Media Notes

Writer Feels Lack Of Offense May Have Contributed To Ratings Drop For Winter Classic

YAHOO SPORTS' Greg Wyshynski wrote ratings for Friday's Flyers-Bruins Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic being down from last year "takes some of the shine off the NHL's TV jewel, but overreaction to this now has been rampant and misplaced." The Bruins won the game 2-1 in overtime, and Wyshynski wrote a "lack of offense and excitement for the first 57 minutes made this the least impressive of the three Classic games." Wyshynski also wrote next year's Classic should feature "more glamour in the matchup." Wyshynski: "Ovechkin vs. the Rangers, or vs. Crosby, in 2011, no matter the venue, and this ratings hiccup is ancient history" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/4).

SHORT STINT: In New Jersey, Bob Klapisch reported it appears YES Network Yankees analyst David Cone's "short but brilliant run in the YES broadcast booth may be over," as sources said that Cone is "out after a heated disagreement with network executives." A YES spokesperson in an e-mail said, "David's contract is up. We'd love to have him back, but he's in the process of evaluating his various options. ... He may not be back based on what he decides" (Bergen RECORD, 1/2).

NOTES: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth wrote if TMZ handles its planned sports Web site "in any way, shape or form as it does reporting on other celeb debris, coloring outside the lines of sports journalism should come natural." TMZ' coverage also will "likely inspire others to compete for even raunchier news-stuff seemingly related to anyone in the athletic world" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/1)....In Dallas, Barry Horn noted ESPN's ad for its coverage of The Masters "has shots of" defending champion Angel Cabrera and two-time winner Phil Mickelson, as well as Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Anthony Kim. Four-time Masters champ Tiger Woods is not included in the promo (DALLASNEWS.com, 1/1).