| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, January 31, 2003
4:00pm ET | |
| |
| • | ESPN To Premiere "Bill Walton's Long, Strange Trip" Sunday At 8:00pm ET |
| • | Saints Reach Five-Year Radio Broadcast Agreement With WWL-AM |
| • | Puma AG Today Reports "Bigger-Than-Expected" Profit Increase In '02 |
| • | Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban Buys Atlanta Billboards To Promote All-Stars |
| • | Critics Weigh In: "The Recruit" And "Biker Boyz" |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Weekend Events/Channel Surfing/The Daily Stat |
BILL WALTON TO HEADLINE NBA ENTERTAINMENT REALITY SERIES
ESPN will premiere the first two episodes of NBA Entertainment's "Bill Walton's Long, Strange Trip" Sunday at 8:00pm ET and 8:30pm ET.
In S.F., Steve Kroner notes that the show is all about Walton, but writes, "The first episode is pretty entertaining. … His fans probably will love the show and those people who have a hard time stomaching him probably will have some gastrointestinal problems" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/31).
In Houston, David Barron notes Walton's best line in the first episode. Walton: "I turned 50. I had 32 operations, an endless chain of stress fractures, and I have two fused ankles. ... But I can still play better than Vin Baker" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/31).
In L.A., Larry Stewart wrote, "Do we really need more of him? Apparently so" (L.A. TIMES, 1/30).
WWL-AM GIVEN EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST RIGHTS OF SAINTS GAMES
The New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE reports that the Saints and WWL-AM have reached a five-year agreement that will keep the Saints on the radio station through the '07 season. Under the deal, WWL-AM is granted "exclusive rights to broadcast games in the Greater New Orleans area, as well as through an extensive network of regional affiliates in and around the Gulf South." Further, the two "will transport fans from the Gulf South to home games at the Superdome via charter buses" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/31).
ORDER BACKLOG POINTS TO FUTURE GROWTH FOR PUMA AG
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES reports that Puma AG today reported "a bigger-than-expected profit rise in 2002 and an orders backlog that points to future growth this year." Puma said net profit increased 114% to $91.8M in '02, on sales of $983.9M, a 54% increase over last year. Berenberg Bank analyst Michael Heider: "The results are very, very good. And the orders information shows growth will continue at strong levels" (DOW JONES NEWSWIRES, 1/31).
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES LARGEST ONE-YEAR PROJECT
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell today announced the largest one-year capital expenditures project in the history of the track, including construction of a new, six-lane entrance to the facility and the addition of 2,000 high-rise seats. The project will begin immediately following the NASCAR Winston Cup Virginia 500 on April 13, and should be completed in time for the NASCAR Winston Cup Old Dominion 500 on October 19 (THE DAILY).
MLB TEAMS IN A FESTIVE MOOD THIS WEEKEND
On the eve of PirateFest, Pirates CEO & Managing General Partner Kevin McClatchy comments on media coverage of the team: "From my standpoint, it has been a good offseason for us. … No stuff about labor unrest, no bottled water or ticket-price increase (stories). The focus has been on the team" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 1/31).
On the eve of TwinsFest, the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS reports that 90% of last year's season-ticket holders have renewed their packages, marking "the best renewal rate at this point of the year in about a decade." After selling 6,000 season tickets last year, the club "already is at about 7,500 for 2003, with the goal of 9,500 in sight" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/31).
Mariners 2B Bret Boone, LF Mark McLemore, 3B Jeff Cirillo and manager Bob Melvin are among those scheduled to appear at the fifth annual Mariners FanFest today and Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm PT at Safeco Field (THE DAILY).
The Braves will hold their annual Braves Winter FanFest at Turner Field Saturday from 10:00-5:00pm ET, and Sunday from noon-5:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
BUZZER BEATERS
The WUSA will conduct its player draft Sunday at the league's HQs in Atlanta, beginning at 11:30am ET, and CNNSI.com noted that the league will proceed with the draft "with or without a collective-bargaining agreement with the players" (CNNSI.com, 1/30).
The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reported that Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban "has purchased a pair of billboards in Atlanta promoting his two players in the All-Star Game – Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash – and Michael Finley, who was snubbed" by the coaches and then the NBA when Kings F Chris Webber was replaced by teammate Peja Stojakovic. The billboards proclaim: "Dirty and Nasty Time in Hotlanta" and "Where's Fin?" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/30).
ABC Radio's Keith Olbermann, on MLB suspending umpire Bruce Froemming for directing an ethnic slur towards an MLB employee: "For years one of baseball's best umpires and worst public representatives. … He should not be suspended. He should be fired" (ABC Radio, 1/31).
The AP reports that the stolen Lego replica of the Stanley Cup has been returned (AP, 1/31).
The Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds and Extremetix today announced that tickets for all '03 home games, including the Triple-A All-Star Game, will be available for purchase on the team's Web site utilizing Extremetix' ClicknPrint Tickets technology (THE DAILY).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The NHL today announced that psychologist Dr. Michael Rizzo will conduct "anger management training" for all NHL team mascots tomorrow at noon ET on the Center Ice Stage at the NHL All-Star Block Party (THE DAILY).
WEEKEND EVENTS
Friday
The Clippers will hold "Jersey Off Their Backs Night" during the team's 7:30pm PT game against the Suns, marking the only game of the season in which the Clippers will wear their alternate road uniforms at home. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a $1 raffle ticket to win a game worn players jersey, as well as other prizes (THE DAILY).
HOF retired Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell will be honored with the Allan H. Selig Meritorious Service Award. The event is presented by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the Council of Small Business Executives (THE DAILY).
The '03 American Suzuki Crossover Challenge will take place at Edison Int'l Field in Anaheim, CA (THE DAILY).
Saturday The Sonics were forced to delay a Gary Payton talking bobblehead promotion, and thus will distribute 10,000 vouchers redeemable for the dolls before the team's 7:00pm PT game against the Bulls (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/30).
The first 10,000 fans attending the Nets-Pistons game at 7:30pm ET will receive a bobblehead of Pistons F Zeljko Rebraca (THE DAILY).
The AHL Cleveland Barons will give away Sharks RW Jonathan Cheechoo bobbleheads to the first 3,000 fans at the team's 7:05pm CT game against the San Antonio Rampage. Cheechoo is a former Baron (THE DAILY).
Latin singer/songwriter Jorge Moreno will perform a free outdoor concert at the NHL All-Star Block Party at 8:00pm ET. Additionally, Moreno will sing the National Anthem prior to Sunday's game (THE DAILY).
Sunday Sheryl Crow will perform at the NHL All-Star Block Party at 6:30pm ET (THE DAILY).
CHANNEL SURFING
Friday FSN's "54321" will feature freestyle BMX rider Stephen Murray at 5:00pm ET.
ESPN will air Spurs-Magic at 8:00pm ET and Lakers-Kings at 10:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air the Winter X Games VII at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Archie Moore at 8:00pm ET.
AFL Avengers Owner Casey Wasserman will be on FSN West's "The Paperboys" at 6:30pm PT. The show will re-air on FSN West 2 at 10:30pm PT.
AFL CO Crush President & CEO John Elway, NASCAR analyst Darrell Waltrip, former Cavaliers coach John Lucas and NBA analyst Stephen Smithare scheduled to appear on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
ABC's "20/20" will feature an interview with Jason Priestley at 10:00pm ET.
Saturday ABC will air the Winter X Games VII at 2:30pm ET.
"NFL Under The Helmet" on Fox will feature Bucs WR Keenan McCardell, LB Derrick Brooks, S John Lynch, Raiders S Rod Woodson, Eagles S Brian Dawkins, CB Troy Vincent, Chargers S Rodney Harrison and 49ers QB Jeff Garcia.
"NBA Inside Stuff" on ABC will feature Suns F Amare Stoudamire, Hornets F Jamal Mashburn, Cavaliers G Dajuan Wagner and Bulls G Jay Williams.
ESPN will air the Topps/NHL YoungStars Game at 7:00pm ET, and the Dodge/NHL All-Star SuperSkills Competition at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air NCAA women's basketball, UConn-Duke at 7:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air the Hula Bowl at 9:00pm ET.
FSN's "Rocky Mountain Sports Report" will feature Elway in the first of a two-part interview at 10:00pm MT. Part II will air Sunday at 10:00pm MT.
| NCAA Men's Basketball Schedule | Network | Time |
| Xavier-Richmond | ESPN | noon ET |
| Indiana-Louisville | CBS | 1:00pm ET |
| Kansas-Nebraska | ESPN | 2:00pm ET |
| Temple-St. Bonaventure | ESPN2 | 2:00pm ET |
| Marquette-Cincinnati | ESPN | 4:00pm ET |
| California-Arizona | FSN | 12:00am ET |
Sunday ESPN's "Outside The Lines" will feature former NFLer Luis Sharpe at 10:30am ET.
USA will air "PGA Tour Sunday" at 11:00am ET. Contributor Gabrielle Reece will sit down with Charles Barkley.
ABC will air the Winter X Games VII at 11:30am ET.
CBS will air NCAA men's basketball, Illinois-Michigan State at 1:00pm ET
ABC will air the NHL All-Star Game at 2:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air NCAA women's basketball, Tulane-Cincinnati at 3:00pm ET and Tennessee-Vanderbilt at 7:00pm ET.
NBC will air AFL regional coverage: SaberCats-Rattlers, Force-Crush, Predators-Rush or Dragons-Desperados at 3:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air the Winter X Games VII at 5:00pm ET and 9:00pm ET.
ABC will air the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl at 5:30pm ET.
FSN will air NCAA men's basketball, Wake Forest-North Carolina at 5:30pm ET and Duke-Florida State at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN will air "Seasons of Change: The African-American Athlete" at 6:00pm ET.
ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile the year 2001 at 8:00pm ET.
FSN's "Beyond The Glory" will profile Lennox Lewis.
TODAY'S TEASER…
General: Which of the following films did NOT win the Oscar for Best Picture?
- "Kramer vs. Kramer"
- "Dangerous Liaisons"
- "The English Patient"
- "On The Waterfront"
THE DAILY STAT: PRO BOWL RATINGS TREND
The following presents a four-year Nielsen ratings trend for the AFC/NFC Pro Bowl. Note: ABC televised all four games (THE DAILY).
| YR | RAT/SHR | % +/- |
| '02 | 4.3/9 | -8.5% |
| '01 | 4.7/9 | -45.3% |
| '00 | 8.6/15 | 8.9% |
| '99 | 7.9/13 | 0.0% |
CRITICS WEIGH IN: "THE RECRUIT" AND "BIKER BOYZ"
A pair of PG-13 offerings headlined by two of Hollywood's top leading men – Al Pacino in "The Recruit" and Laurence Fishburne in "Biker Boyz" – open nationwide tonight. Based on the mixed reviews, it's anyone's guess as to which will win the box office battle.:
| | ———————Movie——————— |
| | "The Recruit" | "Biker Boyz" |
| Chicago Sun-Times | 
|
|
|
| Hollywood Reporter | 
| Not reviewed |
|
| L.A. Times |
| 
|
|
| N.Y. Times |
|
|
|
| USA Today |
|
|
…TODAY'S ANSWER
"Dangerous Liaisons" was beaten by "Rain Man" in '88.
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.
