| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, December 14, 2001
4:00pm ET | |
| • | Nine MLB Umps Ordered To Be Hired Back To Previous Positions |
| • | Unluck Of The Irish: O'Leary Resigns Position At ND Over False Resume |
| • | Sherwood Schwarz Plans Major Move For His CFL Franchise |
| • | NASCAR.com's Latest Milestone: One Billion Page Views Since March |
| • | Eat Your Chunky Soup, Meet Penguins C Mario Lemieux |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Weekend Events/Critics Weigh In/Channel Surfing |
FEDERAL JUDGE UPHOLD'S RULING THAT MLB MUST HIRE BACK UMPS
The AP reports that a federal judge this morning "upheld an arbitrator's decision that ordered" MLB to rehire nine of the 22 umpires who lost their jobs following "a failed mass resignation two years ago." In addition, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III "left open the possibility that three other umpires could get their jobs back, ordering that their cases be reheard by an arbitrator." Unless reversed by a high court, which the AP writes is "highly unlikely," Bartle's decision means 10 umpires will not get their job's back (AP, 12/14).
THERE'S NO COW TO BLAME THIS PR FIRE ON: O'LEARY RESIGNS
The AP reports that George O'Leary resigned as Notre Dame (ND) football coach today after "admitting he lied about playing the game in college in his personal biography." The former GA Tech Univ. coach's resignation comes less than a week after he was hired. O'Leary's bio indicated he had lettered three times while playing football at New Hampshire, when, in fact, "he never played in a game." O'Leary released a statement saying, "The integrity and credibility of Notre Dame is impeccable and with that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach effective December 13, 2001" (AP, 12/14). To read O'Leary's full statement, as well as that of ND AD Kevin White, click here.
ARGONAUTS OWNER REPORTEDY ATTEMPTING A “MAJOR MOVE”
The TORONTO SUN reports that Argonauts Owner Sherwood Schwarz is "attempting to make a major move with the club, likely within 24 hours." A source said that Schwarz sent a letter to the CFL office yesterday asking the BOG "for additional time to put together his plan for next season" (TORONTO SUN, 12/14). The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL writes that three weeks ago at the Grey Cup, "concern over the Argos led the governors to demand that Schwarz show them his business plan by mid-December in order to ensure an end to the erosion of fan support in Toronto." It is "possible that as long as Schwarz provides the league today with the Argos' dates for next season at the SkyDome, the governors would allow him to carry on" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/14).
NBC HIRES BACK FORMER EXEC PRODUCER TO HELP WITH '02 GAMES
The Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM reports that NBC has hired Michael Weisman, the network's former Exec Producer, as a consultant to NBC's coverage of the '02 Olympic Games. The man who hired Weisman, NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol, is "the same man who fired him in 1989, after a change in management and a shortfall in expectations for the 1988 Olympic Games" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 12/14).
Meanwhile, the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports that the SLOC has "fired" Dan Lang from his post as Events Services Manager for the '02 Olympic Village. Lang "helped run security for the Olympic Village" during the '96 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Lang was actually terminated last week, but "SLOC officials won't say why." SLOC spokesperson Caroline Shaw: "We don't discuss personnel matters" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/14).
BUZZER BEATERS
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was honored this year with the Sports Leadership Award at the 18th Annual March of Dimes Sports Luncheon. The luncheon will air during the month of December on MSG and FSN New York beginning tomorrow night at 5:30pm ET (THE DAILY).
ESPN.com reports that a source close to the A's says the team has "had internal discussions regarding [Barry] Bonds, albeit largely informal ones." Still, "you can expect the A's to at least feel out that scenario, if not make an offer" (ESPN.com, 12/14).
NASCAR.com has reached one billion page views 10 months after Turner Sports relaunched the site. In addition, the average daily users per month for '01 have increased approximately 33% over last year (THE DAILY).
The DAILY RACING FORM reported that the NYRA BOD "approved a plan on Wednesday to eliminate parking and general admission fees during most of the Aqueduct winter meet." The fees "will be eliminated beginning the first week of January until mid-March (DAILY RACING FORM, 12/13).
Campbell's Chunky Soup and Penguins C Mario Lemieux today announced they have launched a national contest to recognize hockey Moms who make it possible for their kids to play hockey. The contest's Grand Prize winner will be flown to Montreal to meet Lemieux and watch the Penguins take on the Canadiens (THE DAILY).
The ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS reported that Aspen Skiing Co., in partnership with United Airlines and StayAspenSnowmass, is "offering guests the chance to fly to Aspen and ski at its four resorts for $99 round trip." Starting Saturday, the 88-seat "Aspen Ski Plane," will "shuttle skiers between Denver International Airport and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through
April 7" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 12/12).
CyberRays MF Brandi Chastain will return to Fox' "NFL Under the Helmet" as a roving reporter (THE DAILY).
REUTERS reports that Ericsson has "come up with Event System, giving spectators at sports events a chance to follow the game more closely than ever." Cameras fixed to helmets of players and referees "show a live video of what they see during the game on a spectator's Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)," while viewers can also be notified about up-to-date statistics (REUTERS, 12/14).
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT….
See The Daily Insider's News & Opinion section for current items including:
Phil Esposito's efforts to bring an ECHL expansion franchise to Southeast TX.
The return of hockey to the Kansas City area.
CRITICS WEIGH IN: “VANILLA SKY” & “NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE”
This week, Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise reunite for an artsy excursion into the dream state, while "Teen Movie" dreams up even more gross gags. The nation's top critics weigh in:
| Movies
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| Vanilla Sky | Not Another Teen Movie |
| Chicago Sun-Times | | |
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| L.A. Times | | |
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| Miami Herald | | |
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| N.Y. Times | | |
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| USA Today | | |
| |
WEEKEND EVENTS
FRIDAY
The 76ers will host Nickelodeon Night tonight for their game against the Bucks. At halftime, singer Pink will tape a national promotion for the NBA based on her hit song, "Let's Get the Party Started" (THE DAILY).
Turner's sports franchises, including the Braves, Hawks and Thrashers, will host a Holiday Party for local children's agencies tonight prior to the Blackhawks-Thrashers game. Following the party, the children will attend the Thrashers game (THE DAILY).
Lakers G Kobe Bryant will be commissioned as an honorary ambassador to the city of Kobe, Japan, in a ceremony prior to tonight's Clippers-Lakers game (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 12/13).
SATURDAY
The Angels Booster Club will host its Annual Holiday Toy Drive from 12:00-3:00pm PT at J.T. Schmid's Restaurant in Anaheim. Unwrapped toys, valued at $10 or less, "will be collected at the door and later distributed to underprivileged area children" (THE DAILY).
Clippers G Corey Maggette will present the kids of Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services in L.A. with $1,000 (THE DAILY).
Rock group Smashmouth will perform an hour after Saturday's T'Wovles-Mavericks game. The band is the first of four musical groups participating in the Mavs' annual concert series. Anyone with tickets to Saturday's game can watch the concert for free (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/13).
The first 2,500 Rockets fans who enter Compaq Center for Saturday's Heat-Rockets game will receive a "Lord of the Rings" poster (THE DAILY).
SUNDAY
The WCHL Long Beach Ice Dogs' mascot "Spike" and Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill will attend the Annual Holiday Ice and Lights Show from 2:00-5:00pm PT at the Long Beach Arena. The event includes a tree lighting and activities for local children (THE DAILY).
Members of the Rockies will be featured Sunday in a special performance of "The Nutcracker," presented by Colorado Ballet. The show begins at 7:30pm MT at the Auditorium Theatre in Denver (THE DAILY).
Predators G Mike Dunham will carry the Olympic torch through TN.
IN OTHER NEWS…..
The AP reports that Europeans "got a first look at their new currency on Friday, with the appearance of euro 'starter kits' in three countries meant to familiarize citizens with their new money" before it becomes legal tender January 1. Reviews of the new currency "were mixed" (AP, 12/14).
The Washington Post will "raise the price of a single copy of the newspaper from a quarter to 35 cents," the first price hike in 20 years. The increase will take effect on December 31 (AP, 12/14).
TODAY'S ARTICLE OF INTEREST
The HOUSTON CHRONICLE's Fran Blinebury says TX Tech and men's basketball coach Bob Knight are a "good fit for each other" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/14).
The WASHINGTON POST's William Gildea on the battle over renovations to Soldier Field.
See The Daily Insider's Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.
THE DAILY STAT: AVERAGE SALARIES
The following compiles average salaries among the four major sports, gathered from the MLBPA, NFLPA, NBPA and NHLPA. The NHL figures are "mixed Canadian and U.S. dollars," and the NBA and NHL averages for '00-'01 are estimates (AP, 12/12).
| MLB |
| NFL |
| NBA |
| NHL |
| Year | Average | Year | Average | Year | Average | Year | Average |
| '67 | $19,000 | '70 | $41,000 | '89-'90 | $653,000 | '90-'91 | $271,000 |
| '68 | NA | '72 | 45,000 | '90-'91 | 823,000 | '91-'92 | 368,000 |
| '69 | 24,909 | '74 | 56,000 | '91-'92 | 1,003,000 | '92-'93 | 467,000 |
| '70 | 29,303 | '76 | 78,000 | '92-'93 | 1,113,000 | '93-'94 | 572,161 |
| '71 | 31,543 | '78 | 100,000 | '93-'94 | 1,296,000 | '94-'95 | 733,000 |
| '72 | 34,092 | '80 | 117,000 | '94-'95 | 1,441,000 | '95-'96 | 892,000 |
| '73 | 36,566 | '82 | 157,000 | '95-'96 | 1,636,000 | '96-'97 | 984,500 |
| '74 | 40,839 | '84 | 279,000 | '96-'97 | 1,979,000 | '97-'98 | 1,167,713 |
| '75 | 44,676 | '86 | 288,000 | '97-'98 | 2,297,000 | '98-'99 | 1,297,649 |
| '76 | 51,501 | '88 | 307,000 | '98-'99 | 2,640,000 | '99-'00 | 1,355,201 |
| '77 | 76,066 | '89 | 389,000 | '99-'00 | 3,180,000 | '00-'01 ^ | 1,400,000 |
| '78 | 99,876 | '90 | 430,000 | '00-'01 ^ | 3,530,000 | | |
| '79 | 113,558 | '91 | 488,000 | | | | |
| '80 | 143,756 | '92 | 551,000 | | | | |
| '81 | 185,651 | '93 | 729,000 | | | | |
| '82 | 241,497 | '94 | 674,000 | | | | |
| '83 | 289,194 | '95 | 752,000 | | | | |
| '84 | 329,408 | '96 | 807,000 | | | | |
| '85 | 371,571 | '97 | 725,000 | | | | |
| '86 | 412,520 | '98 | 1,000,000 | | | | |
| '87 | 412,454 | '99 | 1,043,000 | | | | |
| '88 | 438,729 | '00 | 1,200,000 | | | | |
| '89 | 497,254 | | | | | | |
| '90 | 597,537 | | | | | | |
| '91 | 851,492 | | | | | | |
| '92 | 1,028,667 | | | | | | |
| '93 | 1,076,089 | | | | | | |
| '94 | 1,168,263 | | | | | | |
| '95 | 1,110,766 | | | | | | |
| '96 | 1,119,981 | | | | | | |
| '97 | 1,336,609 | | | | | | |
| '98 | 1,398,831 | | | | | | |
| '99 | 1,606,770 | | | | | | |
| '00 | 1,988,034 | | | | | | |
| '01 | 2,138,896 | | | | | | |
| |
CHANNEL SURFING
FRIDAY
Lifetime will air figure skating's ISU KHK Trophy at 6:00pm ET.
ESPN will air "The Season: Army vs. Navy" at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN will air men's college basketball, Cincinnati-Xavier, at 9:00pm ET.
Clippers F Elton Brand will be on ESPN's "Unscripted."
FSN's Jay Mohr and actor Fred Dryer will be on "The Last Word."
T'Wolves announcer Mychal Thompson and rapper Master P will be on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period."
ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Bobby Jones at 8:00pm ET.
The WB will air the animated classic "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at 8:00pm ET.
CBS will air "The Christmas Secret" at 8:00pm ET.
SATURDAY
|
| College Basketball | | |
| | Game | Network | Time |
| | Arizona-Michigan St. | CBS | 2:00pm ET |
| | Tenn.-Memphis | ESPN | 7:00pm ET |
| | Iowa-Missouri | ESPN | 9:00pm ET |
"Outside The Lines" will interview former Nuggets coach Doug Moe about the Dan Issel controversy, and Todd McFarlane, who purchased Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball, about the fight over ownership of Barry Bonds' 73rd home run ball.
ESPN2 will air NCAA Div. I Men's Soccer Tournament, First Semifinal, at 11:00am ET, and the Second Semifinal at 1:00pm ET.
Fox will air NFL's Cardinals-Giants at 1:30pm ET.
CBS will air NFL's Raiders-Chargers at 5:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air the final round of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament at 3:00pm ET.
NBC will air golf's Williams World Challenge at 3:00pm ET.
NBC will air "Sports Illustrated's Night of Champions" at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air college football's NCAA Div. III Championship, Bridgewater-Mount Union, at 8:00pm ET.
CBS will air "The Story of Santa Claus" at 8:00pm ET.
NBC will air "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at 9:00pm ET.
Ellen DeGeneres will host NBC's "Saturday Night Live," with musical guest No Doubt, at 11:30pm ET.
SUNDAY
|
| NFL | | | |
| | Game | Network | Time | Coverage Area |
| | Broncos-Chiefs | CBS | 1:00pm ET | N/A |
| | Patriots-Bills | CBS | 1:00pm ET | N/A |
| | Bengals-Jets | CBS | 1:00pm ET | N/A |
| | Jaguars-Browns | CBS | 1:00pm ET | N/A |
| | Buccaneers-Bears | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 78% |
| | Vikings-Lions | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 4% |
| | Falcons-Colts | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 6% |
| | Dolphins-49ers | CBS | 4:00pm ET | N/A |
| | Eagles-Redskins | Fox | 4:00pm ET | 32% |
| | Packers-Titans | Fox | 4:00pm ET | 51% |
| | Cowboys-Seahawks | Fox | 4:00pm ET | 12% |
| | Steelers-Ravens | ESPN | 8:30pm ET | National |
ESPN will air the NCAA Div. I Men's Soccer Tournament Final at 1:00pm ET.
NBC will air golf's Williams World Challenge at 3:00pm ET.
ABC will air figure skating's ISU Grand Prix final at 4:00pm ET
ESPN2 will air women's college basketball, Illinois-Oklahoma, at 4:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Oilers-Flyers at 7:00pm ET.
Oxygen will air the Inaugural Women's Amateur World Boxing Championship at 8:00pm ET.
TNT will air "Christmas In Washington" at 8:00pm ET.
ABC will air "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at 8:00pm ET.
CBS will air "A Town Without Christmas" at 9:00pm ET.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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