| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Thursday, May 15, 2003
4:00pm ET | |
| |
| • | MLB Owners Today Unanimously Approve Angels Sale To Arturo Moreno |
| • | Magna, NBC Today Agree To Three-Year Sunshine Millions Extension |
| • | London Throws Hat Into 2012 Ring As Government Today Backs Olympic Bid |
| • | Promotion Of The Week: Indians SS Omar Vizquel Turns A Triple Play |
| • | ’04 World Golf Championships To Be Played In Seville, Spain |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Tonight’s Events/Channel Surfing/In Other News/The Daily Stat |
NEW OWNER MORENO PLANS NO IMMEDIATE CHANGES TO ANGELS
The AP reports that MLB owners today unanimously approved the sale of the Angels from Walt Disney to Arturo Moreno, “making him the first minority with a controlling stake” in an MLB team. Moreno, who hopes to complete the purchase “by the middle of next week and take over operation immediately,” does not “plan any immediate changes.” Moreno: “For me, it’s a learning process. I’ll sit back and listen” (AP, 5/15).
NBC TO BROADCAST SUNSHINE MILLION FOR THREE MORE YEARS
BLOODHORSE.com reports that Magna Entertainment today announced a three-year extension with NBC to televise the Sunshine Millions, which features CA- and FL-bred horses in head-to-head competition. The format presently calls for eight races, four each at FL’s Gulfstream Park and CA’s Santa Anita Park. The agreement calls for a “time buy, where Magna purchases time directly from NBC and subsequently is responsible for selling advertising on the telecast.” Magna President & CEO Jim McAlpine said that the event “will be shown in a two-hour format over the length of the contract.” NBC broadcast the inaugural event January 25 (BLOODHORSE.com, 5/15).
BRITISH GOVERNMENT TODAY BACKS LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS BID
The AP reports that the British government gave its support today “to a London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, putting the capital in competition” with N.Y., Madrid and “probably Paris.” British Culture, Media & Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell: “This morning the prime minister (Tony Blair) has telephoned (IOC President) Jacques Rogge to inform him of our decision.” Government estimates “put the cost of a London games at [US$7.2B], half of which it would be expected to underwrite” (AP, 5/15).
SWEDEN TODAY SUBMITS PROPOSAL TO HOST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
The AP reports that Sweden formally submitted a bid today to host the ’03 Women’s World Cup, and Canada “asked to stage part of the tournament” as FIFA “extended the deadline for proposals through the weekend.” The Swedish proposal calls for “guarantees that FIFA would cover any losses,” similar to the request by the USSF. Canada’s bid was “to co-host one first-round group of the tournament in Edmonton, Alberta, if the remainder is played” in the U.S. (AP, 5/15).
PROMOTION OF THE WEEK: OMAR VIZQUEL TURNS A TRIPLE PLAY
The Indians this weekend will offer a trio of giveaways featuring SS Omar Vizquel, the last remaining player from the team’s two recent World Series berths, as they host the A’s for a three-game set. All fans in attendance for the series opener tomorrow night at 7:05pm ET will receive a mini-figurine, while the weekend continues with two giveaways for fans age 14 and under: a rubber duck for Saturday’s 7:05pm game and a talking bobblehead for Sunday’s 1:05pm game. Team sponsors Verizon Wireless, Sugardale and Key Bank, respectively, are sponsoring the giveaways. The talking bobblehead features audio of memorable Vizquel plays by team broadcasters Tom Hamilton, Matt Underwood and Mike Hegan.
Acknowledging that the Indians’ roster is loaded with unfamiliar names this season, Indians VP/PR Bob DiBiasio told The Daily that the organization wanted to promote its most recognizable player and “create some excitement during the time period when the kids are still in school and drawing crowds is going to be a little bit more of a challenge. So we said let’s blow it out and do a whole weekend of Omar – since people love him – and see how it goes.”
One week prior to the team’s current homestand, which began Tuesday, the Indians started running extensive radio and TV advertising to highlight the Vizquel promotions. DiBiasio said the Indians “bought a lot of 15-second spots” to run on morning TV programming as well as during the 6:00pm and 11:00pm news. DiBiasio: “We felt we could maximize sales by having a vibrant 15-second spot hitting a lot of times instead of 30-second spots.” The advertising is reflective of a new strategy implemented to better support the increased number of promotional events this season. The total of 39 promotions is more than double the amount during the ’02 season.
The Friday-Sunday set is the team’s third weekend series of the season. The first, April 11-13 against the Royals, averaged 18,478. The second, May 2-4 against the Rangers, averaged 21,240. With advance sales already over 21,000 for Friday and Saturday and over 22,000 for Sunday, DiBiasio is hoping for a weekend average of 25,000. DiBiasio, on the difficulty of selling tickets while in a rebuilding mode: “It’s an incredible challenge. How it relates to most people in baseball, we’re back to the norm.” DiBiasio noted that the attendance dropoff this season could be largely attributed to the decline in season-ticket sales, from approximately 22,000 last year to about 15,000 this year. The Indians through Sunday, April 27, had the sharpest decline in average attendance as compare to last season at 30.7%.
Do you have an interesting promotion The Daily should know about? If so, please email Joe Oliver at joeo@sportsbusinessdaily.com
BUZZER BEATERS
A San Antonio Sports Foundation-commissioned study released today estimates that the ‘03 NCAA Men’s South Regional Basketball Tournament held in San Antonio in March generated $7.2M in direct visitor spending for the local economy with a total indirect economic impact of $10.2M (THE DAILY).
The Int’l Federation of PGA Tours today announced that the Real Club de Golf de Seville will host the ’04 World Golf Championships November 18-21, marking the first time the event will be played in Europe since a format change in ’00 that brought it under the umbrella of the World Golf Championship. A minimum purse of $4M is expected (THE DAILY).
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that Paragon Marketing Group “has been retained as the licensing agency for the estate of Walter Payton.” Paragon will be responsible for licensing trading cards, jerseys and bobblehead dolls, as well as Payton’s likeness for use in advertisements (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/15).
EDS today will launch a new ad campaign to coincide with USA Network’s first-round coverage of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, the company’s first-ever golf title sponsorship. The three TV ads, via Fallon Worldwide, will also run on CBS during weekend coverage of the tournament, and throughout the year during other USA Network and CBS golf telecasts, as well as on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” (THE DAILY).
The WNBA today announced that the Title IX petition the league began distributing March 17 has surpassed 25,000 signatures. The league has extended the deadline to sign the petition from opening night, May 22, to the WNBA All-Star Game July 12 (THE DAILY).
Orlando Predators Entertainment today announced the completion of the sale of the ECHL LA IceGators to Gator Play, LLC (THE DAILY).
The CBA Great Lakes Storm today announced that former CBA Senior VP Clay Moser has been named President and coach of the third-year team. Moser most recently served as an advance scout for the Warriors (THE DAILY).
Visa Int’l and the Int’l Rugby Board (IRB) announced that Visa will be the presenting sponsor of the second IRB Under 21 World Cup, which will be played June 13-30 in Oxfordshire, England (THE DAILY).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
Fox Sports is holding an auction on eBay for someone to be “54321” co-host Leeann Tweeden’s assistant for a day. The auction description reads, “The winning bidder will come to the set of 54321 and help Leeann with whatever she needs. You will attend meetings, join her for lunch, and even watch the show tape. But don’t think it is all glitz and glory; she may have you make copies and get her coffee.” As of presstime, the high bid was $2,275. The auction ends at 7:15pm ET (THE DAILY).
TONIGHT’S EVENTS
Ice Hockey in Harlem will hold its annual Graduation Ceremony in the auditorium of P.S. 101 on 141 E. 111th Street from 6:00-8:00pm ET. The organization will acknowledge more than 275 participants, volunteers and coaches for their hard work and dedication during the ‘02-03 season (THE DAILY).
CHANNEL SURFING
The Tennis Channel officially launches at 4:30pm ET.
ABC will air the NBA playoffs: Spurs-Lakers Game 6 at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN will air the Stanley Cup playoffs: Senators-Devils Game 3 at 7:00pm ET.
ESPN will air the NBA playoffs: Mavericks-Kings Game 6 at 10:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air “Outside The Lines Nightly,” which will examine the Thoroughbreds of the ‘70s, the impact of a Triple Crown winner and the effect of the recent betting and jockey scandals, at midnight ET. Guests include former jockey Chris McCarron, Alydar trainer John Veitch and Louisville Courier-Journal writer Pat Forde.
ESPN2 will air “The Sports Reporters Primetime” at 7:00pm ET.
ESPN Classic’s “SportsCentury” will profile Pete Maravich at 8:30pm ET.
Winston Cup driver Elliott Sadler, Fox NASCAR analyst Darrell Waltrip and former 76ers President Pat Croce are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”
A&E’s “Biography” will profile Saddam Hussein at 8:00pm ET.
E!’s “True Hollywood Story” will profile the series Gimme a Break at 8:00pm ET.
The Travel Channel will air “Sports Fan’s Road Trip” at 10:00pm ET.
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| “Late Show” | Renee Zellweger |
| “The Tonight Show” | Jim Carrey |
| “The Late Late Show” | Ben Harper |
| “Late Night” | All claymation show |
| “Jimmy Kimmel Live” | Mekhi Phifer |
TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan writes of Annika Sorenstam playing in next week’s Bank of America Colonial, “Any woman who dares to be different, who launches herself into a man’s world in a unique or groundbreaking way … knows there most likely will be a serious backlash from the men in that world against her and her very presence in their midst. In fact, if she’s long on perspective, she might even be a little disappointed if she didn’t trigger such a reaction” (USA TODAY).
See The Daily Insider’s Articles Of Interest for more sports business-related links.
TODAY’S TEASER…
Sports Business: Reports have the Indianapolis 500 possibly not running a full field of 33 cars for the first time since ’47. What is the significance of the number 33 in determining a full field?
IN OTHER NEWS…
MEDIAWEEK.com reports that Westwood One President & CEO Joel Hollander, “one of Viacom COO Mel Karmazin’s loyal lieutenants for more than 20 years,” was promoted today to Infinity Broadcasting COO. Hollander replaces John Fullam, who resigned in late April after less than a year in the post.” Former Westwood One Exec VP Shane Coppola replaces Hollander (MEDIAWEEK.com, 5/15).
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that the “slow-but-steady strategy” to introduce Jesse Ventura to the MSNBC audience “unofficially starts tonight when Ventura makes a brief prime-time appearance” on the net. Ventura will gradually build a presence on the network until he launches his own show, tentatively titled “Jesse Ventura Live,” sometime this summer (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/15).
THE DAILY STAT: BILLBOARD CHARTS
The following lists Billboard Magazine’s top-selling CDs for the week ending May 11 (BILLBOARD.com, 5/15):
| RK | ALBUM | ARTIST | LABEL |
| 1) | Body Kiss | The Isley Brothers | DreamWorks |
| 2) | Come Away With Me | Norah Jones | Blue Note |
| 3) | On And On | Jack Johnson | Moonshine Conspiracy/Universal |
| 4) | The Very Best Of Cher | Cher | Geffen/MCA/Warner Bros. |
| 5) | Get Rich Or Die Tryin' | 50 Cent | Shady/Aftermath |
| 6) | Fallen | Evanescence | Wind-up |
| 7) | One Heart | Celine Dion | Epic |
| 8) | The Matrix Reloaded: The Album | Soundtrack | Warner Sunset/Maverick |
| 9) | Thankful | Kelly Clarkson | RCA |
| 10) | The Lizzie McGuire Movie | Soundtrack | Walt Disney |
…TODAY’S ANSWER
The size of the field represents one car for every 400 feet of track on the 2.5-mile oval.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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