Quote of the Day
"We know that we're going to have some people whose nose is out of joint."
-- Clemson Univ. Senior Associate AD Bill D’Andrea on having fewer ACC Tournament tickets at Charlotte Bobcats Arena to allot to boosters (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/12).
Top Stories
On The March
The pot of gold that is the NCAA men's Division I basketball tournament is working its magic again this year. Ad sales are projected to hit a record $545M, with sale revenues up 10-15%. CBS' March Madness On Demand has sold out its ad inventory, and viewership online should "skyrocket'' with CBSSports.com's new developer platform, which allows other sites to link to the online coverage. The user total could reach the 3 million mark, more than doubling the 1.4 million unique viewers in '07. The TV ratings story is not as rosy -- ratings for the tournament have dropped 12% over the past three seasons, and last year's 6.1 average was the second-lowest in CBS' 25 years of broadcasting the tourney. If history is any guide, the ratings will improve if ACC and Big Ten teams advance deep into the tournament.
Western Conference Call
IMG World Congress of Sports kicks off this morning from Dana Point, California.
Bank On It
Phil Mickelson adds Barclays to ever-expanding corporate portfolio.
Let's All Make Believe
NFL for '08 season will launch "Believe In Now" as theme for its marketing efforts.
Loonie Tunes
MLSE for '08-09 seasons will hold the line on Maple Leafs ticket prices, increase Raptors.
Shop 'Til You Drop
Dick's Sporting Goods projected Q1 earnings lower than anticipated.
7-10 Split
U.S. Bowling Congress leaving longtime home Milwaukee for new HQs in Arlington.
Arlington Road Block
Glorypark development delaying launch until 2010, no longer coinciding with debut of new Cowboys stadium.
Taming The Tigers
Proposed Univ. of Memphis football stadium shot down amid financial concerns.
