ESPN's Chris Mortensen’s during an appearance on Phoenix-based KMVP-FM claimed that Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and team President Jonathan Kraft "separately called to apologize to him for 'the way this thing has gone down'" over Deflategate and Mortensen's involvement. However, Boston-based WEEI-FM cited the Patriots as saying that the Krafts "did not apologize to Mortensen." PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio reported Mortensen during the radio spot also "downplayed the perception that the NFL peddled false information" to him "by explaining that the sources didn’t reach out to him, but that he reached out to the sources." He added, "The whole narrative that somebody from the league deliberately leaked false information to me is so much baloney. It’s actually insulting, because I made the inquiry" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/27).
ALL THE ABOVE: In Detroit, Bill Shea reported because the Pistons "aren't slated for any national network telecasts, Fox Sports Detroit will air all of the team's 82 regular-season games for the first time." Thirteen of the games will air on Fox Sports Plus; last year’s 80 games "had been the network’s previous high" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 8/27).
IN SYNC: Twenty-four NBA teams "have partnered" with S.F.-based Stanza for "real-time calendar sync, a feature that allows fans to easily get their favorite teams' schedules and updates throughout the season. More than 100,000 fans "have synced team schedules' with their calendars." The number "is expected to climb again before the season tips off on Oct. 27." Of the NBA fans who have "synced their calendars," 78% are male while 70% come from mobile devices (ADWEEK.com, 8/26).
COVERING THE BASES: In Boston, Steve Buckley offers his 10-point plan to "improve baseball on TV." Buckley: "Take a chemistry class. If the two guys in the booth don’t play nice, you’ll lose us. ... Hire sideline reporters who have a feel for the game. ... Don’t read tweets before, during or after the game. ... Don’t be afraid to be critical. ... You can’t have too many dugout shots" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/27).
