ESPN Near Deal For Rights To Entire British Open Starting In 2010

The British Open is "about to become an all-cable affair," as ESPN is poised to "pick up rights to the entire tournament starting in 2010, ending ABC's 50-year association with the event," according to Show & Ourand of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Sources indicated that ESPN and Open organizer R&A are in the "final stages of cutting a seven-year deal worth about $25[M] a year that would put all four rounds" on the net. The deal, which "could be several weeks away from being finalized, also would include a batch of international and digital rights." The deal would make the British Open the "first major championship in men's golf to have all four rounds carried solely on cable television." Turner Sports, whose seven-year deal for the first two rounds of the event expire next year, "still has hopes to pick up digital rights that would be comparable to existing relationships it has with the PGA of America and PGA Tour." IMG is representing R&A for the U.S. TV rights (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/21 issue).

ABC Earns 3.5 Overnight For Final Round Of British Open

RISING ABOVE THE WINDS: In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich notes ABC analyst Paul Azinger "wasn't afraid to make strong comments throughout the Open." When golfer Greg Norman "kept getting into trouble yesterday by hitting his driver," Azinger said, "Greg needs to take his eyes off the trophy and just look at the individuals he's trying to beat and strategically just make some pars." But Zelkovich notes ABC's announcers "couldn't resist speculating yesterday on how [Tiger Woods] would have done had he made the trip" for the tournament (TORONTO STAR, 7/21). YAHOO SPORTS' Brian Murphy wrote ABC's coverage was "quite strong," as Azinger's humor "combined with his frankness ... make him one of the best voices in TV sports." The net also received a "surprisingly strong Rookie of the Year performance by Tom Watson" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/20). USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand writes Azinger worried about Greg Norman's "'pedals-down' play and the 'mind-boggling' way he was taking such an 'aggressive approach.'" And Watson said by mid-round yesterday Norman's "eyes have gone from confident to indifferent." But ABC "wisely avoided resurrecting the old saw that Norman was choking" (USA TODAY, 7/21). On Long Island, Neil Best: "What stood out for me on the broadcast was Paul Azinger's willingness to bluntly criticize Norman's strategy. It was bold, and he turned out to be right. You hardly ever hear criticism like that of Tiger Woods from network voices" (NEWSDAY.com, 7/20). In Denver, Dusty Saunders writes while Watson's commentary was a "plus" during the coverage, "special applause should be given to the camera crews." Saunders: "Did you note, during the windy conditions, the intriguing close-up shots of a putter and a slightly moving golf ball before players stroked?" But there were "too many confusing bottom-of-the-screen graphics listing players' scores" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/21).

DESERVING A PENALTY SHOT: In St. Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote ABC's coverage was "mediocre mostly because of the mediocre broadcasters." Host Mike Tirico is a "solid golf guy and always does a professional job," but Azinger "just hasn't seemed to have found his voice as a broadcaster." Jones added of analyst Watson, who played the tournament and missed the cut, "Thank goodness [he] didn't make the cut because he was the best thing ABC had going" (TAMPABAY.com, 7/20). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes with Harrington, an Irishman, poised to win the tournament, the "references from ABC/ESPN commentators about how all Ireland is primed for a booze-based celebration, even a crack about Harrington drinking Irish whiskey from the Claret Jug, became easy and tired" (N.Y. POST, 7/21).

Norman's Strong Play Provides Storyline For Tiger-Less Open

BRITISH INVASION: In London, Leigh Holmwood reports the BBC1 drew an average of 3.3 million viewers, a 25% share, for its coverage of yesterday's final round. The audience peaked with 4.7 million viewers during the quarter-hour beginning at 6:15pm local time (GUARDIAN.co.uk, 7/21). In S.F., Ron Kroichick writes the BBC on-air talent "practically tripped over themselves gushing about" 20-year-old English amateur Chris Wood, who finished tied for fifth. The "oh-so-patriotic announcers made Wood sound like a combination of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/21).

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