As I’m watching the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships from Madrid, Span online (since I don’t want to have the website shut down, I won’t link to it, but if you really want to see them, you can e-mail me for the site), it’s time to give you some links. But before I get to them, let me say that since Versus is picking up the world feed for the WTA Championships, I suspect that Tim Ryan and Tracy Austin are not in Madrid, but calling this in a studio either in New York or Los Angeles. We have not seen either on camera. We know Pam Shriver is there because she’s conducting interviews courtside. I wish networks won’t do this, but it’s done to save costs. But can calling a game or match off a monitor be conducive to good TV? ESPN has done this with certain events and now it appears Versus is doing it now. CBC did it with certain events in the Winter Olympics last year. I wonder if NBC will try it with the 2008 Summer Olympics. Hmmm.
ESPN Classic will air a program next Tuesday marking the 25th anniversary of the Ray Mancini-Deuk-Koo Kim fight. For those of who don’t know, this was a fight that led to the death of Kim after he was knocked out in the 14th round. In addition, it led to the end of 15 round boxing matches. Mancini will be interviewed and highlights of the fateful 13th and 14th rounds will be shown. I remember CBS showing the fight with Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy on the call. Very sad outcome.
Matthew Sprague of the Berkshire (MA) Eagle says with ESPN’s College Gameday coming to town, it means that the Williams-Amherst rivalry has gone national.
Matt DeYoung of the Grand Haven (MI) Tribune says it was a mistake to allow ESPN to move the Central Michigan-Western Michigan game to a Tuesday night.
NBC Sports has some quotes attributed to John Madden regarding this Sunday Night’s Indianapolis at San Diego game.
The Washington Business Journal reports that MASN has released a 180 game college basketball schedule.
Gregg Easterbrook showcases readers’ e-mails in today’s edition of TMQ.
Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel suggests to Magic fans who have Bright House cable to listen to the radio and it’s free.
Just a few links this afternoon. Primetime Viewing Picks coming up.
