Urban Renewal

Meyer Leads Gators To BCS Title

The college football season has come to a close with Florida’s stunning blowout over Ohio State in the BCS Championship game, and Fox’ 19.1/29 marks the second-best overnight Nielsen rating for a final in the nine-year BCS era, behind only last year’s Texas-USC Rose Bowl . Last night’s number is solid, but ratings for all four of Fox’ BCS games are down from last year. While the constantly-criticized BCS obviously still generates a ton of buzz and impressive viewership numbers, BCS Coordinator Mike Slive says the system will continue to be re-examined and perhaps tweaked when Fox’ deal expires in 2010.

If You Build It ...
The Home Depot becomes official home improvement retailer of the NFL.

... He Will Come?
Giants shun overtures from Bill Parcells to return to team as GM; Pats’ Scott Pioli refuses interview.

Daily Double
Latest Breeders’ Cup tweak features two-day format, $23M total purse.

Keep The Drive Alive
Honda signs on as latest company to buy ad space on CBS’ Super Bowl XLI telecast.

Tale Of Two Cities
USOC to move forward with Chicago, L.A. Olympic bids.

Goods & Services
ISC hopes to expand licensing footprint in five-year deal with NASCAR.

For Those About To Rock
Devils unveil Prudential naming-rights deal; estimate on arena price tag rises $11M.

Keeping It Real
Robert Wallace tabbed to lead EOE’s reality/documentary programming.