Gold medal game pulls huge numbers
Sunday’s gold medal hockey game between Canada and the United States wasn’t just huge on the ice, but on the airwaves as well. The game, which is being called one of the most exciting and intense ever played by some pundits, was watched by 27.6 million people in the United States and another 16.6 million people in Canada. According to Steve Lepore’s Puck The Media, a blog dedicated to examining the media’s hockey coverage, the game was the most-viewed in Canadian history. Lepore also cited a report by Truth & Rumors’ William Houston, which said that 80 percent of Canadians watched at least some of the game, which was won by Canada, 3-2 in overtime. In America, only two hockey games have ever had more viewers: the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” game between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the gold medal game between the United States and Finland that same year. The game received high ratings locally as well. The Boston area had the sixth-highest market ratings for the game, pulling a 24.1/46 rating on the Nielsen scale. Buffalo came in at number one, with a 32.6/51 rating.
Thumbs sideline two NBA stars
Though it may be one of the smaller appendages, the thumb can have a big impact on an NBA player. Just ask Shaquille O’Neal and Paul Pierce, both of whom have missed time due to thumb injuries in the past weeks. According to FoxSports.com, Pierce is set to return to action this week after missing three games with a sprained right thumb. The Celtics lost two out of the three games Pierce missed, including back-to-back home losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Jersey Nets. O’Neal’s injury is said to be a bit more serious. The Big Diesel originally injured the finger during the aforementioned game against the Celtics, a game that saw him leave midway through and never return. O’Neal had surgery on the thumb on Monday and according to FoxSports.com is expected to miss up to six weeks, meaning he may not be ready for the start of the playoffs.
Jordan buys Bobcats
Michael Jordan appears to be enjoying his new basketball home, as he bought the controlling stake in the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this week, becoming the majority owner of the young NBA franchise. Jordan had previously been a part-owner of the team, but bought out absentee owner Bob Johnson to become the top dog in the Bobcats’ organization. According to NBA.com, Jordan is buying 100 percent of the team, and does not have any other partners in the transaction. Other groups were rumored to be preparing offers, but Jordan stepped up and took control of the team. While he has not yet been approved as the owner, the approval process is viewed as a mere formality at this point. Jordan has been part-owner of the team since 2006, but is now expected to take a more hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the franchise.
More big names released in the NFL
The free agency period in the National Football League has yet to officially begin, but big moves are already being made, as this week it became clear that two more big name players will be playing for new teams in the 2010-2011 season. According to ESPN.com, the New York Jets announced that they intend to release running back Thomas Jones this week, allowing the team to cut some salary. The Jets boasted the league’s top-ranked rushing offense last season, a group Jones was a big part of. Jones has the second-most rushing yards in the league since 2005, behind only LaDainian Tomlinson, who was recently cut as well. ESPN.com also reported that former All-Pro lineman Orlando Pace was cut by the Chicago Bears after spending only one season in the Windy City. Pace had spent his entire career with the St. Louis Rams before signing a three-year, $15 million contract with the Bears before last season, but he was widely panned for his sub-par performance last year.
