom Jones of the Times says MLB Network analyst Mitch Williams ripped Tropicana Field.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle looks at the proposed uses for the abandoned Astrodome.

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports is on the Reds’ bandwagon.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that MLB Walking, Talking Conflict of Interest Bud Selig is holding firm to his retirement date.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch says the Big Ten Network has helped to expand the league and in part, raise Northwestern’s profile.

Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune says even though the Utah Jazz bought the sports radio station where he works, he’ll remain an independent voice.

Chris Jenkins from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Fox Sports San Diego’s Mark Sweeney is a natural fit as Padres analyst.

Tim Sullivan of the Union-Tribune says he enjoys listening to the Padres on the radio.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth can’t believe he’s seeing a farmers dating service ad on NBC Sports Network.

Laura Stone of the Toronto Star writes that a new feature by CBC for the NHL Stanley Cup Final has some hardcore female sports fans hopping mad.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin looks at the Twitter police for college sports programs.

Sports Media Watch notes the increased ratings for the series-clinching game of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Final on NBC Sports Network.

Joe Favorito examines the right way and the wrong way to attract Twitter followers.

Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth marvels at the LA media for getting the Kings logo and players wrong during local newscasts.

And I’ll end the linkage there for now. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Winners of 2012 Sports Business Awards

Last night in New York, industry publications Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily handed the annual Sports Business Awards. They go to leaders in various categories such as Sports Executive, Sports Team, Sports League, Best in Sports Media, Best in Sports Television, Best in Digital Sports Media, etc.

Fox Sports, ESPN and Major League Baseball won multiple awards in the categories in which they were nominated. Nice to see the Boston Bruins win as Sports Team of the Year.

Also former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to sports and his work in the National Football League, leading it into an extremely profitable period.

We have the list of winners from Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal.

MLB, Amway Center And Roger Goodell Among The Winners Of The 2012 Sports Business Awards

Boston Bruins Honored as the Sports Team of the Year
Paul Tagliabue Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award

New York, N.Y. – The best in sports business were honored Wednesday night with the fifth annual Sports Business Awards, which included the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the National Football League.

The awards, which recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the sports industry for the period from March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012, were presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, the two leading publications on the business of sports. The Sports Business Awards were presented at a live ceremony held Wednesday, May 23 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.

“We are pleased to honor the leaders and visionaries who are driving the sports industry with our fifth annual Sports Business Awards,” says Richard Weiss, publisher of the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. “The winners and nominees being honored tonight represent the individuals, companies, agencies and media at the forefront of the sports industry.”

Awards were presented in 15 categories. Winners were chosen by a committee of outside panelists and members of the editorial staff of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily. Selected from 77 nominees, the winners included:

Lifetime Achievement – Paul Tagliabue
Sports Executive of the Year – Roger Goodell, National Football League
Athletic Director of the Year – Mark Hollis, Michigan State University
Sports Team of the Year – Boston Bruins
Sports League of the Year – Major League Baseball
Sports Event of the Year – 2012 Humana Challenge
Best in Sports Media – Fox Sports
Best in Sports Television – Fox Sports
Best in Digital Sports Media – ESPN Digital Media
Best in Talent Representation and Management – Wasserman Media Group
Best in Corporate Consulting, Marketing and Client Services – The Marketing Arm
Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services – IMG
Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing – Major League Baseball/Fan Cave
Sports Sponsor of the Year – Bridgestone
Sports Facility of the Year – Amway Center
Best in Sports Technology – ESPN’s WatchESPN

Please visit the web site for articles on the winners and nominees – www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/05/21/Events-and-Attractions/2012-SBA-Nominees.aspx

Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul Tagliabue

The commissioner of the NFL for 17 years (1989-2006), Paul Tagliabue presided over an extended period of labor peace and revenue growth. Under his leadership, the league grew from 28 to 32 teams and revised its divisional alignment. At that time, it secured the largest television contracts in entertainment history. More than 20 stadiums were constructed under his watch and he expanded the NFL’s global reach.

With a commitment to diversity, inclusion and education, Tagliabue enacted the Rooney Rule, named in honor of former Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. The rule requires each team to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and key front office vacancies.

Following his retirement from the NFL, Tagliabue lead and independent panel to review the governance of the U.S. Olympic Committee. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Covington and Burling.

Tagliabue received his Lifetime Achievement Award from former Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. In 1975, Rooney was named president of the Steelers, taking over the reins from his father. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining his father Art to form only the second father-son tandem to be inducted. Over the years, he played key roles in the league’s labor deals and its diversity initiatives.

Previous recipients of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Lifetime Achievement Award are tennis great and women’s sports pioneer Billie Jean King in 2011; and longtime sports business executive Peter Ueberroth in 2009.

That’s it.

NHL Celebrates Sports Business Award For Sports League of the Year

The National Hockey League has sent this press release to me regarding its win over Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Here’s the press release with the NHL crowing about its award.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE RECOGNIZED BY THE SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL AS THE SPORTS LEAGUE OF THE YEAR

NEW YORK (May 18, 2011) – The National Hockey League was honored tonight as the Sports League of the Year by the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.

The NHL was recognized as part of the Sports Business Awards program, presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, the two leading publications on the business of sports. The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the sports industry for 2010.

“In 2010, more people than ever found more reasons than ever — and more ways than ever — to connect with our great game and our outstanding athletes,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “On behalf of the teams, the League staff and all who contributed to the achievement, the National Hockey League is pleased to accept this acknowledgement of a memorable year.”

The NHL was chosen from five nominees for Sports League of the Year including, in alphabetical order, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The Award caps an amazing year for the NHL, both on and off the ice. The League leveraged its big event and digital media strategy to achieve significant revenue growth for the fourth consecutive year, breaking records in TV ratings, merchandise sales and traffic to NHL.com.

That’s all.

Winners of the 2011 Sports Business Awards

Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal held its annual Business Awards presentation tonight in New York. Several sports teams, leagues, networks, executives and businesses were nominated in 15 categories. We have the details in the press release below.

The NHL, Target Field and George Bodenheimer Among the Winners Of the 2011 Sports Business Awards

San Francisco Giants Honored as the Professional Sports Team of the Year
Billie Jean King Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award

New York, N.Y. – The best in sports business were honored Wednesday night with the fourth annual Sports Business Awards.

The awards, which recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the sports industry for the period from March 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, were presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, the two leading publications on the business of sports. The Sports Business Awards were presented at a live ceremony held Wednesday, May 18 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.

“We are pleased to honor the visionaries who are driving the sports industry with our fourth annual Sports Business Awards,” says Richard Weiss, publisher of the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. “The winners and nominees being honored tonight are pushing innovation with smart thinking and creative approaches.”

Awards were presented in 15 categories. Winners were chosen by a committee of outside panelists and members of the editorial staff of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily. Selected from 73 nominees, the winners included:

Lifetime Achievement – Billie Jean King
Sports Executive of the Year – George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN/ABC Sports
Athletic Director of the Year – DeLoss Dodds, University of Texas
Professional Sports Team of the Year – San Francisco Giants
Professional Sports League of the Year – National Hockey League
Sports Event of the Year – 2010 New York City Marathon
Best in Sports Media – ESPN
Best in Sports Television – ESPN Networks
Best in Digital Sports Media – Turner Sports
Best in Talent Representation and Management – CAA Sports
Best in Corporate Consulting, Marketing and Client Services – GMR Marketing
Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services – AEG Global Partnerships
Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing – The Marketing Arm
Sports Sponsor of the Year – Subway
Sports Facility of the Year – Target Field
Best in Sports Technology – Daktronics

Please visit the web site for articles on the winners and nominees – www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/09/Events-and-Attractions/2011-SBA-Nominees.aspx.

Lifetime Achievement Award
One of the most prolific tennis players in history, Billie Jean King has made as big an impact off the court as she did on court, as a champion for social change and equality. The winner of 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 titles at Wimbledon, King was one of the leaders in the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour (1971) and Women’s Tennis Association (1973). Her victory over Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes in 1973 helped empower women and educate men in a match remembered for its effect on society and its contribution to the women’s movement.

In 1974, King co-founded World TeamTennis, a groundbreaking league that paired men and women on the same team, and founded the World TeamTennis Recreational League, one of the most popular recreational tennis formats in the U.S. She founded the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974, Women’s Sports magazine in 1974 and co-founded GreenSlam, an environmental initiative for the sports industry in 2007.

Named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20^th Century” by Life magazine in 1990, King was further honored in 2006, when the National Tennis Center, home of the U. S. Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in honor of her contributions to tennis, sports and society both on and off the court. Additionally, in 2009, King was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama, in ceremonies at the White House.

King received her Lifetime Achievement Award from fellow champion Chris Evert, the winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, including 6 U.S. Open titles, and the number one ranked woman tennis player for seven years. Named one of the “Top 50 Athletes of the 20^th Century” by ESPN in 1999, Evert founded Chris Evert Charities in 1989 to help children at risk due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction. The host and organizer of the Annual Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, Evert serves on the board of the WTA, USTA, the Women’s Sports Foundation, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Foundation, Palm Beach County Sports Authority, United Sports Fans of America and Fitness magazine.

The previous recipient of the SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Lifetime Achievement Award was longtime sports business executive Peter Ueberroth in 2009.

That will do it.