TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET 60-minute edition
of FSN's "The Keith Olbermann Evening News" led with a bomb
scare at Redskin Park, followed by Dodgers-Braves and
Giants-Mets. The first Buick Open report was at 7:33 into
the broadcast, with 1:34 of total Buick coverage. Last
night's 11:00pm ET 30-minute edition of CNN/SI's "Sports
Tonight" led with Giants-Mets, followed by Dodgers-Braves.
The first non-MLB report, at 6:47, was that former Lions RB
Barry Sanders will remain retired. The first Buick Open
report was at 10:15, with 1:20 of total Buick coverage.
CNN/SI followed "Sports Tonight" with a 30-minute preview
show of the PGA Championship. Last night's 11:00pm ET 60-
minute edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with Giants-
Mets, followed by D'Backs-Pirates. The first non-MLB
report, at 8:34, was the Buick Open. "SportsCenter" had
2:08 of total Buick Open coverage (THE DAILY).
NAMES & FACES: In Toronto, William Houston wonders if
the CBC has been "unfairly criticized" for its decision to
hire an American announcer to call Blue Jays games while
Brian Williams is covering the 2000 Games. Houston: "The
network wants to provide its viewers with the best possible
alternative to Williams and Rich Waltz of Fox Sports Net in
Seattle comes highly rated." Houston adds that "there is no
evidence the CBC looked seriously for a replacement" for
Williams (GLOBE & MAIL 8/12)....In Dallas, Barry Horn wrote
that Brent Musberger, former MLBer Orel Hershiser and ESPN
analyst Harold Reynolds will call the Little League World
Series championship game on August 26 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
8/12)....The N.Y.-based SportsFan Radio Network has inked
Scott Ferrall to broadcast his syndicated talk show "Ferrall
On The Bench," beginning August 28. The show will air from
8:00pm-12:00am (THE DAILY)....In NC, Mike Mulhern writes
that NBC "will get" Benny Parsons on camera "a little
earlier than expected." ABC "traded" Parsons to NBC for the
Pennzoil 400 on November 12 in exchange for replay rights to
Tiger Woods' victory in the U.S. Open. Parsons will be an
analyst for NBC next season (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 8/14).
NOTES: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote on Yankees Owner
George Steinbrenner's attempt to start a new RSN: "How will
a new Yankees network affect fans?" Raissman wonders if the
coverage of the Yankees "will be different" from current
coverage on MSG. Raissman: "The mere thought of a network-
controlled by Steinbrenner -- televising Yankees games is
scary. It should send up red flags." Raissman also asks,
"Would a Steinbrenner-owned network give its voices complete
freedom to be critical of the team and the principal owner?
Would a Steinbrenner-owned network allow its reporters to
present stories that could have an adverse impact on the
team?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS 8/13)....In Charlotte, David Scott
wrote that a "dispute between" DirecTV and local Fox
affiliate, WCCB, "means no Carolina Panthers regular-season
football games for Charlotte-area subscribers, unless it is
settled." DirecTV and WCCB disagree over some financial
details (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/12)....In Atlanta, Prentis
Rogers wrote that of Fox's 12 MLB telecasts, Saturday's game
against the Dodgers was the Braves' "seventh appearance, and
fourth in a row." Rogers: "Fox's average rating with the
Braves is 7 percent higher at 3.1 than when they are not
included." The Braves will make it five in a row next
Saturday when they play the Giants (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
8/12)....In SC, Andy Phelan writes that Darrell Joyner, an
'86 graduate of the Univ. of SC, "was surprised" when he saw
that Clemson Univ. football coach Tommy Bowden's domain name
was available. Joyner: "I paid $75 on the spot. I was just
shocked no one had bought it yet." Joyner purchased both
domain names that were available: www.tommybowden.net and
www.tommybowden.com (Columbia STATE, 8/14).
