Time for the links. Lots of stuff to get to.
From Sports Business Daily, we learn that the Sporting News has officially taken over Fanhouse. A sad day really as the Fanhouse site was very good and had many good writers on staff (Jay Mariotti excepting). Many writers have lost their jobs while others have decided not to move to the new site. I’ll have more on this later in the day.
Sports Business Daily also notes the increased ratings for the just-completed PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing.
At Sports Business Journal, John Ourand and Terry Lefton tell us that the NHL now has two more suitors for its US cable contract in addition to Versus.
John Ourand and Michael Smith report that ESPN is really looking into the machinations behind Conference USA’s deal with Fox.
Interesting story that’s been developing since the end of last month’s Daytona 500. Apparently, one journalist, a freelancer for SI.com, got caught up with Trevor Bayne winning the race and started clapping in the press box which is a no-no. It got him fired and now, Thomas Bowles writing in Frontstretch tries to justify his actions. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.
And Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center tells you why reporters should not be cheering in the press box.
Southeastern New England Media Mogul Keith Thibault returns to Sports Media Journal with a post on what is right and wrong with sportswriters today.
To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and Greg Wyshynski who writes that some of the fake NHL trades tweeted during Deadline Day were more entertaining than the ones being made.
Brian Lowry of Fox Sports notes that the Charlie Sheen Career Suicide Press Tour began on the Dan Patrick Show.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser bids adieu to Fanhouse.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that as of Friday, Dish Network is ready to drop local TV stations in 17 markets including Albuquerque, NM; Green Bay, WI; Indianapolis, IN; Providence, RI and Springfield, MA, all of which are part of the LIN TV group. That would affect March Madness in several markets.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says MSG Network continues to see ratings spikes for New York Knicks games since the Carmelo Anthony trade.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell tracks down former tennis superstar Andre Agassi.
Darren likes a minor league baseball concession offering of a whole big heap of hot dog toppings.
And Darren really likes an inventive marketing ploy by Jack in the Box at a recent Lakers game.
At espnW, my Twitter trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff, recognizes three women sports executives.
Robin Berger of TV Technology looks at CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament, which include online streaming.
Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider’s Sports Page says the NHL is suddenly a hot property.
NESN has a slideshow of the preparation Bruins TV voice Jack Edwards goes through just for one game.
At the Springfield (MA) Republican, Fred Contrada writes that the attorney for ESPN.com writer Howard Bryant is using the race card in his arrest on domestic assault charges.
Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald also writes about the Howard Bryant incident.
Jessica talks with new WEEI midday show co-host Lou Merloni about taking over the timeslot from mainstay Dale Arnold.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union talks about ESPN’s assignments for the MAAC and America East Championship Games.
The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog says ESPN finally took note of George Mason’s basketball team members’ vow not to cut their hair until their 15 game winning streak ends.
To the Washington Examiner where Jim Williams writes about the Nationals’ new flagship radio station’s spring training schedule.
The Petersburg (VA) Progress-Index says the Tri-Cities area gets its own local sports radio network.
Ileana Limon of the Orlando Sentinel writes that ESPN is threatening to sue Conference USA over what it says was right of first refusal over the league’s new contract with Fox Sports.
Laken Litman of the Dallas Morning News says ESPN’s College GameDay will be in the Lone Star State on Saturday.
Mike Chappelle of the Indianapolis Star speaks with NFL Network’s Mike Mayock about the best of this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NASCAR was tops in the local weekend ratings.
Bob has details of the new Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV DVD that arrives on shelves next week.
Bob Goldsborough of the Chicago Tribune writes that the radio voice of the Bulls could not stand to leave his local neighborhood despite selling his house last year.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be aired exclusively on Fox Sports Arizona this season.
In the Toronto Sun, Terry Koshan writes that Twitter played a big role on NHL Trade Deadline Day.
Dan Ilika of the Sun grades the TV coverage of the Trading Deadline.
Lenny Shulman of Bloodhorse.com says the Triple Crown is back together on one network as it should have been all along.
Sports Media Watch has some NBA ratings news and notes.
To Puck The Media where Steve Lepore explores whether the NHL has made a true inroad into the mainstream.
Steve says Jeremy Roenick will be reunited with a former coach and a former teammate this week on Versus.
Steve also has the most watched and least watched NHL games on Versus for February.
The Big Lead wonders how ESPN will handle the delicate Howard Bryant situation.
Dave Kohl at Major League Programs says college basketball owes a debt of gratitude to a television executive.
And that’s going to do it for us today.
