| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Thursday March 6, 2003
4:00pm ET | |
| |
| • | SportsLine.com, CBS Today Amend Agreement Regarding CBS SportsLine.com |
| • | Rose Bowl Officials To Request Funds For Environmental Impact Report |
| • | Lleyton Hewitt To Be Cover Athlete For Xbox Tennis Title “Top Spin” |
| • | Promotion Of The Week: Magic Go Out Of Sport To Draw Younger Fans |
| • | NHL Today Announces Details Of NHL Fore Charity Face-Off |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Tonight’s Events/Channel Surfing/In Other News/The Daily Stat |
CBS TO DEFER CERTAIN STOCK PAYMENTS FROM SPORTSLINE.COM
SportsLine.com today announced that it has amended its agreement with Viacom-owned CBS regarding the operation of CBS SportsLine.com, by which CBS will defer certain stock payments to keep its holdings below majority control. CBS receives SportsLine.com stock in exchange for promotion of the Web site. The amended agreement provides for a change in the annual payment schedule where SportsLine.com will issue CBS $20M worth of its common stock on April 1, 2003; July 1, 2004; October 1, 2005 and January 1, 2007. The number of shares issued to CBS on April 1, 2003, is limited so that Viacom’s ownership of SportsLine.com does not exceed 39.9%. Viacom currently owns 31% (THE DAILY).
SportsLine.com CEO Mike Levy said today, “CBS didn’t want to go over 50 percent this year because we're still not profitable and they didn't want to consolidate the numbers” (CBS MARKETWATCH, 3/6). As of presstime, shares of Viacom were down 0.61%, or $0.22, to $35.79. Shares of SportsLine.com were unchanged at $0.98.
ROSE BOWL OFFICIALS SEEKING FUNDS FOR RENOVATION REPORT
The L.A. TIMES reports Rose Bowl officials tonight will meet with the Rose Bowl Operating Committee to “ask that funds be allocated for an environmental impact report for a completely renovated Rose Bowl.” The report would take roughly a year to assemble and would cost about $150,000. The Pasadena City Council also “would need to approve the allocation.” Rose Bowl officials met with NFL owners yesterday in Palm Beach, FL (L.A. TIMES, 3/6).
LLEYTON HEWITT ONE OF 16 PLAYERS FEATURED IN “TOP SPIN”
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that ATP player Lleyton Hewitt will be featured on the cover of “Top Spin,” the new Xbox tennis title which launches in October. A total of 16 ATP and WTA players will be featured in the Xbox Live-enabled game. While two players have yet to be disclosed, the following details the others (THE DAILY):
| James Blake | Michael Chang | Amanda Coetzer |
| Elena Dementieva | Jan-Michael Gambill | Sebastian Grosjean |
| Daniela Hantuchova | Ashley Harkleroad | Martina Hingis |
| Gustavo Kuerten | Tommy Robredo | Meghann Shaughnessy |
| Barbara Schett | | |
GART SPORTS Q4 AND FY INCOME, SALES UP FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
Gart Sports today announced results for its Q4 and FY ended February 1, 2003. For the quarter, net income increased to $12.8M, compared to $11M last year, excluding the effect of $3.3M in taxes associated with the ’01 acquisition of Oshman’s Sporting Goods. Total sales for the quarter increased to $316.8M, up 0.3% from $316M. For the year, net income increased to $23.2M, compared to $15.9M in the year prior, excluding $7.6M in taxes related to the Oshman’s acquisition. Total sales for the year increased 12.3%, to $1.05B, up from $935.7M in the prior year (THE DAILY). As of presstime, shares of Gart Sports were up $0.43, or 2.58%, to $17.10.
HUNGARIAN PATENT LAWSUIT AGAINST ADIDAS DROPPED
The BUDAPEST SUN reports that a “high-profile lawsuit brought by inventor Laszlo Oroszi against … Adidas was adjourned after the company filed a request for the annulment of the Hungarian’s patent protection.” Oroszi told the court that he “demanded compensation from Adidas which, he claimed, stole his patented idea of attaching rubber strips to the outside of [soccer shoes], to ensure better contact with the ball” (BUDAPEST SUN, 3/6).
Meanwhile, shares of adidas improved 1.9% yesterday after UBS Warburg upgraded the company to buy from neutral, expecting the company “to report increasing market share next week” (CBS MARKETWATCH, 3/6). As of presstime, shares of adidas were up $4.35, or 7.27%, to $81.00.
NBA TV TO DEBUT TWO ORIGINAL SERIES TONIGHT
NBA TV today will debut two original series, Hardwood Classics and NBA TV Biography, at 4:00pm ET and 8:00pm ET, respectively. Hardwood Classics’ two-hour debut episode features the duel between Hawks F Dominique Wilkins and Celtics F Larry Bird in Game Seven of the ’88 Eastern Conference semifinals, while Biography will profile HOFer Bill Russell (THE DAILY).
NHL ANNOUNCES CHARITY GOLF EVENT WITH CHAMPIONS TOUR
The NHL and PGA Tour jointly announced today that the NHL Fore Charity Face-Off will take place at the 23rd annual Champions Tour FleetBoston Classic from July 28-August 3 at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, MA. The charity event will pair former and current NHL players, such as Cam Neely, Grant Fuhr, Jeremy Roenick and Brendan Shanahan with Champions Tour players during the final two rounds of the event. The NHL players will be competing for a $50,000 purse to be donated to The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care. The Golf Channel will provide coverage of the event from 1:30-4:00pm ET, Friday through Sunday (THE DAILY).
PROMOTION OF THE WEEK: MAGIC SWINGING AWAY WITH GIVEAWAY
The Magic, in conjunction with team sponsor Orlando Sentinel, will distribute T-MAC Louisville Slugger baseball bats to the first 5,000 children ages 14 and under to attend the team’s 6:00pm ET game Sunday against the Nuggets. The 30-inch, full-sized bats include the Louisville Slugger logo, as well as that of the Orlando Sentinel. The Magic logo, and Tracy McGrady’s name and signature, are also etched onto the bat. While a baseball bat giveaway might seem to be an odd fit for a basketball team, Magic VP/Marketing Chris D’Orso, who conceived the idea while attending bat day at Yankee Stadium last year, is bullish on the promotion. D’Orso points to three main reasons for proceeding with the idea: Spring training is in full swing in FL; little league baseball in the state begins in March; and McGrady, the team’s best player and most marketable personality, is an acknowledged Yankees fan.
LITTLE LEAGUE: Magic reps contacted the presidents of 31 little leagues from Tampa to Daytona in late January to gauge interest in the event. Additionally, ticket sales reps attended the opening days this past weekend for 23 of the leagues to promote the event and sell tickets. The Magic dancers and team mascot Stuff attended the openings of the larger leagues, those with over 2,000 players. As a result of the effort, the Magic have sold 2,200 advance group sales tickets for the game, more than triple the Sunday group sales average of 700. The Magic typically plan to distribute 2,500 promotional items for children’s giveaway, but D’Orso ordered 5,000 bats because he was confident that the event would be a popular one. While the Magic are averaging 14,504 fans through 30 home games this season, D’Orso expects over 16,000 for the game. D’Orso admitted the promotion is out of the ordinary, but said, “The event is part of us targeting children and targeting another group that may not be coming to a Magic game at this time of year when they’re really gearing up for their baseball leagues. We’re trying to open up our market to different demographics, as well as bringing in as many children and families to our games as possible.”
EVENT SUPPORT: The Magic filmed a TV spot featuring McGrady to promote Sunday’s game. The spot has been in rotation on children’s programming locally on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, TNT and TBS. The organization also enlisted the help of 16 on-air radio personalities, ranging from Radio Disney to talk radio, to promote the event. As part of its regular weekly ads in the Orlando Sentinel, the event has been advertised in print three times. When asked about the risk associated with 5,000 children running rampant with wooden bats, D’Orso laughed and said, “We’ve owned a minor league hockey team in the past, and gave hockey sticks out at the door. We feel that the Magic fanbase is a family-oriented one, so we’re not concerned.”
Do you have an interesting promotion The Daily should know about? If so, please email Joe Oliver at joeo@sportsbusinessdaily.com
BUZZER BEATERS
The NFL today announced that the '03 regular season will open with Jets-Redskins on Thursday, September 4, at 9:00pm ET on ABC. ESPN's "NFL Countdown" will originate from FedEx Field, and live coverage of "Kickoff Celebration II" will once again include an entertainment component (THE DAILY).
The FIFA Exec Committee today postponed the FIFA World Youth Championships 2003 due to the impending war in Iraq. The tournament was scheduled to be played from March 25-April 16 in the United Arab Emirates (THE DAILY).
The Coyotes today announced a partnership with the following Cactus League teams: Brewers, Padres, Mariners, A’s, Rockies, Rangers and Royals, under which the MLB teams will offer Coyotes season-ticket holders reduced rates to spring training games. In return, any Cactus League game ticket stub can be redeemed for a $10 discount on a full-price Coyotes ticket (THE DAILY).
The Mariners announced that the Pepsi Bottling Group today renewed its sponsorship agreement through ’09. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Pepsi will receive signage at Safeco Field, as well as continue joint marketing efforts such as the presenting sponsorship of the Mariners’ Little League Weekends (THE DAILY).
Innovative Fitness, which currently has locations in Canada, WA and CA, today announced that 49ers QB Jeff Garcia is now a shareholder in the company (THE DAILY).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
DALLAS OBSERVER columnist John Gonzalez recently conducted an interview with Rangers CF Carl Everett in the team’s locker room and offers his account of the meeting. To say the interview did not go smoothly would be an understatement, as Everett made comments such as, “You’re just mad because I don’t kiss the media’s ass. I won’t kiss your ass.” Everett also offered this gem: “If you’re going to ask some f---ing ridiculous questions, then I’m going to give you some f---ing ridiculous answers.” To be fair, even Gonzalez admitted that a colleague said he “might have baited (Everett) a little by going back at him.” Gonzalez concludes, “I'm not sure, but I'm leaning toward him being the king jackass – come on, this couldn't have been my fault” (DALLAS OBSERVER, 3/6 issue).
TONIGHT’S EVENTS
The Penguins will distribute bobblehead dolls of former Penguins RW Alexei Kovalev, who now plays for the Rangers, to all fans prior to the team’s game against the Hurricanes (THE DAILY).
HBO Latino will broadcast “Boxeo de Oro,” a seven-fight card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya, from Club Level on South Beach at 10:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
CHANNEL SURFING
Skateboarder Eric Kostan and snowboarder Dorian Vidal will be on FSN’s “54321” at 5:30pm ET.
ESPN will air “The Sports Reporters II” at 7:30pm ET.
ESPN will air Islanders-Bruins or Coyotes-Blues at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air NCAA men’s basketball, Florida State-Duke at 7:30pm ET and Memphis-Houston at 9:30pm ET.
ESPN Classic’s “SportsCentury” will profile Alana Beard at 8:00pm ET and Cheryl Ford at 8:30pm ET.
TNT will air “Listen Up!” at 7:00pm ET.
TNT will air Nets-Spurs at 7:30pm ET and 76ers-Trail Blazers at 10:00pm ET.
Boxer Mia St. John, CBS golf analyst David Feherty, Xavier Univ. F David West, former MLBer Bobby Bonilla and actor Andrew Lawrence are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”
Patriots DE Willie McGinest will be tonight’s “HearSay” contestant during ESPN’s “SportsCenter” at 11:00pm ET.
A&E’s “Biography” will profile Scott Hamilton at 8:00pm ET.
E!’s “True Hollywood Story” will profile Ginger Lynn at 8:00pm ET.
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| “Late Show” | Dr. Phil McGraw (r) |
| “The Tonight Show” | Salma Hayek |
| “The Late Late Show” | Patricia Heaton (r) |
| “Late Night” | Queen Latifah |
| “Jimmy Kimmel Live” | Roseanne |
TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan writes on the state of the USOC in light of Lloyd Ward’s resignation last weekend: “In his short 16 months at the USOC, Ward grabbed as many freebies and perks as humanly possible for himself and his friends and his homebuilder, yet not once did one of the organization’s five vice presidents publicly speak out against him” (USA TODAY).
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION’s Dave Hirshman writes, “UPS says it’s getting maximum mileage from its multimillion-dollar NASCAR sponsorship.” In addition to its designation as NASCAR’s official delivery service, UPS also sponsors Dale Jarrett’s No. 88 Winston Cup car. The package carrier “uses NASCAR events to launch new products, entertain big clients, showcase national ads and reward employees – a broader, more comprehensive approach than other NASCAR sponsors” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION).
The DAILY RACING FORM’s Chuck Dybdal writes that Magna Entertainment’s proposed $250M racing, entertainment and retail complex in Dixon, CA, “faces many hurdles,” one of the biggest being the success of privately financed Pac Bell Park, which “raises the question of whether voters would approve public funding to construct Dixon Downs” (DAILY RACING FORM).
See The Daily Insider’s Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.
TODAY’S TEASER…
Sports Business: How much did the Larry Ellison-backed Oracle BMW sailing team spend in its failed effort to win the America's Cup?
IN OTHER NEWS…
The N.Y. TIMES reports Cincinnati-based bank Provident Financial Group, whose largest shareholder is Reds Owner Carl Lindner, said yesterday that it “had overstated its earnings” by $67M, or 18%, from ’99-’02 (N.Y. TIMES, 3/6).
THE DAILY STAT: BILLBOARD CHARTS
The following lists Billboard Magazine’s top-selling CDs for the week ending March 2 (BILLBOARD.com, 3/6):
| RK | ALBUM | ARTIST | LABEL |
| 1) | Come Away With Me | Norah Jones | Blue Note |
| 2) | Get Rich Or Die Tryin' | 50 Cent | Shady/Aftermath |
| 3) | Chocolate Factory | R. Kelly | Jive |
| 4) | Home | Dixie Chicks | Monument/Columbia |
| 5) | Philadelphia Freeway | Freeway | Rco-A-Fella/Def Jam |
| 6) | Grammy Nominees 2003 | Various Artists | Grammy |
| 7) | Cocky | Kid Rock | Lava/Atlantic |
| 8) | Room For Squares | John Mayer | Aware/Columbia |
| 9) | Let Go | Avril Lavigne | Arista |
| 10) | Cradle 2 The Grave | Soundtrack | Bloodline/Def Jam |
…TODAY’S ANSWER
The U.S. contender spent around US$110M, the highest of any competitor. Despite this, the boat did not reach the finals.
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