Time to vote! We've got a handful of finalists for out Top Spin contest. Click through the gallery below and write "I vote for this" under the individual picture you like best and not the comment section directly below. No double voting! Poll close in exactly 24 hours. We'll tally the votes and give the winner a copy of Top Spin 3. Much love to everyone who entered — gave us some good chuckles.

Top Spin 3 [Official Site]

Wimbledon is wrapping up, and the US Open is still a few months away, but Top Spin 3 and Kotaku are bringing you the Kotaku Open. We're going to make this simple for you. Don't bother practicing your twist serve or calling up your doubles partner. All you need to do is get yourself in some tennis attire! We don't particularly care how you do it either: Steal your dad's tennis shorts from '72, Photoshop your head onto Federer's body, or maybe, just maybe you're a tennis superstar with a closet full of visors and wristbands. Send in your pictures to kotakucontestATgmailDOTcom, readers will vote for their favorite, and the winner gets a free copy of Top Spin 3 (platform of your choice!), courtesy of 2k Sports. We initially wanted to go with a Win a Date with Sharapova thing, but it didn't fly with our budget. Go figure.

Top Spin [Official Site]

Mario Breaks From Princess Saving To Shill Some Hockey

The Peter Moore Challenge

EA Sports head Peter Moore is not a man to mince words. That's why we loved him so when he was at Microsoft, he cuts through the BS and gets straight to the point.

In a recent post on his blog over at It's In The Game, Moore talked up his new studio alluding that EA Sports is primed to have one of the best years in its history. In particular Moore sings the praises of NASCAR, NBA LIVE, Madden and NCAA Football. He's so sure that this season is going to be unrivaled, in fact, that he's promising to get a new tattoo if they don't deliver.

Big talk Moore, but lets put a little reality into this pie-in-the-sky promise. Why not say that if you don't have an overall Metacritic increase (yes I hate review scores) on all four of those games you've failed to deliver and it's time to ink up? We've even found this swell logo for your possible future use. Let us know.

Not Resting on our Laurels [Peter Moore's Official Blog]

Kevin Garnett, NBA 2K9 Salesman Supreme

Not only is NBA 2K9's cover athlete Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics one of the best players in the NBA, he's also a damn fine spokesman. Take a look at what he has to say about NBA 2K9, direct form the official press release.

“NBA 2K is where it’s AT! End of story,” said Garnett, who is currently playing in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. “It’s the game I play, the game my friends play, and the game anyone in the league serious about videogames plays. NBA 2K is the real deal, and until 2K Sports find a way to plant an elbow in your chest, it’s the closest thing to actually being there on the court. I can’t tell you how pumped I am to be on the cover of NBA 2K9 – it’s a real honor. Now watch out! Because this fall 2K Sports and I are going to deliver the best basketball video game out there, period.“

OKAY! I get it. If I play any basketball game besides NBA 2K9 I am a total pussy.

Man, he's got some powerful advertising mojo right there. That's some old-school sports game hype. Hit the jump for the full press release, which Garnett completely carries...much like the Celtics.

2K Sports plans to reveal the cover athlete for their upcoming baller NBA 2K9 during tomorrow's pre-game show for the first game of the year's NBA Finals.

The 30 second spot will air sometime after the start of the Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers 8:30 p.m. ET game on ABC.

There was a time when cover athletes for sports titles were a big deal, but they don't seem to get as much buzz as they used to. Maybe it's me, and I'm not a sports fan really, but do people who play sports video games really care who's on the cover of the title they're going to by? More importantly, if you buy sports games, has it ever effected your decision?

Either way, if you're into sports games you should probably hop over to the official 2K site and try to predict who the cover athlete will be. If you get it right you could win a copy of the game as well as the athlete's autographed NBA jersey.

Hockey All-Star Rick Nash Gets NHL 2K9 Cover

For those of you desperately anxious to know who will be the cover athlete for 2K Sports' upcoming NHL 2K9, your long winter of angst has come to an end. It'll be Columbus Blue Jackets captain and three-time NHL All-Star Rick Nash, the company announced today, and apparently Mr. Nash is a big hockey game fan. Shocking, right?

"My idols have all been on the covers of video games as I was growing up, so to be on the cover of NHL 2K9 myself is truly incredible," said Nash. "The set of new features they're adding is really going to make this game special for hockey fans - I'm hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating this year!"

Come to think of it, I'd be really psyched to be on a game cover, too. When 2K Sports finally makes a video game about the tooth-liberating, bone-crunching, hard hitting "sport" that is video game journalism, I'll be sending them my promo photos. I guess I'd better get going on those.

Full release after the jump.

Whoops. Apparently this is going on right now. (Or 11:15 CDT, which is ... I dunno what it is in Crecente Mountain Time.) Four guys playing College Hoops 2K8 with the real Final Four teams are tipping off, live on stage, in San Antonio, in the third annual Pontiac Virtual NCAA Final Four. Winner gets top bragging rights. And a car.

Your participants (let's do this arena-intro style):

• For KANSAS, from Alorton, Ill., age 23, RO-LAND FULLLLLLLLLLLER!
• For MEMPHIS, from Sayreville, N.J., age 20, KEVINNNNN RYANN!!!!
• For UCLA, from Pawnee, Ill., age 20, JONAS ... THE PARK BENCH ... PARKER!
• For NORTH CAROLINA, by way of Webster, Texas, age 20, JAAAAAAAMES WHITE!

KU and UNC were both rated 88 when the game came out, tops of all teams. Although I'm thinking Kevin Ryan, with Memphis, might be a good sleeper pick. The Tigers have great size and individual talent, two characteristics that an elite gamer can turn into a strong advantage. But a news release says the four above survived a field of more than 8,000, playing more than 200,000 games, so I have to think at least one of them could win with NIT runner-up Ole Miss UMass.

2008 Pontiac Virtual Final Four [2K Sports]

2K Sports Opening Day MLB Weekend

2K Sports is kicking off the Major League Baseball season right, with an opening day weekend celebration via Xbox Live April 4th through the 6th. Every hour during the three-day celebration, players who register and play Major League Baseball 2K8 will have a chance to win special prize packages, including t-shirts, Microsoft Points, and other prizes that might actually be worth it. Players will also be able to square off against the game's developers on Friday night, from Senior Producer Robert to Production Assistant Joe. 2K Sports have been gracious enough to provide their gamertags along with the press release, so I'm sure your friend request will be handled in a timely manner. Those interested can register tomorrow at www.xbox.com/openingday, or by downloading the free "Major League Baseball 2K8 Play & Win Registration" via Xbox Live.

MLB 2K8 Given Pitchfork Approved Indie Rock Bunt

Video game baseball fans will be belting out "What the hell is this crap?" to the tunes of 2K Sports' Major League Baseball 2K8, as the publisher has announced an agreement with Pitchfork Media to select half of the game's soundtrack. Indie rock fans and wannabe indie rock fans will delight at some of Pitchfork's choices, which include chart-bottomers like Blitzen Trapper, The Cool Kids, Battles and Jay Reatard, alongside more mainstream stuff like The Strokes and The Flaming Lips.

To everyone involved, we say kudos. While they may have looked to Sub Pop in the past for left-field style musical picks, we're just pleased as punch that they haven't regressed to throwing in John Fogerty's "Centerfield" or Dire Straits' "Walk of Life."

Full tracklisting and annual odd pairing after this.

Yesterday we broke the news that College Hoops 2K9 was canned after negotiations between The Collegiate Licensing Company and 2K Sports broke down. We also reported on a rumor that Electronic Arts may have had a hand in the break down.

Late last night David Tinson, director of EA Sports public relations, got back to us to sort of deny the rumor... sort of.

2k and CLC are in the best position to comment on College Hoops.

EA is in the middle of a long-term license with the CLC and we expect to stay in the college basketball category.

Hmm, that doesn't really answer the question at all and 2K also declines to comment on Electronic Arts. The CLC still hasn't gotten back to us on this.

Take-Two: College Hoops Canceled

Responding to rumors we broke earlier today that College Hoops 2K9 has been canceled due to a breakdown in negotiations with the license holders for collegiate basketball, 2K Sports parent company Take-Two had this to say to Kotaku:

2K Sports has decided not to continue negotiations with the CLC for the license for its top-rated College Hoops franchise, which would have been released next in November 2008. We are committed to providing fans with high-quality, critically-acclaimed sports games, but given our disciplined approach to the business, we do not believe the current discussions would result in an acceptable outcome.

I followed up with Take-Two to try and get more details and while the declined to talk about any roll EA might have had in the break-down, they did confirm that College Hoops 2K9 has indeed been canceled.

No word still from The Collegiate Licensing Company or Electronic Arts, but we'll keep you posted.

Rumor: 2K9 College Hoops Canned, EA Seeks NCAA Deal [Kotaku]

Rumor: 2K9 College Hoops Canned, EA Seeks NCAA Deal

Rumor has it that 2K Sports have walked away from negotiations with The Collegiate Licensing Company and that 2K9 College Hoops has been officially canned due to the break down in the talks.

The Collegiate Licensing Company is the nation's leading collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company and can license the nations college teams to a video game maker. While I've yet to hear back from the CLC or 2K Sports, I have heard that Electronic Arts may have something to do with this latest development.

According to the rumblings, Electronic Arts may be in the process of trying to secure another exclusive sports franchise by landing the same sort of licensing deal that managed to grab with the NFL.

Electronic Arts' NCAA March Madness 08 scored a 70.9 percent on Game Rankings, while 2K8 College Hoops scored nearly ten percent higher with an 80.5 percent.

I've requested comments from 2K, CLC and EA and will make sure to update when official comments or no comments roll in.

Update: At least part of the rumor has been confirmed by Take-Two.

"In all my years working in professional boxing, I have never seen anything come as close to recreating the thrill, the intensity, the courage and the spectacle of the sport," said legendary boxing promoter Don King. "Don King Presents: Prizefighter is more than a game — it is a glimpse at what life is like in and out of the ring for these incredible athletes."

Jose Reyes Looks Shocked To Find Self On Cover Of MLB 2K8

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes looks absolutely stunned at the realization his photo is going to appear on next year's edition of 2K Sports Major League Baseball game. The MLB 2K8 cover star said, according to a press release, "This is the first time I have ever been on the cover of a video game." The visibly shaken spokesman was then calmed by friends and family, none of whom saw the cover appearance coming.

Major League Baseball 2K8 executive producer Ben Brinkman did his best to make the best of the situation, saying "Jose Reyes is a multi-talented player - a great baserunner, fielder and hitter, making him the perfect spokesperson for Major League Baseball 2K8." Despite the sensitive nature of the out of the blue endorsement, 2K Sports plan to go ahead with the game's Spring 2008 release, which should arrive on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP. A press release follows after this moment of silence.

By John Gaudiosi

With the NBA starting off the 2007-08 season, Stacey Kerr, senior director of entertainment products and licensing for the NBA, took some time to talk about the growing role videogames play in the league. Unlike some other major sports, which focus all of the attention on the start of the season and the playoffs when it comes to gaming, the NBA works with its five licensing partners (Sony, Electronic Arts, 2K Sports, Atari and Midway Games) throughout the year.

"It's not just launch the game at the beginning of the season and that's it," said Kerr. "They work with us all year long. We did a season simulation on NBA Live 08 for the upcoming season. EA Sports also sponsored our recent six-city pre-season European tour, which featured gaming in each of the cities."

2K Sports is introducing a brand new virtual card game available exclusively on NBA.com in conjunction with the new season. NBA 2K8 Top Trumps Stats Challenge is a new variation of the classic card game, "War," which features in-game characters of NBA stars from NBA 2K8. Players can compete against the computer to win up to 20 percent of off merchandise at NBAStore.com or take on a friend.

With EA's 2008 offering already available in demo form on Xbox Live, the NBA 2K8 demo added early this morning should be extremely useful in helping gamers determine which basketball title to pick up this year. Commentors over at Larry's website are already weighing in on the 2K Sports offering, and the general verdict is excellent gameplay, crappy presentation. Having played through the Live 08 demo, I can see how EA's game would be a hard act to follow graphically. Releasing a 325MB demo without announcers or music might just cost 2K in the end. With both games due out October 1st, now's a good time to make your choice.

Demo: NBA 2K8 [Major Nelson's Blog]

360 NHL 2K8 Gets Reelmaker