| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
4:00pm ET | |
| • | MLB Officials Pleased With All-Star Game FanFest Figures |
| • | Athens Government Announces Plans To Cancel, Cut Back Olympic Venues |
| • | Tiger Hit With Equality Questions During British Open Conference |
| • | HBO Laces Up Gloves For Production Of Historical Boxing Documentary |
| • | Steamed: Struggling MISL Team Ordered To Sit Out Season |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Daily Stat/Tonight’s Events/In Other News/Channel Surfing |
MLB FANFEST EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS, GIVEN SMALL MARKET
By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, The Sports Business Daily
Since the FanFest that annually accompanies MLB’s All-Star Game was held in one of the league’s smallest markets, league officials ended up being a lot happier about the FanFest then the game, which ended in a tie. Around 87,000 fans attended the five-day-long FanFest, held in downtown Milwaukee’s Midwest Express Center last week. MLB officials had projected an attendance of 80,000.
Without revealing gross revenues for the FanFest, one MLB official said the per cap revenue within the FanFest was up around $1 over last year’s FanFest in Seattle, while the gross was down, as expected in a smaller market.
The following are approximate attendance numbers for the last three MLB FanFests:
| Year | Location | Attendance |
| 2002 | Milwaukee | 87,000 |
| 2001 | Seattle | 101,000 |
| 2000 | Atlanta | 81,000 |
GOVERNMENT AGREES TO CUT BACK, CANCEL ATHENS VENUES
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the coordinator of Athens' Olympic preparations, confirmed today that the government “will go ahead with plans to cancel or scale-back some sports venues” for the ‘04 Games. Venizelos said that Athens “will not build a new Olympic boxing venue, but instead use an existing facility.” Athens ‘04 organizers and the IOC “had all agreed on such cuts,” with government spokesperson Tilemahos Hitiris confirming, “Essentially the decisions have been made and all members agreed” (AP, 7/16).
Meanwhile, the AP reports that a “breakthrough in the 27-year search for Greece's most wanted terrorist group,” the November 17 urban guerilla group, is “expected to have a positive effect on security plans” for the ’04 Games. Athens police “have identified two November 17 suspects and seized most of the group's weaponry.” Hitiris adds, “The recent successes of the Greek police regarding November 17 ... is very positive and has consequences on the Olympic Games” (AP, 7/16).
OUT OF THE WOODS: TIGER APPEARS SHAKEN AT PRESS CONFERENCE
The AP reports that Tiger Woods was “vague, his answers repetitive,” during today’s press conference before the British Open, as for the “first time at a major championship, he seemed unprepared and uncomfortable.” Woods, when asked about Augusta National not having any women as members and the fact the British Open is held at a course where women aren't even allowed in the clubhouse, replied, “It's one of those things where everyone has ... they're entitled to set up their own rules the way they want them. It would be nice to see everyone have an equal chance to participate if they wanted to, but there's nothing you can do about it. It's unfortunate, but it's just the way it is” (AP, 7/16).
GET IN THE RING: LAMPLEY TO HOST HBO BOXING DOCUMENTARY
HBO Sports has begun production of a 12-part documentary as part of its “Sports of 20th Century” series the will be centered around the network’s 30-year history of presenting “World Championship Boxing.” HBO boxing commentator Jim Lampley will host the presentation, which will be written by fellow commentator Larry Merchant. HBO Sports Exec Producer Rick Bernstein: “The most memorable fights that have aired on HBO are going to be showcased” (THE DAILY).
MISL STEAMERS TO SIT OUT SEASON, FOCUS ON OFF-FIELD ISSUES
MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan announced today that the St. Louis Steamers will not participate in active play during the ’02-03 season, but will remain in the league and have the option to return for the ’03-04 season. The team will spend next season focusing on ways to meet the minimum standards necessary to play (THE DAILY).
LIGHTER BUZZ
The Newark STAR-LEDGER reports that the Mets wore “replica uniforms from their 1986 season” for their recent two-game series against the Marlins, who wore “the 1952 uniforms of the Miami Marlins, an independent minor-league team.” Asked about the uniforms, Mets GM Steve Phillips said, "I should have worn my bow tie today," a reference to former GM Frank Cashen (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/16).
The YES Network will televise the Little League Baseball state championship games for NY, NJ and CT beginning on August 1, signifying an expansion in Little League Baseball’s schedule of televised games (THE DAILY).
Threshold Sports announced today that Toyota will be the official vehicle of the inaugural ’02 New York City Cycling Championship, presented by BMC Software on August 4. Toyota vehicles will be used as the pace cars and “Official Vehicles” in the race’s caravans (THE DAILY).
Recreational Equipment (REI) today announced it will be the exclusive online gear store for Seattle-based MountainZone.com. Visitors to the site will be able to access REI’s catalogue of gear and clothing via a “Marketplace by REI” icon on the homepage and under each activity category (THE DAILY).
Huffy Corp. said today its Q2 earnings “rose on improved demand for bikes and other recreational products such as basketball backboards and inflatable sports balls.” Net income rose to $1.3M, or $0.12 per share, in the quarter ended June 30, and from $800,000, or $0.07 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Huffy stock was trading at $7.03, down 3.03%, in late afternoon trading (REUTERS, 7/16).
TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES’ Carol Slezak on NASCAR’s nationwide rise in popularity, especially among female fans.
ESPN The Magazine’s Gene Wojciechowski profiles John Daly.
The WASHINGTON POST’s John Feinstein on the positives and negatives of Tiger Woods’ quest for a Grand Slam.
CNNSI.com’s Don Banks profiles Falcons Exec VP & CAO Ray Anderson.
The Bonham Group Chair Dean Bonham writes an Op-Ed in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS on the use of steroids in MLB.
The MIAMI HERALD’s Greg Cote wonders about a time when “the widening salary gulf” between athletes and fans is narrowed.
The Baltimore SUN’s Jon Morgan on Magna Entertainment’s acquisition of MD’s major thoroughbred tracks.
The New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Josh Peter on the NFL’s use of its tax-exempt status to help finance new stadiums.
The New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE details the financing for 21 NFL stadiums.
The MEMPHIS BUSINESS JOURNAL’s John Rainey on SEC Commissioner Mike Slive’s challenge to demonstrate that academics, not athletics, rule the conference.
The GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE’s Anderson & Rauen on hotel and retail developers flocking to Lombardi Avenue and the new Lambeau Field site.
See The Daily Insider’s Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.
IN OTHER NEWS…
The AP reports that Vail Resorts Inc. Founder Peter Seibert died on Monday from cancer of the esophagus. He was 77. Seibert founded Vail in ‘60, and remained CEO of the company until ‘77 (AP, 7/16).
General Motors today said that it “nearly tripled its earnings in the second quarter, fueled by higher U.S. vehicle sales, but the gains failed to halt the drop” in the company’s stock price. Shares of GM were trading at $46.52, down 2.96%, in late afternoon trading (REUTERS, 7/16).
REUTERS reports that radio stations “have asked a federal appeals court to rule that they do not have to pay musicians and recording companies when they play music on the Internet because they do not pay royalties for regular over-the-air broadcasts” (REUTERS, 7/16).
THE DAILY STAT: WNBA BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION
The following from Scarborough Sports Marketing tracks beverage consumption among WNBA avid/somewhat avid fans. For example, 55.5% of WNBA fans have consumed bottled water within the past seven days, and therefore a WNBA fan is 16% more likely to have consumed bottled water than the general population. Data was collected among over 200,000 respondents between February '00 to March '01 (Scarborough):
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | | |
| BEER (PAST 30 DAYS) | % | INDEX |
| Any beer (excluding non-alcoholic) | 41.4% | 95 |
| Any domestic light beer | 25.2% | 93 |
| Any domestic regular beer | 24.4% | 99 |
| Any imported beer | 21.7% | 105 |
| | |
| OTHER BEVERAGES (PAST 7 DAYS) | | |
| Diet Soft Drinks | 41.1% | 100 |
| Regular Soft Drinks | 67.9% | 105 |
| Sports Drinks | 22.8% | 120 |
| Bottled Tea Drinks | 30.4% | 124 |
| 100% Fruit Juice in Bottle/Can | 48.3% | 119 |
| Other Bottle Fruit Drinks | 38.9% | 139 |
| Coffee | 42.0% | 93 |
| Bottled Water | 55.5% | 116 |
CHANNEL SURFING
ESPN will air “The Sports Reporters II” at 7:30pm ET.
Tony Hawk and TV personality Bill Maher will be on ESPN’s “Mohr Sports” at 9:30pm ET.
Martina Navratilova will be on CNN’s “Connie Chung Tonight” at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN Classic’s “SportsCentury” will profile Rubin “Hurricane” Carter at 8:00pm ET.
Former 76ers C Matt Geiger, ESPN’s Ralph Wiley and Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Smallwood will discuss Allen Iverson on FSN’s “The Last Word.”
Titans DE Jevon Kearse, former MLBer Keith Hernandez, actor Darrell Hammond, MSG’s Al Trautwig and Lisa Ling are scheduled to be on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”
E!’s “True Hollywood Story” will continue its “Born Famous” marathon with a profile of Mackenzie Phillips at 8:00pm ET.
Fox will air a 90-minute “American Idol: The Search For a Superstar” at 8:30pm ET.
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| “The Late Show” | Catherine Keener |
| “The Tonight Show” | David Arquette |
| “The Late Late Show” | Christian Bale |
| “Late Night” | Patrick Swayze |
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
The Closing Bell provides an afternoon recap of the latest news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 4:00pm ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Closing Bell, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.
