- The ratings game: The Cowboys have been the NFL’s biggest draw in primetime over the past four seasons. Since ’06, primetime regular season Cowboys games have averaged 19.2 million viewers — putting the team comfortably ahead of the second-place Colts (16.7 mil) and the Giants (16.6 mil). The Bears (16.3 mil), Patriots (16.0 mil) and Eagles (16.0 mil) round out the top 6. The 49ers averaged the fewest viewers of any NFL team with more than 1 primetime appearance, with just 9.9 million. (Sports Business Journal)
- Big names: Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith, who were suspended for one game after comments about the Iranian-born Hamed Haddadi, apologized to the Grizzlies center in person prior to Sunday’s Grizzlies/Clippers game. Lawler told the Associated Press that Haddadi “thought that some people kind of took what we said out of context,” and “understood there were no ill intentions and understood our humor.” (The Associated Press, via The Canadian Press)
- Idle note: Tag Heuer and Accenture both ran ads in major newspapers featuring golfer Tiger Woods on Monday, just days after Woods’ now-infamous car accident. Meanwhile, Gillette, Nike and Chevron “have all said they will [stand by]” Woods. (CNBC)
World Cup group stage a viewership hit for Fox, Telemundo
The first North American World Cup since 1994 met all viewership expectations in the group stage, and then some.
