Considering there aren’t any games, it is a strong night for sports on TV.
As I wrote earlier, I highly recommend the latest 30 for 30, Benji (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Be sure to watch with your kids. There is much to be learned from this film.
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The latest Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO, 10 p.m. ET) features Frank Deford looking back at the life of Steve Sabol. Gumbel also interviews Michael Strahan.
Costas Tonight (NBC Sports Network, 10 p.m. ET) returns with an interview with former Boston manager Bobby Valentine. While I long since have overdosed on Red Sox coverage, it still figures to be interesting to see Bob Costas chat with Bobby V.
Also on the show, Michelle Beadle will make her debut on Costas Tonight, joining Costas to discuss top trending social media topics; and former NHL star and current NBC Sports Group analyst Jeremy Roenick will discuss the NHL lockout, and his experience going through a similar thing in 2005 when he lost an estimated $8 million in salary.
A new sports programming initiative is trying to target kids where they live. And it isn’t necessarily television.
The Whistle recently was launched as a multi-platform vehicle hoping to snare the large portion of the 70 million kids in the U.S. (ages 6 to 16) who like sports. Programming will be geared towards them.
As co-founder Jeff Urban says, The Whistle hopes to be the bridge between ESPN and Nickelodeon.
“Our partners and I were watching media through the eyes of our kids,” Urban said. “The news cycle is so loud and in your face. When all the Brett Favre stuff was breaking a few years ago, my 9-year-old turned to me and said, ‘Daddy, what’s sexting?’
“We thought we could come up with a way to deliver good sports content to kids in an age-appropriate manner.”
The Whistle recently made its TV debut with a Friday afternoon show (4 p.m. ET) on the NBC Sports Network. The first shows featured Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Ray Rice, and Henrik Lindqvist. The Whistle has content agreements with NFL Films, U.S. Soccer, U.S. Olympic Committee, among others.
However, television isn’t going to be the main vehicle for this enterprise. Rather, the drivers for now are a website, a youtube channel (featuring the clip above from the Harlem Globetrotters) and a distribution deal for the channel to be seen through X-Box Live.
The Whistle has hit on something. My 15-year-old lives on X-Box. My 17-year-old burns a hole through his computer while the TV is playing in the background.
“Our aim isn’t to develop a linear channel,” Urban said. “It is one point of distribution. However, these kids are creating their own channels. Those channels aren’t defined the same way you and I are used to defining them. They are using their aps, going to websites.
“We think this is a way to have the content live and breath in ways in which all your kids are engaged.”
The concept sounds interesting. However, I told Urban that kids are very sophisticated these days. They want to hear what Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon have to say on PTI after school. My son’s friend goes crazy for Stephen A. Smith. By 11 or 12, they know what “sexting” is, and much, much more.
I asked Urban, what kind of content are you going to produce to lure those kids away from ESPN?
“ESPN has a 35-year head start,” Urban said. “We’re not looking to compete with ESPN. What we have to do is entertain and engage kids with good authentic sports content. What we’ve seen thus far is that the leagues and partners are willing to play ball with us. They understand the need to develop a youth market and content that is engaging and age appropriate.
“We’re not going to swing every 10-year-old to come over from ESPN to us. But if we can get some of them to try us, then we can grow and build with the next generation of sports fans.”
Surfing the web while trying to figure out how the U.S. lost Sunday:
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Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that Aaron Rodgers isn’t a fan of wearing mics for NFL Films.
From Wolfley:
“NFL and (NFL) Films have the power, I guess you could say, to try and make you do it,” Rodgers said during his radio show. “Not even try. To make you do it. So I’m not crazy about it. I’m really not. I love watching it on TV and watching other people do it, but haven’t felt great about doing it personally because I want everything to be authentic. Often, I don’t think the interaction is going to be the same. This one, I tried not to think about it at all.
“My last two games being mic’d up, counting Sunday and last year’s Denver game have gone pretty well,” Rodgers said. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to do it more often. There is going to be some good stuff coming out of this one (vs. the Saints). But they can make you do it if they want.”
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Since I was at the Ryder Cup, I didn’t get a chance to watch ESPN and NBC’s telecast. However, I did have a radio on the course and listened Sirius/XM’s broadcoast. I have to admit after hearing the same Get-ready-to-play-golf ads for the thousandth time, I wanted to chuck the radio into the lake.
Apparently, Bradley Klein of Golfweek felt the same way. He thought the numerous commerical breaks ruined the telecasts.
He writes:
The best-televised sporting event of the year – if not the young century – was almost spoiled by the stop-start nature of the action.
Even as all 12 Ryder Cup matches were out on the course at once – by 2 p.m. EDT Sunday – and the action was flying fast and furious, NBC-TV opted to pay the bills and cut six or seven times an hour for commercial breaks. At least the last three-quarters of an hour went without an ad or a break.
Klein then did a breakdown of the commercials. It turns 16 of those Get-ready-for-golf ads. Mind-numbing.
NBC Network Programming: 31
Omega Watches: 16
Get Golf Ready/Tee It Forward/Play Golf America: 13
Cadillac: 10
Mercedes: 10
National Car Rental: 10
Samsung Galaxy: 9
Royal Bank of Canada: 8
Michelob Ultra beer: 7
PGA.com: 6
Scottrade: 4
TD Ameritrade: 4
U.S. Bank: 4
ADT: 3
American National Gas Association: 3
Citi: 3
Geico: 3
Golf Channel: 3
Motorola Droid: 3
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It’s good to be a big-time in football. Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about Oklahoma’s new deal with Fox Sports.
According to Oklahoma’s contract, which The Times was allowed to examine, the university will get $40.1 million in rights fees over 10 years, starting with $3.5 million this academic year, and increasing by about 3 percent annually. In addition, Fox will reimburse Oklahoma’s SoonerVision nearly all of its costs in producing virtually all the programming. Over 10 years, it will get $18.05 million.
SoonerVision started operations in 1997 and recently invested $5 million in its facilities.
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Goose: If you missed it the first time, NBA Network is airing the documentary on Harlem Globetrotters legend Goose Tatum tonight at 9 ET. At the height of his career, Tatum was among the most famous athletes in the world.
From the release:
GOOSE celebrates the basketball legend that was posthumously enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. The film, produced by Mannie Jackson, chairman of Boxcar Entertainment, in association with Chicago-based TeamWorks Media, tells the story of the leader of the Harlem Globetrotters from 1941-1955. A true sports icon, Tatum possessed a rare combination of basketball talent and comedic genius. His impact on the game has transcended generations, as the no-look pass, which he introduced to the game, has become a basketball staple.
A baseball player in the Negro League prior to his basketball career, Goose went on to become one of the most dynamic athletes of his time. In a segregated society, Goose reached across color lines to appeal to fans of all races. At the peak of his international fame and fortune, he did the unthinkable when he left the Globetrotters, pioneering the concept of free agency and establishing himself as an entrepreneur by owning two sports teams.
The film is narrated by film star Anthony Mackie who has appeared in such motion pictures as the Academy Award-winning The Hurt Locker and Million Dollar Baby, as well as The Adjustment Bureau, We Are Marshall, Half Nelson, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
TeamWorks Media’s other documentary projects include The Street Stops Here, the story of legendary high school basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr.; The Team That Changed The World, which revealed how the Harlem Globetrotters helped to break the color barrier in professional basketball; and Disco Demolition 25th Anniversary: The Real Story, a documentary examining the Chicago White Sox promotion that quickly became an influential moment in music history.
Cruising the beat on the last day of summer (sigh…):
If you think it is tough to watch the replacement refs, imagine what it is like for Fox Sports’ Mike Pereira. The former NFL official vented in an interview with Dan Patrick.
“Utter chaos,” said Pereira. “I saw a lack of control with the replacement officials. You have players and coaches that have lost respect for these officials and they know they’re getting away with more. You saw more rough and tumble stuff going on after a play is over. As this thing goes on, the coaches trust the officials less. When I watched Monday night’s game, I was sad because it’s not the NFL I know.”
If Pereira was still head of NFL officiating, he doesn’t know that there would be much more he’d be able to do within his power than what current head of officiating Carl Johnson is already doing.
“I’d tell Commissioner Goodell that the mistakes we’re seeing are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more mistakes that are coming up in critical points in the game and are not all timing or rule issues.”
Pereira believes both sides, the NFLRA and NFL need to compromise. “We need to somehow light a fire under both sides to get back to the table, lock the door and don’t leave until you have a deal,” he said.
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Michael Phelps has faced many challenges in his career. But being interviewed by David Feherty truly will be unique.
From the Golf Channel:
Michael Phelps, the most-decorated Olympian in history, will join golf’s funnyman, David Feherty, for a special Ryder Cup-themed Feherty Live from Chicago, airing Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
From Phelps:
“While I have started my transition from the pool to the golf course, I haven’t completely escaped the water. I’m excited to meet the funniest man in golf, but knowing David, I have a sneaky suspicion that my conversation with him won’t be anything like the years of poolside interviews I have done.”
And here’s why. Feherty on swimming:
“Michael Phelps may be the only golfer for whom water is not a hazard. And I always wondered why swimmers don’t grow their fingernails really long, like Howard Hughes. Might save them a hundredth on the touch. I’m full of good ideas like this one, but no one takes me seriously.”
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Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times did an interview with Joe Buck. The No. 1 man for Fox talks about working with Troy Aikman and Tim McCarver.
Do you talk a lot with Tim McCarver and Troy Aikman during the week?
Well, Troy and I will text each other lot. I can’t text with Tim. Tim doesn’t text. I’m better off sending smoke signals and sending up a pterodactyl. But we’ve been doing games together for 17 years now, so we fall right back into it even if we haven’t seen each other or talked in a few weeks. The chemistry is great with both. For example, I’ll throw out a reference like Foo Fighters. Tim has no idea who the Foo Fighters are. Neither does Troy, probably. I need to say Kenny Chesney to get his attention. But both are such pros and we’re so comfortable around one another that we are able to work together well.
How similar are Tim and Troy to work with?
Extremely similar. Their work ethic is amazing, and it’s what made them great players in their sports. I can tell you that I know now why Troy won three Super Bowls, and it’s not just because of his accuracy and arm strength. I see what he does to prepare for a game and you know why he’s a success. And Tim is at a point that he could just walk in a minute before the broadcast and wing it, but he doesn’t do it that way. He continues to work hard. He still loves the game.
Athletes, managers angry at the New York media? So rare and unexpected.
After the Jets’ big victory on Sunday, linebacker Bart Scott said he wasn’t talking. Assumingly, he’s not sure of the right term to say he’s not talking.
Asked if he meant “boycott,” Scott told Corbett that, yes, he meant boycott and no he wasn’t interested in talking. Then Scott proceeded to talk anyway.
“You guys treat us like we’re a [bleeping] joke,” Scott said. “You all want us to feed your papers, but then you all talk [bleep] about us. So why would I want to give you all quotes to sell papers with if you all treat us like [bleep]? That doesn’t make sense.”
Hey, Bart: Don’t get too full of yourself. You beat the Bills, not the Patriots.
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Saturday, things got a bit hot between Yankees manager Joe Girardi and New York Post baseball columnist Joel Sherman (no relation to yours truly).
“I think [the previous reporter] might have just asked my question,” Sherman acknowledged. “Are you convinced CC (Sabathia) is healthy?” he asked.
“Yes, this is the third time, yes. Yes, he’s healthy,” Girardi replied.
“It’s part of the game,” Sherman said in response, trying to defend his question after noticing Girardi seemed irked.
“I know, but I was asked three times,” said Girardi.
“Still part of the game,” Sherman continued.
“No, I’m not lying. One time (to ask the question) is sufficient,” an annoyed Girardi told Sherman.
“Joe, you make big money as Yankee manager, it’s part of the job,” we believe Sherman said to end the exchange, though it was tough to tell exactly what he said.
Girardi shook his head at Sherman, didn’t respond, and then fielded a question from another reporter. It was after the press conference when things got really heated.
According to an account from ESPN’s Andrew Marchand, Girardi called Sherman into his office where they had a heated confrontation. The two reportedly went nose-to-nose in an argument, with Girardi telling Sherman not to tell him how to do his job, and Sherman saying the same thing back to Girardi. Marchand says the two had to be separated by security.
The Awful Announcing podcast had back-to-back weeks with Darren Rovell and Michelle Beadle as its guests. So I’m guessing Erin Andrews probably cancelled at the last minute, which is why host Matt Yoder turned to yours truly for AA Podcast No. 29.
Regardless, I thank Matt for the opportunity. We had a lively discussion. Topics included the coverage of sports media, Chris Berman, Ken Harrelson, and the new Paterno book.
The conversation, though, got real interesting on the subject of Skip Bayless. I know from listening to previous AA Podcasts that Matt isn’t a big fan of my old Chicago Tribune colleague.
Like many other detractors, Matt thought Bayless utters many of his provocative statements for show. I told him that couldn’t be further from the truth. Say what you want about Bayless–and many people do–but I know from working with him that he believes everything he says with a passion.
Never dull when talking about Bayless.
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Good stuff on the latest Sports-Casters podcast. Guests include Jane Leavy, Jim Trotter, and Jeff Pearlman.
Also, the guys detail their frustrations at being blown off by Joe Posnanski’s PR representatives for an interview request about his book.
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ESPN’s Joe Tessitore is the guest on this week’s Sports Media Weekly podcast.
And Sports Media Weekly has a special podcast on CBS’ media day for the NFL. Guests include Sean McManus, Marv Albert, and Ian Eagle.
Michelle’s move from ESPN to NBC was the most talked about move in the sports media in 2012 and she just finished covering the Olympics for NBC in London. We talk about the transition to working sports and entertainment.
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Street and Smith’s John Ourand provided perspective on being in London on the latest Sports Media Weekly podcast. He was ticked off about Dick Ebersol giving an interview to Joe Posnanski. Like everyone else, Ourand had been told Ebersol wasn’t giving interviews.
Apparently, the Washington Redskins don’t want to tax their new prize quarterback. Dan Pompei, a veteran NFL writer for the Chicago Tribune, writes:
Camp oddity: As the second pick in the draft, (Robert Griffin III) is one of the most coveted interview subjects in the NFL this summer. When he had his initial news conference at the start of training camp, three local television stations and NFL Network carried it live. But the Redskins have prevented him from doing any one-on-one interviews. He is believed to be the only high-profile player in the NFL who does not do one-on-ones. Instead, he does one weekly group interview. This week, he fielded 19 questions before media members were cut off.
I can understand the Redskins not wanting Griffin to be overtaxed. However, he seems to be plenty media savvy. Don’t think it will be Washington’s best interests to tick off the local media, especially when he starts doing one-on-ones with the network pregame shows once the season starts.
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Kudos to my old pal Mark Blaudschun of ajerseyguy.com for breaking the story of Mike Aresco being hired as the new Big East commissioner. Aresco’s background as an executive for CBS and ESPN shows how much television figures into the survival of the struggling conference.
Blaudschun writes:
There should be a sense of optimism about what will happen with the new television contract in football, whether it is with ESPN or NBC, which is looking for college football programming. Maybe each Big East school can get double the $6 million annually from the present contract. Maybe they can get triple that amount.
Aresco knows that world as well as anyone. So does Bevilacqua, who brokered the billion dollar plus deal the Pac-12 signed last year.
If the Big East gets the money, maybe there is less of a reason for schools like Louisville and UConn and Rutgers to look elsewhere, as they are now doing. Maybe the Big East becomes aggressive again to re-establish its base turf in the East–would Maryland, strapped for cash, listen to a better offer?
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Boomer Esiason is going to have an increased role with the new CBS Sports Network. Already host of morning show on WFAN in New York, the former QB has been named as a contributor. He’ll provide commentary and updates for the “CBS Sports Minute” that will be distributed during morning drive to member stations.
From CBS:
Esiason will be heard weekday mornings near the top of the hour from 6:00-10:00AM on CBS Sports Radio stations, including premier outlets WFAN in New York, WSCR in Chicago, KNBR in San Francisco and WIP-FM in Philadelphia, among others. Audiences across the country will also hear directly from Esiason throughout the NFL season as he weighs in on players, coaches, upcoming match-ups, and the day’s trending topics. He will similarly be available to CBS Sports Radio stations as the news warrants in the pre- and off-season.
