In California, Michael Lev notes Fox' MLB game-of-the-week ratings are "mired in a season-long slump." Fox Sports President & COO Eric Shanks said that a "dip in ratings was expected" after the net "altered its MLB scheduling format." The net in recent years would put "five regional games in its game-of-the-week window." However, Fox this year has averaged "three games in that window" with an afternoon game on FS1. Shanks: “We want more people to see more of these young players, young stars, and we realize that early on you’re going to get fewer home markets participating in the ratings" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/11).
NAKED GUN: THE WRAP's Travis Reilly noted ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue "celebrates the human form, yet some fans and media outlets are critiquing the pro-athlete's physique." MLB Rangers 1B Prince Fielder is one of "six world-class athletes" who appear nude on the July cover, but the response so far "has been mixed." Many sports fans are "expressing anything but admiration" for how Fielder "looks naked" (THEWRAP.com, 7/8).
IN LIVING COLOR: The Coyotes announced former NHLer Nick Boynton was hired to serve as the team's radio color analyst. Boynton will join play-by-play announcer Bob Heethuis in the booth for all 82 regular-season games this season (Coyotes).
