Closing Bell, November 8, 2002

SPONSORS ITCHING FOR IN-GAME ENHANCEMENTS TO RETURN

The SportsBusiness Journal's Sports Media & Technology Conference 2002 continued today at the Hilton N.Y. in Manhattan. The following are highlights from today's session:

A morning discussion – titled “Advanced Broadcasting Technologies: Valuable Marketing & Branding Platforms or an Unjustifiable Expense to TV Rights Holders?” – featured CBS Sports Senior VP/Operations & Broadcasting Ken Aagaard and Sportvision CEO Bill Squadron.  Aagaard was asked whether the NFL will change its policy restricting sponsorship of broadcast enhancements, such as the "First & Ten" line, and said,  "My boss (CBS Sports President Sean McManus) is actually against it.  He views it as clutter. Also, rather than just giving the value away, (he wants to make) sure that if there is in-game sponsorships, that the value is what it should be, and he doesn't believe it is right now.  I think that's one of the reasons he objects to some of the in-game advertising at this time.” However, Aagaard added, "There is a bit of a groundswell starting with some sponsors.  Instead of me going to sales, more and more, they're coming to me, and they're saying, ‘I've got a sponsor that wants to be associated with a technology.’  That has happened a couple of times over the last four or five months, to my surprise.”

Currently, a technology provider sells an enhancement to a network, which in turn sells the sponsorship to that enhancement.  But Squadron said, “The model going forward is going to be one where there's a broader relationship. I'm not talking about just the network and the provider, but you'll have the leagues involved, and you'll have different ways of generating applications for fans that can produce revenues.”  Aagaard agreed, saying, “I don't think the business model works if it's just (the network and provider). It's got to be a bigger picture.”

During an afternoon discussion titled – “Quiksilver Goes Hollywood: Increasing Brand Awareness Through TV Programming, Movies and Music” – Quiksilver Entertainment VP Matt Jacobson commented on Nike entering the surfwear marketplace via its acquisition of Hurley. Jacobson: “We’re thrilled. We look at it in a very inclusive way. If Nike is going to put resources behind Hurley, it will be an extremely positive thing for our marketplace. One of our primary goals, is to grow the market, and Nike’s efforts will only help us do that” (THE DAILY).

IOC SAYS “ATHENS IS REALLY TAKING OLYMPIC SHAPE”

The IOC Coordination Commission Chief Inspector Denis Oswald said today that “while problems still remained over venue construction and infrastructure,” 2004 Games organizers had “made significant progress in meeting tight deadlines.” Oswald: “I am very pleased to report that Athens is really taking Olympic shape. … We are much more confident than some time ago about the success in Athens” (REUTERS, 11/8). Meanwhile, ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said, “The task ahead of us is challenging. In the past few months, as some projects matured, we faced legal and legislative issues. Anyone can clearly see that we have made great strides” (AP, 11/8).

AHL BARONS HOPE TO CAPITALIZE ON BROWNS’ BYE WEEK

The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER reported that the AHL Cleveland Barons plan to “take advantage of the Browns bye week and combine forces” in an effort to “bolster attendance and interest this season.” During Sunday’s 4:00pm ET game against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Gund Arena, the Barons will wear brown jerseys and distribute 5,000 commemorative pins. Browns RB Jamel White is “expected to take part in the ceremonial puck drop,” while several former Browns “will stick around and sign autographs.” The team is “hoping for a big walk-up sale” as advance ticket sales “were slower than expected.” Through three games this season, the Barons’ second in Cleveland, the team is averaging 3,370 fans, second-to-last in the AHL. Last year, the team averaged 3,226 fans, last in the league (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/7).

BUZZER BEATERS

MLB announced today Mets C Mike Piazza will conduct a youth baseball clinic for 20 players at the JFK School in Berlin, Germany, next Tuesday. The clinic is part of the MLB Int’l “Play Ball!” development program (THE DAILY).

The Ft. Wayne JOURNAL GAZETTE reports that the UHL Ft. Wayne Komets expect a “franchise-record sellout crowd of 10,000” for Saturday’s home opener against the Quad City Mallards at the newly renovated Memorial Coliseum (Ft. Wayne JOURNAL GAZETTE, 11/8).

The U.S. Army announced today that it will be the primary sponsor of MB2 Motorsports and driver Jerry Nadeau beginning next season. The U.S. Army will replace M&M’s, which is currently featured on the No. 36 Pontiac (THE DAILY).

IN Univ. AD Michael McNeely resigned today (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/8).

While there was a grand opening last night, the Fox Sports Grill in Scottsdale, AZ, will officially open to the public Saturday at noon MT (THE DAILY).

Grand American Road Racing Association announced today that Speed Channel will broadcast the entire 12-race Rolex Sports Car Series schedule, including a minimum of five live races. Speed Channel will also broadcast 11 Grand-Am Cup races on a tape-delayed basis (THE DAILY).

Daytona Int’l Speedway announced that energy drink maker Dark Dog America will serve as the official sponsor of this weekend’s Grand American Finale, the final event of the season for the Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Series (THE DAILY).

WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday

The SportsBusiness Journal will hold its “Forty Under 40” Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in N.Y., beginning at 6:00pm ET. ESPN’s Rich Eisen will serve as emcee, with NBC Sports and Olympics Chair Dick Ebersol giving the keynote address (THE DAILY).

A ceremony marking the 20^th anniversary of the Metrodome will be held at the stadium at 8:10pm CT, preceding the 8:30pm CT St. John’s Univ. (MN) and Bethel College football game (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE).

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Saturday

Steiner Sports will host a reunion for the Mets ’86 World Series team at Gallagher’s Steak House in N.Y. from 7:00-9:00pm ET. Among the players expected to attend are P Dwight Gooden, C Gary Carter, 1B Keith Hernandez, CF Mookie Wilson and 3B Ray Knight. Tickets for the event are $150 (THE DAILY).

Casting agents will hold an open casting call at Giants Stadium for soccer-playing men aged 18-30 for the movie “The Game of Their Lives,” based on the ’50 U.S. National team that defeated the English National team in the World Cup. The movie is produced by Crusader Entertainment, one of Philip Anschutz’ business holdings (N.Y. TIMES).

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Sunday

The Steelers will honor Latrobe (PA) native Arnold Palmer in a halftime ceremony during the 1:00pm ET game against the Falcons (THE DAILY).

As part of Alumni Day at the Metrodome, the Vikings will induct former DE Carl Eller into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of the team’s 1:00pm ET games against the Giants. Eller joins QB Fran Tarkenton, DT Alan Page, DE Jim Marshall, C Mick Tingelhoff, OT Korey Stringer, GM Jim Finks, coach Bud Grant, trainer Fred Zamberletti, S Paul Krause and OT Ron Yary (THE DAILY).

TODAY’S DAILY STAT: "MNF" NIELSEN TRENDS

With the 500^th broadcast of "Monday Night Football" this coming Monday, today's Daily Stat presents a Nielsen ratings trend for ABC's broadcasts since '90 (THE DAILY):

CRITICS WEIGH IN: “8 MILE” AND “FEMME FATALE”

Eminem’s “8 Mile” and the Brian De Palma thriller “Femme Fatale” open this weekend to widespread critical praise: :

CHANNEL SURFING

ESPN will air Lakers-Wizards at 8:00pm ET and Grizzlies-Kings at 10:30pm ET.

ESPN Classic’s “SportsCentury” will profile Bevo Francis at 8:00pm ET.

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, Cowboys WR Joey Galloway, Winston Cup driver Kurt Busch, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and talk show host Jerry Springer are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”

ESPN will air “College Gameday” live from Knoxville, TN, at 10:30am ET.

ABC will air “NBA Inside Stuff” at 12:30pm ET. This week’s edition will include a feature on Bulls G Jalen Rose discussing the importance of leadership.

BET’s “Maad Sports” will feature Clippers F Elton Brand at 12:00pm ET.

BET’s “Maad Sports Countdown” will feature Heat C Alonzo Mourning’s favorite videos at 12:30pm ET.

Fox’ “NFL Under the Helmet” will feature 49ers QB Jeff Garcia, Steelers LB Lee Flowers, Cardinals LB Ronald McKinnon and Lions head coach Marty Mornhinweg.

NBC will air NASCAR BGN Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at 2:00pm ET.

ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” will examine Cuban defector Jose Contreras’ attempts to play in MLB at 9:30am ET.

ESPN will air “Sunday NFL Countdown” at 11:00am ET. Kenny Mayne visits the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium for “The Mayne Event.”

NBC will air NASCAR Winston Cup Checker Auto Parts 500 at 2:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air Predators-Avalanche at 8:00pm ET.

FSN’s “Beyond The Glory” will profile Red Wings RW Brett Hull.

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

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