ADWEEK's Emma Bazilian reported SI Golf Group is introducing a "new 'supervertical' called Sports Illustrated at the Majors that will give fans a way of experiencing the tournaments on multiple platforms." The April '12 Masters Preview issue of Golf Magazine is the publication’s "largest issue since July 2008, with pages up 15 percent year over year." But SI Golf Group is "putting most of its focus on a new set of experiential events that will take place during the four biggest U.S. tournaments: the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Ryder Cup." Meanwhile, Condé Nast’s Golf Digest also has "big plans" for The Masters. The magazine is "releasing a special tablet-only 'First Impressions' issue, sponsored by AT&T, that will be free to subscribers or $1.99 for nonsubscribers." It will highlight "anecdotes from past participants ... and features an interactive tour of Augusta National that tracks every change the course has seen since the Masters began" (ADWEEK.com 3/12).
CHANGING PLACES: NBA TV will televise a two-hour "Trade Deadline Show" tomorrow at 2:00pm ET hosted by Vince Cellini, with David Aldridge and Dennis Scott providing analysis and Sekou Smith monitoring sociall media. The group will return on-air at 7:00pm, after the trade deadline, to discuss the trades. The two-hour "Trade Deadline Show" will be streamed live on NBA.com (John Ourand, THE DAILY).
BEHIND THE MIC: MLB.com’s Scott Merkin noted when White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski retires, he “certainly would like to move into a broadcasting role.” Pierzynski was part of Fox' pre- and postgame coverage for the '11 ALCS and World Series, earning "rave reviews for his candor and analysis.” Pierzynski said, "Fox was awesome and all the people there were great. They were very professional. They worked with me and taught me a lot. It was definitely something I would like the opportunity to do again” (MLB.com, 3/13).
WORD CHOICE: In Tampa, Tom Jones reports WDAE-AM morning host Dan Sileo is “no longer employed by the station” after referring to three African-American NFL players as "monkeys.'' Sileo's remark came Monday when he was “talking about the possibility of three free agents -- Cortland Finnegan, Vincent Jackson and Jonathan Vilma, all of whom are African-American -- joining the Bucs.” Sileo, who is white, said, "If they got those three monkeys, I'm good. I'm ready, man. I'm ready. I want those guys. Those guys are great players'' (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/14).
