After configuring my friend's Vista machine, I noticed he had a "Sports" item on his Vista Media Center main menu.  I don't know why it was missing on mine.  I don't know if I never had it to begin with or if it disappeared at some point, but I know for sure that it was gone!  I just re-ran the setup routine in Media Center and the sports item, and a few others, appeared.

Settings -> General -> Windows Media Center Setup -> Run Setup Again

If you're missing these features, do whatever you can to get them back.  They are well worth it!