Ok, I’m finally doing links for you. I was busy today. First, I was at the dentist’s office having a temporary crown placed on a back tooth. Then I got to the office around midday and immediately started working plus I’m still organizing a move. So I have that to deal with plus I’m trying to arrange new phone numbers, change of address and trying inform everyone of a new place. It’s very stressful and I still have to pack boxes, try to sell furniture and do everything by Sunday. Insane.
But you want linkage and I’m going to provide that now.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that the Indianapolis 500 can no longer be considered a strong ratings draw.
Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch reviews a new book on how the Red Sox failed to win the World Series for 86 years and a curse was not responsible.
Newsday’s Neil Best reports that the New York Jets and its flagship radio station have extended their relationship. Neil notes that a couple of real life Chicago Cubs made appearances on the My Boys season finale on Tuesday.
Ken Belson of the New York Times says it’s a bleak outlook for the Class of 2009 hoping to get jobs in the sports industry.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the man who sold his share of the Cleveland Cavaliers to a company from Communist China. Darren reviews a fascinating book on an unknown Mexican indigenous tribe and its obsession on ultramarathoning. Darren says Vitaminwater may have to update its NBA Finals spot. Darren wonders if sponsor outrage is over.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at U.S. Supreme Court justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s connection to baseball.
The Sports Media Journal’s Ray Frager is happy to see Monday’s Lakers-Nuggets game gaining more viewers than the season premiere of Jon & Kate Plus 8. SMJ mogul Keith Thibeault has a podcast previewing the big Blog with Balls conference in New York next month which this blogger hopes to attend.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says a local radio station got caught having to air Game 4 of the Cavs-Magic game during a Yankees rain delay and never returned when the delay was over. Pete writes that a telethon is forcing this Sunday’s NASCAR race off the local Fox affiliate.
Laura Nachman suggests Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia think outside the box for its new 76ers analyst.
Paul Vigna of the Patriot-News says the lack of a sponsor the LPGA’s season ending Tour Championship has forced the tournament off of NBC later this year.
Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that a long-time announcer at the local ESPN Radio affiliate was let go this week.
Kevin Dunleavy of the Washington Examiner writes that CBS golf analyst Ian Baker-Finch is getting ready for his Champions Tour debut.
Also from the Examiner, Jim Williams says fans who have both Tennis Channel and ESPN2 are seeing more French Open coverage than in the past. Jim adds that the NBA is really crowing about its record ratings.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times says more and more athletes are Tweeting. Tim also looks at the NBA’s stellar postseason ratings.
Kathy Bergen of the Chicago Tribune says NBA legend Michael Jordan is appearing in new TV ads backing the Windy City’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman reports that ESPNU will show the NBA Draft Combine later this week.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has the ratings for the Dallas sports radio stations from April. Barry has a breakdown of the ratings hour by hour. Barry reviews the 2nd installment of 4th and Long. Barry writes that the NBA’s dream final appears to be slipping through its fingers. Barry says the ratings for last weekend’s Byron Nelson Championship were well under par.
Gabriel D. Brooks of the Longview (TX) News-Journal is not impressed with the state of sports broadcasting today.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has some thoughts coming out of Memorial Day Weekend. Tom looks at a new HBO soccer documentary that debuted tonight. Tom says Lakers fans will have a rare opportunity to listen to a Spero Dedes-Stu Lantz teaming on Friday night as regular radio analyst Mychal Thompson has a prior commitment.
Randy Harvey of the Los Angeles Times notes that ESPN’s Rick Reilly is blatantly rooting for the Nuggets.
Diane Pucin of the Times praises ESPN for sticking to the epic Josselin Ouanna-Marat Safin match during the French Open today instead of switching to Venus Williams. Diane writes that TNT will have an interview with former NBA’er Rodney Rogers who
is paralyzed from the neck down after a dirt bike accident last year.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says hockey was very, very good to TSN this season.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail has CBC Sports head Scott Moore discussing the NHL Stanley Cup Finals scheduling.
Spencer Hall of the Sporting News says ESPN’s Josh Elliott was needlessly hyping the UEFA Champions League Final today.
Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says the NBA Playoffs are a big hit on TNT.
The Sports Media Watch says the NBA Eastern Conference Finals are doing very well on TNT. SMW feels the NBA Finals ratings will be fine even if the Lakers and Cavs don’t make it. This is something SMW webmaster Paulsen and I discussed this last night on Twitter. If you’re on Twitter, make sure you follow SMW there. And make sure you follow me as well. That way, you can follow Paulsen and I when we discuss various ratings issues or we just discuss other things as well.
Back to the Sports Media Watch links. Paulsen says Monday’s rain shortened Coca-Cola 600 could end up outrating the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. And SMW notes that with the NHL Conference Finals finished, the Stanley Cup Finals begin on Saturday.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the official Stanley Cup Finals TV schedule.
I will end it there. Another long day tomorrow.
