Quote of the Day
"They wanted to serve a little reminder to that driving core, ‘You boys have it pretty good. Shut up and race.’”
-- ESPN's Marty Smith, on Friday's meeting between NASCAR officials and drivers about criticism of the COT (ESPN2, 6/15).
Top Stories
NBC Sees Big Ratings For Primetime U.S. Open Tiger Woods plays well in primetime -- that is the lesson from NBC’s coverage of this weekend’s U.S. Open. Sunday’s overnight rating for the final round earns a beefy 8.5 as NBC’s broadcast goes to 9:00pm ET, peaking with a 13.5 for the final half-hour. This after Saturday’s overnight rating for third-round coverage from 4:00-10:30pm earns a 5.3/12 overnight, up 15% over a 4.6/12 last year. And to show how well it plays on primetime, NBC averages a 5.9/12 from 8:00-10:30pm, leading all broadcast nets and becoming the highest-rated Saturday night program -- not just sports program -- since the Final Four. While the USGA must be thrilled with the weekend theatrics and record attendance of over 105,000 for the weekend, columnists rip the Open's playoff format, calling it a "senseless, anticlimactic way to end a major championship."
Breaking Through The Line
Comcast, Big Ten Network near deal to bring to an end nearly two years of bitter negotiations.
Touched For The Very First Time
Virgin Mobile USA close to one-year deal to become first title sponsor of AFL's ArenaBowl.
Hollywood Ending?
Celtics-Lakers Game Five maintains ratings pace, as ABC earns 12.1 overnight rating.
Lords Of The Rings
NBC expands Olympics portfolio, becomes "significant shareholder" in WCSN.
Attitude Adjustment?
Will sexual, racial harassment suit against NASCAR prompt culture change?
Snow Patrol
Quiksilver puts Rossignol ski company on the block, narrows potential suitors.
Italian Stallion
Another European soccer club falls under U.S. control, as Joe Tacopina buys Bologna FC 1909.
Drawing Attention
Congress examines IRS ruling granting Yankees right to use public financing for new park.
