Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelly
Guests: GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke; ESPN broadcaster Dan Shulman; Paul Waldie, writer for the Globe and Mail; Rob Becker, attorney and legal analyst.

After a painful week without McCown, he returned from the brutal cold he had to conduct a fascinating interview with Burke. A must listen for any hockey fan. As a Sens fan, it's my duty to hate the leafs with a passion (and I am proud to do so.) But you can't help but be amazed by the charisma Burkey speaks with. The leafs are in good hands.

You can really see the connection between Burke and McCown. All will go well between these two as long as the leafs are winning. If something goes off the rails, McCown will be ready to call Burke out, and Burke will surely stand his ground making for some interesting radio (like there hasn't been enough of that recently on PTS?)

...and after the months of crap with Balsillie, her falls on his sword trying to paint himself as a Canadian hero? My respect ends for Balsillie on what he's achieved for RIM and Blackberry, although it has greatly diminished by the way he has tried to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Glendale, Arizona council member, Phil Lieberman; Bob Elliott, baseball writer for the Toronto Sun; Don Banks from Sports Illustrated; ESPN's Mark Fainaru-Wada; NFL player agent, Leigh Steinberg.

First segment McCown and Brunt talked about books, and writing. Whatever happened to the two books McCown was to produce next year?? Know what's going on? Drop us a line in the comment section. A book of fiction selling well Bobcat? How about a book about the leafs winning the cup thousands of years in the future (if we're talking about true fiction?)

Hearing from Arizona Council Member Phil Lieberman was a hit of reality on the Phoenix issue. Who will assist the small businesses that will suffer with the Coyotes departure? Certainly not the NHL nor the Balsillie camp, both of whom are out for themselves. Balsillie only cares about getting a team in the southern Ontario market. Bettman only cares about getting those lucrative expansion/re-location fees on his terms.

Line of the day when Bob Elliot was introduced..."Bob's not hear, it's Doug MacLean!!" ...and Bob Elliot agreed with McCown too saying McCown "was right". Interesting. Guests that skirt around the MacLean issue never get a full diatribe on the subject as McCown has remained steady that he won't discuss it anymore but if others want to discuss it, he'll listen.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, September 10, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman; Peter King, Sports Illustrated football writer; George Gillett, Montreal Canadiens outgoing owner; Doug MacLean, consultant to Jim Balsillie's company; Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal.

OK, you see yesterdays review? Skip it! If there are new and twisting revelations with regards to the Phoenix situation, like that of today with MacLean jumping ship, then giddyup, lets go! MacLean absolutely ripped into McCown during the spring regarding the Balsillie mess. I don't recall Prime Time Sports ever replaying a past interview before a guest came on, especially when the guest did a complete 180 of the way they felt. A great set-up for the interview that took place.

When I heard the news of MacLean joining the Balsillie camp, I immediately thought that if Balsillie loses, MacLeans career is DONE! No one will ever give him a shot after the "betrayal" of the NHL with this move.

HOLD CRAP what an explosive interview with MacLean!!! MacLean attacked McCown "...it's not unlike you when someone is not in the studio that you are at your best. For you to say it was it was suicidal for me to partner with Balsillie, it was suicidal for me with the NHL for me to become a friend of yours." Man, he was ticked. I do agree with MacLean that McCown was a bit out of line to throw the tape on air when he wasn't around.

It sounded like MacLean wants to be the bridge between Balsillie and the NHL.

I have said it time and time again that MacLean has an axe to grind with MacLean. McCown: "He always makes it a personal attack and that's what he did tonight. As long as I sit in this chair, that will be the last time you hear MacLean on this program. I may be criticized for that, but I don't care. He is who I thought he was." Stunning.

I would love to see the video behind this and McCown's reaction when MacLean was speaking. I can't ever remember Bobcat being spoken to like this on Prime Time Sports...ever...

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, Bob Nicholson; David Peterson, chair of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid; Don Banks from Sports Illustrated; manager of team travel for the Toronto Blue Jays, Mike Shaw; Brahm Resnik, reporter and anchor for News 12 in Phoenix.

Nothing like the best combo in sports radio, Brunt and McCown!!!

If you think Bettman v Balsillie is insane, imagine Bettman vs MLSE? The battle lines are drawn and the next few days will dictate exactly how close those two are headed towards battle.

David Petterson, Chair of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid came on and supposedly the two of them had a loud altercation regarding the bid. Bobcat has been a long time advocate of no public funds going to sporting bid tournaments, especially the olympics. Hell, he's even critical of the Vancouver Olympics that he'll be attending at broadcasting at! When it came down to the Pan Am Games, Bobcat was pretty adament that it was the wrong way to proceed based on a multitude of factors. While it was a very, VERY civil conversation, if this thing gets closer expect a major battle between Peterson and Bobcat on the airwaves.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Sports Illustrated football writer, Don Banks; Lester Munson from ESPN.com; GM of the Toronto Argonauts, Adam Rita.

Only 1 hour for the review today as the podcast was reduced due to the Jays doubleheader.

Kelly appearing on tomorrows show in his first and so far only interview after being fired from NHLPA.

Bobcat stated today, "While they are the most likable, most approachable of all professional athletes, NHL Players are collectively the most stupidest group I have encountered and demonstrated this (their lack of business knowledge) repeatedly through the years."

I simply don't understand this move. In the era of professional sports, so much is kept hidden from the people that pay the bills. Why does Heatley *really* want out? What does the NHL *really* find objectionable in Balsillie? ...and why did the NHLPA *really* fire Kelly? I'm not sure it serves everyone best by not divulging these issues, as in the age of the internet, sports radio and the wider fan interest in sports, rumours and speculation carry with it more legitimacy than ever before.

In this case, the NHLPA and their constituents (by their silence) look completely unjustified in firing Kelly. Perhaps more importantly it leaves a downright scary glimpse into what the future of the NHLPA and collective bargaining with the NHL could be.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, Peter King; Paul Godfrey, former president of the Toronto Blue Jays; NHLPA executive director, Paul Kelly; ESPN's Dan Shulman; Pat Gillick, advisor to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Memories of Skydome, eh? It's amazing to me being bred in Toronto and now living in Ottawa that I can head back to Skydome with my 2 year old son and be immediately taken back to the time where I frequented the park with family and friends. Even though, I must admit, sitting in
great seats in the 200 level doesn't feel the same as making the trek all the way to the top row in the 300 level!!

Reminiscing is never a bad thing!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play broadcaster, Alan Ashby; Tom Tebbutt, the Globe and Mail's tennis expert; Tom Wright, author of Jim Balsillie's NHL team relocation application; Doug MacLean of THE FAN 590 and Rogers Sportsnet.

Tom Wright, Commissioner of the CFL assisting Balsillie's application to bring an NHL team to Hamilton? Interesting...wonder how GB feels about that! What would Wright think if the same thing happened to him (eg. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers moving to Winnipeg)? I'm surprised the boys didn't ask!

MacLean back on after his fanatical outburst the last time around. The pitbull seemed to be more in control this time and not raving like a mad lunatic. Maclean said that if Balsillie wanted to move Phoneix to Las Vegas, Bettman would be approve it in 5 seconds. Brunt agreed, but I'm
not sure why. Bettman would essentially be wasting 200 million+ by approving a move of the Coyotes. "You're two bright guys who think you are very intelligent...", MacLean quipped.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, June 1, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Bill Walker, spokesman for Jim Balsillie; GM of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Bob O'Billovich; roundtable with Bob McCown, Stephen Brunt, and Gord Kirke.

Let's get June 9th already to decide what the next step is for the Coyotes issue. Whatever is the result, you know there will be appeals and this will drag through the courts, but at least it's a new chapter. I'm getting tired of being on the same page!!

If Bobcat's assertion is that the success of the Wings, while indeed talented and possessing intelligent management, has to do as much with 'luck' as anything, then do the Ottawa Senators also have the same 'luck' as a backdrop for their lack of playoff success?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Bruce Arthur
Guests: Writer for the Toronto Star, Richard Griffin; Maurizio Gherardini, VP and assistant GM for the Toronto Raptors; Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion and potential owner of the Phoenix Coyotes; Mike Sunnucks of the Phoenix Business Journal

A day of questions for me:

• Where the heck was Brunt on a day where Balsillie was interviewed?
• Was Brunt off the show due to a conflict of interest?
• Who is Bruce Arthur and why throw a rookie in for such an interview?
• Why was the segment with Balsillie so short - barely 10 minutes in the first segment?
• Is the fact that there was no guest in the segment following Balsillie indicative of the fact that McCown was expecting more time with him?
• Why didn't McCown ask about Balsillie's choice of Hamilton as a destination instead of Toronto?

I did appreciate the question on how to say his name - "Ball-silly" although McCown proceeded to pronounce it wrong two seconds later on the exit ("Ballsly")!!!

McCown has been fiercely protective of his listeners in the past. Not allowing guests to call from cell phones, ending interviews early as the guests aren't answering questions in an open manner, etc. Today I felt a bit let down by the Balsillie interview. Didn't get any more out of it than I already knew, which is less than I expect for Prime Time Sports.

UPDATE: Heard from Ryan Walsh, Producer of Prime Time Sports after I emailed the blog this blog entry post to Prime Time. He responded with the following:
"Brunt was off Wednesday and we knew it was coming. Balsillie's next to impossible to get so whenever he was available, we'd slot him in. Bruce did a great job and is one of the best, most knowledgeable writers in this country. Don't let age fool you. Jim only had 10 minutes for the interview so we took it... We were tight but we did what we could in the time allotted."
Thanks Ryan for the insight.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Business writer for the Globe and Mail, Paul Waldie; Alex Anthopoulos, Toronto Blue Jays assistant GM; Lester Munson from ESPN hockey analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, Doug MacLean; Howard Berger, FAN 590 hockey reporter

The courtroom drama continues between Balsillie and Bettman. Really fascinating radio with more lawyers on Prime Time Sports airways than sports-peeps these days! Things are changing on a minute to minute basis and the range of guests Prime Time Sports is bringing in is fantastic - Lester Munson was particularly insightful.

But c'mon Bobcat, no love for Ricciardi??

One thing is becoming clean about MacLean - he's a bully. As a listener, I need an *exchange* of ideas. Not one side ramming their ideas down the others throat. It's frustrating to listen to his side, and not have McCown able to respond in a debate. Make no mistake, I actually agree (at times) with what MacLean is saying. But MacLean is very wrong about his assumptions coming into the discussion regarding Brunt and McCown being anti-NHL. It furthers McCowns point that loyal NHL dogs will always have the back of Bettman and company to almost a fault.

What I am surprised about is McCown seemingly backing away from getting his point across. This could be for a variety of reasons. First, perhaps McCown feels that arguing with MacLean is pointless due to how emotion MacLean is. Alternatively (and more sinisterly), McCown is letting MacLean dig his own hole and prove his point that NHL-shills exist everywhere and are protective of the league no matter what happens.

As a listener, I'm frustrated that there can't be an exchange of ideas when MacLean is on. ...and for god sakes MacLean, at least do your homework. You've said in the past that McCown wants to ban fighting - untrue. Today you come in saying that McCown is pro-Leafs?!?!? To quote McCown "are you on crack?"

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Friday, May 15, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Roundtable with Bob McCown, Stephen Brunt, Dave Perkins, and Jeff Blair

With Balsillie coming on Prime Time sports next week, it sets up for an intriguing match up of idea. Balsillie's dream of Hamilton vs. McCown's 'reality' of Toronto. Interestingly enough, Balsillie and McCown met a few months ago to discuss this issue and from McCowns account while the conversation went well, he couldn't get a read on Balsillie. McCown is clearly drawing a line in the sand, and it will be fascinating to see where the discussion between these two men will go. Can a response from the NHL be far behind on Prime Time Sports airwaves?

I have as much to contribute to the horse racing subject as Blair did during that segment!

McCowns "lies" equals Brunt's "contradictions"...freakin' classic!! ...and what's this about McCown being a cheerleader while Brunt was smokin' a blunt?!?!? Someone fill me in on this story, even with a PHOTO!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, May 14, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman, Al Morganti, hockey analyst for Comcast SportsNet, and Michael Boone from the Montreal Gazette; Tom Pedulla, writer for USA Today; GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ray Shero; spokesman for Jim Balsillie, Bill Walker; Toronto Sun baseball columnist, Bob Elliott

Shameless sponsor mention nets both McCown and Shulman Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (and one can only guess, a LOT of them!) Whatever became of Rocky the squirrel? Loved the storytelling by Bobcat on this one!

The same amount of people watched the Jays-Yankees game as watched a Toronto FC game...does this mean anything (especially in May?) Where are you Jays fans?

According to McCown, Balsillie will be on Prime Time Sports next week.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, May 11, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable with Stephen Brunt, Doug Smith

Are we going to be talking' about Balsillie all summer?

To have heard McCown through all these years and be passionate about it enough to start a blog, one could deduct that I have a passion for the periphery of the sports landscape including the business of sports. That would be correct. The story regarding Balsillie's bid to buy the Coyotes is gripping to say the least with tons of implications not only for the NHL, but the entire professional sports industry.

Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be any worse. Ovechkin and Crosby are on the even of a game #7 in a gripping series. The Hurricanes and their insane fans are close toppling the mighty Bruins. The Canucks just choked against the up-start Blackhawks and Wings-Ducks look prime to go 7 games. The playoffs have never been this gripping before.

All of this, and what is the media in the US reporting? "The dogfight in the desert for the Phoenix Coyotes promises to be the most interesting contest in hockey this month." Unfortunately, this is both sad and true.

(Here's a post I made on Fadoo on the topic.)

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, May 7, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman; reporter for the Phoenix Business Journal, Mike Sunnucks; Tim Gayda, VANOC's vice-president of sport

(One of the more shorter posts today...)

Manny tests positive for steroids. The world's shock ends seconds after..

You get the sense that Balsillie is playing the NHL for an ultimate power play. Now what that is, I'm not sure. But Nashville, Pittsburgh and now Phoenix seems to be lining up for something bigger.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Jerry Reisman, bankruptcy lawyer for Reisman Peirez & Reisman; James Toback, director of the film documentary "Tyson".

When I created this blog, I thought it would be good to have an outlet to share my thoughts about the program with other listeners. Today's show was one of the more memorable ones that I'm glad I have the outlet of Prime Time Sports Review for. McCown went on a micro level with Reisman, assessing the intricacies of Balsillie's assault on the NHL. Then instantly, it changed to a discussion with Toback, director of the "Tyson" film, and as intriguing, (past?) long time sports gambler. I hope all of you get a chance to listen.

If any of you have any interest in the bankruptcy proceedings and can stomach legality details, listen to the first 1/2 hour of today's show where McCown and Kelley talked to a bankruptcy lawyer. I don't even know where to start, or how to summarize what I just heard. All I'll say is, it seems Balsillie has leg to stand on. VERY interesting stuff indeed. (I think I need to listen to it again to re-hear what I heard, if that makes any sense!)

Too bad that Brunt couldn't be here the week they were interviewing Toback. Boxing being his passion, I'm sure he'd be really interested in the subject. Although Bobcat seemed to revel in the discussion with Toback/Vegas/Gambling discussion.

While Bobcat doesn't share the details, you get the sense through past discussions about the gambling subject that he himself had a past addiction to gambling. While he hasn't confirmed this (that I am aware of), the types of questions he asked in this interview can only be from someone that has this sort of history, or at least, intimate connection with the subject.

In previous posts, I have written how it seems as McCown is getting tired of the show, and the "same-old-same-old" discussion. Today's show was refreshing as a listener, and I'm sure for him as an interviewer. It's the kind of show that would probably convince Bobcat to stay as host for a couple of years (if he could guarantee a show like this on a regular basis!)

"Wow that was fun", McCown quipped at the end of the show. Bobcat, agree with you 100%. Great show.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, May 4, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable: Roundtable with Jim Kelley, and James Deacon

May the fourth be with you.

McCown started the first segment with the following: "I'd fix the (national hockey) league in a week and the first thing I'd do is say 'the hell with America. I don't give a flyin' Fadoo about how the playoffs affect America." With the talk of Balsillie taking ownership of the Coyotes and moving them to southern Ontario heating up, the whole discussion of hockey in Canada vs hockey in the USA is JUST beginning. …I get the sense it won't be a long argument.

McCown argued that the 92 Jays batting line-up may be the best of all time. I love how Bob McCown throws stuff out there that is completely moronic and then begins to persuade you to his side of the argument.

I would love to see McGuire and McCown engage with each other for just one segment - heck, it doesn't even have to be about hockey. Both of them are really knowledgeable, passionate, stubborn and persuasive (all good things in my books.) Hopefully the unholy alliance of Bell-Rogers will facilitate this (right Brunt?)

"Sidney, get an apartment." God bless Bob McCown.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Friday April 24, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable: Stephen Brunt, James Deacon, Gord Kirke

The name of the book mentioned in the first segment is called "Old City Hall", not "City Hall" (no sponsored links either.)

McCown is working on two books that intrigue the heck out of me:
- one for the fall 2009 (McCown hasn't started yet) - a book regarding the last 20 years of Prime Time Sports. REALLY interested in this, but as the big guy hasn't started anything and the roundtable didn't know anything about it.
- one for the fall 2010 (McCown to write with David Naylor)

I'm a big time fan of McCown's previous book, The 100 Greatest Hockey Arguments. I'm pretty sure that Brunt had some sort of encouragement for Bobcat to do the book in the first place. I also think that McCown was a bit surprised by the reaction of the book. What I wasn't a big fan of was the re-release of the book and the ability to get an autographed copy for the SECOND version of the book. I bought the first version of the book as a die hard Prime Time Sports fan, and would have gladly forked over the cash if an autographed copy was available the first time around. When the second version came out, it seemed like a cheap cash grab to me. Ah well, 'tis the world of publishing and Bob's "got mouths to feed". This definitely won't take away from my thirst for McCown related media including literature.

A week or so ago, a cryptic comment was made here by 'someone' perhaps posing to be Bobcat. I held onto a bit of hope that perhaps it was McCown, but McCown said on the show today, "there's no danger of me reading someone else's blogs on the internet. Unless they are on my site, in which case I read all of them, and they are excellent." *sigh* Ah well, Bobcat will hopefully find this site one day.

Kate Jett - va-va-voom Bobcat?

When it comes to Bettman, both Brunt and McCown have been on the same page. Brunt seemed to divert from this when he disagreed with McCown on bringing another NHL team to Toronto, especially with regards to Bettman's handling of the Balsillie situation. Brunt surprised me (and I'm sure McCown) by taking Bettman's side - "(Bob) I think you make it way to personal. You make it sound like he's (Bettman's) omnipotent, like he's this dictator running the league. He's not. I think he's trying to save the owners butts, legally. I don't think he's sitting there casting lightning bolts at people (like Balsillie)." McCown retorted, "I'm quite comfortable that it was personal (at Balsillie)." There is no question that McCown has inside information from the Ballsille camp, if not the Balsillie himself.