| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
4:00pm ET | |
| • | Details Of Fox’ MLB All-Star Game Coverage |
| • | College Marketing Firm Burly Bear Closes Shop |
| • | ESPN To Create Movie Based On Bear Bryant |
| • | While Petty Loses Primary Sponsor, Haas-Carter Re-signs Discover |
| • | Buick And Wheaties Offer Tiger Woods Sweepstakes |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Daily Stat/Tonight’s Events/In Other News/Channel Surfing |
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: FOX’ ALL-STAR COVERAGE
Fox will air the 73rd MLB All-Star Game beginning at 8:00pm ET. It is the net’s fourth All-Star Game telecast, as Fox aired the ’97, ’99 and ’01 contests. Fox’ coverage of the ’01 game earned a 12.5/21 overnight and 11.0/19 final Nielsen rating. Here is a breakdown of tonight’s pre-game coverage:
| 8:07 | MasterCard’s “30 Most Memorable Moments” (program includes tributes to Ted Williams, Jack Buck and Darryl Kile). |
| 8:25 | All-Star Player introductions – Reserves |
| 8:31 | All-Star Player introductions – Starters |
| 8:41 | National Anthem |
| 8:50 | Ceremonial first pitch – HOFer Hank Aaron |
| 8:51 | First pitch |
BURLY BEAR SHUTTERS AFTER FAILING TO LAND NEW INVESTMENT
By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, The Sports Business Daily
Burly Bear Network (BBN), the college marketing firm whose CEO is former NFL Senior VP/Marketing Howard Handler, shut its doors earlier this week, after an unsuccessful last-minute attempt to obtain financing from a variety of sources, including Comcast. Handler blamed the company's demise on "the difficult state of the capital markets.” He also noted in an e-mail to business associates that "emerging cable networks and media companies need more running room to achieve profitability than the current investment climate will accommodate.”
Burly Bear's shutdown leaves NBC's Gravity Games in somewhat of a predicament, since BBN was running the musical side of its new festival format. The format had attendees pay an admission charge for the promise of sports and music. The Gravity Games will now take BBN’s responsibilities in-house.
The eight-year-old company laid off around 40 employees on June 21. At its height, BBN claimed to reach more than 5 million students at 600 universities through its college campus cable TV network. BBN also ran tours and other live campus events. Lorne Michaels, Creator & Exec Producer of “Saturday Night Live,” became Chair after buying into the company in ‘97.
ESPN TO FOLLOW “BRINK” WITH ANOTHER COACH-BASED TV MOVIE
ESPN announced today that it will produce its second original, made-for-TV movie, "The Junction Boys: How Ten Days in Hell with Bear Bryant Forged A Championship Team." The ESPN Original Entertainment production, based on the best-selling book by Jim Dent, will premiere on ESPN Saturday, December 14 at 9:00pm ET. Orly Adelson, whose credits include “The Truth About Jane" and "Love, Honor and Betray,” is Exec Producer. Michael Robe ("The Burden of Proof” and "Return to Lonesome Dove") will write and direct. Vanguard Films’ John Williams ("Shrek," "The Thin Blue Line" and "Seven Days in Tibet") and James Dalthorpe brought Dent's book to ESPN and will also serve as producers (THE DAILY).
SPRINT ENDS PETTY DEAL; DISCOVER RENEWS WITH BODINE
Sprint formally announced today that it will discontinue its primary sponsorship of Kyle Petty’s Winston Cup #45 Sprint Dodge. Currently, Sprint is in the final year of a three-year deal with Petty Enterprises and will continue to execute its sponsorship through the end of the ’02 season. Sprint cited changes in its marketing priorities and the current state of the telecom industry as reasons for ending the relationship, which dates back to ’96 when Sprint became an associate sponsor of Petty’s (THE DAILY).
Meanwhile, Discover Card has extended its primary sponsorship of Haas-Carter Motorsports' No. 26 Winston Cup Ford of Todd Bodine through the remainder of the '02 season. The company originally signed a six-race deal, which expired after last weekend's Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Discover has also partnered with NBC to title sponsor the net’s pre-race show. Plus, Bodine's No. 26 Discover Ford will have in-car cameras at all of the races (THE DAILY).
LEGEND MOBILE TO DEVELOP MARK MARTIN PHONES AND CONTENT
MI-based Legend Mobile (formerly PTN Media) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with NASCAR driver Mark Martin to develop branded mobile phones, faceplates and subscription services including Martin news and games. The agreement calls for the creation of Martin-branded mobile phone headsets and phone covers, as well as a subscription service containing premium content. Martin will provide daily messages to premium subscribers, who will also be able to use their phones to receive special communications prior to a race or personal appearance (THE DAILY).
BUICK, WHEATIES PARTNER ON TIGER WOODS PROMOTION
Wheaties and Buick have combined to offer consumers the “Drive Like A Champion” sweepstakes. Later this month, General Mills will package together two 18-ounce boxes of Wheaties, featuring Tiger Woods, along with two free special-edition Nike golf balls from Buick and details on how to win a new Buick Rendezvous. The cereal boxes will feature Woods reflecting on some of his favorite drives. Sweepstakes details are available at Buick’s Web site (THE DAILY).
BUZZER BEATERS
The AP notes that PGA Tour player Mark Calcavecchia "provided another glimpse into the relationship between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson" by telling Golf Digest, "They put up with each other, but they aren't the best of friends." Calcavecchia, who is close to both of them, said, "Phil and I were supposed to be first off for a practice round at Augusta, and Phil was getting on Tiger for cutting in front of us. Tiger looked at Phil like he thought he was kidding, but he wasn't. Phil was like, 'You better get ... out of the way, or I'm hitting.' And I was like, Wow! Tiger was looking at me like, 'Is he serious?' It was a bit of smack. Then Phil comes back with that grin he has, like he’s partially messing with him. So, they've got a little of that going on'' (AP, 7/9).
The Braves and Russell Athletic raised $50,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Atlanta Braves Foundation with their June 15th “Jerseys Off Their Backs” promotion. Fans at the game bought raffle tickets for $1 to receive an autographed game-worn jersey from each member of the Braves pitching staff (CBS MARKETWATCH, 7/9).
The MLBPA announced today the creation of a long-term charitable partnership between the Players Trust For Children and Volunteers of America, a national nonprofit organization that provides programs for more than 1.4 million people a year. The MLBPA will contribute $500,000 from the Players Trust For Children to benefit Volunteers of America programs benefiting at-risk children (THE DAILY).
The Clippers have signed a deal with LiquidSeats for Group Ticketing and Ticket Management services. Fans can now purchase group tickets on the Clippers’ Web site (THE DAILY).
TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
The WASHINGTON POST MAGAZINE’s Tamara Jones provides an in-depth cover story on the WUSA Freedom.
The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS’ Paul Domowitch on moving Eagles season ticket holders to Lincoln Financial Field.
The SEATTLE TIMES’ Tricia Duryee on the Mariners’ use of technology to better serve fans.
The ARIZONA REPUBLIC’s Pedro Gomez offers a Q&A with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.
The L.A. TIMES’ Ross Newhan offers former MLBPA Exec Dir Marvin Miller’s thoughts on the current labor unrest.
The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES’ Toni Ginnetti on the effort involved in staging an All-Star game.
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION’s David Markiewicz on variable ticket pricing.
MEDIA LIFE MAGAZINE’s Heidi Dawley reports on World Cup marketing failures.
The INDIANAPOLIS STAR’s John Fritze on the U.S. Postal Service cycling team.
The DETROIT NEWS’ Lynn Waldsmith on the socio-economic benefits of new stadiums.
The INDIANAPOLIS STAR’s Phillip Wilson on the AFL Firebirds’ fan focus.
See The Daily Insider’s Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.
TONIGHT’S EVENTS
Predators prospects Dan Hamhuis and Jordin Tootoo will conduct an on-ice clinic and sign autographs from 6:00-7:00pm CT at Southern Ice Arena in Nashville (THE DAILY).
The SACRAMENTO BEE reported that Rocklin, CA, will include an “appreciation for the Sacramento Kings” as part of celebrations for the recently renovated Memorial Park during a dedication ceremony tonight at 6:30pm PT. The Rocklin City Council will present Kings co-Owner Joe Maloof and President John Thomas with a resolution “commending the Kings for their accomplishments” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/7).
The MLS Wizards will host Wizards 101 Soccer Clinic for Moms and Kids from 7:00-9:00pm CT at the Arrowhead indoor training facility in K.C. Proceeds from the event will benefit New House, a shelter for battered women and children (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS…
South Africa Breweries PLC officially completed its $3.4B purchase of Miller Brewing Co. today, forming the world’s second-largest brewer (AP, 7/9). At presstime, shares of Philip Morris were at $47.02, down $0.38 (THE DAILY).
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that Bally Total Fitness will launch a new ad campaign today on MTV featuring Capitol Records’ recording star Kylie Minogue, who signed a two-commercial deal with the fitness company. Bally becomes “the latest in a string of advertisers linking up with music stars who stand to make it big on the pop charts” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/9).
The AP reports that CMS Energy Corp., the nation’s fourth-largest combination gas and electric utility, says compensation for new Chair & CEO Ken Whipple “will ‘be largely deferred’ and based on stock performance” (AP, 7/9).
THE DAILY STAT: OVERNIGHTS FOR WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S FINAL
The following presents half-hour overnight ratings for NBC's Saturday Wimbledon coverage, which featured the Women's Final at 9:00am (THE DAILY).
| TIME | RAT/SHR | | TIME | RAT/SHR |
| 9:00-9:29am | 4.8/18 | | 11:30-11:59am | 3.4/10 |
| 9:30-9:59am | 5.4/18 | | 12:00-12:29pm | 3.9/11 |
| 10:00-10:29am | 5.8/18 | | 12:30-12:59pm | 4.0/11 |
| 10:30-10:59am | 5.6/17 | | 1:00-1:29pm | 4.2/12 |
| 11:00-11:29am | 4.1/12 | | 1:30-1:59pm | 4.7/13 |
CHANNEL SURFING
NBC’s Jimmy Roberts, Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard and YES Network’s Michael Kay join host Jack Ford on ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters II” at 7:30pm ET.
ESPN Classic’s “SportsCentury” will profile Sonny Liston at 8:00pm ET.
D’Backs P Curt Schilling and Rangers SS Alex Rodriguez will be on FSN’s “The Last Word.”
A&E’s “Biography” will profile Robby Benson at 8:00pm ET.
E!’s “True Hollywood Story” will profile the movie Jaws at 8:00pm ET.
Patriots QB Tom Brady will be on ESPN’s “Mohr Sports” at 9:30pm ET.
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| “The Late Show” | Jude Law |
| “The Tonight Show” | Jeff Corwin |
| “The Late Late Show” | Flogging Molly |
| “Late Night” | Tom Hanks |
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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