In Sydney, Michael Chammas writes tennis player Caroline Wozniacki yesterday showed "some serious pulling power" when she "took to Twitter to complain" about ATN-7's coverage of the Australian Open. She tweeted, "It would be awesome if @channel7 could show the women's matches from time to time #please." Chammas notes within minutes, the net "left the coverage of Australian Marinko Matosevic against Andy Murray for Maria Sharapova's match against qualifier Alexandra Panova." The net replied to Wozniacki, saying: "@CaroWozniacki We've jumped across now :-) You should download the @7sport app on your phone/tablet - we're LIVE streaming all courts!." Wozniacki "was more than happy her polite request didn't go unnoticed" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/21).
MILLER TIME? SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported CBS and Turner Sports "do not yet have a contingency plan for the Final Four" to replace suspended basketball analyst Greg Anthony. The "easiest short-term solution would be to move Clark Kellogg from the studio back to the game broadcast to work alongside Jim Nantz." Turner will want "one of its own working the semis and finals so do not be surprised if Reggie Miller ends up in the Final Four or title game booth." There are some who would argue Anthony's punishment "is too harsh and perhaps it is." But Anthony "forced the hand of his bosses." Having Anthony at the Final Four with solicitation charges over him is a "PR headache few networks are going to endure" (SI.com, 1/20).
PARTY DOWN SOUTH: BASEBALL AMERICA's Vince Lara-Cinisomo reported SEC baseball "will get a big boost this season from the SEC Network, which, in its first year covering baseball, will quadruple the [number] of games televised" from '14. Auburn coach Sunny Golloway said, “When I was at Oklahoma (2005-13 as head coach), we had SoonerVision, just like the Longhorns had the Longhorn Network, and it was such a tremendous advantage, especially in recruiting because kids are watching us all the time.” He added, “No question it will impact recruiting. Kids want to play on TV and they will have an opportunity to compete on TV and give them a chance to become recognizable and the SEC Network is at the forefront of that" (BASEBALLAMERICA.com, 1/20).
