Closing Bell, November 2, 2001

The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, November 2, 2001
4:00pm ET

CNBC TWIN SPIN: BETTMAN; ROMNEY TALK ISSUES W/FINANCIAL NET

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was a guest on CNBC’s "Power Lunch" this afternoon and said of baseball playing in November, "Baseball is a great sport, but they are almost done. We started playing (in) early October, we're actually up in attendance over last year and last year we set a record. Our sponsorship support has been good, our television ratings are up, so we’re off to a terrific start." Bettman, on popularity comparisons to other major U.S. sports leagues: "I think if the measuring rod is the NFL … we still have a long way to go. But if the measuring rod is NHL hockey … we are growing. … When I took over the league, sponsor investment in our league was just over $25 million. This year it will be over $400 million." Bettman, on player salaries: "I think the challenge for all of the professional sports as we move forward … is making sure that there is a system, an economic model, that enables all the clubs to be healthy, competitive. And to make sure, at the same time, fans can afford to see our games and we keep our buildings full." Bettman, on future expansion: "I like where we are now. We’re not looking for any further expansion" ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 11/2).

SLOC President Mitt Romney was a guest on CNBC’s "Squawk Box" this morning and said Salt Lake’s somewhat-remote location "provides a real advantage in the world of counter-terrorism." More Romney, on security: "With respect to all the people who are able to get into sensitive areas, there will be complete background checks as well as photo ID’s. With regards to spectators, generally, we put them through extensive screening processes before they can get into a venue. Not like an airport – much more complete -- much more thorough" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 11/2).

IOC EXEC ASKS ATHOC FOR A VENUE CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE

The AP reports that IOC exec Denis Oswald "sent a letter to Athens organizers" asking them to "deliver a construction timetable when IOC inspectors return Nov. 21 for a three-day review." The letter "suggests increasing frustration over planning and the growing disillusionment of many IOC members." Oswald, from the letter: "We believe that (the) situation in the construction area is at risk." Oswald also expressed "great surprise" that some projects "have been canceled or scaled down" (AP, 11/2).

WAKING UP TO THE PAST: LAKERS TO RECOGNIZE MN ROOTS

The L.A. DAILY NEWS reports, "For the first time since moving to L.A. in 1960, the Lakers have decided to recognize the accomplishments of the franchise's early years in Minneapolis." The Lakers will raise two banners in Staples Center, one for Minnesota’s five NBA championships and one for "the Hall of Famers who played for the team." Lakers Dir of PR John Black added that the organization considered the move "for many years" but finally made the decision this summer (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/2).

ESPN TO AIR ITS FINAL CART RACE; GRAND-AM SCHEDULES RELEASED

ESPN "bids farewell" to CART racing this weekend, now that the network has "reinforced its ties to the rival IRL." ESPN Dir of Motorsports Programming & Acquisitions Burke Magnus: "It’s definitely the end of an era. I don’t want to indicate that’s not on everybody’s mind this weekend." Magnus adds, "There's no regret about the past. We're going to close up shop in a professional way like we always have. … We'll have a little emotion about it, then we'll move on" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 11/2).

The Grand American Road Racing Association "announced its 2002 schedules today" for the Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series. The Rolex Series "will run a 10-race schedule, while nine confirmed races for Grand-Am Cup were announced." The association also "reached a multiyear agreement with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Dunlop Tyres Ltd., making them the exclusive tire suppliers to the Rolex Sports Car Series through the 2004 season" (THE DAILY).

WEEKEND EVENTS

The Mavericks are hosting a Select-A-Seat game-watching party tonight at J. Pepe’s Mexican restaurant, starting at 5:00pm CT. Season-ticket holders can choose their seats at the American Airlines Center while watching the Mavericks play the Raptors (THE DAILY).

The DC United will release its ’01 Commemorative HyperCD on Saturday during the Unity Games exhibition benefit game versus the MetroStars. The CD, sponsored by AT&T Wireless and created by N.Y.-based John Galt Media, Inc., features over 25 videos profiling the history of the United (THE DAILY).

The LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER reports that Churchill Downs is holding a Pat Day bobblehead giveaway on Saturday. The first 10,000 fans will receive a voucher for the doll, which can be redeemed after the second race. The bobblehead "is believed to be only the third modeled after a jockey" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 11/2).

The Predators will host "Share Your Faith Night," an evening for youth and faith-based groups, on Saturday. The evening starts with the Stars-Predators game at 7:00pm ET, while post-game festivities include Word Recording artists 4HIM and country music star Barbara Mandrell (THE DAILY).

The Mark Cuban Show debuts Saturday at 10:00pm CT on KTXA-UPN (THE DAILY).

The NFL Giants, along with the Giants Wives Organization and Allied Hoffman Moving and Storage, host their fifth annual food drive on Sunday, with proceeds benefiting the Community Food Bank of NJ. Last year’s event raised 7,500 pounds of food and organizers are hoping to raise 10,000 pounds this year (Newark STAR LEDGER, 11/2).

The Bears are asking fans to bring canned foods to the stadium for Sunday’s game against the Browns. The donations will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, with collections being made at entry points to Soldier Field (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/2).

The Chargers are collecting food items for the S.D. Food Bank’s Holiday Food Drive prior to Sunday’s Chargers-Chiefs game. The fan that donates the most items will receive an autographed Chargers football (THE DAILY).

BUZZER BEATERS

GOLF WORLD BUSINESS reported Nike Golf signed Stewert Cink to play Nike Golf Clubs and carry a staff bag. Cink already plays the Nike Tour Accuracy golf ball, wears Nike footwear and an Elite Feel glove. The company "expects Cink to being playing the clubs in January, the same month Nike plans to unveil its new club line" (GOLF WORLD BUSINESS, 11/1).

The PROVIDENCE JOURNAL reports "fewer than one-half of one-percent of the current 56,000 [Patriots] season ticket holders have said no to the chance to transfer their seats" to the new CMGi Field. Patriots COO Andy Wasynczuk said, "We had a little bit over 100 tickets, of people who said they weren’t looking to move" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 11/2).

THE DAILY STATS

The following is the Lycos 50 Most-Searched athletes for the week ending October 27.

Check out how other topics are doing at today’s http://50.lycos.com.

CHANNEL SURFING

FRIDAY

ESPN began coverage of the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship at 1:00pm ET.

ESPN2 began airing second round coverage of the ATP Tour’s Tennis Masters Series – Paris at 2:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the Sanex WTA Tour’s Sanex Championships at 7:00pm ET.

Fox Family will air the movie "Michael Jordan: An American Hero" at 8:00pm ET.

SATURDAY

Fox will air Game Six of the Yankees-Diamondbacks World Series at 7:30pm ET.

NBC will air 76ers-Wizards at 6:30pm ET.

Click Here for a map of ABC's regional coverage.

ESPN2 will air the first semifinal of the Sanex WTA Tour’s Sanex Championship at 10:30am ET.

ESPN’s "College Gameday" will air live from Colorado Springs, CO, at 10:30am ET.

ABC will air third round coverage of the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship at 1:00pm ET.

TNT will air the NASCAR BGN Sam’s Club 200at 1:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the second semifinal of the Sanex WTA Tour’s Sanex Championship at 4:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the ATP Tour’s Tennis Masters Series – Paris semifinal at 11:00pm ET.

SUNDAY

Fox will air Game Seven of the Yankees-Diamondbacks World Series (if necessary) at 7:30pm ET.

ESPN will begin airing final round coverage of the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship at 1:00pm ET, and ABC will continue coverage at 2:30pm ET.

TNT will air the NASCAR Winston Cup Pop Secret 400 at 1:00pm ET.

NBC will air highlights from the N.Y. Marathon at 3:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the CART Marlboro 500 at 3:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the ATP Tour’s ATP Masters Series – Paris final at 4:00pm ET.

NBC will air the Gravity Games at 4:00pm ET.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

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