The Mountain West Conference BOD voted unanimously Tuesday to follow a BYU and Univ. of Utah initiative in “retaining legal counsel to clarify the league’s television contract and hasten distribution of The Mtn.” Utah and BYU announced the hiring of L.A.-based Morrison & Foerster Partner Kelly Crabb last week (DENVER POST, 6/6).
NBC: SI.com and NBCSports.com have partnered to create “Sidelines,” a daily Web show featuring WFAN’s Chris Russo, NBC’s Jimmy Roberts and comedian Matty Blake. Guests will include SI reporters Peter King, Tom Verducci, Jon Heyman, Seth Davis and Ian Thomsen, as well as analysts from NBC Sports (SI/NBC)....NBC received 13 TV Critics Association nominations, including five for “Friday Night Lights.” The show was the most nominated series overall (DAILY VARIETY, 6/6).
BROADCAST BOOT CAMP: USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand writes the NFL will stage its first-ever “Broadcast Boot Camp” for players wanting to become broadcasters on June 18 at NFL Films in New Jersey. NFL TV consultant Dick Maxwell said the three-day camp will have 12-hour days and curriculum including a “session on ethics and what it’s like to criticize former teammates.” The camp will involve programmers and producers from each national TV and radio network carrying NFL games. CBS’ James Brown and Gus Johnson, Fox’ Brian Baldinger and Ron Pitts, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski and NFL Network’s Dick Vermeil will also participate (USA TODAY, 6/6).