Monday Press Releases

I have some press releases in my inbox and I’ll provide them here for you. This work computer is like molasses and is just awful. I hope to have this whole thing rectified within a week.

Here is quotage from NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Final last night.

Next, Sirius Satellite Radio’s NASCAR Radio has a big show coming up hosted by Tony Stewart.

TONY STEWART AND SIRIUS RADIO ANNOUNCE NOMINEES FOR SECOND ANNUAL ‘STEWIE AWARDS’

Presentation of “The Stewies” will take place in a live broadcast during 2008 NASCAR Champions Week

Fans around the country cast their votes to decide award winners

NEW YORK – November 24, 2008 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart, announced today the nominees for the second annual ‘Stewie Awards,’ honoring the best, boldest and funniest moments of the 2008 NASCAR season.

The ‘Stewies’ will be awarded during a special broadcast of Tony Stewart Live, the weekly talk show hosted by Stewart and Matt Yocum, at SIRIUS XM Radio’s New York City studios on Thursday, December 4 (6:00 – 8:00 pm ET) during 2008 NASCAR Champions Week. The live broadcast will air nationwide on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, available on SIRIUS channel 128 and on XM channel 128 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package.

“After seeing the tears of joy stream down Kevin Harvick’s face after handing him his ‘Stewie’ for ‘Best Original Drama’ last year we knew that, while it would be tough to top last year’s event, the show must go on,” said Stewart. ”So we’re excited to be back for year two to celebrate all the great people and performances from the 2008 season. It’ll be a great way to cap off the season and we’ll have a lot of fun with our guests and our listeners on SIRIUS and XM.”

The 2008 Stewie Award winners will be determined by fans around the country who cast their votes online at www.sirius.com/stewieawards.

“Once again the fans, who are such a big part of Tony Stewart Live throughout the year, can get involved by voting in the award winners,” said Stewart. “And so, without further ado, the nominees for the 2008 Stewie Awards are…”

Golden Stewie Award – Honoring a driver from the Golden Era of racing (1960-85)

Lifetime Achievement Award

Best Original Drama – For year’s most dramatic moment or sequence

Ryan Newman wins the 50^th Daytona 500 (Feb. 17)

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. wins the Budweiser Shootout for first victory with Hendrick Motorsports (Feb. 9)

Tony Stewart announces departure from Joe Gibbs Racing to become a driver/owner with Stewart-Haas Racing (Jul. 9)

Kyle Busch wins 8 races, including 4 in a row, but finishes 10th in final Chase standings

Best Stunt Sequence (Hal Needham Award) – For year’s most spectacular crash

Michael McDowell’s tumbling crash during qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway (Apr. 4)

Jeff Gordon hits inner wall at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Mar. 2)

“The Big One” during the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway involves 11 cars and collects 6 Chase drivers (Oct. 5)

Brian Vickers’ wheel comes off during Coca-Cola 600 (May 25)

Juan Pablo Montoya triggers multi-car wreck at Phoenix International Raceway that ends with David Gilliland’s car resting atop Scott Speed’s car (Nov. 9)

Best Original Comedy – For year’s most entertaining “incident” or occurrence

Kenny Wallace falsely announces plans for his brother Rusty to come out of retirement

Goodyear tire controversy at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Jul. 27)

The “Yellow Line Debate” after controversial finish at Talladega (Oct. 5)

David Starr takes on Germain Racing in melee on pit road at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sep. 13)

Best Engineering and Special Effects (Smokey Yunick Award) – For year’s most creative – and ultimately illegal – modifications to a race car

Carl Edwards and #99 team get caught without oil can lid attached at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Mar. 2)

Joe Gibbs Racing cars get caught with magnets behind accelerator at Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 17)

Juan Pablo Montoya and #42 team are penalized for illegal shocks after winning pole at Kansas Speedway (Sep. 28)

Brian Vickers and #83 team are penalized for too thin sheet metal at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (Oct. 19)

Bonehead Move of the Year

Carl Edwards pushes Kevin Harvick in Lowe’s Motor Speedway garage while discussing H
arvick’s “pansy” comment after Talledega race (Oct. 9)

Michael Waltrip Racing allegedly steals sway bar from Roush-Fenway Racing

City of Concord, N.C. flip-flops on their stand against a drag strip after SMI Chairman Bruton Smith threatens to move Lowe’s Motor Speedway to another city.

‘I Got Dumped’ Award – For year’s most memorable on- or off-track bumping

Kyle Busch vs. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway: On May 3; Kyle takes out Dale Jr.; On Sep. 6 Dale Jr. overdrives a corner and gets into Kyle

After a great season, David Ragan narrowly misses Chase after spinning himself and collecting Roush teammate Matt Kenseth at Richmond (Sep. 6)

David Gilliland takes out Juan Pablo Montoya on backstretch at Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 2)

Roush-Fenway fabrication shop after Carl Edwards takes out himself and teammates Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth at Talladega (Oct. 5)

Best Driver2Crew Chatter Exchange – For year’s most memorable driver-to-pit crew communication (Visit www.sirius.com/stewieawards to hear audio of nominees)

Dale Jarrett signs off and ends racing career by crossing finish line in All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (May 17)

Clint Bowyer declares Michael Waltrip “the worst driver in NASCAR” at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (Aug. 23)

Owner Rick Hendrick re-directs Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s anger at New Hampshire (Sep. 4)

Tony Stewart expresses concern paramedics will show up at
#20 team pit box at Martinsville Speedway(Mar. 30)

Best Vocal Performance – For year’s most memorable quote or sound bite (Visit www.sirius.com/stewieawards to hear audio of nominees)

Jimmie Johnson sums up his run at Texas Motor Speedway after Dickies 500 (Nov. 2)

Steven Wallace reacts to Kyle Busch confronting him in race car after Nationwide race at Richmond (May 2)

Ron Hornaday rips Kyle Busch after Craftsman Truck Series incident at Michigan International Speedway (Jun. 14)

Kyle Busch is unwilling to accept Carl Edwards apology after being taken out in final laps at Bristol Motor Speedway (Aug. 23)

Carl Edwards describes his desperation off-the-wall move at Kansas Speedway and where he learned it (Sep. 28)

An annual Thanksgiving tradition takes place on ABC this weekend, it’s the Skins Game and at least there’s some star power in this year.

Skins Game a Thanksgiving Weekend Treat

Saturday and Sunday on ABC

Phil Mickelson, Rocco Mediate, Stephen Ames, K.J. Choi to Compete for $1 Million, Charities

The world’s No. 3 player, Phil Mickelson, will compete against 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, five-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi, and two-time defending Skins Game champion Stephen Ames in the 2008 $1 million Skins game from the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort Saturday (1- 3:30 p.m., ET) and (3:30-6 p.m.) on ABC.

Ames will be attempting to win his third consecutive title, which would match Payne Stewart’s record (1991-93). Mickelson seeks his first Skins title in his third appearance. Mediate, who earlier this year lost an epic U.S. Open sudden death playoff to Tiger Woods, will look to cap his comeback season.

Terry Gannon will host the high-definition telecasts with analysts Andy North and Judy Rankin and reporter/interviewer Tom Rinaldi. As in the past, all four players will be miked, providing access and intimacy to their banter and strategy. The telecast will also include the use of Trackman, to measure the flight of the ball with sophisticated phased radar. Among the features will be a look back at Mediate’s incredible second-place finish in this year’s U.S. Open.

Renowned for its high entertainment value on Thanksgiving weekend, the Skins Game is in its 26^th year.
In the Skins Game, players compete for money for each hole rather than the low score for the round. A player must win a hole outright to win that hole’s “skin.” If a hole is tied, the skin(s) and money carry over to the next hole. Each of the first six holes (one through six) will be worth $25,000. Each of the second six holes (seven through 12) will be worth $50,000. Holes 13 through 17 will each be worth $70,000, and the 18^th hole, the Super Skin, will be worth $200,000. The foursome will play for $300,000 on Saturday and $700,000 on Sunday. Twenty percent of the winnings ($200,000 total) will be donated to the players’ favorite charities.

ESPN wants you to know about Jimmy V Week which takes place next week.

Jimmy V Week Returns Dec. 3-9 Following More Than $700,000 Raised in Inaugural Event

The second annual Jimmy V Week – a week-long initiative featuring special content across ESPN platforms and programs to drive awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research — will begin Wednesday, Dec. 3 and conclude Tuesday, Dec. 9. The inaugural Jimmy V Week raised more than $700,000 in net proceeds for cancer research.

Jimmy V Week will launch Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET with a special Jimmy V Week introduction featuring Jim Valvano’s now-famous ESPYs speech simultaneously aired on numerous ESPN media outlets at 7 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!® program featuring coverage of 2008 V Foundation fundraising events leading up to the launch at 6:30 p.m. The week will conclude with the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic (Georgia at Rutgers) on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 and the Men’s Jimmy V Basketball Classic doubleheader on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. (Davidson vs. West Virginia) and 9 p.m. (Texas vs. Villanova) on ESPN.

“Jimmy V Week is a shining example of sports and teamwork whose results go beyond any game. I’m proud of our employees and fans joining together for this great cause,” said George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports.

As part of a Team ESPN initiative, employees companywide have volunteered for several months to develop Jimmy V Week content and implement the strategy.

To highlight the initiative to drive donations and awareness for cancer research, Jimmy V Week content will be incorporated into studio programs and event telecasts, including SportsCenter, college basketball (men’s and women’s), football, soccer and hockey, NBA, PBA and more. The week will also include content on ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN Mobile; special vignettes; and specific Jimmy V Week on-air graphics. Highlights include:

• A special open aired simultaneously across multiple entities;
• Special elements during game and studio programming across multiple ESPN entities;
• Multiple chat sessions on ESPN.com;
• Special guest interviews on ESPNEWS;
• Jim Valvano-themed marathon on ESPN Classic;
• ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning originating from the Medical City Hospital in Dallas;
• Referees donating a portion of their one-day salary to the V Foundation’s Blow the Whistle on Cancer Campaign®.

Simultaneous Launch Across Multiple Entities

A special Jimmy V Week open will be aired across 14 ESPN media outlets and the ABC SuperSign in Times Square Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Mike Krzyzewski, followed by a complete presentation of Jim Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPYs. The approximate 13-minute long open will be offered in high definition and can be seen simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS, ESPNEWS HD, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, ESPNU HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN Deportes (subtitled in Spanish) and ESPN International outlets NASN and ESPN Middle East. The ABC SuperSign version will include English subtitles.

Elements During Event and Studio Programming

Jimmy V Week elements will appear during studio and event programming across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNU and ABC, including 21 men’s and women’s college basketball games, nine college football matchups, two NBA telecasts, three NCAA Women’s soccer contests and two college hockey games.

Content will also be aired during studio programming across ESPN entities all week, including testimonials and features on how cancer has touched the sports world and guest interviews.

Jimmy V Week will conclude Tuesday, Dec. 9, with the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic doubleheader from Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m. (Davidson vs. West Virginia) and 9 p.m. Texas vs. Villanova), a night after the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic from Rutgers University at 7 p.m. (Georgia vs. Rutgers on ESPN2).

Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!

Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up! will feature a compilation of footage from several ESPN supported V Foundation summer fundraising events, including ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, the Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Radio Auction, The V Foundation Wine Celebration and The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic which raised millions of dollars for cancer research and created new awareness for The V Foundation through the generous participation of athletes, celebrities, ESPN commentators and private donors.

In addition to the debut airing on ESPN2 (Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.) and on ESPN Classic Monday, Dec. 8, at 1:30 p.m., the program will be available on ESPN.com throughout Jimmy V Week.

Special ESPN.com Content, Highlighted by Multiple Chats

ESPN.com will have special Jimmy V Week content highlighted by multiple chat sessions with celebrities an
d ESPN personalities throughout the week including N.C. State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow who is fighting cancer, Drexel women’s basketball player and 2008 V Foundation Comeback Player of the Year recipient Nicole Hester who returned to the court this year after a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and more (additional people and times TBD).

Additional content includes an article by Dick Vitale on the importance of The V Foundation and his memories of Jim Valvano; Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPYS speech; feature stories on cancer survivors Paul Azinger, former NBA player Wayman Tisdale and Mark Barr, a swimmer with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and links to a calendar of events and to www.jimmyv.org for more information on The V Foundation and how to donate. Details include:

ESPNEWS

Throughout the week, ESPNEWS will offer features on how cancer has touched the sports world and have interviews with guests who have a personal connection to cancer. Guests are to be determined.

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., will be aired from the atrium of the Medical City Hospital in Dallas Tuesday, Dec. 2. The broadcast is a result of the opportunity for listeners to bid on the show originating from their home during the fourth annual “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” held July 6-16.

Never Give Up Marathon on ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic will offer two Never Give Up marathons featuring classic college basketball games with “never give up” themes leading up to the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic December 8 beginning at 1:30 p.m. and the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic December 9 beginning at 1 p.m.

You’ll hear and see a lot about this ad nauseum on the ESPN Empire next week. Just warning you ahead of time.

ESPN has two college football-related announcements for you. First, a quick blurb on where College Gameday will be this week.

ESPN’s College GameDay live from #3 Oklahoma at #12 Oklahoma State

College GameDay Built by The Home Depot (Saturdays at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN) will originate from Stillwater, Okla. this Saturday, site of #3 Oklahoma at Big 12 intrastate rival #12 Oklahoma State (televised on ABC at 8 p.m.). College GameDay is hosted by Chris Fowler with analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard.

Here’s the second college football-related release from the Alleged Worldwide Leader highlighting what it’ll cover this week.

#2 Texas hosts Big 12 rival Texas A&M on Thursday on ESPN College Football Primetime; #3 Oklahoma featured on Saturday Night Football

This week’s college football schedule on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com, ESPN Classic and ESPN Radio will be highlighted by #2 Texas, #3 Oklahoma, #4 Florida in intrastate showdowns, as well as #5 USC and two of the remaining four undefeated teams in action. Highlights:

• ESPN will televise Texas A&M at #2 Texas on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., marking the first time ESPN will televise the in-state, Big 12 rivalry in 15 years.
• On Nov. 29, Saturday Night Football on ABC will feature #3 Oklahoma at in-state rival #12 Oklahoma State.
• ESPN on ABC will present a split national telecast Saturday, Nov. 29, at 3:30 p.m. highlighted by #4 Florida at #20 Florida State in a non-conference showdown. ESPN Radio will also broadcast the game. The other game will pit Maryland at #21 Boston College.
• The ESPN prime-time telecast Saturday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. will feature Notre Dame at #5 USC in the 80th matchup between the rivals.
• ESPN2 will televise two of the remaining teams making a push for a perfect season: #15 Ball State (hosting Western Michigan) Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. and #9 Boise State (hosting Fresno State) Friday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m.

Because the computer is so slow, it took me over an hour to do this. On my laptop, it takes less than 15. Shows you how bad the computer I’m working with is. That’s it. Enjoy your evening.