Media Notes

In N.Y., Vincent Mallozzi reports MSG Varsity and the N.Y. Department of Education are "negotiating a deal to televise a regular schedule of Public Schools Athletic League games." The Cablevision network, which made its debut in '09, "has been showing the city’s Catholic High School Athletic Association games since its inception." MSG Varsity "has also broadcast more than 50 PSAL sporting events, though no formal deal with the league was in place" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/13).

THE BIG ANALYST: Shaquille O'Neal is joining Turner Sports' "Inside The NBA" this season, and the recently retired NBA star said, "I’m just going to go up there and have fun. Poke fun at people. It’s already the No. 1 show; I just want to add on to it. I hate when guys go up there and not be themselves and try to be more. I don’t think I’m going to do that. I’m just going to be myself, say what I’ve got to say. ... The reason why Charles gets away with a lot of that stuff is because he’s in the Hall of Fame, and he must know what he’s talking about." ESPN also made an offer to O'Neal, but he said, "I felt Turner allowed you to be yourself more" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/11).

STAT CHANGE: North Carolina-based StatSheet announced yesterday that it "raised its second round of venture financing," after raising $1.3M from investors last year, and has changed its name to Automated Insights. StatSheet Founder Robbie Allen said that the company is "looking to expand into fields such as finance, real estate and weather." The company "doesn't yet have a timetable for its expansion beyond sports, but Allen said that the finance arena is especially compelling" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 9/13).

WELCOME TO THE TEAM: ESPN.com has hired Katie Strang to its NHL editorial team for the upcoming season. Strang will cover the Devils, Rangers and Islanders for ESPN N.Y., as well as contribute to ESPN.com's national hockey coverage. Strang joins ESPN from Newsday, where she has covered the Islanders since '09 (ESPN).