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Gordon Readies for Waltrip's Retirement

Posted: Apr 18th 2009 10:37PM by Geoffrey Miller (author feed)
Filed under: Michael Waltrip, Robby Gordon, NASCAR Crashes, Sprint Cup

14 COMMENTS

The NASCAR on FOX television crew tried to play it off as an accident, but Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon was having none of it.

"I'm really looking forward to having a new driver in the [No.] 55 next year," said Gordon during his post-wreck interview, mad after Michael Waltrip bumped him into the Phoenix International Raceway turn three wall Saturday night in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.

No, Gordon doesn't have insider infomation about Waltrip's 2010 plans, but rather he was just citing comments that the driver/owner made at the beginning of the season.

Continue Reading Gordon Readies for Waltrip's Retirement

World Series Games May Start Earlier

Posted: Apr 8th 2009 12:19PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: MLB Biz, MLB Rumors

1 COMMENT

We're through the first two days of the baseball season so I figure it's about time we start talking about the World Series. Who you have going? I think it's pretty obvious after two games that both the Blue Jays and Marlins are going to go 162-0 and are on a collision course for October, though this opinion may be a bit premature. Still, MLB and Fox Sports are already talking about the World Series.

More specifically, the start time for games.

Continue Reading World Series Games May Start Earlier

FOX's 'Digger' Gets Friends, Gear in '09

Posted: Feb 12th 2009 11:25AM by Geoffrey Miller (author feed)
Filed under: NASCAR Fans, Sprint Cup

3 COMMENTS

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.-- NASCAR on FOX is making no bones about it: Digger's a money-making tool.

Digger, an animated gopher that made his first appearance on the network's Sprint Cup broadcasts in 2008, is hitting the prime time starting with this weekend's season-opening Daytona 500 with a slew of new co-conspirators and a host of available merchandise items.

FOX announced the move and how they plan to make a few dollars off it during a press conference Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.

Continue Reading FOX's 'Digger' Gets Friends, Gear in '09

BCS Broadcasts Likely Returning to ESPN/ABC in 2011

Posted: Nov 12th 2008 1:39PM by Brian Grummell (author feed)
Filed under: General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games

2 COMMENTS

Like a lost little puppy finding its way home -- or maybe not -- BCS bowl broadcasts appear likely to change hands from Fox to ESPN/ABC after the 2010 season.

From SportsBusiness Daily via Dr. Saturday via EDSBS:

The BCS is considering a proposal from ESPN that would see all BCS bowl games, including the championship game, wind up on ESPN, sources familiar with the negotiations are saying.
[...]
Sources say Fox still has another five days to accept the BCS' proposal, which is seeking about a 50% annual increase over the current deal's $82.5 million annual fee. The BCS is looking for a four-year, $500 million deal, which would put the average annual payout at around $125 million.

Fox has proposed a 25% increase, which would average a little more than $102 million per year. Though Fox still has several days to match, insiders say it is not likely to increase its bid by enough.

If this goes through, I couldn't be happier. Fox's BCS broadcasts, a toned down but still entertaining Matt Vasgergian aside, have been unanimously awful. They don't get college football and for all the money invested in such a high profile product, don't seem all that ambitious upon improving. Meanwhile ESPN diligently invests and expands its college football product.

This BCS contract is pure business, but from an emotional point of view, ESPN is due.

Continue Reading BCS Broadcasts Likely Returning to ESPN/ABC in 2011

Fox Messed Up With MLB/NASCAR Conflict

Posted: Apr 13th 2008 1:25AM by Geoffrey Miller (author feed)
Filed under: NASCAR Media Watch, MLB Media Watch, Sprint Cup

55 COMMENTS

NASCAR fans across the country were treated to a pre-race show that consisted of nothing but balls and strikes after Fox Sports decided to keep a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox on the air deep into the NASCAR timeslot.

Fans who had tuned in for the NASCAR event in Phoenix, Ariz. were abruptly switched to racing as the field entered turn three during the first lap of Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500, while viewers hoping to catch the end of the baseball game were told nearly a minute later that they could continue watching on FX.

All in all, the situation simply wasn't handled well.

Me? I was hoping to see the NASCAR action. But neither here (Fox) nor there (FX) could I see any of the pre-race show, much less "Gentleman, Start Your Engines".

I understand that there are obligations Fox Sports has to carry while covering these two events, but it seems pretty clear to me that Fox Sports should have just been proactive enough to at least start the NASCAR coverage over on FX.

The Red Sox/Yankees tiff was a close one and I understand that millions of people were wanting to see the end of that one. Was it right for those fans to have to quickly switch over to FX to catch the last few pitches of a one-run game?

I don't think so.

The solution to put one or the other on FX long before the green flag of the Sprint Cup Series race makes a lot of sense to me. What say you?

FanHouse NASCAR FanVote Day 2:
Rate the 2007 Televison Coverage

Posted: Nov 27th 2007 8:00AM by Geoffrey Miller (author feed)
Filed under: NASCAR Awards, NASCAR Fans, NASCAR Media Watch

0 COMMENTS

Here's round two of the FanHouse NASCAR FanVote.

Today's topic? NASCAR television coverage.

You've heard plenty of resent towards ESPN around the FanHouse, but now its time to tell us what you think. Was ESPN's coverage actually good? Are you hoping TNT could make all of their races commercial free? Who are the best guys in the booth for NASCAR racing?

Tell us what you think! Be sure to click after the first poll to answer the rest of the questions.

Did you miss Day 1 of the FanVote? No problem, just click here to go back and vote for those questions.

Be sure to come back at the end of the week to see the results, and Happy Voting!

Click to continue voting!

Continue Reading FanHouse NASCAR FanVote Day 2:
Rate the 2007 Televison Coverage

Jeanne Zelasko Didn't Get the Ichiro Memo

Posted: Jul 11th 2007 9:49AM by Eamonn Brennan (author feed)
Filed under: Seattle, Mariners, AL West, MLB All-Star Game, MLB Media Watch, MLB Rumors, San Francisco

10 COMMENTS

We've already showed you Ichiro's daring feats of prowess this morning, but did you know he's going to be a free agent, too? Jeanne Zelasko certainly seems to think so, or did during Ichiro's post-game interview last night ... even though reports broke late last night that Ichiro was close to resigning with the Mariners. The Seattle Times reported that the deal could be worth a total of $100 million, which is plenty of money for Ichiro's skill set and unique, um, flair.

Perhaps the funniest part of the above video is Ichiro's expression. It's like he can just barely understand what Zelasko said, thinks it's a little off, but doesn't quite pull the trigger on shaking his head and saying no. It's more like "Oh, well ... crazy American lady."

Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick: What They're Saying

Posted: Jun 13th 2007 4:00PM by tallglassofmilk (author feed)
Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR Media Watch

114 COMMENTS

The season's biggest question has been answered. Here's the early industry reaction.

Brian France, Chairman/CEO of NASCAR: "Today's announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s move to Hendrick Motorsports is indeed an important announcement for this season and beyond, and it should be noted that high-profile partnerships have always been a part of NASCAR's competitive history. There have been so many great partnerships involving people of great character and ability. We're proud of what they have brought to our sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always said that first and foremost, he wants to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. We wish him the best of luck."

Rusty Wallace, ESPN Analyst, Former NASCAR Champion: "I can't think of anything at all that's bigger. He hit a home run and hit it out of the ballpark. His father always loved Rick Hendrick and had a great admiration for him. With Junior finding that he can be in a car with points, he's assured that he's in all the races next year. You'll never risk any problems whether it rains or you have a blown engine that can keep you out of a race. I think he could have done well at Richard Childress next season, but there was one problem – he wouldn't have had points headed into the 2008 season. "Rick Hendrick has amazing integrity and is a wonderful human being. Rick stepped in and helped me out to win my championship in 1989. He always jokes that he has six and a half championships because he funded half of Rusty's team. His personal office is inside the race shop. Motorsports is his love."

Larry Mac, Fox Sports Analyst, Former Crew Chief: As much as some would think this move was a no-brainer, I'm sure that it was a very tough decision on for Hendrick because he's a very loyal individual. But from a business and financial perspective, there was just no way he was going to blow an opportunity to field a car for Dale Jr.

Tom Jensen, SpeedTV: For Earnhardt, there's not much question that it's the right choice. Note to Kyle Busch: Call Brian Vickers to see how well getting off the Hendrick gravytrain has worked out for him.

Tom Bowles, SI:
The rest of NASCAR better watch out.

Indeed.

NASCAR on FOX Slam Dunks Competition

Posted: Mar 14th 2007 11:24AM by tallglassofmilk (author feed)
Filed under: NCAA Basketball Fans, NASCAR Fans, Nextel Cup

1 COMMENT

Sunday's NASCAR on FOX event from Las Vegas hit the jackpot this past weekend, posting an impressive 6.3/13 (10.5 million viewers) national rating, according to Nielsen. Sunday's 6.3/13 is up +2% over last year's 6.2/12 for the same race on FOX, and was by far the top-rated sporting event of the weekend.

NASCAR on FOX from Las Vegas outrated CBS' NCAA Selection Show by +47% (6.3/13 vs. 4.3/9 ), the largest margin ever recorded between the two events. Sunday marked the third-straight year in which NASCAR on FOX from Las Vegas has out-pointed the same-day NCAA Selection show on CBS .

Ratings for Sunday's race on FOX opened at a 5.5/13 and grew steadily throughout the broadcast, peaking at a 7.6/14 (13.1 million viewers). Despite direct competition from the NCAA Selection Show on CBS, Sunday's race also enjoyed substantial gains among the younger male demos:

Las Vegas 400 (2007 vs. 2006

M18-24	UP	+100%	(2.6 vs. 1.3)
M18-34	UP	+24%	(3.6 vs. 2.9)
M18-49	UP	+6%	(5.0 vs. 4.7)
P2+(000)	UP	+2%	(10.5 mill vs. 10.3 mill)

Rankings Are "Powerful," but not Accurate

Posted: Sep 21st 2006 2:07PM by Phil Yoon (author feed)
Filed under: Chiefs, AFC West

0 COMMENTS

We can't help it. No matter how much we disagree with them, how stupid we may think they are, we click them every week. I'm referring to the team rankings issued each week by the major sports websites.

Chiefs' fans have been particularly sensitive, since they feel that their team is shortchanged each week. Rating the Chiefs is never particularly easy-- they've been a playoff only once in the last several years, but they've come awfully close on several occasions.

I myself try not to get too excited or angry about the rankings. They're just one person's (or in ESPN's case, a crew's) opinion.

Bye weeks are always slow, though, so I decided to peruse the rankings. To my surprise, I think Chiefs' fans have a legitimate beef this week. ESPN ranks the Chiefs 26th. CBS Sportsline ranks them 24th. SI ranks them 22nd, Fox Sports 20th.

Why do I find the rankings strange? While other higher-ranked teams have lost badly in both weeks, the Chiefs went into Denver and nearly pulled off a huge upset. So, one by one, here is my assessment of each ranking:

ESPN (Notably Higher: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Miami, Redskins, 49ers, Jets)

ESPN's ranking is the most egregious. Understanding that ESPN's writers did not really consider the Chiefs to be as automatic a preseason playoff pick as the other teams, it still baffles me how they rank the Chiefs well behind all the above teams except Washington (25th). Carolina, Tampa Bay, Miami and Washington had worse showings in Weeks 1 and 2 than the Chiefs. Carolina is perhaps understandable because Steve Smith has been a huge loss for them, but the other 3 teams have been miserable. I can't find much justification for ESPN's ranking.

Sportsline (Notably Higher: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Miami, Redskins)

Sportsline rankings are actually very similar to ESPN's, except that Sportsline hasn't jumped on the Jets' and 49ers' (both of whom ESPN ranked higher than Kansas City) bandwagons as quickly as ESPN has. In the past, Pete Prisco has been reluctant to rank the Chiefs very highly because he has never been convinced that the defense

Continue Reading Rankings Are "Powerful," but not Accurate