Awhile back, I mentioned that ESPN wasn't ruling out making a run at the Olympics in the near future, and today there comes more word about their intentions. According to USA Today, a run at the contract could come as early as 2014, and the Olympic committee has promised ESPN a seat at the discussion table....

After scoring big with its coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, you'd think NBC would have the inside track on TV rights to the 2014 and 2016 games. But ESPN/ABC will likely be a strong competitor. Without blinking an eye, ESPN outbid Fox by more than $100 million for the rights to college football's Bowl Championship Series (BCS) from January 2011 to January 2014.

As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, the once rinky-dink and now incredibly deep-pocketed cable network seems hungrier for the validation an Olympics would bring. "There's no question the Olympics would continue the process of establishing ESPN as the home of championship sports and great sports," Skipper said.

The International Olympics Committee has assured ESPN, said Skipper, that it will have a seat at the table when bidding begins in earnest for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Summer Games in a still-to-be-determined host city.

To show it has the chops to handle a global event, ESPN will give its 2010 FIFA World Cup coverage the Olympic treatment. ESPN is already planning to send anchors Chris Fowler, Mike Tirico and Bob Ley to South Africa for the entire event, said Norby Williamson, executive vice president of remote/studio production.

"What we're hoping to bring to (the World Cup) is Olympic-quality production," said Skipper. "Not just the cameras but the feel of it. That it feels big. That it feels international. That it feels about more than just competition. It's competition. But it's also culture. And human drama."

I'm telling you, ESPN will have every major Sport under their umbrella, sooner than you think. I still don't think the Olympics are as much a money maker as they used to be, but a switch in network could certainly change that.

ESPN/ABC taking aim at nabbing 2014, 2016 Olympic Games (USA Today)

Eric Collins has been a staple on ESPN's College Baseball coverage, now has a new gig. Collins has won the coveted Dodgers announcing gig that a dozen or so really wanted, and will be taking over the role next season. Via the LA Times....

Eric Collins spoke from South Bend, Ind., Saturday about how he'd just realized "an unattainable dream."

Collins, who has also called some college baseball playoff games for ESPN as well as doing part-time radio and television play by play for the Chicago White Sox in 2004 and 2008, will handle play by play for the Dodgers on the road games played east of the Rockies when veteran Vin Scully takes off.

It was a role held last season by Charley Steiner, who will move to the radio booth full time, partnering with Rick Monday.

Collins and other candidates auditioned during Dodgers spring-training games.

Collins said even though he was born in Cleveland, went to Syracuse University and lives in Chicago does not mean he can't be quickly up to speed on the Dodgers and what they mean to Los Angeles.

Collins also called Baseball for NBC during the Olympics, and while he was one of the people I didn't really enjoy, I guess he impressed the Dodgers enough to fill in for Vin Scully during the season.

Dodgers hire ESPN college baseball announcer (LA Times)

There's almost little to no way that NBC will lose the rights to the Olympics, but with Time Warner by their side, CBS will attempt to make that a reality when the Games' right are up on the block. NBC's contract will be over following the 2012 Summer Games, and a slew of networks will be vying for the 2014 Winter Olympics, and 2016 Summer Games (possibly held in Chicago). Via USA Today....

CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc. executives have discussed joining forces to bid on rights to televise the Olympics in 2014 and 2016, turning that competition into an even greater clash of media titans.

TV empires headed by incumbent NBC, Fox and ABC-ESPN have all said they expect to bid for the the U.S. rights. Because of the economy, the International Olympic Committee has said it was prepared to postpone the negotiations until after the 2016 host city was named next October.

If CBS works with Time Warner, competition could be televised on CBS plus popular cable networks TBS and TNT. Time Warner also owns CNN, CNN Headline News, Turner Movie Classics and the Cartoon Network.

The CBS-Turner talks, confirmed by both sides this week to The Associated Press, were only preliminary. No decision has been made about going forward with a bid, said Shirley Powell, a Turner Networks spokeswoman.

Sean McManus, CBS Sports president, said that while the Olympics were undeniably attractive, there's a danger in thinking the success of Beijing — keyed by Michael Phelps' eight gold medals and the attractive setting — would necessarily carry over.

I personally believe that last sentence is the key to this whole thing. Phelps probably has one, maybe two games left in him, and to pay for the rights would almost be like rolling the dice. If the 2016 Summer Olympics are held in Chicago, and Michael Phelps is still competing, then the numbers would almost surely pass those of Beijing. If the Games are in Tokyo or Madrid, and Phelps isn't in the pool, whoever purchased the Olympiad package will be stuck with a Summer much like the Athens Games in 2004.

CBS, Time Warner execs discuss Olympics TV bid (USA Today)

This guy is seriously a freak of nature. Bolt and Asafa Powell were in Brussels today for the much anticiapted re-match to end the Track and Field season. ESPN awesomely decided to show it live during Sports Center and here's the race....

The guy almost fell at the start and still ran the third best time ever (tying Tyson Gay who withdrew from the event). Just unbelievable. I really hope he doesn't get caught up in all of that steroid mess that some of the Jamaican athletes are currently in because the Sport really needs someone as good as (and completely clean).

Oh and if you're wondering who the History Channel-like announcer is, it's Stuart Storey.

Bolt runs 9.77 in cold, wet conditions for win (AP)

Journalists worldwide are giving their final opinions on the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and I thought I'd chime in as well. NBC's broadcast of the 2008 Beijing Games brought on varying emotions throughout the two weeks for everyone, both good and bad. People across the Country seemed to be both happy and mad at the network's coverage at various times throughout the two week span and my feelings probably don't differ from all of theirs all that much.

I personally enjoyed many aspects of the coverage and after bashing them, and NBC, for just about the whole Summer, I was certainly impressed at times with the end product. The majority of the announcers were very knowledgeable of the Sports they covered and every host and reporter appeared genuinely interested in the country of China and topics they covered. Cris Collinsworth said last night that these Games provided a great place for the World to forget about its problems for two weeks, and I couldn't agree more.

With that said, there were mulitple frustrating elements of NBC's programming that infuriated viewers in the U.S. and across the globe. In the States, everywhere but the East Coast suffered by not being able to see live events and even those in the East were "blacked out" of monumental and record breaking performances. Let's delve into this a bit more with the good, the bad and the ugly of the broadcast and then I'll give you some announcing winners and losers.
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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:

The Good- Sheer Numbers and The FOBs

Given that these Games were across the World from us in Beijing, I think that NBC did an admirable job of getting at least some of the contests to us live (well at least for us East Coasters). I don't even remember watching the past two Summer Olympics (Athens and Australia) because barely any of the event were aired as they took place and the change this year was certainly welcomed. It obviously wasn't perfect, but for Gymnastics and Swimming at least they seemed to get it right. I personally thought that 3600 hours of coverage was an insane undertaking but for the most part, they pulled it off in the end.

Bob Costas and his FOB's were also a "good" for the Peacock during these Olympics. I truly enjoyed the excitement of Bela Karolyi and the heartfelt love for his Sport. Collinsworth and Carillo didn't really give us anything groundbreaking but both filled a lot of the downtime with at least somewhat interesting stories. Costas himself pulled no punches in delivering controversial pieces himself and his interview with George W. Bush was surprisingly eye-opening. I don't think anyone else has gotten more out of the Leader of the Free World in eight years.

Obviously numbers don't lie and through sixteen days of coverage over 211 million people tuned in. That makes the 2008 Summer Olympics on NBC, the most viewed event in U.S. television history. Even though there are no other programs considered "events" other than the Olympics within the ratings system (not even the Super Bowl), that's a heck of a lot of people.

The Bad- Online and Post Phelps Coverage

It's hard to find fault in a network that aired events live online for free and gave of us one of the most awesome performances we've ever seen, but I'm going to try. There are reports that NBC's online content only made a quarter of the ad revenue that March Madness did and that's pretty mind blowing given the number of people that signed in online. The network actually decided against airing certain events on the platform (I.E.- Usain Bolt) and in turn hurt the final product that it put out there for customers and even advertisers.

(Now my personal relationship with NBC Universal's Piracy Department aside) It was more than frustrating that they billed NBCOlympics.com as the go to site for every live event, when that certainly wasn't even close to being true. They also didn't even make their videos available for embedding and promotion on other sites (not just blogs). They seemingly ruined their chances at a big payday and record numbers online with that move alone.

As far as post-Phelps coverage, the absence of one individual illustrated exactly how he alone gave NBC the boost they needed in the ratings. After Phelps left the pool, NBC only surpassed the ratings of the Sydney Olympics on one night out of seven. The Games in total were 7% higher than those in 2000 and that percentage is all Phelps.

The Ugly: "Live Events"

I think we've beat this one into the ground but the live/delayed coverage across the country was reprehensible. I still don't understand how if Swimming and Gymnastics started at 10/11pm on the East Coast that they couldn't be aired live in West Coast primetime, but I'm not a TV exec. It's completely unrealistic to think that someone could go through an entire day/night and not hear or see a result. When you're also not airing the most important events live online just to save them for TV....you're going to piss a good number of people off.

There's absolutely no way they can do this again in London, but it wouldn't surprise me.
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Announcing Winners and Losers:

Winners-

Bob Costas (see above)
Ato Bolden (Track and Field)- Provided great insight to running events for a rookie
Bela Karyoli (FOB)- "BEAUTIFUL!!!!"
Dan Hicks (Swimming)- The call of the 4x100 Free Relay will be replayed for decades
Tim Ryan (Rowing and Canoeing)- A vet of the Games but continues to impress
Mike Breen (Basketball)- Solidifying himself as the second voice of the NBA after Marv.
Doug Collins (Basketball)- When not talking about himself, he's one of the best analysts out there (I still can't stand him though)
Bob Papa (Boxing)- Anybody who can work well with (and understand) Teddy Atlas is a winner in my book
Andrew Catalon (Handball)- I didn't know this until recently but Handball is exciting as hell. So are the announcers.
Bill Clement(Various)- He called events from Shooting to Table Tennis and was even sideline reporter for Badminton. He was solid throughout.
Kirch Kiraly (Beach Volleyball)- Exactly what an ex-athlete analyst should sound like covering his/her Sport.

Losers-

Cynthia Potter (Diving)- MSMers applauded her but I couldn't stand her. She was negativity personified and coming from me....that's saying something.
Rowdy Gaines (Swimming)- The Doug Collins of Swimming
Eric Collins (Baseball)- Just downright boring
Craig Sager (Basketball)- Outside of talking about Hooters the sideline reporter was dreadful. He ruined results from events for West Coasters and even said that if the U.S. beat Argentina they'd "play finalist China on Sunday".
Andrea Kremer (Swimming)- "How does it feel to win ______ swimming race?" was all she ever asked
Shane Hamman (Weightlifting)- Actual Quote: "What a huge amount of weight! We're talking a refrigerator, not just a regular refrigerator, but like a big one!"
Al Trautwig (Gymnastics)- Just terrible and the hyperbole was off the charts. He was even quoted as saying this at one point...."The Olympics begin with footprints in the sky." (Blech!)
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There you have it. Overall the Olympics were ultimately just what they've always been, a nice distraction. They come at the perfect time during the Sports Calendar, and some of the physical performances amaze you, but are you really starting the four year countdown right now? Didn't think so. Outside of the live event issues and not utilizing the Internet content correctly, the Games were a success for NBC because they made money.

In the end the bottom line is all that really matters. Who cares if they screw an entire half of the country, right? Right???

The Sporting Blog came across this hilarious video of BBC reporter Steve Parry walking around with a cardboard cutout of Michael Phelps. Watch as people go crazy thinking he's actually Phelps himself....

That whole scene reminded me of the New Era commercial where everyone thinks the dude in the airport is David Ortiz. Parry does say he feels like a "fraud" but tell me you wouldn't try the same thing just to see what it was like. Too funny.

China Is Going Crazy For Tall, White People (The Sporting Blog)

An interesting story from The Live Feed today about how NBC's coverage of the Olympics is causing record lows in ratings for the every other major network. Sure it's the summer, and the shows we're seeing are the likes of Terminator and Big Brother, but these numbers are still pretty mind blowing.

Little noticed in all the fanfare is that NBC's competitors are setting records of their own, having uniformly endured their worst week ever.

From the ratings week ending Aug. 17, ABC, CBS and Fox each had their lowest-rated and least-watched week in recorded People Meter history (which almost certainly means their all-time lowest; People Meters were rolled out in 1987 and broadcast averages have eroded significantly since then). Fox's 3.2 million average marks the lowest-ever turnout for a major network; ABC's 1.1 rating represents the lowest rated in the adult demo.

That all this ratings misery is delivered courtesy of NBC is almost like some cosmic prank. It's as if the least popular kid in high school suddenly became the football quarterback and Prom King.

NBC averaged 28.7 million viewers, with a 9.6 average among 18-49 (28 share). Even with the conclusion of Michael Phelps' successful quest to become the most-decorated Olympian in history, interest in the telecasts remained high, with Sunday night's coverage (28.2 million, 9.2/26) keeping pace with Athens four years ago. The coverage peaked last Tuesday (34 million, 12.4/34), lifting the network to its highest primetime rating in the adult demo for any night since the 2004 "Friends" series finale.

Again, I was seriously wrong when predicting the ratings for these Olympics, but when Big Brother and the Mole are your only counter programming....you're in for a rough summer. With the high profile events over (outside of the Basketball Final), I'm curious as to how they ratings will finish up this weekend. Only four days left!

Weekly ratings: Olympics crush competitors (The Live Feed)

I'm all for Michael Phelps and patriotism, but this kid from Jamaica is just off the charts fast. Usain Bolt just set a new world record in the 200-Meter Final with a 19.30 beating the previous record time of 19.32 by Michael Johnson. USA's Wallace Spearmon finished third but was disqualified for running out of his lane, so Shawn Crawford (also of the U.S.) took the bronze in his place. Churandy Martina of the Netherlands-Antilles finished second in 19.82 and was never even close to Bolt.

I've also never been more pissed in my life that NBC didn't show it live online just to save it for primetime tonight. It's my mission now to find the video and post it here. If you see it online please let me know.

Update: BBC's feed....

(Video Removed)

Amazing.

Bolt claims 200m gold with record (BBC Sport)

Why not a pseudo little live-blog this morning? If anyone's around feel free to comment and I'll follow with some videos following the contest.

8:15- Close game early on. The U.S. leads by only three halfway through the first. Howard is settling in down low (Bogut has two fouls) but Australia is nailing their threes.

20-17 with 2:50 left in the first. There's been a couple of shots by the Aussies early as well. Something to keep in mind.

"Stop being stupid. You're making dumb plays"- Coach K via Craig Sager

2:20- Australia's point guard, Patty Mills (St. Marys) is giving Team USA's guards some problems early and it might be time to bring in Chris Paul. We were tied, but Anthony hit a three to give "Redeem" the lead back

24-21 (under a minute left in the first)

2:24- The U.S. is 4-11 from the FT line early as well. Mills hits a beautful running layup and gets fouled, but misses the free throw. Paul drives and is hammered at the buzzer....no call.

25-24 U.S. at the end of one

8:28- We start the second quarter with an obligatory Michael Phelps story from Sager and Wade completes a three-point play. Bogut looks terrible by the way. Australia is still bumping and it's about time to start hitting back.

30-26 with 9 minutes left

8:33- Patrick Mills again! He takes it right at Chris Bosh for two. Bosh misses another throw and the U.S. is shooting somewhere in the teens from the line. Wade to James....Slam! Bogut finally scores but Kobe follows on the other end with a dunk. Kobe again with a behind the back fake and a layup.

37-30 USA with 6:30 left in the second

8:39- Bogut with an and one and I'm thinking that I shouldn't have called him out. Doug Collins tells us that USA has 10 offensive rebounds and I thank him for the stat. James gets a layup and was fouled but no call. Lead is nine and Bogut dribble off of his fat thigh out of bounds. Layup for Newley of AUS and the lead is seven. Kobe misses a three and Anderson hits for the Aussies. James and one!

"Pure strength and power for Lebron James."- Mike Breen

Bron misses and Anthony is hammered. Here we go! Some pushing and shoving after the play between Worthington and Howard.

45-36 USA with 4 minutes left in the second

8:44- AUS gets a couple of throws, but Kobe gets another and one as he blew past Mills....ANOTHER MISSED FREE THROW! Good lord. James misses a three. Eight point lead. Prince with a steal and Lebron again...he can't be stopped down low today (or tonight). Under two to go. Newly drafted Houston Rocket, Mike Newley hits a three. Another U.S. miss but Mills misses a three.

50-43 U.S. under a minute to go

8:47- Aww...a great shot of Chris Collins in the stands. Doug swoons. Kobe with a fadeaway, Newley misses a three and AT THE BUZZER!!!!!!! GOOD! Deron Williams with a three. Whew.

55-43 USA at the half

9:05- Second half is underway and Kobe starts it with a three. That's good because the U.S. is 10-20 from the line. Melo for three! Here comes the run. Lebron with the steal! Dives out of bounds!!! Bryant to the line. Now that's the hustle we need.

62-43 U.S.

9:09- Jason Kidd with a layup and Mike Breen says they're pulling away. Way to jinx it Mike. Or not....Kobe and one.

"Kobe has just played for a minute and a half."- Mike Breen

Pretty sure you meant sat Mike....okay, he corrected himself. Nielsen gives Carmelo a shot in the chest and Australia still hasn't scored. 26 point lead as Kobe hits another three. A 14-0 run to start the quarter.

69-43 with 6 minutes left.

9:14- Mills hits a three and he's looked awfully good today/tonight. He's their backup point guard too. Lebron and one....it's officially a blowout.

"This is the Lebron we don't see much in Cleveland."- Doug Collins

Amen Doug. Amen. (Bill) Worthington with a dunk on a follow for Australia and I wasn't aware anyone on the team could dunk. We sure as hell know Bogut can't. And right on cue, Bogut is shown icing his knees and is done for the night. James with the no look to Bosh....SLAM!

73-50 USA

9:17- Dwyane Wade banks in a three from the corner and I'm going to call this one over myself at this point. The lead is 30 with 2 minutes left in the third.

"Did I see that he scored 37 in his first game in College?"- Doug Collins on Patrick Mills

It was his fourth game, but great recall there Dougie Fresh. Seville hits a three for AUS but Prince answers on the other end.

85-55 with 1:30 left in the third

9:22- Seville with a four point play and he jaws with Wade. Again....Mills with the drive. Oop to Prince and then Bosh swats a three attempt out of bounds.

That's the end of the third. U.S. won that quarter 34-18 and they lead 89-61.

9:30- The fourth starts rather slow but Deron Williams finishes a nice layup. Kobe hits one from the Water Cube and the lead is 31. AND KOBE AGAIN! He's got 25. This Ingles kid for Australia is pretty good. Only 20 years old and he adds a dunk and three to his Olympic resume.

101-70 with 6 minutes left

9:35- Ingles with another three. Outside of the guy Marlowe with the blond faux-hawk....he's my favorite player. AND AGAIN FOR INGLES!!! Redd hits a three. I'm also a big fan of Australia's yellow lowtops. Sporty.

106-78 with 4 minutes left

9:40- Deron Williams misses a layup after a nice pass from Paul. Boozer looks like ass and Newley takes it to Prince and gets to the line. Good draft pick by the Rockets but that's nothing new for them overseas. Nielsen is in there still throwing bows and the U.S. needs to just chill out.....or just foul the shit out of him. Good job Carlos Boozer.

Mike Breen thanks the interns....that's nice. Under two. Boozer scores and that means everyone on the team has scored. Mills and one. Look out WCC! Whoa....Australia has a guy that looks just like Brent Barry. Put him in!

116-85 Final

Key Players:

Lebron James- 16pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts, 4 steals
Kobe Bryant- 25pts, 5 rebs
Carmelo Anthony- 15pts, 5 rebs
Patrick Mills- 20pts
Joe Ingles- 11pts in 10 mins
Brad Newley- 10pts

(Highlight video coming shortly)

They've been buying up everything else lately, so why not the Olympics? At the Monday Night Football Kickoff event in New York, ESPN's George Bodenheimer confirmed that ABC/ESPN was very interested but that they were still evaluating. Via Multichannel News....

Bodenheimer -- who noted that ESPN already has a relationship with the IOC through the company’s coverage of the Games on its Brazilian networks and through its bid on the last round of U.S. TV rights -- gave thumbs up to NBC’s multiplatform presentation of the Beijing Olympics, as it mirrors the multiplatform tack ESPN embarked on more than a decade ago.

“It validates the belief we had 10 years ago or more that sports fans are not just enjoying sports on television,” Bodenheimer said.

Bidding for the 2014 Games from Sochi, Russia and the 2016 Summer Olympics will likely unfold over the next six to nine months, according to ESPN officials. A firm deadline is expected by October 2009, when the IOC determines whether Rio de Janiero, Madrid, Tokyo or Chicago will host the 2016 Games.

Given NBC Universal’s ratings and digital-media success with the current Games, which held an $894 million rights fee, the bidding will likely surpass the $1 billion mark, a floor ESPN is bracing for.

“If I was holding the auction, I would definitely want to hold it after this Olympics,” said ESPN vice president of content John Skipper.

It would be an interesting decision to say the least, but not one that would surprise me. Golf and Soccer have been the network's focus as of late and adding the Olympics to ESPN and ABC would be the next natural step towards world domination (I kid, I kid). I still personally think that NBC lucked out with the whole Phelps storyline, but they are still making money and are projected to hit the $1.3 Billion dollar mark soon.

The IOC also does not give the current network the right to negotiate first. This is obviously a long way off, and would certainly depend on the success of the 2012 Games and the potential of Chicago getting the bid, but the 2016 Summer Games could be coming to Disney.

ESPN To Make Olympics Play (Multichannel News)

The been photo above of Russian Gymnast, Ksenia Semenova, giving a teammate a kiss on the lips after her uneven bar routine has been circulating throughout most of the day (I watched the video and it was really only just a peck). Sixteen year old girls kissing really isn't my thing, so I found the video below much more entertaining.

We know that Tiki and Jenna Wolfe don't seem to get the customary European Kiss, and apparently neither does U.S. Gymnast Alicia Sacramone. Here is the beleaguered vaulter, after taking a disappointing fourth in the event, receiving one of "those" kisses from an Italian competitor and walking away before she was finished....

(Video Removed)

Awkward! "You're going to take this third kiss even if it means it might come across looking like we're necking!" In Italy, two kisses is reserved for a greeting, but three kisses is for someone who just did something really good. I just love the determination from the Italian Gymnast, that's the kind of love the world needs! Good for her.

The Italian Gymnast Could've at Least Taken Alicia Sacramone to Dinner and a Movie First (TSB)
Gymnastics Looks Cool (With Leather)

The "Redeem Team" was taking on Germany this morning in a game that didn't really matter in the standings, but that didn't seem to let slow them down in the least. USA seemed to want to make a statement before elimination play gets underway on Wednesday, and that they did with a 105-57 win over Dirk and Germany.

Dwight Howard had about fifty dunks during the game but it was Lebron's jam in the third quarter that sent the loudest message (2:10 mark). Here's a little montage for everyone (Thanks to With Leather for the save after the vid was taken down)....

(Video Removed)

Team USA just plowed through the opening rounds by an average margin of victory of just over 30ppg, but the team who gave them the biggest challenge in warm up play waits in the Quarterfinals. Australia (who was missing Andrew Bogut at the time) had USA scared through most of their exhibition game in Shanghai two weeks ago, but the U.S. pulled out an eleven point win.

It should be an interesting game with the rematch coming early Wednesday morning (either 8 or 10:15am). I should be around to have videos from the game as it goes along.

Germany Capitulates To U.S. Assault (With Leather)

I haven't come to a decision on the above question myself, but a few other outlets have. From Ms. Underestimated via News Busters via Juiced Sports comes video of Cris Collinsworth interviewing Kobe Bryant over the weekend. At one point Collisworth asks Kobe if it's "cool" for him to say that he "loves his country" and then throws a wry smile after doing so. Take a look for yourself....

Kobe: Well, you know it’s just our country, it’s… we believe is the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it’s just a sense of pride that you have; that you say ‘You know what? Our country is the best!’

Collinsworth: Is that a ‘cool’ thing to say, in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you’re fighting for the red, white and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by.

Kobe: No, it’s a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I’m not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor.

The point of contention seems to be with that brief smirk that Collinsworth gave after asking the question to Bryant, and while I understand how that could be taken, that's really Collinsworth's M.O. all the time. Even when he's not being sarcastic, he tends to come off that way. Still, it was an odd question to ask someone and it really had no business being asked at all. I don't know if CC was trying to show Kobe's good side, or just show him up, but either way good job by Bryant to stick to his guns.

I also have no idea what the whole "historically" part meant in the previous question. Cris Collinsworth really should have just sat that whole exchange out.

NBC’s Collinsworth Questions Kobe’s Patriotism (VIDEO) (Ms. Underestimated)
NBC Questions Kobe Bryant's Pride of Being on Team USA (News Busters)
I Finally Respect Kobe Bryant (Juiced Sports)

I'm still not sure exactly how NBC is tabulating these ratings, but either way, they were huge for Phelps' run at eight on Saturday night. Not only did it crush any other Sport the network has aired, it was the highest Saturday rating since Empty Nest debuted back in 1990. Via Yahoo....

The telecast averaged 31.1 million U.S. viewers, NBC's biggest audience for a Saturday night program since an episode of "The Golden Girls" spinoff "Empty Nest" drew 31.4 million viewers in February 1990, according to Nielsen Media Research data cited by the network.

It was the culmination of an especially dramatic day of Olympic competition, which also saw Phelps' U.S. teammate Dara Torres, 41, lose the women's 50-meter freestyle by a 1/100th of a second to 24-year-old Britta Steffen of Germany. Torres, the oldest U.S. swimmer, ended up with three silver medals.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt grabbed gold in the 100-meter dash after the reigning world champion Tyson Gay of the United States, who suffered a hamstring injury six weeks ago, was eliminated in the semi-finals.

But the dramatic story arc of Phelps, who came away with gold medals in all eight events he competed in, has been the biggest draw for NBC's Olympic coverage.

The network has averaged 30 million viewers in prime time -- on par with the numbers tuning in for "American Idol" -- since the games opened on August 15, and Saturday night's audience peaked at 40 million viewers in the half hour during which the men's 400-meter medley was held.

Through nine days, 191 million viewers have tuned in to at least one six-minute bloc of the Beijing Games on NBC and its various sister cable networks -- 14 million more than for the Athens Games and 5 million more than the Atlanta Games over the same period, NBC said.

First of all, that's just an insanely large amount of people. To put things into comparison, last year's Super Bowl pulled a 43.2 and the only American Idol to ever beat that figure was the Season Two finale (Ruben Studdard won).

Second, 31.4 million people watched Empty Nest?!?! I never knew the Golden Girls spinoff was that popular. RIP Estelle Getty.

Phelps' Olympic feat lifts NBC to 18-year record (Yahoo)

I think Michael Phelps owes Jason Lezak his career after the relay performances he put in for Team USA. Just an amazing performance by all four members of the team and with it, Michael Phelps sets the record for most gold medals in one Olympics with a grand total of eight. Let's relive the moment....

I really tried to hate Swimming about halfway through all of the events. People were setting records almost every single race and the events just seemed to drag on. But in the end, when you have competitors finishing within one one hundredth of each other, and a record that seemed impossible to match and surpass, it was just an awesome week or so for the Sport and the Olympics.

I'm happy to have witnessed history and the way the history went down is truly amazing. More videos to come.

(+1,000 to NBC for using the band Muse during the intro. I was ready to punch a wall when "Assassins" "Knights....." came on.)

It only took me a good seventeen hours to get the clip from last night, but I thought we could use it as an open thread for his record breaking attempt from last night. I had been complaining all last night that I was sick of swimming and sick of Phelps (I'm sure a lot of you felt the same), but I yelled in unison with everyone when he passed Cavic at the last second. The kid is like Tiger Woods, you just don't talk trash to him.

Here's the replay of last night's thrilling win in the 100 Meter Fly and I'll be sure to have tonight's video, win or lose, up much quicker....

I'm also looking for Usain Bolt's insane record of 9.69 secs in the 100 meter final, but in the meantime feel free to leave your thoughts and predictions in the comments. I'll see you early tomorrow morning with the result of the 4x100 Medley.

Frame By Frame Finish (Sports Illustrated)

(P.S.- If this, or any of the Olympic vids get taken down, be sure to let me know. There are ways around NBC's nazi-like approach to taking down vids.)

Live Events To Look For:

Friday- Swimming (Phelps in Primetime), Beach Volleyball

Saturday- Men's BBall (Lithuiania vs Croatia, 2:30am - Iran vs Argentina, 4:45AM - China vs Germany, 8am - Spain vs USA, 10:15am), Swimming (Phelps in Primetime), Track and Field (Women's Marathon), Men's and Women's Tennis (Women's Singles Gold and Bronze, Men's Doubles Gold, Men's Singles Bronze), Soccer (Brazil vs Cambodia, Argentina vs Netherlands), Softball (USA vs Chinese Taipei), Beach Volleyball, Indoor Volleyball, and Boxing

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 – DAY 7

NBC and NBC HD

8:00 p.m. – Midnight

Swimming – Gold Medal Finals* (Dan Hicks, Play-by-play - Rowdy Gaines, Analyst - Andera Kremer, Reporter)
Men's 100m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle
Women's 200m Backstroke, 800m Freestyle
Track and Field – Men's Shot Put Gold Medal Final (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Heptathlon Day 1
Beach Volleyball* (Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play- Karch Kiraly, Analyst - Heather Cox, Reporter)
Men's Volleyball – USA vs. China* (Paul Sunderland, Play-by-play - Kevin Barnett, Analyst)

(Note: LIVE Swimming Semifinal Women's 50m Freestyle)

12:35 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Women's Track & Field – 10,000m Gold Medal Final (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Women's Diving – Springboard Competition (Ted Robinson, Play-by-play - Cynthia Potter, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter - Andrea Kremer, Reporter)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 – DAY 8

NBC and NBC HD

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball – USA vs. Spain* (Mike Breen, Play-by-play - Chris Carrino, Play-by-play - Mike Crispino, Play-by-play - Pete Pranica, Play-by-play - Eric Collins, Play-by-play - Teresa Edwards, Analyst - Doug Collins, Analyst - Ann Meyers, Analyst - Bob Salmi, Analyst - Craig Sager, Reporter)
Track & Field (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Men's & Women's Gymnastics – Trampoline Competition (Al Trautwig, Play-by-play - Elfi Schlegel, Analyst - Tim Daggett, Analyst - Andrea Joyce, Reporter)
Beach Volleyball – Gibb/Rosenthal (USA) vs. Herrara/Mesa (ESP) (Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play- Karch Kiraly, Analyst - Heather Cox, Reporter)
Women's Diving – Springboard Semifinals (Ted Robinson, Play-by-play - Cynthia Potter, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter - Andrea Kremer, Reporter)
Men's Water Polo – USA vs. Croatia (Bob Fitzgerald, Play-by-play - Wolf Wigo, Analyst)
Rowing – Gold Medal Finals (Tim Ryan, Play-by-play - Yaz Farooq, Analyst)
Cycling – Track Gold Medal Final (Pat Parnell, Play-by-play - Craig Hummer, Play-by-play - Kenan Harkin, Analyst - Paul Sherwin, Analyst - Marty Snider, Reporter)
Women's Badminton – Singles Gold Medal Finals (Jim Kozimor, Play-by-play - Steve Kearney, Analyst - Bill Clement, Analyst)

7:30 p.m. – Midnight

Swimming – Gold Medal Finals* (Dan Hicks, Play-by-play - Rowdy Gaines, Analyst - Andera Kremer, Reporter)
Men's 4x100m Medley Relay, 1500m Freestyle
Women's 50m Freestyle, Women's 4x100m Medley Relay
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Men's 100m
Women's Marathon*

12:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Women's Beach Volleyball – Quarterfinal (Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play- Karch Kiraly, Analyst - Heather Cox, Reporter)
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Women's Heptathlon, Shot Put
Women's 100m Quarterfinal, Men's 400 Hurdles Semifinal

CNBC and CNBC HD

Midnight – 4:30 a.m.

Softball – USA vs. Chinese Taipei* (Joe Castellano, Play-by-play - Michele Smith, Analyst)
Boxing – 51kg, 75kg Competition* (Bob Papa, Play-by-play - Teddy Atlas, Analyst - Jim Gray, Reporter)

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Boxing – 48kg, 75kg Competition (Bob Papa, Play-by-play - Teddy Atlas, Analyst - Jim Gray, Reporter)

USA and USA HD

2:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Women's Tennis – Singles Gold Medal Final- , Singles Bronze* (Barry MacKay, Play-by-play - Jimmy Arias, Analyst)
Men's Tennis – Doubles Gold Medal Final- Switzerland vs Sweeden, Singles Bronze*- James Blake (USA) - Novak Djokovic (SRB) (Barry MacKay, Play-by-play - Jimmy Arias, Analyst)
Men's Track & Field – 20k Walk (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Women's Field Hockey – USA vs. New Zealand (Mike Corey, Play-by-play - Nick Conway, Analyst)
Cycling – Track Gold Medal Finals (Pat Parnell, Play-by-play - Craig Hummer, Play-by-play - Kenan Harkin, Analyst - Paul Sherwin, Analyst - Marty Snider, Reporter)
Men's Table Tennis – Team Semifinals (Bill Clement, Play-by-play - Sean O'Neill)

MSNBC

5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Men's Soccer – Quarterfinals Brazil vs. Cambodia* (JP Dellacamera, Play-by-play - Glenn Davis, Play-by-play - Adrian Healey, Play-by-play- Steve Cangialosi, Play-by-play - Marcelo Balboa, Analyst - Brandi Chastain, Analyst - Shep Messing, Analyst - Lori Walker, Analyst)
Argentina vs. Netherlands*
Italy vs. Belgium
Baseball – USA vs. Canada (Eric Collins, Play-by-play - Joe Magrane, Analyst)
Women's Wrestling – 48kg, 55kg Gold Medal Finals
Beach Volleyball – Xu/Wu (CHN) vs. Klemperer/Koreng (GER) (Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play- Karch Kiraly, Analyst - Heather Cox, Reporter)
Men's Badminton – Doubles Gold Medal Final (Jim Kozimor, Play-by-play - Steve Kearney, Analyst - Bill Clement, Analyst)
Equestrian – Individual Dressage (Kenny Rice, Play-by-play - Melanie Smith-Taylor, Analyst)

TELEMUNDO

2:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Men's Soccer - Quarterfinals* (JP Dellacamera, Play-by-play - Glenn Davis, Play-by-play - Adrian Healey, Play-by-play- Steve Cangialosi, Play-by-play - Marcelo Balboa, Analyst - Brandi Chastain, Analyst - Shep Messing, Analyst - Lori Walker, Analyst)
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals (Tom Hammond, Play-by-play - Lewis Johnson, Analyst - Carol Lewis, Analyst - Dwight Stones, Analyst - Ato Boldin, Analyst - Craig Masback, Analyst - Ed Eyestone, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter)
Swimming – Gold Medal Finals (Dan Hicks, Play-by-play - Rowdy Gaines, Analyst - Andera Kremer, Reporter)
Men's Basketball – USA vs. Spain (Mike Breen, Play-by-play - Chris Carrino, Play-by-play - Mike Crispino, Play-by-play - Pete Pranica, Play-by-play - Eric Collins, Play-by-play - Teresa Edwards, Analyst - Doug Collins, Analyst - Ann Meyers, Analyst - Bob Salmi, Analyst - Craig Sager, Reporter)
Baseball – Cuba vs. Taipei (Eric Collins, Play-by-play - Joe Magrane, Analyst)
Women's Diving – Springboard Competition (Ted Robinson, Play-by-play - Cynthia Potter, Analyst - Bob Neumeier, Reporter - Andrea Kremer, Reporter)
Beach Volleyball (Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play- Karch Kiraly, Analyst - Heather Cox, Reporter)
Boxing (Bob Papa, Play-by-play - Teddy Atlas, Analyst - Jim Gray, Reporter)

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Men's Volleyball (Paul Sunderland, Play-by-play - Kevin Barnett, Analyst)

Midnight – 1:00 a.m.

TBA

UNIVERSAL HD: 24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
(Mike Breen, Play-by-play - Chris Carrino, Play-by-play - Mike Crispino, Play-by-play - Pete Pranica, Play-by-play - Eric Collins, Play-by-play - Teresa Edwards, Analyst - Doug Collins, Analyst - Ann Meyers, Analyst - Bob Salmi, Analyst - Craig Sager, Reporter)

Men's Qualifying Round
2:30 a.m. – 4:15 a.m. Lithuania vs. Croatia (LIVE)
4:45 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. Iran vs. Argentina (LIVE)
6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Angola vs. Greece
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. China vs. Germany (LIVE)
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Spain vs. USA (LIVE)
12:00 p.m. – 1:45 a.m. Russia vs. Australia
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Spain vs. USA (2nd half re-air)

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(JP Dellacamera, Play-by-play - Glenn Davis, Play-by-play - Adrian Healey, Play-by-play- Steve Cangialosi, Play-by-play - Marcelo Balboa, Analyst - Brandi Chastain, Analyst - Shep Messing, Analyst - Lori Walker, Analyst)

Men's Quarterfinals
6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Brazil vs Cameroon (LIVE)
9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Argentina vs Netherlands (LIVE)
10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Match #3
12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Match #4
2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Match of the Day re-air
4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Second Match of the Day re-air

*- Live Event

There was no way that NBC was passing up on a "Bela Freakout Moment" on the night of the Women's All Round, and neither was I. Here's your Karolyi clip from last night's awesome one-two finish from the American ladies....

That is just too much fun. "BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Again, I still don't understand all the flak that Bela is getting. The guy was an ex-USA Gymnastics Coach, he works for an American station and he's genuinely proud of his favorite Sport. I don't expect NBC's Olympic announcers to root against other countries, but getting excited when their own country does good? Give me a break.

I rarely feel bad for West Coasters (given that you get Football so early in your day), but I finally have some sympathy with the coverage that NBC is giving you during these Olympics. Those to the West have been subject to events being listed as "Live" that are certainly not going on at that time and have basically been relegated to watching one of the best Olympic performances on a time delay.

Well yesterday there was a bit of hope in a rumor from Media Bistro that NBC was going to air Michael Phelps' race for a potential eighth gold live across the U.S. Well friendos....that's not happening. Via Sports Business Daily and Yahoo Finance....

SBD: "An NBC Sports spokesperson dismissed a report that that NBC was considering airing Saturday's prime-time Olympic coverage live in all time zones due to U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps potential winning his eighth Gold Medal. The spokesperson called the report, “Absolutely false. There is no chance that this will happen”

Yahoo Finance: "NBC has been airing the swimming events live on a feed for the eastern and central time zones, but offering the same programing three hours later on delay for West-Coast viewers.

"It will not be shown live on the West Coast," said Brian Walker, NBC Olympics spokesman in Beijing. "This is a baseless rumor and I don't know the genesis of it."

"The situation will remain the same as it has for all of our prime-time broadcasts," Walker said. "The reason that we're showing this in the normal prime-time patterns on the West Coast is because this is when the majority of people are available to watch."

So there you have it. No Phelps for you....and for what? A few points in the ratings? This decision is unprecedented for a network to air events live on one side of the Country and not the other. It's amazing how out of touch NBC is with its viewers, and the choice is baffling to say the least, so I completely understand if you're frustrated. Unfortunately for you, it doesn't look like NBC cares.

West Coast TV to stay on delay, even if Phelps gets shot at breaking Spitz's record (Yahoo Finance)
Phelps Race May Get Coast-to-Coast Live Coverage (Media Bistro)

So I turned on the Team USA-Greece game a bit late but as it turns out, I did so just in time. Watch Dwyane Wade on the steal with the sick pass to Kobe for the oop and then follows that up with another ridiculous pass to Dwight Howard for the jam....

How awesome was that? I'll try to keep you updated as the game goes on but the U.S. looks on point early. With that said, Greece was hanging in there for awhile, with open jumpers and layups, but it's 51-32 Team USA at the half after a great run to end the second quarter.

Update: USA 74-54 at the end of three.

Update #2: Okay that wasn't close at all....FINAL- USA 92, Greece 69

(More dunks coming after the game)