We have a lot of stuff going on today. You have the NCAA men’s basketball National Championship game between Butler and Duke. There’s MLB Opening Day in earnest with a whole host of games. And of course, the Tiger Woods press conference at The Masters. Let’s get to the linkage.
Starting with the great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated looks at the media covering the Tiger Woods press conference today.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with CBS’ Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg about Butler’s impact on the NCAA Tournament.
Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk notices that someone at ESPN screwed up royally today.
John Consoli of Mediaweek says advertising for the first two months of the MLB regular season is almost sold out for the sport’s TV partners.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says Universal Sports has tapped a former Fox Cable executive to lead the network.
Mike says SNY plans all-access coverage for the New York Mets season opener today.
Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine says CBS is hoping for a close game and excellent ratings for the NCAA Championship Game tonight.
The Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center has dispatched its students to the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis over the last week and they’ve cranked out some very good stories. I’ll link you to one right now. John Patischnock talks with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist and frequent ESPN guest Bryan Burwell about the diversity of college basketball announcers and analysts on TV and radio.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Butler merchandising has blown up the last two years.
In the Sporting News, Dan Levy of On The DL discusses a whole bunch of issues including the NCAA Championship, ESPN’s MLB analysts, Erin Andrews and other stuff.
Very good article in the New York Times by Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine passing his love of the Chicago White Sox to his oldest daughter just like his dad with him.
Katherine Q. Seelye of the Times went to Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill in Boston to find out who would pay $500 for the season to watch Red Sox games on TV.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times-Union has the tip time for tonight’s NCAA Championship game.
Pete says MLB Extra Innings out of market pay per view package is free on digital cable and DirecTV this week.
Tim Wilkin of the Times-Union speaks with ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose.
Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette notes the first bad home run call of the season by New York Yankees voice John Sterling.
Ken McMillan at the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says it’s time for baseball on TV.
Earl Holland at the Delmarva (MD) Daily Times says FM sports talk comes to the local area as of today.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says MASN will be all over today’s Nationals season opener.
Jim says ESPN and ESPN2 have a full slate of MLB games on Opening Day.
Jim says John Riggins’ new radio show premieres on an HD channel this week.
Jim previews tonight’s NCAA Championship game.
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times anticipates today’s Tiger Woods press conference.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says watching baseball on TV hasn’t been any better than today.
Mel looks at the MLB teams available on radio in Oklahoma.
Mel also has the MLB teams available on TV.
Mel has the MLB TV schedule for Fox Sports Oklahoma.
Mel explores the MLB ratings for the Oklahoma City Fox TV affiliate.
Mel has the national MLB TV schedule for the next two months.
Mel looks at the offseason announcer moves in MLB.
In the Cincinnati Enquirer, John Kiesewetter talks with Reds announcer Thom Brennaman who looks forward to spending more time with the kids.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is not a fan of the NCAA Tournament expanding from 65 teams.
Duane Dudek of the Journal Sentinel writes that Brewers flagship radio station WTMJ will go all out for Opening Day.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says Frank Thomas will have a role on White Sox games on Comcast SportsNet this season.
Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune waxes poetic on the late Jack Brickhouse.
Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times discusses Comcast SportsNet using an ad agency to help promote its on-air talent.
Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post writes that Tiger at The Masters is the big sports story of the week.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News had the privilege of speaking with legendary Dodgers voice Vin Scully.
Tom has more with Vin in his blog. I got so engrossed with the interview that I forgot I was doing links.
From the Toronto Star, Chris Zelkovich notes that Blue Jays voice Jerry Howarth is still going strong after 30 years with the club.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that it’s a big day at Augusta National Country Club as Tiger Woods takes the podium.
Bailey Stephens at MLB.com looks at how MLB Network is gearing up for its 2nd full season of coverage.
The Sports Media Watch has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.
Comcast demonstrates what’s in store for those who can watch The Masters in 3-D.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media looks at the playoff TV situation in both the US and Canada if the postseason began today.
There you have it. Plenty of linkage for today.
