| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, February 8, 2002
4:00pm ET | |
| • | Let It Snow: Forecast Calls For Flurries As Winter Olympics Hit UT |
| • | AT&T, ChevronTexaco Unveil Initiatives Based Around Olympic Coverage |
| • | Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hits The Ice For NBC’s Olympic TV Spots |
| • | Stolen Grizzlies Tickets Could Cause Problems For Scalpers, Fans |
| • | Critics Weigh In On Schwarzenegger’s “Damage,” LL Cool J’s “Rollerball” |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Weekend Events/Daily Stat/Channel Surfing |
LET THE GAMES BEGIN: WINTER OLYMPICS KICK OFF TONIGHT
The ’02 Winter Olympics from Salt Lake City, UT, will begin tonight with the Opening Ceremony, televised on NBC beginning at 8:00pm ET. The temperature in Salt Lake City as of 2:00pm ET is 34°F, and the forecast for this evening calls for snow showers lingering through the night (THE DAILY).
The AP reports that winter weather “already got the best of the Winter Olympics” today. Ski jump qualifying on the 90-meter hill, the first competition of the Winter Games, “was canceled because of high crosswinds and blowing snow at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Gusts exceeding 50 mph ripped a door off its hinges at the Park's day lodge” (AP, 2/8).
The L.A. DAILY NEWS reports that the USOC “will pay $25,000 to gold-medalists, $15,000 for silver-medalists and $10,000 for bronze winners” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 2/8).
The ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE reports that Buffalo-born artist Willie Nile “wrote and performed a catchy song for [TOP sponsor] Kodak that will debut tonight during the telecast of the Opening Ceremonies” and play over a “new 60-second television advertisement that -- in classic Kodak Moment style -- highlights the emotions of taking and sharing pictures.” Kodak thinks it may have a hit in the vein of Paul Anka's “Times of Your Life” or Cindy Lauper's "True Colors,” both used in company ads (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 2/8).
In other sponsorship news, OPUS partner AT&T today launched “AT&T Perform Without Limits,” an Olympics sweepstakes that will award the grand prize-winner the chance to attend the Olympic Winter Games wherever they may be held for the rest of the winner's life. For 16 consecutive days, during NBC’s prime time Olympic broadcast, a finalist's name will be announced. The first finalist, to be announced tonight during the Olympics' Opening Ceremony, will win a trip to the Closing Ceremony in Salt Lake City on February 24. Finalists announced on the following nights will win one of 15 secondary prizes, which include a year of AT&T WorldNet Service, an AT&T Free2Go Wireless phone package and gifts from McDonalds, Home Depot, Gateway Computer, Kodak and Office Depot. Those 16 finalists will be entered to win the grand prize, which will be announced February 24 during NBC's coverage of the Closing Ceremony (THE DAILY).
OPUS partner ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants reaffirmed its commitment to its Havoline customers today with multi-million dollar sponsorships of the ‘02 Winter Olympics and NASCAR racing. Support for the sponsorship will include national TV commercials promoting Havoline and ChevronTexaco, as well as Havoline banners and signage in the Salt Lake area (THE DAILY).
OLYMPIC CHANNEL SURFING
FRIDAY
NBC will air the Opening Ceremony for the ’02 Winter Olympics at 8:00pm ET.
SATURDAY NBC will air Cross-Country Skiing and Speed Skating coverage at 3:00pm ET.
CNBC will air Men’s Ice Hockey at 6:00pm ET: Germany-Slovakia and Austria-Latvia.
NBC will air Figure Skating, Freestyle Skating and Nordic Combined coverage at 8:00pm ET.
SUNDAY
NBC will air Snowboarding and Speed Skating coverage at 3:00pm ET.
CNBC will air Men’s Ice Hockey at 6:00pm ET: Austria-Germany and Latvia-Slovakia.
NBC will air Alpine Skiing, Luge, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping and Snowboarding coverage at 8:00pm ET.
NBC LEVERAGES OLYMPICS TO TOUT DAYTONA 500 WITH LITTLE E
On January 10 at the Greensboro Coliseum, NBC shot a promotional spot for its Daytona 500 coverage featuring NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as an Olympic Zamboni driver. In the spot, one ice manager says to another, “I don’t know how we’re going to get this thing turned around for this one.” The other ice manager responds, “Don’t worry about it, I made a phone call.” Earnhardt Jr. then appears on the Zamboni. The spot, along with the Tony Stewart “Olympic Dream” NASCAR/Olympic cross-promotion that has been running since last season, will air during NBC’s Olympic coverage (THE DAILY).
SCALPED GRIZZLIES TICKETS COULD BE STOLEN, WORTHLESS
The Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL reports that the Grizzlies “had an estimated $90,000 in tickets stolen from their offices” that have been “sold on the street, but are now invalid.” The reason: The stolen tickets “were printed up after a season-ticket buyer made a deposit on them; subsequently, the buyer changed his mind and the seats in question were sold to other season-ticket buyers and new tickets were printed” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 2/8).
WORLD CUP COSTS INCREASE WHEN SPREAD OVER TWO COUNTRIES
The FINANCIAL TIMES reports that the decision the stage the ’02 World Cup in two countries “has increased the [broadcasting] costs faced by Kirch, the German media group with the broadcast rights for the next two tournaments, by an estimated [US$47M].” Although part of the difference “is explained by the high quality of service Kirch is expecting to offer and the high cost of living, particularly in Japan, much is said to be attributable to logistical complexities associated with staging the competition in two separate countries” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 2/8).
ATLANTA A HOT BED OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND
The Braves' annual Winter FanFest will be held this weekend at Turner Field, the club's “last local promotion before spring training, which begins next week.” The two-day event “features autograph sessions, Run The Bases and Big League Bullpen activities for kids and clubhouse tours” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/8).
Meanwhile, the Thrashers and the Thrashers Foundation will host the First Annual Atlanta Thrashers “Kids’ Night Out” during the team’s home game tonight against the Rangers at 7:30pm ET. The evening provides disadvantaged children and special charities the opportunity to attend a professional sporting event (THE DAILY).
FALL FASHIONS: INDIANS INTRODUCE NEW COLOR TO ’02 UNIFORMS
The Indians today unveiled their new uniforms for the ’02 season. White-sleeveless jerseys with the Chief Wahoo -- the team’s controversial mascot -- logo over the left chest and navy caps with a red script letter ''I'' will be worn at home games on weekends and holidays. Regular home and away jerseys add silver trim. It's the first new color on the uniforms, which are red, white and blue. The Indians “had not changed uniforms since moving into Jacobs Field” in ’94 (AP, 2/8).
BUZZER BEATERS
The NHL and the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA) are partnering on an online strategic alliance, under which the CHA becomes an affiliate of the NHL.com Network. The NHL.com Network also includes the 30 NHL teams, the AHL and the ECHL (THE DAILY).
Tonight’s “Biography” on A&E features Wayne Gretzky, who says during the piece,
”What they ought to call me is the Grateful One,” instead of the Great One (L.A. TIMES, 2/8).
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will join TNT’s NASCAR coverage as a special contributor during all three races TNT will carry from Daytona over the next week, including Sunday’s Budweiser Shootout, the Daytona Twin 125s on Thursday, February 14, and the Busch Series GNC Live Well 300 on Saturday, February 16 (THE DAILY).
Baltimore-based R&D software company Accelics has signed a three-year deal to become the first major corporate sponsor of the ’02 National Grand Prix auto race to be held in DC this July. The event, to be held July 19-21, features races of three sanctioning bodies – American Le Mans, Trans Am and World Challenge GT (THE DAILY).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that WNBA Liberty C Rebecca Lobo will play competitive basketball “for the first time in several years” tonight when she joins the Springfield (MA) Spirit of the Women’s National Basketball League in the team’s inaugural game against the Houston Stealth. The game will be played at the Mohegan Sun Casino in CT (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8).
THEPRESCRIPTION.com reported Nick Bogdanovich, “one of the sharpest, most knowledgeable bookmakers” in NV, resigned from his position as Mandalay Bay sports book manager after an error he made in taking Super Bowl bets. Bogdanovich accepted $550,000 worth of wagers on the Patriots from Charles Barkley, “without taking any money or chips,” despite the fact that Barkley’s line of credit at Mandalay was only $500,000 (THEPRESCRIPTION.com, 2/6).
TODAY’S DAILY STAT: WINTER OLYMPICS NIELSEN RATINGS TRENDS
The following presents a Nielsen ratings trend for the last three Winter Olympics for primetime and all telecasts combined (NBC).
| ALL TELECASTS |
| YR | LOCATION | NET | TC's | RAT/SHR |
| '92 | Albertville | CBS | 71 | 12.8/25 |
| '94 | Lillehammer | CBS | 61 | 16.9/32 |
| '98 | Nagano | CBS | 62 | 9.3/22 |
| | | | | |
| PRIMETIME TELECASTS |
| YR | LOCATION | NET | TC's | RAT/SHR |
| '92 | Albertville | CBS | 16 | 18.7/29 |
| '94 | Lillehammer | CBS | 16 | 27.8/42 |
| '98 | Nagano | CBS | 17 | 16.3/26 |
PRO BOWL EVENTS
Saturday
The Topps NFL Experience will continue from 10:00am-7:00pm local time at Fort DeRussy.
The NFL Pro Bowl will begin at 11:30am local time in the Aloha Stadium.
The Pro Bowl post-game Block Party will begin at 7:00pm local time at the Aloha Tower Marketplace.
NBA ALL-STAR EVENTS
Friday
The NBA Jam Session will run from 4:00pm-10:00pm ET at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
NBAE will have 20 camera crews working Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia recording events for such shows as “NBA Inside Stuff.”
A celebrity auction party will be held at Zanzibar Blue Friday at 6:00pm ET, sponsored by Reebok and Hummer. Participants will include Jay-Z, Mike Tollin, Wu-Tang Clan, Warren G, Hawks C Theo Ratlilff, Heat G Eddie Jones, among others (THE DAILY).
Saturday
The NBA Jam Session will run from 9:00am-10:00pm ET at the PA Convention Center in Philadelphia.
The NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration, featuring Britney Spears, Alicia Keys and Lil’ Bow Wow, will be held at 11:00am ET.
Although Clippers F Elton Brand will replace him on the Western Conference All-Star team, Lakers C Shaquille O’Neal is scheduled to make a special appearance Saturday at the Nestle Crunch Kids’ Zone at the NBA All-Star Jam Session. O’Neal is also scheduled to run a mini-basketball clinic (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/8).
The “got milk?” Rookie Challenge will take place at the First Union Center at 4:00pm ET.
All-Star Saturday Night events will begin at 8:00pm ET in the First Union Center, including the 989 Sports All-Star Hoop-It-Up, the 1 800 CALL ATT Shootout, and the NBA.com Slam Dunk contest.
Sunday
The 51st NBA All-Star Game will begin at 5:00pm ET at the First Union Center.
WEEKEND EVENTS
Friday
The UHL Kalamazoo Wings will hold a Mardi Gras Night when they host the Ft. Wayne Komets. Fans who arrive in costume will get a $2 discount on a $12 ticket. Costumed fans also can participate in a first-intermission contest to win a trip to New Orleans (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/7).
The Sabres will host the second annual “Hockey Mom Night” at the HSBC Arena during their game against the Senators. Each “Hockey Mom” in attendance will receive a free lapel pin courtesy of the Women’s Entertainment Network (THE DAILY).
Sunday
During the Islanders-Wild game fans will be encouraged to help raise funds for Ice Hockey In Harlem. Donations will be accepted at all Xcel Energy Center gates.
The MLS will hold its SuperDraft at Noon ET in Orlando.
CRITICS WEIGH IN: “COLLATERAL DAMAGE,” “BIG FAT LIAR” & “ROLLERBALL”
According to critics, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Collateral Damage” isn’t that good, Frankie Muniz’s “Big Fat Liar” isn’t that bad, and “Rollerball” needs to be avoided at all costs:
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| | Collateral Damage | Big Fat Liar | Rollerball |
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CHANNEL SURFING
FRIDAY
Strategic Sports Group President Peter Stern will be on CNBC’s “Business Center” at 5:30pm ET.
ESPN will air men’s college basketball, Memphis-UAB, at 9:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Friday Night Fights at 9:00pm ET.
SATURDAY | College Basketball |
| Game | Network | Time |
| Temple-George Wash. | ESPN | Noon ET |
| Cincinnati-Wake Forest | ABC (regional) | Noon ET |
| Colorado-Texas | ABC (regional) | Noon ET |
| Louisville-Indiana | CBS | 1:00pm ET |
| UCLA-Villanova | CBS | 1:00pm ET |
| Duke-Georgia Tech | ABC | 2:00pm ET |
| UConn-St. John’s | ESPN | 7:00pm ET |
| Oregon-California | ABC (West Coast only) | 8:00pm ET |
| Missouri-Baylor | ESPN | 9:00pm ET |
NBC will air the NASCAR Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying at 1:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air women’s college basketball, Colorado-Iowa St., at 2:00pm ET.
CNBC will air the Senior PGA Tour’s Ace Group Classic at 2:00pm ET.
ESPN will air the NFL Legends Beach Bowl at 3:00pm ET.
CBS will air the PGA Tour’s Buick Invitational, Third Round, at 3:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air tennis’ Davis Cup, Slovak Republic-U.S., at 4:00pm ET
TNT will air the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge at 4:00pm ET.
ABC will air the NFL Pro Bowl at 4:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Flyers-Blues at 7:00pm ET, and Blackhawks-Avalanche at 10:00pm ET.
SUNDAY CBS will air men’s college basketball, Ohio St.-Michigan St., at 1:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air women’s college basketball, UNC-NC State, at 2:00pm ET.
NBC will air the NBA All-Star Special at 2:00pm ET.
TNT will air the NASCAR Winston Cup Budweiser Shootout at 2:00pm ET.
CNBC will air the Senior PGA Tour’s Ace Group Classic at 2:00pm ET.
CBS will air the PGA Tour’s Buick Invitational, Final Round, at 3:00pm ET.
NBC will air the NBA All-Star Game at 5:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Sabres-Devils at 7:00pm ET.
ESPN will air “The Season: Behind Bars – Part I” at 8:00pm ET.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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