In N.Y., Mushnick & Burke cite sources as saying that Clear Channel-owned WOR-AM has "made a recent bid in excess of the $14 million currently paid by CBS for the rights to the Yankees' broadcasts." CBS, which owns WFAN-AM and WCBS-AM, has "owned the Yankees rights since" '02, but that deal is set to expire in October. But with "two spots on the radio dial that are dedicated to its sports station," it seems "unlikely CBS will let the rights go without a fight" (N.Y. POST, 7/10).
DAWG DAYS OF SUMMER: In Akron, George Thomas cites a source as saying that the Browns are "still looking for a cable TV home and suitors include SportsTime Ohio and Time Warner Cable." But depending on "what the Browns are asking for those cable rights, the parties have to ask themselves if it's worth it." During STO's prior run, they "came with rebroadcast rights of preseason games and the right to do long-form shows from Berea during training camp as well as in-season programming." Being the "'cable TV home' of the Browns would be a mini coup." Although Time Warner "enjoys a dominant presence in the region, other services such as AT&T, DirecTV, Dish and plenty of smaller companies wouldn't have access to the channel" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 7/10).
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: In Chicago, Paul Banks noted former Sporting News writer Steve Greenberg announced on his Twitter feed July 1 that he was "joining the Chicago Sun-Times as its national college sports writer and he also Tweeted that he’ll be covering Illinois." Rumors have been "circulating for weeks that Herb Gould was going to retire, but nothing was made official -- until now, I presume" (CHICAGONOW.com, 7/8).
NAME GAME: THEDOMAINS.com's Michael Berkens reported the domain name Versus.com, the "former name of the NBC Sports Network has been sold by Comcast/NBC Sports for a 'six figure sum.'" A story in VentureVillage.eu states that the buyer is a "startup company that upgraded from the domain Versus.io." Brand protection firm Corporation Service Company was the "actual holder of the domain while it was in the hands of Comcast/NBC Sports" (THEDOMAINS.com, 7/6).
