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Matthew Barnaby Joins ESPN as NHL Analyst
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
Matthew Barnaby, who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League before retiring in 2007, has joined ESPN as a studio analyst. He will appear on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and ESPN.com, as well as other ESPN platforms. Barnaby will make his debut during the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter on Wednesday, Oct. 8. He will generally work Wednesdays and Thursdays during the season and every game night during the playoffs. "I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to work for ESPN,” said Barnaby. “I've only been out of the game for a short time and I look forward to bringing cutting-edge insight to ESPN's viewers." ...
Honda Becomes Official Vehicle of the NHL
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda Canada, Inc., and the National Hockey League (NHL) have entered into a 3-year agreement naming Honda as the official vehicle of the NHL, the companies announced today. Elements of the agreement include Honda sponsorship of NHL television and Internet coverage along with active participation at NHL events in both the United States and Canada, such as NHL Face-Off Rocks 2008, NHL Winter Classic and NHL All-Star Weekend. “With more than 53 million fans in the United States and Canada, the NHL is a big part of the sports landscape in North America,” said Steve Center, vice president of advertising and public relations for American Honda. “Honda has a long history of supporting ...
John Shannon Named as Executive In Charge of Programming and Production for NHL Network
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
Rick Brace, President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc., and John Collins, Chief Operating Officer, NHL, announced today the appointment of John Shannon as Executive In Charge of Programming and Production for NHL Network. Shannon will continue to serve in his current role as Executive Vice President of Programming and Production for the National Hockey League. ...
NHL by Reebok Store Expected to More Than Double Projected Sales
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
In its first year of being open, the NHL announced today that the NHL Powered By Reebok retail store in New York City is expected to more than double its projected sales figure for 2008. “We are thrilled with how the store did during its first year,” said Anderson McNeill, Head of Global Retail for Reebok. “Its success is due in large part to our wonderful partnership with the NHL. Despite the current retail climate, sales figures attest to the fact that hockey fans around the world are supporting their teams.” “Our goal going into this project was to create a living, breathing showcase for our brand and a meeting place for our fans from around the world,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Executive Vice President of ...
Elgin Baylor Out as VP of Basketball Ops for Clippers. Mike Dunleavy to Become GM
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor is out as Vice-President of Basketball Operations with the Los Angeles Clippers, and coach Mike Dunleavy will take over his responsibilities as general manager. In a related move, the team’s current Director of Player Personnel, Neil Olshey, will be elevated to the post of Assistant General Manager. Baylor had been an executive with the Clippers for an astonishing 22 years. At question is whether Baylor resigned or whether he was forced out by the Clippers organization. Baylor said to the Los Angeles Times, "There is a dispute, and on the advice of my attorney they did not want me to discuss it," Baylor said. "That's all I can say." “We greatly appreciate Elgin’s ...
TNT to Televise Landmark Outdoor NBA Preseason Game
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
TNT announced today that NBA legends Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller, alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, will serve as game-side announcers for the “AutoTrader.com Open” outdoor preseason game on Sat., Oct. 11 featuring the Phoenix Suns vs. the Denver Nuggets from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. The landmark game -- the first ever outdoor NBA match-up to be played in the U.S. -- will be televised exclusively on TNT and marks the first time that the three basketball icons have been teamed together for a national broadcast. TNT’s coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET with a pregame show hosted by TNT NBA Insider David Aldridge along with Barkley and Miller. Game coverage follows the ...
NHL Teams with Scotiabank and CBC for "Fan Award"
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
The National Hockey League (NHL), Scotiabank and CBC are teaming up to launch the first ever fan-driven NHL award -- the ScotiaBank NHL Fan Fav Award, an all-new, award given to the player who NHL fans vote to be the best overall Regular Season performer. The award will be presented by one lucky fan to the winner at the 2009 NHL Awards. “Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Award is the NHL’s first ever fan-driven award and gives hockey fans across the country a real voice in their game,” said John Doig, Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Scotiabank. “Canadians are passionate about hockey and this is a brand new way for them to really get in the game.” ...
You Betcha: Sarah Palin to Drop Puck at Flyers Game Saturday
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
But did she say, "You betcha" to the offer? Alaska Governor, and Republican Vice-Presidential running mate Sarah Palinwill join the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers regional search for the “Ultimate Hockey Mom” contest and drop the puck at the ceremonial opening face-off as the home team Flyers host the New York Rangers at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, October 11 at 7 p.m. “Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. “We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very ...
Warriors Suspend Guard Monta Ellis Without Pay
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The Golden State Warriors suspended guard Monta Ellis 30 games without pay on Saturday, seven weeks after he sustained an ankle injury in a moped accident. As reported by ESPN: "The cooperation that we received from Jeff Fried [Monta's representative] enabled us to be very diligent in collecting all of the facts surrounding the incident," Rowell said. "This 30-game suspension is a result of that. From this point forward, it is the complete focus of everyone involved to provide Monta with all the support he needs to have a successful rehabilitation, and to get him back on the court as an integral part of this team." The suspension was handed down after the ...
ESPN and Jeff Van Gundy Reach Multi-Year Agreement
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who joined ESPN during the 2007 NBA Playoffs and provided game analysis for the entire 2007-08 season, has agreed to an exclusive multi-year agreement with the network. Van Gundy will continue to provide analysis alongside play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analyst Mark Jackson as the lead commentary team for games on ESPN and ABC – the home of the NBA Finals. "It was a very difficult decision to forego coaching for the next five years, but I enjoyed myself so much last year working with Mike (Breen) and Mark (Jackson), that I decided to make this long-term commitment to broadcasting with ESPN," said Jeff Van Gundy. Norby Williamson, ...
Magic Johnson Joins ESPN as Studio Analyst
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will mainly work with Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry on ABC's GMC NBA Countdown. He will provide analysis on Christmas Day – when ABC and ESPN combine to showcase an NBA tripleheader (beginning at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN) – and contribute to the networks' post-season studio coverage. The announcement was made by Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production. “Magic has always been one of the most accomplished people in every field he has endeavored. He was an incomparable player and has become one of the best NBA analysts in the business. His unique insights, perspective and personality will be the perfect complement to ...
ESPN Hires Avery Johnson as Studio Analyst
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Former NBA point guard and head coach Avery Johnson has also joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst, mainly joining host Stuart Scott and analyst Bill Walton on ESPN’s NBA Shootaround pre-game show throughout the season and post-season. Johnson, who contributed to ESPN’s NBA Playoff coverage earlier this year, will also contribute at times to ABC’s GMC NBA Countdown. “Avery has excelled in every professional endeavor and we know his success will carry over to his on-air role,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “His experience and passion for the game will resonate with our fans.” “I’m excited to join the ...
TNT Extends Agreements with Presenting Sponsors for NBA on TNT
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Turner Sports announced today that it has extended its current partnerships with AutoTrader.com, Hyundai, Southwest Airlines and T-Mobile as major sponsors of its award-winning NBA on TNT studio coverage for the 2008-09 NBA season. Additionally, each of the four partners will also sponsor the new NBA TV studio shows and will be featured on NBA.com. The 2008-09 NBA season marks Turner’s 25th anniversary of NBA coverage and the inaugural year of Turner’s partnership with the NBA to operate the NBA Digital portfolio, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, WNBA.com and NBADLeague.com. “The prime value of the NBA brand is reflected in the overwhelming response by Autotrader.com, Hyundai, Southwest Airlines ...
Coach K Renews Agreement to Host Show on Sirius XM Radio
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that Mike Krzyzewski, the head coach of the Duke University and U.S. Men's Olympic basketball teams, will return to host his exclusive weekly talk show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K. The show's fourth season tips off tonight, October 21 (7:00-8:00 pm ET), and airs nationwide on XM channel 144 and SIRIUS channel 123. Every week, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K will feature discussions on a wide array of topical issues, covering the state of college basketball and showcasing Krzyzewski's personal perspective on principles for life on and off the court. Coach K and his returning co-host, Dave Sims, will interview a variety of special ...
adidas Launches “NBA Tested. Brotherhood Ready” Campaign
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
adidas NBA Video Part 1 - Arenas in DC @ Yahoo! Video Twelve, unknown ball players from the U.S. and China will be featured alongside NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Gilbert Arenas, Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan in adidas’ 2008-2009 start of season basketball campaign. Themed “NBA Tested. Brotherhood Ready.” the ...
Blazers Exercise Options for Roy, Aldridge, Rodriguez, and Oden
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The Portland Trail Blazers exercised fourth-year options on the contracts of forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Sergio Rodriguez and guard Brandon Roy, while exercising their third-year option on center Greg Oden. The moves, announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard , keep all four players under contract through the 2009-10 season. The Trail Blazers acquired Aldridge, Rodriguez and Roy in 2006 draft day trades. Portland selected Oden with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Source: Portland Trail Blazers ...
