Because I was out for most of the day, I could not provide linkage this morning. But I can now. Let’s go over some of the stories of the day.
For some reason, people have been jumping all over Richard Sandomir’s story in the New York Times which says the NCAA can opt out of its contract with CBS for the NCAA Tournament. I’ve seen links to it from other blogs, industry publications picked up on it and that’s all fine and good. However, it was Darren Rovell of CNBC who had the story first last week and should be credited for breaking it. At least Darren will get credit here.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at the TV ratings from selected weekend events.
The always lovely Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald writes that former WBZ-TV sports anchor Bob Lobel will be guest hosting on ESPN890 radio this week.
Here’s a story from the Associated Press on CBS’ Clark Kellogg.
Newsday’s Neil Best writes that Clark Kellogg is ready to analyze his first Final Four for CBS. Neil writes that it appears that 790 The Ticket in Miami wanted to get rid of Sid Rosenberg.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has yet another silly column.
Back to Darren Rovell, he writes that General Motors has not only got out of its luxury suite at Ford Field for the Final Four, it won’t have to pay for it either. Darren wants your wacky office pool stories. Darren looks at the shoe contracts for NCAA Tournament schools. Darren notes that weird sponsorship deals are being terminated due to the sluggish economy. Darren provides how the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson M&M’s ad should have looked like. And Darren wants to know where’s the outrage of the use of taxpayer money in the National Guard’s sponsorship of Wrestlemania 25.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the complete local TV and radio schedule for the NCAA Tournament.
Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record tells Marist fans to make sure this Saturday’s game against Virginia in the NCAA Women’s Tournament isn’t interrupted by their home cable company. Ken wonders why ESPN won’t make room for the NCAA Women’s Tournament on the main channel.
Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News likes his free preview of CBS College Sports.
Laura Nachman says she’s received complaints about a local Fox TV sports anchor.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning News writes that the local cable sports channel is getting ready for minor league baseball.
Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun has the NCAA Tournament TV schedule for Baltimore-Washington.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times writes that ad sales for the NCAA Tournament are thriving despite the sluggish economy.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning makes a suggestion to the NCAA for the Women’s Tournament.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Time Warner Cable and Insight Cable will provide a free preview of CBS College Sports through April 7 and fans will get two NCAA Tournament games in the process.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the projected NCAA Tournament TV schedule for Sudstown. Bob gives you a list of Wisconsin players participating in the tournament.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business reports that Mike North has added his former sidekick to his internet sports station.
Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times tells us that Fox Sports Prime Ticket will carry 100 Dodgers games in sparkling, clear high definition.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has some suggestions for you on filling out your brackets. Tom has your first look at Spike Lee’s documentary on Kobe Bryant.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says CBS College Sports will have two NCAA Tournament games.
Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine writes that ad spending on the NCAA Tournament has increased almost 35% in five years.
Brian Morrissey of Adweek says Adobe is providing ESPN assistance in making its brackets interactive.
Deadspin notes the return of Fred Hickman to TV as the host of Braves Live on Fox Sports South.
Eye on Sports Media’s Chris Byrne wonders if the NCAA wants to protect the gate instead of higher seeds in the Women’s Tournament.
Sox & Dawgs gives you some of the hot chicks playing in the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
That’s it for now.
