Closing Bell, May 28, 2004

FREDDY ADU TO PROMOTE CAMPBELL’S CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Campbell Soup Company today announced that it has signed DCUnited rookie F Freddy Adu to an endorsement deal.  Adu will be featured in advertising set todebut this fall, and will be utilized on national promotional materials, POSmaterials and the company’s Web site. Adu will endorse Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup.  Campbell today also announced that it hasinked a sponsorship deal with DC United (Campbell).

NFL OWNERS VOTE TO KEEP PRO BOWL IN HAWAII THRU 2009 GAME

The Honolulu STAR-BULLETIN reports that NFL owners“unanimously approved a deal Wednesday to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawaii throughthe 2009 game.”  This year, the state“paid the NFL more than $5[M] in hosting rights, but negotiators said thatamount will be lower in the new contract.” NFL Senior VP/Special Events Jim Steeg said that the final stepis for the contract to be approved in “written terms.”  An official announcement should come by theend of June (HonoluluSTAR-BULLETIN, 5/28).

FOX TO BROADCAST NEXTEL CUP SERIES’ LONGEST RACE SUNDAY

Fox will air the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Coca-Cola 600Sunday at 5:00pm ET, and USA TODAY reports that Fox Sports “would not likely bein favor of shortening the race. Although the 600-miler’s TV rating typically ends up being slightlylower than Fox’ season average for NASCAR – the audience builds as the racegoes on – it ends up bringing in more money than most other races because ofthe extra ad time.”  NASCAR President MikeHelton said that NASCAR is not “considering shortening the 600 or any otherrace” (USATODAY, 5/28).

Nextel will launch the second phase of its Nextel Cup Seriesadvertising during Fox’ broadcast of the race. The company will break two new spots, featuring Jeff Gordon and MattKenseth separately, as part of its “Done.” brand campaign (Nextel).

Gillette will break two new TV spots, via BBDO N.Y.,featuring the Gillette Young Guns during the broadcast to promote the newM3Power razor.  The ads will continue torun exclusively during NASCAR programming on TNT, NBC and Fox for the remainderof the ’04 season (Gillette).

ABC TO UTILIZE THREE NEW CAMERAS FOR SUNDAY’S INDY 500

ABC will air the Indy 500 Sunday at 11:00am ET, and USATODAY notes that the net “will soup up coverage with a new ‘Pan Cam’ – camerasmounted on cars that pan 180 degrees – and ‘Visor Cams’ – cameras put ondrivers’ helmet visors.”  ABC will also“use a ‘7000 Cam’ that will offer replays that record up to 7,000 frames asecond.  The technology evolves fromgovernment crash testing.” Additionally, the net will move Jack Arute, a pit reporter for 20years, into its broadcast booth (USA TODAY, 5/28).

The ORLANDO SENTINEL notes that with “recent peace among open-wheel drivers, ABChopes to capitalize by featuring the IRL’s young personalities and the league'stight competition” (ORLANDOSENTINEL, 5/28).

USA TODAY noted that in what “amounts to a one-month tryoutfor future on-air TV work,” former Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran hasbeen a reporter for ESPN’s coverage and will report frequently this weekend for“SportsCenter” (USATODAY, 5/27).

SELECT DEMOGRAPHIC RATINGS FOR INDY 500 AND COCA-COLA 600

The following presents select demographic Nielsen ratingsfor IRL’s Indianapolis 500 on ABC and NASCAR Nextel Cup’s Coca-Cola 600 on Fox,all charted over the past three years (THE DAILY):

ESPN TO BEGIN “THE MOMENTS” SUNDAY NIGHT ON “SPORTSCENTER”

ESPN will begin four months of ESPN25 programming Sundayduring the 11:00pm ET edition of “SportsCenter” with the first installment of“The Moments,” a daily countdown of the 100 most memorable sports moments ofthe past 25 years.  The list willculminate with the announcement of the top moment on September 7, ESPN’s 25^thanniversary.  Chris Berman willnarrate the 30-second vignettes, which will break each subsequent day duringthe 6:00pm ET edition of “SportsCenter” (ESPN).

WEEKLY LATINO BOXING SERIES DEBUTS TONIGHT ON THE INTERNET

USA TODAY reported that CMX Sports, “in association with LasVegas-based promoter Guilty Boxing, launches a weekly Latino boxing series”tonight on the Internet.  For $4.95 permonth, viewers can access cards, which will be shown at www.cmxsports.com Fridays at 11:00pmET.  CMX has “made a three-yearcommitment to the project and is planning 48 two-hour shows a year” (USATODAY, 5/25).

BUZZER BEATERS

Professional Bull Riders today announced a sponsorship dealwith hunting and fishing outfitter Cabela’s, under which Cabela’s has beennamed the official outdoor outfitter of the PBR.  The deal also includes title sponsorship of the June 12-13 eventin K.C. (PBR).

Charter Communications and BASS today announced BASS as anassociate sponsor of the No. 60 Charter Racing Ford Taurus for the ’04 NASCARBusch Series.  A dedicated BASS paintscheme will appear on the car’s hood tomorrow and July 31 (Charter).

The FINANCIAL TIMES reports that Greek Public Works MinisterGeorge Souflias “yesterdaypublicly expressed doubts about the wisdom of hosting this year’s Olympic Gamesin Athens, in the face of cost overruns of as much as [$2.4B] on an originalbudget of [$5.6B].”  Souflias: “I haveto question whether our country should have undertaken the organization of thegames” (FINANCIALTIMES, 5/28).

The London GUARDIAN reports that Umbro cut the price of itsproposed IPO last night “in an attemptto convince investors to support” the company, which is expected to proceedwith its IPO at $1.84, “against an indicative price of [$2.76-3.50] a share setpreviously” (LondonGUARDIAN, 5/28).

The Columbia STATE reports that the ’07 Senior PGAChampionship will be held at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course from May 24-27 (Columbia STATE,5/28).

The BUFFALO NEWS reports that Batavia Downs has cancelledits ’04 harness racing meet and “planned slot machines are not in thenear future at Batavia.”  The meet wasscheduled to start August 4 (BUFFALO NEWS,5/28).

WEEKEND EVENTS

The U.S National Cricket Team will play the CanadianNational Team in a three-day match at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City, FL,marking the first time cricket will be played on turf pitch in the U.S.  Organizers expect 1,000-1,500 spectators toattend each match (Ft. LauderdaleSUN-SENTINEL, 5/27).

The defending WNBA champion Shock host the Sparks in theirhome opener at The Palace, and the DETROIT NEWS reports that the team is“hoping for a regular-season record crowd.” More than 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the 4:00pm ETgame.  The Shock’s largestregular-season crowd is 16,246 for a ’98 game against the Liberty.  The team will also raise the championshipbanner prior to the game (DETROIT NEWS,5/28).

Polo clubs throughout the U.S. will hold a free one-dayclinic for anyone who wants to try the sport (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 5/6).

The five-day NCAA Leadership Conference begins at Disney’sCoronado Springs Resort and the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex inOrlando.  A total of 321student-athletes will discuss intercollegiate athletics issues.

Dodgers P Eric Gagnewill hold an autograph session for his new children’s book, “Break Barriers,”from 10:30am-noon PT at Brookside Park in Pasadena.

Giants TE JeremyShockey will host Esquire’s summer-issue release party at Jet East in TheHamptons.  Attendees will receive goodybags “stuffed with his endorsed G-shock watches, a bottle of Makers Mark and a$48 Zino Platinum cigar” (N.Y. POST, 5/28).

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that it has “become increasingly unclear exactly which horses willtravel” to Lone Star Park for Lone Star Million Day, seven stakes worth$1M.  While officials had expected 20-25horses, “three reported cases of vesicular stomatitis on a West Texas ranchhave disrupted travel plans” (DALLASMORNING NEWS, 5/27).

The Marlins will distribute World Series commemorative ringsto the first 30,000 fans in attendance for the team’s 4:05pm ET game againstthe Reds, courtesy of Miccosukee Resort and Gaming.  The Marlins drew 45,725 for an April 10^th game againstthe Phillies for the same promotion.

The inaugural BobValvano Celebrity Bocce Tournament will begin at 11:00am ET at theBelvedere in Louisville.  Celebritiesexpected to participate include Pro Football HOFer Paul Hornung, Champions Tour player Fuzzy Zoeller and ABC/ESPN reporter Jack Arute.  Proceeds willbenefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

CHANNEL SURFING

USA will air second-round coverage of the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Classic at 4:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers-Pistons Game Four at 8:00pm ET.

Dodgers C Paul LoDucawill appear on CNBC’s “Dennis Miller”at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air “Todayat the French Open” at 11:00pm ET.

Actor Dennis Quaid,talk-show host Conan O’Brien andmusical guest Avril Lavigne willappear on HBO’s “On the Record” with BobCostas at 11:00pm ET.

ESPN’s Dan Patrick will appear on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” at 12:05am ET.

U.S. soccer player HeatherMitts will appear on CBS’ “The LateLate Show” at 12:35am ET.

ESPN2 will air the NCAA Div. I men’s lacrosse semifinals: Princeton-Navy at 11:30am ET and John Hopkins-Syracuse at 2:00pm.

NBC will air coverage of the French Open at noon ET.

FX will air the NASCAR Busch Series Carquest Auto Parts 300 at 12:30pm ET.

Fox will air “TWIB” as a lead-in to MLB regional coverage.This week’s episode is hosted by Giants LF BarryBonds and features musician NickLachey.

Fox will air MLB regional coverage: Braves-Phillies or Mariners-RedSox at 1:00pm ET or Angels-White Soxor Cardinals-Astros at 4:00pm.

ESPN will air bull riding’s PRCA Xtreme Bulls at 2:00pm ET.

CBS will air third-round coverage of the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Classic at 3:00pm ET.

NBC will air second-round coverage of the Champions Tour Senior Championship at 3:00pm ET.

ESPN will air coverage of the French Open at 3:00pm ET.

ABC will air WNBA Sparks-Shockat 4:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air the Indianapolis500 Festival Parade at 6:00pm ET.

ABC will air the Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning-Flames Game Three at 8:00pm ET.

TNT will air the NBA Western Conference Finals: Lakers-T’Wolves Game Five at 8:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air “Todayat the French Open” at 11:00pm ET.

NBC will air coverage of the French Open at 11:00am ET.

ABC will air the Indianapolis500 at 11:00am ET.

CSTV will air the NCAA Div. III men’s lacrosse championship:Salisbury-Nazareth at noon ET.

ESPN2 will air coverage of the French Open at 1:00pm ET.

NBC will air final-round coverage of the Champions Tour Senior Championship at 2:00pm ET.

CBS will air final-round coverage of the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Classic at 3:00pm ET.

CSTV will air the NCAA Div. II men’s lacrosse championship: Le Moyne-Limestone at 3:00pm ET.

NBC will air AFL regional coverage: Rattlers-SaberCats,Destroyers-Gladiators,Predators-Avengers, Rush-Crush, Soul-Dragons, Wranglers-VooDoo,Cobras-Force or Storm-Desperadosat 4:00pm ET.

Fox will air the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at 5:00pm ET.

ESPN will air the NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons-Pacers Game Five at 8:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air D’Backs-Dodgersat 8:00pm ET.

Eagles QB DonovanMcNabb will appear on SpikeTV’s “Ridewith Funkmaster Flex” at 8:00pm ET.

TODAY’S TEASER…

General: Held Thanksgiving Day 1976 at SanFrancisco’s Winterland, “The Last Waltz” was a star-studded concert tocelebrate the final performance of what band?

THE DAILY STAT: TOP ONLINE-CAPABLE VIDEO GAMES FROM ’00-04

The followingdetails the top ten online-capable video game titles, ranked by millions ofunits sold from ’00-04, according to NPD Group (AD AGE, 5/24 issue):

CRITICS WEIGH IN: “THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW” & “SOUL PLANE”

As environmentalchanges ravage the Earth in “The Day After Tomorrow,” a father played by DennisQuaid tries to rescue his son (Jake Gyllenhaal) from a frozenN.Y.  Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg starsas a pilot on the first all-black airline in “Soul Plane.”:

…TODAY’S ANSWER

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