Closing Bell, November 11, 2003

ESPN TO AIR SEASON FINALE OF “PLAYMAKERS” TONIGHT AT 9:00pm ET

ESPNtonight will air the season finale of “Playmakers,” and FLORIDA TODAY notesthat through ten episodes, the series “is averaging a 1.85 rating, which equals1,620,000 households.” “Playmakers”Exec Producer John Eisendrath said that the net’s ratings in the9:00-10:00pm ET timeslot “have increased by 500[%].” Eisendrath: “No one would have done a show about the mob before‘The Sopranos.’ There have been taboosabout certain genres and TV, and I think sports is certainly one of them” (FLORIDATODAY, 11/11).

DAILYVARIETY’s John Dempsey wrote, “While ESPN is keeping mum about the fate of‘Playmakers,’ the betting is that the network will not go forward with itbeyond the first season. The cabler would be dropping‘Playmakers’ to serve a higher cause: keeping ESPN’s partnership with the NFLfrom deteriorating so badly that the league would retaliate when it comes timeto renegotiate its contract” (DAILYVARIETY, 11/10).

InPittsburgh, Mark Madden wrote, “I think the real reason the NFL hates‘Playmakers’ is because it’s more entertaining than the NFL. … Assuming‘Playmakers’ returns for a second season, the series will need newmaterial. It has already pirated everysingle real-life NFL scandal over the past decade or so” (PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE, 11/8).

InHouston, David Barron wrote, “If you enjoy drama, well-drawn characterportraits, story lines that are devoid of clichés and an atmosphere devoid ofsensationalism, read a book. Otherwise,you can check out the season finale of ‘Playmakers’ on ESPN” (HOUSTONCHRONICLE, 11/10).

ESPNruns a half-page ad in USA Today promoting the finale with the tagline, “EverySeason Has One Defining Moment” (THE DAILY).

SHARPIE TO TITLE BUSCH SERIES RACE AT BRISTOL FOR THREE YEARS

Sharpietoday announced a three-year title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series raceat Bristol Motor Speedway. The SharpieProfessional 250 will be run March 27, 2004. Sharpie is also the title sponsor of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series eventat the track, the Sharpie 500, which will be run August 28, 2004 (Sharpie).

MANCHESTER UNITED TO RETURN FOR U.S. TOUR NEXT SUMMER

ChampionsWorldand Manchester United today announced that the English Premier League club willreturn for a second U.S. tour next summer. While dates and opponents for the club’s three games are not yet known,one game will be played each at Soldier Field and Giants Stadium (ChampionsWorld). The AP reports that the Foxboro,Philadelphia and DC are the “top contenders” for the third game (AP,11/11).

TURNKEY SPORTS TODAY ANNOUNCES FAN TRAK AGREEMENTS

TurnkeySports today announced the debut of FanTrak, which enables sports teams ororganizations to survey fans and receive results overnight. The following teams and companies haveentered into FanTrak licenses: Ravens, Bruins and FleetCenter, Canadiens, TrailBlazers and Cavaliers. Comcast-Spectacorhas entered into a Master License agreement to deploy FanTrak across all of itsproperties and at all Global Spectrum facilities, including the Wachovia Centercomplex, 76ers, Flyers, AHL Philadelphia Phantoms and three minor leaguebaseball teams. The Twins and 14 otherNFL teams already use FanTrak (Turnkey Sports).

CABLEVISION SYSTEMS POSTS Q3 LOSS, WILL RESTATE SOME EARNINGS

DOWJONES BUSINESS NEWS reports that Cablevision Systems today posted “an expanded third-quarterloss. The company also said it wouldrestate results for 2003, including the latest quarter, to account for $15[M]of expenses that were improperly recorded in 2002 and earlier.” For the quarter, the net loss was $104.6M,compared with a year-earlier loss of $79.5M. Revenue increased 12% to $975.8M from $872.4M a year earlier. The results do not “include the effects ofthe restatement and revision, which is expected to be completed by the end ofNovember” (DOW JONES BUSINESSNEWS, 11/11). As of presstime, shares ofCablevision were up $0.20, 0.98%, to $20.63.

BUZZER BEATERS

NBAKings co-Owner Joe Maloof, who is in talks with Disney to buy the MightyDucks, on the possibility of moving the Kings to Arrowhead Pond: “That’s not going to happen. It’s not even in the cards” (SACRAMENTOBEE, 11/11).

TheUSBL today announced that former NBAer Shawn Kemp has joined theownership group of the league’s Oklahoma Storm. Bulls G/F Eddie Robinson is also a member of the club’sownership group (USBL).

CBStoday reported that its Week 10 NFL split broadcast, featuring Bills-Cowboysand Jets-Raiders, earned a 13.4/26 preliminary Nielsen rating, the highestrating any network has earned this season for NFL games. The only NFL slot on CBS to rate higher wasthe average for the final weekend of the ’01 season (CBS).

SpeedwayMotorsports today reported record revenue and earnings for Q3 ’03. Total revenue increased 9%, or $5.1M, to$64M, while net income increased 113%, or $1M, to $1.9M over the year agoperiod (SMI).

The Sports Network today announced an agreement under which itwill become the official statistician for Minor League Baseball, the NationalAssociation of Professional Baseball Leagues (The Sports Network).

ESPNyesterday began local marketing efforts for “Cold Pizza,” including thedistribution of more than 500,000 “Cold Pizza” co-branded pizza-boxes and onemillion “Cold Pizza” branded coffee cups in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, N.Y. andPhiladelphia. The net will continuethe effort through December 1 (ESPN).

TheAP reports that marathons in London, Chicago, Boston and Berlin “will notparticipate in [the] world-ranking system proposed” by ING because it would“create problems with their sponsors.” Boston Athletic Association Exec Dir Guy Morse: “Any ranking ofthis type really should be administered and promoted by an independent,noncommercial group” (AP,11/11).

SportsMedia Int’l (SMI) today announced a contract with The Football Network (TFN),under which SMI will act as an advertising and marketing representative andwill use TFN to enhance existing relationships with ESPN, ABC and InfinityBroadcasting (SMI).

REUTERS reported that Fila Holding SpA posted a Q3 ’03 profitcompared with a year-ago loss. Theathletic shoe and clothing manufacturer earned $373,000 for the quarter,compared with a loss of $2.55M in Q3 ’02 (REUTERS, 11/10).

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

NortheasternUniv. will host its “True Heroes of Sports” awards gala at the FidelityInvestments Clubhouse at Gillette Stadium. The late Althea Gibson will be inducted into the school’s SportIn Society HOF, while former Bruins RW Cam Neely and Boston Globecolumnist Jackie MacMullan will receive the male and female “New EnglandHero” distinctions. ESPN’s Bob Leywill serve as Master of Ceremonies.

TheBears will host “Football 101 presented by Bank One” at 6:00pm CT in theSoldier Field Club lounge. The workshopfor women includes a tour of the Bears’ locker room and training room, andinformation on equipment, training and the life of an NFL player. Bears radio personality Tom Thayerwill host the event, and Bears QB Rex Grossman, TE Dustin Lymanand CB R.W. McQuarters are scheduled to participate. Proceeds from the $50-per-person event willgo to Bears Care.

CHANNEL SURFING

NBATV will premiere “The NBA Store” at6:00pm ET, a new six-episode series showcasing new NBA merchandise and apparel.

PacersF Ron Artest will be on ESPN’s “Rome is Burning” at 7:00pm ET.

ESPN2will air NCAA preseason basketball: HarlemGlobetrotters-Syracuse at 7:30pm ET.

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

NationalGeographic Channel will air an encore presentation of “Animals of the NFL” at 8:00pm ET.

BroncosRB Clinton Portis, Raiders CB Philip Buchanon, former NBAer Rick Mahorn and magicians Penn & Teller are scheduled toappear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

NBATV will air Heat-Rockets at 8:30pmET.

ESPNwill air the season finale of “Playmakers”at 9:00pm ET, followed by encore presentations at 10:00pm ET and midnight ET.

CSTVwill premiere its new weekly original series, “U.S. Olympic Pursuit,”at 9:00pm ET, which showcases America’s future Olympians.

ESPN2will air coverage of the ’03 TennisMasters Series from Houston at 11:00pm ET.

NBC’s“The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno will feature a segment on the National Women’s Football Associationat 11:35pm ET.

CBSwill air “The Andy Griffith ShowReunion: Back to Mayberry” at 8:00pm ET.

A&E’s“Biography” will profile John F. KennedyJr. at 8:00pm ET.

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

HEADLINERS

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

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

FLORIDATODAY’s Peter Kerasotis writes of the NFL’s reaction to “Playmakers”: “I feelsooooo sorry for the NFL. They’ve been dirtydouble-crossed by ESPN, which, less we forget, has filled their pocketswith multi-billions of dollars for broadcasting rights as well as aided andpromoted the league through its incredible growth spurt with almost ad nauseampregame and postgame shows” (FLORIDA TODAY).

• Six MLB GMs offer thoughts on lessons learned from Angels and Marlins.
• Though U.S. sales are slumping, adidas still values track & field.
• Addition of Miami, Virginia Tech and BC will raise ACC’s graduation rate.
• Interview with Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird.
• Free tickets at sports venues not uncommon for lobbying efforts.

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

TODAY’S TEASER…

Sports& Entertainment: Name the current NHL coach who appeared as an extra in the ’77 hockeyclassic “Slap Shot.”

1. Islanders coach Steve Stirling
2. Devils coach Pat Burns
3. Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock
4. Senators coach Jacques Martin

IN OTHER NEWS……

NEWSDAYreports that four major tobacco companies “have agreed to stop runningadvertisements in versions of Time, Newsweek and U.S. News and World Reportsent to schools for educational programs.” Philip Morris USA, RJ Reynolds Tobacco, Brown & Williamson Tobaccoand U.S. Smokeless Tobacco are part of the deal (NEWSDAY,11/11).

TheWALL STREET JOURNAL reports that online ad sales “notched their thirdsequential quarterly increase in the second period.” Second-quarter online-ad sales “were $1.66[B], up 14% from a yearearlier and 1.7% from the previous quarter” (WALLSTREET JOURNAL, 11/11).

THE DAILY STAT: TOP SPORTS SITES FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 26

Thefollowing are the top five sports Web sites ranked according to home uniqueaudience for the week ending October 26, according toNielsen//NetRatings.  Unique Audience = the number of persons in thousandsaccessing the site or network, with each counted only once.  Average timespent = the average amount of time a visitor has spent at that property for theweek.  This data is based on 37,000 home users with Internet access (Nielsen//NetRatings).

…TODAY’S ANSWER

According to Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger,Islanders coach Steve Stirling can be seen sitting in the background asPaul Newman gets into a fight with an opposing goalie.

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

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