Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s David Kaplan said the reported new Dodgers TV deal worth $6-7B will be an "unbelievable advantage” for the team. The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Hersh said baseball “is a local TV product” and this deal “only emphasizes that even more." Hersh added, "What it also says is the Dodgers don’t need to put a fanny in the seats almost. What you’re saying is our TV audience -- and that’s happening in all sports -- is much more important” (“Chicago Tribune Live,” Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 11/27). MLB Network's Peter Gammons said, “Attendance is no longer the driving number. It’s all about how many people are watching games on televisions, on their phones, on Blackberrys, on iPads” ("Hot Stove," MLB Network, 11/27).
TAKE TWO: ESPN's Rob Parker yesterday announced on his Facebook page that he is "taking the lead role in a new Saturday edition" of "First Take." The show will begin airing on Dec. 8 and will be hosted by Cari Champion. "First Take" regulars Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will not appear on the Saturday edition, but Parker will be paired with a "random panel of debaters" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 11/27).
SCIENCE EXPERIMENT: Google last week announced it is paying a six-figure rights fee to show NBA D-League games this season in what the NBA called an "experiment," but Horrow Sports Ventures CEO Rick Horrow said "as much of an experiment as this is for the NBA, it's equally intriguing as a test for Google." Horrow: "Live sports tend to be the primary reason consumers don't cut their cable cords and watch more shows and video online.” If the NBA-Google partnership is “successful, it could signal the entry of a new player in sports media: Google" ("Nightly Business Report," PBS, 11/27).
