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XM Satellite Radio Locks Up SEC. Adds Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Vanderbilt PDF Print E-mail
Written by Maury Brown   
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 03:40

XM and SECXM Satellite Radio can now say that they have the SEC covered...completely.

The satcaster, who is already “the official satellite radio provider of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)”, today announced that the University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Florida, and Vanderbilt University will join XM's line-up of SEC sports starting fall 2008.

With the addition of these four schools, XM now broadcasts all 12 SEC institutions.

Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee joined XM in 2007. At the time, XM announced that South Carolina would come aboard in fall 2008. Florida was originally scheduled to join XM in fall 2009, but the Gators will come to XM one year earlier than announced.

XM announced that they have plans to carry every football game for all 12 SEC teams, as well as the majority of men's regular season basketball games. XM will also carry key women's basketball and baseball games during the regular season. XM is also the exclusive satellite radio home of SEC championship football, men's basketball, baseball and women's basketball games.

"We are so proud to welcome Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Vanderbilt to our lineup, allowing our listeners to now hear every team in the SEC on XM," said Eric Logan, executive vice president, programming, XM Satellite Radio. "These are four great institutions with outstanding sports programs and passionate fans. The SEC is one of the most important and competitive conferences in the nation, and through our partnership with the SEC, XM Radio brings hundreds of SEC games to fans living all over the country."

"Our relationship with XM Satellite Radio provides the opportunity to extend the SEC brand to an expanding national audience," SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said. "We are particularly pleased that all 12 SEC member institutions will now be participating in the conference-wide agreement. The extensive SEC programming available on XM will enable people to more closely follow their favorite SEC athletic programs."

.XM is the official satellite radio provider of the six BCS conferences: SEC, ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-10.

SEC games can be heard live and nationwide on XM Radio's SEC channels (XM channels 199 - 201). XM has a special offer on XM radios for SEC fans at http://www.xmradio.com/sec.

Source: XM Satellite Radio

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Maury Brown

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.

Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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Don Imus, "Pacman" Jones and Media Correctness PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jordan Kobritz   
Monday, 30 June 2008 16:46

ImusDon Imus is at it again.

The controversial shock jock was fired last year for referring to the Rutgers women’s basketball players as “nappy-headed hos.” Last week, Imus effectively immersed himself in hot water again as a result of what some are calling a racist interchange.

In a discussion of the legal misfortunes of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, Imus asked on air, “What color is he?” When sports announcer Warner Wolf responded that Jones was “African-American,” Imus replied, “Well, there you go. Now we know.”

Imus later denied that his question was intended to be disparaging. He insisted that he was referring to the fact that blacks in this country are arrested for no reason. But given his previous comments, many observers, the Rev. Al Sharpton among them, were reluctant to cut him any slack.

Fortunately for Imus, WABC, his new employer, stood by the embattled talk guru. And no wonder. Imus’ ratings on WABC are higher than they were on WFAN, his former employer. For now, Imus’ job seems safe, even as criticism of his comments continues.

Imus isn’t the only media personality who has managed to cram both feet in his mouth, nor is he likely to be the last. The same week that Imus tripped over his tongue, NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller was forced to issue an apology for comments he made about Rocco Mediate, the golfer who lost to Tiger Woods in a playoff for the U.S. Open title. Miller said that Mediate “looks like the guy who cleans Tiger’s swimming pool.”

Miller later said he was trying to convey his “affection and admiration for Rocco’s everyman qualities and (my comments) had absolutely nothing to do with (Rocco’s) ethnicity.” Mediate is of Italian heritage.

Miller, like Imus, got off with neither a reprimand nor a suspension. But not every talking head who talks before using their head is as fortunate.

Earlier this year, another golf analyst, Kelly Tilghman of the Golf Channel, was reprimanded and suspended for two weeks after suggesting that the only way Tiger’s competitors could beat him was to “lynch (Woods) in a back alley.” Woods, class act that he is, dismissed Tilghman’s remarks as a “non-issue,” knowing full well that, while her comments were insensitive and inappropriate, they were made in jest and weren’t intended to be malicious or mean-spirited.

The recent spat of on-air “political incorrectness” brings to mind Rush Limbaugh’s brief tenure as an NFL commentator on ESPN’s football show in 2003. Limbaugh suggested that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was “coddled” by the media because he was black. Fearing a media and fan backlash, ESPN quickly severed ties with Limbaugh.

But the “World Wide Leader” could hardly plead innocent in the affair. Limbaugh was hired specifically to stir controversy and to increase ratings, both of which he did. Even though ESPN got what it bargained for, it couldn’t take the heat and turned on the delivery person.

Perhaps the most politically incorrect commentator working today is Charles Barkley, the former NBA star and long time basketball analyst for TNT. Barkley has uttered comments that could be interpreted as racist and insensitive by virtually every sex, color and ethnic group in the universe. Examples include, “People have a right to be gay, but after seeing Beyonce, why would you want to be?”

Barkley, who is black, also referred to the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson as “race-baiters,” conservatives as “fake Christians,” and once responded to a reporter’s question by commenting, “This is why I hate white people.”

Yet Barkley not only remains employed, but almost universally loved and respected. Why? Perhaps it’s because Barkley is an equal-opportunity offender. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Or maybe it’s because he refuses to blame others for his own faults and accepts the blame for his short-comings, as he did recently in admitting that an unpaid gambling debt at a Las Vegas casino was solely his responsibility.

Whatever the reason, Barkley appears to be insulated from the political correctness standards to which other media personalities are held. Whether that’s good or bad is an open question.

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Jordan Kobritz is a regular contributor to the Business of Sports Network. He is a former attorney, CPA, and Minor League Baseball team owner. He is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Eastern New Mexico University, teaches the Business of Sports at the University of Wyoming, and is a contributing author to the Business of Sports Network. Jordan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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15,000 General Admission Tickets for London NFL Game Sell Out in 30 min. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Maury Brown   
Monday, 30 June 2008 04:48
NFLThe 15,000 tickets made available in the second general admission sale for the NFL’s overseas regular-season game on October 26 at Wembley Stadium in London, England sold Friday in 30 minutes.  Last month, the first 40,000 tickets for the game between the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints sold out in 90 minutes.

“Once again this demonstrates the huge interest in the sport in the UK,” said Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of the NFL’s UK office.  “Fans here are excited to be able to see two teams of this caliber playing in the UK, and with a full Wembley Stadium, we expect the atmosphere to be electric when the Saints and Chargers take the field.” 

The NFL has committed to playing at least one game in the UK for each of the next three seasons, beginning with this year’s matchup of teams who have each come within one game of reaching the Super Bowl in the past two seasons.

The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins played the NFL's first regular-season game outside North America last year, when a sellout crowd of 81,176 packed Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 28.  The Giants earned a 13-10 win en route to capturing a Super Bowl title.

Source: National Football League

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Maury Brown

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.

Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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Papa Replaces Gumbel as NFL Network’s Play-by-Play Announcer PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Thursday, 26 June 2008 04:48

NFL NetworkNewsday reported on Wednesday that New York Giants’ play-by-play announcer, Bob Papa, will be named to the same position with the NFL Network. Papa will replace Bryant Gumbel, who resigned after last season. As reported by TICKER:

He [Papa] will work next to Cris Collinsworth, who will continue to serve as the color analyst for the NFL Network’s package of games, which begins on November 10 when the Cleveland Browns host the Denver Broncos.

The NFL Network games will not conflict with his job with the Giants, which will allow him to stay with the team as their play-by-play announcer.

 

Papa beat out current NFL Network anchor Spero Dedes and Tom Hammond for the job.

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

He can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network's Author Profiles
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NFL Network May Partner Up With ESPN PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Thursday, 26 June 2008 04:25

NFL NetworkAccording to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the NFL is “exploring a possible partnership” of the NFL Network and ESPN. As reported by The Sacramento Business Journal:

The report says that NFL Network president and chief executive officer Steve Bornstein has been engaged in "high-level discussions" with Disney executives in recent months. Among others rumored to have been involved with the talks are NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Robert Iger, president and CEO of the Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS), ESPN's parent company.

The report offers one possible scenario in which the NFL Network would combine with ESPN Classic. ESPN could then add to the number of games broadcasted on the NFL Network, which is currently eight per season. This would help the network increase subscription fees.

 

Although the report does confirm that talks have been on-going, it adds there is no reason to believe a deal is imminent.

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NFL Players Help Hometown Tornado Victims PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 05:35

APOn May 25, an F-5 tornado, packing winds in excess of 200 mph, destroyed a small town of 1,900 in Parkersburg, Iowa. The monstrous three-quarters of a mile wide twister needed just 34 seconds to kill six people and demolish the pride and joy of this community: the Aplington-Parkersburg High School, which has produced four active NFL players, fifth most of any high school in the nation.

 

Casey Weigmann (Denver Broncos), Brad Meester (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Jared DeVries (Detroit Lions) gathered in nearby Cedar Falls on Sunday to help raise money to rebuild the school’s athletic program. The fourth A-P alumni, Aaron Kampman (Green Bay Packers) was detained during a trip to Africa, and was unable to attend the fundraiser.

 

The NFL players signed autographs, while “Together We Will” T-shirts and “AP Falcons Tornado Relief” hats were sold.

 

The fundraiser also included a silent auction for signed football jerseys and helmets, as well as signed photos by NFL players and other celebrities.  

 

During a live auction, a Miley Cyrus guitar was sold for $10,000, while the second-highest bidder offered $8,000 to buy another. A Brett Favre autographed jersey brought in $3,100.

 

“I just think it shows that people care, people have big hearts.” DeVries said. “It’s a very tough time for the community, and they’re willing to do whatever they can do.”

 

Jaguars center Brad Meester delivered a check of $90,000. $32,000 came from Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, while the remaining $58,000 was raised through hat sales on Jaguars.com, and donations from some of Meester’s Jaguar teammates.

 

The NFL charity program will match every player donation up to $5,000.

 

“I heard that there would be quite a few people here, but when we walked up and saw a huge line, that meant a lot,” Meester said. “Just knowing that everyone was coming here to help raise some money and support this program. That means a lot.”

 

The players had hoped to raise $100,000 at the fundraiser, although the final total was reportedly close to $200,000.

 

Construction on a new high school is expected to begin August 1.

 

 

SOURCES: ESPN & KWWL - Iowa's News Channel

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

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Recently Retired Strahan Joins Fox NFL Pregame Show PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 04:06

StrahanOn Tuesday, former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan agreed to join the Fox NFL pregame show, in a deal that is reportedly worth $2 million for one season. The announcement comes two weeks after the 15-year veteran retired from the league.

 

Now that he’s a member of the media, Strahan claims he won’t hold back from criticizing former teammates or friends. As reported by ESPN:

“I look at it as I’m on this team now,” he said. “I have to speak objectively and tell the truth of what I see, regardless of if I was in the locker room last season or not, if those guys are my friends or not.”

When Strahan, who was known for battles with the media as a player, was asked what he would do if a player turned down his interview request, he replied, “If somebody does that, then fine, that’s their prerogative. I’ve been there. I understand that.”

 

Many people, Strahan included, believe his charismatic personality make him a great fit for television.

 

“Definitely that youthful factor, just coming off the field, may attract certain people to watch the show, to tune in,” Strahan added. “I think that was definitely one of the things they were going after.”

 

Strahan joins Fox’s core group of analysts in Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson and Howie Long.

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

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Anheuser-Busch to Sponsor New Meadowlands Stadium PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Monday, 23 June 2008 14:43

Jets/GiantsAnheuser-Busch has signed on to fill one of the four “corner sponsors” for the new Jets/Giants stadium, which is scheduled to be ready for the 2010 season. As reported by The NY Daily News:

"We are very proud that great American brands like Budweiser and Bud Light are extending their historic relationship with the Meadowlands by committing so significantly to the future through this cornerstone partnership," Jets chief executive Woody Johnson said.

The announcement came shortly after Metlife signed on to sponsor the first of the four corner sponsors. Each of the four “cornerstone partners” are expected to pay between $10 million and $15 million a year for their sponsorship agreement.

 

Under this agreement, Anheuser-Busch will construct a 25,000 sqaure-foot Budweiser and Bud Light branded plaza, in addition to a 4,000-6,000 square-foot sports bar on the north side of the stadium. The deal also includes a “significant presence” for Anheuser-Busch on Jets/Giants radio broadcasts.

 

Anheuser-Busch is the official beer for 28 of the 32 NFL teams.  

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

He can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network's Author Profiles
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Big Ten Network Nearing First Major Cable Deal with Comcast PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 15:20

Big Ten NetworkThe Big Ten Network, which already has an agreement with DirecTV, is nearing its first major cable deal with Comcast. As reported by Broadcasting & Cable:

A source close to the talks confirmed that Comcast and Big Ten Network are close to a carriage deal that will put the sports network into about 5 million homes for what is described as an extended-basic preview, but one that will last probably from August (the beginning of football season) through March (college basketball).

According to the source, Comcast will be paying “on the low side” of a 70-to 80-cent-per-subscriber price for the channel, down from the reported $1.10 Big Ten Network had been asking.

The source also states that although a deal is near, there is no official agreement. The deal would be limited “to the eight-state area hosting Big Ten college sports teams”.  Comcast will carry the network on a different sports platform outside of those markets.

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

He can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network's Author Profiles
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Cowboys Stadium Site Allows Fans to View Their Seat Before They Buy Tickets PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Friday, 06 June 2008 20:35
Cowboys stadium

In a continuing effort to promote their new stadium in Arlington, the Dallas Cowboys have launched a website dedicated to that specific purpose. As reported by the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram:

 

The interactive map is the newest tool the team is employing to persuade current season-ticket holders to buy into the $1.1 billion stadium under construction in Arlington. The site was launched last week for the 15,000 account holders eligible to purchase reserved seats for the 2009 season.

 

Chad Estis, the Cowboys’ vice president of sales and marketing, says more than 60 percent of the team’s 15,000 account holders have viewed the site since it launched last week. While only account holders can purchase tickets from the site, any fan can view the map’s panoramic images of the stadium.

 

Estes also said his staff of 36 salespeople have spent seven months attempting to sell the most-expensive club seats ($340 per ticket) in one-on-one appointments. However, Estes added that they can’t “meet everyone face to face” to sell their reserved tickets, which price between $59 and $129 per game.

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Former NFL Steroids Dealer Found Shot to Death PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Friday, 06 June 2008 18:45

JacobsFormer NFL steroids dealer David Jacobs and his girlfriend Amanda Jo Earhart-Savell were found shot to death yesterday in Jacobs’ Plano, Texas home. As reported by The Dallas Morning News:

 

Investigators would not say if it was a murder-suicide, but people who knew the pair say Mr. Jacobs was jealous and possessive of Ms. Earhart-Savell, a fitness magazine cover girl described by friends as bubbly, attractive and outgoing. Mr. Jacobs had previously told The Dallas Morning News that their almost yearlong relationship was marked by at least two breakups and reconciliations, centered on allegations of cheating on both sides.

 

Jacobs has been criticized recently for providing the NFL with names of players he supplied performance-enhancing drugs with. He also handed over canceled checks, e-mails, text messages and other evidence, in an effort to help “clean up” the sport.

 

"We are reviewing the information to determine if there is documented evidence establishing any violations of our program and will follow up on any other information that is provided," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday. "It is premature to comment on any specific player at this time."

 

One of the players Jacobs claims he sold steroids to was former Cowboys lineman Matt Lehr. No other player names have been released.

 

On May 1, Jacobs accepted a plea deal that included three years probation and a $25,000 fine on charges related to steroid trafficking.

 

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Cowboys, Bank of America Extend Sponsorship Deal PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Kappel   
Friday, 06 June 2008 14:41
Bank of America

The Dallas Cowboys and Bank of America have reached an agreement to extend their current sponsorship deal for another 10 years. An announcement is expected sometime today. As reported by the Dallas News:

 

The agreement, which begins in the 2009 season, will give the nation’s largest retail bank rights as the “official” bank of the Cowboys, along with game tickets, a fantasy camp, a suite at the new stadium, as well as signage and the ATMs there.

 

The company will be allowed to continue their advertising of Cowboys-branded banking products, and will be considered one of the five “Founding Partners” for the estimated $1.1 billion Arlington stadium.

 

Officials would not release any financial details, but sources close to the situation estimate the deal’s worth to be about $40 million.

 

Walter Elcock, president of Bank of America Texas, said the Cowboys’ “iconic branding and nationwide appeal” is part of what attracts fans to the team, making them an ideal partner.

 

“The Cowboys play as strong in the East and the West as they do here, and cross many socioeconomic groups,” Elcock said.

 

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones went on to add: “For nearly two decades, Bank of America has been a strong and active partner of the Dallas Cowboys. We are very proud to build upon that relationship with this significant extension, which offers new and exciting ways for us to team up and celebrate Cowboys football with customers and fans throughout the region.”

 

The Bank of America, which has also held sponsorship agreements with the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins, has sponsored the Cowboys since 1993.

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