In Tucson, Ryan Finley reports the newly created Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl "has partnered with CampusInsiders.com for what it says is the first digitally focused postseason game in history." The site "will preview and cover the game extensively; a television partner will be announced shortly." Campus Insiders Exec VP & GM Crowley Sullivan said the game is "goal-to-go" with a network. ESPN "would be an unlikely partner" for the Dec. 29 game, as the net is "showing all three of the day’s other games -- the Armed Forces Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl and Texas Bowl" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 10/2).
GREEN DAZE: In Boston, Chad Finn reports CSN New England, beginning with Tuesday's Celtics-Olimpia Milano preseason game in Italy, "will now include graphics and explanations of advanced analytics" in its broadcasts, including "points per possession, effective field goal percentage, and rebounding percentage." Celtics players "will be mic’d up for sound" during certain games, and telecasts will feature an "'AnnouncerCam' that offers an up-close look" at announcers Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn and Brian Scalabrine (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/2).
DOLAN IT OUT: DEADLINE.com's David Lieberman reported smart money now is "betting that it’s just a matter of time before someone picks up MSG Networks," which as of Thursday was spun off from MSG Co. BTIG Research Analyst Brandon Ross said that the Dolans, who own MSG Networks, "probably want to sell 'to increase their war chest of cash to eventually buy-in new MSG.'" Stifel Nicolaus analyst Benjamin Mogil said that as a standalone network owner that "no longer also owns teams MSGN is 'particularly vulnerable' to cable and satellite companies that want to cut their programming costs." Mogil said that SNY "is an obvious potential partner although 'such a merger would be defensive.'" But Fox "probably would not be interested" (DEADLINE.com, 10/1).
