The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Michael Hickins profiled technology company Sportvision, noting while in '06 "95% of the company's revenues were from TV effects," today's number is "down to 70%, with the balance earned from licensing data." Sportvision CEO Hank Adams said that of the 70% that is "broadcast-related, only 30% is from TV effects that don't track some element of data." Adams added that the company "will soon start selling a new service that allows viewers to place themselves virtually on the field of play, either by trying to hit a Mariano Rivera cut fastball, or racing against Mario Andretti Jr." (WSJ.com, 7/15).
SPEAKING UP: In Houston, David Barron wrote "Let Them Wear Towels," the latest documentary in ESPN's "Nine for IX" series, is "a look at a worthy topic: the efforts by our female colleagues to gain the same locker room access afforded to their male counterparts." But "unfortunately, what has become a recurring weakness of the entire ESPN documentary series results in the omission of a significant contributor to that effort" in late reporter Anita Martini. ESPN contributors "for some unknown reason" generally "refuse to use narrators as part of their documentaries." That has been "irritating for some time, and now it does actual damage to the subject matter." Because Martini is "not available to speak for herself," she is "of no use to ESPN" (CHRON.com, 7/16). Former NFL exec Jim Steeg wrote on his Twitter feed, "Interesting ESPN piece "nine on IX"...missing one of the true pioneers @JillLieberSteeg who was at forefront in the 70's."
ON THE AIR: Blogger Clay Travis on Monday announced that he "would be part" of Fox Sports 1's new college football pregame show. Travis said, "We realize it's going to be a challenge going against [ESPN's] 'GameDay,' but I think we'll figure out a way to be [a] little bit different and offer fans two options" (TENNESSEAN.com, 7/15)....Miami-based WQAM-AM Program Dir and host Jorge Sedano "will leave the station to accept a multi-platform position at ESPN." He is "expected to start at ESPN in the fall" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/12)....ESPN VP/Communications Diane Lamb said that the ESPN Radio deal with Detroit-based WCAR-AM "is ending." Lamb said ESPN is "currently in the process of securing a new ESPN affiliate in Detroit." Meanwhile, WXYT-FM and host Matt Dery "couldn't agree on a deal with CBS Radio Detroit management to keep him with the station" (FREEP.com, 7/16).
