Closing Bell, May 21, 2003

POTTER PUBLISHER TEAMS WITHMLB FOR LAUNCH OF FIFTH BOOK

BRANDWEEK.comreports that children’s book publisher Scholastic “will support the launch ofthe fifth Harry Potter book, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,’ witha multi-million dollar marketing campaign that includes” a tie-in withMLB. As part of the promotion, HarryPotter days will be held at four games: Padres-Mariners (June 27);Yankees-Orioles (July 2); Angels-A’s (July 6); Pirates-Astros (July 12). Support at each game will include “livein-game TV mentions, radio, scoreboard messages and in official teammagazine/newsletters.” The book goes onsale June 21 (BRANDWEEK.com,5/21).

TV BLACKOUT MEANS NO “LIVINGLEGENDS” IN NEW ENGLAND

ESPNtonight debuts its “Living Legends” series as HOF broadcaster Curt Gowdywill share the booth with Chris Berman and Joe Morgan forYankees-Red Sox on ESPN2 at 7:00pm ET. The BOSTON GLOBE noted that there is “only one problem. The people who most want to hear Gowdy – RedSox fans in New England – will miss out because the ESPN broadcast is blackedout in NESN’s home territory. Same goesfor satellite subscribers who receive NESN in New England.” Gowdy called Red Sox games from ’51-65 (BOSTONGLOBE, 5/20).

ESPNtoday announced that it will produce a for-radio version of “PTI,” which willdebut on ESPN Radio Monday, June 2, and will be aired weeknights at 7:00pmET. The show, which will featureco-hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, will serve as alead-in to “ESPN Radio GameNight,” which runs from 7:30-11:00pm (THE DAILY).

PARIS UNVEILS BID LOGO AND SLOGAN

Asnoted in today’s Morning Buzz, Paris today officially announced itsbid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. During the announcement, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe also unveileda logo for the bid, as well as the bid’s slogan: “Des Jeux de toutes lescouleurs” or “The Games of Every Color” (THE DAILY).

$10M PROJECT TO BE COMPLETE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

Constructionon a $10M project to increase the banking at Homestead-Miami Speedway begantoday with a ceremonial demolition of the track’s turn four. The project, which is scheduled to becompleted in time for the 2003 Ford Championship Weekend, comes after race fansand drivers asked for more exciting racing at the track. The Championship Weekend, set for November13-16, features the season-finales of the three NASCAR circuits (THE DAILY).

LONDON-MONTREAL IS FIRST CANADIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE GAME

The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the CanadianBaseball League “throws out its first pitch tonight at Labatt Park” in Ontarioas the London Monarchs host the Montreal Royales at 4:00pm PT. The league has “a network (TV) contract withThe Score.” In addition to airingtonight’s game, the net will broadcast a weekly Sunday night game. League administrators “are bullishlyforecasting first year profitability based on an average crowd of 2,000 agame.” The league’s eight teams willplay a 72-game schedule that concludes September 21 (TorontoGLOBE & MAIL, 5/21).

BUZZER BEATERS

SportingNews this week poses the question, “Is LeBron James Overrated?”

SportsIllustrated this week features Serena Williams on the cover, under theheader, “Awesome.”

Sporting News	Sports Illustrated

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro today announced a deal with SanDiego-based Elite Racing Inc. to title sponsor the inaugural Rock ‘n’ RollArizona Marathon and Half-Marathon. P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona, as the race is now billed, will berun on January 11, 2004, and will be televised nationally on FSN. P.F. Chang’s is headquartered in Scottsdale(THE DAILY).

TheNHL today announced that Islanders fan Roger Farina of East Meadow, NY,has been named the winner of the inaugural NHL 7^th Man Award. Farina, who is currently serving in the U.S.Army and is stationed in Iraq, will serve as Commissioner for a day at leagueHQs in N.Y., and then participate in a ceremonial opening face-off prior to a StanleyCup Finals game (THE DAILY).

TheNHRA and Sears today announced that Sears, Roebuck and Co., through itsCraftsman brand, has renewed its sponsorship as the official tools of the NHRA(THE DAILY).

MLB.com today announced the launch of ’03 online All-Star ballots in Japaneseand Spanish for the second consecutive year (THE DAILY).

Under Armour today announced a licensing agreement with sportinggoods manufacturer JR286 to manufacture and distribute Under Armouraccessories. Under Armour will provideJR286 with exclusive rights to the Under Armour trademarks and all of UnderArmour’s accessories. Under Armourofficials expect that the deal will drive 3% revenue growth in the coming year (THEDAILY).

The Melbourne AGE reports that former South African President NelsonMandela today met with David Beckham in Johannesburg prior to theEngland-South Africa int’l friendly tomorrow (MelbourneAGE, 5/22).

Businesssolutions provider PFSweb today announced that it will provide orderfulfillment, distribution and call-center support for Roots Canada’s ‘04Olympic apparel (THE DAILY).

TheNashville TENNESSEAN reports that the National Women’s Football Association haschosen Nashville as the site for its ‘03 championship game, to be played August7. League HQs are also in Nashville (NashvilleTENNESSEAN 5/21).

TheHarlem Globetrotters announced that Warner Brothers’ home video division hasreleased two episodes of “Scooby-Doo” featuring the Globetrotters on both VHSand DVD. The episodes are “The Mysteryof Haunted Island” and “The Loch Ness Mess” (THE DAILY).

TheLaureus World Sports Awards were distributed last night at the Grimaldi Forumin Monaco (THE DAILY). Thewinners are as follows:

A LIGHTER BUZZ

A listing on eBay is offering a 2002 BMW 5Series M-5 owned by A’s P Mark Mulderwith a starting bid of $65,000. Toallay the fears of any bidders who remember George Costanza gettingburned by what he thought was Jon Voight’s ’83 Chrysler LeBaron, the carcomes equipped with an autographed title and certificate of authenticity (THEDAILY).

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

FSNNorthwest, during its broadcast of the 7:05pm PT Royals-Mariners game, willrandomly select three fans to be connected via wireless mikes to the broadcastbooth for a half-inning apiece. At thetop of the second, fourth and sixth innings, a fan will have an open dialoguewith announcers Dave Niehaus, Ron Fairly and Rick Rizzs,to comment on everything from game action to ballpark experiences (THE DAILY).

NewYork Univ. will honor former MLBPA Exec Dir Marvin Miller and celebratethe opening of the Marvin J. Miller Archive during a 6:30pm ET ceremony at theschool’s Bobst Library. Speakers willinclude former MLBer and “Ball Four” author Jim Bouton, MLBPA Exec Dir DonaldFehr and former MLBPA General Counsel Richard Moss (THE DAILY).

The Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW reports that the Pirates willdistribute talking bobblehead dolls of late radio broadcaster Bob Princeprior to the team’s 7:05pm ET game against the Cubs. The game is “approaching a sellout, with about 35,000 ticketssold” for 37,898-seat PNC Park (PittsburghTRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/21).

WNBAMystics F Murriel Page will speak at the “Women Are Heroes Too” Tribute,which will honor women who serve in the military, law enforcement, fire/EMS, aswell as volunteers and other contributors to rescue and recovery efforts. The ceremony will take place at the gates ofArlington National Cemetery at 8:00pm ET (THE DAILY).

The IntercollegiateTennis Association Men’s Collegiate Tennis HOF will induct six new members at6:30pm ET in Athens, GA. The inducteesare Bill Bond, Dick Leach, Robert Van’t Hof, George Church, Bob McKinley and Jim Russell (TENNISWEEK, 5/20).

CHANNELSURFING

76ers/FlyersChair Ed Snider will be on CSNPhiladelphia’s “Daily News Live” at5:30pm ET to discuss the state of both franchises.

FSN’s“54321” will feature freestyle motocross rider Travis Pastrana’s AT&T spot, and BMX riders Stephen Cerra and Tom Haugen at 5:30pm ET.

ESPNwill air the Stanley Cup playoffs: Senators-DevilsGame 6 at 7:00pm ET.

IRLdriver Helio Castroneves will be onESPN2’s “RPM 2Night” at 6:30pm ET.

ESPN2will air Yankees-Red Sox at 7:00pmET and Giants-D’Backs at 10:00pm ET.

ESPNClassic’s “SportsCentury” will profile the year 1982 at 7:00pm ET and ChuckBednarik at 8:00pm ET.

ESPN’s“Outside The Lines Nightly” willexamine the risks facing sneaker companies in signing players tolong-term endorsement contracts at midnight ET.

TNT willair the NBA playoffs: Mavericks-SpursGame 2 at 8:30pm ET. Bucks G GaryPayton will serve as a guest analyst for an on-site edition of the “InsideThe NBA.”

DodgersC Paul Lo Duca, cyclist Ivan Dominguez, Women’s SportsFoundation Exec Dir Donna Lopianoand talk show host Debbie Schlusselare scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

WinstonCup driver Tony Stewart will appearon CBS’ broadcast of the 38^thAnnual Academy of Country Music Awards at 8:00pm ET.

MSNBC’s“Lester Holt Live” will feature aninterview with Dayton Daily News baseball writer and HOF inductee Hal McCoy at 9:00pm ET. Former MN. Gov. Jesse Ventura conducted the interview.

HBO willair the final installment of its 12-episode boxing series, “Legendary Nights” at 10:00pm ET,featuring the ’02 Mike Tyson-LennoxLewis bout.

A&E’s“Biography” will profile Cary Grantat 8:00pm ET.

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

HEADLINERS

Hereare tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

TheNewark STAR-LEDGER’s Matthew Futterman writes that despite the success of theDevils and Nets this season, Nets/Devils CEO Lou Lamoriello is unlikelyto return to his position with the Nets next season and may even be on theouts with the Devils as he has“becomea victim of the growing friction” at YankeeNets. That friction has “been sparked by financial losses and a clashof personalities in the board room” (Newark STAR-LEDGER).

SeeThe Daily Insider’s Articles ofInterest section for more sports business-related links.

TODAY’S TEASER…

Mindbenders: Name the two U.S. statesthat derive their names from French.

IN OTHERNEWS……

REUTERSreports that Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan told Congress todaythat deflation “posed only a minor threat to the U.S. economy but requiresclose attention and ‘maybe’ even central bank action.” While keeping thedoor “ajar to future interest-rate cuts,” Greenspan suggested he was“willing to be patient a bit longer amid hopes the economy could pick up” (REUTERS, 5/21).

THE DAILY STAT: PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS

Thefollowing lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten primetime shows forthe week of May 12-18. Also providedare the weekly viewership averages for each net (USA TODAY, 5/21).

…TODAY’SANSWER

Louisiana and Vermont

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