The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, August 17, 2001
9:00am ET
| • | Sympathy Pains: Orioles Cleared Of Discrimination In Hiring Practices |
| • | Scratch Off? King Says Edmonton Lottery "Moving Along" |
| • | The Duke Calls For Next Red Sox Owners To "Understand The Fan Base" |
| • | Duval Won’t Let Success Go To His Head: He's Testing Nike Driver This Week |
| • | Crying In The Rain: Bad Weather Leads To Heavy Losses In Canada |
| • | No Stretch – Port Considers Limiting Access To McCovey Cove |
AFTER ONE-YEAR INVESTIGATION, ORIOLES CLEARED IN PROBE
The WASHINGTON TIMES reports that the U.S. Justice Department "will not seek discrimination charges against the Baltimore Orioles following a 13-month investigation into the club's hiring practices." The Orioles were "investigated for possible discrimination against Cuban defectors as a sympathetic gesture toward Cuban president Fidel Castro." Investigators found that the "club has several Cuban employees and has attended at least two talent showcases featuring Cuban defectors" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/17).
NEW FLAMES PRESIDENT FEELS LOTTERY HELP IS ON THE WAY
The CALGARY SUN reports that new Flames President Ken King "said yesterday he's optimistic a deal can soon be struck" to "proceed with a lottery to benefit both" the Flames and Oilers. King: "Finalization would be premature, but moving along would be a fair assessment." King said that what is left to be determined is "what sort of lottery could be approved by the provincial government" (CALGARY SUN, 8/17).
WHILE BIDS HEAT UP, DUQUETTE CALLS FOR LOCAL SOX OWNERSHIP
With the Red Sox up for sale, team Exec VP/GM Dan Duquette tells the BOSTON GLOBE that "he believes local ownership is the best scenario for the Sox." Duquette: "The ballclub is a public trust. Major League Baseball prefers local ownership. In Boston, it's helpful to have someone who understands the fan base. It's helpful to have someone here, day in and day out.'' Currently, there is only one reported local group bidding for the franchise, Boston concessionaire Joseph O’Donnell and developer Steve Karp (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/17).
DUVAL PLAYS WITH NIKE PROTOTYPE DRIVER AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The ORLANDO SENTINEL reports that despite winning the British Open, David Duval played yesterday’s first round of the PGA Championship "using an unidentifiable driver with a green shaft." The club "appeared to have no markings on the sole plate," and it later was revealed that it is "a prototype by Nike, which hopes to enter the club-making wars in the next few months." Duval "has been using swoosh-festooned prototype irons for months, but the driver is most definitely a new stick" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/17). Duval finished yesterday with a 66 and in second place. Meanwhile, Duval and Tiger Woods were wearing "matching white Nike caps yesterday." Duval joked: "He called me this morning. No. It's 90 degrees out. It's just circumstance" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/17).
RAIN MEANS FINANCIAL LOSS FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S TENNIS STOP
The TORONTO SUN reports "most of yesterday's matinee session" at the women’s Rogers AT&T Cup at the National Tennis Centre "was washed out." Tournament Dir Jane Wynne "said the event loses about [C]$40,000 when one session is cancelled and about [C]$160,000 when the entire day is a bust because of bad weather" (TORONTO SUN, 8/17).
S.F. PORT COMMISSION CONSIDERS BOAT BAN IN MCCOVEY COVE
The SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS reports that the S.F. Port Commission is weighing a ban of motorboats from McCovey Cove, the inlet behind Pac Bell Park where home runs to right field land. The officials are concerned "that in the fan frenzy, someone might get hurt, especially as they compete to scoop up one of Barry Bonds’ home run balls." The plan being considered would allow "non-motorized boats, such as kayaks and canoes" to chase for balls in the cove (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/17).
ONCE THE STANDARD, NOW JUST PART OF A DEPRESSED INDUSTRY
The S.F. CHRONICLE reports in a front-page feature today that Industry Standard magazine, "a leading media voice of the dot-com boom, is folding -- just like many of the Internet companies it covered." The publication "has suspended operations and will fire most of its staff, Editor in Chief Jonathan Weber said yesterday." According to an internal memo, "the firm most likely will file for bankruptcy protection next week, having failed to secure additional funds to continue operations" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/17).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
NFL officials are expected to present a counter-offer when talks for a new labor contract with the league resume on Monday (USA TODAY, 8/17)….Reds P Jose Rijo is expected to return to the majors tonight after undergoing five surgeries and missing six years. In a down season for the Reds, Rijo’s return "should sell some tickets (though there had not been a great bump as of Thursday afternoon)" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/17)….In addition to rappers Run DMC, comedian Jay Mohr entertained the Browns Wednesday night as the club wrapped up training camp (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 8/17)….Astros P Octavio Dotel and Basketball HOFer Calvin Murphy will take part in the opening celebration for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston today (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/17)….Flyers GM Bob Clarke said that he expected the much-anticipated trade of C Eric Lindros to the Rangers to be completed today (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/17).
SPORTS BIZ STAT: HOW HOFSTRA CUT ITS GRADUATION RATE IN HALF
NEWSDAY reports that Hofstra Univ, which originally reported a 92% graduation rate for its aid-receiving student athletes in the ’94-95 incoming class, announced yesterday a correction in its graduation-rate statistics, "knocking it from No. 2 in Division 1 to the middle of the pack." Hofstra was to receive a $25,000 award from the USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Awards for its increase from a 34% graduation rate for the incoming ’93-94 class. Hofstra’s new figures show a 58% graduation rate for the ’94-95 class, the national average for the 308 Division 1 schools. Hofstra AD Harry Royle, on the wrong numbers, "I take full responsibility and apologize to all for this terrible mistake" (NEWSDAY, 8/17).
THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
FSN’s 10:30pm ET "National Sports Report" led with the Red Sox firing manager Jimy Williams.
ESPN’s 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Marlins-Giants.
CNN/SI’s 11:00pm ET "Sports Tonight" led with the first round of the PGA Championship.
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