HBO on top at Sports Emmys

HBO led all networks with nine awards at last night’s Sports Emmys ceremony in New York.

CBS, NBC and the MLB Network each tied for second place with four wins apiece. The Eye’s Jim Nantz was named top play-by-play announcer while the Peacock’s Cris Collinsworth was awarded best game analyst. NBC also took top live sports special with its coverage of the 2009 Super Bowl.

Five of HBO’s nine Emmys came from the pay cabler’s “24/7” series — two for the fights involving Manny Pacquiao and the other for the Floyd Mayweather bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. “Jimmy Johnson: Race to Daytona” also picked up a trophy.

NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” was tapped top live sports series and ESPN’s “College GameDay” best weekly studio show. For sports journalism, ESPN’s “E:60” took top honors.

For their studio work, Bob Costas of MLB Network was named top host and ESPN college football guru Kirk Herbstreit best analyst.

Longtime NFL analyst and former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.