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Closing Bell

Closing Bell, July 25, 2003

The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Friday, July 25, 2003
4:00pm ET

Horseracing Industry Hoping For Revival As “Seabiscuit” Opens Tonight

Professional Tennis Returning To Portland With “Superset” Event In November

CFL Close To Revoking Sherwood Schwarz’ Ownership Of Toronto Argonauts

Stars Today Announce Long-Term Extensions For Lites And Armstrong

Critics Weigh In: “Lara Croft Tomb Raider” & “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over”

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


HORSERACING INDSUTRY HOPING FOR BOOST FROM “SEABISCUIT

As “Seabiscuit” opens tonight nationwide, the AP reported that the NTRA has “prepared a three-minute infomercial on racing that will play before the film in more than 5,000 theaters” through August 21.  Trainer John Ward: “If racing can’t cash in on this one, we better get a new guide book.”  NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith: “The film is a gift from the marketing gods” (AP, 7/23).

The WASHINGTON POST reports that the Maryland Jockey Club “passed on a chance to tie Laurel Park and Pimlico” to the infomercial.  The NTRA sponsored the film, and “offered member tracks a five-second ‘tag’ to promote local racing in their marketing area at a cost of $15,000 for the month.”  However, the MD tracks “have several tie-in promotions” with the film (WASHINGTON POST, 7/25).

Thoroughbred Times VP & Editor Mark Simon: “I’m not sure that ‘Seabiscuit’ will be to racing what ‘Love Boat’ was to the cruise industry.  But industry insiders are extremely hopeful” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/25).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that the horseracing industry “has been working the Seabiscuit angle hard: wooing scores of senators, congressmen, congresswomen and their aides at private screenings this week hosted by the racing industry and the Motion Picture Association of America” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/25).

DAILY VARIETY speculates on the film’s box office success, and notes that releasing an adult-oriented drama “in the heart of popcorn-pic season is a counterprogramming ploy of the sort seen now and again, but lavish marketing and loudly whispered hopes of early Oscar traction give the gambit much more prominence” (DAILY VARIETY, 7/25).


PRO TENNIS RETURNING TO PORTLAND FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ‘80s

The PORTLAND TRIBUNE reports that professional tennis “is returning to Portland for the first time since the Nike-sponsored exhibitions of the 1980s,” as an eight-player “Superset” event is scheduled for November 22 at the Rose Garden.  Officials are “keeping a lid on the details, but two sessions of single-set matches will result in a champion reaping $250,000 for winning only three sets.”  Oregon Arena Corp. Senior VP/Business Affairs J.E. Isaac: “These will be top-level players.  It is the first event of its kind, and we are excited to be picked to host it.  We are going to have a great field.  It’s a pretty big thing for the entire Northwest tennis community” (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 7/25).


CFL TO DECIDE ON ARGONAUTS OWNERSHIP ISSUE NEXT WEEK

The CFL is “close to revoking” the ownership of the Argonauts from owner Sherwood Schwarz for “failing to pay the team’s bills and sources claim a decision will be made next week.”  Howard Sokolowski, a builder, and Mario Forgione, an auto parts businessman with multiple sports ties, “plan to meet this weekend to formulate a potential business plan involving the Argos and a new stadium and then forward their proposal to Schwarz early next week” (TORONTO SUN, 7/25).


BUZZER BEATERS

The Stars today announced that President Jim Lites has signed a new six-year contract that runs through the ’08-09 season, and GM Doug Armstrong has signed a two-year extension to his current contract, which now runs through the ’07-08 season (Stars).

The Coyotes today announced the hiring of Mike Briody as the club’s Dir of Luxury Suite Sales.  The Coyotes will move into a new arena in Glendale, AZ, next season (Coyotes).

The OAKLAND TRIBUNE reports that Standard & Poors Managing Partner Roger Grabowski yesterday rebutted claims that the Raiders “would be worth millions more had they sold out their stadium or moved to another city,” while testifying in the team’s $1.1B fraud trial.  Grabowski added that it is “impossible to predict the team’s worth when its current lease ends in 2010 because too many factors are involved” (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/25).

CSTV today announced that the winner of the net’s walk-on tryouts, which concluded yesterday, is 22-year-old Rutgers Univ. grad Kathryn Tappen.  Tappen, who was selected from a field of nearly 100, earns a guest on-air assignment on future CSTV programming (CSTV).

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES reports Corona Light “has signed on as the title sponsor of the Extreme Volleyball Professional Tour,” which stops in Chicago tomorrow.  Corona Light “will benefit from signage at the events.  Plus the brew will be served at pre- and post-game parties in each tourney city” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/25).

World Airways today announced that it has signed a contract with the Bills to provide service for the team’s 11 preseason and regular season games during the ’03 season (World Airways).

FLW Outdoors today announced that Tyson Foods has signed a multi-year deal to be a sponsor on all six tournament trails (FLW Outdoors).

The South Africa MAIL & GUARDIAN reports that South Africa Rugby has “confirmed that three of its major sponsors – ABSA, Energade and Nike – will support the marketing and promotional campaign that will be launched in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup.”  Additionally, SA Rugby today unveiled the logo that will be associated with the campaign (South Africa MAIL & GUARDIAN, 7/25).

Perfect Line, operator of NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, today announced that the company signed a five-year extension on its category licensee with NASCAR, under which Perfect Line can use the NASCAR bar logo within the Silicon Motor Speedway name and logo to brand racing centers, and to use for all marketing or the racing centers, use within collateral sales materials and use on merchandise (Perfect Line).


A LIGHTER BUZZ

The AP reports that a “small, cash-trapped Benedictine order that wants to build a new monastery and headquarters in eastern [PA] is selling the ‘naming rights’” on eBay.  The opening bid of $1M includes the Benedictine Order of St. John’s church, monastery retreat center and bell towers (AP, 7/25).  With just under three days remaining on the auction, zero bids have been placed (THE DAILY).

The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that the Packers HOF has sold “The Receiver” statue that has welcomed visitors since ’85 for $45,000 to Green Bay-based S.J. Boyer Construction.  The 22-foot, 5,700-pound statue “was made to memorialize the claim that the first forward pass in professional football was thrown in Green Bay” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/25).


WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday

NBA Kings C Vlade Divac will host the inaugural “Hoops Dream Weekend” at Basketball Town in the Sacramento Sportsplex.  Proceeds from the $2,000 camp will benefit the Group Seven Children’s Foundation.  For more information, visit www.bballtown.net.

Saturday

Astros Owner Drayton McLane will unveil the official logo for the 75th MLB All-Star Game, to be played next year at Minute Maid Park, during an 11:30am CT press conference.  An on-field ceremony prior to the Cubs-Astros game will immediately follow the press conference.

The Eagles will host an open house for season-ticket holders at Lincoln Financial Field from 10:00am-8:00pm ET.  An open house for the general public will be held Sunday.

The NBA interactive music tour, “Rhythm n Rims,” will make a stop in Atlanta at the “It’s About Sports” festival in Centennial Park from noon-6:00pm ET.

The Predators will host an open house at the Gaylord Entertainment Center from 10:00am-2:00pm ET.  The team’s new ticket packages will be available for purchase.  The locker room will be on display.  Anyone purchasing a new ticket package will receive a free Predators youth bicycle.

The Stars will host “HockeyFest 2003” from 10:00am-3:00pm CT at the American Airlines Center, the first opportunity fans have to purchase partial season-ticket package and group tickets for the upcoming season.  Interactive exhibits, three NHL trophies, several Stars players and the Ice Girls will all be on hand.

Jim Rome will host a tour stop beginning at 3:00pm ET in Detroit.  Among those expected to participate are WNBA Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, former Red Wings D Darren McCarty, MI State Univ. football coach John Smith, former Tigers radio broadcaster Ernie Harwell and former Pistons coach Chuck Daly, G Vinnie Johnson and F Rick Mahorn.  Rome’s radio show, “The Jungle,” can now be heard on WDFN-AM in Detroit (DETROIT NEWS, 7/22).

Sunday

The National Baseball HOF & Museum will induct its ’03 class – Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Bob Uecker and Hal McCoy – during a 1:30pm ET ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.

Spanish side F.C. Barcelona will face Italian side Juventus at 4:00pm ET at Gillette Stadium as part of an eight-game ChampionsWorld series.  The game is followed by MLS United-Revolution at 6:30pm.


CHANNEL SURFING

Friday

ESPN will air “The Season: Being A-Rod” at 7:00pm ET.

ESPN2’s “Block Party” at 7:00pm ET will feature comedian Alex Thomas, Flyers RW Donald Brashear and an episode of “The Life” featuring 76ers G Allen Iverson.

ESPN will air “The Teammates” at 8:00pm ET, based on David Halberstam’s book of the same title.

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

Cavaliers F LeBron James and surfer Sunny Garcia are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

Lakers F Karl Malone will be on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

VH1 concludes its “200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons” with Nos. 40-21 at 9:00pm ET and 20-1 at 10:00pm ET.

Saturday

Twins LF Jacgue Jones will host “This Week In Baseball” on Fox at 12:30pm ET.

Fox will air MLB regional coverage: Yankees-Red Sox or Cubs-Astros at 1:00pm ET or A’s-Angels at 4:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the Swimming & Diving World Championships at 1:00pm ET.

NBC will air the RCA Championships semifinals at 1:30pm ET.

ABC will air third-round coverage of the Senior British Open at 2:30pm ET.

CBS will air third-round coverage of the PGA Tour Greater Hartford Open at 3:00pm ET.  British Open champion Ben Curtis will be interviewed live from Mills Creek Golf Club in OH.

ESPN will air the USGA U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at 3:00pm ET.

NBC will air the Busch Series TrimSpa Dream Body 250 presented by Dodge at 3:30pm ET.

ABC will air WNBA Liberty-Comets at 4:00pm ET.

Fox will air the Best Western $10 Million Challenge at 4:30pm ET.

HBO will premiere its original movie, “Undefeated” at 8:00pm ET, a film about Latino boxer Lex Vargas’ ascent to the middleweight title.

Sunday

NBC will air highlights from the USGA U.S. Girls Junior Championship at 12:30pm ET.

TNT will air the Winston Cup Pennsylvania 500 at 12:30pm ET.

ABC will air final-round coverage of the Senior British Open at 1:00pm ET.

ESPN Classic will air the ’03 Baseball HOF induction ceremony at 1:30pm ET.

CBS will air coverage of the Tour de France at 2:00pm ET.

NBC will air the RCA Championships final at 2:00pm ET.

ABC will air the IRL IndyCar Series Michigan Indy 400 at 2:30pm ET.

CBS will air final-round coverage of the PGA Tour’s Greater Hartford Open at 3:00pm ET.

ESPN will air Yankees-Red Sox at 8:00pm ET.

A&E will air “The True Story of Seabiscuit” at 9:00pm ET.

FSN’s “Beyond The Glory” will profile Tony Hawk.


TODAY’S TEASER…

General: Guess the name of the Canadian band that had a hit in ’70 with “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature.”


THE DAILY STAT: BREAK OUT THE FORKS AND KNIVES

The Gallup Organization recently polled respondents about their fast food dining habits.  They asked: “How often, if ever, do you eat at fast food restaurants, including drive-thru, take-out and sitting down in the restaurant?”  The survey found that 70% of men 18-49 claim to eat fast food weekly.  The chart below summarizes some of the results.  1,006 adults aged 18 and over were polled July 7-9 (Gallup Organization, 7/21).

HOW OFTEN?
%
Every Day
4%
Several times a week
17%
About once a week
31%
Once or twice a month
30%
A few times a year
13%
Never
5%

CRITICS WEIGH IN: “LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER” & “SPY KIDS 3-D”

While “Seabiscuit” grabbed most of today’s movie headlines (see today’s issue of The Daily for reviews), Angelina Jolie returns as video game character Lara Croft in “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life,” an adventure which sends her around the world searching for Pandora’s box.  Meanwhile, the Spy Kids return in “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over,” a 3-D adventure (complete with 3-D glasses) in which the kids travel inside a virtual reality video game.:

—————Movie—————

“Lara Croft Tomb Raider”

“Spy Kids 3-D”

Chicago Sun-Times

Hollywood Reporter

L.A. Times

N.Y. Times

USA Today


TODAY’S ANSWER

The Guess Who


If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

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