| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, January 9, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| • | Relocation Rumors Still Buzzing As Hornets Co-Owner Visits New Orleans |
| • | Meeting Between Selig And Players' Union To Address Contraction, New CBA |
| • | Angels Get Their Wings Clipped As Team Prepares To Unveil New Logo |
| • | ESPN Radio Addresses Jackson's Concerns Over Racist Remarks |
| • | NFL Blackouts Threaten Ravens-Dolphins Playoff Game |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
HORNETS CLOSER TO DEAL TO FILE FOR RELOCATION TO THE BAYOU
The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER reports that one day after business leaders offered $100M toward a new uptown arena, Hornets co-Owner Ray Wooldridge "visited New Orleans … where he met with state and local officials and said he intends to move the team out of Charlotte." A source close to the situation told the Observer he "expects the Hornets to file for relocation within two weeks." New Orleans is the "expected destination," because it's the only city the team "is considering with an NBA-ready arena and no major league tenant" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/9).
SELIG MEETS WITH PLAYERS, FEHR ON CBA TALKS
The AP reported that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "planned to address a negotiating committee of players" today, one day after the union and management resumed CBA talks. The sides met for "about an hour on Tuesday, the first talks since negotiations to settle the union's grievance on Selig's contraction plan broke down last month" (AP, 1/8).
Meanwhile, USA TODAY reports that Selig met with MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr "for dinner Tuesday and plans to be at the bargaining table today" (USA TODAY, 1/9).
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH….WILL INTRO NEW LOGO TODAY
The L.A. TIMES reports that the Angels today will roll "out new uniforms, a new logo and a new color -- red." In a ceremony this morning at Edison Field "that will include 800 sixth-graders and current and former players moonlighting as models, the Angels plan to unveil their new look -- the seventh incarnation in the team's 41-year history." The "Big A" has been "clipped of its wings, adopting instead the team's old-time halo." Also "gone is the eight-color spectrum -- which included a fierce periwinkle -- in favor of a clean, four-color scheme dominated by red" (L.A. TIMES, 1/9).
Speaking at Salomon Smith Barney's annual Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications conference in Scottsdale yesterday, Disney President & COO Robert Iger said that the company would like to sell the Angels and Mighty Ducks "provided the teams remain in Anaheim." Iger: "If someone stepped up and offered us the right price (for the teams), we'd probably be a willing seller" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/9).
ESPN RADIO RESPONDS TO JACKSON'S RACIAL ALLEGATIONS
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that officials of ESPN Radio "responded Tuesday to a complaint from the Rev. Jesse Jackson" about "racist comments allegedly made last Friday on ESPN Radio during the nationally syndicated 'Tony Kornheiser Show.'" ESPN's investigation cleared Kornheiser of the remarks, which "were made in reference to Dennis Green's departure as Vikings coach." ESPN Dir of Communications Mike Soltys, on the investigation: "The comments represented an unfortunate error in judgment by an employee. But in no way did they represent either mockery of what may be interpreted as the dialect of African Americans or an allegation of inappropriate motive in the events related to Mr. Green." Soltys concluded, "ESPN is taking appropriate internal action" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/9).
RAPIDS APPEAR SAFE FROM CONTRACTION; NEW LEASE DEAL TODAY
One day after MLS decided to shutter two franchises, the DENVER POST reports that the Rapids will announce an agreement today with Stadium Management Company, a subsidiary of the Broncos, on a new lease to play at Invesco Field. Officials "said the lease is for three years with two five-year options" (DENVER POST, 1/9).
NFL PLAYOFFS: BLACKOUT THREATENS RAVENS-DOLPHINS GAME
The MIAMI HERALD reports that as of Tuesday afternoon, the Dolphins "still had about 25,000 seats to sell" by 4:00pm ET tomorrow to avoid a local TV blackout for their playoff game against the Ravens (MIAMI HERALD, 1/9).
Meanwhile, the CONTRA COSTA TIMES reports that the Raiders "expect a sellout" for Saturday's Wild Card playoff game against the Jets. While "scattered tickets remain," the team has until 5:00pm PT today to sell the remaining tickets to avoid a blackout (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 1/9).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
This week's cover of SI features an action shot of Wizards F Michael Jordan with the headline, "Michael Jordan … Did You Doubt Him? Well, You Shouldn't Have" (SI, 1/14 issue).
The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER reports that at a news conference at City Hall yesterday, City Mayor John Street, 76ers G Eric Snow, and former 76ers G World B. Free were "among those touting the Jam Session, the interactive theme park to be set up at the Convention Center from" February 7-10 during the NBA's All-Star Weekend. Street said that "he expected the city to generate $50 million in revenue stemming from the various events surrounding the NBA's showcase event" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/9).
The BOSTON GLOBE reports that aides to MA AG Thomas Reilly will interview losing Red Sox bidder Miles Prentice today "about last month's auction of the team" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/9).
Levi's announced that it is letting consumers preview and choose the company's adto run during Super Bowl XXXVI, scheduled to run during the game's second quarter. Viewers can choose from three 30-second spots – two of which have not yet aired – on the company's "SuperVote microsite"(THE DAILY).
USA TODAY reports that organizers of this week's U.S. Figure Skating Championships, citing "safety and security concerns," are prohibiting fans from "bringing into the Staples Center any items to throw on the ice following a skater's performance" (USA TODAY, 1/9).
TODAY'S EVENTS
Mavericks G Greg Buckner and F Juwan Howard will read to kids during the team's Read to Achieve Reading Timeout from 3:30-4:30pm CT at the Audelia Road Library in Dallas (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
AOL Time Warner COO Robert Pittman told investors at Salomon Smith Barney's annual Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications conference in Scottsdale that the company sees a "silver lining" to the recession. Pittman: "The good news is it is a period of consolidation. There's no better time than now to build new businesses, revenue streams and features" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/9).
The N.Y. TIMES reports General Motors "plans to offer buyouts to about 5,000 white-collar workers as part of continuing belt-tightening in an automotive industry reckoning with recession." As GM is "expected to report a profit for 2001," the company "appeared to be making the cuts less out of necessity than as a preventive measure" (N.Y TIMES, 1/9).
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports Gold Club Owner Steve Kaplan "was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison" yesterday in Atlanta. Additionally, Kaplan will have to perform 400 hours of community service and "forfeit $5 million to the government, pay $250,000 to 100 credit-card victims and $50,000 to Delta Airlines for scamming tickets" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/9).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that with the death yesterday of Founder and "public face of his company" Dave Thomas, "Wendy's and its longtime agency, Bates USA in New York, face considerable challenges in determining what to do." Chajet Consultancy Chair Clive Chajet: "When a human so dominates the brand image, few brands survive the demise of the personality" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/9).
Meanwhile, AD AGE reports, "Save a few syndicated TV markets, Wendy's has pulled its advertising and will go dark until after Mr. Thomas' funeral Friday." The company will air "tribute spots" when advertising resumes on Saturday (AD AGE, 1/9).
The BOSTON HERALD reports that Northern Light, which Monday dropped its title sponsorship of the IRL, "also will stop offering free Web searches." Northern Light CEO David Seuss, on the latest elimination: "It accounted for a very large percentage of our server traffic and a very small percentage of our revenue." The free service will end January 16 (BOSTON HERALD, 1/9).
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports "because of the business slowdown, building owners across the nation are trying harder to attract or retain large tenants," including "granting companies that lease space the naming rights or external signage rights – or both – for minimal, if any, additional cost." An example of this practice is in L.A., where the Arco Tower "will be crowned the Paul Hastings Tower, named after the law firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/9).
The COLUMBUS DISPATCH reports that Ted Turner "rode into Columbus yesterday to launch his bison-based restaurant chain, Ted's Montana Grill." Turner, before cutting the opening ribbon, said, "Look out, McDonald's." Turner and partner George McKerrow Jr. "plan to open 10 more restaurants this year." Turner: "Remember, cable TV was small one time, too" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 1/9).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Playwrights."
"King Louis XIV was the godfather of this playwright's first child, born in 1664."
LAUGH TRACK
Last night's "Top Ten" was "Top Ten Signs Your Neighbor Is Hiding Mullah Omar" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/8).
| 10) | "In his garage are a 1997 Mazda Protege and a camel." |
| 9) | "His last name is Schmidt -- the mailbox reads 'Schmidt/Omar.'" |
| 8) | "You turn on CNN and see your house in green night vision." |
| 7) | "Has bumper sticker 'Al Qaeda members do it in caves.'" |
| 6) | "The place reeks of goat." |
| 5) | "Comes over and asks to borrow a cup of sand." |
| 4) | "Driveway sign reads 'Don't even think about parking here' in Pashtu." |
| 3) | "Claims the bearded, turbaned guy you saw is a Swedish exchange student." |
| 2) | "He declared a Jihad against crabgrass." |
| 1) | "His kitty is wearing a burqa." |
TUESDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
FSN's 10:30pm ET "National Sports Report" led with the Colts' firing of Jim Mora.
ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Juan Gonzalez' signing with the Rangers.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"Who was Moliere?"
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