Quote of the Day
"It was just bad luck that it had to start that late. But certainly it reflected in the ratings that we saw.”
-- ESPN's Buster Olney, on the 10:06pm ET start time to Rays-Phillies Game Three Saturday night, resulting in the lowest-rated World Series game ever("Mike & Mike," ESPN2, 10/27).
Top Stories
NFL Makes Successful Return To London The NFL made a successful return to London over the weekend, and the game is playing to much better reviews than last year’s foray. The LONDON TIMES calls the Saints’ 37-32 win in front of 83,226 at Wembley Stadium "very much the sort of occasion" the NFL "had in mind." The London TELEGRAPH calls it a "shining contrast to last year's monsoon-lashed muddle." One London columnist even writes football is "no longer fashionable; rather, it is worming into the sporting culture of this country." Roger Goodell remains bullish on the league’s global growth, saying, “We'll continue to feed the market and see how it develops. We're growing (overseas) and the facts support it." Where to next? The league is "considering taking a regular season game outside London," with Edinburgh the favorite as a future host.
Phill In The Blank
Fox earns 9.3/15 final rating for World Series Game Four; Selig defends the decision to start Game Three after 10:00pm.
Rice-A-Roni, The San Francisco Treat?
49ers deny NFL Net report that team will look at hiring Condoleezza Rice as President.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
Octagon set to become one of the largest baseball practices via acquisition of CSMG divisions.
Genuine Reform
Chevy makes "significant" spending cuts in sports marketing, especially with promotions in support of its core sponsorships.
Two For The Money
Breeders' Cup officials surprised by $155M two-day handle, which is up 5% from '07.
When You Wish Upon A Star
Beckham vows to return from loan for '09 MLS season, but some wonder if it will actually happen.
The Hits Just Keep On Coming
While Goodell talks of downturn in ad support, buyers say scatter market as slow as ever.
Renewing His Vows
Jacques Rogge expected to run unopposed in bid for second term as IOC President.
