Ten Interviews, Discussions And Exchanges Heard Over The Air

Here are some television appearances we have seen over the past year that are memorable for their contentiousness, insight or humor.

Alderson’s Defense Of MLB One Of Year’s More Memorable Exchanges

February 16 -– On “60 Minutes,” SANDY ALDERSON defends MLB against allegations from JOSE CANSECO that the league was slow to respond to steroid use. Alderson: “Were there rumors? Yes. ... But never any sort of hard information that steroids were being used.”

April 20 –- CRIS CARTER tells ESPN’s DAN PATRICK that TERRELL OWENS is right to be holding out for a new contract. After being repeatedly challenged by Patrick, Carter fires back: “I didn’t get on this program to debate. You asked me about T.O. If you don’t want my opinion, don’t ask me. I believe T.O. is right!”

April 25 –- After the Bears make him the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft, CEDRIC BENSON blasts the draft process, saying that during interviews, teams “were degrading me, trying to manipulate me, talking down (to me). I thought the process was a big slap in the face. ... No respect.”

June 28 — JEREMY ROENICK goes on “SportsCenter” to clarify his comments saying hockey fans “can all kiss my ass” for criticizing players during the lockout. Roenick tells ESPN’s Patrick, “My whole interview was pro-fan, ... but your producer at ‘SportsCenter’ only wanted to play my negative, negative comments that were made from a negative question.”

August 9 -– Speaking with CNBC’s DONNY DEUTSCH, STEPHEN A. SMITH addresses criticism of him delivered in a N.Y. Post column by PHIL MUSHNICK. Smith: “He’s not worth a second of my time. ... I don’t worry about stupid individuals.” Deutsch adds, as “a marketing savvy guy –- that kind of stuff is good for you.”

August 10 -– On “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith,” agents DREW ROSENHAUS and LEIGH STEINBERG debate the use of media in player contract negotiations. Steinberg: “Drew has done a fabulous job of making sure he’s on television,” to which Rosenhaus replies, “You’d don’t use the media? Let’s not be hypocritical here, Leigh.”

October 19 — MARK CUBAN says he doesn’t even own a sports coat, when asked by ESPN’s TONY KORNHEISER and MICHAEL WILBON whether he will abide by the NBA’s new dress code. Cuban adds, “If we really marketed the league well, ... there would be so many other things to talk about other than how guys dress.”

Rosenhaus Answers Majority Of Inquiries With “Next Question”

November 2 -– On TNT’s first NBA telecast of the year, DAVID STERN tells CRAIG SAGER he’s surprised by the breadth of discussion spurred by the league’s dress code. Stern: “Wearing a collar, a pair of jeans and a pair of shoes should not have generated so much debate.” But, the master of spin adds, “I’m glad the NBA is able to engender that kind of a discussion.”

November 8 –- Rosenhaus and Owens meet the press after the Eagles bench Owens for the rest of the NFL season. Rosenhaus repeatedly quips, “Next question,” to inquiries including, “What have you done for your client other than get him suspended?”

December 11 –- On CBS’ “The NFL Today” pregame show, Saints QB AARON BROOKS fires more shots at the NFL and team Owner TOM BENSON for their handling of the post-Katrina situation. Brooks says if Benson “sells the team, he walks away with $600 million. I don’t think a couple million would hurt to make his team feel very comfortable every week.” He adds “it’s too late” for PAUL TAGLIABUE to meet with Saints players.