ROBB REPORT'S POWER FIVE: The ROBB REPORT's Jeff Miller
profiles five sports power brokers who "have all helped
shape our games and our habits and have helped determine the
fates and futures of our sports." The five are agent SCOTT
BORAS, News Corp. Chair RUPERT MURDOCH, NBA Commissioner
DAVID STERN, the PACKERS and ESPN's "SPORTSCENTER." Miller,
on Stern: "He sanitized the NBA. Then he stabilized it.
Then he sold it as no one had ever sold a sport before."
Miller, on "SportsCenter": "The show has indeed become part
of our culture" (ROBB REPORT, 9/99 issue).
SPEAKING OF POWER PLAYERS ...: Suns CEO & D'Backs
Managing General Partner JERRY COLANGELO writes on the art
of negotiations in P.O.V. Colangelo: "When you enter a
negotiation, be prepared for every contingency. Be prepared
to respond and change. Know when to be flexible, when to be
firm" (POV, 9/99).....Charlotte Deputy City Manager DEL
BORGSDORF, who "played a central role" in the city's
dealings with the Hornets and its "flirtation" with the
Expos and Twins, is a candidate to be named San Jose City
Manager. In San Jose, Barry Witt: "Many San Jose leaders
covet a chance to win the Oakland A's" (MERCURY NEWS, 8/14).
MORE NAMES: Indians Owner RICHARD JACOBS is seeking
buyers for his RICHARD JACOBS GROUP OF CLEVELAND. Jacobs
"wants to liquidate his properties for estate planning
purposes" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 8/17)....EMAP Petersen/NBC
Sports' Gravity Games signed musicians KID ROCK, FOO
FIGHTERS, BUSTA RHYMES and PRIMUS for a September 10 concert
at the Providence Civic Center (Gravity Games)....OLIVER
STONE's "ANY GIVEN SUNDAY" is slated for a Christmas Day
release by Warner Bros. In previewing the film,
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY gives it a six out of ten on its "Buzz-
O-Meter" (EW, 8/20 issue)...JOE MONTANA and RONNIE LOTT are
Exec Producers of the kids show "ADVENTURES WITH KANGA
RODDY," which debuted in April '98, airs in 41% of the
nation "and continues to add markets" (EW, 8/20 issue).
