Saturday, October 16, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

NHL Reports Growth In TV, Online Audiences In Season`s First Weekend

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – The National Hockey League, coming off its best business year ever, launched the 2010-11 season with record TV audiences in the U.S. and Canada and continued hypergrowth on its digital distribution platforms – further evidence of the strong worldwide demand for NHL content, the League’s global reach and distribution, and the digital disposition of NHL fans.

“Our fans worldwide have proven again and again that they have a voracious appetite for NHL content. The record numbers for the start of the season, on the heels of last year’s success, are a strong indication that we have a compelling product and that we are super serving our audience through a variety of different platforms,” said NHL COO John Collins.

“Whether it’s on TV, online, on mobile devices or through these new partnerships, we are reaching our audience in new and exciting ways.”

Strong Demand Drives Record Rating for VERSUS, CBC

VERSUS dropped the puck on its sixth year of NHL coverage with the most-watched opening night game on U.S. cable in eight years and the most-watched NHL regular season cable telecast in six years. In Canada, CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA attracted record audiences for its Saturday night debut this weekend.

The local RSN and national TV ratings through Sunday, Oct. 10 combined were up 5 percent from last year’s opening weekend with 13.9 million gross viewers across North America. On a country by country basis, U.S. gross viewing was up 16 percent and Canada was up 2 percent.

New Partnerships Increase Distribution, Reach

In the lead-up to the start of the season, the NHL made a trio of significant announcements. The NHL and HBO outlined plans for a new series leading into the NHL’s New Year’s Day outdoor game, “24/7

Penguins/Capitals” Road to the NHL Winter Classic,” a four-episode all-access series which chronicles the two fierce rivals.

The NHL also became the first professional sports league with a dedicated presence on Foursquare, one of the leading social media innovators. And the League also has partnered with Stan Lee on The Guardian Project, a new franchise from the legendary comic book creator that will incorporate the identities of all 30 NHL teams into superheroes.

Deep Digital Experiences Drive Consumption from Tech-Savvy Fans

The NHL has the most tech-savvy fans in all of professional sports and their insatiable appetite for NHL content worldwide was once again proven through an explosive opening weekend for traffic on NHL.com and other digital platforms, building on the momentum from last season.

Highlights from the start of the season include:

NHL.com scored the 2nd-most regular season video starts in its history on Sunday, October 10. Unique visitors to NHL.com increased 19 percent over last year’s opening weekend and opening day drove a

13 percent increase over last season.

Opening day video starts increased 131 percent vs. last year; opening weekend was up 209 percent.

Mobile page views during opening weekend increased by 46 percent over the same period last year.

Subscriptions to NHL GameCenter LIVE are up 30 percent over the same period last season; and the first day of the season drove the highest single-day subscription total ever.

An expanding portfolio of mobile products for Google/Android, Blackberry, Nokia and iPhone drove hundreds of thousands of app downloads worldwide

NHL.com Traffic Highlights Growing Global Demand for the NHL Unique visitors to NHL.com reflected the global fan demand for NHL hockey.

The top 10 countries in NHL.com traffic and their UV increases over last year:

1. Finland +68 percent

2. Russian Federation +58 percent

3. Slovakia (Slovak Republic) +53 percent

4. Germany +42 percent

5. Czech Republic +37 percent

6. United Kingdom +35 percent

7. Switzerland +33 percent

8. Sweden +27 percent

9. Canada +15 percent

10. United States +12 percent

VERSUS Scores Best Start to NHL Season Since 2002 VERSUS averaged 730,000 viewers for the season-opening game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, making it the best start to the season since 2002 and the most-watched NHL regular season telecast on cable since 2004.

The game also was VERSUS’ most-watched regular season game ever, surpassing the previous high set by the Pittsburgh Penguins/Detroit Red Wings telecast on March 22, 2010 (622,000 viewers).

Locally, VERSUS earned a 13.4 HH rating in Pittsburgh, making it the highest-rated regular season game in Pittsburgh in network history. The game also made VERSUS the number one network overall (among both broadcast and cable networks) in Pittsburgh.

VERSUS’ coverage of the Colorado Avalanche/Chicago Blackhawks game averaged 430,000 viewers, making it VERSUS’ best regular season game ever with a post -9 p.m. ET start time and the most-watched season-opening late game. The game showed a 30 percent spike in viewership over the comparable second game of the 2009-10 season (332,000 viewers).

In Chicago VERSUS garnered a 3.4 household rating, making it the network’s highest-rated regular season game ever in the market. The game also made VERSUS the number one ranked cable network in Chicago.

CBC’s 58th NHL Season Debut Earns Record-Breaking Audience

CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA attracted record audiences for its Saturday night debut this weekend. An average audience of 2.251 million viewers tuned in to the first game of the evening featuring Toronto taking on Ottawa and Montreal taking on Pittsburgh, up 34 percent from the 2009-10

Saturday night season premiere of the program.

The evening’s second game, which pitted Vancouver against Los Angeles, attracted an average of

1.430 million viewers, up 26 percent from the first Saturday night broadcast last season. Both are the highest Saturday night debut audiences in the program’s history. Scotiabank Hockey Tonight drew an average audience of 569,000.

On Thursday, an average of 1.968 million viewers tuned in to see the Toronto Maple Leafs take on long-time Original Six rivals the Montreal Canadiens while in the nightcap, 1.013 million viewers saw the hometown Oilers defeat the Flames. The evening’s pre-game show, NHL Face-Off, drew an audience of 601,000.

NHL Merchandise in Global Demand

Through the opening weekend of the season, in-arena per capita sales for home openers was up 18 percent compared to last season, and average sales volume was up 27 percent.

NHL Apparel wholesales are up 22 percent year-over-year July through October. Total sales volume at regular season 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere games was up 22 percent compared to last season

The Carolina vs. Minnesota game in Helsinki on Oct. 7 set a building merchandise sales record for hockey at Hartwall Areena

Highlights include selling out of toques, Premiere and team ball caps, player t-shirts, and scarves.

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St. John`s Basketball Coach Lavin Hires Purdue Legend Keady

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin officially announced Friday the hiring of former Purdue Boilermakers bench tactician Gene Keady as the team’s special assistant.

The 74-year-old Keady reunited with Lavin, who served him as a graduate assistant at Purdue for three seasons (1988-1991).

Considered one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, Keady guided the Boilermakers for 25 seasons (1980-2005) and led them to six Big Ten regular-season championships and 17 NCAA tournament appearances.

Keady, who also coached Western Kentucky, posted a 550-289 (.655) career coaching record and received numerous accolades, including seven Big Ten and six College Coach of the Year awards.

Keady’s presence on the bench will be a big boost not only for Lavin but for St. John’s players, who will have the opportunity to seek tutelage from the legendary college coach.

Lavin, who coached the UCLA Bruins for seven seasons (1996-2003) said he eyed his former mentor for his coaching staff since taking the New York job.

“I wanted that grandfather presence with our team,” Lavin told ESPN Friday. “Coach Keady has the energy, vitality, and a great deal to offer us. The timing and the fit just seemed right.”

Lavin added Keady will be around in practices and St John’s coaching staff meetings throughout the whole college basketball season.

Keady will also help with the staff’s practice planning and even attend important regular-season and postseason games.

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Yankees Bar Former Steinbrenner Girlfriend From Publishing Memoir

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Mary Jane Schriner of Ohio kept a shoebox full of letters from deceased New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner when the two were dating around 60 years ago.

Seeking to publish a memoir surrounding the letters, Schriner got a firm denial from the Yankees organization. The Steinbrenner family claims the book “will cause untold embarrassment and damages to the Steinbrenner family and the Steinbrenner’s business interests.”

The two were acquainted when Schriner, now 77, was 16 years old growing up in Bay Village, OH. Steinbrenner was not married at the time and refrains from any vulgarity in the letters, but the Yankees nonetheless denied the request.

Since Steinbrenner wrote the letters, his estate owns the copyright on them. However, since Schriner technically owns the letters, the law may be up for deliberation.

Mary Jane and her son Michael Schriner expressed their displeasure with Yankees COO Lonn Trost and their decision to the New York Times, which originally published the story:

“Lonn could not have been more of a bully,” Michael said. “George looks so great in the letters. We wanted his kids to see the letters. But no one wants to mess with the Steinbrenners. People are afraid of them.”

“I tried to put myself in George’s wife’s position,” Mary Jane told the Times. “Maybe it’s hurtful to hear that someone else had a relationship with him. But I was 16. There’s nothing in those letters to upset her. They’re sort of boring.”

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Vikings Favre, Packers Rodgers Expected To Start Despite Injuries

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

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Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – It’s going to take more than elbow tendinitis and a concussion to stop NFC North quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

Minnesota Vikings QB Favre is listed as questionable with throwing elbow tendinitis, but is expected to start Sunday.

Favre had his best game of the season last week despite complaints of pain in his throwing elbow. The 20-year pro posted season-highs in passer rating (85.9), yards (264) and touchdowns (3).

That came after Favre had a dismal first half in completing just 3 of 7 passes for 31 yards.

However, the Vikings became increasingly desperate after a 29-20 loss to the Jets. Minnesota (1-3) hosts the equally desperate Cowboys in the Week 6 “Panic Bowl.”

Green Bay Packers QB Rodgers is listed as probable despite a devastating concussion in Week 5.

Rodgers had a full practice Friday and passed all the concussion tests needed to return to the field.

The third-year starter has completed 111-of-168 passes for 1,233 yards, nine touchdowns, six interceptions and 90.7 rating.

The Packers (3-2) host the tough Miami Dolphins Sunday.

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NFL Suspends Bengals End Odom For Use Of Performance Enhancers

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom was suspended for four games by the NFL Friday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The suspension is a result of a failed appeal and goes into effect starting Oct. 24 against the Atlanta Falcons after the Bengals’ bye week.

“Antwan did not take a steroid or any other performance enhancing substance,” attorney David Cornwell said in a statement. “While driving after midnight from Alabama to Cincinnati to report to training camp, Antwan’s wife mistakenly opened her prescription pill bottle instead of Antwan’s and gave him one of her prescription weight-loss pills instead of Antwan’s medicine.

“Naturally, Antwan’s preseason urine test was positive for his wife’s medicine.”

Odom has just four tackles and no sacks while battling injuries this season. The seven-year pro tied a career high with 8.0 sacks last season to go along with 19 tackles.

The Bengals (2-3) will be without Odom against the Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. he will be allowed to re-join the team Nov. 15.

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Yankees Overcome Five-Run Deficit To Top Rangers In ALCS Opener

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Arlington, TX, United States (AHN) – Josh Hamilton belted a three-run homer, helping the Texas Rangers to a 5-0 lead over the New York Yankees in Friday’s opener of the ALCS.

It wasn’t enough, however, as the Bombers used a key two-run single by A-Rod to overcome the Rangers 6-5 for a 1-0 series lead.

Michael Young singled and Elvis Andrus walked prior to Hamilton’s at-bat and Texas was feeling pretty good about itself after the bash.

The Rangers stretched their lead to 5-0 over the listless Yanks on Young’s two-run double in the fouth.

The Yanks got a run back in the seventh on Robinson Cano’s solo shot and took over with five runs in the eighth, with Derek Jeter’s RBI double getting things going.

CC Sabathia allowed the shot in a rough first-inning for the Yankees starter, as he also gave up three walks in another poor postseason outing for the usual stellar ace.

C.J. Wilson retired the first six batters he faced in his start for the Rangers.

Wilson recorded a pair of strikeouts and threw a reasonable 23 pitches in the first two frames.

Sabathia tossed 50 pitches, throwing 25 for strikes, in the first two innings.

He lasted just four innings, but four Yanks relievers combined to go the rest of the way in allowing just a hit.

Mo Rivera closed things out in the ninth, getting Hamilton to ground out to leave Rangers fans stunned after a 10th straight postseason defeat to the Bombers.

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Mediate Maintains Frys Lead With A Little Help From Short Game

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

San Martin, CA, United States (AHN) – By his own admission, Rocco Mediate’s putting stroke was killing him.

“I’ve just gotten murdered on the greens,” Mediate said as he explained his turnaround that has him in the lead at the Frys.com Open.

Mediate took only 27 putts when he shot 64 on Thurday and putted only 23 times on Friday on his way to a second round 65 at the CordeValle Golf Club for a 13-under par 36-hole total of 129 and a solid lead at the halfway point.

He has a reborn putting stroke and credits fellow tour player Scott Piercy for helping right his wayward putter.

“I was just bad,” Mediate explained. “He asked if I’d mind if he showed me something. I knew he knows what he’s talking about because he can do it. I said sure.”

Piercy got Rocco on a chalk line and restored his lost putting. “I was outside, open and up,” Mediate recounted. “It made a huge impact. Now I’m back where I need to be.”

Mediate’s first round was powered by a hole-in-one on the third hole Thursday and Friday it was the fourth hole where he found another spectacular shot.

He holed his approach from 160-yard out on the 418-yard par four for an eagle two that got him going. He has been solid with only one bogey in 36 holes.

The great two-day start by Mediate gave him a three-shot lead over Ryuji Imada. Imada shot 67 and was alone at 10-under par.

Four shots back was the duo of Dean Wilson and David Duval. Both players went bogey-free on Friday. Wilson shot 64, Duval a 66.

Mediate felt good going into the weekend. “If I put the ball on fairways and greens, the rest will take care of itself,” Mediate said after two great days on the greens. “I know it’s coming so I can get back to where I was before.”

Mediate, 182nd on the money list, coud use a victory that would assure him playing priviledges for next season. “If it doesn’t happen, then I’ll just go back to the qualifying school,” he said.

The 36-hole cut on Friday came at even par, 142.

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Report: Mariners Name Ex-Tribe Skipper Wedge To Managing Post

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:11 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) – The Seattle Mariners named Eric Wedge as the team’s new manager according to a published report Friday.

Wedge most recently skippered the Cleveland Indians, leading the Tribe to the AL Central title in 2007.

Wedge posted a 561-573 over seven seasons in Cleveland and reportedly beat out Lloyd McClendon. Daren Brown and Clint Hurdle for the post.

Don Wakamatsu was fired in the midseason by the Mariners who expected to fight for a playoff berth, but instead languished at the bottom of the AL West.

The Mariners 61-101 mark was the second worst in baseball.

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman was first to report on Wedge getting the job.

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Stewart Third Period Tally Lifts `Lanche Past Devils

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:10 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Newark, NJ, United States (AHN) – Chris Stewart assisted on T. J. Galiardi’s goal and provided the difference maker with his own tally early in the third period as the Colorado Avalanche edged the New Jersey Devils 3-2 Friday night.

Colorado took the early lead when Galiardi found Cody McLeod on a power play to make it 1-0 in the first period.

The Avalanche went up 3-1, but New Jersey rallied to draw within a goal midway through the third.

Craig Anderson, who finished with an incredible 41 saves, withstood a furious late Devils attack to hold on for the win.

Ilya Kovalchuk and Matt Taormina scored for New Jersey, which outshot the Avs 16-7 in the final stanza.

Martin Brodeur finished with 19 saves on just 22 shots, including just three in the opening period.

The Devils (1-3-1) look to bounce back from a slow start at home Saturday against the Bruins.

Colorado (3-1-0) continues its Tri-State trip in Long Island against the Islanders Saturday.

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Nocera, Recari Tied For CVS Lead; Lincicome Falters With 76 Round

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 03:10 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Danville, CA, United States (AHN) – Gwladys Nocera and Beatriz Recari took advantage of a tough day for first-round leader Brittany Lincicome and shot a 6-under par 66s and held the halfway lead at the CVS LPGA Challenge at the Blackhawk Country Club.

Lincicome shot the lowest round on the LPGA Tour this season, a 61 on Thursday but things turned on her in the second round.

She made the turn at even par and remained at 11-under, but bogeyed the 12th and 13th hole took a triple bogey seven at the 14th. She finished with a 76 and fell three behind the leaders.

Nocera’s day started with a bogey at the first hole but she bounced back with birdies at the fourth and fifth holes then ended the front nine with three straight birdies and turned in 33.

Ricari shot an even par 37 on the front nine but went birdie-eagle-birdie to start the back on her way to a 29 coming home.

Amy Hung was alone in second with a 68 for a 135 total.

The 36-hole cut came at one-over par. Cristie Kerr, battling for the No. 1 ranking, rebounded from her opening 73 with a 68 and was three-under at 141.

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