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Closing Bell

Closing Bell, July 3, 2002

 
The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Wednesday, July 3, 2002
4:00pm ET

Tom Brady Liked The Escalade So Much, He Signed With Cadillac!

The Critics View “Like Mike” As Giving A “Squeaky Clean” Look At The NBA

Racing Teams Roll Out The New Themes For Primetime Daytona Race

Nike Golf To Launch New Ad Effort Around Golf Ball Line Starting Monday

The Late Irv Kaze To Be Honored In L.A. On Saturday Night

Articles Of Interest /Holiday Events/Daily Stat

The Closing Bell will not publish on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 in observance of the July 4th holiday. We will return on Monday, July 8. Have a safe, enjoyable Independence Day weekend.


CADILLAC INKS SUPER BOWL MVP BRADY TO ENDORSEMENT DEAL

Cadillac and Patriots QB Tom Brady have reached an endorsement agreement. As part of the deal, Brady will appear in advertising and promotions, as well as make personal appearances on behalf of Cadillac in New England. Cadillac is the official vehicle of the NFL and after winning the Super Bowl MVP award in New Orleans, Brady was awarded with a '03 Cadillac Escalade EXT (THE DAILY).


CRITICS SAY “LIKE MIKE” OFFERS SANITIZED LOOK AT NBA LIFE

The 20th Century Fox release "Like Mike" opens in theaters nationwide today, and the film tells the story of a 14-year-old orphan who becomes an NBA superstar after trying on a pair of Nike sneakers with the faded initials "M.J." inside. The film, starring Bow Wow, is co-Produced by NBA Entertainment and features a number of cameos, including Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Alonzo Mourning and Jason Kidd, among others. While the L.A. TIMES looked at the cooperation between 20th Century Fox and NBAE on the production, the following presents critics reviews of the film's portrayal of the NBA:

The WASHINGTON POST states, "Weirdly, the packaging geniuses at the NBA … have chosen rap star Lil' Bow Wow to sell their basketball tickets and merchandise. Although the preternaturally gifted rapper and dancer is able to strut his stuff for a few minutes in 'Like Mike,' his gifts are largely wasted in favor of a tiresome story and myriad special effects sequences. Maybe next time his agents can find him a movie in which he – oh, gee, let's see – actually sings and dances" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/3). The HOUSTON CHRONICLE wishes the "filmmakers had given such care to developing their characters as they did to polishing the reputation of the NBA" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/3). The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION notes the NBA "comes off as squeaky clean (even an opportunity to insert an NBA groupie-sharing joke is avoided)" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/3). The N.Y. TIMES notes, "A number of real-life N.B.A. stars, like Allen Iverson, turn up to look askance at [Bow Wow], and part of Mr. Iverson's disdain must show that the very young and charismatic star of 'Like Mike' sells more rap CD's than he does and is a more generous passer. (David Robinson is especially funny)" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/3). The DALLAS MORNING NEWS notes, "Nike, the NBA and Staples Center couldn't pay for better advertising, or a better spokesman than a brand name star who's huge with young teens. Like Mike? Well, he should help sell some shoes" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/3). The CHICAGO TRIBUNE notes, "Michael Jordan is a no-show [in the movie]. The man inspires a movie but won't appear in it? Harrumph. Maybe it was just the shoes" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/3). See "Critics Weigh In" for more reviews of the holiday weekend's movie releases.


RACE TEAMS BRING OUT NEW COLORS IN DAYTONA THIS WEEKEND

Auto racing teams often display different paint schemes on their cars to reflect a different sponsor, brand, promotion or special cause. As NASCAR visits Daytona Int'l Speedway this weekend, there are several Winston Cup team sponsors taking advantage of Saturday's primetime Pepsi 400. Budweiser, an official MLB sponsor, is featuring the upcoming MLB All-Star Game on Dale Earnhardt's No. 8 Chevy.

Kyle Petty's No. 45 Sprint Dodge will promote the new Sony Pictures' film "Men In Black II," while Miller Brewing will pass primary sponsorship to Harley Davidson for logos on Rusty Wallace's No. 2 Ford. DuPont will assume a smaller role on Jeff Gordon's No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, as Pepsi will be predominantly featured. General Mills will swap out Cheerios for Grands and Pillsbury on John Andretti's No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge.

Meanwhile, during Friday's Busch Series race, Williams Travel Centers will team up with the USPS to feature the "Heroes of 2001" stamp on Jamie McMurray's No. 27 Brewco Motorsports Chevy. The 210 million $0.45 stamps are valid at the first-class first-ounce letter rate, currently $0.37, with the difference being donated to FEMA. McMurray appeared on FSN's "Totally NASCAR" on Tuesday night and said all the proceeds from the stamp, diecast models and T-shirts are going to benefit the families of the firefighters and police officers who were victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Finally, pop singer Jessica Simpson will serve as Grand Marshal of Saturday's Winston Cup Pepsi 400. Simpson will give the command for drivers to start their engines and also sing "American the Beautiful" as part of the pre-race ceremony. Rival teen diva Britney Spears was the Grand Marshal of last year's race (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/3).


NIKE GOLF TO DEBUT NEW CAMPAIGN FOR BALL

Nike Golf today announced that it will launch a print, radio and broadcast ad campaign on July 8 for its Precision Power Distance line of golf balls. The campaign, built on the foundation of last year's "Ball Go Far" campaign, will feature singers Glenn Campbell and Nancy Sinatra signing different versions of the "Ball Go Far" song. Additionally, Nike Golf retailers will be given the opportunity to place and tag spots in their markets. Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, developed the campaign (THE DAILY).


AFTER TAKING HEAT FROM FORMER COMMISH, ARGOS SET TO OPEN

The TORONTO SUN reports "it's show time for the Argonauts." The team "hopes to attract as many as 25,000" fans to its 7:00pm ET home opener against the Alouettes with the "promise of Hollywood-style pre-game and halftime entertainment." Team consultant Garth Drabinsky: "There's a tremendous amount of detail involved in (getting) a new template ready for a game and a new dynamic in place so that the fans are surprised at every turn" (TORONTO SUN, 7/3).


BUZZER BEATERS

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that Helio Castroneves "has officially taken the checkered flag for the Indy 500." IMS/IRL President Tony George "ruled today that the Brazilian driver was the winner of the contested race, denying an appeal by driver Paul Tracy's team" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/3).

MD-based telecom company CloseCall America today announced a partnership with Ripken Baseball's new team, the Aberdeen IronBirds. Under the deal, CloseCall becomes an official sponsor of the Class A Orioles affil in the NY-Penn League, which opened its inaugural season last month. CloseCall has been providing long distance service for Ripken Baseball's HQs in Lutherville, MD, and the sales office at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen for the last six months (THE DAILY).

The MLS Crew and Soccer Ventures, LLC, headed by U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Brad Friedel, announced today a partnership on a new soccer-camp concept, Premier Soccer Academies, which is targeted to start in '03. A total of three camps - in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, at sites to be determined - will be held in '03 for boys 14-19 years old (THE DAILY).

USGA Assistant Manager of Media Relations Beth Murrison said that "about 225 media credentials have been issued" for this week's U.S. Women's Open in Hutchinson, KS. That figure does not include "more than 100 credentials for NBC and ESPN" (WICHITA EAGLE, 7/3).

ANANOVA.com cites financial experts who "reckon World Cup sick day cost the UK economy" US$596M, as an online survey of 4,000 fans "found 39% admitted taking at least one day off work to follow their team" (ANANOVA.com, 7/3).

American Skiing Co. announced today that it has dropped independent auditor, Arthur Andersen, and replaced it with KPMG. Meanwhile, Daktronics' BOD has appointed Ernst & Young as the company's accountant, replacing McGladrey & Pullen, who had served as the company's auditor (THE DAILY).


TODAY'S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

CBS MARKETWATCH's Kristen Gerencher offers her thoughts on Title IX.

USA TODAY's Jon Saraceno comments on Title IX.

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION's Tony Barnhart offers a Q&A with new SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.

The L.A. TIMES' Ralph Frammolino on the strategy utilized by the NBA and other leagues to link with Hollywood's promotional muscle.

CBS SPORTSLINE's Rick Horrow highlights four business goals for NASCAR.

The WASHINGTON TIMES' David Elfin on DC's 10 most beloved athletes.

The BOSTON GLOBE's John Powers comments on the flaws and fun of the World Cup.

See The Daily Insider's Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.


HOLIDAY EVENTS

Wednesday

ESPN/ABC anchor Robin Roberts will receive the '02 Jake Wade Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America tonight at the annual CoSIDA convention in Rochester, N.Y. The award is named in honor of Julius Jennings Wade, a sports writer and SID at the Univ. of NC, and is given annually since '58 to an individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics (THE DAILY).


Thursday

CART driver Alex Zanardi will receive the Greg Moore Achievement Award at the Black & White Gala Dinner, to be held at the Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place. The award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made a major contribution to auto racing (THE DAILY).


Friday

The WNBA Sol will host "Faith and Family Night" following their 6:00pm ET game against the Sting. Sol C Ruth Riley will make a personal testimony and Christian pop singer Freddie Colloca will perform (THE DAILY).

Former 76ers President Pat Croce will help kick-off the "Peter Max Celebrates America" Exhibit at Ocean Gallery in Stone Harbor, NJ, with a 5:00pm ET preview reception. As part of the event, Max has painted a basketball that will be auctioned off to benefit Sixers Charities (THE DAILY).


Saturday

KRLA-AM in L.A. will present an hour-long tribute to the late Irv Kaze, who did his weekly radio show on the station. The tribute will start at 6:00pm PT.

Guests will include former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, Raiders' Owner Al Davis; NBC's Bob Costas; Former Dodgers GM/manager Tom Lasorda; Dodgers' announcer Ross Porter; Angels' announcer Rory Markas, and others. Keith Olbermann, along with Irv's son Benjie, and KRLA Operations Manager Larry Marino will host the event.


THE DAILY STAT: PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS

The following lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten primetime shows for the week of June 24 - 30. Also provided are Nielsen ratings averages season-to-date for the nets' primetime coverage (USA Today, 7/3).

TOP TEN PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS FOR JUNE 24-30
RK PROGRAM
NET
DAY
RAT/SHR
VIEWERS
(IN MILLIONS)
1) CSI
CBS
Thu
10.3/18
15.4
2) 60 Minutes
CBS
Sun
8.2/17
12.0
3) Everybody Loves Raymond
CBS
Mon
8.2/14
11.7
4) 20/20
ABC
Fri
7.7/15
11.2
5) Becker
CBS
Mon
7.2/12
10.2
5) Dog Eat Dog
NBC
Mon
6.1/10
10.2
7) The Price Is Right
CBS
Thu
6.5/12
9.7
8) Law & Order
NBC
Wed
6.9/12
9.5
9) 48 Hours
CBS
Mon
6.7/12
9.1
9) American Idol
Fox
Tue
5.5/9
9.1
9) Law & Order: Criminal Intent
NBC
Sun
6.2/11
9.1
9) PrimeTime Thursday
ABC
Thu
6.5/12
9.1

NIELSEN AVERAGES SEASON-TO-DATE
NBC
8.9
CBS
8.2
ABC
6.3
Fox
5.7
UPN
2.7
WB
2.5


CRITICS WEIGH IN: “LIKE MIKE,” “MEN IN BLACK II” & “THE POWERPUFF GIRLS MOVIE”

Bow Wow's got game, and the Powerpuff's got "Girl" power, but we all know July 4th weekend traditionally belongs to Will Smith. Do the critics agree?:

——— Movie ———

Like Mike

Men In Black II

Powerpuff Girls

Chicago Sun-Times

N/R

Hollywood Reporter

L.A. Times

N/R

N.Y. Times

USA Today


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

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