PEOPLE: CBS has officially named ex-49ers coach George
Seifert to its NFL studio team as an analyst (CBS)....In
Philadelphia, a deal between WYSP-FM and local sportscaster
Garry Cobb to become the color commentary for the Eagles
radio broadcasts "fell through" because station execs
"insisted that a 'no criticism' clause remain in the
contract" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/17).
NOTES: USA TODAY's Mike Dodd rates the official Web
sites of all 30 MLB teams, naming the Dodgers' site "World
Series Champion" and the Indians and Reds "Pennant Winners"
(USA TODAY, 4/17)....In Canada, James Christie with that
with Canucks, Maple Leafs and Flames all missing the NHL
Playoffs, "the chances of the playoffs drawing massive
audiences look -- like those channel changers -- remote."
"Hockey Night in Canada" Exec producer John Shannon: "We
hope Edmonton, Montreal and Ottawa capture the magic and
interest, but sometimes it's a struggle when the three
largest markets are out of the picture" (GLOBE & MAIL,
4/17)....In Miami, Barry Jackson writes that NBC dropped
regional coverage of the Heat-Hawks season finale on Sunday,
as it believed that the game "would not generate a high
enough rating" in FL and GA to "boost NBC's overall national
rating by more than a fraction." The Heat will offer a live
closed-circuit telecast for free at the opening of its new
team store (see #19)....Also in Miami, WQAM-AM GM Greg Reed
said that the "deterioration of the Marlins" has contributed
to a reduction in ad sales for game broadcasts. Reed: "Last
year, we made money. This year, our ad sales are off and we
don't expect to make money" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/17).
