May 17, 2012

‘The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players’ First 50 Players Revealed

September 29, 2010 By 4 Comments

The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players

First 50 Players Revealed

Players Ranking #51-60 among All-Time Greats Unveiled

Thursday at 9:00 PM ET Exclusively on NFL Network

Special Encore of Players Ranked #61-70

Thursday at 8:00 PM ET

Complete List of Players Ranked #61-100 on NFL.com

Pro Football Hall of Famers Joe Namath, Michael Irvin, Steve Young and Troy Aikman along with New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson are among the players who have had their rankings revealed on The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players. On Thursday night, Sept. 30 at 9:00 PM ET exclusively on NFL Network, the next 10 players (ranked 51-60) will be revealed. The series continues with a new show each Thursday at 9:00 PM ET to unveil the next 10 players. The top 10 players will be revealed on Thursday, Nov. 4.

Among the 10 players to be named this Thursday are a quarterback who has won multiple Super Bowls, two men with ties to Chicago’s last championship team and the first player to lead the NFL in rushing three years in a row.

Produced by NFL Films, The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players, in 10 one-hour episodes, reveals the greatest players of all-time, counting down from 100 to 1. The player rankings were determined by a blue-ribbon panel of football minds including current and former NFL coaches, players and front office personnel, as well as noted NFL media members, Hall of Fame voters and league historians.

More than 250 players from the modern and pre-modern era, including current NFL players, were under consideration by the blue-ribbon panel for selection. The Top 100 will answer for the first time the question of who makes the list and where they rank.

The Top 100 members not only contributed to the lasting legacy of the game, but have also shaped the lives of football fans from a variety of backgrounds, age groups and eras through memories and ‘remember when’ moments. It is these unique and personal recollections that set this series apart as notable individuals from the world of sports and entertainment serve as ‘presenters’ for each featured player.

Below are the player rankings (and presenters) which have been revealed to date. For an updated list each week and to see where the fans ranked each player, visit http://top100.nfl.com/

Player Presenter

100)     Joe Namath                                                    Spike Lee

99)       Michael Strahan                                              Jon Runyan

98)       Lee Roy Selmon                                             Ron Wolf

97)       Derrick Brooks                                                Jon Gruden

96)       Mel Hein                                                          Steve Hirdt

95)       Larry Allen                                                       John Randle

94)       Lenny Moore                                                   Bobby Mitchell

93)       Sam Huff                                                        Sonny Jurgensen

92)       Michael Irvin                                                   Troy Aikman

91)       Fran Tarkenton                                               Sen. Amy Klobuchar

90)       Kurt Warner                                                    Nick Bakay

89)       Ernie Nevers                                                   Steve Hirdt

88)       Ed Reed                                                          Hines Ward

87)       Crazylegs Hirsch                                            Michael MacCambridge

86)       Willie Davis                                                     Bobby Mitchell

85)       Marcus Allen                                                   Matt Millen

84)       Joe Schmidt                                                    Jerry Glanville

83)       Norm Van Brocklin                                         Sonny Jurgensen

82)       Ted Hendricks                                                Howie Long

81)       Steve Young                                                   Mike Holmgren

80)       Troy Aikman                                                   Drew Brees

79)       Emlen Tunnell                                                 Michael MacCambridge

78)       Bruce Matthews                                              Warren Moon

77)       Tony Dorsett                                                   Roger Staubach

76)       Art Shell                                                          Ron Wolf

75)       Darrell Green                                                  Carl Lewis

74)       Marion Motley                                                 Mike Brown

73)       Ozzie Newsome                                             Marty Schottenheimer

72)       Jonathan Ogden                                             Michael Strahan

71)       Paul Warfield                                                  Mercury Morris

70)       Marshall Faulk                                                Kurt Warner

69)       Bobby Bell                                                       Michael MacCambridge

68)       Mike Webster                                                  Dan Dierdorf

67)       Kellen Winslow                                                Joe Gibbs

66)       Willie Brown                                                    Mercury Morris

65)       Randy Moss                                                    Brian Billick

64)       Herb Adderley                                                 Raymond Berry

63)       Jim Otto                                                          Bill Bergey

62)       Randy White                                                   Mark May

61)       LaDainian Tomlinson                                      Reggie Bush

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football.  For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.  NFL.com is the exclusive Internet home of NFL videos and NFL Network.

– NFL NETWORK –

Filed Under: NFLN

SI.com and Turner Sports to Launch Behind the Mic presented by Allstate

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SI.com to Launch a New Weekly Video Franchise Featuring Some of the

Biggest Names in Sports Broadcasting with Behind the Mic presented by Allstate Set to Launch on October 1

The Sports Illustrated Group and Turner Sports announced today the launch of a new online video franchise for SI.com entitled Behind the Mic presented by Allstate. The new SI.com video series will debut on Oct. 1, showcasing the candid views, insights and expertise of some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting.

Each week Behind the Mic presented by Allstate will feature multiple 90-second video segments with the analysts offering their insights and opinions on topics impacting the sports they are most associated with, as well as responding to comments made by newsmakers that have resonated within their sport.  Additional video segments will be added during each sport’s respective postseasons and championships.

The collection of on-air personalities includes multiple Hall of Famers, MVP’s, World Champions, All-Stars, Pro Bowlers and Emmy Award winners including Turner Sports roster of marquee on-air personalities. Featured Analysts for Behind the Mic presented by Allstate include:

-          Charles Barkley, 1993 NBA MVP & Basketball Hall of Famer (NBA)

-          Cris Collinsworth, 3-time Pro Bowler (NFL)

-       Boomer Esiason, 1988 NFL MVP & 4-time Pro Bowler (NFL)

-       Nick Faldo, 6-time Major Winner (Golf)

-       Doug Flutie, Heisman Trophy Winner (NCAA Football)

-       Howie Long, 8-time Pro Bowler & Pro Football Hall of Famer (NFL)

-       Kevin McHale, 7-time NBA All-Star & Basketball Hall of Famer

-       Reggie Miller, 5-time NBA All-Star

-       Cal Ripken, 19-time MLB All-Star & MLB Hall of Famer (MLB)

-       Phil Simms, 2-time Super Bowl Champion & Super Bowl XX MVP (NFL)

-       Kenny Smith, 2-time NBA Champion (NBA)

The debut video segments on October 1 will include:

  • Cris Collinsworth on Michael Vick’s performance and what to expect in the coming weeks from the Eagles QB.
  • Boomer Esiason on the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0 start and how Ben Roethisberger’s return will impact their team.
  • Nick Faldo previewing this weekend’s Ryder Cup.
  • Doug Flutie on how Boise State would fair vs. power conference teams like Alabama and Ohio State, as well as addressing if Georgia head coach Mark Richt is on the hot seat.
  • Howie Long on the poor start by the NY Giants and where he sees their season going.
  • Cal Ripken looking ahead to next week’s MLB Postseason Division Series, which will air exclusively on Turner’s TBS cable network.

“Behind the Mic is the kind of collaboration with Turner Sports that raises our game with lively, experienced voices that fans want to hear,” said Terry McDonell, Sports Illustrated Group Editor.

“Behind the Mic gives Allstate a true, organic marketing platform to communicate with sports fans across the country,” said Mark LaNeve, chief marketing officer at Allstate Insurance Company.  “This online franchise is built around ‘quotes’ and expertise, which are at the core of Allstate’s business as well as sports broadcasting. We’re excited about this opportunity.”

The partnership represents the latest addition to Allstate’s sports sponsorship portfolio, which includes various football and soccer properties, the U.S. Olympic Team and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate, as well as numerous regional sports sponsorships.

“Behind the Mic is our first collaborative product since our recent partnership announcement with SI.com and one we envision bringing thoughtful discussion to their passionate fan-base through some of the most candid voices in sports broadcasting,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “It represents one of our key goals through this collaboration; providing the fans, through our joint industry resources, with high-quality, timely video content.  This is without a doubt, a great collection of broadcast talent assembled and SI.com users will enjoy their informative and entertaining insights.”

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

About Sports Illustrated

The Sports Illustrated Group’s award-winning journalism powers a media company that includes Sports Illustrated, SI.com, Golf Magazine, Golf.com, SI Golf Plus, SI Presents, SI Kids, SI International, SI Books, SI Mobile, SI Swimsuit, consumer products and experiential marketing.

Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated was named to Adweek’s list of the industry’s hottest brands. Also in 2010, SI.com received a National Magazine Award for its NFL coverage, Editor & Publisher named SI.com the best sports website with over 1MM unique visitors and SI.com was a Webby Award finalist in the category of best sports website.

About Turner Sports

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., 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, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network and is available in 100.1 million households.  It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, Are We There Yet? and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns; the late-night hit Lopez Tonight, starring George Lopez, and the upcoming late-night series starring Conan O’Brien; hot contemporary comedies like Family Guy and The Office; specials like Funniest Commercials of the Year; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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Filed Under: Turner

NBA TV to Air First Miami Heat Game on Oct. 5

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NBA TV TIPS OFF 12TH SEASON IN MORE THAN

53 MILLION U.S. HOMES AND WITH MORE LIVE GAMES THAN ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUE NETWORK

– Network to Televise First Game of the New-Look Miami Heat with

Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh on Oct. 5 -

As NBA TV prepares to tip off its 12th season in more than 53 million U.S. homes, the league’s 24-hour network will feature up to 275 live games this year, more than any other professional sports league television network.

First Miami Heat Game to Air on NBA TV

To begin the new season, NBA TV will provide an exclusive national broadcast of the first-ever game featuring Miami Heat’s new trio of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, when they meet the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET in Miami.

The Heat’s preseason opener will feature Basketball Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, along with Hall of Famer Kevin McHale and five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber, who will be live courtside, calling the game for NBA TV. Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller will provide reports from the sidelines.

2010-11 NBA TV Preseason Highlights

Throughout the preseason, NBA TV will roll out extensive coverage featuring 85 hours of original programming, 20 live games in 17 days, including NBA games in Europe, China, and Mexico, and team preview shows for every team beginning with the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

NBA TV will feature NBA Real Training Camp shows providing unprecedented access to team practices with the Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards.

Additionally, NBA TV will debut On the Road with Reggie, with NBA Legend Reggie Miller visiting training camps for the Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets and providing exclusive interviews with players and coaches.

2010-11 NBA TV Highlights

This season, the first full-time television network created by a professional sports league will:

  • Air 125 live NBA games in HD, including preseason, regular season and postseason action.
  • Tip off the 2010-11 NBA regular season with four consecutive nights of exciting match-ups.
  • Offers a diverse lineup of live basketball games this year, including up to 150 WNBA, NBA Summer League, NBA D-League games, and international contests.
  • Mark the return of Fan Night, the only sports show on television in which fans are given the opportunity to vote on NBA.com for the match-up they want to see televised on NBA TV.
  • Feature groundbreaking original programming and the most comprehensive coverage of major basketball events.

During the year, NBA TV will provide a marquee roster of on-air talent that includes Emmy® Award-winners, NBA Champions, Hall of Famers, NBA All-Stars, and Olympic Gold Medalists.

  • Anchors: Ernie Johnson, Matt Winer, Ahmad Rashad, Rick Kamla, Marc Fein, and Kyle Montgomery.
  • Analysts: NBA greats Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Steve Smith, Dennis Scott and Brent Barry, as well as NBA Insider David Aldridge.
  • TNT Talent: Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, Mike Fratello, Craig Sager, and Cheryl Miller join NBA TV throughout the season.

NBA TV 2010-2011 NBA PRE-SEASON TELECAST SCHEDULE

Subject to change / All Times Eastern

Date Day Time Matchup
Oct. 4 Monday 3:00pm LA Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

London, England
Oct. 5 Tuesday 7:30pm Detroit @ Miami
Oct. 6 Wednesday 2:00pm New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Paris, France
Oct. 7 Thursday 7:00pm Boston @ New Jersey
Oct. 8 Friday 8:30pm Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

Kansas City, MO
Oct. 9 Saturday 7:00pm Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets
Oct. 10 Sunday 6:00pm New Orleans Hornets @ Orlando Magic
Oct. 11 Monday 8:30pm Cleveland Cavaliers @ Dallas Mavericks
Oct. 12 Tuesday 7:00pm Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
Oct. 12 Tuesday 9:30pm LA Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Mexico City, Mexico
Oct. 13 Wednesday 8:00am New Jersey Nets vs. Houston Rockets

Beijing, China
Oct. 13 Wednesday 8:00pm Miami Heat @ New Orleans Hornets
Oct. 14 Thursday 7:00pm Milwaukee Bucks @ Washington Wizards
Oct. 15 Friday 8:00pm Dallas Mavericks @ Chicago Bulls
Oct. 16 Saturday 7:30am Houston Rockets vs. New Jersey Nets

Guangzhou, China
Oct. 16 Saturday 10:30pm Denver Nuggets @ LA Lakers
Oct. 17 Sunday 10:30pm (Utah Jazz or LA Clippers) @ LA Lakers
Oct. 18 Monday 7:00pm Orlando Magic@ Atlanta Hawks
Oct. 19 Tuesday 10:30pm Sacramento Kings @ LA Clippers
Oct. 20 Wednesday 7:00pm Dallas Mavericks @ Orlando Magic
New York Knicks @ AJ Milano will air on Oct. 3 at 4:00 p.m (ET) on tape delay

NBA TV is a part of NBA Digital, the NBA’s extensive cross-platform of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

Bears-Packers & Chargers-Seahawks “Encore” on NFL Replay Wednesday @ 8pm ET

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NFL REPLAY TO “ENCORE” WEEK 3 WINS BY BEARS & SEAHAWKS

ON NFL NETWORK, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

The Chicago Bears’ last-second, 20-17 win against Green Bay and Seattle’s 27-20 victory over San Diego, highlighted by a  pair of kickoff-return touchdowns by Leon Washington, will be “encored” in a fast-paced, 75-minute format on NFL Network’s NFL Replay on Wednesday, September 29 at 8:00 PM ET & 9:15 PM ET, respectively.

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at four of the previous week’s games in a condensed, 75-minute, high-octane format. With the use of bonus NFL Films and NFL Network footage, including never-before-seen camera angles and coaches’ commentary, combined with exclusive wired sound from the field, locker rooms and sidelines, viewers will experience the game like never before.

Both 75-minute NFL Replay programs are a part of the new ‘Field Pass’ block airing every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00-11:00 PM ET. ‘Field Pass’ takes fans inside the game like never before with exclusive NFL Films footage and sound. Tonight hear exclusive WIRED access to Seattle Seahawks’ coach Pete Carroll from Sunday’s game during the Seahawks-Chargers Replay.  Following NFL Replay at 10:30 PM ET is a new Sound FX on Wednesday featuring a compilation of the previous week’s sound from NFL Films.

Filed Under: NFLN

ESPN Names Carol Kruse Senior Vice President, Marketing

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ESPN Names Carol Kruse Senior Vice President, Marketing

ESPN has named Carol Kruse, a global brand marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience, as its senior vice president, marketing. Kruse, who has been with The Coca-Cola Company for nine years and has led its global interactive marketing team as vice president for the past three years, will begin her new duties with ESPN on October 25, reporting to Sean Bratches, executive vice president, sales and marketing for ESPN. She will be located in the company’s New York office.

In her new role, Kruse will be responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the ESPN brand including domestic television, broadband, digital, mobile, radio and print media assets, as well as building upon the company’s award-winning creative that includes the iconic “This Is SportsCenter” campaign. Also, the position calls for a strategic marketing focus on ESPN’s social networking strategies.

Bratches said, “Carol Kruse possesses both a proven record of success helping to build a major global brand and a demonstrated ability to innovate and lead in the digital space to maximize brand strength and growth. We welcome Carol to the company and will look to her to lead the ESPN brand into the future.”

Kruse joined Coca-Cola North America in 2001 upon the acquisition of her company RocketCash LLC – an online payments and consumer promotions company – by Coca-Cola. Her role has encompassed building global brands by leveraging digital and mobile communications to drive brand value. Kruse led her team in the development of the “My Coke Rewards” loyalty and relationship marketing-program which debuted in 2006 and currently boasts more than 14 million members.

“I have had a great nine years at Coca-Cola and now look eagerly to this new opportunity to steward the leading global sports brand, ESPN. I am passionate about sports and what ESPN represents to sports fans; I look forward to engaging them further,” Kruse said.

An avid athlete and sports fan, Kruse has received the AdTech Lifetime Achievement Award, MediaPost’s Online All Star award and many other industry recognitions. She holds a B.S. from Pomona College and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.

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Filed Under: ESPN

Bears Meet Giants In One Of NFL’S Oldest Rivalries On “Sunday Night Football” – Coverage Begins With “Football Night In America” At 7 PM ET

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

“The Bears…are starting to take to this new offense by Mike Martz.” – “Football Night’s” Tony Dungy

“It really comes down to those players making better decisions and performing better.” – “Football Night’s” Rodney Harrison on Giants

NFL Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

NEW YORK – Sept. 29, 2010 – The Chicago Bears (3-0), the lone undefeated team in the NFC, and New York Giants (1-2), who first met in New York in 1925, renew their 85-year-old rivalry this week on “Sunday Night Football.”
Calling Bears-Giants will be six-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), who is in his 25th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 11-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth, who last year, his first in the SNF booth, won the Emmy for outstanding event analyst; and sideline reporter Andrea Kremer about whom TV Guide said is “one of TV’s best sports correspondents.”
Coverage begins with “Football Night in America,” at 7 p.m. ET Sunday with Bob Costas, who won the outstanding studio host Emmy last year, hosting live from inside the stadium. Dan Patrick will co-host “Football Night” from NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach and Emmy-nominated Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Alex Flanagan will report from Lincoln Financial Field on the Redskins-Eagles game and the return of Donovan McNabb to Philadelphia.

Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison preview Sunday Night Football’s Bears@Giants game


DUNGY ON BEARS: “The Bears have moved the football and are starting to take to this new offense by Mike Martz.”


HARRISON ON GIANTS: “Lack of discipline. The penalties. Veteran players not coming through. Eli Manning making all types of bad decisions. They need to play better. I know Tom Coughlin blames himself but it really comes down to those players making better decisions and performing better.”


DUNGY ON GIANTS: “They’ve played two poor games in a row. They are playing at home. They’ve got to come out and play better. They’ve got to play up to their talent level…They are doing uncharacteristic things: 11 penalties, three turnovers. Not doing the things you have to do to win.”

“A CRUCIAL CATCH”


For Bears-Giants, “Sunday Night Football” will capture in-stadium efforts supporting “A Crucial Catch.” The National Football League will support October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its largest on-field presence and a national screening-reminder and fundraising campaign. In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the initiative, called “A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives,” encourages annual mammograms for women over 40. Beginning on October 3 and continuing throughout the month, NFL Breast Cancer Awareness games will feature:

  • Game balls with pink ribbon decals used for every down
  • Players wearing pink cleats, wristbands, gloves, chin straps, sideline caps, helmet decals, eye shield decals, captains’ patches, sideline towels and quarterback towels
  • Pink coins used for the coin toss
  • Pink sideline caps for coaches and sideline personnel and pink ribbon pins for coaches and team executives
  • Officials wearing caps with pink ribbons, pink wristbands and pins and using pink whistles
  • On-field pink ribbon stencils and A Crucial Catch wall banners
  • Pink goal post padding in end zones

Many of these items will be auctioned off at www.nfl.com/auction to raise money for American Cancer Society.

# # #


SNF EXTRA: For the third straight season, the entire Sunday Night Football schedule is streamed live on NBCSports.com. The live coverage on NBCSports.com comes from NBC Sports’ broadcast of Sunday Night Football plus four additional camera angles and several new interactive features.


Sunday Night Football Extra employs a full HD-quality player using Microsoft Silverlight and Smooth Streaming that sets new benchmarks for live streaming video cross-platform. The video player includes full DVR and functionality allowing the user to pause and scroll back-and-forth – even review plays in “slo-mo” — all while watching live video.
New for the 2010 season, Sunday Night Football Extra has a draggable picture-in-picture feature for any of the online-only cameras, and greatly enhanced social functionality including a Twitter Tug of War between fans of the two teams and the ability for users to share direct links to any play in the game via Twitter and Facebook.


Sunday Night Football Extra includes expert analysis, including fantasy tips from Rotoworld fantasy experts as well as in-game chats and analysis from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. Additionally Sunday Night Football Extra employs online-only in-game analysis from the NBC Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America teams.


Sunday Night Football Extra features the broadcast from NBC’s Sunday Night Football team: Michaels, Collinsworth and Kremer.

# # #

“SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” VIEWERSHIP UP


BEST PRIMETIME AUDIENCE IN 14 YEARS: Through the first three weeks of the NFL season (four broadcasts), NBC is averaging 23.3 million viewers, the most for the first three weeks of a primetime NFL package in 14 years (23.6 million in 1996 on ABC: three broadcasts), according to official national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

  • NBC’s three-week viewership of 23.3 million is two million more than and nine percent above last year’s 21.3 million for the opening three weeks of the NFL season and up 30 percent over the first three weeks in 2008 (17.9 million).
  • “Sunday Night Football” featuring the New York Jets 31-23 victory over the Miami Dolphins was seen by an average of 18.1 million people, a gain of three percent over last year’s Week 3 SNF game (Colts-Cardinals, 17.5 million).


SNF NOW 3 FOR 3: With 18.1 million viewers, “Sunday Night Football” was the most-watched regularly-scheduled primetime show on Sunday night for the third straight week this season. Last season, SNF was the most-watched Sunday night primetime broadcast in a record 15 of 16 (94 percent) weeks. In 2008, SNF won 13 of 16 (81 percent) Sunday nights after winning 11 of 16 in 2007 (69 percent) and nine of 16 in 2006 (56 percent).


NO. 1 SHOW OF THE WEEK: For the third straight week “Sunday Night Football” was the No. 1 regularly-scheduled primetime broadcast of the week by a wide margin among Adults 18-49, the coveted advertiser demographic, as well as among Adults 18-34 (tied with Glee), Adults 25-54, Men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. Among viewers and households, SNF ranked just behind Dancing With The Stars on ABC and NCIS on CBS.

  • “Sunday Night Football” has a 30 percent margin of victory over the No. 2 show in Adults 18-49 (7.3 for SNF vs. 5.6 for Glee).
  • Through three weeks of the NFL season, “Sunday Night Football” stands as the top show on television among viewers, households and all key adult and male demos.

The 11.3/19 national rating for Sunday night’s game is six percent ahead of last year’s Week 3 SNF game (Colts-Cardinals, 10.7/17 million). The three-week average household rating of 14.0/23 is nine percent higher than last year’s first three weekends (12.9/21) and 27 percent ahead of the first three weeks in 2008 (11.0/18).

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA: “Football Night” (7:30-8:15 pm) is averaging 9.5 million viewers through its first two weeks (Week 3 currently unavailable), its most ever through two weeks and up three percent vs. 2009’s 9.2 million viewers.


MOST WATCHED “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” GAMES:

*Sundays Only

1. 9/12/10, Cowboys-Redskins, 25.3 million (SNF: Week 1)

2. 9/20/09, Giants-Cowboys, 24.8 million (Dallas Cowboys stadium debut)

T3. 09/19/10, Giants-Colts, 23.1 million (Sunday Night – “Manning Bowl II”)

T3. 12/14/08, Giants-Cowboys, 23.1 million

5. 9/10/06, Colts-Giants, 22.6 million (Original “Manning Bowl”)

6. 11/15/09, Patriots-Colts, 22.4 million

7. 9/21/08, Cowboys-Packers, 22.2 million

T8. 11/8/09, Cowboys-Eagles, 21.9 million

T8. 11/5/06, Colts-Patriots, 21.9 million

10. 11/25/07, Eagles-Patriots, 21.8 million
*The NFL Kickoff Opener on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010 between the Vikings and Saints generated an average viewership of 27.5 million people.


REMAINING 2010 “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” SCHEDULE

Regular Season – “Football Night in America” begins every Sunday at 7 p.m. ET

Sun. Oct. 3 Week 4 Chicago Bears at New York Giants

Sun. Oct. 10 Week 5 Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

Sun. Oct. 17 Week 6 Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins

Sun. Oct. 24 Week 7 Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Sun. Oct. 31 Week 8 Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints

Sun. Nov. 7 Week 9 Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

Sun. Nov. 14 Week 10 New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sun. Nov. 21 *Week 11 New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Sun. Nov. 28 *Week 12 San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

Sun. Dec. 5 *Week 13 Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Sun. Dec. 12 *Week 14 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Sun. Dec. 19 *Week 15 Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Sun. Dec. 26 *Week 16 San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals

Sun. Jan. 2 *Week 17 TBA

*Flex Week


EMBED NBC SPORTS VIDEO: Video from NBC Sports’ NFL coverage, including clips from “Sunday Night Football” and “Football Night in America,” is available to be embedded on media websites at NBCSports.com http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/21428022#39375010
Current clips include:

  • A “Football Night” preview of Sunday Night Football’s Week 4 matchup: Bears @ Giants
  • Mike Florio’s PFTV on Eagles QB Mike Vick
  • Team press conferences

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter at Twitter.com/NBCSportsPR

Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter at Twitter.com/SNFonNBC

Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at: Facebook.com/SNFonNBC

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Filed Under: NBC, NFL

Playdom and ESPN Games Debut ESPNU College Town

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Playdom and ESPN Games Debut ESPNU College Town
Social game lets fans create their ultimate virtual college campus;
Includes stadiums, buildings, logos and mascots from more than 60 real universities

Playdom, in collaboration with ESPN Games, today launched a sports-themed social game on Facebook titled ESPNU College Town. Fun, engaging and easy to play, ESPNU College Town gives sports fans a chance to create and run their own virtual college campus, build an elite athletic program, and compete against their friends for bragging rights.

Sports fans in the game are given all the tools to create their own university, complete with academic buildings, major athletic venues – including football stadiums and basketball arenas – and ESPN-branded assets such as an ESPN College GameDay set and production truck.  Other buildings and campus must-haves include dorms, a fraternity/sorority row, student unions, restaurants, libraries, walkways, streets, parking lots and more.

Also, fans can play the role of Athletic Director by recruiting fictional star athletes to build a top sports program ready to go head-to-head against other ESPNU College Town teams.  Fans compete for points and bragging rights by matching up against other friends in the game.

To make each ESPNU College Town their very own, fans have access to authentic assets from more than 60 real universities, including iconic campus buildings, nationally recognized stadiums, mascots, logos and more.  As fans gain points and move up levels, sports venues can be upgraded from simple fields with bleachers to state-of-the-art domed stadiums with lights, Astroturf, JumboTrons, box seats and more.

“College sports fans have a voracious appetite for their teams and we are doing what Playdom does best by leveraging our expertise in the social games space to create an immersive game experience for a dedicated audience,” said Mike Rubinelli, Playdom Vice President of Studio Operations.  “We are extremely proud to be working on this game with ESPN, they have been an outstanding partner.”

For downloadable screenshots of ESPNU College Town
 click here

Facebook users can play the game at: http://apps.facebook.com/espnucollegetown/

“ESPNU College Town presents a huge opportunity for us to reach a broad audience of both casual and hardcore sports fans, and we look forward to rolling out other social games within the sports category,” said Raphael Poplock, vice president of games and revenue strategy & development, ESPN Digital Media.  “The possibilities are endless when it comes to the creative, sports-themed social games we can produce, and this is only the beginning of what we have in development with Playdom.”

Online social games are the fastest growing category in the games industry – having recently surpassed email as the second most popular online activity – behind only social networking sites themselves – and are projected to be a one billion dollar industry by 2011, according to Nielsen.

ESPN Games has a history of successful collaboration with leading developers, bringing fun and entertaining games to sports fans across all game platforms, including console, casual and social. ESPN Arcade, ESPN’s casual games brand re-launched in 2009, logged 95.5 million minutes of total time spent on ESPN.com last year, according to comScore. Most recently, ESPN Games announced an agreement to deliver to Xbox 360 ESPN3.com’s live events and ESPN.com’s video-on-demand clips and sports highlights, as well as other interactive features.
About Playdom

Playdom, the social games product group of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces a diverse portfolio of casual games for the rapidly-growing platform of social networks. Playdom’s hugely popular properties, including, Sorority Life, Social City, and City of Wonder support approximately 50 million monthly users on Facebook and MySpace.

Disney Interactive Media Group is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NSYE: DIS).

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Filed Under: ESPN

“Sunday Night Football”: Best Average Viewership In 14 Years

September 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SNF 3 For 3 in Sunday Night Wins

No. 1 Primetime Show of the Week in All Key Demos

NEW YORK – Sept. 28, 2010 – Through the first three weeks of the NFL season (four broadcasts), NBC is averaging 23.3 million viewers, the most for the first three weeks of a primetime NFL package in 14 years (23.6 million in 1996 on ABC: three broadcasts), according to official national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

  • NBC’s three-week viewership of 23.3 million is two million more than and nine percent above last year’s 21.3 million for the opening three weeks of the NFL season and up 30 percent over the first three weeks in 2008 (17.9 million).
  • “Sunday Night Football” featuring the New York Jets 31-23 victory over the Miami Dolphins was seen by an average of 18.1 million people, a gain of three percent over last year’s Week 3 SNF game (Colts-Cardinals, 17.5 million).

SNF NOW 3 FOR 3: With 18.1 million viewers, “Sunday Night Football” was the most-watched regularly-scheduled primetime show on Sunday night for the third straight week this season. Last season, SNF was the most-watched Sunday night primetime broadcast in a record 15 of 16 (94 percent) weeks. In 2008, SNF won 13 of 16 (81 percent) Sunday nights after winning 11 of 16 in 2007 (69 percent) and nine of 16 in 2006 (56 percent).

NO. 1 SHOW OF THE WEEK: For the third straight week “Sunday Night Football” was the No. 1 regularly-scheduled primetime broadcast of the week by a wide margin among Adults 18-49, the coveted advertiser demographic, as well as among Adults 18-34 (tied with Glee), Adults 25-54, Men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. Among viewers and households, SNF ranked just behind Dancing With The Stars on ABC and NCIS on CBS.

  • “Sunday Night Football” has a 30 percent margin of victory over the No. 2 show in Adults 18-49 (7.3 for SNF vs. 5.6 for Glee).
  • Through three weeks of the NFL season, “Sunday Night Football” stands as the top show on television among viewers, households and all key adult and male demos.

The 11.3/19 national rating for Sunday night’s game is six percent ahead of last year’s Week 3 SNF game (Colts-Cardinals, 10.7/17 million). The three-week average household rating of 14.0/23 is nine percent higher than last year’s first three weekends (12.9/21) and 27 percent ahead of the first three weeks in 2008 (11.0/18).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR JETS-DOLPHINS:

1. Miami, 24.0/36

2. West Palm Beach, 23.0/33

3. Las Vegas, 22.2/32

4. Ft. Myers, 17.9/29

5. New Orleans, 17.6/24

6. Milwaukee, 16.4/25

7. Nashville, 16.1/26

8. Norfolk, 15.4/22

9. New York, 15.1/23

10. Buffalo, 14.9/22

EMBED NBC SPORTS VIDEO: Video from NBC Sports’ NFL coverage, including clips from “Sunday Night Football” and “Football Night in America,” is available to be embedded on media websites at NBCSports.com http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/21428022#39375010

Clips include:

  • · Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth wrapping up Jets-Dolphins game
  • · Andrea Kremer’s postgame interview with Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards
  • · Bob Costas and Mike Florio discuss profootballtalk.com’s Monday 10-Pack
  • · Jets-Dolphins highlights
  • · Rex Ryan and Tony Sporano’s postgame press conferences
  • · Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison discussing Week 3 hot topics
  • · Mike Florio and Rodney Harrison discussing the Chiefs and other topics
  • · Dan Patrick and Peter King discussing Adrian Peterson and other topics
  • · Commentary from last night’s “Football Night in America”
  • · A preview of Sunday Night Football’s Week 4 matchup: Bears@Giants

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter at Twitter.com/NBCSportsPR

Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter at Twitter.com/SNFonNBC

Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at: Facebook.com/SNFonNBC

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of NBA Media Day – Monday, September 27, 2010

September 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of NBA Media Day

–        Monday, September 27, 2010

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA Game Time: Media Day

Matt Winer, Chris Webber and Craig Sager

Webber on Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and his ability to handle trade rumors:  “I think he has done a great job of handling this as a player because he hasn’t said anything. He’s a great basketball player but he’s not an actor. You can tell he doesn’t want to be there. But he is being great about it. He’s not saying anything to upset the team or the fans. I think he has done a good job of not saying what he wants but he you can read his face so well.”

NBA TV analyst Steve Smith interviews new teammates Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh from Miami Heat’s Media Day

James on looking forward to NBA Media Day: “It is a chance for people to get an initial report on how your team is going to be or how your summer has been. I think everyone knows that this has been a different summer for all three of us. Do I look forward to it? Yes, because it is one step closer to training camp. We look forward to that point.”

Wade on Miami Head Coach Erik Spoelstra’s coaching style: “One thing I love about Coach (Spoelstra) is that he is real. What you see is what you get. He has a philosophy and sticks to it. He understands today’s players and the game that we play. He is the guy that you can go to in the middle of games and talk to. He is going to let us have some freedom in our style of play but he sticks to his principles so it is a good combination.”

James on his comparison of the new look Miami Heat to legendary teams of the ‘80s and ‘90s: “I see us like Magic (Johnson), James Worthy and Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) but I don’t know who would take the skyhook. But like I said, I love the history of the game. You’ve seen those teams back in the day and it wasn’t just one guy.  It wasn’t just Magic (Johnson) by himself it wasn’t just Isiah (Thomas) or (Michael) Jordan or (Larry) Bird. They may have gotten all the headlines and the praise but they had other Hall of Famers with them. Not just guys that were All-Stars or could come off the bench and score 20 points but guys that could really go get it by themselves if necessary.”

Bosh on his biggest contribution to the Heat: “I rebound the basketball that is what I do. I’ve always done that. Being with these guys, I can look forward to more offensive rebounds because I’m not going to take as many shots as I did in Toronto. That is going to be our backbone, the defensive end.

James on the chances of winning six rings with his new teammates: “I hope we do. That is the only reason I came down here.”

Wade on the team to beat in the NBA: “The Lakers hands down. They are the Champions.”

Webber on the Heat’s 2010-2011 season: “I think they are going to be the most exciting team in basketball that we have seen in a long time. They can get up and run and dunk and play a great game. For the fans of basketball, we are going to be excited to see this. I do think it will take time for them to gel. You have three strong leaders but they will have to go back to following. It will be slow to develop in the beginning because they are figuring things out. But when they take off, they are going to be the most exciting team to watch.”

Webber on the backlash the new Miami Heat will receive from fans: “I think they are going to get boo’d. But who cares? I used to love getting boo’d on the road. They don’t boo people that can’t play. That’s backward applause. Go ahead and be some bad butts on the court and let everyone know how tough you are. Don’t apologize for signing together. Go out there and beat everyone and tell them I told you so.”

Webber on the L.A. Lakers’ potential for the 2010-2011 season: “I believe in these guys. I believe in their system and I believe in their coaching staff and attention to detail.”

Webber on the Boston Celtics as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference: “This is the most underrated team in the NBA. We all know the potential of other teams but when we look at the teams in the East that can really win we look at the Boston (Celtics), Orlando (Magic) and Miami (Heat). Everyone is familiar. You know they can win, but you don’t believe they can win. You think they are old. I think they are the most underrated because everyone thinks they are old. I think they are going to make it to the Finals.”

NBA TV Analyst Brent Barry interviews Jason Kidd from Dallas Mavericks Media Day

Kidd on teammate Tyson Chandler: “He’s in shape and ready to go so he’s going to be a big part of our team. I look forward to big things from Tyson.”

Kidd on the Mavericks’ seasoned roster: “You look at Shawn Marion and Caron Butler; those guys are veterans and know how to play. I think they are the “X” factors. I think if they have great seasons, then we will be right there with the top teams in the NBA.”

NBA TV Correspondent and current Phoenix Suns player Jared Dudley interviews teammate Josh Childress

Childress on his varying style of play after returning to the NBA: “I do have a little Euro in my game now but I still have the majority of the States in my game play. The fans will see a lot of that.”

Winer on Dudley’s novice reporting skills: “He is going to be so disappointed when he finds out what our per diem is compared to the NBA pier diem. Wait until that check arrives.”

Webber on playing for former Golden State Warriors Coach Don Nelson: “When you think of Don Nelson, you have to think of the style of play that he infused in this league. There are many rule changes that are because of him.. I’ve seen Don Nelson take his advantages and increase them. He was a proponent for no matter what size you are being able to play all positions.

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Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

Notes from TBS MLB on Deck – September 26, 2010

September 27, 2010 By 1 Comment

Notes from TBS MLB on Deck – September 26, 2010

“Sunday MLB on TBS” concludes on Sunday, Oct. 3, with a game to be announced proceeded by a special 30-minute edition of MLB on Deck.  The network’s exclusive coverage of MLB’s Division Series will get underway on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

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

TBS MLB on Deck

Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells

Ripken on competing in a pennant race: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year when you’re playing for (a pennant).  If you’re in the pennant race and you’re one of the teams that are vying for a championship, there’s no better time to play.  In fact, in some ways, I think it might be more exciting down the stretch than actually getting into the playoffs.”

Wells on how playing in a pennant race helps young players in the Postseason:  “It helps the young guys out because they get ‘pennant fever’ before ‘pennant fever.’  I think that when you get the opportunity to play in tight races down the stretch and you do make it in there, then it gives them a little more encouragement and they know what the vibe is like and they aren’t going to crack under pressure.”

The TBS MLB studio crew discussed who they think is going to win the National League West

Wells (San Diego Padres): “I’m picking San Diego just for the fact that they’ve got an unbelievable bullpen.  I’ve been watching these guys all year and I never would have thought they would be in this situation.  When they were in this position after the All-Star Break, I thought they would grind it out and win the division easily.  But obviously, they didn’t.  They got tight booties really quick over there and now they are starting to figure it out and their bullpen is fantastic.”

Ripken (San Francisco Giants): “I like the Rockies magic and it’s almost unexplainable at times.  But (the NL West is) between the Padres and the Giants right now.  Although the Phillies get credit for their ‘Big Three’ with (Roy) Halladay, (Roy) Oswalt and (Cole) Hamels, the Giants have (Tim) Lincecum, (Matt) Cain and (Jonathan) Sanchez.  I think they are ultimately going to be the difference.”

Eckersley (San Francisco Giants): “(Tim) Lincecum has really got it going on.  He had a little hiccup in August but he’s back to being the same guy (he was before).  They’ve got (Matt) Cain, (Jonathan) Sanchez and (closer Brian) Wilson.  Hopefully (Wilson) got that out of his system with a blown save (on September 25) because there’s no time to blow a save in the final week of the season.  If they don’t win it, it’ll be their own fault because they’ll be playing right in front of the team they are trying to beat (Padres in the final series of the year).”

Eckersley on if it’s more important to the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays to win the American League East: “(Winning the division is probably more important to) the Rays because they’ve been around a long time and for them to win the division would say a lot.  But for the Yankees, I know they’d like to win this thing because they are so used to it and they play so well at home.  But they’ve got a lot of problems with the pitching staff because they don’t know who is going to follow (CC) Sabathia (in the rotation).  They are hoping that (Andy) Pettitte can come around in the next couple of starts and be ready.  They are in trouble if they win (the AL East) or not or if they have home field (advantage) or not.”

Wells on the Cincinnati Reds: “In order for (the Reds) to get into the next round, they have to start hitting good pitching.  They haven’t done anything against (good pitching) and they have a losing record against all the teams they could be playing in the playoffs.  They have to figure out a way to beat these guys.  Joey Votto has carried the team all season long.  They’ve got a good, young core that finds a way to win.  They’ve got a whole team that gels and that’s what you need.”

Ripken on pitcher Cliff Lee’s affect on the Rangers “I don’t think the Rangers are going to be the favorite but they have the Cliff Lee factor.  He can have a big impact on two of the games (in the LDS).”

Eckersley on the Phillies being the team to beat in the National League: “How can you not pick the Phillies?  That’s the scary part about this thing is when people think that there’s no doubt that you’re going to get there.  They’ve been to the World Series the last two seasons and this should be the third time.”

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Filed Under: MLB, TBS
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