Colt's Lucas Oil Stadium Roof Closed for the First Time

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NBA on TNT Posts Strong Ratings for Playoffs
Published 4/25/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network
TNT, home of 40 Games in 40 Nights of NBA Playoffs, announced Thursday that they continue to have a strong ratings drive with a 16% ratings increase (2.1 US rating) over the prior year. Through nine games, the network also experienced a swell in households, delivering an 18% increase (2,311,000 HH), as well as significant key demo growth in A18-34 (26%), A18-49 (26%), A25-54 (25%), M18-34 (31%), M18-49 (30%) and M25-54 (28%). The NBA Playoffs on TNT continues tonight (April 24) at 8 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards followed by the Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz. TNT will continue to televise the playoffs throughout ...

When the MLB Brass Receive a Pass on the Mitchell Report
Published 4/25/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network
Never let it be said that I’m not willing to admit I was wrong. In November of last year, just about a month shy of the release of the Mitchell Report, I wrote (Could MLB Get a Pass on the Mitchell Report? ): Based on reports, the Mitchell investigation will offer up a forward looking set of recommendations, and not address how the PED culture in baseball was allowed to permeate. In other words, baseball may be given a free pass for matters in the past and present, with only the named players as ones being held accountable. I then added: If this is indeed the case, then many, ...

Idaho Stampede Capture the 2008 NBA D-League Championship
Published 4/26/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network
The Idaho Stampede captured the 2008 NBA Development League championship tonight by defeating the Austin Toros 108-101 in Game Three of the NBA D-League Finals at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. “It was an unbelievable game and a special night,” said Bryan Gates head coach of the Stampede. “This is one of those days when you’re 60 years old you’ll look back and say, ‘I remember that day.’ Idaho held a 55-46 halftime edge led by center Cory Violette’s 15 points and a 26 – 17 rebounding advantage. The Toros, energized by a pair of Andre Barrett three’s chipped away at the lead at the start of the third quarter pulling within three points on ...

Jays Minor Leaguer Jaspe Suspended 50 Games for PEDs
Published 4/26/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Toronto Blue Jays Minor League player Jonathan Jaspe has received a 50-game suspension, effective immediately, for testing positive for nandrolone metabolites, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Jaspe is currently with Single-A Lansing of the Midwest League. Since mandatory drug testing was instituted, a total of 176 suspensions have been doled out across baseball for a total of 5,425 games.  The following is a summary of drug ...

Vin Scully Honored at Pepperdine University Graduation
Published 4/26/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network
He called Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, Hank Aaron's record-breaking home run in 1974, and Kirk Gibson's World Series home run in 1988. And today Vin Scully, "Voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers," answered the call as the 2008 Pepperdine University Seaver College commencement speaker and recipient of Pepperdine's highest distinction, the Honorary Doctorate degree. The commencement ceremony took place at Alumni Park on Pepperdine's Malibu campus. Jamie McCourt, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers, introduced ...

Comments from MLB of TBS (Yankees v Indians)
Published 4/27/2008 by Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network
The following are comments from today's MLB on TBS Sunday Game of the Week between the Yankees and Indians Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst) and Marc Fein (studio highlights) Martinez on the importance of Cleveland Indians pitcher CC Sabathia to his team: "I think there are only about 10 aces in all of baseball and CC Sabathia his last time out pitched like an ace, and because of that this Indians team is playing with a lot of confidence, the bats have come around and they have put together a nice win streak simply because CC Sabathia is ...

Mile High Malaise: Lakers Flatten Listless Nuggets
Published 4/28/2008 by David Friedman at The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network
Kobe Bryant passed early (six first quarter assists) and scored late (11 third quarter points) as the L.A. Lakers dismantled the Denver Nuggets 102-84 to take a 3-0 series lead. Bryant finished with game-high totals in points (22), assists (eight) and plus/minus (+21, tied with Derek Fisher) while tying for the team lead in rebounds (seven). He shot 9-19 from the field. Even more significant than Bryant's impressive numbers is the way that he controlled the game--and has controlled the entire series so far--with his scoring and passing; the Nuggets have tried several different defensive schemes but nothing they have done has stopped him individually or ...