| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, September 20, 2002
4:00pm ET | |
| |
| • | NASCAR Leaves ESPN In Its Dust; Truck Deal Close For Speed Channel |
| • | IOC Invites Four Nets To Lausanne To Present Media Ideas For '10 Games |
| • | Ford Field To Open This Weekend, Audio And Video System Tricks Planned |
| • | Farewell Weekend Kicks Off In Cincinnati Tonight |
| • | Kournikova And Seles To Headline Canadian Tennis Exhibition |
| • | Critics Weigh In: “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” And “The Four Feathers” |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Daily Stat/Weekend Events/Channel Surfing |
NASCAR SET TO MOVE TRUCK SERIES FROM ESPN TO SPEED CHANNEL
The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Bill King cites motorsports sources as saying that NASCAR is completing plans to move its Craftsman Truck series to the Speed Channel from ESPN, leaving the heavyweight sports network without a NASCAR connection for the first time since '79.
NASCAR and Fox-owned Speed reached an agreement this week, however, NASCAR and ESPN are still working on the exit details that would allow the switch to take place beginning next season. ESPN's contract to carry the truck series was scheduled to run through '03, but the two sides likely will agree to terminate early to avoid the "lame duck" scenario they ran into when NASCAR shifted its Winston Cup and Busch series to Fox, NBC and Turner.
ESPN carried Winston Cup and Busch racing in '00, but NASCAR felt the net promoted the coverage less than it had in previous years because such promotions no longer offered long-range benefits. A NASCAR spokesperson refused to comment, saying, "It would be inappropriate to make any announcement at this time"
(SPORTSBUSINESSJOURNAL.com, 9/20).
TV AND INTERNET RIGHTS UP FOR GRABS BEGINNING IN '10
AROUND THE RINGS reports that NBC, CBS, ABC and Turner Broadcasting have been invited to IOC HQs in Lausanne, Switzerland, to make 90-minute presentations next week about "their possible interest in bidding" for the TV and Internet rights for the '10 Olympics. IOC President Jacques Rogge will preside over the presentations. One net exec participating in the meeting says that he "understands the presentations are not meant to pitch specific proposals," but rather "to present general ideas about the combination of traditional TV broadcasting and new media" (AROUND THE RINGS, 9/20).
FORD FIELD PROMISES TO UNVEIL ALL THE AMENITIES
The DETROIT NEWS reports that Ford Field opens this Sunday for the Packers-Lions 4:05pm ET game "with a promise of unveiling all the amenities" of the 64,355-seat stadium. Ford Field COO Tom Lewand said, "We've learned a lot of how to better run things from the two exhibition games and other events. We've got a lot of surprises planned, showing off all the bells and whistles." While Lewand wouldn't reveal what will happen, he did "hint at some tricks with the audio and video systems." A halftime tribute to retiring Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell is planned (DETROIT NEWS, 9/20).
REDS PREPARE TO SAY GOODBYE TO CINERGY/RIVERFRONT
The CINCINNATI ENQUIRER reports that tonight's Phillies-Reds game at 7:05pm ET, which includes a 20-minute postgame fireworks show, "will launch a weekend of farewell festivities" for Cinergy Field. The weekend will culminate Monday with the "Farewell to Riverfront/Cinergy Field," an all-star softball game between Reds old-timers and retired MLBers. The stadium is set for demolition on December 29. The team moves into the Great American Ball Park next season (THE DAILY).
BUZZER BEATERS
The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed legislation that would require the government to keep small aircraft from "flying close" to major sports stadiums for six months (WASHINGTON POST, 9/20).
The BUFFALO NEWS reports that scenes from Jim Carrey's new movie, "Bruce Almighty," will be shot before and during tonight's Senators-Sabres 6:00pm ET game at HSBC Arena (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/20).
The WINNIPEG SUN reports that Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova will headline an exhibition tennis event at Winnipeg Arena on December 15. DreamWeaver Productions President Earl Barish, commenting on the six-figure deal, said, "We'd like to sell out, but 7,500 would be a nice number to keep everybody happy." The arena seats approximately 14,000 for hockey games (WINNIPEG SUN, 9/19).
TODAY'S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reports on the "flawed economics of what it takes to be a big-league city." Citing a recent $1.6M expenditure by San Diego taxpayers for 30,306 unsold tickets to a Cardinals-Chargers exhibition game, Rovell writes that it was "just one of the many ways professional sports teams have forced local municipalities to ensure their profitable financial future in recent years" (ESPN.com).
The ORLANDO SENTINEL's Scott Andrea writes on the new revenue-sharing deal forged between NBC and the AFL, and how it may affect attendance and revenue for the Predators (ORLANDO SENTINEL).
USA TODAY's Jaret Bell reports on option bonuses in the NFL, and writes that the "two-tiered bonus" is seen as an "effective tool to stay under the salary cap." Bell notes that the last two Super Bowl MVP's, Patriots QB Tom Brady and Ravens LB Ray Lewis, have new deals that include option bonuses (USA TODAY).
WEEKEND EVENTS
Friday
Braves 2B Mark DeRosa will join Scooby-Doo and Dexter to welcome young fans and their parents to "Tooner Field," a cartoon-themed family concession area within Turner Field at 6:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
The Orioles will host Latino Night during tonight's 7:05pm ET game against the Red Sox. The event, which begins at 5:30pm, includes a free pregame party in the bullpen picnic area featuring Latino music and cuisine (THE DAILY).
The Mariners will host Fan Appreciation Night during their 7:05pm PT game against the Angels. As part of the pregame ceremony, Mariners season-ticket holders who have continuously held season ticket since '77 will be honored on the field and all fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win prizes that include autographed items, '03 opening night tickets and various electronics. One fan will win a custom-made bobblehead with his or her image (THE DAILY).
The Predators will host their fifth annual Meet the Team Party at 5:30pm ET at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. An autograph session, free food and photo opportunities are planned (THE DAILY).
MLS Earthquakes F Landon Donovan and D Jimmy Conrad will participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's fourth annual "Light The Night" walk at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose at 6:00pm PT (THE DAILY).
Saturday
The Pirates will give away bobbleheads of 2B Pokey Reese to the all fans in attendance for their 7:05pm ET game against the Cubs. Prior to the game, an autograph session of former Pirate All-Stars, including John Candelaria, Dave Parker and Manny Sanguillen will be conducted from 4:30-6:00pm (THE DAILY).
The Royals will host Fan Appreciation Night during their 7:05pm CT games against the Indians, at which one fan will win a '02 Dodge truck (THE DAILY).
The Coyotes will host an open house tomorrow from 10:00am-2:00pm PT, in which fans can watch the morning practices of the Coyotes and Mighty Ducks. The event also includes an opportunity to select-a-seat and purchase ticket packages for the '02-03 season. The first 99 people that buy a season ticket package will receive an autographed picture of Coyotes Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky (THE DAILY).
Shaquille O'Neal will host Shaq Jam 2002, a charity concert featuring DMX and other entertainers, at the Wilshire Theater at 7:00pm PT. The concert benefits Athletes and Entertainment for Kids and is being taped for PPV (L.A. TIMES, 9/20).
The MLS Galaxy will add "Survivor: Africa" winner Ethan Zohn to their TV broadcast team for their 7:00pm PT game against the Earthquakes (THE DAILY).
The ECHL Toledo Storm will host the '02 Storm Faceoff Festival from 9:00am-5:00pm ET at the Toledo Sports Arena, during which fans will be able to view the Stanley Cup (THE DAILY).
Sunday
The Sabres will hold their inaugural 2002 Sabres Streetfest in the downtown Chippewa District from 9:00am-4:00pm. Fans will have the opportunity to play in four-on-four street hockey games, and a team consisting of former Sabres will play the Buffalo Fire Department (THE DAILY).
The Falcons will give away QB Michael Vick bobblehead dolls to all fans in attendance for their 8:30pm ET games against the Bengals (THE DAILY).
The 49ers, in conjunction with Nextel and Motorola, will collect used wireless phones from fans beginning at 9:00am PT to benefit shelters and programs assisting victims of domestic violence (THE DAILY).
Wizards Chair Abe Pollin and Cs Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas will serve as panelists for a conversation entitled "Sports Today: Ethics and Attitudes, A Discussion with Players and Owners," at the Washington Hebrew Congregation at 5:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
TODAY'S DAILY STAT: LYCOS MOST-SEARCHED BASEBALL PLAYERS
The following are the most-searched baseball players on Lycos search engines for the past two weeks (Lycos).
| RK | BASEBALL PLAYER |
| 1) | Derek Jeter |
| 2) | Alex Rodriguez |
| 3) | Mike Piazza |
| 4) | Nomar Garciaparra |
| 5) | Jason Giambi |
| 6) | Barry Zito |
| 7) | Ichiro Suzuki |
| 8) | Sammy Sosa |
| 9) | Barry Bonds |
| 10) | Roger Clemens |
| |
CRITICS WEIGH IN: “BALLISTIC” & “THE FOUR FEATHERS”
Does "The Four Feathers" tickle the critics' fancy? Is "Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever" as explosive enough to make an impact?:
| Movie |
| | “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” | “The Four Feathers” |
| Chicago Sun-Times | | |
|
| Hollywood Reporter | | |
|
| L.A. Times | | |
|
| N.Y. Times | | |
CHANNEL SURFING
FRIDAY
ESPN2 will air Central FL-Marshall at 7:00pm ET.
ESPN will air Astros-Cardinals at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Dororthy Hamill at 8:00pm ET and Zina Garrison at 8:30pm ET.
Raiders LB Bill Romanowski, WWE wrestler Chris Jericho and Carson Daly are scheduled to appear on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
SATURDAY
VH1 will air the "VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown" at 10:00am ET. This week's edition features interviews with Yankees Ps Roger Clemens and Steve Karsay, CF Bernie Williams, C Jorge Posada, 3B Robin Ventura and SS Derek Jeter.
ESPN will air College Gameday at 10:30am ET.
Fox will air "This Week in Baseball" at 12:30pm ET. Rangers SS Alex Rodriguez will host this week's edition.
ABC will air third-round coverage of the American Express World Golf Championship at 1:00pm ET.
Fox will air regional MLB coverage at 1:00pm ET.
TNT will air BGN MBNA All-American Heroes 200 at 1:00pm ET.
NBC will air second round coverage of the Solheim Cup at 3:00pm ET.
Fox will air regional MLB coverage at 4:00pm ET.
CNBC will air second round coverage of the Senior PGA Tour SAS Championship at 5:30pm ET.
| Game | Network | Time |
| Utah-Michigan | ESPN | noon ET |
| Arizona-Wisconsin | ESPN2 | noon ET |
| NC State-Texas Tech | FSN | noon ET |
| Ohio St.-Cincinnati | ESPN | 3:30pm ET |
| Notre Dame-Michigan St. | ABC | 3:30pm ET |
| Virginia Tech-Texas A&M | ABC | 3:30pm ET |
| BYU-Georgia Tech | ABC | 3:30pm ET |
| Colorado-UCLA | ABC | 3:30pm ET |
| Florida-Tennessee | CBS | 3:30pm ET |
| USC-Kansas St. | TBS | 7:00pm ET |
| Southern Miss-Alabama | ESPN2 | 7:00pm ET |
| Boston College-Miami | ESPN | 7:45pm ET |
| Wyoming-Washington | FSN | 10:00pm ET |
| |
SUNDAY
NBC will air "Back to the Belfry: A Ryder Cup Preview" at noon ET.
NBC will air final round coverage of the Solheim Cup at 1:00pm ET.
TNT will air NASCAR Winston Cup MBNA America 400 at 1:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Davis Cup semifinals, USA-France, at 1:30pm ET.
ABC will air final round coverage of the American Express World Golf Championships at 1:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air Dodgers-Padres at 5:00pm ET.
CNBC will air final round coverage of the Senior PGA Tour SAS Championship at 5:30pm ET.
| Game | Network | Time | Coverage |
| Cowboys-Eagles | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 43% |
| Saints-Bears | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 40% |
| Panthers-Vikings | Fox | 1:00pm ET | 8% |
| Browns-Titans | CBS | 1:00pm ET | 10% |
| Colts-Texans | CBS | 1:00pm ET | 9% |
| Jets-Dolphins | CBS | 1:00pm ET | 28% |
| Chiefs-Patriots | CBS | 1:00pm ET | 24% |
| Chargers-Cardinals | CBS | 4:05pm ET | 6% |
| Bills-Broncos | CBS | 4:05pm ET | 23% |
| Packers-Lions | Fox | 4:15pm ET | 23% |
| Redskins-49ers | Fox | 4:15pm ET | 56% |
| Seahawks-Giants | Fox | 4:15pm ET | 19% |
| Bengals-Falcons | ESPN | 8:30pm ET | National |
ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" will feature Twins-White Sox at 8:00pm ET.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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