Closing Bell, October 20, 2004

WNBA PRESIDENT VAL ACKERMAN WILL STEP DOWN

By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, The Sports Business Daily

Val Ackerman, who has served as WNBA President since the league started in ‘96, is leaving, numerous sports marketing sources confirmed today. The precise reason for her departure could not be determined, but NBA insiders said it was of her own volition. One source close to the league said, “This might be the only time that old saw about ‘leaving to spend time with her family’ is true.” Ackerman, a former Univ. of Virginia basketball player, has two daughters.

Sources said Ackerman’s decision to leave could be announced as soon as Thursday, but she is expected to stay until February and lead the search for a successor. One person likely to be high on the list of possible replacements is Ann Sarnoff, who was named COO in February.

Agent Bruce Levy, who represents about 30 WNBA players, said of Ackerman’s legacy, “I can’t imagine anyone replacing her.” More Levy: “It’s no secret that I’ve had my battles with her over the years, but I’ve come to see she is working not only for David Stern and the NBA, but for women’s basketball overall. And someday I think people will see the WNBA as the only successful pro sports league launched relatively recently.”

Ackerman joined the NBA in ‘88 as a staff attorney and served as a special assistant to Stern, and later became Dir of Business Affairs and VP/Business Affairs prior to her appointment to head the start-up WNBA in ‘96.

NBA Senior VP/Communications Tim Andree would not comment on Ackerman.

FOX GIVES FREE AIRTIME TO BUSH, KERRY DURING TONIGHT’S GAME

Fox will broadcast Astros-Cardinals NLCS Game Six at 4:00pm ET, followed by Red Sox-Yankees ALCS Game Seven at 8:00pm. DAILY VARIETY reports that News Corp. has offered free airtime for ten 60-second spots each on Fox to President Bush and John Kerry, with dueling spots from the two candidates debuting during tonight’s Red Sox-Yankees broadcast. Each candidate will answer one question per spot, and tonight’s ads “will air within minutes of each other” (DAILY VARIETY, 10/20).

The following presents final Nielsen ratings for League Championship Series Game Sevens. Prior to the '85 season, the LCS were best-of-five (THE DAILY).

FLEER PREPARING TO FEATURE RETIRED NBA PLAYERS IN CARD SETS

Fleer today announced that it has inked a licensing deal with the NBA to produce trading cards featuring retired players in current-day NBA releases and a retired-player-only set. Fleer plans to include retired-player insert themes among its NBA brands, as well as retired-player autographed cards. Also in development is a Fleer Greats of the Game set that will exclusively feature retired players and be released next Spring (Fleer).

ESPN TO FEATURE TWO BOXING PPV TELECASTS EACH YEAR

ESPN today announced a deal with Main Events to add a monthly boxing series within ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” in ’05, as well as two PPV events. The series will debut November 4 with the WBA light heavyweight title bout between Juan Diaz and Julien Lorcy from SBC Center in San Antonio (ESPN).

U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TWO SPONSORSHIP DEALS

The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced sponsorship deals with Brotman Winter Fried Communications and International Sports Images. Brotman becomes the Foundation’s official media relations and corporate communications provider, while International Sports Images becomes the Foundation’s official photographer (U.S. Soccer Foundation).

BUZZER BEATERS

Sporting News this week features Boise State QB Jared Zabransky and Utah QB Alex Smith, with the header “BCS Busters.”

Sports Illustrated this week features Heat C Shaquille O’Neal on its NBA preview issue, with the header “Greetings from Miami. Shaq’s power shift heats up the East.”

Sporting News	Sports Illustrated

The Weather Channel announced that it has been selected as the official weather service for MLB.com. Under the deal, weather.com will offer schedules, game-day forecasts and convenient links to MLB.com just in time for the World Series (Weather Channel).

Wieden + Kennedy today announced that John Jay is returning to the company’s Portland HQs as Exec Creative Dir, effective November 1. In his new role, Jay will help manage the agency’s global business, with a specific focus on Asia. Jay previously led the company’s Tokyo office (Wieden + Kennedy).

Huffy Corp. today announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Huffy markets golf equipment under the Tommy Armour, Ram, Teardrop and Zebra brands (Huffy).

Whistler will form the Athlete Village Development Corp. to protect itself from liability. The corporation will be created “solely to guide” the development of the 2010 Olympic Athletes Village, but Whistler officials “will have the final say before construction begins” (VANCOUVER PROVINCE, 10/20).

CHANNEL SURFING

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will appear on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” at 4:45pm ET.

Andy Roddick will appear on the “Hot Seat” during ESPN’s “SportsCenter” at 6:00pm ET.

Warriors Exec VP/Basketball Operations Chris Mullin will appear on FSN’s “BDSSP.”

Patriots RB Corey Dillion will appear on HBO’s “Inside The NFL” at 10:00pm ET.

Coyotes Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky, bull rider Mike White and U.S. Olympian Barb Linquist will appear on CNBC’s “McEnroe” at 10:00pm ET.

IROC President Jay Signore will appear on Speed Channel’s “Wind Tunnel” at 10:00pm ET.

IRL driver Tony Kanaan will appear on CBS’ “Late Show” at 11:30pm ET.

HEADLINERS

Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The WASHINGTON TIMES’ Patrick Hruby writes, “The ongoing poker craze must be put down, right now, before that painting of dogs playing poker replaces the Mona Lisa in the galleries of the Louvre. … Poker is enjoying unprecedented popularity. Some 50 million Americans play the game legally and illegally, at tables and on cell phones. And raw numbers only hint at the depths of our depravity. Internet sports books have taken action on the winner of the World Poker Tour player of the year award, which is like betting on the guy three cubicles down to capture the NCAA tournament office pool. More distressingly, the only way to avoid televised poker is to turn off one's set altogether — then send a bullet through the screen, Elvis-style” (WASHINGTON TIMES).

• Kings taking aim at Fresno TV market, on which the Lakers have a stranglehold.
• Seattle Storm’s title blurred by reality of the WNBA’s economic situation.
• Examination of the rise in popularity of sports drinks.
• Former Cowboys DT making it his business to make other people smile.

See The Daily Insider’s Articles of Interest section for more sports business-related links.

TODAY’S TEASER…

Movie Lines: In what movie did cyclist Lance Armstrong utter this quote: “Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life. Well, good luck to you Peter. I'm sure this decision won't haunt you forever.”

IN OTHER NEWS…

The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL reports that Miller Brewing has unveiled three new spots featuring “actors portraying former drinkers of Bud Light and Budweiser … who switched to Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft.” Additionally, the ads Miller has been running that compare its brands to A-B’s, have “helped revive Miller Lite’s sales, but Genuine Draft continues to lag” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/20).

THE DAILY STAT: PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS

The following lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten broadcast primetime shows for the week of October 11-17 (TV.YAHOO.com, 10/21).

…TODAY’S ANSWER

“Dodgeball”

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