In 2001 and 2002, I contributed articles on sports and the media to Media Life Magazine, a daily online magazine covering all aspects of the media. Media Life Magazine: www.medialifemagazine.com Flaw in the plan to revive 'MNF', March 25, 2002 Commentary: Even if Fox and CBS make concessions to ABC to get Monday Night Football better games, the networks will continue to hemorrhage money. Perhaps a shot for indoor soccer, March 18, 2002 A look at the TV prospects of the Major Indoor Soccer League. They're not so grim, with a sports veteran at the helm. McDonnell's SI: Not a radical remake, March 6, 2002 Defying predictions, SI's new editor keeps the magazine's structure largely intact. The surprise: if anything, there are more long, in-depth stories. Madden makes cents for ABC, March 4, 2002 Commentary: ABC's nabbing of John Madden for its Monday Night Football program is a good, but marginal move; it won't staunch the bleeding of millions of dollars by NFL TV contracts. Expect little pluck from hockey's puck, February 26, 2002 The U.S. men's and women's hockey teams excelled in Salt Lake City, but don't expect the good karma to extend to the NHL's TV ratings. There's a bright side to Skategate, February 22, 2002 All the melodrama and bad press from the Olympics skating scandal may help the sport. Pondering a cable future for curling, February 20, 2002 Can Olympics' hot niche sports, like curling and short-track speed skating, hold their fans? Sports predictions worth pondering, February 14, 2002 Four sports gurus weigh in on what 2002 will bring for the world of sports media. Part II. Sports predictions worth pondering, February 13, 2002 Four sports gurus weigh in on what 2002 will bring for the world of sports media. Part I. NBC's bid to woo young to Olympics, February 8, 2002 NBC will tinker with its No. 1 sports property in an effort to get younger viewers to tune in. A Mr. Fix-It for Sports Illustrated, February 5, 2002 Why did long-time Sports Illustrated editor Bill Colson leave, and what's in store for the magazine now that Us Weekly's Terry McDonell is taking the helm? An inside look. Yes, a great Super Bowl but..., February 5, 2002 ...if the game hadn't been close, the ratings would probably have been truly terrible. Don't bet it all on a Rams rout, January 31, 2002 Not so fast, oddsmakers. The Patriots have a real chance to keep the game close, and if they do, football fans and second-half advertisers alike will rejoice. Cheap Super Bowl spots. Such a deal, January 24, 2002 A weak ad economy has brought down ad prices for the biggest TV show on earth, creating an opportunity for a bargain for the right company. Pro soccer's bold bid for attention, January 23, 2002 The U.S.'s Major League Soccer buys the TV rights to the World Cup and stakes its future to the international competition. Why the big stink over college bowls, January 11, 2002 Why is the BCS so reviled, and how much would viewership rise if college football instituted a playoff system? A lot. Baseball's oddly curveball economics, December 20, 2001 An analysis of the root causes of baseball's labor dispute, which include a myopic union, self-destructing owners, and poor communication. That S word returns to baseball, December 5, 2001 Baseball contraction talks have raised the ire of the baseball union and created the possibility of a strike, which poses a great danger for the game's financial health. Very latest word on the Tennis Channel, November 28, 2001 An update on the progress of The Tennis Channel, and an analysis of its chances for success. NFL's limping but still in the game, November 26, 2001 Analyzes the prospects for the NFL, and finds the game to be in good long-term health. The Tougher War for Hearts and Minds, November 5, 2001 Describes the U.S. effort to gain support in the Arab and Muslim world, and the steep challenges facing that effort. Back to Top