Wednesday's Press Releases For You To Read, Part 2

ShareTweet

Here’s the second part of the Wednesday press releases. It’s all-ESPN here.

First, ESPN Radio debuts the Scott Van Pelt show next week.

Scott Van Pelt Show Debuts July 6

2-4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio; 3-4 p.m. ESPN2 Simulcast

On Monday, July 6, The Scott Van Pelt Show (2-4 p.m. ET M-F) will debut on ESPN Radio, originating from a television studio within ESPN’s Digital Center for its 3-4 p.m. simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD.

Joined by Ryen Russillo, The Scott Van Pelt Show replaces Tirico & Van Pelt in radio’s afternoon time slot. The show will adopt the atmosphere of two pals talking sports, sharing their opinions and personalities with listeners and viewers who will be encouraged to share calls, e-mails and photos, which will be displayed on the show’s page on ESPNRadio.com.

Van Pelt will continue to anchor the 11 p.m. SportsCenter four nights a week.

Russillo is a veteran of the Boston radio and TV scene, and knows his way around ESPN Radio’s Bristol, Conn. studios, having hosted several shows and filled in on others in recent years.

Van Pelt joined ESPN from The Golf Channel (1994-2000) in Spring 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter, and has become one of SportCenter’s primary anchors. A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland, and began his sports broadcasting career at WTTG-TV (FOX) in Washington, D.C. in 1990.

Also debuting next week is a show from ESPN Radio no-talent hack Colin Cowherd hosting a new show with the always lovely Michelle Beadle.

Ultimate Fan-Interactive Show SportsNation Debuts Monday

SportsNation — a live studio show that debuts Monday, July 6, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 — is an hourlong weekday show born from the Internet, fueled by fan interaction and focused on fun. SportsNation co-hosts Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle will interact with fans throughout the telecast, essentially making sports fans the third host of the show. Fans can deliver their input via Twitter (@SportsNation), ESPN.com’s SportsNation web page, e-mail (sportsnation@espn.com) and phone calls (1-888-FAN-ESPN) before, during and after the show.

Segments of the show include “Yup, I Said That,” in which Cowherd and Beadle will be confronted with a questionable, quirky or just plain indecipherable comment they made during the one-hour show.

“The show celebrates the culture of being a fan, a fan’s point of view and gives the sports fan a loud voice,” said coordinating producer Jamie Horowitz. “We’ll talk about stuff that doesn’t necessarily make the lead on SportsCenter or ESPNEWS. The conversation that you have with your buddy at the bar is the same one you should see on SportsNation.”

ESPN Radio announces something called “80’s Day” next Tuesday.

Morning Show to Present ‘80’s Day’ July 7

Guests Include Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Jim McMahon, Kirk Gibson, Jerry Rice

In the middle of the ‘80’s, Mike Go
lic was drafted into the NFL while Mike Greenberg was graduating high school. On Tuesday, July 7, ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F, simulcast on ESPN2) will celebrate that decade with a special “80’s Day” broadcast.

Guests will include former athletes including Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Bears QB Jim “Super Bowl Shuffle” McMahon, Dodgers OF Kirk Gibson, 49ers Hall-of-Fame WR Jerry Rice, Mike “Do you believe in miracles?” Eruzione, and Bret Michaels from the band Poison.

Fans can vote on the “Best Moments of the 80’s” by choosing from Mike & Mike’s favorite sports, music and fashion moments on ESPNRadio.com. through July 5.

Sports poll: HERE

Non-sports poll: HERE

While it wasn’t that Kenny Rogers who sang “Lady” in 1981, “Ghostbusters” wasn’t about the 2004 Red Sox, and “9 to 5” was in theatres 29 years before Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness at those odds, the ‘80’s are still close to the hearts of Greeny & Golic, who will don 80’s apparel for the occasion.

“The 80’s remind me of when I was actually an athlete,” Golic says. “And they remind Greeny yet again that he never was an athlete.”

Greeny’s 80’s Memories

Favorite Song: Super Bowl Shuffle
Favorite Movie: Arthur
Favorite TV Show: Cheers
Worst Memory: The A.J. Duhe game (returned his third interception 35 yards for a TD to clinch Miami’s 14-0 AFC championship win over Greeny’s Jets).

Golic’s 80’s Memories

Favorite Sports Moments: Miracle on Ice, Gibson Homer, Mary Lou Retton

Favorite Songs: Back in Black (AC/DC); anything by Springsteen; Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard)

Favorite Movies: Stripes, Caddyshack, Raiders of the Lost Ark

Mike & Mike’s ‘80’s Day’ show will feature:

• ‘80’s-related guests
• ‘80’s-related topics (Miracle on Ice, ’86 World Series Game 6, Celtics-Lakers, Giants-49ers, Everett-Navratilova, sports movies, and “Hello To” USA Today, sports talk radio and NFL instant replay)
• Tri-hourly updates will look back at plays of the decade
• ‘80’s-style graphics on ESPN2 simulcast
• ‘80’s-related poll questions on ESPNRadio.com (voting taking place now)
• ‘80’s biggest scandals
• ‘80’s biggest flops

ESPN the Magazine ranks the Anaheim Angels as its #1 Baseball Ultimate Franchise and explains how it arrived at its findings.

ESPN The Magazine’s 2009 Ultimate Standings: Ranking of How Pro Sports Teams Pay Back Their Fans

Angels Baseball No. 1 Franchise

According to ESPN The Magazine’s seventh annual “Ultimate Standings” the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are the best major league sports franchise when it comes to paying fans back for their investment of time, money and passion: and the Los Angeles Clippers are the worst.

Available in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine, on newsstands Friday, Ultimate Standings is the only comprehensive ranking of all 122 major North American professional sports franchises. It aims to quantify the unique relationship between fans and their favorite teams by determining which MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises establish and maintain the most overall reward for their fans.

This year’s winner and cover subject, the Angels understand the importance of value, performance and effort – and did so before the recession hit. Fans love the experience of going to Angels games, in particular, the promotions (75 promotions in 81 home dates this year) and the ticket prices, with an average cost of just $20.05. Since the 2007 season, the Angels have won 232 games (as of 6/26), more than any MLB team except the Red Sox. On the field, manager Mike Scioscia has instilled a hard charging, take-every-extra base style of play. They have a knack for identifying talent, keeping them in pennant contention virtually every year. The Angels have drawn at least 3.3 million fans every year since 2004, never finishing lower then second in AL attendance – in part to owner Arte Moreno and the staff’s dedication to customer service. Add all of this together – and the result is – the No. 1 Franchise.

Arte Moreno: “This honor means a great deal to our organization because it was voted on by the fans. I am extremely proud of our staff for working day in and day out to provide what we call the “Baseball Experience”. Their focus is always on our fans which would include providing courteous service, affordable pricing, and a clean environment. And, of course, the baseball people work hard to put a winning team on the field!”

THE 2009 ULTIMATE STANDINGS: THE TOP AND BOTTOM

Top 10 overall franchises:	Bottom 10 overall franchises:
1. Los Angeles Angels	113. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Carolina Hurricanes	114. Cleveland Browns
3. Pittsburgh Steelers	115. New York Islanders
4. Detroit Red Wings	116. Oakland Raiders
5. Cleveland Cavaliers	117. Sacramento Kings
6. Washington Capitals	118. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Milwaukee Brewers	119. Detroit Lions
8. Pittsburgh Penguins	120. Toronto Maple Leafs
9. San Antonio Spurs	121. New York Knicks
10. St. Louis Blues	122. Los Angeles Clippers

METHODOLOGY

Driven by research and fan feedback, the Ultimate Standings debuted in 2003 with Green Bay Packers as the top franchise (ranked 13^th this year). Results are determined using analysis of team financial data by The Magazine and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, combined with fan feedback data gathered by the Chicago consulting firm Maddock Douglas, ESPN.com and GMI NetReflector. To generate the Ultimate Standings, ESPN The Magazine scores each franchise according to criteria in eight categories; the combined scores resulted in an overall ranking (as well as separate rankings in each individual category). More than 50,000 responses were gathered. The data was analyzed, weighted and combined to arrive at a score and ranking of all the franchises in the following categories.

• Affordability – from tickets to apparel to parking to concessions – what it costs to be a fan of a franchise:
  • # 1: Tampa Bay Rays
  • # 122: Toronto Maple Leafs
• Coaching – quality of on-field coaching/managing for the franchise:
  • # 1/Tie: San Antonio Spurs & New England Patriots
  • # 122: Los Angeles Clippers
• Fan Relations – how the teams and owners interact with the local fan base:
  • # 1: Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122. Cincinnati Bengals
• Ownership – overall commitment and effort owner makes to players, coaches and fans, as well as a willingness to spend money and commit to winning:
  • # 1: Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122: Phoenix Coyotes
• Players – effort given on the court, field or ice, in addition to how likable they are off them:
  • # 1: Cleveland Cavaliers
  • # 122: Los Angeles Clippers
• Stadium Experience – the cleanliness, parking, security and promotions at the home venue:
  • # 1: Green Bay Packers
  • # 122: New York Islanders
• Title Track (winning) – how successful and dedicated the team has been in pursuing and winning championships:
  • # 1/Tie: Los Angeles Angels & Detroit Red Wings
  • # 122: Golden State Warriors
• Bang for The Buck – wins over the past three years, measured against the money it receives directly from fans:
  • # 1: New Orleans Hornets
  • # 122: St. Louis Rams

2009 ULTIMATE STANDINGS HIGHLIGHTS/FACTS

NHL Leads With Five Franchises in Top 10:

Five NHL franchises (#2 Carolina Hurricanes, #4 Detroit Red Wings, #6 Washington Capitals, #8 Pittsburgh Penguins, #10 St. Louis Blues) finished in the Top 10, a first ever in the rankings.

Teams that are Most (And Least) Committed to Winning:

1. Detroit Red Wings

122. Pittsburgh Pirates

Best in Each League:

MLB: 1. Los Angeles Angels

NBA: 5. Cleveland Cavaliers

NFL: 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

NHL: 2. Carolina Hurricanes

Worst in Each League:

MLB: 107. New York Yankees

NBA: 122. Los Angeles Clippers

NFL: 119. Detroit Lions

NHL: 120. Toronto Maple Leafs

Teams Most Responsive to Fan Feedback:

1. Washington Capitals

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Chicago Blackhawks

Teams Least Responsive to Fan Feedback:
120. Los Angeles Clippers
121. Toronto Maple Leafs
122. Detroit Lions

Teams with Highest-Rated Promotional Giveaways:

1. Los Angeles Angels (examples: Angels cooler, Rally Monkey bank)

2. Kansas City Royals (Royals Kids Golden Gloves)

3. St. Louis Blues (Free Food Night)

4. Milwaukee Brewers (six different bobbleheads)

5. Carolina Hurricanes (Canes Car Flags)

Biggest Jumps/Drops Since 2007 :

Chicago Blackhawks up 97 spots to #21
Boston Celtics up 92 to #20
Tampa Bay Rays up 70 to #16
Buffalo Sabres down 62 (from #1) to #63
Tampa Bay Lightning down 68 to #85
Phoenix Suns down 75 to #86

ESPN.com will provide fans with in-depth access to all of the overall and categorical rankings information in complete, sortable tables; individual summaries of each team’s results; and reports on the most interesting findings of the survey. Go to www.ESPN.com Keyword: Ultimate Standings.

The pairings for the men’s and women’s games are set for the Jimmy V Classic in December.

Jimmy V Women’s and 15^th Annual Men’s Basketball Classics Pairings Announced for Dec. 7 & 8

Women’s: Florida at Rutgers Dec. 7; Men’s Doubleheader: Butler vs. Georgetown and Indiana vs. Pittsburgh from Madison Square Garden Dec. 8

Matchups for the 2009 Jimmy V Women’s and Men’s Basketball Classics on December 7 and 8, respectively have been determined. The women’s game, held at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. for the fourth consecutive year, will feature Florida vs. Rutgers in a showdown between national powers at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The 15^th annual men’s doubleheader, held at the famed Madison Square Garden for the seventh consecutive event, will pit defending Horizon League regular-season champion Butler vs. BIG EAST power Georgetown at 7 p.m. and perennial Big Ten force Indiana vs. Pittsburgh, the only BIG EAST team to play in seven of eight Conference Championship Games, at 9 p.m., both on ESPN.

The two early-season college basketball events showcasing top programs on ESPN and ESPN2 will conclude the third annual Jimmy V Week, a week-long initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs featuring special content to help raise funds for cancer research December 2-8.

Eighth Annual Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic

Highlights of the eighth annual Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic:

• Florida will play in its first Jimmy V Classic while Rutgers will make its fourth consecutive appearance following a 45-34 win over Georgia last year and a 68-60 win over Maryland in 2007.

15^th Annual Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic

Highlights of the 15th annual Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic showcasing four of the nation’s elite programs:

• Georgetown and Butler will make their Jimmy V Classic debut while Indiana and Pittsburgh each won their only other game in the event: Indiana 82-73 over North Carolina in 1999 and Pittsburgh 70-51 over Memphis in 2004.

• This year will mark the first matchup between Butler and Georgetown.

• Indiana holds a 4-3 record against Pittsburgh despite losing 74-52 in the last meeting between the schools in the second round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

• Two of the teams ended the season ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll and participated in the NCAA Tournament: #6 Pittsburgh reached the Elite 8 and #25 Butler lost a close game to LSU in the first round.

• Butler will return the entire team from last year’s 26-6 squad led by Horizon League Player of the Year Matt Howard and Gordon Hayward, who was se
  lected at Newcomer of the Year.

And if you like to play games online, ESPN has relaunched its arcade. Just something to kill time, I guess.

Casual games site introduces new titles, more advertising opportunities than ever before;

Freeze Frame edition franchise

ESPN today unveiled the new ESPN Arcade, ESPN.com’s destination for casual games online, introducing new games and more advertising opportunities into the marketplace. The relaunch also marks the debut of ESPN Arcade’s popular ESPN Cameraman game under a new franchise titled ESPN Zoom, available online and coming soon to the iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Beginning today, ESPN Zoom will feature Sportscenter’s weekly Freeze Frame photos of the day in a special ESPN Zoom: Freeze Frame edition, both online and in a free mobile app.

With today’s relaunch, ESPN Arcade is adding new opportunities for engaging and bolder advertising options. Marketers will have the flexibility to sign on for traditional ad units, expandable rollover ads, video ads, branded ad “skins” on the ESPN Arcade page and in-game advertising including video pre-roll ads, dynamically served ads outside of game play and contextual ads within the game for many of the games on the site.

New Games and Features

All casual games currently available for free and in development are hand picked by the ESPN Arcade team to be the best of the best. By collaborating with multiple developers, ESPN Arcade has collected and will continue to grow a library of the most entertaining and challenging casual games across multiple genres. New casual games and returning favorites include ESPN Arcade Baseball, Air Hockey, Craps, Vector Runner, Ping Pong, MTX Devils, Day Drive, Trick Hoops Challenge, Speed Back and Club 300 Bowling.

Community features, promoting competition on the site, include comprehensive individual and game-specific leaderboards and high scores, a trophy system that allows players to earn and accumulate trophies based on scores, Game of the Month and user rating tools.

Traffic Success

The relaunch comes on the heels of growth for ESPN Arcade. According to comScore, over the past three months, total minutes are up 110 percent compared to last year, and unique visitors and average minutes spent per visitor are up 21 percent and 45 percent, respectively. To date in 2009, fans spent an average of 7.7 million total minutes per month on the site.

Like the overall casual games market, ESPN Arcade is enjoyed by a contemporary and more female audience. According to comScore, the median age of ESPN Arcade users is 28 compared to the total Internet audience at 32 years of age. Of the total minutes spent by al
l users on ESPN Arcade, 33 percent are female users compared to ESPN.com’s 23 percent.

Since its launch in June 2007, ESPN Arcade has nearly doubled its library of free, online casual games and now houses over 70 games, including sports games (football, baseball, basketball), card and puzzle games (craps, blackjack, concentration), game room titles (air hockey, ping pong), driving games (car, bike, truck and ATV racing) and more. It has also released mobile app titles to the iTunes App Store.

That concludes our press releases from Wednesday. I have another post coming on baseball for this weekend. Watch for it.

ShareTweet