Alyssa Milano Would Consider Owning a Minor League Team
Sports Bash — I’ve been doing interviews with those in sports business for a while now… Fay Vincent… Bob Costas… Marvin Miller… Kevin Pritchard… Each one has been fascinating in one way or another. But recently, I’ve bumped into the chance to interview a couple of individuals of celebrity status, and it’s been, well… fun. A couple of weeks ago I interviewed chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Emeril Lagasse in Las Vegas for the opening of his “Lagasse Stadium” space at The Palazzo, and today it’s actress, sports fan, and fashionista, Alyssa Milano. Three years ago, Milano approached MLB Properties about marketing a clothing line that would look as good in a boutique as it would at the merchandise stand at the ballpark. The results has ...

Entering World Series, MLB Sees Ratings Up 15% Compared to Last Year
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — With the Yankees advancing to the World Series last night for the first time since 2003 with their 5-2 win over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS, the 2009 MLB postseason continues to see strong ratings, compared to last year. Last night’s game from Yankee Stadium and aired on FOX drew a 9.3 household rating with 15.5, both high water marks for the 2009 season. Including the AL Central tiebreaker game between the Tigers and Twins, the LDS, and LCS, ratings for the 2009 MLB postseason are up 15 percent compared to last year. Last night’s game had the largest LCS audience for a non-Game 7 since Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS between the Yankees and the Red Sox. That game was  infamous “bloody sock” game in which Curt Schilling pitched ...

JAY-Z and Alicia Keys to Perform Prior to Game 1 of World Series
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — New York natives JAY-Z and Alicia Keys will perform their hit single “Empire State of Mind,” from JAY-Z’s #1 album The Blueprint 3, on the field at Yankee Stadium prior to Game One of the 2009 World Series on Wednesday, October 28. Following their joint performance, Keys will sing the national anthem. Both performances will air on FOX, which begins its World Series coverage of the New York Yankees against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. An avid Yankee fan, JAY-Z has worn a Yankee cap in music videos, magazine photo shoots, and on album covers. “As a die-hard Yankee fan, I’m honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New ...

MLB Releases 2009 World Series Broadcast Schedule
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — The following is the national broadcast schedule for the 105th World Series. FOX Sports will provide national coverage of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. ESPN Radio will provide complete coverage of the World Series, and additional coverage will be provided by XM Radio, MLB International and MLB.com. ...

Padres Name Jed Hoyer as Exec VP/General Manager
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — The San Diego Padres announced today they have named Jed Hoyer as Executive Vice President/General Manager. Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Jeff Moorad made the announcement. Hoyer, 35, joins the Padres as the eighth General Manager in franchise history. He comes to San Diego from the Boston Red Sox, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager under Theo Epstein since being promoted to the post January 12, 2009. "After a thorough search and evaluation of qualified candidates, I am excited to name Jed Hoyer as our Executive Vice President/General Manager," said Moorad. "Jed comes from a championship organization where he ...

The Art of the Ballpark Seat
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Cincinnati Reds folding chair (Lot 480 - $400-$500) Look at this. [holds up a silver pocket watch] It's worthless. Ten dollars from a vendor in the street. But I take it, I bury it in the sand for a thousand years, it becomes priceless! - Rene Belloq in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” History is a ...

Moyes Agrees to Sell Bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes to NHL
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — Jerry Moyes, who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the Phoenix Coyotes in early May, has agreed to sell the club to the NHL. The deal still has to be approved by Judge Redfield T. Baum, who is overseeing the bankruptcy procedure. The deal was reached in Baum’s courtroom as a hearing was taking place, updating the court on the on-going process of selling the club to pay secured creditors. Last month, Baum rejected both the NHL’s and Blackberry co-CEO Jim Balsillie’s bids. His ruling knocked down Balsillie’s bid completely, and said that the NHL’s bid did not satisfy all creditors, namely Moyes and minority owner and former coach Wayne Gretzky. As reported by the AZ Republic, the agreed to sale comes after the Balsillie ...

Minor League Baseball to Hold Special "Turf Clinic"
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Minor League Baseball will host its inaugural Sports Turf Managers Clinic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the recently renovated Durham Athletic Park (DAP) in Durham, N.C. Representatives from MiLB clubs, soccer associations, high schools and parks & recreations employees, among others, will attend the clinic that will focus on winterizing a facility. The clinic will also include hands on field maintenance techniques for pitcher’s mounds, turf, home plates & infields and a walk through of the daily maintenance routine required to provide a top quality playing surface. Brickman SportsTurf, a division of the Brickman Group that provides the maintenance and sports turf ...

Brad Mills Selected as New Manager of Astros
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Yesterday, it was Jed Moyer, and today the picking apart of the Red Sox front office continues. The Houston Astros have selected Brad Mills as their new manager. The Astros have called a 3p.m. press conference with General Manager Ed Wade, Tal Smith, President, Baseball Operations and Tal Smith, President, Baseball Operations . The 52-year-old Mills has been the bench coach for the Red Sox for the past six seasons. The opening came after the Astros fired Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21st. The Astros finished the season 74-88. Mills was part of a group interviewed for the position that included internal candidates Dave Clark and Al Pedrique, as well as former Milwaukee Brewers manager ...

Minor League Baseball Adds Biddle, Slaughter to Staff
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Jeff Biddle and Shanelle Slaughter have joined the Minor League Baseball staff as Director of Athletics & Marketing, Minor League Baseball-Vero Beach LLC and Manager, Special Operations, respectively. Biddle, a native of Dansville, N.Y., joins MiLB after serving as Director of Athletics for the Cocoa Expo Sports Center in Cocoa Beach, Fla., for the past 15 years. Jeff will be based at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., and will be responsible for marketing and securing tournaments and other events for use by various sports groups at the facility. Slaughter is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts degree in ...

World Series Umpires Announced
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Gerry Davis will serve as the crew chief for the 105th World Series and will be behind the plate for Game One of the 2009 Fall Classic, it was announced today. Davis, a 26-year Major League Umpire, will lead a crew that will include regular season crew chiefs Dana DeMuth and Joe West and veterans Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt, all of whom have previous World Series experience. This will mark the fourth World Series for Davis (previous: 1996, 1999 and 2004), his first as a Fall Classic crew chief and his 20th postseason assignment overall. This also will be the fourth World Series for DeMuth and West while it is the second Fall Classic assignment for Everitt, Gorman and Nelson. Each World Series umpire was assigned to a ...

JAY-Z and Alicia Keys Performances Moved to Game 2 of World Series Due to Weather
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Mother Nature has star power over MLB... The World Series performance featuring JAY-Z and Alicia Keys has been rescheduled to take place in Thursday's pre-game ceremonies, which airs on FOX starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The performance was changed due to the forecast for inclement weather for Wednesday, October 28. Staging for the performance could adversely impact the field if it is wet, creating damaged and unsafe playing conditions. ...

From Dodger Blue to Singing the Blues, Here Come the McCourts
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — When Frank and Jamie McCourt announced their separation prior to the Dodgers first Division Series game against the Cardinals, you just knew that was only the beginning. And not to disappoint, it’s now obvious that the LA power couple is headed for a long, nasty, salacious divorce, even by Hollywood standards. Frank fired the first public salvo when he sent future ex-wife Jamie a termination letter, accusing her of, among other things, insubordination. Jamie held a number of titles with the Dodgers, including Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairperson, that were conferred on her by hubby, who claims to be the sole owner of the team. But Frank giveth and Frank can, apparently, taketh away. His termination letter - cold, calculated, impersonal, ...

Terry Miller, Wife of Former MLBPA Exec. Dir. Marvin Miller, Passes Away at 90
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — At a Dodger party: (from left) Marvin Miller, Dick Moss, Walter O'Malley and Marvin's wife, Terry. Ms. Miller passed away today at the age of 90. Members and staff of the Major League Baseball Players Association were saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Miller, the wife of founding Executive Director Marvin ...

Santa Clara Co. Council Vote Allows for Exemption for Competitve Bidding on 49ers Stadium
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — Less than two weeks after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill approving the building of a new football stadium in the city of Los Angeles, another new California stadium’s rise used the legal system to avoid road blocks, this time in the city of Santa Clara. The Santa Clara City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night approving the use of a newly passed state exemption that allows the bypassing of city competitive bidding rules. Unlike the Los Angeles stadium, the Santa Clara stadium has a host team, the San Francisco 49ers. The reason for the vote was the team’s claim that the project might be in jeopardy if its desired contractor did not get the job. If the council had voted against the exemption, the project would have gone ...

Game 1 of World Series Sees Massive Ratings Jump of 34%
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Proving the Yankees continue to resonate nationally, last night’s Game 1 of the World Series in which the Phillies beat the Yankees 6-1 was a ratings win for FOX posting a 13.8 overnight rating, up 33.9 percent from last year’s Game 1 between the Phillies and Rays which drew a 13.8. The rating figure is the second highest in the last decade ranking behind only Game 1 of the 2004 World Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals. According to the SportsBusiness Daily, “The game earned a 44.5 in Philadelphia and a 29.7 in N.Y. Game One also gave Fox the highest-rated Wednesday night on any net since the ‘American Idol’ finale in May.” According to MediaWeek, the game drew 9.31 million viewers and 57 percent among adults 18-49. It should ...

Caps, Flyers Game Pushes VERSUS Ratings to Highest Point Since '05
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — VERSUS announced the Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers game Tuesday night drew its highest ratings since the NHL joined the network in 2005.  The 0.6 edged the previous high which was opening night of this season when the Capitals vs. Boston Bruins got a 0.5.  VERSUS says ratings are up 33 percent from last season.  The high ratings come despite DirecTV no longer carrying VERSUS due to a contract dispute. VERSUS deal includes 54 or more NHL games each season as well as coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff games.  The network will carry games 2 and 3 of the Stanley Cup this season.  In January of 2008, the NHL and VERSUS reached an extension of their contract to keep the NHL on VERSUS at least through 2011.  This season, the network paid $72.5 ...

Game 1 of World Series Second Most Viewed Since '99
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Game 1 of the World Series was already a ratings hit, and now it can be reported that it was viewed by a large number of fans in the US. The 6-1 victory by the Phillies at the new Yankee Stadium was viewed by 19.5 million viewers, a 33 percent increase from Game 1 last year between the Phillies and Rays. The game was the second highest viewed Game 1 since the 1999 WS between the Yankees and Braves, coming behind only the start of the 2004 World Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals, The 33 percent increase in viewership also marks the second highest year-to-year increase in Game 1 viewership since data first began being collected in 1968, with only the 1976-77 (56 percent increase) being higher. ...

MLB.com Releases "At Bat 2009" Beta for Android Devices
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Take me to your leader. MLB.com releases At Bat 2009 for Android For those that have a iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm Pre, or Blackberry, have been able to enjoy MLB.com’s At Bat 2009 application for their mobile device. Starting today, it’s available in a beta version  for Android devices for the rest of the postseason… for ...

Buccaneers Fire Back After Report That Team May Be Up For Sale
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — Early Thursday morning, word arrived via Noah Pransky of WTSP (10 Connects), the CBS affiliate in the Tampa Bay area, that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be up for sale, it came as a bit of shocker. Pransky cited Dan Sileo of WDAE saying that due to Joel Glazer losing as much as $400 million in the Bernie Madoff scandal, the team was headed for a new owner. "Massive losses due to investments with Bernie Madoff have forced the owners of the Buccaneers to run the team on a minimal budget, according to WDAE-AM's Dan Sileo, and may lead to the team's sale," reported Pransky. After making some calls, the best I could come up with was a possibility that a minority stake might be put up for sale, ...

Special "Stand-Up to Cancer" Ad to Run During Game 3 of World Series
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Major League Baseball , MasterCard Worldwide and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) have joined together for an historic live event to occur during Game Three of the 2009 World Series on Saturday, October 31, incorporating the live crowd inside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia into a “Priceless” public awareness spot produced by Stand Up To Cancer Founding Member Laura Ziskin.  The spot will air between the start of the second and end of the third innings and will be broadcast live on FOX as well as inside the stadium.  Near the conclusion of the 30-second spot – which celebrates the powerful emotions baseball creates – the action will turn live to the ballpark, where actors Terrence Howard and ...

Viewership for Game 2 of World Series Up 48% From 2008
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — The 2009 WORLD SERIES is dominating prime time and posting significant gains over last year. Game 2 between the Phillies and Yankees averaged 11.7/19 household rating/share and 18.9 million viewers last night on FOX according to “fast national” ratings issued by Nielsen Media Research. The 11.7 rating represents a huge +44% gain over last year’s 8.1/13 for Game 2 of Phillies-Rays, while the 18.9 million viewers is a +48% increase over Game 2 ’08. Both percentage increases are the biggest year-to-year gains for any World Series game in 19 years (Game 4 of the 1990 Reds-A’s World Series -- +46% rating, +52% audience -- over Game 4 ‘89). Last night’s contest ...

NBCU & VERSUS: An Alternative to ESPN?
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — Sink the Mothership? VERSUS could be going after market share at some point Is the VERSUS Network about to become a worthy competitor to ESPN? Would sports fans, leagues, cable and sat providers benefit from a merger of NBCU and Comcast? The most recent speculation surrounding the sale of NBCU revolves around comments by Vivendi ...

Taco Bell Offers Free Black Jack Tacos on Halloween as Part of World Series Promotion
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Game Three of the 2009 World Series falls on Halloween this year, so in celebration of both events, Taco Bell, announces a free giveaway. Baseball fans, taco fans and Halloween fans alike can get one free Black Jack Taco by visiting participating Taco Bell restaurants across America between 6 p.m. and midnight (local time) on October 31, 2009. Taco Bell has a long history of "Think Outside the Bun" promotions with Major League Baseball. In addition to last year’s "Steal A Base, Steal A Taco" World Series promotion, the company has also placed its famous "Free Taco" target at multiple World Series games. Taco Bell is currently in its sixth year as an Official Sponsor of Major League Baseball. ...

Dodgers' Andre Ethier Named "2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year"
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Andre Ethier of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the recipient of the “2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi”, it was announced today.  Ethier is the winner of the officially-sanctioned Major League Baseball award, as voted by the fans, which recognizes the player who performed his best when the game was on the line. The winner was revealed during a one-hour special, produced by Major League Baseball Productions, that aired on ESPN.  Hosted by “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson, who is no stranger to clutch hits, The 2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Show Presented by Pepsi celebrated the six nominees who consistently delivered clutch performances over ...

Cast Members from "Glee" to Sing World Series Game 3 National Anthem
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — This certainly goes well with FOX’s sense of self-promoting its programming... Cast members from the FOX show “Glee” will perform the National Anthem prior to Game 3 of the World Series from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Saturday. The pregame performance is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. ET. Glee cast members Lea Michele (who plays Rachel Berry), Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones), Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson), Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang), Mark Salling (Noah “Puck” Puckerman), Dianna Agron (Quinn Fabray) and (no, not the former Boston Celtic) Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) will perform. Cast members will wear ”Stand Up to Cancer” shirts in support of the organization as ...

Ian Penny Steps Down as Interim Exec. Director of NHLPA
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — Ian Penny resignes as Interim  Exec. Dir. of the NHLPA Ian Penny, the former general counsel for the NHLPA, and the man installed as interim Executive Director of the union for the NHL players after Paul Kelly’s firing, has resigned from the NHLPA, leaving a host of questions surrounding the leadership structure of the union. ...

Panel Installs Mike Ouellet As Acting Executive Director of NHLPA
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — THIS IS BREAKING NEWS.... With the NHLPA seeing Interim Exec. Director Ian Penny resign Friday saying that he had been constructively dismissed and "can no longer work under the present circumstances," Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reported late Friday via Twitter that a four member committee led by Chris Chelios has named Union Counsel Mike Ouellet acting Executive Director, and that Roland Lee has been named General Counsel to replace Ouellet. But, the installing of Ouellet raises questions as to whether the move breaks with the NHLPA’s constitution; does the four member panel comprised of Chelios, Rob Blake, Nicholas Lidstrom, and Mark Recchi have the ...

DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell to Testify Regarding "Star Caps" Case
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — The Associated Press reported Friday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and head of the NFL Players Union DeMaurice Smith will be in federal court next week to testify about the case of two NFL players, Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, who violated the league’s anti-doping policy but succeeded in having their suspensions were blocked by courts in what is being called the “Star Caps” case. Goodell and Smith will be witnesses before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee next Tuesday. After the NFL attempted to suspend the two players, they sued the league in state court, arguing the NFL’s testing policy violated workplace laws. The case was first moved to federal court where a judge dismissed the union’s lawsuit and ...

Inside the World Series Multi-Year Contracts
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are organizations built for sustained, long-term winning. Both teams demonstrate the art of success via the long-term contract. Not just signing big names, but wrapping up big names and young talent for years. Examine closely the two teams left in October and you will notice that neither have “the one that got away.” We’ll start with the Phillies. Ryan Howard won $15 million in arbitration over the off-season, Chase Utley is under contract for over $11 million until 2013 and Jimmy Rollins makes 8 million until at least 2010 with a club option for 2011. Not a bad 3-4-5 to build around through at least 2011. Only the New York Yankees would have signed Jorge Posada to a four-year, $52 million ...

World Series Viewership Remains Strong, Up 57% From '08
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Viewership for the World Series remains strong following Yankees' 8-5 victory over the Phillies in Game 3 on Saturday night. The game, which saw a 1 hour and 20 min rain delay, was going up against the USC, Oregon game on ABC, and didn't see first pitch until 9:17 p.m. ET still managed to be the second highest watched game of this year's Word Series, and more importantly, pulled in strong numbers: 15.4 million viewers, up 57 percent from last year's Game 3 World Series between the Rays and Phillies. The 57 percent increase year-to-year marks the largest ever in compariable World Series games in primetime (it should be noted that the 2008 World Series was the lowest rated World Series on record since Nielsen ...