Some Monday Links

Just to let you know, blogging will be at a minimum over the next couple of weeks as I have to send my Acer notebook computer out to get fixed (something wrong with the power connection) so I’ll try to blog whenever I can from other computers. So annoying when this happens.

I’m blogging from a slow work computer and probably will have to double up on posts when I can. So annoying.

Here we go.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that CBS’ Bill Cowher is enjoying being on TV. USA Today picks up a story from the Associated Press which says several Pennsylvania cable systems are going to pick up the Arizona-Eagles game this Thursday night.

Now some links from the Sports Business Journal.

Michael Smith and John Ourand write a story on how ESPN blew away the Bowl Championship Series with its bid.

John Ourand says sports executives across the country are impressed by the ESPN/BCS deal.

John writes that ESPN is using “Outside the Lines” and “E:60” to expand its long-form journalism stories.

Back to Michael Smith, he writes that ESPN and Fox are looking for ways to cut costs in their NASCAR broadcasts next season.

Tripp Mickle says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and the Washington Capitals are combining for the team’s first original TV show.

Jay Weiner and Liz Mullen say companies are scaling back plans for parties at the Super Bowl.

And you can check out the results of the SBJ’s 4th annual reader survey on various issues including media and sponsorship.

Thanks to the Sports Business Journal for providing the links today.

From Neil Best, we have a bunch of blog posts that expand on his Sunday column with WFAN’s Mike Francesa. In this first post, Francesa says he realizes his weight makes him fair game for many of his critics. Next, Francesa talks about his reunion with former partner, Chris Russo at a charity event. Mikey says the fall of Don Imus’ morning show on WFAN might have indirectly led to the end of Mike & the Mad Dog. Mike says going on remotes was definitely a source of tension between and Russo. Mike says Russo laughing at David Letterman’s jokes about him was not a problem for Francesa. Francesa tells Neil that the Shaquille O’Neal trade from Miami to Phoenix led to a huge fight between and Mad Dog. Michael admits he can be a giant pain in the ass to work with. I can remember during their 10th annivesary show, Francesa said he would not work with another partner if he and Russo ever split up. Well, ten years later, Francesa has changed his tune and says he does not want to be a one man show. And Mike admits he and Russo were late to embrace new technology. You want more Mike Francesa interview links? Sure, why not. Mike tells Neil that he still has enormous passion for his job. Late in the Francesa interview, WFAN operations manager Mark Chernoff joined in and he tells Neil that he never thought Mike & the Mad Dog would break up. Francesa says he and Don Imus would talk every day. Neil writes that MSG Network had big things planned for Francesa had it won the bid from YES to simulcast his radio show.

To Phil Mushnick of the New York Post. He writes ESPN’s Pam Ward and Ray Bentley ignored Purdue coach Joe Tiller running up the score on Indiana in his last game.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell is back from vacation and he wonders if Citigroup’s deal to name the Mets new stadium will hold.

The St. Petersburg Times’ Tom Jones has his take on Fox’s production of the Bucs=Lions game and gives praise to Fang’s Bites fav Charissa Thompson.

The Sports Media Watch has a look at NASCAR’s ratings this season.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News talks about the Fox production of the 49ers-Cowboys game yesterday. And Barry says ESPN is rooting for an upset on Thursday night.

Dusty Saunders of the Rocky Mountain News feels HBO/NBC/NFL Network analyst Cris Collinsworth is a step above all other analysts.

That’s going to do it because this computer is so slow and it’s taking me so long to gather them. I hope Acer fixes my computer quickly because I cannot stand this.