Closing Bell, February 2, 2005

NHLPA REJECTS NHL’S OFFER; SIDES MAY MEET AGAIN TOMORROW

Following today's CBA bargaining session with the NHL, NHLPA Senior Dir of Business Affairs Ted Saskin said in a statement, “The league today presented a written proposal with minor variations of concepts that were presented orally by the NHL last Thursday.  We told the League last week and again today that their multi-layered salary cap proposals were not the basis for an agreement. Given the status of negotiations, the NHLPA suggested that the parties meet again tomorrow with Bob Goodenow and Gary Bettman joining the meeting” (NHLPA).

The league's proposal features the establishment of a profit-sharing plan, and according to the league, addresses player concerns in the areas of player contract guarantees and the salary arbitration system, jointly-monitored accounting and audit information and a joint owner-player council (THE DAILY). View the full proposal.

GULFSTREAM PARK INCREASES INSURANCE FOR JOCKEYS AFTER SUNDAY SPILL

By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Gulfstream Park officials told jockeys in a conference call this morning that the track is increasing on-track accident medical insurance coverage from $100,000 to $500,000, after jockey Gary Boulanger was seriously injured in a race on Sunday. Gulfstream spokesperson Mike Tanner confirmed that the coverage had been increased immediately and would be in place for the rest of the Gulfstream meet, which ends April 24. Jockeys riding at tracks in most states, including Florida, are only covered for up to $100,000 in medical bills. It is not clear if Gulfstream had agreed to pay Boulanger’s medical bills above that coverage.

The plan appears to be the first step by a major track to increase coverage on a long-term basis. Sources said there may be more announcements by other tracks in the near future about increases in medical insurance coverage for on-track accidents (THE DAILY).

NYC2012 LAUNCHES AD CAMPAIGN IN PREPARATION OF IOC VISIT

NYC2012 today launched an ad campaign in anticipation of the IOC Evaluation Commission’s February 20-24 visit to the candidate city. The campaign, which centers on the “Let The Dreams Begin” theme, includes TV, print, outdoor, transit and online elements, with Olympic logos and signs appearing on all of the city’s subway cars, buses and taxicabs (THE DAILY).

Meanwhle, the Jets today unveiled a redesigned rendering of the team's proposed $1.4B West Side stadium, which would also be the 2012 Olympic Stadium, should N.Y. win the bid (Jets).

NAME OF BLUE JAYS' BALLPARK CHANGED TO ROGERS CENTRE

The name of the SkyDome today was changed to the Rogers Centre. Additionally, Rogers President & CEO Ted Rogers, whose company owns the Blue Jays, announced that the team is committed to a cumulative three-year total player payroll of $210M. Meanwhile, Daktronics today formally announced that it has been awarded the $4.5M-plus contract to design, manufacture and install a new integrated scoring and display system at Rogers Centre (THE DAILY).

ORIOLES INK ONE-YEAR RADIO DEAL; NATS ISSUE KEEPS IT SHORT

The BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL reports that WBAL-AM today signed a one-year extension to broadcast Orioles games during the ’05 season.  WBAL VP & Station Manager Jeffrey Beauchamp said that the negotiations between Orioles Owner Peter Angelos and MLB over the relocation of the Nationals “prevented the two sides from forging a long-term agreement” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/2).

Meanwhile, the Orioles will introduce recently-acquired Sammy Sosa during a 6:00pm ET news conference at Camden Yards (Orioles).

BUZZER BEATERS

Sporting News this week features an action shot of Cavaliers G LeBron James, with the header “The Future is Now,” on its national cover. The publication also has Patriots QB Tom Brady and Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter on regional covers in New England and Philadelphia, respectively.

Sports Illustrated this week features Brady, with the header “Mind Game: The Thinking Man’s Super Bowl.”

ESPN The Magazine this week features Univ. of Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson on the cover of its annual “Next” issue.

Sporting News	Sports Illustrated	ESPN The Magazine

The Carolina Dodge Dealers Advertising Association has changed the name of the May 7 Nextel Cup race at Darlington Raceway from the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 to the Dodge Charger 500 “in honor of the Charger’s return to stock car racing” (Columbia STATE, 2/2).

Former tennis player Boris Becker today signed a representation agreement with IMG, which will help develop Becker’s TV career via its broadcasting arm, TWI, in addition to tennis and other commercial opportunities (IMG).

NFL partner Sirius Satellite Radio today announced that it will distribute free Sirius radios to every fan attending Super Bowl XXXIX. The radios will be included in the seat cushions (Sirius Satellite Radio).

Michelle Wie has accepted an invitation to play in the Evian Masters in France under a sponsor’s exemption. Wie is now scheduled to play in six LPGA Tour events, including the Kraft Nabisco Championship and McDonald’s LPGA Championship. Wie also will play in the U.S. Open Women’s Championship (USA TODAY, 2/2).

Jazz sponsor Jiffy Lube is “donating approximately 6,000 lunch boxes to Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Utah” because Carlos Arroyo, who is pictured on the pails, was recently traded to the Pistons (DESERET NEWS, 2/2).

Former WGN Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone is “expected to sign on with WSCR-AM ... as an in-house baseball analyst and host of his own weekly show” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/2).

NOW HEAR THIS

The following are notable quotes from today’s news:

• As GoDaddy.com’s second Super Bowl XXXIX ad was rejected by Fox, GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons wrote in his blog, “Given what we had to deal with in getting our ‘approved’ ad accepted by Fox, the rejection did not come as a complete surprise” (THE DAILY). Read the full story.

• Yogi Berra is suing TBS for using his name in a sultry ad for the net’s “Sex & The City” reruns. The ad features a picture of the Samantha character and reads, “Yogasm: a) a type of yo-yo trick b) sex with Yogi Berra c) what Samantha has with a guy from yoga class” (N.Y. POST, 2/2). Read the full story.

• When asked whether a new downtown ballpark was necessary, Royals Owner David Glass said, “No, not at all. What is needed ... is further advancement toward parity in baseball. We made many strides with the last [CBA], and hopefully, we can make more strides with the next [CBA] in 2007” (K.C. STAR, 2/2). Read the full story.

TONIGHT’S EVENTS

The Daytona Beach City Commission will vote on whether to “use city funds to pay the fair-market-value price of $160 apiece for as many as eight passes” to the Daytona 500 and other events at Daytona Int’l Speedway that previously were free for city, Volusia County and state officials. The Florida Commission on Ethics “decided last month that the free tickets are actually worth more than the $100 limit on gifts from lobbyists, making it an ethics violation for public officials to accept them” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/2).

The L.A. Press Club will present a seminar on 21^st Century Sports Journalism at 6:00pm PT at its Hollywood HQs.

CHANNEL SURFING

Jets President Jay Cross and former Jets DL Joe Klecko will appear on CNBC’s “Bullseye” at 6:00pm ET.

ESPN will air NCAA basketball: Cincinnati-Louisville at 7:00pm ET and Duke-Wake Forest at 9:00pm.

ESPN2 will air NCAA basketball: Texas A&M-Oklahoma at 8:00pm ET.

ESPN Classic will air NCAA basketball: Seton Hall-Georgetown at 8:00pm ET.  Announcer Jim Simpson will be joined by guest commentator Warner Wolf.

Patriots WR Deion Branch, Eagles S Brian Dawkins and the five writers who have covered all 38 Super Bowls – Edwin Pope, Jerry Izenberg, Bob Oates, Jerry Green and Dave Klein – will appear on HBO’s “Inside the NFL” at 9:00pm ET.

The Golf Channel will air “Tiger Prowl,” the story of Tiger Woods' rise to the professional ranks, at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air Nuggets-Trail Blazers at 10:00pm ET.

Football HOFers Mike Ditka and Jim Kelly will appear on “BDSSP.”

ESPN’s “OTL Nightly” will examine who should own championship memorabilia such as the baseball used for the final out in a World Series.

HEADLINERS

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

TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The L.A. TIMES’ Andres Martinez writes the NFL “propagates a radically un-American – subversive, even – social and economical model. The NFL’s billionaire owners have created a socialist nirvana, a league that famously worships parity and takes from each team according to its ability and gives to each according to its need. Parity (the NFL shies away from using the e-word, 'equality') is promoted in every conceivable way. Teams all get the same cut of the TV money, regardless of whether they play in a major market like New York or tiny Jacksonville, home to Sunday's Super Bowl XXXIX” (L.A. TIMES).

The WASHINGTON POST’s Michael Wilbon writes, “She’s the most popular person associated with the Eagles this week, more in demand than the tight end, Jeff Thomason, who walked in off the street when Chad Lewis got injured. She may be in more demand than her son when you consider that Wilma McNabb has appeared on or is about to appear on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ ‘Ellen,’ CBS’ ‘Early Show’ and ‘NFL Total Access.’ Not even the Philly fans can boo Wilma McNabb” (WASHINGTON POST).

• Super Bowl XXXIX puts Jacksonville on the map and in the big leagues.
• First Coast city scores with floating cruise ships to meet hotel demands.
• The Super Bowl has become the pre-eminent event of the American mid-winter.
• Profiles of behind-the-scenes NFL execs: Art Shell | Nancy Gill | Mike Haynes

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

IN OTHER NEWS…

REUTERS notes that News Corp. today reported an 80% increase in Q2 ’05 profit, compared to the same period in ’04, “boosted by strong DVD sales of film ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and advertising sales at its cable networks.” Q2 profit totaled $386M, up from $215M in ’04. Revenue rose 18% to $5.6B (REUTERS, 2/2).

THE DAILY STAT: PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS

The following lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten broadcast primetime shows for the week of January 24-30 (TV.YAHOO.com, 2/2).

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

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