What did it take to get TSN off the ground on day 1?The CRTC granted our license in April of 1984. [url=http://www.officialoaklandraidersfootball.com/authentic-justin-elli s-jersey-womens]Justin Ellis Jersey[/url] . I had to convince [then-owners] Labatt that we had a business plan that would eventual

What did it take to get TSN off the ground on day 1?The CRTC granted our license in April of 1984. Justin Ellis Jersey . I had to convince [then-owners] Labatt that we had a business plan that would eventually become profitable. They gave me the green light, and from there, we had four months to build a broadcast centre, to assemble staff, to contract with program suppliers and rights holders, and to put together a program schedule. All of this had to happen in time to sign on the air September 1, 1984 at 12 noon… and somehow, we made it. Our original programming concept was to do eight hours of original programming a day and then repeat it twice. And it was a challenge just to get eight hours of original programming pulled together. We had some Blue Jays rights, we had some Canada Cup and College hockey rights, but we had to assemble all the rest. So in those early days, we introduced some interesting sports – we broadcasted Australian rules football, we had darts, we had snooker, we had a lot of programming that the television audience wasnt used to seeing.What made you choose the name TSN? And what inspired the original TSN branding? Deciding on a name for the network was probably one of the hardest things we had to do. We hired an agency to research names, and they came to us with a long list. We sat down in a boardroom and narrowed it down to 10. Then we got it down to three – which were Action Canada Sports Network, The Sports Network, and one other I dont even remember. Must not have been a strong candidate. The Sports Network was the only one I really liked – it was pre-emptive. It was THE Sports Network, and TSN sounded like a great, short branding opportunity. For the logo, we commissioned an artist who did nothing but design logos. I phoned him after about the weeks of waiting and asked if he had any options for me. We were going to air soon, so I was anxious. He said he had one design for me – just one. With great trepidation I went to his office, and he asked me, Whats the one element thats associated with all sports? Im thinking, its not a ball, its not a stick, its not a sweater with a number... I was going through all these ideas and couldnt come up with anything. He said, "Its a scoreboard." And so he unveiled the logo which featured the three letters, TSN, lit up like a scoreboard. I loved it.Do you remember the first hour of TSN going live to air?I was determined to start the service with the Canadian national anthem. That was the first thing that TSN broadcast – both pictures and audio. TSN has never played the anthem again because since that day, weve never signed off.The first day actually went really well – we did a two-hour documentary on the building of the network, right from getting the license to going on the air. We then went to Halifax for a live Canada Cup hockey game, came back and did our first SportsDesk, which was what SportsCentre was called in those days. At 7 p.m., we went to a live Blue Jays baseball game, came back at 11 p.m. and did our first late-night Sports Desk. Then we all sat down, looked at each other [and said], Well, what are we going to do tomorrow?!What was your proudest moment at TSN?There were many – from the day we first signed on, and numerous others throughout the years. But what Im most proud of is what we did at the Olympics. TSN was the very first cable network in the world to carry Olympic programming. We acquired some rights through the assistance of CTV, interestingly enough, for the Calgary Olympics of 1988. We had a sizeable presence in Calgary and that was a major milestone in the building of TSN for me. Is there a behind-the-scenes story that maybe no one would know that shaped the future of TSN?Yes. Theres one that affected our launch in 1984. We needed programming, as I said before, so I called up one of the senior executives I knew at ESPN and went down to New York to see him. I said, Wed like to buy programming from you, and wed like to extend your network through our network into Canada. They werent terribly anxious to do that. ESPN wanted to come directly into Canada as other networks such as A&E and CNN had done.The day before we launched, on the Friday, I still didnt have a Program Supply Agreement with them, but the draft program schedule was loaded with ESPN programming… and my public relations group had assembled all the press in our boardroom – we were introducing our commentators and our schedule for the first time. I was in my office still talking to ESPN and they were not going to sign an agreement. The press conference was supposed to start at 12 noon, and at 12:30 p.m. I still didnt have a deal made. About quarter to one I said to the ESPN folks, Well look, either way, Im going in that room and announcing that TSN is carrying some ESPN programming. The only thing that we havent agreed on is the price, but well get to that, and Im sure well find some common ground. And they finally said okay.Now, ESPN is a part-owner of TSN and its been a wonderful relationship. Difficult to get, but well worth the struggle. They have been great partners.Do you still think about the future and TSNs place in Canadian broadcasting?Absolutely. We felt like pioneers back when we launched in September of 1984 and I truly believe that we were pioneers. We launched a whole new industry, and its only grown and grown. Im very proud of it.If you could start it all over again is there anything you would do differently? Not a thing. AJ McCarron Jersey . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season. Reggie Nelson Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers. http://www.officialoaklandraidersfootball.com/authentic-jerry-rice-jersey-womens . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career.(SportsNetwork.com) - On the surface, Rex Ryan going to Buffalo doesnt make all that much sense. After all, the Bills already had a pretty good defense with Jim Schwartz orchestrating things and its the offense which needs the tune-up, especially with veteran quarterback Kyle Orton walking off into the sunset and E.J. Manuel warming up for what could be his last opportunity to prove he is the answer in Western New York. So why did new Bills owner Terry Pegula land on the defensive-minded Ryan after a two-week coaching search, which included names like Indianapolis offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and his counterpart with New England, Josh McDaniels? The answer is Doug Marrone, Pegulas former coach who exited in such a fashion that loyalty became a much bigger deal to the organization than any particular scheme, be it offensive or defensive. Marrones agent, Jimmy Sexton, negotiated an escape clause in Marrones contract that gave the coach a three-day window at the end of the season in which he could terminate his deal with the team but still receive his full salary for the 2015 season, even in a double-dip situation in which Marrone coaches for a new team next September. When he takes a job, he already has a plan in place for his next job, Bob Casullo, a former Marrone assistant at the University of Syracuse, told ESPN Radio earlier this month. Whoever gave him that three-day opt-out clause, his agent is a genius and the person who signed it for the Buffalo Bills is a complete idiot. Pegula, of course, didnt hire Marrone and didnt negotiate the one-sided deal with him, but he was ready to move forward with the coach after a solid, albeit unspectacular, 9-7 season despite the fact that the Bills were unable to end a playoff drought that spans back to the 20th century. Uh, shocked, Pegula said at Ryans introductory press conference on Wednesday when asked about Marronees abrupt departure. Jack Tatum Jersey. More than shocked, but hey, I liked Doug Marrone when he was here. He was probably the guy I talked to more than anybody. So he made that decision. He moved on. Not before issuing a mass text to his players to inform them of the news after employing his golden parachute out of Buffalo. Any time you get a text message saying that its happening, you feel like you got punched in the stomach, Bills running back Fred Jackson said on his radio show. I mean, stuff could have been handled different. It will be handled differently under Ryan, the very definition of a players coach and a man with the reputation of being loyal to a fault as well as painfully honest at times. This football team deserves a loyal coach and deserves loyal players, Ryan said while taking a not-so subtle dig at his predecessor, who Casullo described as self-centered, selfish and greedy. Thats what were bringing, Ryan added. Nobodys more loyal than me as a football coach. And nobody can get players more fired up than Ryan. We are going to build a bully and were gonna see if you want to play us for 60 minutes, Ryan said, reverting back to his pre-John Idzik persona with the New York Jets. Technically the Buffalo defense is already a bit of a bully, finishing fourth in total defense, while recording a league-leading 54 sacks and producing three Pro Bowl defensive linemen this past season. Fourth in the league was probably a little disappointing, the braggadocios Ryan said. I know well lead the league in defense. Im not going to let our fans down, he continued. Im not going to do that. I know its been 15 years since the Bills made the playoffs. Well, get ready, man. Were going. We are going. Going where? The guarantee? Hey, am I going to guarantee a Super Bowl? Ryan asked rhetorically. I tell you what I will do, I will guarantee the pursuit of it. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '