The Thursday Linkage

Here we are on my laptop and the internet in my office is very slow. I'll have to call Verizon to see what's going on, but this was not happening before.

Well, now that I have resolved the issue and found out what was problem, the internet is fast once again.

USA Today's Michael Hiestand writes that CBS Sports will be offering 11 SEC basketball games online at CBSSports.com starting this weekend.

The Inside Track Girls from the Boston Herald report that Julie Donaldson who had a high profile assault trial over the summer has left WHDH-TV after she failed to file a report from the Steelers-Patriots game last month. Thanks to Bruce Allen at Boston Sports Media Watch for the link.

Newsday's Neil Best notes that WFAN is running a contest on Mike Francesa's show allowing the winner to visit the Giants Stadium press box for the Panthers-Giants game and attend coach Tom Coughlin's press conference.

Neil's Newsday colleague, Ken Davidoff reports that former Yankee catcher Jim Leyritz, awaiting trial on drunk driving charges, is looking for a broadcasting job.

CNBC's Darren Rovell has found the very first athlete to wear Nike shoes on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Ed Sherman from Crain's Chicago Business says Comcast continues to gouge customers by keeping the NFL Network off its digital basic tiers.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Cowboys continue to be a ratings draw for the National Football League. And Barry says listening to Troy Aikman during his morning commute made him pull over and take notes.

David Jones from Florida Today says the ESPNU College Football Awards show is gaining popularity.

The Sports Media Watch reviews the Arena Football League's decision not to suspend play and continue with its 2009 season as planned.

Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog talks about what could have happened if the Arena League had suspended play.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune writes about the delay in bidding for the US TV rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics.

Todd Dewey of the Las Vegas Review-Journal says MLB is trying to solve its archiac blackout rules which sometimes prevent Las Vegas residents from watching as many as six baseball games a night.

Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star writes that the Insight Bowl involving Kansas and Minnesota may not be seen by the Sunflower State as the game is being carried by the NFL Network.

John Huckaby of the Centre (PA) Daily Times says the Big Ten Network botched its airing of the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling meet last Saturday.

Barry Lewis of the Tulsa (OK) World says the longtime announcer of the Tulsa Drillers minor league baseball team is leaving after 13 years.

That's it for now. If any updates warrant, I'll post them.