In Houston, John McClain noted the Texans “passed up a chance to appear” on the HBO series “Hard Knocks.” It is the second time the team has declined the opportunity to appear in the series (CHRON.com, 5/17). In Jacksonville, Tania Ganguli notes the process of elimination “could lead to the Jaguars appearing on the HBO show for the first time.” The Jaguars participated in a similar program on NFL Network in ’04 and they have said that they would be “willing to be the subject of the show” (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/18). ESPN’s Michelle Beadle said the show is “having a hard time finding a home” for this season. ESPN’s Cris Carter said for teams like the Seahawks and Jaguars, “you need as much good publicity as you can get and you can take the helmets off the players and actually be able to market them to a fan base." Carter added, “The NFL is the haves and the have-nots. If you’re a have-not, you need to get yourself on TV” ("SportsNation," ESPN2, 5/17). ESPN’s Michael Smith said, “What’s the upside if you’re an NFL team? Is it exposure? Well, the NFL, I don’t think, is lacking for exposure" ("Numbers Never Lie," ESPN2, 5/17).
INTENTIONAL TORT: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes the media focus on NHL Rangers coach John Tortorella, “specifically his often bizarre press conferences, has officially become an obsession.” Following the Rangers’ Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 loss to the Devils, NBC Sports Network analysts Mike Milbury and Liam McHugh “stuck it to Tortorella, portraying him as a boorish bully.” Milbury said, “I’m tired of the act. It’s getting to the borderline of just being rude.” McHugh: “I don’t think it’s borderline. It’s gone past it.” Added Milbury, “I don’t get the purpose of it. I don’t get why it’s happening. I don’t think the press conferences won him the Stanley Cup in 2004.” Raissman writes, “All this is part of a persona that’s attracted so much attention. … He is the face of the Rangers franchise” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/18).
RAW DEAL: WWE wrestler John Cena announced via Twitter that USA Network's “WWE Monday Night Raw” will expand to three hours beginning July 23 (CABLEFAX DAILY, 5/18).
