Quote of the Day
align="center">“NFL is the gold standard for sports in this country and baseball is the national pastime. We know we need to do what we can to become more a part of the day-to-day consciousness.”
— NASCAR VP/Broadcasting & New Media Dick Glover, on the property’s efforts to market itself through Hollywood
(Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/4).
Top Stories
Is “Talladega Nights” a smash for NASCAR even before it opens? Never before has the conversion of a sports property to Hollywood been so successfully executed or reached such a PR zenith. The film opens today to generally positive reviews and is estimated to take in around $30M in its first weekend (we’d argue it will earn more). Clearly this is a lesson for how properties can work with, and not against, the creative side of the entertainment industry.
Going Coast-to-Coast
Paul Allen calls off sale of Trail Blazers; Comcast- Spectacor hires firm to examine bids for 76ers.
Trial Period
Appeals court throws out $105M verdict in drunk driving suit against Aramark.
Ace Hardware
NFL’s return to NBC coincides with Madden’s HOF induction.
Meet The Press
ESPN’s John Skipper promises female X Gamers more money, exposure after sit down.
Little Things That Count
Advanced Micro Devices to title sponsor Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen.
Mark Henry
Ducks move radio rights to L.A. station owned by Angels’ Arte Moreno.
Chelsea Peers
Packed house expected for MLS All-Star Game near Chicago.
Side Saddle
Manga Entertainment, Churchill Downs Inc. team up for New York racing bid.
