Mia Hamm was voted the top female athlete of the past 40 years by a panel of ESPN and EspnW experts, beating out Martina Navratilova for the honor.

One can certainly argue the merits of both — the greatest goal scorer and the leader of the women’s team that most captivated the American imagination, the 1999 World Cup winners, or the tennis titan in the sport where women have made their greatest strides toward equality with men. Either way, there’s no denying the impact of what informed the list: the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the legislation that opened up athletic opportunities for females.

Shorthand for the landmark 1972 legislation, Title IX mandates gender equity in any educational program — not only, but in its highest-profile manifestation, sports — that receive federal funding.

Its impact has been transformational for American society and culture. Whereas only one of 25 girls, some 294,000, played high school sports in 1972, the ratio had risen to one in three for a total of 3.17 million in 2011. That tally doesn’t speak to the scholastic, familial and community support groups surrounding those participants, or the increased number of distaff athletes at the collegiate level. And many of the athletes who benefited from Title IX subsequently graduated into professional ranks.  Unintended consequences have resulted in the rollback or elimination of men’s teams, and more guys coaching women’s teams.

The countdown of the “Top 40 Female Athletes of Past 40 Years” on flagship show SportsCenter was just one facet of a multiplatform initiative, “The Power of IX,” in which ESPN and EspnW.com, the worldwide leader’s digital distaff destination that built an attendant microsite, celebrated the legislation’s milestone. The activities, which also saw ESPN The Magazine take a deep dive into the future of women’s sports, crescendos on the June 23 anniversary date, when ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN3 will showcase a variety of live event and women’s archival programming (view the schedule here).

The legislation’s legacy will live on. In the spring and summer of 2013, ESPN Films will launch, “9 for IX,” a series of documentaries.

More importantly, broadband service ESPN3 today launched a dedicated women’s channel. Via an ESPN3 player on espnW.com, the multiscreen service on EspnW.com plans to present 170 hours of live women’s events through July 31, with a roster encompassing WNBA and USA Basketball, Wimbledon action, USA Softball, golf and volleyball (check out a schedule here). More than half of the events available through the EspnW channel are exclusive to ESPN3.

While it’s not quite a linear landing spot — maybe that comes down the road as part of the worldwide leader’s ever-expanding global reach — it’s a nice vehicle to keep abreast of female athletic action. Business benefits aside, the dedicated channel also is a gift from Bristol that will serve to motivate and inspire those whose athletic exploits will play on it down the road.

Insiders suggest there will be more WNBA games and matches from the U.S. Open on deck for later this summer. Come fall, one would expect to find plenty of the collegiate fare that ESPN has gained the rights to through its myriad conference contracts.

Generally speaking, ESPN’s linear audience composition ranges from 70% to 75% male, versus 25% to 30% female. For some sports, women are out in more force. They account for 37% of the programmer’s audience for college softball, 35% of its NCAA women’s basketball tournament crowd and 34% of those who watch its NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage. The count hits 41% when it comes to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which may not exactly be a sport, but it’s certainly highly competitive.

Women are too intelligent, their interests and responsibilities too diversem to consume the countless hours — as many of us guys do — when it comes to anything that spells sports. Still, their interest in watching and participation in athletics and games continue to grow, in no small part owing to the legislation sponsored by Sen. Birch Bayh and Rep. Edith Green that President Richard Nixon signed into law 40 years ago today.

So, as Title IX officially reaches middle age, this is my birthday wish on behalf of — and to — those whose playing days are still in front of them and for those who now cherish those memories: Remain, forever young.

Going for 1 in 6 in sports isn’t good. But for executives on Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas, Rockefeller Center and Penn Plaza, that ratio wasn’t just good, it was great on April 26. Especially when an O for 6 would have meant Ottawa.

Had the New York Rangers and netminder Henrik Lundqvist not staved off the Senators’ 2-1 at Madison Square Garden in Game 7 on Thursday, the NBC Sports Group in the first of its 10-year, $2 billion deal with the National Hockey League would have provided exclusive second round coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, sans any Original Six members.

While neither of the north of the border and Nielsen-challenged clubs — the miserable Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadians, North America’s biggest winning franchise this side of the New York Yankees — made the 2012 playoff grade to begin with, three other members failed in the first round. Hockeytown’s favorites, the Detroit Red Wings, went out in five versus the Nashville Predators, while the Chicago Blackhawks, the 2010 Cup kings, were bitten by the Phoenix Coyotes in six.

On Wednesday, the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins lost Game 7 on home ice in OT to the Washington Capitals. In a league first, every game in the series was decided by one goal. The taut action reached a crescendo with TV watchers. NESN netted a new Nielsen record with a 19.6 rating in the Boston DMA on April 25, while Comcast SportsNet posted an 8.01 in Washington, the club’s second-best performance in DC, and broke the Caps’ mark in Baltimore with a 3.72. Nationally, NBC Sports Network scored the top NHL Conference Quarterfinal game on cable in 12 years with 1.32 million watchers.

The Nielsen icing of Detroit, Chicago and Boston was exacerbated by the Keystone State confrontation that left Sid The Kid and the popular Pittsburgh Penguins on the wrong side of a wild series with Comcast’s preferred NHL club, the Philadelphia Flyers. Either way, that match-up was bound to hurt the NHL long-term Nielsens.

Last year’s Stanley Cup finalist, this year’s President Trophy winners and the people-meter free Vancouver Canucks also joined the opening-round exodus at the skates of the Los Angeles Kings.

Still, NBC Sports Group’s prospects would have taken a further hit without the Rangers. Now the Broadway Blue Shirts will entertain Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals, while the Flyers will engage Marty Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils, who needed OT in Game 6 and Adam Henrique goal 3:47 into the second extra session in Game 7, to drive an 1-95 series with Philly.

Out west, the news isn’t nearly as good. Nashville-Phoenix is small market and profile (at least the Coyotes have yet to return to Canada). LA-St. Louis — the Blues dispatched the perennial postseason underachievers San Jose Sharks in five — is much more compelling from a DMA perspective, but still doesn’ t carry the pedigree, or support of the viewers/fans in Detroit and Chicago.

Although the NHL’s new second-round nationally exclusive windows — mirroring to the NBA’s take-out of the regional sports networks — should yield record Nielsens, the ratings lamp would have shone brighter if more Original Six members were still skating.

In sports and other endeavors, it takes time to evaluate trades.

At first blush, though, Major League Baseball’s move to put the two new Wild Card games on TBS in 2012 and 2013, with its in-house service picking up a pair of Division Series contests during both of those postseasons, is a win-win for all the players, if not all hardball fans.

Under MLB’s first playoff change since 1995 when the six-division, eight-team structure was adopted, a second Wild Card squad in each league is being invited to the postseason. The Wild Card teams will square off in a one-game showdown, with the winner moving on to the Division Series.

According to The New York Times, TBS, which has televised all four Division Series, one of the League Championship Series and a Sunday-afternoon, regular-season package since the 2007 campaign, paid a net of $10 million per year on top of its $140 million annual outlay, for the Wild Card winner-take-all affairs. The “very funny” network also ceded a pair of its Division Series contests to baseball, which shifted them to MLB Network.

For TBS, the gambit figures to give it a chance to stoke the Nielsens with a pair of high-stakes contests on Oct. 5, the ability to up-sell its MLB advertising inventory and perhaps give it a leverage edge during negotiations for its next rights deal.

While not a bats-to-bats comparison, recent regular-season tiebreaker games have drawn strong cable numbers for TBS, which retains the rights to any such contests through 2013.  In 2009, Twins-Tigers scored a 4.2 U.S. rating and 6.5 million watchers, the 2008 meeting between the Twins-White Sox posted a 2.7 rating and 4.2 million watchers and the 2007 classic between the Rockies-Padres recorded a 2.5 and just under 4 million watchers late into the night.

Those games compare well with Turner’s 2011 Division Series average of 4.19 million viewers over 19 contests. Despite going the distance in three of the four best-of-five matchups and connecting with an audience of 7 million for Game 4 of Yankees-Tigers, 8.4 million for Game 5 of Cardinals-Phillies and an all-time cable DS-best 9.7 million when Detroit took out New York in Game 5 in The Bronx, Turner couldn’t overcome a sluggish, rain-interrupted start and a schedule that matched the DS with college and pro football on its first weekend. DS viewership declined 6% from 4.4 million in 2010 and 12% from nearly 4.8 million in 2009.

For MLB Network having the two DS games in its lineup is pretty heady stuff for just a fourth-year player. Although it has yet to be determined when it will be pitching and who will be providing the on-air analysis, MLB Network will produce the games and have its top play-by-play guys, Bob Costas and Matt Vasgersian, on the hill.

It also speaks to what MLB Network and CEO Tony Petitti told me in a recent interview that MLB was looking to add unique content. In a statement Friday, Petitti said: “We are very excited to produce and air two LDS games on MLB Network this season and next. We’re now in our fourth year on the air and this announcement marks the beginning of a new phase for MLB Network in which we’ll look to secure more important live content and continue to grow our distribution.”

Currently, MLB Network, which has deals with all top 10 distributors and launched an ad hoc scoring service at the start of the 2012 campaign, counts some 69 million subscribers, having added some 13 million homes over the past year or so. That puts it well atop the league-owned network affiliate standings, but the channel remains some 30 million short of MLB’s other national cable carriers TBS and ESPN, and 45 million behind broadcaster Fox.

MLB executive vice president of business Tim Brosnan told USA Today: “We think we have an opportunity to pick up more homes before the postseason — that’s our goal.”

Certainly, the DS games are attractive and may prompt some additional in-season rollouts, bolstering the value of baseball’s hometown service — SNL Kagan estimates MLB Network’s subscriber fee at 25 cents per month — in the process. But carriage action tends to unfold very slowly these days.

Should it get stuck on the distribution basepaths, MLB Network and fans may be best served by making a call to the affiliate bullpen in the way of a freeview the week it airs its DS duo. That roster expansion will mitigate the cries that some fans will be shut out of the games and give those who don’t get the service the opportunity to see how outstanding it is. That’s a nice calling card to have.

MLB Network may have even a stronger hand when commissioner Bud Selig and crew hash out baseball’s TV roster over the next couple of years: The current national contracts with Fox, TBS and ESPN expire with the 2013 campaign. That bit of trading, which also could turn on a pitch from the NBC Sports Group, will merit even more analysis.

Before he was moving and grooving as Clyde, Walt Frazier, the Hall of Famer, sartorial showman and MSG Network’s New York Knicks analyst and word wizard, was just a precocious neophyte “mesmerized” by his first trip to Manhattan, where he led his Southern Illinois University Salukis against Marquette in the 1967 NIT championship at the old Garden.

MSG Network on June 14 screened clips from “Before He Was Clyde,” a new episode of its Emmy-winning MSG’s Vault, at Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine restaurant in Manhattan, where tale was told of his national hoops coming out party and the recovery of a video long thought to have vanished.

A spokesman said MSG put on a successful full court press of sorts to see if any video of the game, which took place on March 18, 1967 and was televised by WSIU, a PBS affiliate in Carbondale, Ill., still existed.  “It showed up about three months ago,” said MSG’s Vault host Al Trautwig. “They found it in closet.”

Indeed, not only was the original video housed on two-inch quad tape in pristine condition, it was in color. Play-by-play man Tom Kelly had the call, with a laconic Frank Gifford serving as the analyst and the postgame interviewer with the game’s MVP. Frazier, who discusses growing up in segregated in Atlanta before deciding to attend a “northern” school, said his 21-point, 11-rebound performance in Southern Illinois’ come-from-behind win “unequivocally” led to the Knicks drafting him a few weeks later. For the record, Frazier says a Saluki is an Egyptian hunting dog. The installment will premiere June 23 at 9 p.m. on MSG.

During a Q&A, Frazier demurred when asked for his prediction for eviction in the NBA Finals: “I thought it would be the [San Antonio] Spurs.”

Clyde was more effusive when subsequently queried about whether the restaurant was turning and earning and if he would be given up vacation time in the islands this summer. “It’s doing well. We’re getting good reviews and people are enjoying the food. I’m going to take a couple of weeks in July, but people expect me to be here, meeting and greeting. It’s what I do at the Garden or walking around the city.”

To this I can attest. Several weeks ago, the family celebrated my birthday stylishly at Clyde’s Wine and Dine (try the “cheese steak” ribeye and crispy catfish with ginger and scallion sauce). Frazier spent about five minutes at our table, taking photos, signing some black-and-white photos, talking about Jeremy Lin and “Bird Rules,” and how his more provocative wardrobe wearing is usually on display during the winter months.

Those visiting the West Side eatery will find bigger-than-life wall murals of the man and ceiling panels reflective of some of his notable clothing choices: cow, tiger and leopard prints. There’s an enclosed room to shoot baskets and changing images showing Clyde driving past Don Chaney, coming off a pick set by Phil Jackson, wrapping a pass underneath the late, great Wilt Chamberlain and being checked by Don Nelson (most unlikely).

As the host might say: Take a peek, it’s sleek and neat place to eat.

Thursday it was largely about doubles at the 2012 Olympics.

As in Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, gaining Olympic gold in the 200 meters after winning the 100 in London, to match his individual double from the Beijing Games. He’s the only Olympian to double down in the longer distance.

As in the U.S. women’s soccer team denying Japan, their penalty-kick conquerors in the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany last summer, the chance to become the only distaff side to back up their FIFA feat with Olympic gold.
Naturally in the case of Bolt it was about speed. For the U.S. women, it was about a much longer road. In both cases, the paths built legacies.

Bolt, after setting an Olympic record 9.63 in the 100, just behind his record 9:58 at the 2009 World Championships, looked as if he easily could have surpassed his own world mark of 19:19, set at that meet three years ago, in the London 200. But he pulled up in the final 20 meters, placing his fingers to his mouth, evidently shushing his critics who had wondered if he still had the goods following his Jamaican trials losses to Johan Blake in both events, and twice his runner-up in London. Warren Weir won bronze to complete the Jamaican sweep in the 200.

Nevertheless, Bolt ran a 19:32, matching the gilded-shoes performance of Michael Johnson at the Atlanta Games, and just off his Olympic mark of 19:30 in Beijing. Bolt said afterward that his back had tightened up, but that he had achieved his London goal of becoming “a legend.” He then proceeded to trash American track legend Carl Lewis, who before Bolt was the only man to double up on the 100 meters, albeit with a drug-tainted assist from Canada’s Ben Johnson in Calgary.

The soccer side’s Olympic odyssey unfolded much more slowly, over many hours. The team had to fight back from a two-goal deficit against France to win their group opener, 4-2, in Glasgow. The U.S. women needed 123 minutes - and a pair of controversial calls — to overcome a hat trick by Christine Sinclair and dispatch Canada in the semifinals. Alex Morgan supplied the 4-3 advancer, via a header just under the cross bar seconds before penalty kicks would have decided matters. Afterward, Canada rightfully claimed foul and referee favoritism for the Americans.

All the same, Morgan’s moment was reminiscent of Abby Wambach’s last-second heroics to tie Brazil in OT last summer, ahead of the U.S. prevailing in PKs over Marta and crew to keep its 2011 World Cup dream alive.

That push, of course, was thwarted by a late tying goal in the second overtime by Homare Sawa of Japan. The Nadeshiko then topped the U.S. in penalties, 3-1, on the world’s biggest stage to claim their first-ever win over the Americans after 25 matches, and a measure of solace for a grieving nation, devastated by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami just months before.

It took 389 days, as NBC Sports Network announcer Arlo White pointed out on the telecast that figured to draw a massive audience for the Comcast-owned cable channel,  for the U.S. to call for rewrite of that Hollywood ending for Japan and its chance for on-pitch redemption before an Olympic record women’s soccer audience of 80,203 at Wembley Stadium, one of soccer’s spiritual homes

The script came in the form of two goals by Carli Lloyd. She fashioned her first in the eighth minute, heading down a beautiful, turning left-footed chip cross from just inside the end line, courtesy of Morgan. (Lloyd intercepted what would have been a left-footed volley by Wambach, who had scored in all five of the other Olympic matches.)

Japan awakened shortly thereafter with netminder Hope Solo and defender Christie Rampone angling off a left-sided run. The controversial goalkeeper was forced to follow almost immediately with a tip of Yuki Ogimi’s header just over the woodwork. Later in the first half, as colleague John Eggerton edified, “Solo was actually a duet, a goalie, plus a crossbar” that aided the American cause. For the record, both of us were working diligently throughout this match, which is more than can be said for referee Bibianna Steinhaus, who allowed some heinous tackles and missed a rather blatant Heather Tobin handball in the box off a Japan free kick midway through the first half.

Lloyd struck again in the 54th minute with a rocket’s red glare that found left-side netting from just outside the area. Japan stormed back with a series of threatening crosses off set pieces that ultimately yielded Ogimi’s goal in the 63rd minute, when Solo and the defense couldn’t clear rebounds in front of the net.

But the Dancing With The Stars goalie saved the day in the 83rd minute after captain Rampone’s horrendous giveaway sent Mana Iwabuchi in all alone inside the box. This time, Hope soloed to her left, her two-handed diving deflection  steering the strike — ticketed for the far post — aside.

Imagine how much bigger the world’s game would be in the States, if it were the men’s national team that engaged in these kind of magical affairs.

We’ll get to see Bolt conjure his brilliance again on Friday, when he eyes an Olympic triple-double, with Jamaica set to qualify for the 4 x100-relay. The island nation is scheduled to reprise its gold medal-winning performance from Beijing on Saturday. Trackside, Bolt, after his individual double-double, told NBC’s Lewis Johnson that he would look to end his career with a triple-triple at the 2016 Rio Games.

Fans, though, will have to be content with the U.S women’s third consecutive Olympic triumph — Lloyd launched the extra-time winner against Brazil four years ago — and fourth in five times (a silver in Sydney in 2000 denied the U.S. its own futbol double) the competition has been contested at the Games.

Regrettably, we won’t see much of the members of the U.S women’s team — beyond the Wheaties box, on the talk show circuit and requisite victory tour — for quite some time. Unlike after their victory in Beijing, there’s no domestic league to prop up. Earlier this year, the WPS went the way of the cable-centric WUSA that was borne from Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and the rest of the 91ers — including Solo’s best Twitter bud Brandi Chastain — and their historic 1999 World Cup triumph.

It’s a long time to Canada, site of the 2015 FIFA World Cup, where a U.S. matchup with the host nation could prove feisty and especially gratifying should it result in American FIFA triple.