ESPN.com has been counting down to tonight’s launch of the ‘NEW’ MNF on ESPN. Just to keep ESPN in check, the NFL scheduled a doubleheader for the night, pushing MNF off the usual 8:00 ET start time. The result, Game 1 kicking off at 7:00 ET, with folks on the West Coast still in the final hour of the work day.
The New Announcers
Lame, Lame, and “Good choice, but the constraints by the network will reel him in to Lame.” We’re talking Mike Tirico (him of extra-special announcer voice), Joe Theismann (He’ll put anyone to sleep), and Tony Kornheiser.
The Games tonight:
Minnesota at Washington
Portis may or may not play - if he does, he won’t be much of a factor. The Vikes have a new coach and a new attitude. Brad Johnson managed the team effectively post-Culpepper injury.
The 4.5 points at home pegs this as a ’skin favorite. I say, Vikes win straight up by a touch.
San Diego at Oakland
Oakland is still Oakland. Old with a split lockerroom and still on the board as a 3 point fave. The Raiders couldn’t stop LT last year and they haven’t done anything to change that. Stay classy San Diego. The Rivers (Phillip) run red with Raider blood in 14+ point blowout by the Chargers.
Frankly, I’m about footballed out this weekend and another 6+ hours just doesn’t sound like much fun. Considering I’ll watch 6-7 games a week and I’m already feeling that way about tonight’s games, it will be interesting to the see the network ratings for the games tonight - my bet is that tonight probably isn’t the night for a big, splashy entrance for ESPN.
September 11th, 2006
Odds to Win the BCS Championship
Courtesy of Pinnacle Sports
Odds To Win BCS Championship Game
West Virginia 13/2
Notre Dame 7/1
Ohio State 15/2
USC 8/1
Florida 11/1
Texas 12/1
Auburn 14/1
Oklahoma 14/1
Florida State 21/1
Miami 21/1
Louisville 24/1
LSU 26/1
California 28/1
Michigan 29/1
Iowa 35/1
Virginia Tech 58/1
Clemson 71/1
Penn State 74/1
Alabama 85/1
Michigan State 81/1
UCLA 85/1
Georgia 85/1
Nebraska 85/1
Oregon 85/1
Arizona State 85/1
Tennessee 85/1
Arkansas 100/1
Boston College 120/1
TCU 120/1
Purdue 200/1
August 29th, 2006
HR 4411 - The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act - Came a step closer to reality Tuesday night as the House of Representatives voted 317-93 in favor of the legislation.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where Internet-based gambling has not appeared to be much of a priority. However the ease at which the bill passed could inspire some momentum at the Senate level.
Reminder, we’ve set up a Google News Watch to monitor the headlines.
July 12th, 2006
D-day could be on the horizon for online gamblers, including online poker players, as HR-4411 - The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act - could find its way to the House floor as early as Tuesday. HR 4411 is a combined bill from Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa).
The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act is designed to cut the flow of money from US gamblers to the offshore, Internet-based gambling sites. US gamblers represent about half of the estimated $12 billion to be wagered online in 2006. In addition to stopping the flow of money, provisions would also be in place to block gambling sites at the ISP level and a further clarification of the Wire Act to include poker sites.
Ironically, the bill would still allow online wagering for horse racing and state lotteries, the former legalized as part of the Internet Horseracing Act.
We’ve set up a Google News Watch to monitor the headlines
July 10th, 2006
In the land of Vegas, Hooters Girls seem awfully tame to us.
But, there must have been enough of a draw to conver the old San Remo into the Hooters Casino Hotel. One block off the strip behind Tropicana.
696 rooms, a 30,000 sq. ft. casino and 200 Hooters Girls, the Hooters Casino Hotel officially opens Friday, February 3 2006.
February 2nd, 2006
Are you as confused as everyone else to why the line on the Super Bowl is stuck on 4 with the seemingly never-ending support of Pittsburgh?
From the tip line today, a cryptic message informing us of a rumor that Microsoft money is gaming the online books to put the squeeze on Vegas. The email went on to say that money is flowing in to the online books in favor of Seattle - so much so that the line is seeing tremendous support on both sides at Pittsburgh -4 and forcing Vegas books to keep the line in place despite the money rolling in on the Steelers.
Sounded fishy to us, but then later in the day we received a second email with roughly the same details and further info that a huge losing day by Vegas books, combined with a strong push by lobbyists would get the issue of online gambling in front of congress.
It still doesn’t make much sense to us, but stranger things have happened. And who knows maybe a bunch of Microsoft’ers just have faith in Paul Allen’s Seabirds and running the contrarian view.
We’d love to hear from anyone who has more information on this. Just hit the Tip Line (over there on the sidebar) or in the comments.
So like we said, that’s the rumor mill for Thursday, February 2, 2006.
February 2nd, 2006
It seems that General Motors - fresh after posting a record loss in their last quarter - is ponying up the cash to lease the Sahara’s back parking lot and turn it into a consumer-themed test track. Included in the deal is naming rights for the Sahara’s Monorail Station as well.
From the USA Today:
A parking lot behind the Sahara hotel-casino will be converted into an automotive playground and the Strip’s newest attraction with the addition of test tracks where would-be racers can take cars, trucks or SUVs for a spin.
Officials from General Motors, the Sahara and the Las Vegas Monorail announced a deal Tuesday that will lease the 11-acre lot to GM for a public test track.
“The Drive” could open by mid-March, offering licensed drivers the chance to drive GM vehicles on a high-performance test track or an off-road demonstration course for a fee.
GM also will buy theming and naming rights to the monorail’s Sahara station, giving the rapid transit line a much-needed cash infusion and more potential riders.
January 27th, 2006
California developer Matt A. Rose announced plans for a $4 Billion sports-themed resort off-strip near the Las Vegas Speedway. The Ultimate Sports Resort will enjoy a 5,500-Room resort featuring ten separate sports arenas; “creating a global sports mecca in North Las Vegas.”
The project is based on a hybrid casino-destination-sports business model. In fact, the final name of the resort will be determined through a naming rights deal similar to those recently associated with stadium, arena and title sponsorships in sports. The resort will provide sports-minded consumers with unparalleled access to watch sports, play sports, test state-of-the-art sports equipment and enjoy the finest assembly of sports memorabilia, collectibles and trading cards. In addition, visitors can purchase the widest range of sports-related products in the world.
Among the amenities, the world’s largest hotel with 5,500 guest rooms including 4,000 affordable fixed-rate rooms, 1,000 luxury suites and 500 ultra-luxury suites. The 150,000 square-foot casino will include a 50,000 square feet glass-enclosed Smoke-Free gaming area and 750,000 square feet of convention space. The 10 arenas and numerous training areas will be capable of supporting every sport imaginable. The resort will have in-door batting cages, a climate-controlled golf driving range, rock climbing walls, racquetball courts, a state-of-the-art gym, billiard room, bowling alleys and other attractions too numerous to mention.
January 27th, 2006
If you’ve managed to catch the fine piece of television programming crap on SpikeTV called King of Vegas please note that we are not affiliated.
We set the Tivo to snag it starting with the premier a couple weeks ago but haven’t had the chance to watch it until last night. 10 minutes into the first episode and we’re done. Season Pass cancelled. Saved episodes, deleted.
The concept is supposed to be a few people battling out to be the top gambler and walk away with $1 Million.
We’re not even adventurous enough to post odds on how long the show makes it. Does your opinion differ? Sound off on the comments.
January 27th, 2006
Fans of HBO’s hit series, Entourage, should be happy to hear that filming for season 3 breaks this weekend. No official word on broadcast dates, but reliable sources have told us to expect end of June/early July.
What does this have to do with Vegas? Palms has an Entourage Suite going for $2,500 during the week, $3,500 on the weekend.
January 26th, 2006
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