| Fans are losers in NFL Network impasse
The NFL knew it had something special when its scheduling formula spit out a Packers-Cowboys matchup this season. While the league could never have anticipated they would rank as the top teams in the NFC, it did know the value of tradition and could document each team's enormous drawing power on national television. So when the schedule maker divvied up 2007 games among the league's television partners, it decided the Packers-Cowboys would not go to Fox, the network of the NFC, or the prime-time packages on NBC or ESPN, a trio which anted up $2.41 billion in rights fees this season. Instead, the NFL delivered the game to its own fledgling NFL Network, which will deliver the game to only one-third of the country. It's part of the league's plan to help transform an ugly duckling into a cash cow.
WORKING O.T.: Cavs without the Sideshow; Van Gundy tells Murray to keep his mouth shut
According to 76% of respondents to a poll at pistons.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are De-troit Bask-et-ball's biggest rival, easily outpacing the Bulls and Heat. You wouldn't know it by the fact that several hundred tickets remain for tonight's rivalry game at the Palace (available through Ticketmaster, pistons.com or by calling 248-377-0100). But it's evident there are a fair number of Pistons fans still smarting from last season's ouster in the Eastern Conference finals. .
Little Niki's all grown up; Colts scoring leader 'in love with the sport again', and it shows
For a fan favourite, the Barrie Colts' Vladimir Nikiforov seems to take himself pretty seriously. It's not really a bad thing, though. After all, the speedy winger will be the first to tell you goofing off isn't exactly a great resume-builder for a major junior hockey player looking to take his game to the next level. Following a stellar first season with the Colts in 2005-06 that garnered the one they call 'Niki' an invite to the Dallas Stars rookie camp, things unravelled a bit, Nikiforov said. "After the first year, I was invited to the Stars camp, and I think I let it get to my head a bit," said the Lithuanian-born Long Island native, who amassed 55 points in the follow-up to his rookie campaign. "Things didn't end up working out, and last year I screwed around a lot.
California partners with Brownsville for soccer team
California is now partnered with Brownsville in a co-op varsity soccer team. However, the California School Board voted Nov. 15 to allow California to form its own soccer team next year. The co-op was originally formed because California didn't have enough players to form a complete team, which requires about 22 players. Terri Doman, a California School Board member for four years, said when the co-op began, it was with the understanding that when California had enough players to form a team, it would move back to California and play for its own school. The next step California needs to take in order to form its own team is to secure the approval of the WPIAL. Since WPIAL already approved the co-op team for another two years, California needed to send a letter stating that it has formed its own team.
FootballGenerals.com Debuts Weekly Pro Football Head Coach Rankings - Belichick, Dungy, Phillips at Top After Week 12
Statistically, the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick has been the best coach in professional football this year, according to the website FootballGenerals.com. Launched today, FootballGenerals provides the only statistical, weekly rankings of NFL head coaches, along with coach-related news. .
Is this the season the Lake's late show doesn't lack?
Games are under way across the state in boys' hockey. Before we know it, we'll be talking about that annual winter storm that seems to strike the area each year during tournament time. But with the season still young, here are a few story lines and notes to get you going. By Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune Last update: November 27, 2007 – 4:56 PM .
Vitale, McNeely lead Huskies' resurgence
Northeastern is nearly two months ahead of last season's pace in the wins column. The No. 16 Huskies have won six games, a feat they didn't accomplish last season until Jan. 26.
The Huskies (6-4-1, 6-3-1 Hockey East) beat No. 19 Boston College (3-4-5, 2-3-4 Hockey East) in overtime Friday night, padding their conference lead to three points. Senior Jimmy Russo scored his first goal of the season with four seconds remaining in the extra period. It was the second overtime goal of his career.
So far in the season, however, Russo's younger teammates are outplaying him. Standout junior forward Joe Vitale has a team-leading 13 points on the season (five goals, eight assists), all of which came in Hockey East play.
Along with Vitale, freshman forward Tyler McNeely has a share of the team lead with five goals.
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