Thunder-Heat NBA Finals Game Four averaged a 10.5 household rating, up 9% from last year's Mavericks-Heat Game Four rating (9.6). The game was viewed by 17.45 million people, up 6% over last year's NBA Finals Game Four (15.53 million). Through the first four games of the '12 NBA Finals, ABC has averaged 16.45 million viewers, the most to watch an NBA Finals series since '04 (John Ourand, SportsBusiness Daily).
FEELING THE HEAT: Fox Sports is disputing a
Forbes report that alleges the company is close to negotiating a local TV rights extension with the Heat that would be worth between $80M and $100M. "There's no truth to the report whatsoever," said Fox Sports VP/Communications Chris Bellitti. Sources told THE DAILY that Fox Sports-owned Sun Sports is in the middle of a long-term deal with the Heat that is not scheduled to end for several years. Forbes quoted "sources familiar with the negotiations" in its report (
John Ourand, SportsBusiness Daily).
A NEW APPROACH: In Albany, Mark Singelais noted the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference "will end a longstanding tradition next season by not holding a basketball Media Day." Instead, the MAAC "will broadcast separate shows online on ESPN3 for the men and women" on Nov. 9. MAAC Assistant Commissioner for External Relations Jill Skotarczak said in an e-mail, "The chance to move this to the ESPN3 platform, with 70 million homes, versus the 200 or so folks who attend media day in person or linked in to the maactv.com broadcasts really expands this show to a huge audience" (TIMESUNION.com, 6/20).
TENNIS, ANYONE? Last night’s edition of NBC Sports Network’s “Costas Tonight” featured tennis analyst John McEnroe. Host Bob Costas said to McEnroe, “You’re so good as a commentator, one of the best in all of sports.” McEnroe, on whether there is any backlash over his on-air criticism from current players, said, “There’s times now and then when I get feedback from the players. But for the most part I try to be available to them in the locker room. If I’ve said something they don’t care for, then I’m there. I’m not going to shy away from talking to them” (“Costas Tonight,” NBC Sports Network, 6/20).
BIRD'S THE WORD: ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson noted former Univ. of Louisville football player Joe Tronzo has "been hired as the color analyst on the Cardinals' radio broadcast team for the upcoming season" (ESPN.com, 6/20).
