Awful Announcing

ESPN's Ombudsman Breaks Down The Differences Between OTL And E:60

2008-05-16T16:05:00.005-04:00

When the first E:60 press release came out and I remember thinking that the incarnation of this show meant the end of the road for Outside The Lines. Contrary to my thoughts ESPN decided to keep OTL and even added a time slot during the day for Outside The Lines: First Report. As E:60 went through it's first run of shows and the Lisa Salter's Parkour controversy went down, it was clear that E:60 wasn't going to be run by the same standards as OTL. When the second set of shows kicked off with the Miguel Tejada ambush we found out just how bad those standards were.

Le Anne Scrieber (the ESPN Ombudsman) decided to make her latest article about these two shows and the different way they tackled two important stories. I don't want it to seem like I link to everything she writes (I don't), but this seemed especially important to pass along.

When "E:60: segments, "Outside the Lines" reports or ESPN Film documentaries work, it is because the weaving of individual cases within the larger context of issues that surround them is tight. Several segments in the latest round of "E:60" reports accomplished that. Several did not. It is crucial that E:60's management team place as much emphasis on perspective and thoroughness of reporting as they do on packaging.

The enterprise unit that worked on the "Outside the Lines" report on O.J. Mayo faced the opposite challenge. The density of reporting and research that went into the piece made it difficult to shoehorn so much complicated information into a lucid, compelling TV story. More emphasis was placed on core evidence and its corroboration than on context or dramatic storytelling.

I still find it questionable that ESPN would pit two of it's reporting shows against each other in such a fashion when HBO can do it perfectly fine with Real Sports and Costas Now. At the end of the day controversy and rumor still sells (see: TMZ) just as much (sometimes more) than great reporting like the OJ Mayo story. With that said, I don't think E:60 is going anywhere and we should just get used to it (or just ignore it).

ESPN journalism: The ups and downs of coloring outside the lines (ESPN Ombudsman)

WNBA Unis To Feature McDonald's Logo For A Weekend Or More

2008-05-16T14:39:00.003-04:00

WNBA posts are few and far between on this site, but I thought this one was interesting enough to post. The WNBA is opening their season this weekend with Los Angeles and World Champion Phoenix (who knew?) on ABC, but that's not the whole story. Both teams will be sporting Mickey D's logos and the league will be promoting the hell out of some new sandwich....

Women’s National Basketball Association players will wear McDonald’s golden arches on their jerseys for each team’s season opener as part of a marketing alliance between the women’s pro basketball league and the fast food giant this season.

McDonald’s is posting up as presenting partner of the WNBA tip-off games on May 17 to push a new Southern Style Chicken Biscuit and Sandwich. In addition to the season openers, the red-and-yellow logo will be on jerseys during two national telecasts: the Sacramento Monarchs-Seattle Storm May 20 match-up on ESPN and the May 24 San Antonio Silver Spurs-Seattle Storm contest on ABC.

I don't know about you but it's going to take more than a crappy free sandwich to get me interested in the WNBA. If they gave away cars like Oprah then I might attend a Mystics game, but until then I'm going to pretend the league doesn't exist.

Plus the free sandwich deal was yesterday and I'm really just bitter I didn't get one. Look at the pic up there. Doesn't that look appetizing? No??? Okay good.

WNBA Jerseys to Carry McDonald’s Logo in Season Openers (Promo Magazine)

ESPN's Euro 2008 Ads Are Very Entertaining

2008-05-16T13:27:00.004-04:00

I don't know what's going on over in Bristol, but ESPN's coverage of Soccer has actually gotten really good. They're airing the UEFA Champions League Final next Wednesday and then go into the month long Euro 2008 Tournament. ESPN is going to start promoting for Euro '08 heavily and has already released ads featuring the Countries of Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy.

Here are two of the five ads (for Portugal and Germany), EPL Talk has the rest. Enjoy Portugal and Germany!

I can't wait to see what they put together for Croatia!

ESPN Launches Ads to Promote Euro 2008 TV Coverage (EPL Talk)

Patriots President Jonathan Kraft Has Some Words For ESPN's Reporters

2008-05-16T11:23:00.006-04:00

The Patriots are upset at just about everyone that ran with this and the Patriots' President Jon Kraft has some words for ESPN as well....

"I don't. If you guys can get any of them on the air -- I would argue that there are certain people at ESPN.com who have shown journalistic standards that really are not up to snuff. And the Times, give the Times credit for one thing, they gave us a chance to comment the day before and they actually took some of our comments and realized that certain parts of what they were about to write that were wrong, but there were other things that they still decided to print."

Hmmm, I wonder who he's talking about? Could his name rhyme with Schmortensen??? I kid, I kid. There were certainly people at ESPN (Easterbrook) who ran roughshod with the story as well, and they did a good job of throwing the Herald under the bus last week on ESPN Radio, but ESPN seemed willing to do the background work that the Herald wouldn't do. They still certainly jumped the gun in a few instances on ESPN.com, but in all fairness most ESPN shows (Sports Center, NFL Live) and "talking heads" still referred to the Herald

It seems like to me the Pats are really just reacting to being portrayed in a negative light for the first time by the "Leader". There are a lot of people to blame in this whole mess, but in the end the Patriots still cheated. Not to the degree rumored by the Herald, but none of this would even be an issue if they hadn't.

(P.S.- This is the last post on this....I promise.)

Jon Kraft (WEEI)
Patriots President Jonathan Kraft: ESPN.com Journalistic Standards Not Up to Snuff (Fanhouse)

Woody Paige Calls Out Tony Reali For Some Reason

2008-05-16T11:12:00.002-04:00

Around the Horn is like a trainwreck to me. I absolutely hate the format, can't stand the guests, and ultimately despise the show.....but I watch anyway just about everyday. Well I was watching yesterday during a segment where the "gasbags" were arguing about something NBA related when Woody Paige decided to go into a rant all while not answering the question at hand (pretty much par for the course).

Well host Tony Reali decided to question Paige and basically got snapped at by the the Denver Post writer. The fun starts 20 seconds in.

"They're not going to win tonight. You know that."- Paige
"I don't know. I mean that's why we ask the question. We don't know if they're going to win."- Reali
"Of course you don't know, that's why you're not here doing this."- Paige

I know this kind of stuff happens everyday on the show, but that seemed a tad bit defensive didn't it?

Herald Writer Explains Damaging Walkthrough Story

2008-05-16T09:39:00.005-04:00

The Boston Herald writer who broke the (false) news that the Patriots taped a Rams walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI has issued an apology. John Tomase basically claims that he published a rumor because he heard it from "various" people and solidified it when he heard that Walsh's assertion of skeletons in the Pats' closet. Here's a snippet....

Late in the 2006 season, I was having a casual conversation about the Patriots [team stats] when someone I trust threw out the following tidbit.

“I heard the Patriots filmed the Rams’ final walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI,” he said.

It was just a rumor, and certainly not actionable intelligence, as they say. He had heard it from a friend of a friend. I filed it away, and then forgot about it. Reporters hear stuff like that all the time.

Little did I know that comment would resurface from a much stronger source in the days after the Patriots had been caught filming the Jets’ defensive signals in September 2007.

Turns out I could not have been more wrong. I regret it, and that’s something I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life.

He probably should have just ended it there, but he keeps going for another two pages of back story and standing by his original source. I really had never heard of John Tomase until this whole Rams walkthrough thing, and the guy seems genuinely sorry for the story, but seriously.....come on. I really just can't believe that a newspaper published a story based on one unsubstantiated rumor. Especially an allegation this huge. It blows my actually. You are not only gambling with your own career by going ahead with a piece like this, but you're gambling with the whole Newspaper's validity.

If you read the over three hundred comments attached to the apology I think you can find how Bostonians really feel, and as Robert Kraft has explained over the past few days, this is almost unforgivable from the team's standpoint. To lose the trust of a team in the most winning town in the Country is a death sentence, and who's to say the Celtics and Sox are going to trust them either?

There's no way the Pats will give the access back to Tomase he once had, and I'm extremely surprised he still has a job. Everyone deserves a second chance, but some people need a long break to think about what they've done before they get it.

The story behind Herald walkthrough article (Boston Herald)

ESPN Now Targeting The Nations Youth With ESPN Rise

2008-05-16T07:55:00.000-04:00

Trying to complete their goal of covering every possible sport at every level ad naseum, ESPN is startomg a new "high school sports content initiative" called "ESPN Rise". Here are the details....

ESPN announced it has formally launched a high school sports content initiative that has been named ESPN RISE. ESPN RISE is a multimedia brand dedicated to growing ESPN’s 12- to 17-year-old audience, while providing ESPN fans with compelling high school sports content across all of ESPN’s platforms including programming and events, digital media and publishing.

“ESPN RISE will build upon ESPN’s more than 20-year-tradition of covering high school sports by applying our passion for sports to the creative ways we communicate with our core fan of the future,” said John Skipper, executive vice president, content. “During the past 12 months, James has worked diligently with key stakeholders across the various ESPN platforms to strategically develop the future of high school sports content at the company.”

There's a website (ESPNRise.com), four different magazines (Rise, Girl, Gridiron, Hardwood), and a Basketball tournament (The Boost Mobile Elite 24) that come with the new initiative and there's even going to be High School content on your favorite ESPN shows....

Beginning at the start of the ‘08/’09 school year, high school news and information content will be delivered across several studio shows including SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, and College Football Live.

I personally could care less about High School Sports, but there's definitely a good collection of people that are into it. This reeks of overkill, but so doesn't every other "initiative" from ESPN these days.

(Via ESPN PR)

Charles Barkley Watches Too Much Porn

2008-05-16T07:33:00.001-04:00

I'm sure everyone has made the comparison of Stan Van Gundy to Ron Jeremy, but the Chuckster breaks it out right away in this "Gone Fishing" photo....

Actually if you look closely at Van Gundy's shirt I think you can actually see the Hedgehog on there. Too funny. TNT just doesn't care after midnight do they?

Barkley mistakes Stan Van Gundy for Ron Jeremy (Odenized)

Your MLB Announcing Schedule For The Weekend

2008-05-15T16:31:00.004-04:00

Here's you MLB Announcing Schedule for the weekend and I really have just one question. When did ex-MLBer and Indians announcer Rick Manning begin working for FOX? Also, another weekend without Joe Buck. What did we do to deserve such a gift?

Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers vs Boston Red Sox- Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 3:55pm, 72%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Los Angeles Angels- Thom Brennaman & Rick Manning (FOX, 3:55pm, 20%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Alburquerque, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle

Cleveland Indians vs Cincinnati Reds- Dick Stockton & Eric Karros (FOX, 3:55pm, 7%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Louisville

Sunday

Milwaukee Brewers vs Boston Red Sox- Chip Caray & Ron Darling (TBS, 1pm)
New York Mets vs New York Yankees- Jon Miller & Joe Morgan (ESPN, 8pm)

(FOX schedule via HD Sports Guide)

Madden 2009's Randy Moss = Tecmo Bo

2008-05-15T16:24:00.002-04:00

This clip from With Leather via Shutdown Corner gives us our first look at gameplay on Madden 2009, and while it looks awesome, there's one problem.....Randy Moss is unstoppable. The video is long and you can watch a whole Giants possession, but if you get bored skip to the 3:30 mark.

So Randy Moss can go uncovered on a WR Screen and then outrun an entire Giants' defense? Good to know. Oh and I loved the added "Supermanning that Ho" at the end. Good stuff.

Madden '09 Allows You To Superman Ho's (With Leather)
Madden '09 footage, with Randy Moss Supermanning dat (lady) (Shutdown Corner)

The Best Of Manny Being Manny

2008-05-15T15:27:00.004-04:00

You ask and you shall receive. I missed this last night, but a ton of people said I had to find the video and post it. Well here it is....Baseball Tonight's Best Of Manny Being Manny.....

Simply hilarious.

Kornheiser: "(Newspapers) Aren't Dying, They're Dead"

2008-05-15T14:49:00.004-04:00

Tony Kornheiser is really starting to depress me as of late. He was on 790 The Ticket with Dan Le Batard yesterday and said the above quote in a talk about his buyout and the state of print media....

I'll try to ignore the fact that Kornheiser conveniently waited until HIS retirement to say that the medium is dead and just focus on his words. While I don't entirely understand the attachment to ink and paper, it's still sad to hear someone lose something they love so much. If you add to these statements Le Batard's words over at TBL it makes it even more depressing.

As someone who worked for newspapers in every capacity from writer to paper boy I obviously have some attachment to the industry, but I see it differently. Newspapers aren't dead, they're just different. There's nothing wrong with change and to deny it is just counter-productive. The fact that Kornheiser thinks of himself as useless now is just weird to me.

Tony Kornheiser joins Dan to discuss why he is leaving the newspaper industry (790 The Ticket)

Al Michaels Says No To The NFL Network

2008-05-15T14:30:00.004-04:00

So there goes the big name that the NFL Network was looking for. According to the NY Times, Al Michaels won't be the network's play by play man for next year....

Al Michaels will not spend any of his Thursday nights in November and December working for the NFL Network after all. The channel looked into hiring Michaels, the play-by-play voice of NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” a few weeks ago.

“NBC was open to it, but it didn’t work out from Al’s point of view,” said Steve Bornstein, the president of the NFL Network. “We never got to the specifics.”

I'm thinking a burnt out, grumpy Al Michaels would have been fun next year, but I'm still sticking with my Tom Hammond vote of confidence. I guess he gets the job by default now.

Thursdays Free for Michaels (NY Times)

HBO To Air One On One Interview With Matt Walsh

2008-05-15T14:17:00.003-04:00

I really spoke too soon when I said Spygate was over, and you probably don't care about this, but I thought I'd pass the info along anyway. Matt Walsh is going to sit down with Bryant Gumbel for an interview that will air tomorrow night.

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL presents the first TV interview with one of the central figures in the New England Patriots videotaping scandal – former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh – when the show is seen FRIDAY, MAY 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Correspondent Andrea Kremer interviews Walsh, who worked in the Patriots organization from 1997 to 2003. The videotaping came to light in September after the Patriots-Jets season opener in New Jersey, triggering a media firestorm. The Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick were subsequently disciplined by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

I guess it's a big deal that HBO got the first interview with the former Patriots' videotapper, but I don't know what new things they can bring to light. This isn't something I'm gone to postpone my Friday Night for.

(Via HBO PR)

Sports Center To Take A Look Into Roller Derby This Sunday, Seriously

2008-05-15T13:57:00.004-04:00

It's a question that's been on my mind for awhile so I know you've been thinking it as well. What happened to Roller Derby? Wait, that ISN'T a question I've ever thought about, but apparently ESPN has....

SportCenter’s featured piece Sunday, May 18, will trace the rebirth of roller derby, which peaked in popularity in the early 1970’s and has failed in several comebacks . In 2001 a grassroots-revival in Austin, Texas has grown to more than 200 amateur, all-female roller derby leagues across the country. Today’s reincarnation blends entertainment with genuine athletic competition, compared to the highly criticized sport of yesteryear that was viewed mostly as fake.

Actually that sounds pretty interesting now that I think about it. I find it odd that ESPN would decide to put this on Sports Center though. You know with all of the Spygate coverage to still air. I'm also surprised that this wasn't on E:60 so Lisa Salters could it something that "white people do".

(Via ESPN PR)

Charles Barkley Is In Some Hot Water Over Gambling Debt

2008-05-15T13:40:00.004-04:00

According to the Associated Press Charles Barkley will be in some trouble if he doesn't pay back a debt to Wynn, a casino in Las Vegas. So much so that he could be facing felony charges....

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A prosecutor says retired NBA star Charles Barkley will face felony charges if he fails to repay a $400,000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas Strip casino.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger says Barkley will get a chance to make restitution to Wynn Las Vegas to avoid felony bad check charges.

The casino alleges in court documents filed Wednesday that Barkley failed to repay four $100,000 casino markers, or loans, he received last Oct. 18 and 19.

When you gamble $2.5 Million dollars away in a 6-hour period (as Barkley admitted) you should be able to cover $400K, but that could also be the reason you wouldn't be able to. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Charles Barkley faces gambling debt case (AP)
Barkley: How Much Money? (TSB)

HBO Releases Cowboys Hard Knocks Promo

2008-05-15T08:55:00.000-04:00

More often than not HBO Spors gets me stoked for an offseason but this is the worst promo the network has ever produced. HBO is going with the Dallas Cowboys for their Hard Knock series and by the tone of their promo.....it's going to be boring as hell....

In all my life I don't think I've seen a more "lip serviced" promo. I love HBO's coverage of Sports, but I think they're going to botch this one big time. Obviously there are certain things they can't cover, but if this is it...I'm out.

(Thanks to KR for the vid)

Manny Ramirez Is Insane (Not That You Didn't Know That Already)

2008-05-14T19:48:00.003-04:00

I know we're not breaking any new ground here in the sanity of Manny department, and you may have already seen the Zapruder like footage Deadspin posted earlier, but this needs to be seen in slow motion to be appreciated.

Watch closely....

He caught it on the run, climbed the wall, high fived a fan, and then doubled up a runner. Insane. That's Bo Jackson running up the wall cool. Manny will never cease to amaze me.

Wally Backman Resurfaces And He Really Loves The F Word

2008-05-14T17:00:00.002-04:00

The would-be Coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been spending sometime in the Minors after facing his legal troubles over the past few years. Here he is working the third base box for the South Georgia Peanuts and as Playing For Peanuts notes, he's none to happy with a call at first (Very very NSFW language)....

Now THAT'S how you get a point across! Just curse a s**tload. Someone needs to find some soap for good ole Wally....good lord.

Wally vs. Umpire (Playing For Peanuts)

ESPN To Devote Two Hours Of Coverage To Ping Pong Balls

2008-05-14T15:34:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately it's not coverage of Table Tennis. No, ESPN is devoting approximately two full hours to the NBA Draft Lottery. Two hours and thirteen (count them!)...twelve analysts and hosts throughout the day....

ESPN will present exclusive coverage of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m., with host Mark Jones, analyst Jay Bilas and reporter Doris Burke from Secaucus, N.J. Highlights:

-A one-hour SportsCenter NBA Draft Lottery Special at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN with host Rece Davis, analyst Greg Anthony, reporter Chris Broussard and guest analyst Jerry Stackhouse, a member of the 2007-08 Dallas Mavericks;
-Kia NBA Shootaround at 7:30 p.m., with host Stuart Scott and analysts Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon, from the Eastern Conference Finals game site (game telecast at 8:30 p.m.);
-Frequent integration between Kia NBA Shootaround, NBA Draft Lottery and game commentators (Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy) throughout the hour (7:30-8:30 p.m.) leading up to game.

Additionally, Doris Burke will present a behind-the-scenes look inside the NBA Draft Lottery process, explaining the factors involved in determining the NBA Draft order. Burke will also conduct interviews with team representatives [D-Wade, D'Antoni, Larry Bird]. ESPN will have cameras at viewing parties for the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies, and at the ESPN Zone in New York.

You can add this to National Signing Day as events that deserve about 2 minutes of coverage, not an entire broadcast or three devoted to it. I'm sure they'll mostly talk about the players, but that's still a little bit over the top.

(Via ESPN PR)

Simmons And ESPN Not Currently Seeing Eye To Eye

2008-05-14T14:40:00.004-04:00

Interesting item over at Deadspin today about a dialogue that they had with Bill Simmons recently. It seems that Simmons is writing less these days and it's not because he's taking a vacation or burnt out like Jason Whitlock. No it's because he and the "Leader" are in a bit of a standstill.

Yes, I still work for ESPN. No, I'm not writing for ESPN.com as much — my choice, not theirs. That's just the way it will be from now on, unfortunately. I'd have more to say, but I'd end up being profane and I don't want to offend Buzz Bissinger.

When we inquired further, Simmons went on:

I still love writing my column and only re-signed last year because I really did believe that we had hashed out all the behind the scenes bullshit and come to some sort of agreement on creative lines, media criticism rules, the promotion of the column and everything else on ESPN.com. Within a few months, all of those things changed and certain promises were not kept. It's as simple as that.

It's a shame that 2010 (when Simmons' current deal expires) is so far away because I'd love for him finally to sound off how he really feels about the Network and it's personalities. When one writer provides most of your online readership it's probably in your best interest to give him (most of) what he wants if you ask me. Very interesting.

Simmons: "Certain Promises Were Not Kept" (Deadspin)

Reggie Miller Is Enjoying Life

2008-05-14T12:36:00.009-04:00

Hopefully everyone won't freak out in response to these the way that they did to the Matt Leinart photos, but I'm posting them anyway. Don Chavez has come across a set of photos of Reggie Miller dining with what seems to be a bevy of attractive females (debatable) and in one shot pouring grey goose into to the mouth of one of the ladies. Enjoy!

We obviously have no idea when these were taken, but from the original post it seems like they were shot recently. In which case Reggie as a divorced man is just having some good old fashioned fun. As a connoisseur of the clear liquor let me just say that while I normally get the ladies pour the vodka into my gullet....this looks equally as fun. DJ would be proud of your skills Reggie.

Let's throw in another one just for the fun of it.....

Reggie Miller Likes To Party (Don Chavez)
Reggie Miller Is Better at Pouring Liquor in Ladies' Mouths Than He Is at Announcing (Fanhouse)

Create The Caption #214

2008-05-14T11:52:00.004-04:00

(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.

Wednesday's Winners....

"At least he cleaned off his cut-out before he brought it to the arena."- S2N

"Hey Tony, your wife is a carpenter's dream, flat as a board and easy to nail."- Anon

"What is Rob Reiner doing with a cutout anyway?"- Adam

"Hmmmm....so that explains those paper cuts on Mario Lopez's sack..."- Chick In The Huddle

(Wow.)
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this photo of Eli Manning playing Football with a bunch of kids in a parking lot?

Daily Links:

Video Of The NYU Student Trying To Get To Home Plate (Fan IQ)
Someone's Calling Out The Lovely Heidi Watney (Red Sox Monster)
Mark Prior Is Hurt Again (Rumors and Rants)
On Blogs And Exploiting Women (Moon Dog Sports)
A Preakness Preview (HHR)
Dollar Beer Nights Rule! (Waiting For Next Year)
A Look Into Early Slumps In Baseball (I'm Writing Sports)
Paul Lo Duca Doesn't Consider Himself A Cheater (The Sports Point)
Could Webb Win 30? (Vegas Watch)
What Else Does Tom Brady Hate Besides ESPN? (BMDP)

Kornheiser Officially Takes Buyout From The Washington Post

2008-05-14T10:51:00.005-04:00

As much as I bash Tony Kornheiser for his MNF nonsense, this is actually a sad day for us DC folks. I, like many others, grew up reading Tony in the Post covering everything from Sports to his family and extremely enjoyed it. DC Sports Bog has the details of the announcement on his radio show....

"All I ever wanted to be was a newspaper writer," he said, which is likely not something that anyone under the age of 30 will ever say again. "This other stuff is great, but I don't care about it," he continued. "In my mind that's what it says on the headstone, it says 'newspaper guy.'"

But he also said he signed the papers to take the Post's buyout last night, after working here for, I believe, 29 years. He said he still might contract with The Post to do his Talking Points videos and his Page 2 excerpts, and he said some people in the leadership asked him to stay but didn't really insist, and even though he'll keep doing PTI and the radio show and MNF, he said he feared he'd never have the moral high ground again.

There are more quotes at DCSB, but I think that snippet summed it up best. It's crazy in the Newspaper World with all of these "Champions of Industry" taking buyouts, and you never want to see someone lose the one thing they love the most, but let's be honest here.....Kornheiser barely wrote for the paper anymore. This is definitely a tough day for him, but everyone saw it coming for quite some time.

The Washington Post's Sports Section in the 90s was unbeatable, and it's sad to see it disintegrate author by author. Some are still there but it just isn't the same.

Kornheiser Takes Buyout (DC Sports Bog)
The Post Is Looking To Buy Out Kornheiser (Awful Announcing)

NBC To Air Panel On Horse Racing Before Preakness

2008-05-14T10:10:00.005-04:00

Following the heels of the widely successful (sarcasm folks) look into Sports Media, Bob Costas is going to host another panel, but this time on the state of Horse Racing. This time the panel is going to take place before NBC kicks of it's coverage of the Preakness this Saturday.

Fresh off his sports media roundtable on blogs for HBO, Bob Costas will kick off the network's coverage of the Preakness Stakes (Saturday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET) with a panel discussion on the filly's catastrophic breakdown and other controversies surrounding Thoroughbred horse racing, says producer Sam Flood.

Among the guests: Churchill Downs veterinarian Larry Bramlage; Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones; NBC analyst Gary Stevens; and New York Times columnist William Rhoden, who blasted the sport of kings as "only a couple of steps removed from animal fighting."

I guess NBC feels it should take the time to address Eight Belles after all of the controversy surrounding the coverage of Eight Belles collapse, and that's probably a good decision. The panel seems qualified and even on both sides to address the issue of airing the animal's death and it should be a good discussion.

Costas panel to dissect horse racing's dark side (USA Today)

In other Horse Racing news, HBO's Real Sports debuted this past Monday with an extremely detailed and informative look into the Sport. I pulled the clip for everyone to view, but I have to warn you ahead of time that it's extremely depressing and graphic. It was a trainwreck type situation for me in that I never wanted to see these images, but I couldn't look away. There are parts that detail how the horses are destroyed and the process that some individuals go through to save them.

In true Real Sports fashion it's a great story, but again very very very graphic and depressing. Choose whether you want to watch it wisely.....