In Detroit, Kevin Bull reported FS Detroit averaged a 19.5 local rating and 367,000 HHs in the market for Tuesday's Sharks-Red Wings Western Conference Semifinals Game Six, a "record audience" for the net. The previous record was a 17.5 rating for Red Wings-Ducks Western Conference Semifinals Game Seven in '09 (FREEP.com, 5/11).
END OF THE LINE: In Toronto, Cathal Kelly reports Rogers Sportsnet "moved Wednesday to fire on-air host Damian Goddard" after a "spate of tweets in support of a hockey agent's stand against gay marriage." Sportsnet in a release suggested that its problems with Goddard "did not start with his decision to share his political views online." Sportsnet Dir of Communications & On-Air Promotions Dave Rashford: "Mr. Goddard was a freelance contractor and in recent weeks it had become clear that he is not the right fit for our organization." Goddard, when asked "if his dismissal was the result of a misunderstanding," said, "The truth will come out" (TORONTO STAR, 5/12). Sources said that Rogers' "policy on social media is that no employee should express opinions on Twitter that they would not say live on air or in print" (GLOBESPORTS.com, 5/11).
HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK: MLB.com's At Bat 2011 mobile application has received Editor's Choice and Top Developer designations from Google as part of a new badging effort and redesign aimed at curating the sprawling Android app marketplace, now exceeding 200,000 applications. At Bat was the only sports app to receive both of those designations. ScoreMobile, whose parent company has acquired rival SportsTap, also received an Editor's Choice nod (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
