Dan Snyder buys WTEM

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Dan Snyder buys WTEM - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Dan Snyder Expands Radio Empire - The Post
In an effort to control the message and provide "unfiltered" coverage of the Redskins, owner Dan Snyder has purchased WTEM, the market's original sports radio station.

Since taking over the Redskins in 1999, Snyder has made a number of deals to control both the media and the message. In addition to purchasing the Triple X radio stations in late 2005, the Redskins buy time on local TV stations to air upbeat, magazine-style shows such as "Redskins Game Day" that are produced by the team.

That is a pretty tame way of putting it. Snyder comes off as incredibly petty and insecure about himself and his team. Once again, he has bought his way out of criticism, if there is even much of it on WTEM; I don't know, because I don't listen to sports radio.

One wonders how Snyder would hold up in a media market that did not provide so much favorable coverage of the team. Clearly, he doesn't see it, but I think reasonable people realize that the Redskins have traditionally been subject to coverage that is far from harsh. Can you imagine Snyder owning a team in a place like New York or Philly? He couldn't have handle it.

Snyder has faced some backlash over the years, but not enough that he hasn't been able to fill FedEx Field every Sunday. He has the luxury of a devoted fanbase and a season-ticket waiting list that has spanned generations. Moves like this though and the mediocre gameday experience is probably going to cut it into that soon. Ten years from now, he could find himself in a really tough spot, maybe five if the Redskins can't win regularly.

Lastly, I wonder if Bonneville is going to switch 3WT to sports radio. They have very little original programming now and already carry the Nats and Caps. They must be thinking about it a little bit.

Washington Redskins, WTEM, Dan Snyder, Red Zebra

Labels: BeltwayLand, Media, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 9:03 AM | |

I haven't listened to 980 in years so I have no idea about their Skins coverage. But it seem to me that football teams lend themselves to criticism rather easily. If your team wins, they rule! If they lose, they stink! I listen to Redskins Radio from time to time and I have heard them criticize the Skins when its deserved. But I have no idea how that compares to other media outlets.

Now if you want to talk about their lack of hockey coverage.....

# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief : Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:49:00 AM

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Pop quiz: Redskins colors - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Pop quiz: Redskins colors

New Redskins coach Jim Zorn thought the Redskins colors are maroon, black and yellow. Can Nationals do much better?

The correct answer is burgundy and gold of course. I almost want to cut the guys who said maroon a little slack, as well as the guys who said red and yellow. At least Manny Acta and Ryan Zimmerman (among others) got it right. Nick Johnson though -- disappointing. How can you live, work and play in Washington for three years and not know the correct answer?

Perhaps during training camp, the Redskins can be asked what colors the Nationals wear. In fact, it'd be a fun quiz for all D.C. teams.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2008, Redskins/NFL, Video

posted by WFY @ 12:03 PM | |

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Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin?

Legendary broadcaster Myron Cope dies at 79 - Post-Gazette
The Maryland Bureau Chief tipped me off that Cope who was "so bad, he's good" as a long-time Steelers broadcaster died today at age 79. He was credited with inventing the Terrible Towel.

I remember on Thanksgiving Sunday we were driving back from seeing family friends in Michigan and we found a Steelers game. We agreed the broadcasters were awful. Later, through the magic of NFL Films, I became more familiar with his work and became a fan of him. Not a Steelers fan though (except for Super Bowl XL).

Myron Cope, Pittsburgh Steelers

Labels: Media, Pennsylvania, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 12:10 PM | |

Myron will be missed, although listening to him 2002-04 was a little painful because he clearly was in decline (no jokes that he was "always" painful to listen to). But yes, I am among those "yinzers" that would turn down the TV broadcast and turn up Myron. He loved the team and really brought the game to life. And of course, I found him entertaining and funny!

I was sad he wasn't on-board during the Super Bowl XL campaign, but at least he was alive to see it. I will finish up by saying: DOUBLE YOI!!!

# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:27:00 PM

For me, listening to Myron was like repeatedly smashing a brick into the back of my head. But I understand he was pretty much a god of broadcasting, kinda like Mel Allen was. Of course, the Steelers never fired Myron, did they?

# posted by Brad Stratton : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:47:00 PM

TMBC: I read somewhere that listening to the radio coverage while watching the game was a "unique Pittsburgh tradition." Um, no. Redskins fans used to "turn the TV down and the radio up" to listen to Sonny, Sam and Frank. Buffalo fans did it too and I'll bet Colts fans did for Chuck Thompson and Raider fans for Bill King.

Brad: Allen was fired by the sponsor, Ballantine Ale. Back in the day, sponsors bought the broadcast rights and decided who would call the games.

# posted by WFY : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:50:00 PM

WFY: I don't claim that it is a Pittsburgh-only tradition. But I've heard Sonny and Sam, and they are not nearly the "unique" radio personalities that Myron was. I think every town probably has one or two announcers that fans swear is the best, so we are probably no different with our admiration of Myron. I just know that none of the others made up a song with lyrics such as: "Deck the Broncos there just Yoncos....FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA."

Brad, No, the Steelers never fired Myron. He and his buddy (Joe Gordon?) had an agreement that when Joe told Myron he was "slipping", Myron would resign. Joe gave him the word during the summer of 2005. I think the Steelers knew it was coming a few years ahead of time, which is why they expanded to a 3 man booth a few years earlier.

# posted by TMBC : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:08:00 PM Post a Comment

maroonandblack.blogspot.com still available - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Monday, February 11, 2008

maroonandblack.blogspot.com still available

New Redskins head coach Jim Zorn got off to an inauspicious start (DC Sports Bog) when he mentioned that Redskins colors were "maroon, black and yellow." I immediately thought that Maroon and Black would be a great name for a new Redskins blog, so I checked to see if it was available.

I am almost disappointed to see that it is still around. Somebody step up to the plate or more appropriately, behind center.

Also, lost in all the Zorn coverage is his tendency to run fake field goals when he was the Seahawks holder and the NFL Super Pro Club booklet that he was in.

PREVIOUSLY: Suggested sports blogs names and topics, many of them obvious

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 12:20 PM | |

Done and done, good sir.

# posted by Nate : Monday, February 11, 2008 2:33:00 PM

Excellent, maroonandblack.blogspot.com is now my favorite Redskins blog.

# posted by WFY : Monday, February 11, 2008 5:17:00 PM

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One last ride on the Giants bandwagon - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Thursday, February 07, 2008

One last ride on the Giants bandwagon

Carl is happy in his typical tasteful way. Use headphones at work.

Labels: New Jersey, New York, Redskins/NFL, Video

posted by WFY @ 12:03 PM | |

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Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Monday, February 04, 2008

Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways

I had expected at least one of the tabloids would have gone with "WE WIN." The Daily News cover shown was a wrap-around; there were two regular covers today too. The NY Post's back cover is shown.

The right team won and restored order to the New York vs. Boston rivalry; take note Yankees. It has been fun being on the Giants bandwagon.

New York Tabloids, Daily News, New York Post, Giants, Eli Manning, Super Bowl XLII

Labels: Media, New York, Northeast Corridor, Redskins/NFL, Tabloids

posted by WFY @ 12:52 PM | |

I had expected one of the NYC tabloids to have the headline "SUPER UPSET"...

# posted by nycroads : Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:08:00 PM

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How I might design this week's Sports Illustrated cover - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Sunday, February 03, 2008

How I might design this week's Sports Illustrated cover

DC Sports Chick notes that amazon.com has a special book on sale. Make sure to pay attention to the tags at the bottom.

Just in case amazon removes the page, I have uploaded a screengrab for posterity.

POINT OF CLARIFICATION: I believe the Giants won the game more than the Patriots lost it, but I couldn't resist putting that cover together last night.

Tom Brady, Sports Illustrated, Patriots, Super Bowl

Labels: Best of WWN, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 11:20 PM | |

I loved the Jimmy Johnson whining at the postgame show re the Fiesta Bowl. What a self centered little snit he is. I hope Joe heard it!

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 11:57:00 PM

Did you see this?

# posted by DCSportsChick : Monday, February 04, 2008 8:21:00 AM

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Super Bowl XLII live-blogging - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Super Bowl XLII live-blogging

UPDATED 10:33 p.m.

Jimmy Johnson never got over the '87 Fiesta Bowl. Neither did Vinny Testaverde, heh.

Belichick took off his red sweatshirt. He looks devastated. Good.

I expect at least one NY tabloid to have the headline WE WIN on one of their covers tomorrow.

UPDATED 10:28 p.m.

Enjoy this moment Eli, we'll like you for a little while because you saved us from another damn Patriots/Brady Super Bowl win.

The PATRIOTS CHOKED!

UPDATED 10:23 p.m.

"Certainly knew what they were doing, apparently?" Huh.

Who dressed Howie Long tonight?

So, is the Ewing Theory now the Tiki Theory?

Somebody get Terry a cough drop.

I love having a former MVP present the trophy. Good to see Doug Williams.

Um, nice suit commissioner. Manning is MVP. Who'd of thunk it?!

UPDATED 10:06 p.m.

THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!

New York (or NJ) triumphs over Boston (New England), things are right in the world again!

UPDATED 10:05 p.m.

The Patriots are quitting!

UPDATED 10:00 p.m.

DOWN GOES BRADY! JAY ALFORD, ~~COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS~~ PENN STATE REPRESENT!
:25 to go. 2nd down

UPDATED 9:57 p.m.

MANNING TO BURRESS FOR SIX! HOLY FECKING SCHNIT!

Giants 17 Patriots 14

Here comes the obligatory Europe!

UPDATED 9:52

WOW. How did that happen? Manning, mobile, David Tyree somehow there?

UPDATED 9:50 p.m.

Oh, that damn Bush song.

They get the first, despite no Pilsbury Throw boy. You owe us Tom Coughlin!
UPDATED 9:47 p.m.
Play of the ball game, right here, fourth down. Put in LORENZEN!

Ben Rothliesburger singing that damn pina colada song. That might haunt my dreams tonight.

Oh boy, Push It.

Manning, throwing off of his back foot, great.

Great open field, special teams tackle by Ray Ventrone. There, now I've assured that I will get hits for people looking for Ray Ventrone for the rest of eternity.

UPDATED 9:40 p.m.

Brady to Moss, d'oh!

14-10 Patriots

Time for Manning to become a hero.

UPDATED 9:38 p.m.

Hey, Brady, throw it to the guys in white.

Come Giants D, you didn't even have to play for the first ten minutes of the game.

UPDATED 9:33
Uh oh, the Patriots are waking up. The bananas aren't working for the G-men.

Okay...things just got weirder.

btw, in terms of Macy's balloon accidents:

1997 - Cat in The Hat
2005 - M&M

And now for the weird part...

TWH
MofP of the WWN

UPDATED 9:29 p.m.
The Will Ferrell Bud Light ad was great.

If I were Manning, I'd be really mad at Plaxico Burress for letting up after that great scramble. If I were Burress, I would be mad at my parents for giving me a name that sounds like a dental hygiene product. He could put the game away if he catches that throw.

UPDATED 9:21 p.m.

If the Giants can't hang on, we will live in a world where Wes Welker is Super Bowl MVP.

The e-trade baby isn't bad.

I think I could get into the show House. The character seems to be based on the Ombudsman's repressed id.

UDPATED 9:13 p.m.

Agent Zero and G-Whiz!

TOUCHDOWN GIANTS! Somewhere in Maryland, a former R.A. is having a flashback to somebody playing Temco Super Bowl at 2 a.m.

BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH QUARTER

Finally a big play! Shockey in the booth, ha!

Oh boy, Fox is doing the game so we get lots of celebrity shots!

Where the hell was Lucy? Coke blew a great gag!

How nice of Dateline NBC to let Chris Hansen punt today.

Prediction -- next team to score wins.

I think the Chester Pitts (oboe player) ad is the best of the night.

We've got almost two full quarters without a score.

Too humid? In the desert! Open the roof.

UPDATED 8:50 p.m.

Ah, throwing deep into triple coverage, always a good decision. I thought I was watching Anthony Morelli.

Going for it on 4th and 13 at Giants 30 wasn't a horrible call by New England, but they should not have gone so deep.

Shrunken heads are better than Shaq on a horse.

Does anybody still consider Carmen Electra hot?

Brady is all out of sorts. I like it.

The panda ad will anger some people.

HALFTIME SHOW

Erica "Tom Petty isn't getting any younger."

Tough start on "American Girl", by "Freefalling" he was doing okay and he finished strong with "Running Down a Dream"

HALFTIME

I think Terry Bradshaw must have taken a horse tranquilizer.

Good game so far, a few turnovers, some punishing runs and Brady is making mistakes and getting sacked.

I like the ad with Justin Timberlake getting racked.

It is time to retire the Rocky theme.

UPDATED 7:33 p.m.

Did anyone catch who the half-time show performer is today?

Hey Belichek, the guy in the red shirt always dies!

Tom Brady sacked twice in a row!

Several punts in a row, Madison Ave. rejoices.

Manning intercepted -- PUT IN JARED LORENZEN! I want a 290 lbs QB in the game.

UPDATED 7:05 p.m.

Enormus carrier pigeons should be funnier.

Nice kickoff New England.

Wanted looks like a stupid movie.

Patriots score, PAT good. I hope you enjoyed your lead Giants, it might be gone for good.

I can't recall a first quarter of ~~a Super Bowl~~ any game going so quickly. Thanks Giants! Two possessions it turns out.

Doritos singer -- not terrible.

UPDATE 6:46

16 plays, 9:59 time of possession, only 3 points.

UPDATE 6:41 P.M.

The Patriots defense is getting manhandled so far.

Kelvin Gilbride? I wonder if Buddy Ryan just shot the television.

Brandon Jacobs just bulldozed the Patriots for seven. Sweet.

Phoenix has a pretty unimpressive skyline, I think Tysons Corner has a better one.

UPDATED: 6:25 P.M.

How many captains do they need?

Wasn't Steve Young a backup under Walsh?

Is the spin on the coin different because Ronnie Lott is missing a finger?

The roof is closed, boo!

Jordan Sparks was fine.

NFL people reading the Declaration of Independence -- take that limeys!

Shiny ties on Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

First gratuitous Tom Brady shot.

Labels: New Jersey, New York, Northeast Corridor, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 6:01 PM | |

Minister of Propoganda's
Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships)
-------------------------------

A quick moving, low scoring game works well for those of us watching only for the commercials. The Doritos 'big rat' spot made me laugh out loud. The Budweiser ads need new life...no cares about the horsies anymore. The Pepsi-Timberlak ad was funny only because it featured copious amounts of boy-band crotch pain.

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:02:00 PM

Minister of Propoganda's
Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships) --Part II
-------------------------------

Never send a well-worn folk singer to do a Rock n Roll god's job. At least he won't be joined by Britney Spears...Oh good, no new tunes. Keep the proles from fidgeting too much if they don't recognize the tunes from their local Bennigan's soundtrack.

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:09:00 PM

okay, i'm not even sure what the hell that challenge was...but it just doesn't feel...American.

Why do you hate our freedoms, Mr. Bellachik?

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:39:00 PM

Regarding the panda ad:
I've seen more delicate humor scotch-taped to the inside of job-johnnies on construction sites in the South. (yes, i was there...don't ask).

Coke balloon ad fell flat. It's never been that nice in November in Manhattan. And have we forgotten the deadly Bullwinkle balloon incident?

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:08:00 PM

Was it bullwinkle that almost killed someone? I could have sworn it was Garfield.

# posted by WFY : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:20:00 PM

tonight...the E-Trade baby will haunt my dreams.

Hola! degrading Latino stereotype!
Meet my friends, the Asian panda mockeries.

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:23:00 PM

The E-Trade baby eats McRibs in the pit of hades of my nightmares this eve...

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:28:00 PM

This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:32:00 PM

dammit. now i wanna be in a bar, drunk and screaming.

oh wait, when don't i?

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:40:00 PM

You've got what, two nights of that left?

# posted by WFY : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:51:00 PM

Tom's Lenten sacrifices this year:

1. No chocolate.

2. No wheat.

3. Only water to drink til Easter Sunday.

TWH
MofP of the WWN

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:54:00 PM

So, you'll be mainlining cheez whiz for 40 nights, no?

# posted by WFY : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:56:00 PM

YAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!

but NE has three timeouts left, no?

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:57:00 PM

Indeed

# posted by WFY : Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:59:00 PM

i had to leave cheese on the table...too many meatfree days on the liturgical calendar...i can tolerate only so many cheese-less salads.

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:01:00 PM

It's doubly sweet.

The Giants get to win.
The Pats get to lose. heh.

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:11:00 PM

The Belachik post-game was priceless...
"but...but...but we cheated and everything! how could we lose?"
*ad lib*

# posted by Anonymous : Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:36:00 PM Post a Comment

A quick look at Super Bowl XLII - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

A quick look at Super Bowl XLII

QUARTERBACKS

Giants -- Eli Manning -- no personality, pulled draft day stunt

Patriots -- Tom Brady -- 3 rings, dates super-models, baby daddy and full-fledged celebrity

Neither are likable, but Brady ruined 1999 Senior Day

CITY

New York -- capital of the world

Boston -- nice in its own right, but not New York

ACTUAL STADIUM LOCATION

Giants -- East Rutherford, N.J.

Patriots -- Foxoboro/Foxborough, Mass.

Foxborough is probably a nicer place than Easter Rutherford, but I like Jersey more.

UNIFORMS

Giants -- throwbacks, stripes on the whites jerseys, black shoes, classic helmet logo

Patriots -- modern with unnecessary accents; flying Elvis logo, white shoes

Duh.

FIELD SURFACE

Giants -- rug

Patriots -- rug

They both lose.

STADIUM

Giants -- Bland, boring stadium with excellent sightlines from every seat. Jimmy Hoffa may buried in one of the end zones there.

Patriots -- Unique features

It would be a slam-dunk for the Patriots if they hadn't turned into a bunch of babies and torn up the grass.

FAMOUS FAN

Giants -- Carl Brutananadilewski

Patriots -- Bill Simmons

Not even close -- Carl!

The Giants win on almost all of the above points which will probably be the only winning they do today. Not surprisingly, I'm pulling for the G-men, a triumph of Jersey provincialism. I would really like to see them win and restore balance to the Force in the New York vs. Boston rivalry, but I don't expect it. I anticipate the Patriots winning big and running up the score.

I may live blog the game too.

Labels: New Jersey, New York, Northeast Corridor, Redskins/NFL

posted by WFY @ 12:06 PM | |

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Nobody outside of the Northeast cares? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Monday, January 28, 2008

Nobody outside of the Northeast cares?

I've overheard or read that nobody outside of the Northeast is going to care about this Super Bowl. Riiiight. Like nobody outside of Illinois and Indiana cared about last year's Super Bowl. It is the Super Bowl, people care. Either way, about 40 million people live within the "footprint" of those two teams. That is something like 13% of the entire U.S. population. Throw in expatriates (no pun intended) and there are probably at least 50 million people who live, lived or are only a generation away from living in the Northeast. I expect higher ratings for this year's game.

By the way, memo to the NY Post -- calling the Giants "America's team" is silly, even if it is sort of true for a day.

If I were Bill Belichek, I'd put that tabloid in every player's locker this week.

Super Bowl XLII, New York Giants, New England Patriots, NFL

Labels: Media, New Jersey, New York, Northeast Corridor, Redskins/NFL, Tabloids