The 51-year-old Kowalski covered the Lions for Booth Newspapers and MLive.com. He was found unresponsive at his home and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Kowalski started for Booth Newspapers in 1997 after covering the Lions for the Oakland Press. His last story for MLive.com was posted online Monday morning.

“My heart broke this morning when I heard the news. I love Tom Kowalski,” said Bill Emkow, executive editor at MLive.com. “He was my friend. I trusted him, and I know he trusted me. He is the first reporter that bought into what we were doing with MLive.com. I needed someone to buy into what we were doing online, and he was the huge star for Booth. I don’t know why he listened to me, but he helped make MLive what you know it as today.”

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LOS ANGELES – The cat was let out of the bag earlier this week, but FOX is officially the new home of the UFC, thanks to a seven-year, multi-media rights agreement with Zuffa, LLC.

The first UFC event on FOX will happen on Nov. 12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif – the same night as the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez pay-per-view from Las Vegas. The remaining UFC content across the FOX networks begins in January 2012.

Fans of The Ultimate Fighter will be happy to know that the reality MMA show will be live for the first time ever. All 12 TUF fights will air live on FX instead of prerecorded.

The final season of TUF on Spike will start in September.

FX will also televise six live UFC cards per year.

“Mixed martial arts is not only the fastest-growing sport in the world but also the world’s most exciting form of man-to-man competition, and the UFC is the world’s premier MMA organization,” said Eric Shanks, president and co-COO of FOX Sports Media Group. “Since FOX Sports is America’s No. 1 sports network and FOX is America’s No. 1 network for young adults, the UFC on FOX is a perfect match.”

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As part of the agreement, ESPN on ABC will continue to televise four additional races in addition to the Indianapolis 500. Starting next year, ESPN3.com will live stream ABC’s onboard cameras during the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series.

“The Indianapolis 500 and ABC have been together since 1965 and we are very proud to extend the relationship with this new agreement,” said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports. “The 500 is a uniquely American event and a Memorial Day tradition, and we especially look forward to televising the 100^th edition of the race in 2016.” continued…

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Visser began her sports journalism career in 1974 at the Boston Globe, and became the first female to cover an NFL beat. Her long and distinguished career reached its apex in 2006, when she became the first female inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Many notable names from the world of sports are expected to attend Visser’s wedding on Saturday, including Pitino, CBS sportscaster Bill Raftery, former Yankee Tino Martinez, Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan, and golfer Nick Faldo.

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The Celtics currently earn between $15 million and $20 million per year in rights fees from CSNNE, an average that is expected to rise significantly in a new deal.

The two sides first started talking about a long-term deal a year ago. Sources said that talks heated up just before the Los Angeles Lakers blockbuster 25-year RSN deal with Time Warner Cable was announced in February. That deal averages $200 million per year. Serious negotiations between the Celtics and Comcast then ensued this spring under the shadow of the league’s labor uncertainty.

The lockout has not cooled negotiations, but a formal agreement would probably not be announced until the labor unrest has ended.

The Houston Astros and Rockets own a combined 80 percent of CSN Houston, while the San Francisco Giants hold a 30 percent stake in CSN Bay Area. In Chicago, the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks hold a combined 70 percent stake of CSN Chicago.

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1) Skip Bayless d. Woody Paige 77.91% – 22.09%
2) Rick Reilly d. Hawk Harrelson 58.7% – 41.3%
3) Tony Siragusa d. Jack Edwards 71.55% – 28.45%
4) Thom Brennaman d. Jon Gruden 58.32% – 41.68%
5) Deion Sanders d. Mike Tirico 69.59% – 30.41%
6) Michael Irvin d. Dick Stockton 71.61% – 28.39%
7) Chris Berman d. Erik Kuselias 76.83% – 23.17%
8) Pierre McGuire d. Reggie Miller 57.62% – 42.38%
9) Craig James d. Mike Patrick 75.17% – 24.83%
10) Joe Theismann d. Mike & Mike 65.70% – 34.30%
11) Mark May d. Dave Lapham 65.07% – 34.93%
12) Jim Gray d. Jim Nantz 78.15% – 21.85%
13) Stephen A. Smith d. Stuart Scott 51.45% – 48.55%
14) John Sterling d. Matt Millen 58.69% – 41.31%
15) Joe Buck d. Chris Rose 72.53% – 27.47%
16) Colin Cowherd d. Bobby Valentine 88.47% – 11.53%

Seems like Stephen A. Smith and Stuart Scott are almost equally awful. It’s a shame that John Sterling drew Matt Millen in the first round, because Millen deserved to hang around for a while. Against a titan like Sterling, however, Millen’s awfulness pales in comparison. And really, is Tony Siragusa that much worse than Jack Edwards? We beg to differ.

Thursday – John Sterling v Skip Bayless
Thursday – Joe Buck v Deion Sanders
Friday – Chris Berman vs Mark May
Friday – Colin Cowherd v Joe Theismann
Saturday – Jim Gray vs Thom Brennaman
Saturday – Craig James vs Rick Reilly
Sunday – Michael Irvin vs Pierre McGuire
Sunday – Tony Siragusa v Stephen A Smith

We have a hunch that Joe Buck is going to be the last one standing, and will join Pam Ward, Dick Vitale and his broadcast partner Tim McCarver on the Awful Announcing logo.

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Irvin’s brother, Vaughn, was gay and it was one of the reasons why he was a womanizer.

“And through it all we realized maybe some of the issues I’ve had with so many women, just bringing women around so everybody can see, maybe that’s the residual of the fear I had that if my brother is wearing ladies’ clothes, am I going to be doing that? Is it genetic?” Irvin said in Out. “I’m certainly not making excuses for my bad decisions. But I had to dive inside of me to find out why am I making these decisions, and that came up.”

Irvin not only supports gay marriage, but any athlete that wants to come out.

“If anyone comes out in those top four major sports, I will absolutely support him. … When a guy steps up and says, ‘This is who I am,’ I guarantee you I’ll give him 100 percent support.”

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Viewership was up 16 percent compared to last year’s 1,677,000 viewers and the 1.3 rating is tied with 2006 and 2007 as the highest rating for the contest.

Uniques on ESPN3.com were up 189 percent and total minutes consumed were up 321 percent over last year.

Just imagine what the ratings will be if Kobayashi takes on Joey Chestnut next year.

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Maybe because punching people causes damage to both parties, whereas hitting a tennis ball back and forth tends to be less bloody. Really, it’s hard to see how eliminating warm-ups would benefit tennis at all. Would the tension be higher? I guess. But the first time a player pulls a hamstring, commentators would be bemoaning the absence of suitable warm-ups. It’s commendable that McEnroe wants to find ways to increase the popularity of his sport, but looking to boxing for inspiration seems like a non-starter.

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“First-person, diary-type” entries are all that’s allowed, the IOC said.

Athletes can post photos from Olympic venues, but no audio or video. Rules also prohibit comments about opponents, using “vulgar or obscene words or images,” and any manipulation of the five-ring Olympic symbol.

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During an interview with Bruce Bankoff of Big Lead Sports, Smith said of Bayless, “I have a great deal of respect for him. I’ve known him for 17 years. He does his homework. He has his bully pulpit on ESPN 2. And he is not afraid to take on anyone face to face. I’ve been on that show and taken him on. But I have to tell you, he’s crazy. He has his opinions and he means what he says. But he’s not too far from the cuckoo’s nest. That boy is crazy.”

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Oprah, not one to be deterred, said she’s going to get Simpson to give up the goods.

“And I am going to make that happen, people. I don’t just want the interview. I want the interview on the condition that you are ready, Mr. Simpson.”

Simpson is in prison in Nevada for armed robbery.

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Sports Business Journal

In his April 4 article, Ourand wrote about ESPN creator Bill Rasmussen.

Many executives that came in contact with Rasmussen during ESPN’s infancy reference that can-do spirit. Paul Maxwell, a cable industry pioneer who founded several industry trade publications, said Rasmussen’s faith in ESPN provided a stark contrast to how others viewed the startup network at the time.

Maxwell recalls sitting in an Anaheim, Calif., bar with cable industry icon Bill Daniels, who helped convince Getty Oil to fund ESPN in the early years. It was right after Getty had invested in ESPN, probably 1980. Evey, the Getty Oil executive responsible for overseeing the network, approached the duo, with a look of worry on his face. He asked, “Are we ever going to make money?”

“It was the first thing he asked Bill,” Maxwell said. “Bill knew it would work. We both thought it was brilliant.”

In Paige’s column, he appears to lift quotes and a description of setting directly from Ourand’s story without attribution. In college, this practice went by several names: plagiarism; stealing; revolutionary time-saver. It depends who you ask.

In an Anaheim, Calif., bar (near a theme park), Daniels was told by a Getty Oil executive about the venture’s problematical plans. Daniels had persuaded the company to buy a majority share of ESPN.

Stuart Evey was concerned Getty Oil had made a mistake. “The first thing he asked Bill was: ‘Are we ever going to make money?’” Colorado cable pioneer Paul Maxwell said. “Bill knew it would work. We both thought it was brilliant.”

Ourand somehow caught wind of this and sent Paige a question on Twitter: “Hey @woodypaige. Did you really talk to Paul Maxwell? Or did you lift that quote from SBJ? Bad form to not list source.”

He followed up by posting a link to his original April 4 article.

Paige has not yet responded.

(H/T to SportsByBrooks)

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“Marv Albert is recognized throughout sports broadcasting as one of its true legends,” said Sean McManus, chairman, CBS Sports. “Very few in the broadcasting industry can claim his combined accomplishments and remarkable longevity. We are extremely excited to add Marv to our NFL ON CBS team.”

Albert, who turns 70 this week, will continue his roles at TNT as the lead play-by-play basketball announcer and at CBS Sports’ and Turner Sports’ as part of their coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. However, Albert’s role with the YES Network calling the New Jersey Nets will come to an end. continued…

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Natalie Meisler

According to the 7News of Denver, Meisler and Robert Knight, 43, both had designs on the same parking spot. Knight reportedly had his turn signal on to indicate dibs, but Meisler pulled her green Honda Civic into the spot. When Knight beeped and pointed, indicating he had called it for himself, Meisler reportedly flailed her arms and uttered an obscene comment. Nevertheless, she allegedly relented and pulled out of the spot, allowing Knight to park his brand-new silver Toyota Tacoma pickup.

Then came the alleged mischief.

As Knight’s wife shopped in Whole Foods, Knight sat with his children in the back seat of the parked truck, the police report said.

“Knight heard a grinding sound, turned around and saw Meisler ducked down … on the outside of Knight’s vehicle at the right rear passenger door,” the police report said. “He said that he could see her hands moving back and forth near the vehicle.”

Knight later told police he didn’t think Meisler could see people were in the truck because it has tinted rear windows. Knight told police he got out of the truck and demanded, “What the (expletive) are you doing?”

Knight said Meisler replied, “You’ve just assaulted me. It’s your word against mine,” according to the police report. Knight said he never touched the woman. But he added that “his Tacoma was brand new and that he was very upset,” the report said.

Knight called 911 and police said an officer spotted Meisler running east near a Barnes and Noble store. An officer stopped Meisler and said he had to talk to her about a disturbance at the Whole Foods parking lot.

Meisler said a man had been abusive to her, calling her “a stupid (expletives),” and assaulted her by grabbing her upper left arm, the police report said. “Meisler said that she did not know why.”

The officer asked the woman if it was possible that she had a dispute about a parking spot before the situation escalated.

Meisler said that she remembered driving into a parking spot, and that there had been a big truck in the area at the time. Meisler did not say anything about a conflict, the police report said.

After the officer issued Meisler a summons, she asked for a police escort back to her car at Whole Foods, because “this guy was harassing, was stalking” her, the police report said. The officer told Meisler the other driver had already left and she was not given an escort.

Criminal mischief is a misdemeanor if the damage is less than $500. Meisler was contacted by 7News and reportedly refused to comment.

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