In Houston, David Barron noted the Rockets and Astros yesterday "issued their most optimistic proclamation yet" regarding the future of their Houston Regional Sports Network partnership, saying that they "are 'now very close' to an agreement to reorganize" the partnership that owns CSN Houston. The teams' comments "came amid another round of legal filings" yesterday "leading up to a Thursday deadline in the complicated negotiations involving the Rockets, Astros and an unnamed investor or investors -- presumably DirecTV, AT&T or both -- offering to buy Houston Regional Sports Network" (CHRON.com, 7/29).
MONSTERS, INC.: In Boston, Chad Finn noted ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" announcers Dan Shulman and John Kruk this weekend will "call the entire Red Sox-Yankees game from the Monster seats" at Fenway Park. The broadcast booth will "be set up in Section 9 atop the Green Monster." ESPN said that "no fans have been displaced from their seats -- the network bought the tickets." Viewers will "occasionally be treated to the view from the broadcast area via a handheld camera" (BOSTON.com, 7/29).
SHAMELESS PLUG? Media writer Jim Romenesko noted Saints QB Drew Brees is on the cover of the July 28 SI "NFL Training Camp 14" issue "wearing a TRX T-shirt." There are "seven more Brees/TRX photos in the feature as well, along with plugs for the TRX training system." But the "11-page spread on Brees and TRX fails to mention" that Brees "is an investor in the company that makes the TRX training system" (JIMROMENESKO.com, 7/29).
