Let’s do some linkage today. Then I’ll do a massive press release post or two.
Starting with Jon Show of the Sports Business Daily, he writes that DirecTV will have three dedicated channels to the U.S. Open complimenting the ESPN and NBC coverage for all four rounds.
Austin Karp of the SBD says five of the top six rated network TV programs this year to date are sporting events.
Tripp Mickle of the SBD reviews what happened in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix regarding the possible Coyotes move to Southern Ontario and the setting of a relocation fee to the NHL.
The Sporting News picks up a Sports Business Journal story from Daniel Kaplan stating that NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol is countering company claims that the network lost money on the Super Bowl.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today says MLB Network will begin its own reality series this Saturday (I’ll have more on this series coming up later).
The USA Today Game On! blog says Selena Roberts’ book on Alex Rodriguez is not selling well after initially debuting on the Best Sellers List in its first week of publication.
Neil Best of Newsday writes that last night’s Super Tuesday of Sports certainly lived up to the hype. Neil says Game 3 of the NBA Finals beat out baseball and hockey in the New York ratings last night.
The New York Post says ESPN’s Rick Sutcliffe has cleared the air with Yankees Mark Texeira and Alex Rodriguez after he said A-Rod was tipping pitches for Texeira.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell goes over some of the more marketable names from last night’s MLB Draft. Darren says the Bodog sportsbook stands to lose a lot of money if the Lakers win the NBA Finals.
Keith O’Brien of the Boston Globe says the New York Times is looking to sell the Globe.
From the “What the Hell?” Department, Bruce Allen of the Boston Sports Media Watch has a headscratcher of a press release from NESN stating that a morning personality from a Boston urban radio station will join the network’s Red Sox postgame show to read comments and e-mails. What? Couldn’t host Tom Caron do this? Talk about a waste of money.
On the other hand, NESN is actually airing something that might do some good. Frederick Ellis Dashiell, Jr. of the Bay State Banner says NESN will pick up a series of episodes from Northeastern University’s Sports in Society center.
Laura Nachman says there’s cause for concern over the health of a popular Philadelphia sports TV anchor.
Leonard Shapiro of the Washington Post wants to institute some new rules in sports broadcasting.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner has part two of his series on how the Lakers went Hollywood.
Bob Molinaro of the Virginian-Pilot says ACC football fans will overdose on a lot of games on TV during the first three weeks of the season.
Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wonders how ESPN can keep getting the Brett Favre story wrong.
Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene feels ESPN is engaging in “Gotcha” journalism with Lane Kiffin and the University of Tennessee.
Evan Grant from “D” Magazine writes that Texas Ranger radio voice Eric Nadel has been given the go ahead to return to work after having retinal surgery. Thanks to Barry Horn for the link.
Barry has the overnight ratings from the Metroplex for the sports action.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business talks to the President of the MLS Fire who went to a game incognito as a fan to learn what the paying customer has to endure. Mad props to him.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the video of the Angels’ Ervin Santana telling Fox Sports West, “Fuck it! Let’s pitch!”
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star writes that TSN hopes to add some color to its CFL studio show.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour has signed rights deals with Comcast and Universal Sports.
The Radio Business Report reports that the MLS’ FC Dallas soccer team will have its games broadcast on the local ESPN Deportes radio affiliate.
Radio Online says CBS Radio plans to flip WJFK-FM in Washington from talk to all-sports in July.
The BBC reports that Setanta Sports has stopped taking subscriptions.
The Sports Media Watch says Game 3 of the NBA Finals drew strong numbers last night, but are still off from last year. SMW says Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals drew its high overnight ratings of the series, but are still down from last year.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals drew decent numbers against Game 3 of the NBA Finals last night.
Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog says despite the good number
s, NBC is blaming the NHL for bringing down Conan O’Brien’s ratings against David Letterman last night.
Bob Mantz from the great Bob’s Blitz blog writes that the NHL.com store jumped the gun by declaring the Detroit Red Wings the winners of the Stanley Cup.
That’s going to do it for now. Lost of good linkage for you today.
