Golf Channel's Baldesarra Heads To CNN...

/

Merrill Knox reports on Golf Channel's Lara Baldesarra heading to CNN International after working at Golf Channel.

Baldesarra had worked on shows like the Grey Goose 19th Hole and Golf Central.

CNN announced today that Lara Baldesarra is joining the network’s sports unit in Atlanta. Starting in December, she will anchor World Sport, the flagship sports news program on CNN International, and contribute to sports-related event coverage across all CNN platforms.

“We’re thrilled with Lara’s addition to CNN’s global sports operation,” said Bill Galvin, senior vice president of sports programming and development for CNN. “Her expertise as a leading voice in the sports world aligns perfectly with CNN’s commitment to providing a thoughtful perspective across a broad range of news and events.”

“This is a bad-guy move Tiger is pulling, trying…to get a TV golf analyst fired for something the TV golf analyst didn't even say on TV.”

/

Gregg Doyel says Tiger plays dirty and the latest comments from China will be a mistake.

All because Chamblee pointed out -- in a creative way -- that Tiger was, shall we say, cavalier with the rules during the 2013 season.

But facts are facts, and the facts would be Chamblee's defense in a slander lawsuit, should Woods file one, which he won't. Because he has no case -- and if he doesn't know it, Steinberg does. So in lieu of a legal remedy that doesn't exist, they're trying to cut off Chamblee's biggest source of income. Why? Because they can.

Now we'll see what Golf Channel does. The ball truly is in their court. We'll see if the people who run that network are as scared of Tiger Woods as Tiger Woods hopes they are.

Martin Kaufmann answers that question and says Tiger needs Golf Channel more than Golf Channel needs him. I'm not sure I buy that, but here's his case:

Here’s the reality: Brandel Chamblee is more valuable to Golf Channel than Tiger Woods. Yes, I realize that sounds crazy at first glance. I follow the TV ratings. I know that Woods can double the viewership when he’s in contention.

But Woods has no leverage in this instance. Golf Channel and its parent, NBC Sports Group, have locked up PGA Tour rights through 2021. If Tiger Woods wants to play on the PGA Tour, he’s going to have to appear on Golf Channel and NBC. And the Tour’s media rules mandate that he make appearances in the media center before and during events.

This Week In Golf Channel Ratings: Big Break NFL Beats FedExCup Action...Again

/

Just like last week, the Big Break NFL beat out the start of the PGA Tour season where crucial FedExCup points are on the line until they fall victim of next summer's reset.

For the week of October 14-20, the Not Justin Timberlake in Las Vegas was beaten in the battle of the .1's, but at least the Vegas stop crossed the 200,000 mark in viewers, a barrier the PGA Tour season-opening Frys.com Open was unable to break.

Also note the healthy ratings for the Long Drive Championship, which beat Thursday's PGA Tour coverage and Sunday's conclusion of the European Tour event.

Son of the Bronx posts the numbers.