NBC Sports & Olympics has tapped “Today” executive producer Jim Bell to lead its 2012 coverage of the London Olympic Games. Bell spent 16 years at NBC Sports & Olympics before joining the iconic morning program in 2005. He will work closely with NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel and NBC Sports & Olympics chief Mark Lazarus, and will also continue to serve as EP of the news program.

“Jim’s unique background in both sports and news at NBCUniversal makes him the perfect choice to lead our London Olympics production,” said Lazarus in a statement. “He knows the people at NBC Sports, the intricacies of the Olympics, and how to work within NBCUniversal. Jim’s leadership combined with the extensive experience of our existing Olympic production team — led by head of production Bucky Gunts, coordinating producer Molly Solomon, creative director Mark Levy, and executive editor Joe Gesue — has us well positioned to present the London Olympics in a manner consistent with the high standards that viewers have come to expect from NBC.”

More information after the jump.

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ESPN The Magazine editor-in-chief Chad Millman released a statement Friday regarding the controversy surrounding the “What if Michael Vick were white?” article. Below is Millman’s statement.

This past January we decided to dedicate our entire NFL Preview issue to Michael Vick. His story, from All-Pro to inmate and back, had transcended the boundaries of the field and become a flashpoint of conversation. It incorporated sports, society, morality, forgiveness and, yes, race. Among the many questions asked when discussing his crime and punishment – How could he do such a thing? Should he be allowed to play again? Could he ever play again? – was, would he have been punished as severely if he were white? It’s hard to ignore the topic in a fully realized examination of Vick and his impact. As the senior editor of the piece, Raina Kelley, pointed out on CNN [see video here] rather than use vague arguments that skirt the issue, we chose to address it head on. First, in a thoughtful essay by Toure. And, just as important for magazines, with art that lended power to the concept. In the past, designers have challenged readers to consider their views on race by portraying a black Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II. We had several conversations about how to support the essay with imagery that made people think as much as the words did. Ultimately, the resulting treatment felt like the strongest way to answer the question so many have been asking.

For an upcoming Media Beat interview, we also spoke with the article’s author Toure about how he tackles the issue of race online without offending people. The full interview airs on mediabistro.com September 12, but here’s an excerpt.

Wednesday’s scheduled friendly between England and Holland at Wembley Stadium in London has been postponed due to widespread rioting in the English capital.

Football Association Chairman David Bernstein said authorities advised him about postponing the match.

“We have received clear advice that due to the sporadic and widespread nature of the unrest there are significant concerns in relation to the available emergency service resource to safely police the fixture,” Bernstein said at a news conference.

“In light of these concerns … the authorities have advised us that under the terms of our safety certificate we are unable to host the fixture or guarantee the safety of visiting supporters or the teams.

“The Dutch FA (KNVB) were informed of the decision prior to their scheduled departure from Holland and we thank them for their co-operation and support during this difficult period,” Bernstein added.

English players released a statement agreeing with the decision.

“We have all seen the terrible pictures on television and the most important thing at this time is the safety of the fans and the general public.

“At this time the whole squad would like to appeal for calm and an end to this disorder.”

Rioting began three days ago after police shot and killed a 29-year-old father of four in an anti-firearms operation. Gangs of youths have since rampaged through the streets, smashing store windows, looting stores and setting fires.

(Photo: The Guardian)

For the first time ever ESPN’s SportsNation will originate at a soccer match. Co-host Michelle Beadle and guest host Taylor Twellman will lead a 4 p.m. ET live broadcast prior to Wednesday night’s men’s match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia between the United States and Mexico. The match starts at 9 p.m. and marks the debut of new U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who replaced the recently fired Bob Bradley.

Twellman is a former MLS striker and U.S. National Team player.

Alexi Lalas, who competed against Klinsmann as a player, says fans are eager to see what changes in philosophy he brings to the U.S. team.

“This is the start of a new era. He (Klinsmann) wants to show that he is building on the past and doing new things going forward. There is a lot of curiosity and some mystery surrounding Jurgen Klinsmann with what he is going to do for and with the U.S. national men’s team program.

“Whatever he does, it all kicks off with a match against USA’s biggest rival – Mexico. I want to see how the Klinsmann era starts off on and off the field.”

This is the fourth New Era video featuring actors Alec Baldwin, a diehard Yankees fan, and John Krasinski, a loyal Red Sox rooter. Have to say, this is probably the weakest installment to date. The others have ranged from mildly humorous to hysterically funny, but this is just kind of nonsensical and lame. The Sox and Yankees are tied for first in the American League East and open a three-game set tonight in Boston.

NBC programming president Jon Miller told Pete Dougherty of the Times Union the new name of the Versus network will be revealed “within the next couple of weeks,” but won’t go into effect until 2012:

“We’ll have regular NHL,” Miller said of NBC’s cable entity. “We’ll have some other stuff that we’re going to be announcing. We have some fun programming in the works that’s going to make it an exciting place for people to go look. We’re not going to be ESPN. We’ve never claimed to be ESPN, but I think we’ll be an attractive alternative.”

I’m glad Miller is on the record as saying he doesn’t want the network to be ESPN. Just ask Fox Sports how that worked out for them.

In this week’s episode of “5 Things You Need to Know This Week,” we challenge Michele Bachmann to a staring contest, take a journey through the t-shirt of Novak Djokovic’s dad, and uncover the history behind the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

You can also watch this video on YouTube.

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will broadcast in 3D for the second time on Friday at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN3D, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com).

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will call the action ringside from the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.

ESPN’s Feb. 18 telecast from Salisbury, Md., marked the first time boxing has aired in 3D in the U.S.

“3D is most impactful when you have close proximity to the subject. Nothing offers closer proximity than boxing. It truly makes you feel like you have a ringside seat,” said Phil Orlins, coordinating producer for ESPN 3D. Read more

Bill Brown, who is celebrating his 25th season calling Astros games on television, will be honored Saturday before the Astros-Braves game at Minute Maid Park.

Brown and his family will be joined on the field before the game by Astros owner Drayton McLane, while Fox Sports Houston will air a video montage of some of Brown’s memorable calls. The first 10,000 fans will receive a bobblehead figure of Brown and broadcast partner Jim Deshaies.

“The likeness of J.D. is very good,” Brown said Thursday to The Houston Chronicle. “I didn’t expect anything like this at all, and I’m really blown away by their efforts to do this. It’s very nice of them.”

Brown previously called games for the Cincinnati Reds from 1976 through 1982.

I love Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com, but LeBron James straight owned him Sunday night following Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

“I admit it. LeBron torched me,” Doyel tweeted. “Still, my column will make you think. Maybe you’ll think I’m a dumb–.But you’ll think.”