After spending most of yesterday and this morning at the home office, I’m now at my regular place of work and can give you some links. It always throws me off when I’m at the home office and have to behave.
A couple to tell you in the interim. I almost was a guest on Fox News yesterday as Shepard Smith was covering the whole Rick Pitino abortion mess that finally broke on Tuesday. FNC was looking for New England reaction. Unfortunately, just as I about to accept their invitation, Fox News booked another guest. Perhaps down the road, I’ll have another chance to go on. If I do, you’ll be the first to know.
I’m also trying to listen to the on-air stream for Boston’s new sports radio station, WBZ-FM, 98.5 The Sports Hub. As scheduled, the stream went on just before 1 p.m. today, but because so many people are trying to listen to the debut, the server crashed and I missed the first minutes of Michael Felger & Tony Massarotti’s debut. Around ten minutes in, the stream came back, but it cut in and out. I’m not a fan of Michael Felger, but perhaps this can be a good alternative to the 800 lb. sports radio gorilla, WEEI. We shall soon see.
Now, let’s give you some links.
Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Daily talks about NBC extending its rights deal with USA Gymnastics.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says LeBron James has not been worth the money Nike paid him.
Darren points out that the backboard at which Michael Jordan shot his last shot with the Chicago Bulls is now up for auction.
Darren looks at the creative way the New Jersey Nets are marketing opposing players.
Last thing from Darren. In this video, Darren looks at the sign of the economic times, a local NFL game blackout in San Diego due to slow ticket sales.
Newsday’s Neil Best talks about YES expanding its in-market streaming of live games to Verizon Fios. Yankees games were first streamed on Cablevision systems.
Neil says Mike Francesa and Chris Russo have completed one full year without the other.
Thomas Grillo of the Boston Herald looks at the beginning of WBZ-FM.
Johnny Diaz of the Boston Globe writes about today’s debut of 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Ben Collins of the Globe talks about one of the bigger stories in New England to happen last night, the return of Jerry Remy, albeit a short one, to Fenway Park and the NESN booth.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says one of the battles for Remy this season has been with depression following his cancer surgery.
Ian Browne of MLB.com says Jerry still plans on returning to NESN this season, but is not sure exactly when.
The Sports Media Journal’s Keith Thibeault has another interview in his series of talks with NFL play-by-play men. The latest installment is with Buffalo Bills playcaller John Murphy.
Laura Nachman gives us the Eagles Television Network announcing crew.
A few articles from new Friend of Fang’s Bites, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner.
He says the TNT and PGA.com will be all over the PGA Championship this week.
Jim says Ravens fans will be able to watch tonight’s game against the Redskins on MASN2 and WBAL.
And Jim writes that Redskins fans will also have two outlets to watch the game tonight.
Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune talks about former Buccaneers coach Jon Grudin making his ESPN debut tonight.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer enjoyed watching Hard Knocks.
Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business explores the consolidation of the Tribune Company’s sports departments in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Ed says Chicago Comcast subscribers now have access to ESPN360 online.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that the USFL is actually attempting a comeback.
Chris Dufrense of the Los Angeles Times says the Pac 10 Conference is close to an agreement with the Alamo Bowl.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star tells Canadians that English Premier League games can still be seen on Setanta Sports Canada.
Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media talks with an associate commissioner at the SEC about its new media and ticket holder policy.
Christy Hammond of the Sports PR Blog says it appears the SEC will tweak the media policy after some backlash.
The Sports Media Watch notes that the T.O. Show saw another increase in viewing last week.
SMW says Tiger Woods helped the B
ridgestone Invitational’s ratings on Sunday.
And the SMW has some idle news and notes.
Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball says now that baseball won’t be in the Olympics in 2016, MLB is now focusing on the World Baseball Classic.
The lovely Kristine Leahy has The Five on WEEI.com.
Ok, you’ve missed the links long enough. I’m done for now.
