As an estimated 250,000 fans gathered in downtown L.A.
yesterday for a victory parade to celebrate the Lakers' NBA
championship, the L.A. TIMES' Helene Elliott reports on the
economic impact of the team's playoff run. L.A. County
Economic Development Corp. Chief Economist Jack Kyser, on
the impact of the Lakers' NBA title on the city: "In terms
of a dollar figure, it's hard to put an economic price tag
on it. I'd say around $35 million. It's a little bump ...
but every bit helps." Meanwhile, the team's success "will
also improve their own financial bottom line," as they will
get an "undisclosed portion" of the nearly $2M that Staples
Center generated for every sold-out playoff game, plus $2M
from parking, concessions and merchandise sales at each
game. Fox also benefited through its 40% ownership stake in
Staples Center, 9% share of the Lakers and its ownership of
FSN West. Although FSN West/FSN West 2 VP & GM Todd Merkow
"wouldn't disclose the company's take" from each of the five
playoff games it showed, it is "believed" to have averaged
"close to" $1M for each broadcast. The net averaged a 9.6
rating for those games, including a record 10.3 for Game
Five of the series against the Kings. Merkow: "Our ratings
[for the playoffs] were great. As for what we'll see long
term, I think viewership will increase and ad sales and
sponsorships will increase." KCAL-TV grossed about $1.5M
from each of its four televised games (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
SHAQ GOES ONE-ON-ONE: Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal was a
guest on NBC's "Tonight Show" last night, and answered
questions from audience members. Jay Leno read one audience
member's question, "If you're Superman, who would your Lois
Lane be?" O'Neal: "Probably be Anna Kournikova. I like the
way she swings, the rotation and the shoulder. O'Neal was
also asked about Dunk.net: "The Web site is doing good.
www.dunk.net is doing lovely. Thank you" (NBC, 6/21).
