posted by Maury
vote down
flag
Blog Reactions
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network: Inside the World Series Multi-Year Contracts
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network: NBA.TV Adds Brent Barry to On-Air Talent Roster
Reactions
 |
#nfl DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell to Testify Regarding "Star Caps" Case: The Associated Press reported.. http://bit.ly/3n7Mk9 10/31/2009 |
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 began ...
NBA.TV Adds Brent Barry to On-Air Talent Roster
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
NBA TV today announced the addition of two-time NBA Champion and 14-year veteran Brent Barry to its announcer roster for the 2009-10 season. Barry will work as a studio analyst for NBA GameTime, the network’s live studio show filled with highlights, analysis, commentary and live look-ins at games being played across the league. Barry will join on Monday nights, beginning Monday, Nov. 2, alongside host Andre Aldridge and analyst Eric Snow. He will also contribute to The Jump on NBA.com, a new, live interactive show every Tuesday hosted by Kyle Montgomery and former Orlando Magic sharp-shooter Dennis Scott.
Barry is the newest studio analyst on the network’s impressive roster which includes Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, five-time NBA All-Star Chris ...
Game 4 of World Series Seen by 22.8 Million Viewers
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
Game Four of the 2009 World Series on FOX last night, which was won by Yankees 7-4 to take a 3-1 series lead, was seen by 22.8 million viewers, a +47% increase over last year’s Game Four and the most-watched World Series game since the series-clinching Game Four of the 2004 World Series (28.8 million viewers), and the most-viewed non-clinching Game 4 since 2001, based on fast national data from Nielsen Media Research.
Through four games, the 2009 World Series is averaging 19.1 million viewers, also a +47% increase over the first four games of the 2008 World Series and the highest four-game World Series average since 2004.
Based on preliminary primetime averages, last night’s ...
Rajon Rondo Reached 5-Year, $55M Extension with Celtics
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The Boston Celtics have re-signed guard Rajon Rondo to a 5-year, $55 million contract extension, says Rondo’s agent Bill Duffy. The contract is similar to that of San Antonio guard Tony Parker despite Rondo only averaging around 12 points per game last season. But, Rondo’s explosion in last season’s playoffs boosted his worth significantly. In the 2008-’09 playoffs, he averaged close to a triple-double with 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game.
Rondo’s extension could have an effect on Memphis Grizzlies guard Rudy Gay, who has been in talks with the Grizzlies about an extension, looking for around $50 million. Also, by signing the extension, Rondo crossed his name off a hefty list of players who could ...
Report: Corporate Ticket Sales for Sports Venues Up Over 30% from '08
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
While the economy had dwindled, at least one source sees corporate ticket sales as solid, compared to 2008. According to on-demand sports and event ticket management software and services company TicketOS, utilization of corporate-owned ticket inventory across all North American sports venues was 69% for October, which is down from 71% in September, but up 31% from October 2008. Club and stadium seating use averaged 73% while suite seats averaged 67% for October. The NFL leads all major leagues with the highest corporate ticket utilization.
As the first table shows, MLB’s playoffs remain a popular use of corporate ticket dollars as evidence by Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park , and Citizens Bank Park showing up in the top 8 ...
FOX Pulls 12.8 Overnight Rating for Game 5 of World Series
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
With the Philadelphia Phillies forcing a Game 6 back in the Bronx after a 8-6 win at Citizens Bank Park, MLB (and more importantly, FOX) executives must surely be smiling.
According to Nielsen Media Research Monday night’s game earned a 12.8 overnight rating, up 15.3 percent from last year’s Game 5 between the Rays and Phillies. That game, if you recall, started on Monday, but was suspended after the 6th inning due to rain. The game was not completed until Wednesday.
The Locals Loving It
Capping a frenetic few days in Philly where the Eagles, and Flyers joined the Phillies, Game 5 drew incredible numbers in the home market (41.0 in Philadelphia), as well as solid numbers for the Yankees faithful in ...
Pure Commentary Comes with a "Sports Bash"
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
If there’s one thing certain in life, it’s change. Sure, sports as business is fun (well, at least for some), and I don’t intend to stop doing it. But, how fun is it to just let loose and write columns?
I’m about to find out.
For some time, I have had the personal blog Maury Brown's Biz of Sports. But, that seems a bit redundant given the Business of Sports Network sites.
So, it's time for a change.
The blog has been changed to“Sports Bash” because the self-deprecating nature of “Maury Brown’s Biz of Sports” got well… boring.
What to expect? Pure commentary. Here's the first taste:
George W. Has to Go to Japan To Play Baseball
NFL, ...
Southwest Airlines Loves Brett Gardner
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
Whether it's Boeing or Starbucks in Seattle, or CVS Pharmacy at Fenway Park, ads on the outfield walls of ballparks have been prime advertising space. But, Game 5 of the World Series may have given one advertiser the biggest bang for the buck in some time.
In the 5th inning, Jason Werth smashed a ball into centerfield where a dashing Brett Gardner threw himself into the wall at Citizens Bank Park to make a fantastic catch. The benefactor in numourous replays is Southwest Airlines. Not only has the outfield wall ad been shown over and over, but John Sterling mentioned the "Southwest.com" ad on WCBS Radio.
If you ever wondered why advertisers pay for outfield wall placement, you may ...
5 Reasons Why MLB Needs a Game 7
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
The New York Yankees lead the World Series 3-2 over the Philadelphia Phillies as the series returns to Yankee stadium for the final two games. Yes, I’m aware there may end up being one game. But, no league has ever needed a Game 7 more than Major League Baseball needs one now. MLB Network analysts Matt Vergersian, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter and Mitch Williams wrapped up their pre-game show by recognizing the importance of a Game 7 all at once saying, “We don’t care who wins, please just give us a game 7!”
Here are five reasons MLB NEEDS a Game 7:
-Steroids
Ah, the black eye. The ‘roid cloud has affected fans’ perception of the league, possibly doing damage similar to that of the ‘94 strike, making us doubt ...
CHA-CHING! Game 6 Tickets Going for As Much as $24,900 Each
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
Showing that the possible return of World Series glory for the Yankees is something that fans want to get in on, tickets on the secondary market for tonight’s Game 6 of the World Series in the Bronx are selling at record levels. Eric Fisher of the SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily reports:
StubHub this morning confirmed that tonight's Game Six has become its highest-grossing event in company history. The game now ranks ahead of Phillies-Yankees Game Two, Super Bowl XLIII, Phillies-Yankees Game One, and the '09 Florida-Oklahoma BCS Championship game, respectively. Average selling prices for tonight's game now stand at $984, with transactions just in the last 24 hours averaging $1,111 due to sharply heightened demand. ...
Mary J. Blige to Sing National Anthem Prior to Game 6
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
First, it was JAY-Z and Alicia Keys performing for Game 2 of the World Series, and tonight it will be Mary J. Blige.
Blige, a Bronx native, will perform the National Anthem prior to first pitch of the World Series Game 6 from Yankee Stadium, tonight. Broadway actress Kelli O'Hare will sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch.
In other pregame news, former Yankee and 1998 World Series MVP Scott Brosius will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for tonight's game.
Game 6 starts at 7:57 ET on FOX (as well Game 7, if nessecary). As to why the games start at 7:57, here why. ...
Deciding Game 6 of World Series Overnight Ratings Up Nearly 40% from '08
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
The deciding Game 6 of the World Series that saw the New York Yankees claim their 27th title against the Philadelphia Phillies garnered a 15.5 overnight rating figure, up 39.6 percent from the deciding game of last year’s World Series that was spread out over two days (Monday through 6 innings, and the last 3 innings played on a Weds) against the Phillies and Rays. According to Mediaweek, the game averaged a World Series high 21.15 million viewers and a 6.9 rating/18 share among adults 18-49 in primetime.
Here is the overnight numbers for the key demo, by hour:
2009 World Series, Game 6 (FOX) 8:00 p.m. – Viewers: 20.91 million, A18-49: 6.4/18 8:30 p.m. – Viewers: 23.63 million, A18-49: 7.4/19 9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 22.63 million, ...
World Series Averages 19.4 Million Viewers, Up 42% From 2008
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
Fueled by outstanding individual and team performances, dramatic come-from-behind wins and the most one-run games in a single postseason, each round of the 2009 MLB Postseason generated double-digit percentage year-to-year increases in average viewership as compared to 2008, capped by the 2009 World Series averaging 19.4 million viewers, a +42% increase over last year and the largest-ever year-to-year gain in viewership (previous high was 36% from 2000-2001, which followed a low viewership showing for the Subway Series).
Complete 2009 MLB Postseason coverage on FOX and TBS averaged 9.0 million viewers, up +30% over last year and the most-watched since 2005. In addition to ...
Holliday, Lackey, Highlight 79 MLB Players Opting for Free Agency
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
No Yankees or Phillies players opted for free agency today after the World Series, but on the first day that players could do so as part of Article XX B (2) of the Basic Agreement, 79 other players did, including Matt Holiday of the St. Louis Cardinals, John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem, Carlos Delgado of the Mets, and Andrian Beltre of the Mariners.
Below is a complete listing of the players that filed on the first day. ...
Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Settles For $2.725M in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling agreed to pay $2.725 million to settle a U.S. government lawsuit in which he was accused of housing discrimination. The Justice Department said the settlement is the largest ever obtained by the government in a discrimination case.
“Housing is a basic human need, and yet decades after passage of the Fair Housing Act far too many still encounter barriers like discrimination,” Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said. “The magnitude of this settlement should send a message to all landlords that we will vigorously pursue violations of the Fair Housing Act.”
The government sued Sterling in August 2006, accusing him of discriminating against black and Hispanic prospective tenants ...
Reasons for Not Having a Salary Cap in MLB Are Numerous
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
... OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF FOOTBALL)
Boise St. Engages PR Firm in Attempt to Gain BCS Game
Does the NFL Salary Cap Still Work?
Browns Fire GM George Kokinis After 1-7 Start
UFL Failing to Dazzle at the Turnstiles
DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell to Testify Regarding "StarCaps" Case
Buccaneers Fire Back After Report That Team May Be Up For Sale
(THE BIZ OF ...
Timberwolves File Lawsuit Against AEG Over Target Center Signage
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The Minnesota Timberwolves Limited Partnership filed a lawsuit today in Hennepin County District Court seeking resolution of a dispute with AEG, the operator of the Target Center, arising out of AEG's failure to give its consent to the Minnesota Timberwolves' proposal to install signs on the Second Avenue North exterior face of the Target Center.
The lawsuit alleges that the contractual arrangements relating to Target Center provide that AEG's consent is required in order for the Minnesota Timberwolves to install additional exterior signs on Target Center, and that AEG is not permitted to withhold its consent "unreasonably." The Minnesota Timberwolves claim AEG has unreasonably withheld its consent.
"We generally have a fine relationship ...
Reds Minor Leaguer Suspended 50 Games for PEDs
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Cincinnati Reds Minor League pitcher Jose Marmolejo has received a 50-game suspension for the use and possession of a prohibited performance-enhancing substance, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Marmolejo, a member of the organization’s Dominican Summer League team, served a club-imposed 10-game suspension as the case was being reviewed at the end of the 2009 season. Thus, Marmolejo will serve the 40 remaining games at the start of the 2010 season.
According to sources, Marmolejo's suspension is based upon a non-analytical positive through investigation, and not based upon a positive test, thus the club-imposed suspension and the delay on ...
Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez Highlight 39 Players Filing for Free Agency on Friday
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network —
Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Pedro Martinez of the NLCS winning Philadelphia Phillies, as well as Chone Figgins, Jim Thome, and Miguel Tejada highlight the 39 players that have elected free agency pursuant to Article XX B (2) of the Basic Agreement on the second day of players eligible for free agency filing to do so.
There are 14 days left in which players may give notice of their election of free agency (see the complete list of 183 potentially eligible)
See those that filed for free agency on Day 1: Holliday, Lackey, Highlight 79 MLB Players Opting for Free Agency
Below is a listing of all 39 players that filed for Free Agency on Friday: ...
NBA D-League Goes to 3-Round, 3-Game Format for Postseason
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The NBA Development League announced today it will expand the playoff format for the 2009-10 season to three rounds of three-game series. The 2010 NBA D-League postseason is set to being as early as April 7, 2010.
For the first time, the eight qualifying teams will play best-of-three series in both the quarter- and semi-finals, leading up to the third consecutive year of best-of-three Final series.
The Eastern and Western Division winners, along with the next six teams with the best regular season records, regardless of division, will qualify for the 2010 NBA D-League postseason.
For the second consecutive year, the two division winners along with the wild card entrant with the best regular season record will select their first round ...
Daktronics to Provide Massive Video Display for Amway Center
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq-DAKT), in conjunction with the Orlando Magic and the City of Orlando, announced today that it will provide an integrated scoring, video and advertising display system for the new Amway Center scheduled to open in Orlando in the fall of 2010. Installation of the first displays of the multi-million dollar system will begin in early 2010.
“The new venue will be a technological showcase,” said Alex Martins, Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer. “Our incorporation of the latest digital displays by Daktronics is another example of the entertaining and exciting technology that awaits patrons of the new Amway Center. Daktronics was chosen because of its experience and reputation in the industry, its ability to ...
