Open Mike

So I am on the plane to Paris, catching up on the trades, when I come across your Sept.10 editorial (“Where's the Media Scrum?” p. 32). I am on my way to Paris because I am going to both semi-final matches. Having played rugby for 20 years for both Boulder and the Chicago Griffins, I have more than a casual interest in the sport.

I am also director of national broadcasting for The Richards Group in Dallas, agency of Patron Tequila. In conjunction with Patron Tequila, we are sponsoring the Rugby World Cup on Setanta, “the obscure soccer-themed tier” on Dish, DirectTV and in all the rugby bars. We are also a primary sponsor of the delayed telecasts on Versus.

We are able to speak about Patron Tequila to a dream demographic numbering 70,000 in an almost uncluttered environment.

Perhaps ESPN will get smart and give The Rugby World Cup a try in 2011 in New Zealand.

Ira Berger

The Richards Group

Dallas

I read with interest your article on high school football coverage (“Friday Night Might,” cover story, Oct. 8). I can't imagine there's a greater commitment to high school football anywhere in the country than in Birmingham, Ala.

I urge you to check out our Friday Night Blitz on our website. The Blitz airs at 10:30 for 14 consecutive weeks in the fall. Two weeks ago we had highlights of 26 games; last week it was 25, and it will be 25 again this week.

We have a “game of the week,” do live phone interviews with coaches from a couple of the other big games, and feature a “band of the week.” In addition to the highlights, our score ticker rolled 106 scores last week.

To access the show, go to www.abc3340.com and click on sports on the left side of the page; then click on the “Blitz” logo.

Mike Raita

WBMA Sports Director

Birmingham, Ala.