Watchdog
Neil Best leaves no stone unturned in the world of sports media.
Nets land in dollar bin
Photo credit: AP
Team Marketing Report is out with its annual survey of NBA ticket costs, which shows that – no surprise – the two most expensive teams are the Knicks and Lakers, who average $117.47 and $99.25 for their non-premium seats.
The Nets’ average is $37.06, below the league figure of $48.48.
But wait: Many fans are more interested in the going rate on the secondary market, where prices rise...
Bob Costas chats with Bobby Valentine
Photo credit: Newsday/Paul J. Bereswill
On Monday night's episode of "Studio 42 with Bob Costas" on the MLB Network, Commack's own sits down with new Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine.
Here are some highlights MLBN was nice enough to send along:
On whether any of the reported clubhouse behavior by Red Sox pitchers in 2011 would continue:
I certainly hope not. I hope that it’s not because the big, bad policeman...
Patriots strategy was not 'sound'
Since Chiefs coach Hank Stram famously agreed to be miked XLII years ago, no Super Bowl experience truly has been complete until we hear the NFL Films audio to learn what really went on.
Super Bowl XLVI was no exception. Only three days after the game, behind-the-scenes insights began to emerge on the NFL Network’s “Sound FX’’ show, as well as on NFL.com.
Among the highlights was Patriots...
Super Bowl spins its Web
Photo credit: AP
Lost amid the boffo television ratings news out of Super Bowl XLVI was a milestone in live sports on the Internet.
For the first time, the big game was streamed live – on both NFL.com and NBCSports.com – and attracted just over 2.1 million users, making it the most-watched single-game sports event in Internet history.
The facts that the TV version set an American record by averaging...
Rangers are buzz beaters
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
My level of anticipation for Nielsen’s annual Year in Sports roundup is a sign I have been on the business / media beat way too long. But check out some of the highlights:
The Rangers were the No. 1 NHL team in online “buzz,’’ a measure of mentions on various sites, narrowly edging the Bruins. (The Islanders ranked 13th.)
Tim Tebow had the top-selling sports biography, doubling second...
'Moneyball' faces long Oscar odds
Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who changed the way teams evaluate players. Aaron Sorkin co-wrote the screenplay based on Michael Lewis' best-selling book, "Moneyball." In theaters Sept. 23, 2011.
“Moneyball’’ is an extreme longshot to join “Rocky,” “Chariots of Fire’’ and “Million Dollar Baby’’ as the only sports films to win a Best Picture Oscar. It also would be the first baseball film so honored.
But hey, it’s nice to be nominated, especially because only two previous baseball movies have been: “The Pride of the Yankees’’ and “Field of Dreams.’’
(It’s even better to be No....
Dungy regrets kicking to Hester
Photo credit: AP
While I was busy watching Rex Ryan's movie acting debut Thursday night, NBC Sports Network was televising "Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl," including a panel discussion involving assorted movers and shakers.
Highlights, via the hard-working NBC p.r. staff in Indy:
ROGER GOODELL ON NEW OVERTIME RULE: “I think people are comforted that in a big game like the Super Bowl,...
'Mad Dog' Chris Russo vs. Craig Carton
Photo credit: SIRIUS XM Radio
A few minutes before 9 a.m., I pulled into the parking lot at the Newsday office and the old "Mike and the Mad Dog" jingle came on the radio.
First thought: "Uh oh, did someone push the wrong button?"
Second thought: "Where am I? What time is it? What state are we in? Did I drive too far?"
Third thought: "Anything can happen during Super Bowl...
Will Super Bowl XLVI pass 111 million viewers?
Photo credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Super Bowl XLV smashed all previous records when an average of 111 million viewers made it the most-watched program in American television history.
Does this year’s version have a shot to surpass that mark?
“I hope so,’’ NBC Sports group chairman Mark Lazarus said. “We’re going to try. The combination of a great game but also these big markets – and East Coast markets that will keep...
Is Bob Costas clairvoyant?
Photo credit: Getty/Scott Halleran
Way back on Nov. 6, Commack’s own Bob Costas said this during his Sunday night halftime essay, hours after the Giants’ victory over the Patriots.
“Everyone around the NFL hopes Peyton Manning can return to form, but at age 35 and with a serious neck injury that’s not guaranteed. So, something that once seemed highly unlikely now is actually a possibility: that Eli Manning could someday leave...
