Closing Bell, October 8, 2003

SEVEN CORPORATE PARTNERS ON BOARD FOR GAME IN PARIS

TheNBA is presenting a preseason game in Paris tonight featuring the Spurs andGrizzlies at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, beginning at 9:00pm localtime.  Corporate sponsors for the gameinclude American Airlines, Champion, Foot Locker, McDonald’s, Nike, Poweradeand Spalding.  The game is beingbroadcast in France on Canal+, and a live U.S. broadcast began on NBA TV at3:00pm ET (NBA).

SPORTSLINE.COM TODAY ENTERS INTO NEW AGREEMENT WITH AOL

SportsLine.comtoday announced that it has terminated its existing agreement with AOL and hasentered into a new agreement. SportsLine.com will no longer receive promotion from AOL, but will continueto provide certain programming services for the AOL Sports Channel for up tothe next 13 months.  Also,SportsLine.com will provide fantasy sports game products to AOL on a privatelabel basis.  AOL will refund toSportsLine.com approximately 1.7 million shares of common stock, which will beretired and canceled.  SportsLine.comhas been relieved of its ’03 obligation to pay an additional $1M in cash and/orstock to AOL (SportsLine.com).

MilbergWeiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP today announced that a class action suithas been filed against SportsLine.com in U.S. District Court for the SouthernDistrict of FL on behalf of purchasers of SportsLine.com common stock duringthe period May 15, 2001 – September 25, 2003. The complaint alleges that SportsLine.com issued a series of false andmisleading statements (Milberg Weiss).

ISC TODAY REPORTS Q3 ’03 RESULTS; REVENUE, INCOME UP OVER ‘02

ISCtoday reported results for Q3 ’03 with total revenues increasing to $160.6M, upfrom $136.4M in the year earlier period. Operating income for the quarter was $59M, compared to $49.1M in Q3’02.  Net income increased to $36M from$29.6M.  Of note, Darlington Raceway’sfall NASCAR Winston Cup event contributed to Q3 ’03 results, while the eventwas held in Q4 ’02 (ISC).

NHL SEASON OPENS TONIGHT AMID CONCERNS ABOUT NEW CBA

TheNHL opens the ’03-04 season tonight with three games scheduled.  In Toronto, Eric Duhatschek writes that DanSnyder’s death “casts a pall over the new season and mutes the excitementlevel generated by a handful of more positive innovations: the first outdoorgame to count in the regular-season standings; a re-emphasis on divisionalrivalries; and a vintage jersey program that will bring a ‘retro’ feel to thegame” (TorontoGLOBE & MAIL, 10/8).

MEDIA LIFE MAGAZINE notes that when the puck drops tonight, “itwill come four months after a Stanley Cup finals that showed major dips fromlast season.  Household ratings for lastspring’s finals were down 19[%] versus last year on ABC.  Just as alarmingly, the finals games carriedby ESPN dipped by 55[%] compared to 2002” (MEDIALIFE MAGAZINE, 10/8).

Thefollowing is a sample of columnists’ thoughts on the state of the league’slabor situation:

InFt. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay writes, “As the NHL prepares for another season,players, fans and other observers are worried it might be the last one – for along time” (Ft.Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 10/8).

InPhiladelphia, Eichel & Panaccio write, “The NHL season opens tonight with … twomajor questions pending.  One is whowill win the Stanley Cup, currently the property of the New Jersey Devils.  The other is whether anybody will be aroundto play for the Cup next season” (PHILADELPHIAINQUIRER, 10/8).

Also in Philadelphia, Ed Barkowitz writes, “The biggest questionis whether this will be the final season of the NHL as we know it.  It is no overstatement that a lockout ofepic proportions is looming after this season” (PHILADELPHIADAILY NEWS, 10/8).

InFt. Worth, Mac Engel writes, “Despite the promise of a new era in the NHL when the [CBA]expires at the end of this season, the league of tomorrow will look too muchlike the league of today.  Promises ofan extended lockout might be realized, but a league of equilibrium will not” (FT. WORTHSTAR-TELEGRAM, 10/8).

In Denver, Adrian Dater writes, “One thing the NHL and the [NHLPA]agree on as a new season begins tonight is that they don’t want hockey arenasto go dark next season.  But disagreementsover money might force that to happen, and those disagreements could turn intosomething of a war, one that both sides already are preparing for” (DENVERPOST, 10/8).

The following is a sample of comments from club owners:

Penguins Owner & C Mario Lemieux, on a lengthy workstoppage: “Itwould be very difficult for the league and for the players, as well.  That’s why there’s plenty of time to sitdown now and to try to rack up a deal here in the next few months, just for thegood of the game, to keep hockey on the up-rise.  Hopefully, both sides realize there’s a lot at stake” (PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE, 10/8).

Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis: “The economics of this league makeno sense.  Do you hear this kind of talkin NFL or NBA?  No.  We need to have a league where economic discussionsin offseason are not what people focus on. The Redskins cut Stephen Davis. Does that mean they are cheap or not committed to winning?  No. It was salary cap issues” (WASHINGTON TIMES,10/8).

Oilers Chair Cal Nichols: “We became one of the top third ofbest-off franchises in terms of profit and loss and we’re still losingmoney.  We’re not interested in comingback unless we get an agreement on cost certainty. … We’ve had a salary capever since we took over, except we call it a budget. … Let’s say we’re out fora year.  The cost to the owners will be[US$270-300M].  The cost to the playerswill be four or five times that.  Whohas the most to lose?” (EDMONTON SUN, 10/8).

Thefollowing is a sample of comments from players and union reps:

PenguinsLW Steve McKenna, on reaching a new CBA before facing a work stoppage:“I hope it happens.  For everyone’ssake” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/8).

NHLPASenior Dir Ted Saskin: “Our players will never negotiate a salary-capsystem.  The league has made this thecritical issue in the negotiations and they’re trying to throw out a system – amarket-based system – that we’ve had for 85 years” (VANCOUVER SUN, 10/8).

BUZZER BEATERS

SportingNews this week offers three covers previewing this weekend’s college footballgames: Miami-Florida State, Ohio State-Wisconsin and Oklahoma-Texas.

SportsIllustrated this week offers a split national cover.  For the majority of the country, Cubs P Kerry Woods isfeatured with the header, “Do You Believe?” Red Sox P Pedro Martinez is featured on the cover for theNortheast with the same header.

Sporting News	Sports Illustrated

TheK.C. STAR reports that Arrowhead Stadium will be the site of the ’04 Big 12football championship game, which “will mark the second straight year atArrowhead Stadium for the title game” (K.C.STAR, 10/8).

TENNISWEEK reports that theWTA Tour and Eurosport today announced an extension of their multi-year TVcontract, which “enables Eurosport to expand its coverage and broadcast anunprecedented 420 hours of 27 WTA tournaments annually through 2007.”  Eurosport began broadcasting WTA Tourtournaments in ’99 (TENNISWEEK, 10/8).

ChurchillDowns Inc. (CDI) today unveiled the logo for the 130^th running ofthe Kentucky Derby, which will take place May 1, 2004.  The logo, which was created for the secondconsecutive year by the CDI graphics team, will adorn tickets, officiallylicensed merchandise and other premium items (CDI).

TheGREATER TRIAD BUSINESS JOURNAL reports that Volvo Trucks North America’s new modeltractor-trailer trucks will be autographed by NASCAR Winston Cup driver DaleEarnhardt Jr.  Earnhardt willautograph the “new, limited-edition long-haul models of Volvo’s VN670 andflagship VN780 trucks as they roll off the assembly line” (BIZJOURNALS.com,10/8).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

TheBOSTON HERALD notes that MA State Rep. Barry Finegold “is pushing a resolutioncalling on hawkers within a mile of Fenway to turn their backs on anymerchandise that smacks of support for the dreaded Yanks.”  The move “apparently has the support” ofGovernor Mitt Romney, as his spokesperson asked “why Finegold wassuggesting the no-Yankee zone would be only one mile” (BOSTONHERALD, 10/8).

N.Y.Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who grew up in Boston, yesterday declared, “I’mrooting for the Yankees, make no mistake about that.  This team’s going to go all the way” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/8).

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

NHLCommissioner Gary Bettman and Devils D Ken Daneyko will ring theclosing bell at the NYSE at 4:00pm ET in N.Y.

TheNHL will host a panel discussion at The Museum of Radio & Television inN.Y. from 5:00-6:00pm ET.  ABC and FSNbroadcaster Mike Emrick will moderate the panel that includes former andcurrent players Bobby Baun, Pat LaFontaine, Clark Gillies,Daneykoand Bobby Nystrom. A reception to celebrate the NHL Archive’s donation of the top 50 NHLbroadcasts to the museum will follow.

Thefamily of Dan Snyder will receive friends and relatives at theDreisinger Funeral Home in Elmira, Ontario, from 7:00-9:00pm ET, and againtomorrow from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm ET. A memorial service is planned for Friday at 1:00pm ET at the ElmiraMennonite Church.  The family requestsany donations be directed to:

Grady Memorial Hospital
c/o Henry W. Grady Foundation
80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
Box 26141
Atlanta, GA 30303

The Chargers will host “NFL 101 for Women” from5:30-9:00pm PT at the Chargers Park practice facility.  The $75 tuition fee includes interactiveopportunities, a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, a catered dinner and aT-shirt.

TheSenators will host ticket-package holders, sponsorsand suite owners for a free concert at the Corel Centre by The Eagles,compliments of Senators Owner Eugene Melynk (OTTAWA SUN, 10/8).

CHANNEL SURFING

FlyersLW Jeremy Roenick will be on the “HotSeat” during “SportsCenter” at6:00pm ET.

ESPNwill air regional NHL opening-night coverage at 8:00pm ET: Mighty Ducks-Stars, Devils-Bruinsor Wild-Blackhawks.

Foxwill air split-national coverage of Marlins-CubsNLCS Game Two or Red Sox-YankeesALCS Game One at 8:00pm ET.  FX willair the alternate game in each market.

ESPNClassic’s “SportsCentury” will profile MickeyMantle at 8:00pm ET.

ESPN’s“Outside The Lines Nightly” willexamine the claims, details and court decision in a ’02 sexual assault caseinvolving two Iowa State football players at midnight ET.

Tonight’s episode of NBC’s “Ed” at 8:00pm ET is entitled “WillEd Be Trampled by His Own Dream of Owning or Owing a Racehorse,” and features scenes filmed at Monmouth Park.

NFLPanthers RB Stephen Davis, Red WingsRW Brett Hull, former MLBer Kirk Gibson, Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor DonaldFaison are scheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”  A taped interview with Real Madrid MF David Beckham will also air.

ChiefsKR Dante Hall will be on HBO’s “Inside The NFL” at 10:00pm ET.

LakersC Shaquille O’Neal will be featured on MTV’s “Cribs” at 8:30pmET.

A&Ewill air “The Kobe Case” at 10:00pmET.

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

HEADLINERS

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

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

TheWASHINGTON POST’s Steve Pearlstein writes of the impending dispute betweencable operators and sports programmers, “This is acontest among three monopolists unaccustomed to the kind of competitionmost businesses face.  They include theprofessional sports leagues and team owners. … There are the cable programmers,ESPN and Fox Sports, which have essentially purchased the right to leverage thesports monopolies through exclusive television contracts.  And there are our friendly cable operators,which until recently have effectively enjoyed a monopoly on distributingtelevision programming to most American homes” (WASHINGTON POST).

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

TODAY’S TEASER…

Mindbenders: You do not want to haveit, but when you do have it, you do not want to lose it.  What is it?

IN OTHERNEWS……

REUTERSreports that shares of Biovail Corp., of which Senators Owner Eugene Melnykis Chair & CEO, fell about 13% today on the NYSE “after Bankof America Securities initiated coverage” with a “sell”rating, “citing aggressive accounting practices as a concern” (REUTERS,10/8).

TheAP reports that a construction worker at the Olympic Village in Athens “waskilled when he was hit by a vehicle” today.  The man was the fifth workerto die at the site (AP,10/8).

THE DAILY STAT: PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS

Thefollowing lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten primetime shows forthe week of September 29-October 5. Also provided are the weekly viewership averages for each net (USATODAY, 10/8).

…TODAY’S ANSWER

A lawsuit broughtagainst you.

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

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