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Closing Bell

Closing Bell, April 4, 2003

The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, April 4, 2003
4:00pm ET

NCAA Final Four News And Notes: Cinderella, Contingency Plans, Tickets

Frontier Airlines Today Announces Sponsorship Agreement With Rockies

NFL Europe Kicks Off ’03 Season This Weekend With Three Games On Tap

MLS Opens ’03 Season Tomorrow With Galaxy-Crew On ABC

Critics Weigh In: “A Man Apart” And “Phone Booth” Open Nationwide

Buzzer Beaters/Weekend Events/Channel Surfing/The Daily Stat


CBS TO BEGIN TOURNEY COVERAGE WITH “THE FINAL FOUR SHOW”

CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Final Four begins tomorrow at 4:00pm ET with “The Final Four Show,” followed by the two national semifinals: Marquette-Kansas at 6:07pm ET and Syracuse-Texas at 8:47pm ET. Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg will be joined in the studio by Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

In Orlando, Jerry Greene writes of the four teams, “As Cinderellas go, these are some ugly choices. … None of them is very compelling to the non-fanatical basketball junky” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/4).

In Boston, Jim Baker notes that CBS officials “have a plan in case Iraq developments interrupt Final Four coverage, but wouldn’t specify” (BOSTON HERALD, 4/4).

The LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL notes that ticket brokers “are seeking only a slight markup on most seats,” which have a face value of $120-160 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/4).

The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that AZ Tourism & Sports Authority President Ted Ferris is attending the Final Four to show off drawings of the $355M Glendale Arena and “make an informal pitch to NCAA officials” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/4).


WNBA MAY BE FORCED TO POSTPONE DRAFT DUE TO LABOR ISSUES

The SACRAMENTO BEE reports that the WNBA draft, set for April 16, “may have to be postponed if the league cannot reach an agreement with” the WNBPA. The two sides “still have not agreed on how players should be dispersed from defunct franchises in Portland and Miami, as well as larger issues such as free agency, salaries and marketing rights.” WNBA Senior Dir for Strategic & Corporate Communications Traci Cook: “We can’t go forward without an agreement. We have no deal with the players, so we can’t plan ahead. … We’ve been talking, plus a lot of documents are also going back and forth” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/4).


FRONTIER AIRLINES TO BE OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF ROCKIES

Denver-based Frontier Airlines today announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Rockies, naming the company the official airline of the team. The agreement provides the airline various promotional opportunities, advertising inclusion and in-stadium signage. Terms of the deal were not disclosed (THE DAILY).


NFL EUROPE OPENS ’03 SEASON TOMORROW ON FSN

NFL Europe kicks off this weekend with three games, during which all six teams will wear new Reebok uniforms. All NFL Europe games will be televised on DirecTV, while a “Game of the Week” will be aired on FSN. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue sent a note last night to all 32 NFL teams outlining security and operations for NFL Europe (THE DAILY). USA TODAY WEEKLY reported that it was “cheaper for the (NFL) to return to Europe” for the ’03, as moving the league to FL due to the int’l climate “would have cost the league’s owners another $2.8[M]” (USA TODAY WEEKLY, 4/2). The following presents this weekend’s games:

Matchup

Time

TV

Amsterdam Admirals-Rhein Fire

12:00pm ET

FSN

Barcelona Dragons-Frankfurt Galaxy

12:00pm ET

DirecTV

Berlin Thunder-Scottish Claymores

10:00am ET

DirecTV

Meanwhile, NFL execs cancelled a trip to China due to SARS. The trip was planned to further talks about grassroots programs and preseason games (THE DAILY).


WYNALDA ADDED TO BROADCAST TEAM FOR MLS OPENER

The MLS opens it season tomorrow with “First Kick 2003,” featuring Galaxy-Crew at 4:00pm ET on ABC, marking the first of three games that will be broadcast on the net. For the ABC telecasts, JP Dellacamera will serve as the play-by-play commentator alongside analyst Ty Keough. Former MLSer Eric Wynalda debuts as the sideline reporter. Michael Cohen is the Exec Producer & Head of Production. Mitch Green is the Lead Producer.

The DENVER POST reports that former Rapids D Marcelo Balboa “will join the HDNet broadcasting team” (DENVER POST, 4/4).

Meanwhile, Puma today unveiled the new official match ball of MLS, and the league officially announced the previously reported sponsorship agreement with RadioShack (THE DAILY).


BUZZER BEATERS

The CFL today released new logos for its East and West Divisions, based on the league trademark introduced at last year’s Grey Cup. FutureBrand Canada Senior Creative Dir Tony Enns created the logos (THE DAILY).

The NBA will premiere the new NBA Playoffs “Love it Live” video featuring Christina Aguilera Sunday during ABC’s telecast of Wizards-Celtics at 1:00pm ET (THE DAILY).

Cincinnati-based PSI 20/20 today announced that the company has reached an agreement with the Vikings to become the team’s preferred promotional product supplier (THE DAILY).

Boston-based sports and event marketing agency Woolf Associates was awarded an Int’l Gold Quill Award, presented by the Int’l Association of Business Communicators in recognition of the sports identity project developed on behalf of the independent North Shore Spirit baseball team. In addition to a primary logo, a series of secondary marks was developed for merchandise and sponsorship sales presentations (THE DAILY).

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon will sport the Special Olympics Team USA logo on the hood of his No. 31 Chevrolet during this weekend’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Car sponsor Cingular Wireless will donate $100 to the Special Olympics for each lap Gordon completes, $1,000 for each lap he leads and $100,000 if Gordon wins the race (THE DAILY).

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a white No. 8 Chevy with a “black guitar running the length of the car on both sides,” along with the official logo of the Dale Earnhardt Tribute concert during Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 4/4).

Sporting Life and Nike will hold the grand opening of the first Womensport store in Toronto at 1:00pm ET, devoted to women’s footwear, apparel and equipment. CP24 Fitness specialist Tonya Rouse will emcee the event and be available to consumers to answer any health and fitness related questions (THE DAILY).


WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday

Country music singer Willie Nelson will perform at Lone Star Park immediately following the final race. Post time is 6:35pm CT. The concert is free with $3 track admission, or $10 after 9:00pm (THE DAILY).

As part of Fan Appreciation Night ceremonies, the NHL Rangers will reprise “Blueshirts Off Our Back,” which awards randomly selected fans with autographed, game-worn jerseys. The Rangers host the Devils at 7:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

The NHL Panthers will give away a Toyota 4Runner during the team’s 7:30pm ET game against the Hurricanes. Ten random participants will be given keys, and the one that opens the 4Runner, wins (THE DAILY).


Saturday

The Kellogg Alumni Club of Atlanta will host a 1:00pm ET panel discussion at Turner Field entitled, “The Economics of Sports & The Business of Baseball: Is The Strike Zone Too Wide? Creating and Capturing Value in Professional Sports.” Kellogg School of Management Professor David Dranove will offer a lecture on the topic prior to the panel discussion, which includes MLB VP/Strategic Planning, Recruitment & Diversity Wendy Lewis, Sports Lawyers Association Founder & President Emeritus Lloyd Shefsky, Turner Sports Senior VP/Sports Marketing Jeff Gregor, Braves Dir of Marketing & Promotions Jim Allen and Braves Exec VP & GM John Schuerholz (THE DAILY).

The Louisville Slugger Museum debuts a new exhibit, entitled “Safe at Home: The Historic Contracts of Louisville Slugger.” Running through October 19, the exhibit showcases 32 players’ contracts, including Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese (THE DAILY).

Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Rulon Gardner will participate in the opening ceremonies of the World Cup Wrestling Championship at the Bank of America Center in Boise, ID. Gardner will relight the Olympic cauldron given to Boise following the Olympic torch relay leading up to the ’02 Salt Lake Games (THE DAILY).

MetroStars G Tim Howard, F Clint Mathis and D Eddie Pope will attend a team-sponsored viewing party at Nevada Smiths in N.Y. for the Galaxy-Crew game, beginning at 4:00pm ET (THE DAILY).

The AHL Houston Aeros will retire Gordie Howe’s #9 jersey during the team’s 7:30pm CT game against the San Antonio Rampage, the Aeros’ final regular season game ever at the Compaq Center (THE DAILY).

Lakers C Shaquille O’Neal will be honored at the 2nd Annual California Gold Star Awards Black Tie Dinner Gala and Auction dedicated to Homeland Security. O’Neal will wear his official L.A. Port Authority police officer uniform to the event (THE DAILY).


Sunday

The FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reported that 10,000 American flags will be distributed at Sunday’s Dallas Desperadoes-San Jose SaberCats AFL game (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/3). The game will broadcast to American troops stationed overseas via the American Forces Network Sports Channel (THE DAILY).

Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki will throw out the first pitch at the Rangers 2:00pm CT game versus the Mariners (THE DAILY).


CHANNEL SURFING

Friday

Winston Cup driver Ricky Craven, thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert, “Divorce Court” Judge Mablean and streetballer Larry Williams are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

ESPN will air Kings-Celtics at 8:00pm ET and Trail Blazers-Warriors at 10:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air Expos-Mets at 7:00pm ET.

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

Saturday

BET’s “Maad Sports” will be a NCAA Final Four special at 12:00pm ET.

NBA Inside Stuff” on ABC will feature Wizards F Michael Jordan, Hornets F Jamal Mashburn, Jazz G Mark Jackson, Rockets F James Posey, Suns F Shawn Marion, WNBA Silver Stars G Jennifer Azzi and recording artist Christina Aguilera.

NBC will air third round coverage of the PGA Tour’s BellSouth Classic at 3:00pm ET.

Fox will air the NASCAR Busch Series Aaron’s 312 at 2:00pm ET.

ESPN will air Freedom-Courage in the WUSA season opener at 2:00pm ET.

CBS will air “The 2003 MET-Rx Superstars,” at 2:30pm ET, the program’ 30th anniversary. Competitors include Jets DE John Abraham, Giants CB Will Allen, Raiders RB Charlie Garner, Packers RB Ahman Green, Vikings DT Chris Hovan, Cardinals S Dexter Jackson, Steelers WR Hines Ward, Swimming Gold-Medalist Ed Moses and IRL driver Tomas Scheckter.

ABC will air Galaxy-Crew in the MLS season opener at 4:00pm ET.

CBS will air “The Final Four Show” at 4:00pm ET, followed by the men’s NCAA Final Four: Kansas-Marquette at 6:07pm ET and Texas-Syracuse at 8:47pm ET.

Sunday

ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” will examine the NCAA’s initiative to use graduation rates as criteria for scholarships and postseason play at 10:30am ET.

Fox will air the NASCAR Winston Cup Aaron’s 499 at 12:00pm ET.

CBS will air “The 2003 MET-Rx Superstars” at 1:30pm ET.

NBC will air AFL regional coverage: SaberCats-Desperados, Destroyers-Dragons or Force-Storm at 12:00pm ET and Predators-Rattlers at 6:00pm ET.

ABC will air Wizards-Celtics at 1:00pm ET and Kings-76ers at 3:30pm ET.

NBC will air final round coverage of the PGA Tour’s BellSouth Classic at 3:00pm ET.

ESPN will air Blues-Avalanche or Islanders-Hurricanes at 3:00pm ET.

CBS will air “Tragedy To Triumph: The Maryland Terrapin Odyssey” at 4:30pm ET.

ESPN will air the women’s NCAA Final Four: Tennessee-Duke at 7:00pm ET and Texas-UConn at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air Angels-A’s at 8:00pm ET.

Adam Sandler will be the subject of ESPN’s “Sunday Conversation.”

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


TODAY’S TEASER…

General: Marquette G Dwyane Wade became the third player in history to record a triple-double during the NCAA Tournament, when he poured in 29 points, collected 11 rebounds and dished out 11 assists against Kentucky in the Regional Final. Name the other two players.


THE DAILY STAT: FLEETCENTER SATISFIES NCAA-SIZED APPETITE

The FleetCenter played host to first and second round games during this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. While Greater Boston C&VB officials estimate that the tourney had a $7.5M impact on the area, the following presents how much arena food fans devoured over the two-day period (THE DAILY).

QUANTITY
PRODUCT
319,440
Ounces of water
9,285
Gallons of soda
5,217
Pounds of hot dogs
2,227
Pounds of french fries
200
Gallons of ice cream


CRITICS WEIGH IN: “A MAN APART” AND “PHONE BOOTH”

The Vin Diesel action flick “A Man Apart” opens tonight to mixed reviews, while the Colin Farrell thriller about a man stuck in a “Phone Booth” appears to be hit or miss:

———————Movie———————

“A Man Apart”

“Phone Booth”

Chicago Sun-Times

Hollywood Reporter

L.A. Times

N.Y. Times

USA Today



…TODAY’S ANSWER

Utah G Andre Miller in '98 (against Kentucky in a Regional Final – 18 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) and Michigan State G Magic Johnson in '79 (against Penn in the Final Four – 29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) were the other two.


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dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

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