Category Archives: NBC

Has it been 50 years? NBC documentary looks back at Nicklaus’ first major

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Every record starts with one. For Jack Nicklaus, major No. 1 occurred 50 years ago with his victory in the 1962 U.S. Open. His 18-hole playoff win over Arnold Palmer launched one of sports’ greatest rivalries.

NBC will revisit that Open with a new documentary, 1962 U.S. Open: Jack’s First Major (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET). The USGA film was produced in collaboration with the USGA Museum and Ross Greenburg Productions. If Greenburg was involved, you know it has to be good.

Here’s the trailer:

In the USGA release, Nicklaus talked of the documentary and winning the first of his 18 majors.

“I have never been one to reflect on past achievements, but this production allowed me the opportunity to look back on and relive a very significant part of my life and career,” Nicklaus said. “To the credit of the USGA Museum and Ross Greenburg Production, their combined research was evident in the interview process. They covered aspects of that U.S. Open that I haven’t thought of in close to 50 years. For example, they unearthed letters exchanged after that U.S. Open between my father and my childhood idol Bob Jones.”

“At that time in 1962, I was a 22-year-old kid with blinders on, focusing on the task at hand which was winning my first professional tournament and our national championship,” added Nicklaus. “Fifty years later, it was nice to take the blinders off and think about all the elements that made for such a meaningful week in my life.”

Made for TV pairing does no favors for Bubba Watson at U.S. Open

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The U.S. Open is hard enough without having to be part of a circus.

So regardless of what he says, Bubba Watson can’t be pleased with a made-for-TV pairing that has him playing with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson during the first two rounds of the U.S. Open.

Did I say circus? It’s going to be an absolute zoo. You can be sure Woods and Mickelson also aren’t thrilled with this threesome, but at least they’ve had plenty of experience with massive galleries and people scurrying all over the place.

It’s a different story for Watson, who has struggled ever since winning the Masters. He’s only played twice and missed the cut at the Memorial a couple of weeks ago. Yes, the sudden spotlight can be overwhelming.

Clearly, the United States Golf Association wants to create more of a buzz for the Open with this pairing. But why? Isn’t the tournament big enough?

During a conference call today, I asked NBC producer Tommy Roy if the USGA consults with the network on the pairings. He said:

We talk about it, more about the timing that they go off so that it fits within certain windows.  But the fact of the matter is that the pairings are up to them.  But they have a good sense of what makes for good television, as well.  They play consult a little but it’s their pairings.

Obviously, NBC and ESPN will focus the majority of their coverage on that one pairing. Steve Stricker is 6-under through 13? Great, save it later for the Golf Channel. 

It’s going to be all-Tiger-Phil-Bubba, all-the-time when they’re out on the course. I asked Johnny Miller about the pairing. He said:

I’ve played in similar type of threesomes with Trevino and Nicklaus, and not so much in the U.S. Open, because they would never do that in the mid 70s, have the three biggest draws together.

But golf is a new world.  It’s a big sport now.  It will be very interesting to see how that pairing pans out or whether they all play poorly or they all play well or just one plays well.  With that many people and that much pressure, to be honest with you, at the Open, knowing this pairing is historical, the three biggest draws in the tournament being together, it will be fun to watch.  I can’t wait to watch it.  I hope they do great.

It’s just sort of unique.  So, is this a precursor of something of the future we are going to see a lot more of, where you put the best players together, or if it’s just a one‑time thing.

Is it fair? Frank Nobilo said:

(Watson’s) stated goal, he stated recently, is to be the best player in the world.  So I think he would embrace that opportunity to take them on.  You have got to beat them, whether it Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday; but for him, it’s something I think he would relish.

And just to add, you have three different types of fans that are going to come out, which I don’t think golf has really had.  Phil and Tiger ‑‑ but Bubba brings a different element to golf which we haven’t seen in many a year and that’s something that has to be said, as well.

Miller said as only he could:

Let’s put it this way:  I would much rather play with two guys that are shooting 67, than two guys that are shooting 79 going to every toilet, you know.

I’m not sure about the toilet part, but I’m betting Watson’s scores will be closer to 79 than 67.

 

 

 

NBC Sports looks to get into radio

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Get ready for more sports talk radio.

NBC Sports is expanding its horizons. This morning, it announced the creation of the NBC Sports Radio Network.

The initial plans will start on a smaller scale with NBC and local Comcast SportsNet personalities providing reports and analysis to participating stations. Eventually, the expectation is that NBC will have a 24/7 platform that airs on various stations throughout the country and perhaps SiriusXM, much like ESPN and Fox.

From the release:

The NBC Sports Group and Dial Global (NASDAQ: DIAL) announced a partnership today to create the NBC Sports Radio Network. Beginning in September, the network will be distributed to radio stations nationwide by Dial Global.

The network’s content will include hourly sports news updates, daily features as well as full-length shows.

In addition to distribution on terrestrial radio stations, NBC Sports’ audio content will be available on a wide variety of digital platforms. Live shows will be streamed on NBCSports.com, DialGlobalSports.com, affiliate stations’ websites and other streaming services. On-demand short-form audio content will also be distributed online and through podcasts and other digital applications. Dial Global will be the exclusive ad and affiliate sales representative to the network.

“We are thrilled to bring the rich heritage of NBC Sports to listeners across national radio for the first time,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “By adding radio to our broadcast, cable, regional, and digital assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will give sports fans a new way to interact with the NBC Sports Group day in and day out.”

“Dial Global is excited to partner with NBC Sports Group to expand upon Dial Global’s live play-by-play platform. We are confident that with NBC’s sports assets, we will create a leading full service sports network and bring great sports audio to listeners across America,” said Spencer Brown, Co-CEO of Dial Global.

Tapping into the NBC Sports Group’s unique mix of national and local assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will provide stations both national and regional sports content. Listeners may hear hourly sports updates, long-form shows and features hosted by national NBC Sports voices, NBC Sports Regional Networks on-air personalities, or NBC affiliate sportscasters, depending upon location. Specific programming and commentator details will be announced at a later date.

Belmont still ratings go up; NBC makes best of tough situation

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Give NBC and producer Rob Hyland a lot of credit for adjusting on the fly Saturday. It isn’t easy to tear apart an entire telecast at the last minute.

NBC still benefited from the hoopla around I’ll Have Another prior to the horse’s withdrawal. From the release:

Overnight ratings for the Belmont Stakes on NBC soared, despite the scratch of Triple Crown-hopeful I’ll Have Another, topping last year’s overnight by 13%, and the 2010 overnight by 74%. Yesterday’s overnight rating is the highest for a non-Triple Crown Belmont since 2005 on NBC.

NBC’s broadcast of the Belmont Stakes, which was won by Union Rags, registered a 5.4 overnight rating and a 13 share for the race portion, up 13 percent from last year’s race (4.8/11 on NBC), and up 74% from the 2010 race (3.1/7 on ABC). Yesterday’s Belmont had the highest overnight for the race in a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 on NBC (6.0/13), according to overnight ratings data provided today by The Nielsen Company.

 

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Dream Team rises again in NBA TV documentary

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The U.S. basketball team will have plenty of star power in London, but there will be only one Dream Team.

Twenty years ago in Barcelona, a team for the ages transformed basketball. A new documentary on NBA TV (Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET) chronicles Michael, Magic, Larry, Charles, Patrick, Scottie and the rest with interviews and rare footage.

I’ll have more next week, but here’s a video clip with the release below.

From NBA TV:

NBA TV will celebrate the 20th anniversary of USA Basketball’s iconic team, which captured the attention of fans around the globe, when the network premieres NBA TV’s “The Dream Team” presented by Right Guard on Wednesday, June 13, at 9 p.m. ET.

Narrated by writer/director/producer Ed Burns, the film will be the definitive documentary of the historic 1992 USA Basketball team, featuring recent interviews with all 12 members, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley.

The 90-minute documentary will showcase never-before-seen footage and untold stories of how the most dominant team ever assembled returned USA Basketball to glory, while turning basketball into a global phenomenon.

The world had rarely seen a frenzy as the one the Dream Team created when it arrived in Barcelona, Spain, in July 1992. The Dream Team featured 11 future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame players and three future Hall of Famers on the coaching staff, including head coach Chuck Daly.

NBA TV’s “The Dream Team” presented by Right Guard® will take viewers on a behind-the-scenes journey into the selection of the team, the dynamic personalities, the legendary team-building experiences in training camp and exhibitions, and ultimately its rock-star-type unveiling in Barcelona.

NBA TV’s “The Dream Team” presented by Right Guard® will include:
· Exclusive one-on-one interviews with the entire Dream Team: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton, as well as assistant coaches Lenny Wilkens, Mike Krzyzewski, and P.J. Carlesimo
· The Team’s only loss, as documented through rare footage from USA Basketball’s film library, and the untold story behind what has become part of basketball legend
· The Story of the greatest game never seen, featuring exclusive footage from 20 years ago in Monte Carlo when Magic and Jordan went head-to-head in practice
· How The Team was chosen: the story behind the selection process for the Dream Team’s roster
· Many other exclusive interviews with those connected to the team.

Massive headache for NBC; I’ll Have Another out of Belmont

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So much for the Doug O’Neill angle for NBC.

I’ll Have Another just was scratched for the Belmont tomorrow. The horse has a swollen left front tendon.

Meanwhile, somebody also should hand out ice packs to NBC executives, who suddenly have developed massive headaches upon hearing the news. I’ll Have Another’s bid for the Triple Crown would have pulled in huge ratings for the network.

Now, not so much.

NBC just released a statement:

While we are obviously disappointed that our show won’t feature I’ll Have Another going for the elusive Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is still an iconic event on the sports schedule, and the NBC Sports Group broadcasts will treat it as such. We’re working now to adjust the game plan accordingly.

Translated: *$&$*^%!!!!!!!

Indeed, imagine the behind-the-scenes scrambling by producer Rob Hyland and his crew. Anticipating the historic ride, NBC expanded its coverage, with the telecast beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Now all those I’ll Have Another features go to the trash can. Suddenly, Hyland and NBC have a lot of time to fill, and the stories become far less compelling.

 

 

Belmont: O’Neill’s problems muck up good story for NBC

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I should know better than to engage in a debate with Bob Costas. He’s much smarter and says it better than I ever could.

However, I disagree with his statement about NBC and its coverage of I’ll Have Another trainer Doug O’Neill during Saturday’s Belmont. Last week on Jim Rome’s show, Costas talked about O’Neill and his upcoming suspension in California. He said:

“(Costas will) hit this issue hard, including with direct interviews with O’Neill. … (but) you have to be careful even though there’s an issue here. Let’s say I’ll Have Another wins the Triple Crown, and there’s O’Neill standing there. … Would you ask Richard Nixon about Watergate while he was descending the steps of the church after one of his daughter’s wedding? If we’ve addressed all of these issues prior to, then I think it can be confined to a single question, and I won’t be afraid to ask it.

I’d say the answer is yes if there were questions about Nixon’s ethics as a father. Besides, it’s a different scenario, and clearly O’Neill’s ethics as a trainer are in question here.

And the question should be asked early and often: Does O’Neill deserve to be the sport’s brightest spotlight?

O’Neill’s presence will be the elephant in a room full of horses, so to speak Saturday. I don’t know much about horse racing, but I think having a sanctioned trainer involved here diminishes the incredible storyline of I’ll Have Another’s bid for the Triple Crown. In fact, I’m not sure I want the horse to win if it means having to watch a post-victory interview with O’Neill.

Perhaps, I’m in the minority. During a 38-teleconference with NBC this week, the issue was barely raised.

I did ask NBC how O’Neill would be handled. Costas actually interviewed him on his Costas Tonight show Monday night. Producer Rob Hyland said Costas will do another interview with O’Neill that will air during Saturday’s telecast. As he said, he won’t be backing off the tough questions.

Clearly, though, it’s an uncomfortable situation. NBC would prefer no distractions from a historic bid that should pull huge ratings. I asked producer Rob Hyland if O’Neill’s presence hung a shadow over the race? He said:

I don’t think so. He’s a likeable guy and he’s been open with what’s going on. We’re going to ask the tough questions and America will get the answers.

Announcer Tom Hammond was a bit more candid:

It’ll be somewhat different. I’ve heard some people call him shady. I don’t think that’s a fair characterization. Certainly he has too many allegations for me to ignore. Yet he maintains his innocence. (The California ruling) was kind of a copeout ruling. But yeah, it makes it different. We have to deal with this when it should be a time for joy.

I followed up by asking how O’Neill would be handled if I’ll Have Another wins. Hammond said:

There will be a mention of it, but I don’t see it being the story. The story of the moment will be winning the Triple Crown. I’ll Have Another will be the story, that’s for sure.

Of course, that will be case. However, given O’Neill’s situation, that would be a tough interview to stomach.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in NBC

Twenty years ago today: Jordan drops 3s on Portland

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All sportswriters have their treasure chest of favorite games and events they covered.

This one is on my list: On June 3, 1992, I was at the Chicago Stadium to cover game 1 of Chicago-Portland in the NBA Finals.

Michael Jordan’s six 3-pointers in the first half simply was unbelievable. I attended hundreds of games in the old barn, and it’s hard to remember it getting any louder than when he hit that last three.

Actually, the long-distance performance was out of character for Jordan. Marv Albert, calling the game for NBC, said, “It’s unusual to see Michael Jordan bombing away.”

He kept bombing, climaxing with the legendary shrug to Magic Johnson, who was working as an analyst. All Johnson could say was, “My-oh-oh-my.”

Enjoy.

 

Just like Scully, all praise for beloved Mike Emrick; Even Mushnick likes him

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It’s official: Mike Emrick is the Vin Scully of hockey.

In an era of rip, rip and then rip some more, Emrick finds himself buried by an avalanche of bouquets during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The only other person in broadcasting who receives such universal praise and adoration is the living legend in the Dodgers’ booth.

Richard Sandomir evoked operatic terms in today’s piece in the New York Times:

They are Emrick’s arias: dramatic tales of passes, shots, checks, crashes into boards, saves, interceptions, goals and line changes accentuated by the sound — “OhhhhHHHHHHH!” — of his internal thermostat rapidly heating up, as if close to exploding. He hits his highest note with variations on a single word: “SCORES!”

Richard Deitsch of SI.com came out with his media power list this week. One guess at who is No. 1:

I call him NBC’s Bard of Spring. With NBC airing every NHL playoff game  nationally since the second round, Emrick has been a welcome visitor in homes  for weeks, and at 65, he’s never been better at his craft.

And here’s the ultimate barometer of Emrick’s appeal. Even Phil Mushnick of the New York Post wrote nice things about him in a column this week, and he doesn’t like anybody. Mushnick writes:

Beyond that, if there were ever a play-by-player who should be encouraged to  speak as much as often as possible, it’s Emrick. Imagine hiring Emrick and  telling him to speak half as much. Would you ask DeNiro, Sinatra, Einstein,  Pele, Magellan, Sonny and/or Cher to give it less than all they’ve got?

“Hey, you, Michelangelo! Get down off that scaffold! You wanna kill  yourself? Paint something down here!”

Wow, opera and Michelangelo references for a hockey announcer. Has to be a first.

It’s great to see Emrick get the recognition. He’s really benefitted by the new playoff format in which every game has aired on NBC’s various networks.

Like Scully, the man clearly has a way with words. Earlier this week on an NBC teleconference, he got everyone fired up with this opening:

This is our best time of year. How’s that for an understatement? …You see bearded people, you see people with goatees, because that’s a part of our tradition. You see smiles on every face because of the anticipation of living up to a lifetime dream – and that’s getting your name on a trophy that you can’t keep, and getting a ring that’s too big to wear, and having the experience, and to be referred to as a Stanley Cup Champion for the rest of your life.

Here’s hoping we all get to hear Emrick call seven games in the Final.

 

 

 

Hines Ward joins NBC as analyst; really excited!

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Hines Ward is really excited, with an exclamation mark!

From the release:

Hines Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler who played 14 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring after the 2011 season, joins NBC Sports Group as an analyst across its NFL, college football and studio programming, it was announced today.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Ward will be a regular contributor to the critically- acclaimed Football Night in America; serve as an analyst every Saturday on NBC’s and NBC Sports Network’s college football studio programming with Liam McHugh and Doug Flutie; and will regularly appear on NBC SportsTalk with Mike Florio and Peter King to preview and recap the week in the NFL.

Ward, who appeared on NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI pre-game show, is a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion. The Super Bowl XL MVP finished his stellar 14-year career with 1,000 catches for 12,083 yards and 83 touchdowns, all Steelers’ records.

“We think Hines is a perfect match for television because he brings with him a unique combination of charisma and football experience, which he demonstrated on our Super Bowl pre-game show from Indianapolis,” said Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “He’s an opinionated personality who can draw upon his 14 years of experience, having excelled at the highest levels of the game. Just don’t expect him to dance.”

“I am really excited! It’s not everyday that you get the chance to work for a powerhouse like the NBC Sports Group,” said Ward. “It is a big honor for me and I am looking forward to making the most of this great opportunity.”

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