Closing Bell, April 11, 2003

NO VOTE EXPECTED ON USOC TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The USOC BOD will meet beginning tomorrow in Ft. Worth, TX, and the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS reports that the meetings "will focus largely on what is expected to be a radical overhaul of its governance structure."  Discussions also will touch on other issues such as the USOC's nearly $8M budget shortfall and the qualifications for the USOC president (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 4/11).  The CO Springs GAZETTE notes that the Governance & Ethics Review Task Force will present its findings to the BOD tomorrow morning, however, "an official vote on whether to adopt recommendations is unlikely to come this weekend and probably won't happen until the next board meeting in October" (CO Springs GAZETTE, 4/11).

Meanwhile, the DENVER POST reports that members of the task force "spent an average of $493 a day on Salt Lake City hotel rooms, air travel and meals for themselves and, in some cases, for their guests" during the '02 Olympics (DENVER POST, 4/11).

INFRONT TODAY ANNOUNCES TV AND ONLINE DEAL FOR BUNDESLIGA

Infront today announced two agreements relating to the broadcast rights of Bundesliga German soccer league, the first agreements to be announced since Infront acquired the league's worldwide broadcast rights from KirchMedia in January.  German public broadcaster ZDF exercised its option to continue airing highlights of the league, while T-Online Int'l finalized a non-exclusive agreement to offer highlights via its high-speed broadband service (THE DAILY).

The FINANCIAL TIMES reports that the T-Online deal, "for which the Deutsche Telekom subsidiary is understood to have paid in the low single-digit million euros, is part of a policy to boost revenues through the sale of premium media content" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 4/11).

PROPOSAL TO PAY NE PLAYERS TODAY PASSES STATE LEGISLATURE

The AP reports that the NE state legislature today passed a proposal by a 26-9 vote to pay Univ. of NE football players "in a reduced form that allows the university to determine which athletes would receive payments."  The bill will be triggered only if four other states with schools in the Big 12 Conference pass similar laws.  A similar proposal has been introduced in TX (AP, 4/11).

NAZARETH SPEEDWAY ADDS TITLE SPONSOR FOR BUSCH SERIES RACE

Nazareth Speedway today announced an agreement making Goulds Pumps ITT Industries the title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series race at the track.  The Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200 will be held May 18.  Gould Pumps has been involved with the NASCAR Busch Series for seven years and currently sponsors the No. 48 Chevrolet driven by Shane Hmiel (THE DAILY).

ANNIKA SORENSTAM TO BE PROFILED ON CBS' "60 MINUTES"

CBS's "60 Minutes" will profile LPGA Tour golfer Annika Sorenstam Sunday at 7:00pm ET.  Lesley Stahl speaks with Sorenstam and her husband, David Esch, about subject such as her past shyness, her workout regimen and Augusta National.  On entering the PGA Tour's Bank of America Colonial, Sorenstam says, "I've got to take my game to a different level.  That's why I'm doing this."  Sorenstam also calls Augusta National's membership practices "a step backwards" (THE DAILY).

BUZZER BEATERS

Chargers GM John Butler, who was diagnosed with cancer last July, died this morning at the age of 56.  The funeral will be held in Champaign, IL, and a memorial service will also take place in San Diego (THE DAILY).

NASCAR President Mike Helton will address recent controversial calls made by NASCAR officials, including Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s pass below the yellow line last Sunday in the Aaron's 499, during Sunday's "NASCAR On Fox" pre-race show at 12:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

The Outdoor Channel today announced that it has renewed and expanded its relationship with the Championship Bull Riding Tour, providing exclusive coverage through '04.  The tour will feature 13 one-hour events airing Wednesdays at 8:00pm local time, beginning in October (THE DAILY).

The DENVER POST reports that Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and boxing promoter Barry Fey yesterday "announced an aggressive plan … designed to make professional boxing a steady part of the Denver sports scene the next three years."  Fey and the city are "joining with national boxing promoter Murad Muhammad to stage a series of 'Fight Night' cards at the Denver Coliseum" (DENVER POST, 4/11).

The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS reports that the TX State Senate yesterday approved a bill to ban amateur boxing elimination tournaments "while increasing state regulators' oversight of boxing."  State Sen. Eddie Lucio: "These tournaments, of which 'Toughman' is the best known, are the most dangerous form of boxing currently allowed" in TX (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 4/11).

The AP reports that while the Flyers "do not plan any extraordinary precautions concerning SARS when they travel to Toronto" Sunday for Games Three and Four of their playoff series against the Maple Leafs, team doctors will have a "talk tomorrow to educate the players about the disease" (AP, 4/11).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that the Single-A South Atlantic League Rome (GA) Braves will play their first home game at State Mutual Stadium at 7:00pm ET and "more than 5,000 fans are expected to pack the park" for the game against the Savannah Sand Gnats (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/11).

WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday

The Knicks and partner Emigrant Savings Bank will present the NY National Guard with the team's final "City Spirit" award of the season during the second quarter of the team's 8:00pm ET game against the 76ers.  The award will be accepted on behalf of the 14,000 NY National Guard members called up to support and defend the city since September 11.  The Knicks will also make a $5,000 donation to the organization as part of the award (THE DAILY).

The Heat are offering $5 balcony seats in the 400 level of AmericanAirlines Arena for the team's 8:00pm ET game against the Wizards, Michael Jordan's last appearance in Miami (THE DAILY).

The Expos will open their first home series in Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium at 7:00pm ET against the Mets.  The Expos will play a total of 22 regular season games in Puerto Rico (THE DAILY).

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Saturday

MVPhilanthropy will host its First Annual Athlete Foundation Conference through Sunday at the DoubleTree Suites in Boston.  Sessions will include "Branding & Communications for Foundations," "Innovations in Funding and Financing" and "Developing a Non-Profit Business Plan."  Expected to speak are Jackie Robinson Foundation President Steven Brown, Women's Sports Foundation Exec Dir Donna Lopiano and Andre Agassi Foundation President Perry Rogers (THE DAILY).

Nike Golf fashion and fitness consultant Gabrielle Reece will host a day of demonstrations, golf chat and games at Golf Galaxy in Schaumburg, IL.  Reece's appearance is part of a five-day series of golf events being hosted by Golf Galaxy, Golf for Women Magazine and Nike Golf (THE DAILY).

Patriots S Lawyer Milloy and his celebrity basketball team will play a team of Boston police officers in a charity game scheduled for 2:15pm ET at the Clark Athletic Center at Umass-Boston.  Proceeds will benefit the Lawyer Milloy Foundation (BOSTON HERALD, 4/7).

The National Italian American Sports HOF will host its XXVI Annual Induction at 7:00pm CT at the Chicago Hilton.  49ers Owner Denise DeBartolo, NBA analyst Mike Fratello, '92 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta, ESPN baseball analyst Bobby Valentine, former Dodgers P Ralph Branca, wrestling pioneer Angelo Poffo and former wrestling champion Randy "The Macho Man" Savage will be inducted by emcees Tommy Lasorda and Mike Ditka (THE DAILY).

The Jermaine O'Neal Super Shootout, featuring high school seniors from Marion County, IN, competing in three point contests, all-star games and, for the boys, a slam dunk contest, will be held at Conseco Fieldhouse.  Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Nike, Finish Line, Sport Graphics, Pepsi, Bob Block's Fitness Equipment Superstore and the Indianapolis Recorder sponsor the event (THE DAILY).

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Sunday

The Cubs will commence the season-long autographed baseball promotion with the distribution of balls autographed by OF Sammy Sosa.  The first 10,000 fans to enter Wrigley Field for the Cubs'1:20pm CT game against the Pirates will receive a scratch-and-win card, 125 of which will reward fans with an autographed ball.  Throughout the season, the team plans to reward nearly 5,000 fans with an autographed baseball (THE DAILY).

The AFL L.A. Avengers will distribute "A-Team" dancer bobbleheads to the first 5,000 fans in attendance for the team's noon PT game against the AZ Rattlers at Staples Center (THE DAILY).

The WNBA Sting will place 25,000 marketing inserts in the Charlotte Observer to promote ticket sales.  Over the course of the season the team has a goal of placing 280,000 inserts in the newspaper (THE DAILY).

CHANNEL SURFING

ESPN will air Magic-Pacers at 8:00pm ET and Warriors-Suns at 10:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Maple Leafs-Flyers Game 2 at 7:00pm ET and Oilers-Stars Game 2 at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Arnold Palmer at 8:00pm ET.

A's P Barry Zito, NBA Kings co-Owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, Cowboys QB Quincy Carter and bull rider Chris Shivers are scheduled to appear on FSN's "BDSSP."

Saturday

BET's "Maad Sports" will feature the Ultimate Fight Challenge All-Stars at 12:00pm ET.

"NBA Inside Stuff" on ABC will feature Magic G Tracy McGrady, Mavericks G Steve Nash, Heat F LaPhonso Ellis, WNBA Mystics G Stacy Dales-Schuman and NBA HOFer Bob Lanier.

ABC will air the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Capitals-Lightning Game 2, Mighty Ducks-Red Wings Game 2 or Wild-Avalanche Game 2 at 3:00pm ET.

FX will air the Busch Series Pepsi 300 at 3:30pm ET.

CBS will air third-round coverage of The Masters at 3:30pm ET.

NBC will air the "NTRA Road to the Kentucky Derby" at 4:30pm ET.

ESPN will air Minnesota-New Hampshire in the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game at 7:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Islanders-Senators Game 2 at 7:00pm ET and Blues-Canucks Game 2 at 10:00pm ET.

The History Channel will air "Stories From the Hall of Fame: Golf" at 8:00pm ET.

Skateboarder Tony Hawk and BMX rider Dave Mirra will appear on Nickelodeon's "16^th Annual Kids' Choice Awards" at 8:00pm ET.

Fox will air the Winston Cup Virginia 500 at 12:30pm ET.

ABC will air the IRL IndyCar Series Firestone Indy Japan 300 at 1:00pm ET.

CBS will air final-round coverage of The Masters at 2:30pm ET.

NBC will air AFL regional coverage: Rattlers-Avengers, Desperados-Firebirds or Rush-Crush at 3:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Devils-Bruins Game 3 at 3:00pm ET.

ABC will air Lakers-Trail Blazers at 3:30pm ET.

LPGA Tour player Annika Sorenstam will be profiled by CBS' "60 Minutes" at 7:00pm ET.

ESPN will air Dodgers-Giants at 8:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Stars-Oilers Game 3 at 8:00pm ET.

FSN's "Beyond The Glory" will profile Vinny Testaverde.

TODAY'S TEASER…

General: Name the last Gatorade National High School Player of the Year not currently on an NBA or collegiate roster, nor named LeBron James?

THE DAILY STAT: FOUR-YEAR TRENDS FOR THE MASTERS

The following presents four-year Nielsen ratings trends for The Masters on CBS (THE DAILY).

CRITICS WEIGH IN: "ANGER MANAGEMENT" & "BETTER LUCK"

Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler team up in "Anger Management," which opens nationwide tonight.  While the critics note that the film has its moments, the universal "Mixed" is by no means a glowing review.  "Better Luck Tomorrow," a big hit at Sundance, opens in N.Y. and L.A.:

…TODAY'S ANSWER

Damon Bailey won the award in '90 out of Bedford North Lawrence High School in Bedord, IN.  Bailey, a third team All-American in his senior season at Indiana, was taken in the second round of the '94 NBA Draft by the Pacers, but spent just one year in the league.

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