Closing Bell, March 4, 2003

NANTZ, PACKER AND BERNSTEIN TO LEAD CBS TOURNEY COVERAGE

CBS today announced the broadcast pairings for its coverage of the ’03 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which begins March 20 with “Road To The Final Four,” hosted by Greg Gumbel and analyst Clark Kellogg.  The chart below details the broadcast pairings (THE DAILY):

KEVIN GARNETT TO BE FEATURED ON FIRST WHEATIES PACKAGE

The NBA and Wheaties today formally introduced a new package promotion, marking the first in a series of NBA- and WNBA-themed Wheaties boxes over the next two years.  The promotion features two 12-ounce Wheaties boxes packaged with the “Greatest NBA Finals Moments” DVD.  The back of the box features a story entitled, “The Making of a Champion,” as well as images of T’Wolves F Kevin Garnett (THE DAILY).

TNT CITES YAO, BACKLOADED SCHEDULE FOR NBA RATINGS BUMP

Since the All-Star break, TNT’s seven NBA broadcasts have averaged a 1.44 Nielsen cable rating – a 29% bump from the 1.12 the games averaged on TNT prior to the break.  The ratings increase is propelled partially by Yao Ming’s appearance February 18 against the Shaq-less Lakers, which drew a 2.3 Nielsen rating.  TNT officials are hopeful that the ratings increase continues in the coming weeks as the net will broadcast Lakers-Kings, as well as other matchups of playoff contenders (THE DAILY).

Wizards F Michael Jordan, on Yao’s ability to supplant him as the league’s top worldwide endorser: “He very well could. … He’s going to have to continue to get better, which I think he will” (BLOOMBERG, 3/4).

Rockets President George Postolos, on the same issue: “Yao is going to be a more global phenomenon that Jordan.  If he continues to grow on the court, he will do things that are unprecedented in marketing” (BLOOMBERG, 3/4).

GALA ORGANIZERS MUM ON DETAILS OF TONIGHT’S EVENT

The VANCOUVER SUN reports that the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Committee will host a gala showcase of Canadian talent tonight from 5:30-7:00pm PT at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.  However, organizers “for the top-secret event would not utter a word” about the details.  Bid Committee Community Consultation Manager Sam Thiara: “Even we haven’t been told any details.  They really want to have it be a surprise.”  The IOC Evaluation Commission concludes its four-day inspection of the city tomorrow (VANCOUVER SUN, 3/4).

BUZZER BEATERS

The MLB Giants and Tickets.com today announced that the team will utilize the Double Play Ticket Window for the fourth consecutive year.  Using the service, which offers a secure secondary ticket market, season-ticket holders have resold over 200,000 tickets (THE DAILY).

The LAS VEGAS SUN reports NCAA President Myles Brand, while delivering a speech at the National Press Club, today indicated that the federal bill to “ban betting on college sports in Nevada still has the strong support of the influential” NCAA. Brand: "Sports wagering on college games, both on and off campuses, runs the risk of influencing games in illegal and inappropriate ways" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/4).

The Melbourne AGE reports that “a verdict has been reached, at last, on Lleyton Hewitt’s appeal against the $200,000 fine levied” by the ATP over Hewitt’s “failure to fulfill an interview obligation in Cincinnati” in August ’02.  However, details of the decision “have been restricted to a handful of the most senior tour executives” (Melbourne AGE, 3/5).

The Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF today announced the addition of three new marketing partners in the last four months, highlighted by a mid-six figure deal with the Dodge Dealers of New England, bringing marketing partner assets to nearly $1M.  Other sponsors include Spalding Sports Worldwide, Huffy Sports, Aacer Flooring, Hillyard Industries and Non-Violent Toys (THE DAILY).

The AP reports that Iran’s national wrestling team “will boycott the world freestyle championships in [N.Y.] because of a U.S. Defense Department decision to fingerprint all participants” (AP, 3/4).

The Long Island Classic Tournament, in its seventeenth year as a Champions Tour event, today announced that it has selected The Red Course in Nassau County’s Eisenhower Park for the August 11-17 event (THE DAILY).

The OKLAHOMAN reports that 2,621 tickets, including all 216 box seats, have been sold to the March 29 exhibition match between the MLS Wizards and Crew at 10,000-seat Wantland Stadium in Edmond, OK (OKLAHOMAN, 3/4).

Callaway Golf’s Web site now features a Corporate Governance section (THE DAILY).

Former SLOC COO Fraser Bullock, who has been mentioned as a candidate for the USOC CEO post: “When it comes to considering any kind of position there, it would be very difficult for me because I have existing commitments [in UT] to both a new business and to the community” (DESERET NEWS, 3/4).

Representatives for Don King were “prowling around with people from The Venetian the other day about opening up a boxing-themed restaurant on the property” (LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/4).

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

The Mavericks will distribute 2,500 Mark Cuban bobblehead dolls prior to the team’s 7:30pm CT game against the Nets.  The promotion is sponsored by area restaurant chain Don Pablo’s Mexican Kitchen (THE DAILY).

The Spurs will distribute scratch-off vouchers for 3,000 Legends Bobblehead dolls featuring Spurs C David Robinson, Spurs F Tim Duncan and former Spurs G George Gervin to all in attendance at the team’s 7:30pm CT game against the Suns (THE DAILY).

CHANNEL SURFING

Freestyle motocross rider Ronnie Faisst and skateboarder Kevin Staab will be on FSN’s “54321” at 5:00pm ET.

ESPN will air NCAA men’s basketball, Minnesota-Indiana at 7:00pm ET, and Florida-Georgia at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air NCAA men’s basketball, Syracuse-Notre Dame, at 7:00pm ET.

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

Former race car driver Bobby Unser and A’s manager Ken Macha are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

Knicks F Kurt Thomas will be on MSG’s “Court Vision” at 11:00pm ET.

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor will be tonight’s “HearSay” contestant during ESPN’s “SportsCenter” at 11:00pm ET.

A&E’s “Biography” will profile Eva Braun at 8:00pm ET.

E!’s “True Hollywood Story” will profile Lobster Boy at 8:00pm ET.

HEADLINERS

Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Following the American Knights of the KKK’s pledge to support Augusta National’s all-male membership, ESPN.com’s Bob Harig writes, “The whole, sad saga has gone on too long now.  It threatens to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding one of golf's greatest tournaments” (ESPN.com).

The SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE’s Tim Sullivan that NCWO Chair Martha Burk’s fight to force Augusta National to admit a female member “is not an issue of law, but of leverage.  It is not about defending the rights of the downtrodden, but exerting pressure on the powerful.  It is more about symbolism than substance” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE).

The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS’ Paul Hagen writes, “New stadiums used to be a promise.  Now, often, they represent a promise broken.”  Hagen notes that the Reds are being scrutinized because “despite an anticipated $25[M] increase in revenues associated with moving into their publicly supported pleasure palace, the Reds didn’t exactly load up this winter.”  The team increased its payroll by approximately $10M (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS).

See The Daily Insider’s Articles of Interest section for these and more sports business-related links.

TODAY’S TEASER…

Sports & Entertainment: During his time on ABC’s “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here,” what sports-related phrase did Robin Leach scrawl across his shirt pocket?

1. Yankees Suck!
2. Go Kings
3. J-E-T-S
4. Sox Rule

IN OTHER NEWS……

A recently released Mercer Human Resource Consulting survey ranked the Best Cities To Live, and Zurich won top billing.  The highest-rated U.S. city is San Francisco, in the 20^th spot (REUTERS, 3/3).  The chart below details the top-five cities in the world:

The AP reports that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings and its main operating subsidiary “have received a federal grand jury subpoena for documents on international cigarette sales” (AP, 3/4).

THE DAILY STAT: OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Allen Iverson proves once again that he is, in fact, The Answer, while Mia Hamm records her fourth consecutive victory, in SI for Kids most recent annual online poll.  Note:  The poll, which was conducted from September 30–October 8, 2002, generated 2,005 responses (SI FOR KIDS, March '03 issue).

…TODAY’S ANSWER

Go Kings.  Leach, a resident of Las Vegas, counts NBA Kings Owners George, Joe and Gavin Maloof among his circle of friends.

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

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