Reader SF sent me this new quote from Peter Gammons's Wikipedia Page that just cracked me up. Enjoy....

On February 29, 2008, Gammons admitted to using performance-enchancing drugs including but not limited to anabolic steroids over the past four years. Many speculators have questioned whether this has been the primary reason for his outstanding performance, especially near the downside of his career.

Well that's good to know and I love how he admitted to doing so during a random Spring Training game at Disney World. Good job Peter...the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Peter Gammons (Wikipedia)

This clip via Deadspin is just about the most hilarious thing ever put together. Not only is Trev Alberts debating when Sportscasters became Famous and talking about blogs, but he even gives himself a nickname.

The Trevy? Okaaaay. I would have gone with "The Trevster" or "Trevulan the Great", but The Trevy??? Oh and to answer your question Trev....I can't pinpoint the exact moment but seek Chris Berman and Stuart Scott to find your answer.

(Also, Trev Alberts is still alive?)

Trev Alberts muses on Deadspin's Media Approval Ratings (Deadspin)

I think it was last night when ABC had a commercial debuting a reality show about couples, that I felt the full brunt of the Writer's Strike. There's really no good TV on outside of Lost. Well the best new Sports show I've seen in awhile is actually making new episodes and they'll be debuting them all through March. FSN's Sports Science.....

Sunday, March 16 — Field Warriors. Host John Brenkus and his team of scientists examine the most dramatic injuries ever suffered in a sporting event and get first-person accounts of the athletes who survived the injuries that force people to look away.

Sunday, March 23 — Tricks of the Trade. One of the most popular clichés in sports is "it's a game of inches." It wouldn't be so popular, if it wasn't true. This episode analyzes the most minute details to see how the smallest tricks can have the biggest impact on the game.

Sunday, March 30 — Gear Factor. Does protective gear actually protect? Is the equipment the professionals use really the best available for their respective sports?

Sunday, April 6 — Degree of Difficulty. The ultimate sports question gets an answer when the playing field is leveled scientifically — what is the hardest thing to do in sports?

Sunday, April 13 — Bet You Couldn't Do That Again. The ultimate "Did you see that?" plays. Sport Science takes the once-in-a-lifetime plays that fans are sure they'll never see again and tries to recreate them to analyze the science of trajectory, the mathematical principle called the probability chain and challenge geometry.

Sunday, April 20 — Best of Sport Science. A look back at the best segments, most interesting experiments, most surprising results and the best reactions from the nearly 100 athletes who entered the Sport Science lab.

Not only are the shows interesting but they have a pretty impressive lineup of guests to add to the pieces. The list includes: Clint Malarchuk, Joey Porter, Jason Kapono, Maurice Jones-Drew, Sebastian Janikowski, Quentin Jammer, "Rampage" Jackson, Abby Wambach, Alexander Ovechkin, and Matt Leinart

A show that shows how dangerous it is to get hit in the balls with a Baseball is all right in my book.



FSN's Sport Science returns with new episodes (FOX Sports)

Yesterday the tag team effort of Mike Florio and Chris Mottram started a tidal wave of responses to a potential Brett Favre retirement. A news station in Wisconsin immediately picked up the story at around 1:30pm yesterday and called the Packers PR Department. It was all very exciting trust me.

Well MSMers picked up on it shortly after and the results were hilarious and frustrating at the same time. Let's take a look shall we....

The Associated Press- The AP decided to run with the story at around 3pm and various Sports sites used their content. NBC Sports, SI, and TSN all used a story that didn't give credit to any source. Not their fault, but how did the AP find it? Hmmm.

FOX Sports- FOX amazingly ran the same AP story but they took the screengrab from The Sporting Blog and used the tag "Special to FOXSports.com". I'm pretty sure they weren't given permission.

CBS- By far the worst of the batch. They didn't credit the source and even cut out the SportingNews.com watermark seen on the original photo. Just amazing.

So who got it right? Well you would never guess, but....

ESPN!- They originally credited PFT but changed the paragraph to read:

Several Internet sites have screen captures of the page that show Favre's picture with a caption saying, "Packers quarterback Brett Favre has announced that he will retire."

Is it really that hard to admit that a blog got to a story before a Mainstream Media source? I just don't get what the problem is.

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Yesterday's Winners....


"Hey '' Big Papi '' can you do your Cookie Monster impersonation for us"- Anon

"Was there a sale on charcoal gray suits at Mens Warehouse?"- Hercules Rockefeller

"So Lebron, you think Soul Glo will work for me, too?"- Boston Sucks My Blog

"So, David, what strategry did you use to beat the Yankees?"- Anon
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this photo of Kobe doing something?


Daily Links:

Everyone Wants In On The Blogger-Kornheiser Fight (LAist)
Rovell Joins The Generals (CNBC: Sports Biz)
Nooses Really Aren't Funny (Soup Cans)
Save Wrigley! (I'm Writing Sports)
How To Survive The Fantasy Baseball Season (Ghosts of Wayne Fontes)
Bad Dunks Are Definitely Entertaining (The Howevah Files)
What Did We Learn From The Combine? (Rumors and Rants)
And What About Past Years In Inday? (The Sports Hernia)

So Greenie decided early today that he was going to ask Bobby Knight about Indiana and he delivered on that when ESPN's newest analyst was on M&M this morning. After Bobby Knight talked about defensive lineman and rebounding for 5 minutes (I seriously could not follow him on that one), Mike popped the question....

You have to credit Greenberg for asking the question, but I don't know what he expected. I say it's about a week before Knight goes off on somebody. This is going to be fun.

Have you ever wondered how much time Sports Center devotes to each sport in a month? Of course you have. Well have I got a study for you! Sports Business Daily took the time to watch every clip of the 11pm edition for the month of November and here are the results.

Boxing- 0:00:25
Etc- 1:19:32
MLB- 1:35:23
MLS- 0:02:28
MMA- 0:00:00
NASCAR- 0:47:13
NBA- 3:46:36
NCAA Basketball- 1:53:13
NCAA Football- 4:38:22
NCAA Women's Basketball- 0:05:15
NCAA Other Sports- 0:00:00
NFL- 10:40:46
NHL- 0:32:58
Olympics- 0:00:53
Tennis- 0:01:46
WNBA- 0:00:00

Obviously football was going to dominate, but it actually seems like they DO cover Hockey. I never would have guessed. 32 minutes compared to almost 2 hours of College Basketball is probably similar to local coverage and other highlight shows around the Country.

Also, 11 hours of Football coverage! That's just amazing.

(Via Sports Business Daily)

I know this video has nothing to do with anything but it's downright hilarious. Vince Carter is being asked about new Net PG Devin Harris and how he played in practice. Wait...he practiced?

We talkin' bout practice. Practice. Seriously Vince.

(Via Fanhouse)

Good lord these two are so blatantly random that it makes laugh so hard I cry....

I think I lost it when he said they broke curfew and Erin Andrews was hinting she was hungover. They just don't care.

(Thanks to HK for the clip)

You pretty much knew this was coming right? ESPN announced today that Bobby Knight will be joining their stable of ex-coaches and players starting March 12th. He will be utilized across a multitude of platforms but most notably as an analyst during Championship Week....

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I men’s college basketball with 902 victories, will join ESPN as a men’s college basketball studio analyst during the network’s coverage of Championship Week Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and through the NCAA Tournament. Knight will begin Wednesday, March 12 from ESPN’s Bristol studios and conclude Monday, April 7 from ESPN’s set in San Antonio, Texas, site of the NCAA Final Four. As part of the agreement, Knight will also appear on select ESPN shows and platforms, including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.

“I think ESPN has been real good for college basketball and I look forward to working with some of their people who I have known a long time,” said Knight.

Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production, added, “Coach Knight is a legend with a depth of knowledge on tournament basketball. Fans have always found him to be a compelling listen and we are delighted to add his insights to our tournament coverage.”

So I guess the question is how much do you think Bobby Knight gets paid for just under a month's worth of work? Oh and by "compelling listen" do you mean "obnoxious a**hole"??? I kid I kid (not really). I think I was pretty dead on with this quote three weeks ago....

"He's just not a good fit for television which means ESPN will hire him later today."

So Is Bobby Knight Heading To TV? (Awful Announcing)

(Via ESPN)

I've said it time and time again, but the 11pm Sports Center is absolutely hilarious. It's almost like the true talent and people with humor at ESPN sit around all day and come up with ideas to try out. Like how many Bruce Springsteen songs can we name during the show?

Reader SG pointed me to this clip and he said that this continued throughout the show. If they got 10 out during the opening do you think they could get through the whole Bruce catalog? Roger Clemens is up "The River" without a paddle???

Ever since I saw two frisbee catching dogs run into each other at full speed during an Indoor Soccer game halftime show, I'm always looking out for potential halftime injuries. This one looks pretty damn bad.....

The build up is tremendous and the dunk was awesome, but he might have over rotated (no s**t!) just a bit.

Trampoline Dunking is Perfectly Safe (With Leather)

(If someone gets the "no s**t" reference, you win the internets)

The last great hurdle for UFC was to get some larger sponsors on board in an effort to achieve the credibility that they've been so desperately looking for to compete with Boxing. Well that big sponsor has been signed and it should be very familiar to Boxing fans.....Budweiser. Here are the details via Sports Biz....

In January, UFC signed Harley Davidson Harley-Davidson Inc to put its name in the Octagon and today, UFC announced a deal with Anheuser Busch, as Bud Light will become the new exclusive sponsor for the UFC. The brand will be featured on the Octagon center mat and on the vertical bumpers beginning with UFC 84 in Las Vegas on May 24.

Now that is huge. First of all, they are the biggest advertiser in sports, spending 80 percent of their total national TV spending dollars ($141 million of $171 million) on sports from January to Sept. 2007, according to Nielsen. And some go as far as to call them the greatest advertiser in all of sports.

That is huge, especially as Rovell notes the only other big sponsors they had have gone out of business. I still haven't personally gotten in to the Sport, but many have and this can only help them in the long run.

This Bud (Weiser) Is For UFC--Wise Move? (CNBC: Sports Biz)

At around 1pm, PFT and C-Mottram at TSB saw that Packers.com had a story up with the title "Breaking News: Favre to Retire". The story had no words, just a title and a photo, and it has since been taken down. But screengrabs exist, so let's go to the video tape, er photo.....


Well Wisconsin's WTJM just spoke with Packers PR and this is their response.....

A Packers spokesman tells Newsradio 620 WTMJ the posting should give fans no reason to believe it's actually going to happen.

"There's nothing to it," says Packers Public Relations Director Jeff Blumb. He stated they prepare this story every year, just in case he does retire. Blumb also stated the team had the same story last year, and he chose to return.

Hmm okay then. So it was just some dumbass that hit publish? Riiiight. Someone put ESPN on the clock and see how long it takes them to pick this up.

Favre Could Maybe, Possibly Be Retiring (Again) (The Sporting Blog)
Favre Rumors Swirl; Packers: "Nothing To It" (WTMJ)

So USA Today did an piece on ESPN's Doug Gottlieb that kind of blew my mind. He and Bob Wischusen let the paper follow him around for a week or so and here are some of the highlights....

- There are days when he's on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN.com and ESPN Radio. In between are appearances — via cellphone — on other radio shows, calls he makes while checking into a hotel, eating lunch, waiting in line for coffee or driving home.

-"Anybody ever had a bulldog?" he asks while a mascot performs during a timeout in another game. "Most gaseous dog ever, right?"

-His recall so acute that ESPN College GameDay host Scott Reiss and ESPN "bracketologist" Joe Lunardi refer to him as "Rain Man."

-"I am the way I am because I would watch guys (while growing up) and think, 'Why don't they just say what they are really thinking?'"

- "Sometimes I badly strive not to come across as the know-it-all," he says. "And yet I'm in a job in which you are supposed to be a know-it-all. How do you relate what is happening without coming off as the pain-in-the-(rear) know-it-all."

I don't know how and when the USA Today became ESPN The Newspaper, but these pieces illustrate how perfectly the ESPN PR machine operates. How do they get the largest paper in the Country to do a 1,600 word feature story on an analyst!? And not even a top-tier analyst (even though he should be). It's just amazing what that paper does for ESPN.

Other than that it's a pretty good read if you're an announcing nerd like me.

ESPN personality Doug Gottlieb: Wired for candor (USA Today)

Cris Carter was on M&M this morning to talk Football and it didn't take long for the ex-Receiver and HBOer to make his mark. The subject was Randy Moss and not only did Carter share the advice he gave him but he also had a few choice words for the Oakland Raiders...

"Oakland is a cesspool. If you want to die right now.....I mean who wants to go to Oakland?"- CC

He's obviously talking about the team and not the city but those are some pretty harsh words. I was actually hoping for an honest voice that could add to football conversations. Hopefully he hasn't been prepped to fill Salisbury's vacant loudmouth role. That would be disappointing.

Cris Carter on Randy Moss: 'I Told Him I Was Flat-Out Disappointed in What He Had Done' (Fanhouse)

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Yesterday's Winners....


"Erin Andrews (finish sentence)."- Paterno Lives

"Who stole my violin????"- Frank

"Well, we won't be number one anymore, but at least I finally figured out "Slow Ride""- mplant

"Pearl resorted to hand signals when he learned that players could not hear him over his jacket."- Free Vick

"MAIDEN! MAAAAAAAIIIIIIDEN!!!!!"- Diggity Dawg
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this photo of David Ortiz at the White House yesterday?


Daily Links:

Dwayne Wade Meets Blue Chips (You Tube via Extra Mustard)
Bush Being Bush, Makes Fun Of Manny (Boston Sportz)
The Top 10 Erin Andrews Moments (All Balls)
Turning The NBA Into The BCS (Simon on Sports)
Student Athletes Are Getting Screwed (Fynal Cut)
A Lot Of Ex-Football Players Run For Office Don't They? (Cake Rocks The Party)
On The Red Sox And Their Fashion Choices (Out in Center Field)
Sam Zell Is An Asshat (Rumors and Rants)
Bill Belichick And Lesbians? (Lion In Oil)
A Nice New Baseball Site With A Clever Name (Out of Write Field)
Analyzing The Movie Little Big League (The Money Shot)

Reader TE emailed me this morning and told me I had to find this hilarious clip of Mike and Mike with Steve Phillips talking about the autograph he just signed. He was right....it is hilarious.

It's nice of Phillips to oblige a fan, but seriously...it's okay to tell a guy to shove off. I wouldn't go as far as Golic said though. Could that have been some leftover roid rage?

This video is awesomely weird on so many levels. Not only is Pierre McGuire a REALLY close talker but at the 1:45 mark the whole conversation gets taken to a new level. Via TSB....

"You're an announcer with a long stick from time to time."- PM

Riiiiiight. So you like to talk about long sticks eh? Also, Pierre.....no one cares about the logo on the screen. Back the hell up!

Pierre McGuire Needs to Take a Giant Step Back (The Sporting Blog)

After all that Dana Jacobson has been through she deserves a trip to Orlando. ESPN will be filming their shows from lovely Orlando, Florida throughout the week and I have your schedule. Not so you can find your favorite shows, but what they're missing. Like at 9:52AM on Friday......"Receive shipment of 222's for the Big Guy".

Thurs., Feb. 28

6 a.m.- Mike & Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio)
10 a.m.- The _____ with [He who shall not be named] (ESPN Radio)
10 a.m.- First Take (ESPN2)
1 p.m.- The Mike Tirico Show (ESPN Radio)
2:30 p.m.- The Best of Mike & Mike(ESPN)
3 p.m.- 1st and 10 (ESPN)
4 p.m.- NFL Live (ESPN)
4 p.m.- Jorge Ramos y Hernan (ESPN Deportes Radio)

Fri., Feb. 29

6 a.m.- Mike & Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio)
10 a.m.- The _____ with [He who shall not be named] (ESPN Radio)
10 a.m.- First Take (ESPN2)
1 p.m.- The Mike Tirico Show (ESPN Radio)
2:30 p.m.- The Best of Mike & Mike (ESPN)
3 p.m.- 1st and 10 (ESPN)
4 p.m.- NFL Live (ESPN)
4 p.m.- SportsNation (ESPN Radio)
6 p.m.- SportsCenter (ESPN)
1 p.m.- MLB Spring Training **
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves- Gary Thorne, John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Peter Gammons (ESPN)

Sat., Mar. 1

10 a.m.- SportsCenter (ESPN)
12 p.m.- The Pulse (ESPN News)
4 p.m.- The Baseball Show: Spring Training Special (ESPN Radio)
6 p.m.- SportsCenter (ESPN)

Sun., Mar. 2

10:30 a.m.- SportsCenter (ESPN)
4 p.m.- Baseball Tonight (ESPN)
6:30 p.m.- SportsCenter (ESPN)

We've already seen Dana Jacobson licking a giant lollipop and Steve Phillips being requested to sign an autograph as "Met Killer" (video coming). Good times. Feel free to add what's missing in the comments.

(Via ESPN)

You may have already seen this, but I hadn't until last night so it's new to me. Last year's Dickie V Hooters Commercial was kind of awkward but was still kind of funny. This year's is just awkward. Any time there's a baby-o-meter and a voice over lady says, "Please save the babies for Dickie V", it's going to weird me out.

Dude they filmed my life! Watch the tournament at Hooters, eat their crappy..er great food, and imitate Dickie V. Awesome baby!!!

I think I'm going to completely bypass all of the fun I could have with this situation because it's never good to see people hurt, but this is a must see video. The Duke Blue Devil Mascot was doing one of it's ever-so-cool stunts by surfing over some fans when he decided to jump off. Not a good idea....

So surfing over people and making a one foot leap to the ground ISN'T a good idea? Good to know (I love you Duke fans...please don't be pissed)! I think this is actually the second time Mike Patrick has completely cracked me up (the first being Britney). Too funny.

So CBS, Sheraton, and 23 NCAA Sports have somehow linked up and made Sheraton the "Official" Hotel of CBS and the NCAAs....

The Sheraton brand's NCAA partnership provides the global hotel brand with category exclusivity in 23 sports, including basketball and football, and marketing rights to all 88 NCAA Championship events and integrated media, including the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The partnership provides opportunities for Sheraton to reach approximately 1,200 member schools and 360,000 student-athletes across 50 states and is one component of a larger effort to dramatically differentiate the guest experience at the Sheraton hotels, currently rolling out nationwide.

Sheraton is launching the sponsorship with a multi-faceted marketing campaign that includes TV, online and on-property activation, as well as a unique effort to engage fans by bringing back an all-time fan favorite - the "wave."

Umm okay....first of all the "Wave" is not a fan favorite and the millions (probably thousands) who protest it by sitting down instead of standing are insulted Sheraton! Second, this seems like a pretty damn good deal for Sheraton if you ask me and being someone who used to work for the company...I applaud you. As a Sheraton employee I got to deliver Damon Bailey and Alan Henderson room service when I was in the 10th Grade.

(Via CBS)

Now this is a fight I'd love to see....Michael Wilbon versus Washington Post Blogger/Columnist Dan Steinberg. This video basically just rehashes the bickering between Washington Area personalities over the past few days, but it's kind of funny and a bit awkward. From about 40 seconds in until 4 minutes in, Kornheiser and Wilbon talk about blogs and how Wilbon plans on beating Steinberg's ass (2:30)....

"Cheeseboy, if I'm coming after you, I will just come and beat ya ass down....I'm gonna go South Side on you, Cheeseboy. I'm gonna come and beat you down."- MW

Too funny. I'd probably take Wilbon (sorry Steinz) but it could be a heck of a fight. Us tall and lanky guys are always the ones you have to worry about. Actually let's gather up all the DC Area Sports Bloggers, Tony and Mikey can have D.A., Arch Campbell and Stat Boy....and we can go at this West Side Story style (rhythmically snaps fingers). Oh or better yet.....



Wilbon Threatens to Beat Me Down (DC Sports Bog)

Being one of the millions of people who got caught up in the Moneyball movement, I'm excited that 60 Minutes is planning to do a feature story on author and Red Sox Consultant Bill James in the near future. Via the Providence Journal's Sawx Blog....

A crew from ``60 Minutes'' is here this morning, led by longtime correspondent Morley Safer. The show is preparing a feature on Bill James, who serves as a consultant to the Sox and is the father of the sabermetrics movement and statistical analysis.

Safer plans to interview a number of people from the Baseball Operations staff and manager Terry Francona about James later today.

The father of Sabermetrics should be an interesting interview and I always love 60 Minutes' trips into the world of Sports (yes, even the Derek Jeter interview).

Waiting... (Projo)

Hell, I know I do! ESPN's got nine games this Spring Training Season and they even have one just for "The Weekend" this Friday!!! Hey I'll take what I can get in the middle of the day before Championship Week starts. Here's the schedule....

Fri., Feb. 29
L.A. Dodgers vs. Atlanta from Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Gary Thorne, John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Peter Gammons

Wed., March 5
Minnesota vs. N.Y.Yankees from Tampa, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Gary Thorne, Rick Sutcliffe

Thu., March 6
L.A. Dodgers vs. Boston from Ft. Myers, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Sean McDonough, Steve Phillips, Peter Gammons

Fri., March 7
N.Y. Mets vs. Cleveland from Winter Haven, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Karl Ravech, Rick Sutcliffe

Tue., March 18
Washington vs. Detroit from Lakeland, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Dan Shulman, Steve Phillips, Orel Hershiser, Peter Gammons

Wed., March 19
Toronto vs. Boston from Ft. Myers, Fla. (ESPN, Noon)- Jon Sciambi, Steve Phillips

Thu., March 20
N.Y. Yankees vs. Toronto from Dunedin, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Sean McDonough, Orestes Destrade, Candy Maldonado, Peter Gammons

Fri., March 21
Chicago Cubs at Colorado from Tucson, Ariz. (ESPN, 4pm)- Dave O’Brien, Orel Hershiser

Thu., March 27
N.Y. Mets vs. Atlanta from Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (ESPN, 1pm)- Dave O’Brien, Steve Phillips

Wait, is that really a Candy Maldonado sighting? It is! How about that? You learn something new everyday....I didn't even know he was an ESPN analyst. This should be a fun month. Who wants to take off a few days from work and join me???

(Via ESPN)

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Yesterday's Winners....


"Jay (without moving mouth): "What's Dana doing?"
Donovan (without moving mouth): "Not my responsibility, dude, she came with you."
Dana: "Hey, Minnie loves Jack Daniels too ... belch."- Anon

"Hey look, it's a real celebrity! Wave kids!"- Matt

"Look Skip Bayless is in a contrived debate with Goofy over which theme park is better Epcot or Animal Kingdom. And Bayless is losing!"- Mal

"Thats one threesome that I refuse to play: f*ck, marry, kill with."- Jim Harbaugh Scramble
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this photo of Bruce Pearl during last night's loss to Vandy?


Daily Links:

RIP Myron Cope (Black and Gold Chotchkes)
A Look Into MLB Team Slogans For 2008 (Sports Media Journal)
PTI For Nerds (You Tube via MCB)
Who Have Been The Most Consistent In Conference Play? (Vegas Watch)
McFadden Is A Stud On Many Levels (Rumors and Rants)
Bonds Loves Him Some Shrimp (E True Sports)
Get On That Court Vandy Fans! (Mac G's World)
Kings Fans Aren't Handling The Bibby Trade Well (The Play in CA)
Yao Ming, Killing Fantasy Teams Since 2002 (For the Love of Sports)

I don't think I've ever witnessed such a great idea at the time become such a complete mess just as quickly as the Big Ten Network has. BTN and most notably Comcast have been in a standoff even before the network was launched, and while they've come close to a deal it's the BTN that has held steadfast to their demands. Now Big Ten Coaches who once supported the network are speaking out on the channel....

"I think it has been a PR nightmare," Izzo said Monday. "And, I think it has hurt all of us. We have so many things right now that we're trying to fight ... and then we throw this at them," Izzo said. "I make more calls than I ever have this year to people that write me, really upset about it. ... It bothers me."

"Five years from now, if cable companies pick it up does it end up better than it was and we're just going through a bad time?" he asked. "I just don't like the bad time being on my dime."

The Big Ten Network and Comcast tried to be upbeat Tuesday in their responses to Izzo's comments.

"We clearly know it's been a difficult situation for fans and we are working very hard to reach agreements with other cable companies so that they can have access to the network," said Elizabeth Conlisk, Big Ten Network vice president of communications. "Coach Izzo has been enormously supportive of the network. For him to express his frustration, it only makes us say we're not happy with the situation, either."

Well shit....couldn't they have just listened to every Sports fan in America the first few months of the Football season and figured this out? Why the hell does it take the league's most prominent Basketball coach to change things???

It's one thing to want to make something of a new network and actually succeed, but the Big Ten Network is now the model of how NOT to do things.

Izzo on Big Ten Network: a 'PR nightmare' (Sporting News)
Izzo: Big Ten Network is 'PR nightmare' (The Detroit News)

Add yet another Movie that ESPN has worked into it's programming. It was Die Hard 4 back in June, but they've been turning to Sports movies as of late. We got Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and The Gameplan last go around, but now we can add Semi Pro to that ever growing list.

I think I'm at the point in my life where I can't take anymore Will Ferrell. The dude is everywhere and his schtick has just gotten stale. With that said, I will probably still see the movie and laugh my ass off.

Oh and Bill....please retire those shorts.

Is it really time to start talking about Baseball again? Do I have to??? Okay okay....fine. TBS is putting themselves in the business of Sunday Baseball next season with most games being aired around 1pm. Why is that? Well in the first two months of the season, seven of the eight games aired are all Midwest or Eastern Games (how about that for bias?)....

Sunday, April 6 1:00 p.m.- Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays

Sunday, April 13 1:30 p.m.- Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia Phillies

Sunday, April 20 1:30 p.m.- LA Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves

Sunday, April 27 1:00 p.m.- NY Yankees @ Cleveland Indians

Sunday, May 4 4:00 p.m.- NY Mets @ Arizona Diamondbacks

Sunday, May 11 1:00 p.m.- NY Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

Sunday, May 18 1:30 p.m.- Milwaukee Brewers @ Boston Red Sox

Sunday, May 25 1:00 p.m.- Seattle Mariners @ NY Yankees

New York/Boston/New York/Boston/New York/Boston....that's pretty much how it is every season now right? Anyway, there are some great matchups in there and hopefully TBS can improve on their call of games now that they have some regular season games before the Playoffs.

Chip Caray is your lead (greaaaat) for each game and the analysts will more than likely rotate around for the first few months of TBS Baseball. Don't look now but it's only a month away.

Those quotes that ESPN released last night seemed so nice and both parties seemed okay with the decision. Well that's not the case this morning. Sean Salisbury is now claiming that he was underpaid, unappreciated and he was "tired of it". Via the LA Times....

"I'm a free agent," he said. "I've been liberated. I knew this was coming, but I couldn't be happier.

"I'd grown tired of being punished for not being an NFL superstar. Analysts who don't work as hard as me, don't prepare as hard as me, and don't have my resume were making more than me just because of their ability to throw or catch a football.

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity ESPN gave me, but they had capped my ceiling. There was only so far I could go there.

"I'd done nothing wrong, and if you hear otherwise, it's not true. I did everything that was asked of me."

Well then....don't we have a little situation on our hands now? That's an interesting comment on the pay scale and according to the article Salisbury says the departure was mutual??? Even more interesting.

Hmmm, methinks someone might be leaving some information out.

Sean Salisbury says parting with ESPN was mutual (LA Times)

(Thanks to ZA for the link)

So the Jimmy Dykes duet with Vince Gill went down as planned last night, and I have to say I was pretty impressed. I'm not the hugest Country fan in the World but JD seems to know his way around the mic....

That boy can sang! Anytime you can sing about whiskey, rolling pins, and beating people up....I'm down. Look out American Idol!

Jimmy Dykes To Sing A Duet With Vince Gill? (Awful Announcing)

Whoo Vandy Basketball!!! F**k You!

In all fairness to the kid ESPN went to the crowd while they were chanting a**hole at Bruce Pearl after he got a technical. I think the Producer had that one coming.

For those of you that had Sean Salisbury in the "Who will be fired because of Cris Carter's hiring" pool.....give yourself a hand. The former NFL QB has released a statement and so has the "Leader"....

Sean Salisbury: “I want to thank ESPN for 12 great years of talking football on TV and the radio. I have grown as much as I can at ESPN and decided to expand my horizons. I have created a brand and it’s time to expand into other opportunities in TV, radio, Internet, publishing, movies and public speaking, among others. My resume speaks for itself as a football analyst, and I believe I can talk all sports with the best of them.”

ESPN’s statement: “Sean Salisbury has made many contributions to our efforts for the past 12 years. We thank him and wish him all the best.”

Twelve years is a damn long time, and it definitely doesn't seem that long in regards to Salisbury. There is no official word on who's decision this was, but the Star Tribune is reporting that ESPN decided not to renew his contract. I personally couldn't stand him as an analyst and I knew few who could. Hopefully this mean that ESPN is switching up their style over substance positioning as of late. Jaws is obviously better than Theismann and Carter is definitely an improvement over Salisbury.

I fully expect Sean Salisbury to be on a Best Damn Sports type show in no time. Oh and please leave your ESPN Mobile Phone at the door on your way out for evidence.

Former Viking leaves ESPN (Star Tribune)

(Thanks to ML for the tip, via ESPN PR)

It's not like I was waiting for him to do so, but he's probably the last Radio personality to not either "use" their content or mention them on-air. DC Sports Bog has the particulars from his radio show this morning, and the name of the site that drew his ire yesterday. It's not even a Sports related site either....

Yesterday I was all over what is affectionately referred to at PTI as "The Blogosphere." And David, you do blogging, so you know about this. There are four or five sports blogs that are out there that are read on a daily basis by a lot of people in the sports business, and I'm going to name them so that they know that I know what they are: Deadspin I think is probably first among equals, there's something called The Big Lead, there's something called With Leather--the explanation for which I can't go into due to my employment circumstance--and there's one called Kissing Suzy Kolber. Am I leaving any out that are big?....

....So this was about, I might as well say this, there's a guy in town (DCRTV) who writes a blog about radio and television, ok? And it's about him. It's about him. I think I called him a fat naked mole rat, but I don't even know if he's fat. I've never met him, I've never seen him. I'm quite sure he's a naked mole rat.

A couple of things. What exactly is a naked mole rat? Also, I like how he almost made it seem like PTI was responsible for the term "Blogosphere". I personally never understood DCRTV and I didn't think it was that widely read, but apparently the writer knows how to get under people's skin. I can think of at least three DC area shows that regularly bring his site up, two of them national.

I almost like Tony's response to the topic and it was certainly not as uninformed as Wilbon's and degrading as [He who shall not be named]'s were. If you don't read you don't read....I can live with that.

Kornheiser Names His Blogging Enemy (DC Sports Bog)

ESPN has just released a statement that for some reason they are adding yet ANOTHER ex-player to the mix of analysts covering Football for the network. Cris Carter will be joining the team next season as analyst!

Former All Pro wide receiver Cris Carter has joined ESPN as an NFL studio analyst and will appear on NFL Live, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS, among other programs. As part of his multiplatform role, the 16-year NFL veteran will also contribute analysis on ESPN Radio and be part of ESPN’s 2008 NFL Draft coverage. Carter will begin April 1. He will also participate in ESPN The Weekend this weekend (February 29 – March 2) at Walt Disney World Resort.

Man they waste no time getting him involved do they? Ship him to Orlando stat! In all seriousness this is probably one of their better hires over the past few years. Carter has always been solid on HBO and I always thought his insight could be used more throughout the league.

Now we can only hope they don't drop someone now that they've got 8 ex-players/coaches (Mike Ditka, Merril Hoge, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Mark Schlereth, Emmitt Smith, and Steve Young) to deal with. Just don't let it be Emmitt because then I'd only have Berman left to make fun of next season.

(Via ESPN PR)

I bet you didn't know that Dick Vitale is a Rays Fan did you? Neither did I, but it makes sense...he's in their demographic (65+ in Florida). Well Dick Vitale will be the first person to tell you that steroids are bad, but Bonds in Tampa? Sure!

I love how he just wants to completely change the way Tampa has done things for....well their entire existence....and start blowing money on over-the-hill power hitters. Hey, we're never going to beat the Sox or Yankees but let's throw about $20+ million (just a guess based on last year's salaries) out there for the hell of it! Good thinking Vitale.

I rather enjoy Nick Faldo on CBS and the Golf Channel, but it seems he can occasionally go a bit too far in his critiques. The analyst recently switched from Nike to Adidas-Taylor made and he went into a lengthy explanation of how Nike's products are inferior (specifically golf balls).

Faldo apologized a hole later saying that his comments "lacked good judgement", but that wasn't enough as the Golf Channel felt the need to release a statement today....

Golf Channel also issued a statement, which read in part, "His opinions do not always reflect those of the Golf Channel. In this particular instance ... using the Golf Channel in this context was not appropriate." Nike Golf Dir of PR Beth Gast: "These comments were all the more inappropriate having come just days after he signed with TaylorMade-adidas. He has apologized on-air and we consider this isolated incident as closed."

I guess it's a bit sketchy when he just switched products a few days before the comments, and especially when you consider Nike's Golden Boy was ripping up the competition over the weekend. While it may be true, TV airwaves aren't the place to make a pitch for your new sponsor.

The Golf Channel just isn't having a good past month or so are they?

(Quote via SBD)

According to Sports Business Daily, Charles Barkley is set to be re-upped by TNT later this week and part of his new contract will have him making face time on NBA TV....

Turner is close to re-signing NBA analyst Charles Barkley to a multi-year deal that will see the Basketball HOFer appear on both TNT and NBA TV, according to well-placed industry sources. The deal, which will pay Barkley mid-seven figures per year for at least the next four years, is expected to be finalized this week. The deal is significant for NBA TV, which has been coveting the popular sportscaster since January when Turner agreed to take over the operations of NBA TV and NBA.com.

I personally can't get enough of Chuck, and while NBA TV isn't necessarily bad, it could use some spicing up. I'd love to see Barkley and Snapper Jones debate about anything. Actually they should be running mates when he runs for Governor of Alabama!

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Yesterday's Winners....


"Meanwhile back at the Legion of Doom, Lex Luthor hatches his latest plan to the Riddler and Gorilla Grodd"- Jeff Hawkins

"Q: Who will lose this daring bet?!?
A: The American public."- doneycat

"That makes me angry, and when Dr. Evil gets angry, Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset. And when Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset... people DIE!"- Anon

"DUEL!"- Anon

"Look directly at Greenberg's eyes for five seconds. Congratulations. This image is now permanently burned into your retinas."- Collin

Damn you Collin!
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In honor of ESPN the Weekend kicking off can you create a caption for this photo of Jay, Donovan and Dana?


Daily Links:

Howard Stern Seems To Like Alycia Lane (Philly Will Do)
The UK's Answer To Gus Johnson (SS Reporters)
Great Photo Of Jon Stewart From His Soccer Playing Days (HHR)
Athletes In Movies! Good Times. (All Balls)
Wait, Kelvin Sampson Has A Court Named After Him? (The Big Picture)
Welcome To Boston, Colon (Warning Track Power)
Steve Nash Might Actually Be A Liability (Empty The Bench)
Bonds To Tampa Would Be Fun! (I'm Writing Sports)
Mo Vaughn Was A Sci-Fi Nerd! (Red Sox Monster)
A Look At Which 1-AA Football Coaches Might Make The Jump (Digital Headbutt)
GFH Is Live-Blogging The NHL Trade Deadline (Going Five Hole)

This is the perfect video for a rainy Tuesday (East Coast Bias.....sorry), and I cannot stop laughing at it. This appears to be put together by an ESPN Radio affiliate 710 AM in L.A., but it was found at Extra Mustard. Enjoy!

Who wants to sex Mutumobo?!?! Oh and buy a truck while you're at it.

I looked around for information on this, and I couldn't find anything, but when it get mentions during both ESPN College Basketball games...it has to be true (natch). Apparently Jimmy Dykes is going to sing a duet with Vince Gill either tonight before his call of Tenn-Vandy or Saturday for his call of UNC-BC (both with Brad Nessler).

“I hear Vince Gill and Jimmy Dykes have a little duet going on.”- Jay Bilas (During Marquette-Villanova)

So umm....yeah. I don't know what to say really. I guess if you like Vince Gill and random analysts singing Country music then this is the event of the year for you! If not then I guess watch it for the trainwreck potential.

(P.S.- Vince Gill looks like an angel in that photo. I guess that's what I get when I look to Christian websites for my pics. Just beautiful a beautiful Country Angel in a marsh.)

If you're like me, and I'm sure you are, you've been wondering what happened to that dude that used to host MTV Sports? You know the guy that played for the UNC Football team, the one that was always on with Daisy Fuentes, and the one that played Elaine's cool boyfriend in Seinfeld.

Yes folks I have found Dan Cortese and he's hosting a gameshow sure to be on the airwaves for years to come. "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad"!

Now that's a gameshow! I guess it's not all that bad...it's really just a glorified Double Dare (and it's not Duel). If the guy who once scored 67 points (I have no evidence to back this up) in a Rock and Jock B-Ball Jam is involved....I'm watching.

Let's take it back to 1991 ya'll! Come on swing it!!!



Wait...did Marky Mark just do half of that song naked? Umm okay. "We audi like last year!"

If you live in or near Washington DC and you're not using this phrase to ridicule everyone (i.e.- "That girl just denied your advances.....DAGGER!") then you are just not living.

Oh and yes this is a Homer post, but I so needed that game last night after the way the Wizards and Terps have been playing as of late. I love you Steve Buckhantz.....don't ever change!

Here's your CBB Announcing Schedule for the week brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the week Oklahoma University's Emily Erikson. Emily really likes swimming in the ocean and her favorite food is cheese....Ready? Okay!

Monday, February 25th

Marquette at Villanova (ESPN, 7pm)- Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas and Bill Raftery
Texas Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (ESPNU, 7pm)- Doug Greengard and Toney Sedric
Texas at Kansas State (ESPN, 9pm)- Ron Franklin, Fran Fraschilla and Holly Rowe
Bethune-Cookman at Maryland Eastern Shore (ESPNU, 9pm)- Charlie Neal and Dwight Freeman
Gonzaga at Portland (ESPN2, 11pm)- Terry Gannon and Stephen Bardo
San Diego at San Francisco (ESPNU, 11pm)- Steve Physioc and Krista Blunk

Tuesday, February 26th

Ohio State at Indiana (ESPN, 7pm)- Brent Musburger, Steve Lavin and ERIN ANDREWS
Southern Illinois at Bradley (ESPN2, 7pm)- Bob Wischusen and Doug Gottlieb
Boston College at Virginia Tech (ESPNU, 7pm)- Dwayne Ballen and Adrian Branch
Tennessee at Vanderbilt (ESPN, 9pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes and Jeannine Edwards
Oklahoma State at Missouri (ESPNU, 9pm)- Dave Armstrong and Jon Sunvold

Wednesday, February 27th

Kansas at Iowa State (ESPN, 7pm)- Dave Barnett and Stephen Bardo
Florida State at N.C. State (ESPNU, 7pm)- Sam Gore, Fred Barakat and Melissa Knowles
Georgia Tech at Duke (ESPN, 9pm)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore and Stacey Dales
West Virginia at DePaul (ESPN2, 9pm)- Dave Pasch and Bob Wenzel
St. John’s at Georgetown (ESPNU, 9pm)- Lou Canellis, Mark Adams and Jake Tuber

Thursday, February 28th

Notre Dame at Louisville (ESPN, 7pm)- Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke and Allen Hopkins
St. Louis at St. Joes (ESPN2, 7pm)- Jon Sciambi and Hubert Davis
Murray State at Tenn Tech (ESPNU, 7pm)- Dave Weekly and Larry Conley
USC at Arizona (ESPN, 9pm)- Rece Davis, Jay Bilas and Allen Hopkins
Michigan State at Wisconsin (ESPN2, 9pm)-Brent Musburger, Steve Lavin and ERIN ANDREWS
Wright State at Butler (ESPNU, 9pm)- Jim Barbar and Mark Adams
Washington State at Cal (FSN, 11pm)- Barry Tompkins and Dan Belluomini

Friday, February 29th

St. Peters at Rider (ESPNU, 7pm)- Doug Sherman and Rob Kennedy
Holy Cross at Lehigh (ESPNU, 9pm)- Bob Socci and John Celestand

Saturday, March 1st

Duke at NC State (CBS, Noon)- Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
Pitt at Syracuse (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch and Len Elmore
Wright State at Valpo (ESPN2, Noon)- Lou Canellis and Bob Wenzel
Texas A&M at Oklahoma (ESPN, 2pm)- Ron Franklin and Fran Fraschilla
Wichita State at Drake (ESPN2, 2pm)- Jon Sciambi and Mark Adams
Georgetown at Marquette (CBS, 2pm)- Gus Johnson and Clark Kellogg
UNC at Boston College (ABC, 3:30pm)- Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes
Mississippi State at Florida (CBS, 4pm)- Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
Texas at Texas Tech (CBS, 4pm)- Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel
Ohio State at Minnesota (ESPN, 4pm)- Dave O’Brien and Stephen Bardo
Washington State at Stanford (FSN, 4pm)- Barry Tompkins and Dan Bellouomini
Iowa State at Colorado (ESPN Classic, 6pm)- Dave Armstrong and Paul Splittorff
Kansas State at Kansas (ESPN, 9pm)- Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale and ERIN ANDREWS

Sunday, March 2nd

Providence at Cincy (ESPNU, Noon)- Anthony Calhoun and Mike Kelley
Kentucky at Tennessee (CBS, Noon)- Kevin Harlan and Bill Raftery
Indiana at Michigan State (CBS, 2pm)- Dick Enberg and Dan Bonner
UCLA at Arizona (CBS, 4pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
Villanova at Louisville (CBS, 4pm)- Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel
Central Conn State at Sacred Heart (ESPNU, 4pm)-Dave Popkin and JackArmstrong
Clemson at Maryland (FSN, 7:30pm)- Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
Oregon at Oregon State (FSN, 10pm)- Ted Robinson and Marques Johnson

Good news for fans of crazy this afternoon as former news anchor and Richard Eisen friend Alycia Lane took a deal in her New York court case. The anchor was charged with striking a female police officer and calling her a dirty name (dyke). The unfortunate thing is that we'll apparently never know if she really did those things or not....
Former CBS3 anchor Alycia Lane moved a step toward vindication in a five-minute hearing this morning in criminal court in Manhattan.

A judge signed off on an agreement stemming from a Dec. 16 incident in New York that will result in all charges being dropped in six months.

The deal is known as an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Under an ACD, if Lane stays out of trouble for six months, her record will be wiped clean. She will carry neither a guilty plea nor a conviction.
Well then. So I guess we can expect a Wrongful Termination suit thrown at Philly's CBS Channel 3 then next. Also, there were rumors of her being invited to the WWE, but it looks like that's not going to happen. Darn.

Alycia Lane goes free (Philly.com)
This Alycia Lane Saga Just Gets Weirder, She's Been Offered A Job With The WWE (Awful Announcing)
Alycia Lane Is Officially Free (From Her Job) (Awful Announcing)

One day when the stars align and some lucky woman asks me to spend eternity with her (that's right she's proposing to me!)....this is how I'm going to celebrate....

That dive was just beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye actually.

Drunk, Naked Man Can't Outrun Horses (TSB)

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Last Thursday's Winners....


"Pedro showed us how many games he plans to pitch before his next injury."- SS Reporters

"Nobody will find Little Pedro now....NOBODY!!!"- Nos

"The Yankees are my daddy...but I'm Papa Squat."- Anon

"Pedro continues to find new places to hide his personal mascot Nelson de la Rosa."- toddhinds67
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this screen grab of Mike and Mike this morning? (Apparently they have a bet about who will have the better bracket this March. If Golic wins Greenie shaves his head....the other way around Golic joins the Manatees)


Daily Links:

Apparently Uniwatch Doesn't Like Our Humor (Uniwatch, 3rd Item)
Add Kornheiser To The List Of People Who Hate Blogs Now (KSK)
A Nice Breakdown Of BTN's Shon Morris (Inside The Hall)
What A Trade Is Like For Good Friends In The NBA (NBA: Tyson Chandler)
Golf Is Not So Popular Anymore (Crashburn Alley)
Leave A-Rod Alone! (I'm Writing Sports)
Bobby Jackson And T-Mac Threw Down Awhile Back (Half Court Heave)
Hockey Teams Let Bloggers Everywhere (Sports Media Journal)
The Buffer Brother Rivalry Is Heating Up! (Food Court Lunch)
Hey, Roddick Still CAN Win Tournaments! (The Play In CA)
A Collection Of The Worst/Grossest Injuries Ever (Unprofessional Foul)
A Nice Oscar Review Here (Ken Levine)

Update: I failed to mention that the Name Of The Year brackets have been released. Vote early and vote often!

2008 NOTY First Round: No. 1 Destiny Frankenstein v. No. 16 Maurkice Pouncey (NOTY)