Three days before the Donovan Bailey-Michael Johnson
"One to One Challenge of Champions" in Toronto, "it's an
open question" whether the event "will be a business success
or failure," according to David Israelson in the TORONTO
STAR. Israelson writes that "doubts are still being cast"
on whether Ottawa-based promoters Magellan Entertainment
Group, "an inexperienced duo," can "pull off the race." It
is "believed" that the TV rights have been sold "for a song
-- or less," with CBS "said to have paid a mere" $35,000,
while CBC is believed to have paid nothing for the rights.
IMG's Toronto Operations Manager Michael Merrall said IMG
"looked at the race and passed up the opportunity to get
involved." Merrall: "I haven't seen a lot of sponsorship"
(TORONTO STAR, 5/29). The GLOBE & MAIL's James Christie has
CBS paying a "paltry" $50,000, with Magellan retaining the
rights to collect revenue for commercials. In an "11th-hour
deal," it is expected that adidas and Magellan will reach an
agreement on sponsorship for a "mid-six-figure sum."
Jeffrey Cokin, who sold TV rights for the event: "The
million-dollar title sponsor never happened" (GLOBE & MAIL,
5/29). The STAR's Randy Starkman reports that "about"
37,000 tickets were sold as of yesterday, with another 4,000
part of sponsorship packages and 5,000 have been donated to
charitable groups (TORONTO STAR, 5/29).
MORE PROBLEMS: American sprinter Gail Devers, Cuban
high-jumper Javier Sotomayor and Ukranian pole-vaulter
Sergei Bubka have all pulled out of the undercard. Also
cancelled were a ticker-tape parade for the athletes and a
City Hall reception (Steve Buffery, CALGARY SUN, 5/29).
