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Stanley Cup Final Game 5 "Instant Classic" Garners Huge Ratings. 79% Higher Than Last Year
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — Last night's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, a game on NBC earned a 4.3 overnight rating and an 8 share (8 p.m.-12:45 a.m. ET), the best overnight rating for a Stanley Cup Final Game 5 in six years (2002 - Carolina-Detroit, 4.5/8) and the best for an NHL game on NBC since NBC reacquired the NHL in 2004. The rating, which peaked at a 5.8/10 from 11-11:30, was up 79 percent over last year's Game 5 on NBC (Anaheim-Ottawa, 2.4/4). Also, NBC's Saturday night Game 4 coverage captured the night in Adults 18-49, the first primetime victory for the NHL in seven years (see below). The Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 triple overtime “instant classic” victory over ...

TSN and the NHL Reach Six-Year Broadcast and Digital Rights Deal
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — TSN and the NHL have agreed to a new six-year broadcast and digital rights deal that provides the NHL on TSN with more coverage of Canadian teams than ever before, it was announced today by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Rick Brace, President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.  The agreement commences with the 2008-09 season and runs through 2013-14. Reportedly, the deal is worth approx. $100 million, with TSN’s rights fees possibly half that. “This landmark agreement provides TSN with its strongest NHL package ever.  Giving Canadian hockey fans more coverage of their teams has always been a top ...

NASCAR.COM and TNT Launch ‘RaceBuddy’ to Provide Multiplatform Race Experience
Sports Bash —

Kevin Garnett, Celtics and adidas to Release Extremely Rare Limited Edition Team Signature Commander Shoe. All Proceeds to Charity
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —

NHL Renews Agreement with Anheuser-Busch for Bud Light
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — The National Hockey League (NHL) announced today it has reached an agreement with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. for Bud Light to remain the Official Beer of the NHL through the 2010-11 season. Simultaneous renewals with Anheuser-Busch and Labatt, which markets and distributes Bud Light in Canada, gives the brand category exclusivity and a brand presence in-game and at retail across North America. Bud Light has been the Official Beer Sponsor of the NHL since 1998 and, at the local level, sponsors 21 of the League’s 24 U.S. teams. In addition to remaining the official and exclusive beer sponsor of the NHL All-Star Game, Bud Light gains the same ...

NHL.com Breaks All-Time Record for Number of Fans Consuming Streaming Video
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — After Monday night’s triple-overtime thriller during Stanley Cup Final Game 5 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, on Tuesday National Hockey League (NHL) fans consumed more streaming video at NHL.com than any other single day in the history of the site. On Tuesday, fans flocking to the NHL Network Online, and tuning to the Game Highlights Channel presented by Verizon Wireless, consumed 50 percent more streaming video than NHL.com’s previous daily record.  The achievement is particularly notable because the amount of highlight video consumed in the wake of Game 5 eclipsed nights when the NHL has had 15 games being ...

NBA's Steve Herbst Hired to Manage CBS' College Sports Network
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — The NBA’s Steve Herbst was hired by CBS on Wednesday, and was named executive VP and general manager of CBS’ College Sports Network.  As reported by Mediaweek:  “Steve is the perfect executive to continue the momentum at CBS College Sports Network,” said Sean McManus, president [of] CBS News and Sports.   Steve takes over the role formerly held by Tony Petitti, who was recently hired as the president and CEO of the MLB Network.   Herbst started his career with NBA Entertainment in 1989 as a production assistant. From 1990-93, he was a producer for NBA Inside Stuff. From there, ...

City of Seattle Claims Sonics Have Intentionally Limited Team Exposure
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — In attempt to allow the testimony of Seattle’s KJR-AM radio personality Mitch Levy, the city of Seattle has filed a motion claiming that the Sonics have intentionally limited their team’s exposure over the last year.   In the motion, attorney Michelle Jensen outlines several reasons why the media members should be allowed to testify. As reported by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:   Levy would be asked by the city's lawyers to explain how Clay Bennett's Professional Basketball Club has undercut its own marketing efforts in Seattle by severely limiting player and coaches interviews on KJR-AM ...

Sporting Goods Retailer Sport Chalet Pens Three-Year Deal with Lakers
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — Sport Chalet, Inc., one of the top sporting good retailers in the country, announced an exclusive sponsorship agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The three-year deal will make Sport Chalet the “Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the Los Angels Lakers.” As reported by PRNewswire:  "Our customers and our employees have grown up watching the Lakers winning championship after championship, from the great times of the '60s to 'Showtime' to the Phil Jackson era and now Kobe. This franchise is a model of greatness," said Craig Levra, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sport Chalet. "On behalf of ...