Closing Bell, April 12, 2004

ROUND-UP OF TOP HEADLINES FROM THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Thefollowing details some of the major headlines from the holiday weekend:

• The federal government “served search warrants on the two firms that administered steroid testing” for MLB players last year – Comprehensive Drug Testing and Quest Diagnostics.  The MLBPA has filed a motion to quash the subpoenas (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/9).

• DC Mayor Anthony Williams plans to submit a $340M plan for the District to wholly-fund a new ballpark on the grounds of RFK Stadium.  The proposal is “designed to meet the demands” of MLB and “end delay on a decision on the fate” of the Expos (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/9).

• Bobcats Owner Robert Johnson “wants to help Norfolk lure [an MLB] team.  His involvement could include investing in the team and airing its games” on C-SET, the RSN he is establishing in the Carolinas (VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 4/10).

• ESPN Exec VP/Production & Programming Mark Shapiro turned down an offer to head programming at ABC Entertainment.  One source said, “Mark simply did not want to report to [ABC Cable President] Susan Lyne” (“Page Six,” N.Y. POST, 4/10).

• The Ravens’ “transfer of power was seamless and silent” on Thursday with Steve Bisciotti’s wiring of approximately $325M to Art Modell to purchase the remaining 51% of the Ravens he did not already own (Baltimore SUN, 4/9).

• The Red Wings’ first playoff game against the Predators Wednesday night was “the most-watched show ever” on FSN Detroit, drawing a 13.1/20 Nielsen rating.  The previous top-rated show was a March 16, 2003, game against the Senators (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/9).

• ESPN earned a 0.64 Nielsen cable rating for the aforementioned Predators-Red Wings game, up 78% over last year’s comparable 0.36 for Maple Leafs-Flyers Game One.  ESPN2 earned a 0.46 rating for Thursday’s Stars-Avalanche Game One, up 100% over last year’s comparable 0.23 for Bruins-Devils Game One (THE DAILY).

CBS EARNS 7.3/19 FAST NATIONAL FOR FINAL ROUND OF THE MASTERS

CBSSports today announced that its coverage of yesterday’s final round of TheMasters earned an average fast national Nielsen rating of 7.3/19.  Due to the possibility of inclement weather,final-round coverage began an hour earlier and ended earlier thanscheduled.  In a like time periodcomparison to last year from 2:30-6:30pm ET, final-round coverage earned anaverage fast national rating of 8.1/21, up 4% compared to a 7.8/19 last year.  This year’s two-day fast national averageearned a 6.7/17 compared to last year’s 6.9/17 (CBS Sports).

PHIL MICKELSON’S MARKETABILITY EXAMINED TODAY ON CNBC

FollowingPhil Mickelson’s victory yesterday in The Masters, his first in a majorchampionship, CNBC today aired a segment on his marketability.  Burns Sports President Bob Williamsindicated that Mickelson could sign with a “major bank, fast food restaurant, asports drink company or computer business, areas where right now, he has nomajor deals in place.”

DeutschInc. CEO Donny Deutsch: “I kind of liken him to a John Elway –who was a likeable guy, who was the quintessential runner-up – and once he won,he really went into turbo as far as his endorsements, and I think the samething is going to happen with Mickelson.”

SportscorpPresident Marc Ganis: “He embodies what we like to think of ourselves inAmerica – the stick-tuitiveness, the grit, and finally coming out on topthrough perseverance and effort.  Thisis a story that I think has a lot of legs, and sponsors are going to want toattach themselves to” (“Power Lunch,” CNBC, 4/12).

ALL ROOFTOP OWNERS TO HAVE WRIGLEY VIEW AFTER AGREEMENT

TheCubs host the Pirates today in their Wrigley Field opener, and the CHICAGOSUN-TIMES reported that U.S. District Judge James Holderman on Thursdaybrokered an agreement between the Cubs and Skybox on Waveland.  Holderman “swore both sides to secrecy, soit’s not clear whether Skybox on Waveland will be paying less than the 17[%] ofgross revenues agreed to by a dozen other rooftop clubs cashing in on theirbird’s-eye view of Wrigley Field” (CHICAGOSUN-TIMES, 4/9).

SMART USA TO BE OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF BOSTON MARATHON

TheBOSTON HERALD reports that a fleet of about 30 smart USA cars today arrives inBoston, after the Boston Athletic Association announced that smart USA will serve as theofficial automotive sponsor for the Boston Marathon this year.  Founded in ’94 by Mercedes-Benz and Swatchmaker SMH, smart now sells its small cars in many int’l markets.  However, the first smart vehicle will not beavailable in the U.S. until ’06 (BOSTONHERALD, 4/12).

NIKON TODAY ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL SPONSORSHIP OF METS

Nikontoday announced that it has signed on as an official sponsor of the Mets, thecompany’s first major sponsorship of a professional sports team.  The agreement includes TV advertisingrights, in-stadium signage, branded photographers’ wells and various in-gameactivities, including sponsorship on Team Photo Day on September 12 (Nikon).

BUZZER BEATERS

Real-timesports information provider SportsTicker today announced that it will providein-progress scores, statistics, box scores and other data to RealNetworks (SportsTicker).

KXL-AMin Portland yesterday during the debut broadcast of “Sports Business Radio,”interviewed NBA Commissioner David Stern, who said how often he talkswith the commissioners of the NHL, NFL and MLB: “I speak to Gary Bettmana little bit more than the others because Gary worked with me for 12 years andwe’ve become personal friends over the time. But I have a very good and warm relationship with Paul and Bud,and as the occasion arises on one issue or another, we pick up the phone,swap ideas, lament, sort of common fates and talk about our favorite subject,owners” (KXL-AM, 4/11).

NHLCommissioner Gary Bettman said Saturday of labor negotiations: “Nothingis new, but we’re going to meet. There’s plenty of time.”  TheS.F. CHRONICLE noted that Bettman was “hinting it could occur early next month”(S.F.CHRONICLE, 4/11).

BullsF & NBPA VP Antonio Davis is “no longer opposed to an age limit.”  Davis: “Before I came to this team, youwould've never gotten me to say that. … I guess I saw a little bit of the otherside, guys needing maturity, guys needing some years to learn professionalism”(WASHINGTONPOST, 4/9).

Thisseason’s MLS Cup is “almost certain to be held” at The Home Depot Center forthe second straight year.  The topcandidates to host the All-Star Game are Gillette Stadium and an L.A. arealocation: The Home Depot Center, the Rose Bowl or the Coliseum (WASHINGTONPOST, 4/11).

MLBCommissioner Bud Selig toured Petco Park before its first regular-seasongame Thursday and said it was “better than I thought it would be.  It’s outstanding” (L.A. TIMES, 4/9).

MLB.comand Sun Microsystems are celebrating the start of the season by allowing fanstoday through Sunday to download a free ringtone of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”to their mobile phones.  In addition,fans at MLB.com now can also put team logos directly on their mobile handsets (MLB.com,4/12).  SunMicrosystems runs a full-page in USA Today promoting the relationship (THEDAILY).

A“significant portion” of the crowd at last night’s Bruins-Canadiens playoffgame booed during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  It was the first substantial anthem booingin Montreal since last March, about the time of the start of the war in Iraq (TorontoGLOBE & MAIL, 4/12).

LasVegas Motor Speedway will install the new SAFER barriers prior to the September25 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Las Vegas 350 (Las Vegas Motor Speedway).

ESPN’smock trial, “Break Up the Bombers: The Yankees on Trial,” concluded Thursdaynight with the 12-person jury declaring 10-2 that the Yankees were not guiltyof upsetting the competitive balance in MLB (ESPN).

ATTENDANCEWATCH:

• The Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL notes that this past weekend’s Sweden-U.S. Davis Cup quarterfinal at the Delray Beach Tennis Center was sold out.  The total of 18,162 tickets sold for the three-day event is the “most for a weekend domestic U.S. Davis Cup event since the U.S. played the Czech Republic” in L.A. in April ‘00.  That event sold 32,728 tickets (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 4/12).

• The Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW reports that a crowd of 18,597 attended Saturday night’s NCAA Hockey Championship at the FleetCenter, the “largest hockey throng in the facility’s history” (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/12).

• The Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL reported that a crowd of 20,213 attended Friday night’s Cavaliers-Heat game at AmericanAirlines Arena, the “largest attendance for a basketball game in South Florida” (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 4/10).

• The WASHINGTON POST reported that a “celebrity-laden sellout crowd” of 27,000 attended Saturday’s DC United-Galaxy game at The Home Depot Center.  Robert Duval, Will Ferrell and Drew Carey were among the celebrities in attendance (WASHINGTON POST, 4/11).

• For a recap of MLB home-opener attendances, see tomorrow’s Morning Buzz.

A LIGHTER BUZZ

Followingyesterday’s extra-inning victory over the Twins, Tigers manager Alan Trammell“conducted his postgame interview in a gray,pin-striped suit – his way of saying thanks for the support from alwayswell-dressed Pistons coach Larry Brown. On Friday night, Brown donned a Pudge Rodriguez jersey and aTigers cap.”  Trammell: “We appreciatethat Larry recognized the Tigers like that. Go Pistons – and Go Wings!” (DETROIT FREEPRESS, 4/12).

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

TheAtwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia opens an exhibit, “We Will NeverForget: Baseball in Philadelphia, 1876-2004.” The exhibit runs though October 4 (PHILADELPHIADAILY NEWS, 4/12).

THIS WEEK IN SISTER PUBLICATION SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL…

Thisweek’s In-Depth examines Olympic preparations in Athens, including reports onsafety and transportation.

For these stories and more please see SportsBusiness Journal.

CHANNEL SURFING

ESPN2will air the NHL Playoffs: Flyers-Devilsat 7:00pm ET and Sharks-Blues at9:30pm.

ESPNwill air the NHL Playoffs:Avalanche-Stars at 8:00pm ET.

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

Pro Football HOFer Eric Dickerson,Raptors G Jalen Rose, Univ. of Texas WRRoy Williams, CBS golf analyst David Feherty, Fox’ Kevin Kennedyand actor Thomas Jane arescheduled to appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

NBA TV will air Kings-Nuggetsat 9:00pm ET.

NBCwill air “Miss USA 2004” at 9:00pm ET, featuring the following judges:Lakers Majority Owner Jerry Buss, NASCAR driver JeffGordon and FSN’s John Salley

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will appear onCNBC’s “Meet the Press” at 10:00pm ET.

Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez will appear on CBS’ “LateShow” at 11:35pm ET.  As a note, host David Letterman celebrateshis 57^th birthday today.

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

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

HEADLINERS

 Here are tonight’s headline guests on thefollowing talk shows:

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

TheNew Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Ted Lewis writes of the Superdome, “As more citiesbuild or plan new stadiums that can house Super Bowls and Final Fours, thecompetition for these events becomesmore intense.  It appears thatunless the Saints and the state can come to an agreement that at least includesa modernization of the Superdome, the city’s ability to continue to be a majorplayer in landing prestigious sporting events will be in serious doubt” (NewOrleans TIMES-PICAYUNE).

TheN.Y. TIMES’ Joyce Purnick writes of the Yankees, “The talk of moving out of theBronx has stopped, and Mr. Steinbrenner sounds as if he means it when hesays he is staying put.  Maybe that’sbecause Yankee Stadium is so packed that there is barely a seatto be bought. … Not that it’s over. Yankee Stadium is aging.  Thereis a growing consensus that the team needs a new home, which raises all kindsof fiscal, community and political concerns” (N.Y. TIMES).

TheWALL STREET JOURNAL’s Szuchman & Tesoriero write, “With the $24[B] golfindustry in a slump and golf-resort occupancy down three years running, thecourses in the business of drawing high-paying customers say they have to keep veterangolfers happy and tee times tight – and they’re turning to once-amiablecourse marshals to keep players moving to the 18^th hole” (WALLSTREET JOURNAL).

• Economic impact of The Ballpark in Arlington continues to be debated.
• Red Sox fans offer opinions on right-field rooftop seats.
• YES Network eager to expand its roster beyond Yankees programming.
• ESPN’s televising of NFL Draft has turned event into a phenomenon.

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

TODAY’S TEASER…

Sports: Which team set the NBArecord for scoring futility in a shot-clock era game?

IN OTHER NEWS…

This week’s cover of TIMEoffers “State of Siege,” a look at rebel uprisings in Iraq.  Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines “TheVietnam Factor,” a look at how the situation in Iraq compares to that ofVietnam (THE DAILY).

TheATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that Coca-Cola General Counsel Deval Patrickhas resigned, marking “yet another stunning change in the top ranks of Coke,which has seen several key executives depart and is in the midst of a search”for a Chair & CEO.  Patrick was thecompany’s “highest-ranking African American executive” (ATLANTACONSTITUTION, 4/12).

THE DAILY STAT: N.Y. TIMES BESTSELLING NONFICTION

Thefollowing presents best selling nonfiction books for the week ending April 11 (NYTIMES.com,4/12):

WEEKEND BOXOFFICE

TheHOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that “The Passion of The Christ” rebounded at the boxoffice this weekend “far beyond anyone’s expectations.”  The gross for the film was “up a sensational61% from a week earlier, despite being in 168 fewer theaters.”  The estimated total box office for the top12 films this weekend was $100M, a 13% increase from Easter weekend lastyear.  The projected total for all filmsis in the “low-to-mid $110[M] area, and possibly higher, up from last Easter’s$106.9[M], but far from the record $131.9[M] racked up” in ‘02 (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 4/12).

…TODAY’S ANSWER

The Bulls managed only 49 points in an April10, 1999, home game against the Heat.

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

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