I have quite a few releases to post tonight so let’s get to them and hopefully, I won’t fall asleep with the computer on.
I’ll begin with Fox Sports which says it will be Tweeting during the All-Star Game on July 14th.
FOX SPORTS ALL A-TWITTER AT 80TH MLB ALL-STAR GAME
MLB on FOX Plans Extensive Coverage via Tweets from St. Louis;
Reporter/Insider Rosenthal to Answer Questions In-Game
New York — There’s no way to be 100% sure without checking each of MLB on FOX’s 10 prior MLB All-Star Game broadcasts, but it’s unlikely you’d find the words “Twitter” and “tweet” anywhere in the coverage. That’s about to change.
As communication via Twitter continues to grow, MLB on FOX plans extensive coverage of the 80th MLB All-Star Game via the Internet-driven messaging service, it was announced today by FOX Sports president, Ed Goren. FOX Sports’ coverage of the Mid-Summer Classic begins at 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, July 14, live from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In addition to “tweets” generated by the MLB on FOX on-air team and FOXSports.com in the days and hours leading up sports’ most-popular all-star event, MLB on FOX reporter and FOXSports.com MLB Insider extraordinaire Ken Rosenthal answers Twitter-submitted questions from fans as the game progresses.
“There’s no denying that Twitter is a communications phenomenon that continues to grow, and our hope is that those who follow us on Twitter will use it to deepen their enjoyment of the All-Star Game broadcast,” said Goren. “Ken is the best connected writer following the game today, and he’s been our biggest single tweeter. Our hope is that fans will have fun tweeting with him during the game, which in turn will make their All-Star Game experience more enjoyable.”
“I’m all about reaching fans with the information I gather, be it on-air, through FOXSports.com, via Twitter or our Facebook and Myspace pages,” added Rosenthal. “I’m sure time will permit me only a few on-air opportunities during the game, so this gives me a forum to answer as many questions from fans as possible and report more of what I learn and observe.”
Initiated as a complement to MLB on FOX on-air coverage to engage viewers more deeply, www.twitter.com/mlbonfox has broken news, provided in-game observations and insights, guided fans to exclusive columns at FOXSports.com, sent out dozens of exclusive photos and issued programming alerts and tune-in information. The twitter.com/mlbonfox page was launched at 12:52 PM ET on April 7, 2009 with a link to Rosenthal’s 2009 predictions, and since then over 9000 fans have become followers, with access to over 400 updates issued. A prolific contributor, Rosenthal is responsible for generating over 100 tweets, thus far this season. Besides Rosenthal, also contributing from St. Louis throughout All-Star festivities will be play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, game analyst Tim McCarver and dugout reporters Eric Karros and Chris Rose, who also serves as pre-game host.
Twitter reportedly has more than 10 million followers around the world at present, doubling its number over the last few months. Users exchange messages of no more than 140 characters, instantaneously.
Next, HBO Sports debuts Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 in August leading up to the Floyd Mayweather/Juan Manuel Marquez fight in September.
HBO SPORTS’ MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7,
A FOUR-EPISODE ALL-ACCESS SERIES LEADING UP TO THE PAY-PER-VIEW SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO BOXING SUPERSTARS,
DEBUTS AUG. 29, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO
NEW YORK, June 29, 2009 – With the intriguing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez rescheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured seven Sports Emmy® Awards, will premiere MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 on SATURDAY, AUG. 29 (10:15-10:45 p.m. ET/PT), it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. The all-new, four-episode, all-access series spotlights a host of intriguing storylines, with Floyd Mayweather, the sport’s most irrepressible superstar, returning after a year-and-a-half absence to face Juan Manuel Marquez, one of boxing’s most accomplished performers, as they prepare for their September pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Noted Greenburg, “Now that the fight has been rescheduled, we are excited to resume production. This latest edition of ‘24/7’ features all the ingredients that we look for in greenlighting the ‘24/7’ franchise: big-time boxing stars, engaging storylines and in Floyd’s case, a larger-than-life personality that is tailor-made for reality television.” Episodes two and three of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 debut on subsequent Saturdays – SEPT. 5 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) – while the finale debuts FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), just one night before the fight. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.
MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors prepare for their mega-fight. This is Mayweather’s third “24/7” appearance, while Marquez is making his HBO reality series debut. Regarded as the best boxer of his era, the undefeated Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) is back after a brief self-imposed retirement. A training camp injury forced the fight date to be reset to Sept. 19.
Marquez is a dynamic fighter (50-4-1, 37 KOs) from Mexico City who shares at least one thing with his flashy opponent: They’re both willing to fight anybody in the sport, regardless of division. Marquez is moving up from the lightweight ranks to challenge boxing’s most provocative star.
Storylines for this fast-paced series will include the interaction between Mayweather and his uncle/trainer, Roger Mayweather, and Marquez’s rock-solid relationship with his longtime trainer Ignacio Beristain.
MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 is the latest installment of the widely acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007 on HBO with “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7.” The series continued in 2008 with “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” and “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7,” and resumed in 2009 with “Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7.”
Newsday.com has observed, “HBO’s 24/7 series is the best sports program on television. Bar none.”
At the 2009 Sports Emmy® Awards, “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthologies, while “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. At the 2008 Sports Emmy® Awards, “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, while “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Camera Work and Outstanding Writing.
On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Mayweather vs. Marquez,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The executive producers of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon. Liev Schreiber narrates.
ESPN previews the next webisode of Mayne Street.
Fresh Mayne Street Hits the Web(Tues. 9 a.m.): Kenny Experiences the Economic WrathThis week, ESPN.com’s original scripted series Mayne Street (Tuesdays at 9 a.m.) features Kenny and his crew dealing with the current recession. Fans also learn the fate of Kenny’s boss Evan Mintz. ESPN personality Kenny Mayne stars as himself in a fictionalized version of life at a sports television network.
Mayne, know
n for his dry wit and offbeat sensibilities, maneuvers through each of the three- to five-minute Webisodes, six overall, in the clever and entertaining style that has made him one of ESPN’s most popular personalities. Mayne’s reoccurring foils consist largely of his fictional production crew, which includes his producer Sarah (Alison Becker); Video Cowboy (Jon Glaser); production assistant Chris (Chris Smith); network executive Evan Mintz (Ben Schwartz), as well as ESPN personalities Jeremy Schaap, Linda Cohen and others.
Mayne Street joins a lineup of video that is among the most popular online. ESPN.com captures nearly 50 percent of the total minutes spent by users viewing online sports video. In April, ESPN.com came in No. 1 in the Sports category with 72.3 million total streams, 59 percent more than the closest competitor for the month.
Golf Channel previews the tournament action you’ll see this week.
GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE
June 29 – July 5, 2009
AT&T National
Dates: 7/2 – 7/5
Venue: Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.
Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/ 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Prime Replay)
Friday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/ 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Prime Replay)
Saturday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live) / 8 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)
Sunday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live) / 8 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)
GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:
Kelly Tilghman (Play by Play)
Nick Faldo (Analyst)
Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)
Frank Nobilo (Tower)
Bobby Clampett (On Course)
Billy Ray Brown (On Course)
Steve Sands (Reporter)
Broadcast Notes: Thursday – Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET, PGA TOUR Primetime will re-air the opening rounds of the AT&T National with special bonus coverage not seen during the live telecast… In addition to Thursday and Friday’s coverage, GOLF CHANNEL will air live early round action on the weekend beginning at 1 p.m., and will re-air CBS Sports’ live tournament coverage at 9:30 p.m… Mutual of Omaha Putting Line powered by Aimpoint, a graphics technology that predicts the break of a putt and suggests where a player must aim to hole out, will be used during the telecast on holes No. 9 and 17 at Congressional Country Club… GOLF CHANNEL reporter Steve Sands is a native of Washington D.C. and will cover his hometown event.
Open de France ALSTOM
Dates: 7/2 – 7/5
Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France
Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Live)
Saturday 8 – 11 a.m. (Live)
Sunday 8 – 11 a.m. (Live)
PGA.com and noted golf instructor Hank Haney are teaming up for some instructional videos.
Hank Haney and PGA.com Sign Development Deal for Exclusive Golf Instruction Series
One of golf’s top instructor to provide tips on all facets of the game in webisode series on the Official Site of The PGA of America
PGA.com, the Official Site of The PGA of America, announced today a development deal to air an exclusive online series of golf instructional segments from world renowned golf coach and 25-year PGA member Hank Haney. As part of this Hank Haney-branded instructional platform, this webisode series is expected to begin production in the next few months and will include golf tips on all aspects of the game, both mental and physical.
Haney, the 1993 PGA Teacher of the Year, is the golf coach to the world’s #1 player Tiger Woods. He has taught golf since 1976 and given over 40,000 lessons around the world. Haney has also given instruction to over 200 touring professionals from the PGA TOUR to the LPGA, Champions, European, Japanese, Australian and Asian Tours. Haney, who is represented by Octagon, also has his own television series on The Golf Channel called “The Haney Project” which, in its inaugural season, featured his personal insight and golf instruction to NBA legend and TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley.
“PGA.com is a leading resource for golf instruction and I am excited to incorporate some of the tips and practice methods I use on a daily basis into their site,” said Haney. “I am really excited about this partnership as the instructional content we will be releasing will help golfers of all ages and abilities with many aspects of their game.”
“Hank is a great motivator with a great work ethic,” said Barkley. “He has helped me understand my swing better and I’m confident his online lessons will do the same for many other golfers of all ages.”
“PGA.com is proud to partner with a teacher as accomplished and well-respected as Hank Haney, one of the world’s pre-eminent golf instructors and a long-time PGA Professional,” said Matthew Hong, vice president and general manager of sports digital at Turner Sports. “The addition of instructional video from Hank to the existing industry-leading content at PGA.com will continue to make the site a premier destination for golfers of all levels looking to improve their game.”
ESPN previews its week in motorsports on its family of networks.
Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABCNASCAR Nationwide Series on ESPN in Prime Time from Daytona
A high-speed, Friday night shootout in prime time is expected when the NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its second visit of the season to Daytona International Speedway this weekend. ESPN will have a live, high definition telecast of the Subway Jalapeno 250 on Friday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Saturday, July 4, at 3 a.m. on ESPN2 and again at noon on ESPN Classic.
Also this weekend, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs Friday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN on ABC’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.
Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.
In other NASCAR-related programming this week, ESPN Classic airs the 1995 Save Mart Supermarkets NASCAR Cup race from California’s Infineon Raceway on Monday, July 6, at 6 p.m. In addition, ESPN Classic will air an episode of the award-winning series SportsCentury earlier that day at 8 a.m. The episode features NASCAR star Tony Stewart.
Craven, LaJoie, Newton on NASCAR Now Roundtable
ESPN NASCAR analysts Randy LaJoie and Ricky Craven and ESPN.com reporter David Newton will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, July 6, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.
Mike Massaro slides into the host role for a half-hour episode of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m., while Nicole Manske hosts the remainder of the week, with shows Wednesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Saturday, July 4, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Craven will join Manske on the set, while Massaro and Angelique Chengelis will report from the track.
NASCAR Now originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.
IndyCar Series Races at Watkins Glen Live on ABC
The IndyCar Series goes road course racing at one of America’s historic venues this weekend when it competes Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, N.Y. ABC will have live coverage of the event on Sunday, July 5, at 1 p.m. ET.
Watkins Glen has hosted the IndyCar Series annually since 2005, when Scott Dixon won the inaugural event and went on to win three consecutive years. Ryan Hunter-Reay scored an upset victory last year.
Marty Reid will call the race for ESPN on ABC’s coverage with analysis by former IndyCar Series star Scott Goodyear. Reporting from the pits will be Jack Arute, Brienne Pedigo and Vince Welch.
NHRA Programming Includes Classic Sonoma Event, Sportsman Series
Four hours of NHRA drag racing programming will air on ESPN Networks this week, including a classic event with the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and three hours of action with the Lucas Oil Sportsman Series.
ESPN Classic airs highlights from the 2003 Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Monday, July 6, at 1 p.m. ET.
Action from the recent event at Norwalk, Ohio, will be featured in an hour-long program of Lucas Oil Sportsman Series competition on Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
ESPN Classic airs two hours of Sportsman competition on Monday, July 6, at 2 p.m. The first hour features action from Baytown, Texas, while racing from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway airs at 3 p.m.
Featuring race vehicles that range from 5-second Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars to 15-second Stockers, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is the premier Sportsman series in drag racing. Eight categories are included in the series, which is showcased at select NHRA national events. ESPN’s Dave Rieff will anchor the coverage from Norwalk.
And Comcast SportsNet New England is asking fans to predict which young athlete will be the next big thing in Boston.
PREDICT WHICH BOSTON YOUNG GUNS WILL BE THE NEXT “GREATS” BY RATING THE TOP 20 UNDER 25 AT CSNNE.COM
BURLINGTON, MA – The general managers of the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots pride themselves on player development and the results – 6 combined league titles – speak volumes. Some next generation players like Dustin Pedroia and Vince Wilfork are well on their way to prolific careers, while an even younger crop is quickly rising to the big leagues.
Comcast SportsNet asks fans to rate its select list of the “Top 20 Under 25” to predict which players are the next hall of famers, all-stars, consistent starters, role players or busts. Fans can rate CSN’s Top 20 Under 25 at CSNNE.com through Thursday, July 2. The results will be unveiled that night on the 6:30 and 10 p.m. editions of Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight.
The Top 25 Under 25:
Name Age Stats
Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 24 5-1, 1.9 ERA, 80.2 IP (Pawtucket 2009)
Kendrick Perkins, Celtics 24 5.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.3 BPG (career)
Laurence Maroney, Patriots 24 30 G, 1,673 YDS, 4.3 AVG, 13 TD (career)
Justin Masterson, Red Sox 24 8-7, 3.36 ERA, 147.1 IP, 118K (career)
Matt Hunwick, Bruins 24 66 GP, 6 G, 22 A (career)
Kevin O’Connell, Patriots 24 2 G, 23 YDS, 3.8 AVG/ 0 TD (career)
Daniel Bard, Red Sox 23 0-0, 3.44 ERA, 17 SO (career)
Patrice Bergeron, Bruins 23 303 GP, 80 G, 148 A (career)
Glen Davis, Celtics 23 5.58 PPG, 3.5 RPG (career)
Rajon Rondo, Celtics 23 9.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG (career)
Jerod Mayo, Patriots 23 16 G, 128 TT, 100 SOLO (career)
David Krejci, Bruins 23 144 GP, 28 G, 72 A (career)
Junichi Tazawa, Red Sox 23 7-4, 71 K, 2.92 ERA, 77 IP (Minor career)
Blake Wheeler, Bruins 22 81 GP, 21 G, 24 A (career)
Michael Bowden, Red Sox 22 3-4, 3.11 ERA, 49 SO (Pawtucket 2009)
Tuukka Rask, Bruins 22 5 GP, 3-1, 2.46 GAA, 1 SO
Lars Anderson, Red Sox 21 .257 AVE, 7 HR, 35 RBI (Minor career)
Phil Kessel, Bruins 21 222 GP, 66 G, 60 A (career)
Bill Walker, Celtics 21 3 PPG, 1 RPG, (career)
Milan Lucic, Bruins 21 149 GP, 25 G, 44 A (career)
CSN’s list of Top 20 Under 25 was complied from the collective expertise of CSN’s on-air and on-line contributors including hosts Gary Tanguay and Michael Felger, producer Kevin Miller, and Wicked Good Sports contributors Rich Levine and Jason Levine.
That’s going to do it for the press releases. Back tomorrow.
