Hank Haney and PGA.com Sign Development Deal for Exclusive Golf Instruction Series

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

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.”

About PGA.com

PGA.com is the production alliance of The PGA of America and managing partner Turner Sports. It is the official online destination for the PGA and home to the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, The Ryder Cup and The Open Championship. A leader and innovator in broadband golf coverage, the site successfully launched its PGA.com Pipeline broadband product in 2006, garnering record numbers for the site in both 2006 and 2007, with the coverage receiving more than 2 million streams during the course of the 2007 PGA Championship. In 2007 PGA.com Pipeline was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy.

Turner Sports and the PGA formed a multi-year alliance in June 2002, which was recently extended through 2019, with a mission to serve the golfing public, PGA Professionals and golf trade with products and services, such as the PGA.com Value Guide, that inspire, direct and facilitate participation in the sport nationwide.

Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.com and PGA.com. Turner Sports also manages NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, WNBA.com, NBADLeague.com and NBA League Pass.

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT

HBO’s Mayweather/Marquez 24/7

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Boxing, HBO

Notes from NBA TV’s 2009 NBA Draft Review presented by EA SPORTS – Thursday, June 25, 2009

June 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Notes from NBA TV’s 2009 NBA Draft Review presented by EA SPORTS – Thursday, June 25 , 2009

**** **** **** **** *****

2009 NBA Draft Review presented by EA SPORTS

Announcers: Rick Kamla, Kenny Smith, David Aldridge, Steve Smith, and Bruce Pearl

Aldridge on L.A. Clippers’ No. 1 Draft pick Blake Griffin: “He is a franchise level power forward in my opinion. He’s a guy you can pencil in for multiple All-Star Games, and you can build a Championship team around him.”

Smith on the L.A. Clippers as a franchise: “People say the past doesn’t matter, but I disagree. The history tells you the direction of a franchise. A lot of players view the Clippers as a stepping stone, to get a contract or to get noticed. Once they (Clippers) get out of the stepping stone mentality is when they can change. You have to look at the history.”

Pearl on why Blake Griffin is the No. 1 pick in the draft: “I think he is the No. 1 pick in the draft because he is 6’10”, and for a man his size there isn’t a better athlete in the draft. He’s a tough guy and he can keep his composure.”

NBA TV’s Craig Sager interviews L.A. Clippers’ No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin.

Griffin on the pressure he faces to turn around the Clippers: “I know it’s not all on me to turn it around. They have a lot of great players and I just hope to come in and help out.”

Kamla on Memphis Grizzlies’ No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet: “I think it’s consensus among all of us that this (Thabeet) was the right pick for that team (Memphis).”

Aldridge: “The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the worst defensive teams in the league for the past few years, and Thabeet gives them real size now.”

Smith: “I think if UConn had won the NCAA National Championship, Thabeet would have been the No. 1 pick. A guy like him, 7’3” and athletic, doesn’t come along but every six years or so.”

Pearl: “He’s a game changer and he could be a team changer.”

Smith on Oklahoma City Thunder’s No. 3 pick James Harden: “James Harden is the least talked about pick in the NBA Draft, and he was the third pick, the same as Michael Jordan.”

Aldridge: “He’s going to be Rookie of the Year, in my opinion, because he can score the ball.”

Steve Smith: “I love James Harden, because of his talent, but I don’t know if he will fit in with a guy like Kevin Durant.”

Aldridge on Sacramento Kings’ No. 4 Draft pick Tyreke Evans: “I love this pick. I think Tyreke Evans has the chance to be a star in this league. I think he has the size and the temperament.”

The NBA TV crew interviewed Minnesota Timberwolves General Manager David Kahn.

Kahn on picking two back-to-back point guards in Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn: “I think when you are picking that high in the draft, you need to pick players that you believe have a chance to be great, and I believe (Rubio and Flynn) do. Ricky Rubio has been great for several years. I also think they both can play well together.”

Kahn on his vision for the Timberwolves: “This is a new day. We are going to build a team that is a Championship contending team.”

Kahn on developing his young Timberwolves team: “We are in a different world. We are in the player development business now. Because these kids are so young, we have to have a program to make them the best players they can be.”

Aldridge on the Timberwolves picking four point guards in the draft: “I think what the Timberwolves are doing, and it’s not an unintelligent thing, is they are saying ‘If you want a point guard on July 1^st, you’ve got to come to us and make us an offer, because we’ve got them.’”

Smith: “I think that you are right David, but I also know on June 25^th a guy looks great, on July 1^st he doesn’t have the same value. Meaning teams have made their picks, they have to live with those picks somewhat, and they are usually happy. The thing that baffles me is when (Kahn) said Ricky Rubio was a starting point guard and Jonny Flynn wasn’t. To me, the No. 6 pick in the Draft is a starting point guard. I know that the No. 6 pick does not think the No. 5 pick is a better player.”

Aldridge: “You’re absolutely right. If you think about everything that had to happen just to get Ricky Rubio over here; all the complicated negotiations they had to with the Spanish Basketball League and his team; you don’t then bring in another point guard to play with him.”

Pearl on the Timberwolves’ draft process: “I think Ricky Rubio is a better player. I think there’s a chance that the Timberwolves didn’t expect Rubio to be around for pick No. 5. I think there is a chance that they thought Flynn was going to be the best point guard available. I think they got caught off guard.”

NBA TV’s Craig Sager interviews Timberwolves’ No. 5 Draft pick Ricky Rubio.

Rubio on being ready to play in the NBA: “When I was playing in the Olympics, I thought, if I can play against the best players in the world, then I am can play in the NBA.”

Kamla on speculation about Golden State’s No. 7 pick Stephen Curry: “There is a report in the Arizona Republic by Paul Coro that says likely Golden State’s selection of Stephen Curry as the No. 7 pick was made for the Phoenix Suns as part of an Amar’e Stoudemire trade that can’t be completed until July 1^st.”

Smith: “It’s obvious he fits in, he’s probably too explosive to trade, but bringing Amare Stoudemire in changes the dynamic of your team. If he stays (with Golden State) he will be unleashed.”

Pearl on Indiana Pacers’ No. 13 Draft pick Tyler Hansbrough: “(Hansbrough) dominated as a freshmen, sophomore, junior (and senior). He is going to go against all these players in the NBA that he already outplayed (in college). I don’t know why people are worried about how he will do at the next level. I think it was a great pick-up (by Indiana) and I’m glad he was a lottery pick as a four-year player.”

Pearl on whether Detroit Pistons’ No. 15 draft pick Austin Daye will be immediately effective with the Pistons: “No, he is not. Austin Daye is not about today, it’s about tomorrow, because Austin Daye can not play today in the NBA. He is not tough. He has a lot of upside, but he is a couple years away, physically, from being able to play. This was a reach for the Detroit Pistons.”

Aldridge on Sam Young being available at No. 36 for the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the draft: “It makes no sense to me at all. All everybody talked about was how tough and athletic Sam Young was. I’m stunned New Orleans didn’t take him at No. 21.”

Pearl: “I’m surprised New Orleans didn’t take him, they could have used a player like him, but Memphis got an absolute steal.”

Aldridge on Orlando Magic trade with New Jersey Nets for Vince Carter: “It’s going to be very difficult for (Magic) to resign Hedo Turkoglu, unless he is willing to take a huge pay cut, which I don’t think he will do.”

Pearl on the Orlando Magic’s trade with New Jersey Nets for guard Vince Carter: “I think when you lose in the NBA Finals, you look at the team that beat you. The L.A. Lakers beat Orlando, so Orlando looked at how and why. Kobe Bryant is now going to cover Vince Carter and vice versa. Orlando didn’t have anyone who would even bother Kobe, so I think their trade has to do with that.”

Aldridge on center Shaquille O’Neal being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers: “I don’t think it’s a bad move, but I don’t see it as Cleveland automatically getting to the Finals and winning the Championship. It could work out that way, but not necessarily. I think LeBron James will have to adjust some things in his game and I don’t think it does anything for the Cavaliers on the defensive end.”

Smith: “Shaq is better than Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. The Cavaliers gained in terms of talent level. However, they need to figure out how to implement Shaq on the offensive end.”

Aldridge on teams that helped themselves the most in the 2009 NBA Draft: “I think the Memphis Grizzlies had the best night. They got three players that can change the culture of the team.”

Pearl: “I like Charlotte’s draft. I think they had a really good night.”

Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Features Interleague Rematch

June 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Features Interleague Rematch

Red Sox @ Braves face off at 1:30 p.m. ET

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on Sunday, June 28th at 1:30 p.m. ET with an interleague rematch featuring Dustin Pedroia and the Boston Red Sox of the American League heading south to battle Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves of the National League at Turner Field. The Red Sox defeated the Braves 6-5 on Nick Green’s walk-off home run on “Sunday MLB on TBS” last week. Braves rookie pitcher Tommy Hanson is scheduled to take the mound against veteran Brad Penny of the Red Sox. Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst) will call the action from the broadcast booth.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season. The network will also exclusively televise the MLB All-Star Selection Show on Sunday, July 5 at 1 p.m. ET. Additionally, beginning in October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE

TIME (ET) EVENT

Sun., June 28

1:30 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Atlanta Braves

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 5

1 p.m. MLB All-Star Selection Show Presented by Pepsi

Ernie Johnson (host), Dennis Eckersley (analyst), Cal Ripken (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)

2 p.m. Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst)

Sun., July 12

2 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers @ Milwaukee Brewers

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst)

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Filed Under: MLB, TBS

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup on ESPN

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

FIFACC

*Confederations Cup Final: U.S. vs. Brazil, live on ESPNHD, ESPN360.com, and ESPN Mobile TV, Sunday, June 28, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET with a pregame show

Following are highlights from this week’s 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup on ESPN:

The anatomy of a global soccer upset

In the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Wednesday, U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team beat No.1-ranked Spain 2-0, an upset victory that ranks amongst the biggest in U.S. Soccer’s 73-year history. Previous U.S. marquee victories: versus Columbia (2-1) in the 1994 World Cup, Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup (1-0) and Portugal (3-2) in the 2002 World Cup

The win at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium vaulted the U.S. Men’s Team to its first title match in one of the three major FIFA events – FIFA World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, and FIFA U-20 World Cup. Sunday, June 28, the U.S. Team (ranked No. 15) will play No. 5-ranked Brazil in the title match live on ESPN, ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV at 2:25 p.m. from Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Lalas and Harkes on U.S. Team’s Victory:
ESPN soccer analysts John Harkes and Alexi Lalas, both former U.S. National Team players, discuss the U.S. Team’s win.

Harkes:
On the team: “The U.S. Team has performed the unexpected. They love to make headlines.”

On what fans should think about the victory: “I don’t think you can ask for anything better than that. You’re playing against the Number 1 team in the world, you upset them in the semifinal, you win two-nil, you break up the winning streak from them. All over the world, teams are trying to beat Spain, and the U.S. ends up doing it. That’s an excellent thing to cling to. Whenever you are preparing for the World Cup, you always want that optimism surrounding the national side. You also look for a little bit of hope, and today they showed a glimmer of hope.”

Confederations Cup Final prediction:
U.S. vs. Brazil: 1-1 (U.S. win in shoot outs) – “Tim Howard comes out the big hero.”

Lalas:
On the team: “This is not just a win. This is a message that you’re sending around the world and to U.S. soccer fans that you can compete at the highest level against the world’s elite, and more importantly, coming off of a month where there were some questions about whether this team had the right heart, spirit and ability to battle.
“This was a day to be proud of if you’re a U.S. soccer fan, and a day to be inspired and optimistic and confident that next summer some good things can happen.”

Prediction: “They (U.S. Team) have a chance of winning. A final is a final, anything can happen.”

ESPN Radio’s “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd on the U.S. Victory
ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd discussed the U.S. Team’s victory and its impact in multiple segments today. Click here to listen:

Highlights of ESPN’s coverage:
The U.S. victory led the news, highlights and analysis on the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter including on-set analysis by studio analyst Alexi Lalas, featuring “ESPN Axis” virtual replay technology.

In-game Highlights Captured by ESPN:
27th minute: Against the backdrop of facing Spain, which had not conceded a goal in their last five matches, U.S. forward Jozy Altidore uses his strength, turns on a Spanish defender clinging to his back, and frees himself inside the box for a shot,deflected slightly by Spain’s goalkeeper on its way into the goal – U.S. 1 – 0

45th minute: Going into halftime, U.S. keeper Tim Howard covers the near-side post to save a goal-bound shot by Spanish forward Fernando Torres.

73rd minute: U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey finds himself with the ball as Spanish defender fails to clear the ball inside the six-yard box and sneaks it in for the second goal.

80th minute: A group of Spanish players faces the reality that their team’s 35-match unbeaten streak is coming to an end at the hands of the No. 15-ranked U.S. Team.

Brazil vs. South Africa:
After a brilliant and gutsy performance by South Africa’s National Team (ranked No. 77) in Johannesburg, the Bafana Bafana lost 0-1 to No. 5 Brazil on a late goal from a free kick in the 88th minute by defender Danny Alves.

Alexi Lala on the “vuvuzela”
During halftime segments of the Brazil vs. South Africa match, Lalas blew the vuvuzela, the noisy trumpet, which has dominated the sound waves around the stadiums during the Confederations Cup, and has generated a lot of “buzz” and media attention in South Africa and beyond.

Filed Under: ESPN, Soccer

MLB Network’s Bob Costas to Host Q&A with St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa on June 28

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

MLB NETWORK’S BOB COSTAS TO HOST Q&A WITH ST. LOUIS CARDINALS MANAGER TONY LARUSSA ON JUNE 28

Interview to discuss Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, his World Series experiences and his managing philosophy

June 25, 2009 – MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas will host a conversation with St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa on June 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network. The conversation includes LaRussa’s thoughts on Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, the ’88 World Series and his managing philosophy. LaRussa, who, at 2500, has the most wins of any St. Louis Cardinals manager in history, was recently named as a coach for the National League team at the 80^th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Highlights of the LaRussa interview include:

ON ACQUIRING NEW PLAYERS:

“If you really start talking too much about what you need, what does your team think? ‘Oh, unless we get that need, then we can’t compete.’ That is the exact wrong message that you send your team. Because, first of all, our guys deserve more respect than that. We are competitive. But you always acknowledge that you’re not perfect and you are always trying to get better.”

ON ALBERT PUJOLS AS A PLAYER:

“This guy works and works. He is smart, he knows his strokes, he studies the game between him and the pitcher and he’s got great courage at the plate. And then you tie that into his number one quality: He is just trying to win the stinking game. …This guy is a winning player. He’s the best player I have ever been around.”

ON HIS DEFENSE OF MARK MCGWIRE:

“We ran an intense program of strength and fitness in Oakland and in St. Louis. It was monitored and it was supervised. … There wasn’t anything illegal happening in the official Oakland or St. Louis program. And that’s what I have defended because I saw all our guys in both those places work their butts off and get strong legally. … Away from the ballpark, I am not a policeman, we were not policemen. Did something happen? I don’t know. I just know in Mark’s case, I watched him from his first year through his rookie year, and many years subsequent, religiously working to get stronger and also being very careful with his diet and stuff. So I believe everything that I know about him was legitimate. If he strayed, I don’t think he strayed much at all, or I never saw it. I think he is a guy that I should speak up and for in favor of and I continue to do so.”

ON MCGWIRE’S CONGRESSIONAL HEARING:

“Well, what I think of the congressional appearance was a disappointment. I’ve said, and I believe – I know he told me going in – he hired these lawyers. I think he was coached. Mark has never been comfortable in the spotlight. I don’t think he thought very well on his feet or in his seat that day. And he just fell back on that one answer.”

ON HIS MANAGING PHILOSOPHY:

“I think that I’m a product of what I have been taught. And I think I have had great teachers. And they all tell you that you are better off making a move that you think makes sense than sitting around and not making a decision.”

Attached are a photo from the interview, courtesy of MLB Network, and a clip of MLB Network’s on-air promo for media usage.

Before the interview, MLB Network will air the third episode of its original reality series The Pen, featuring members of the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Following the interview, MLB Network will replay the “Studio 42 with Bob Costas” conversation with former Major League Baseball umpires Don Denkinger, Bruce Froemming and Steve Palermo at 10:00 p.m. ET.

About MLB Network

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 53 million cable and satellite homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans. For more information, go to mlbnetwork.com.

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Filed Under: MLB, MLBN

NCAA Men’s College World Series: ESPN and ESPN2′s Most-Viewed Ever, Including Best-of-Three Championship Series

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

NCAA Men’s College World Series: ESPN and ESPN2’s Most-Viewed Ever, Including Best-of-Three Championship Series

ESPN’s 30th consecutive NCAA Men’s College World Series was the most-viewed and highest-rated in ESPN and ESPN2 history — including the best-of-three Championship Series won by LSU over Texas — while posting significant audience increases over last year.

Overall, ESPN averaged 1,450,000 households, 1,928,000 viewers and a 1.5 rating, marking increases of 33% (vs. 1,091,000), 37% (vs. 1,408,000) and 36% (vs. 1.1), respectively, over 2008.
ESPN’s three Championship Series telecasts averaged 2,059,000 households; 2,762,000 total viewers; and a 2.1 rating, making it the most-viewed and highest-rated Series finals since the tournament expanded to the best-of-three format in 2003. This season’s games marked increases of 24% (vs. 1,664,000), 26% (vs. 2,193,000) and 24% (vs. 1.7), respectively, over last year.
The Championship Series produced three of ESPN’s top four most-viewed NCAA College World Series telecasts ever, highlighted by the most-viewed and second highest-rated for the decisive Game 3 which averaged 2,303,000 households; 3,160,000 viewers; and a 2.3 rating.
Game 2 stands as the third most-viewed with 1,964,000 households, 2,620,000 viewers and a 2.0 rating.
Game 1 delivered 1,905,000 households, 2,500,000 viewers and a 1.9, making it the fourth most-viewed in ESPN history.
ESPN2 averaged 821,000 households and 1,043,000 viewers for increases of 6% (vs. 771,000) and 6% (vs. 988,000), respectively, over last year. The network averaged a 0.8 rating, the same as last season.
In addition, ESPN2 delivered two of its top five most-viewed and highest-rated NCAA College World Series games ever: the Game 12 telecast (June 19) ranks fourth with 1,064,000 households; 1,396,000 viewers; and a 1.1 rating, while Game 9 coverage (June 17) stands as the fifth averaging 1,049,000 households, 1,298,000 viewers and a 1.1 rating.

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Filed Under: Baseball, ESPN

Weekly Features Across ESPN Platforms

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Enterprise J ournalism
Weekly Features Across ESPN Platforms

June 25, 2009

Small-Town Wisconsin Struggling to Pay for Sports
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN, noon, ESPNEWS)
ESPN.com

Andy Richardson, President UAW local 195

Three pieces will examine how the recession has affected sports in small-town America. Mark Fainaru-Wada reports from the Wisconsin towns of Beloit, where the unemployment rate has more than doubled in the past year to 17½ percent and residents are struggling to keep baseball alive; and Janesville, where the Youth Baseball League is struggling to raise funds after the closing of the General Motors assembly plant.

Beloit Youth Baseball – Residents drastically cut corners to keep youth baseball alive.

“If I have to put up a pop-up tent in the backyard here and become homeless, then that’s what I am going to do.” – Michelle Ferger-Hill, wife of an unemployed air-conditioning technician, on making even greater sacrifices for her three ball-playing sons

Beloit Snappers – Attendance for the Minnesota Twins Class A affiliate is up nearly 10 percent to 916 fans a game, but is the second lowest in the 14-team Midwest League.

“We have tried to work with some of the businesses that are closing down and laying people off, and give some tickets to the people they are laying off. It’s something small, it’s not going to replace a job, but it gets them the opportunity to come out and kind of forget about things.” – Jeff Vohs, General Manager of the Snappers

Janesville – The city has contributed about half the funds for a new $3 million baseball and softball complex, but the Youth Baseball League still faces the daunting task of trying to raise the remaining $1.5 million in a community with a 15½ percent unemployment rate.

“We need to reach Joe Public for the $100 or the $200 or whatever we can, because every little bit’s going to help.” – Dave Ellis, president of the Janesville youth baseball league

Andy Murray’s Hometown Also Home to School Shooting

Outside the Lines piece on SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)

A Wimbledon victory by third-seeded men’s player Andy Murray would give his hometown of Dunblane, Scotland, an identity other than that of the site of the country’s worst school shooting. An 8-year-old Murray was going to gym class in 1996 when a gunman shot and killed 16 kindergarten-aged children and one teacher in the Dunblane Primary School gymnasium. Murray knows that while a Wimbledon championship might help outsiders forget the horror that occurred in his hometown, he and the people of Dunblane will never forget. Tom Rinaldi reports.

Lou’s Letters
Outside the Lines (July 2, 3 p.m.); Baseball Tonight (July 2, 10 p.m.); SportsCenter (July 3)

Seventy years ago, Lou Gehrig said farewell to baseball with his moving words: “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Marking that milestone, Chris Connelly reports on correspondence between Gehrig and Dr. Paul O’Leary of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after Gehrig’s retirement from the Yankees. Affectionate and inquisitive, the letters bring to light Gehrig’s lack of awareness about the dire nature of his illness, and the hope he expressed as he battled his debilitating condition in the final two years of his life.

Where Are They Now? Mike Hargrove
SportsCenter (Sunday,10 a.m.)

Mike Hargrove was one of baseball’s elite managers for 16 seasons, compiling more than 1,000 career wins while leading the Cleveland Indians to five straight division titles and two World Series appearances. Then, in July 2007, seemingly en route to another playoff run with Seattle, Hargrove shocked the baseball world by suddenly resigning. David Amber reports on why Hargrove walked away, how he has emerged in the most unlikely of places to once again leave an indelible mark on the game he loves.

Tom Rinaldi speaking with Leonard Smith in the OTL piece

ESPN Wins Deadline Club Award

Tom Rinaldi, New York Times Exectutive Editor
Bill Keller, Willie Weinbaum (l to r)

Reporter Tom Rinaldi and Enterprise Unit Producer Willie Weinbaum accepted the Deadline Club Award for Best Television Feature Reporting for their Outside the Lines “Lyman Bostock Tragedy” piece. Presenting the award was the evening’s keynote speaker, New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller.

This is OTL’s second award in three years (previously won for Best Television Investigative or Series Reporting for “Pat Tillman’s Final Mission”) from the Deadline Club, New York’s Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Filed Under: ESPN

Live U.S. Track and Field Championships This Sunday on NBC

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

“More first-time national champions will be crowned at this event than ever before.”- NBC’s Ato Bolden

NEW YORK- June 25, 2009-NBC Sports presents live coverage of the U.S. Track and Field Championships, this Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ET from Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The event will feature the best professional track and field athletes competing for spots on the Team USA roster for the 2009 IAAF World Outdoor Championships, August 15-23 on NBC from Berlin, Germany.

After a stunning sweep at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 400m men’s hurdlers Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson will look to take gold, silver and bronze once again, this time in Eugene. Headlining the men’s middle long distance is reigning world 1,500m & 5,000m champion Bernard Lagat (Kenya). Also, competing this weekend in the men’s championship is 100m double world champion Tyson Gay; 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor long jump champion Dwight Phillips; 2008 Olympic Trials high jump champion Jesse Williams; and reigning World Outdoor champion and the 2006 World Indoor Championships gold medalist pole vaulter Brad Walker.

Headlining the women’s competition in the 100m and 200m are two-time Olympic silver medalist and World Outdoor champion Allyson Felix and two-time World Outdoor 100m medalist Lauryn Williams. Competing in the women’s 100m hurdles are 2008 Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper and fellow Olympians Lolo Jones and Damu Cherry. Cherry currently has the fastest time by an American this year and Harper is coming off wins in Jamaica and at the Adidas Track Classic. Also competing this weekend in the women’s championship is three-time USA Outdoor and 2008 Visa Outdoor pole vault champion Jenn Stuczynski, who is looking to win her fourth consecutive USA Outdoor title and the top three finishers from the 2008 Olympic trials in triple jump: two-time Olympic Trials runner-up Shakeema Welsch, three-time USA Outdoor champion and two-time USA Indoor champion Shani Marks and 2008 NCAA champion Erica McLain.

Commentary provided by Tom Hammond, Ato Boldon, Lewis Johnson, Dwight Stones, and Bob Neumeier.

ALLI DEW TOUR NIKE 6.0 BMX OPEN, 2 PM ET
NBC Sports presents the Alli Dew Tour Nike 6.0 BMX Open live from 2 p.m. ET from Chicago, Ill. where the world’s top BMX freestylists will compete in the BMX Dirt final .

Competitors include Australia’s high-flying Cameron White who is looking to become the first athlete to defend his Dew Cup crown along with USA veteran Ryan Nyquist and teenage sensation Dennis Enerson in the rough and tumble BMX Dirt event.

Kenan Harkin, Jamie Bestwick and Tiffany Simons will provide commentary.

Filed Under: NBC, Track & Field

ESPN This Week in Baseball

June 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Upcoming MLB schedule:

Sunday Night Baseball (June 28)
New York Yankees at N.Y. Mets
at 8 p.m. ET
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Steve Phillips

Monday Night Baseball (June 29)
N.Y. Mets at Milwaukee*
at 7 p.m.
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV) *available locally in both markets
Commentators: Dan Shulman and Orel Hershiser

Wednesday Night Baseball
(July 1)
San Francisco at St. Louis
at 8 p.m.
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Dave O’Brien, Rick Sutcliffe

Baseball Tonight
ESPN’s nightly destination for MLB fans seeking highlights, news and information throughout the season, generally Monday through Saturday at 10 p.m. and midnight (9 p.m. PT); Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Following are highlights from this week’s Major League Baseball coverage on ESPN:

ESPN Reporting Identity of Manny Ramirez’s Miami Doctor and DEA Investigation

ESPN reporters Amy K. Nelson and T.J. Quinn have filed this story with sources revealing the identity of Manny Ramirez’s Miami doctor and disclosing a DEA investigation.

ESPN Chronicles Manny Ramirez’s Return with Live Cut-Ins & Analysis

ESPN provided comprehensive coverage of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez

in his return with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (June 23), including live cut-ins to each at bat on ESPNEWS, a Baseball Tonight update during College World Series coverage on ESPN, and analysis during Baseball Tonight.

Phone Interview with Donald Fehr on Baseball Tonight

ESPN Baseball Tonight host Karl Ravech conducted a phone interview with Donald Fehr, the evening of his announcement Monday, June 22, he was retiring as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

ESPN’s 20th Year All-Star Team Voting Intensifies

ESPN continues to celebrate 20 seasons of MLB coverage with fan voting determining a 20th Year

All-Star Team. ESPN viewers have voted throughout the first half of the season to narrow the list of 10 candidates per position down to three finalists in each category. This week, the fan vote will determine the best manager in the game over the past 20 years. The winner – Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre – will be announced during Sunday Night Baseball June 28. Next week’s vote will determine the best right-handed pitcher over the previous 20 seasons.

Baseball Tonight On Site from Citi Field

ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, with host Karl Ravech and analysts Peter Gammons, John Kruk and Dave Winfield, will originate from Citi Field on Sunday, June 28, at 7 p.m. The show will precede Sunday Night Baseball – New York Yankees vs. Mets – at 8 p.m.

Filed Under: ESPN, MLB