| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| • | YES Makes Its Debut Today |
| • | Astros To Dismantle First Of Four Enron Signs Today |
| • | Report Says Ron Wolf Offered Falcons GM Position; Blank Denies |
| • | Start Your Engines: CART Sanctions St. Petersburg Street Race |
| • | Minority Business Owners To Get A Touch Of Magic At L.A. Seminar |
| • | In Other News/Today's Events/TV Monitor/Laugh Track/Final Jeopardy! |
YES NETWORK MAKES ITS LONG AWAITED DEBUT TODAY
The N.Y. TIMES reports YES network will make its debut at noon today with a half-hour introductory show, as "viewers will bear witness to a cable channel defined by rampant pinstripism – the culmination of nearly 30 years of Yankees ownership by George M. Steinbrenner" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/19).
The N.Y. POST reports YES will follow its introduction show with a special on the traveling Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit and a five-hour simulcast of WFAN-AM's "Mike and the Mad Dog" sports radio talk show (N.Y. POST, 3/19).
ASTROS TO SHED FIRST OF FOUR ENRON SIGNS FROM BALLPARK
The Astros will dismantle and remove one of the four largest remaining Enron Field signs today at 9:00am CT, and have invited media to attend and take advantage of the photo opportunity (THE DAILY). The team "bought back the naming rights to their downtown Houston ballpark" for approximately $2.1M, and "regained the right to immediately negotiate a naming rights agreement with a new partner" (AP, 3/18).
BLANK DENIES REPORT THAT PUTS WOLF WITH FALCONS
ESPN.com reports that Falcons Owner Arthur Blank on Monday "formally offered the general manager position to Ron Wolf, who held the same title in Green Bay, before leaving the game last summer." The deal would be worth $9M over two years if Wolf and Blank mutually decided to end the relationship at that point, and $13M if Wolf departed after three years (ESPN.com, 3/19). However, Blank tells the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, "I haven't offered Ron a contract; that's simply not true. I haven't even spoken completely with the Packers about compensation" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 3/19).
CART TABS ST. PETERSBURG STREET RACE TO OPEN SEASON
The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that late yesterday, CART officially sanctioned the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and the three-day event will kick off the '03 CART season on February 21. St. Petersburg's "sanctioning agreement with CART runs for seven years. After that, there is a five-year option" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 3/19).
MAGIC JOHNSON TO DELIVER TALK TO MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS
The L.A. TIMES reports that Magic Johnson, CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, "will be the face of success presented to participants at the 'Tour for Success'" seminar for minority business owners today in L.A. The free seminar, part of a tour organized by Global Diversity Group Inc., "will include advice from Johnson and others on topics ranging from getting started and securing financing … to finding franchise opportunities" (L.A. TIMES, 3/19).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The AP reported that MLB's General Counsel Tom Ostertag "testified Monday as baseball's contraction hearing resumed for the first time since Feb. 28." MLB COO Bob DuPuy is scheduled to begin his testimony today before MLB arbitrator Shyam Das (AP, 3/18).
The ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS reports NBA Commissioner David Stern "will make his first official visit to the Twin Cities today since he levied sanctions in the Joe Smith salary circumvention scandal" in '00. Stern will speak at a luncheon, and later attend the Raptors-T'Wolves game (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/19). Stern visited Denver last night and will also visit Salt Lake City, Seattle and New Orleans during his five-city swing (DENVER POST, 3/19).
The ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS reports that attorney-agent Neil Sheehy made his broadcasting debut Monday evening as a radio analyst for the Flames during the team's away game against the Wild (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/19).
The CP reports that NHL players were among groups "grumbling a day early about tax changes expected when the Alberta budget is tabled today." The province is expected to "impose a tax on all [NHL] players who work in Alberta" (CP, 3/19).
TODAY'S EVENTS
The NFL owners' meetings continue today in Orlando, FL. Meanwhile, the NFL Mascot Convention begins today in N.Y. and runs through Saturday (THE DAILY).
Bombardier ATV Copper World Indy 200 winner Helio Castroneves will participate in the IRL's weekly teleconference, which begins at noon ET (THE DAILY).
NFL HOFer Johnny Unitas and the Babe Ruth Museum will announce a partnership today at 1:00pm ET at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore (THE DAILY).
The MLS Earthquakes will host a Media Day Event and Luncheon, beginning with a team practice at 10:00am PT at Spartan Stadium Field in San Jose, CA. The luncheon will start at 12:30pm PT at the Simpkins Center (THE DAILY).
The MLS Galaxy will host its traditional community kickoff for the upcoming season with a team luncheon at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in L.A. at noon PT (THE DAILY).
The Clippers and AT&T Wireless will host a press conference and basketball clinic for the AT&T P.L.A.Y. Safe Program, which has refurbished local basketball courts. Four courts have been donated on behalf of a local media personality in recognition for their support of the community. The first dedication is going to KCBS-TV sportscaster Jim Hill at 1:30pm PT at Veterans Park in Long Beach, CA (THE DAILY).
AFL Fury coach Mouse Davis joins team players in visiting elementary and junior high schools in Flint, Saginaw and Midland, MI, as part of the team's '02 Teamwork Tour (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The N.Y. TIMES reports that Walt Disney Feature Animation "told 250 employees [Monday] that they were either being laid off or that their contracts would not be renewed over the next 12 months" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/19).
The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that the "back and forth battle" for the future of Compaq Computer Corp. "enters its final phase today when shareholders of Hewlett-Packard decide whether to accept or reject a deal to acquire the Houston computer giant."
However, it could be "days or even weeks before the third-party firm certifying the vote will announce the results" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/19).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Celebrities."
"He describes himself as 'Cablinasian,' a hybrid of caucasian, black, American Indian and Asian."
LAUGH TRACK
CBS' David Letterman, on Liza Minnelli's wedding: "Here's a partial guest list – Donny Osmond, David Hasselhoff, Joan Collins, Robert Goulet. I'm telling you, this was not a wedding. This was a episode of 'Love Boat.'" Letterman: "Liza's now honeymooning in Thailand, where she'll rest up for her fight with Tonya Harding" ("Late Show," CBS, 3/18).
Last night's "Top Ten" list was "Top Ten Things Overheard At Liza Minnelli's Wedding" ("Late Show," CBS, 3/18).
| 10) | "Hey Hasselhoff, go easy on the crab puffs." |
| 9) | "I asked Diana Ross to pass the butter, and she slapped me." |
| 8) | "What exactly is Liza famous for?" |
| 7) | "This is so much fun! She should get married more often." |
| 6) | "Michael Douglas? Oh, I thought you were Mickey Rooney." |
| 5) | "Phyllis Diller looks so lifelike." |
| 4) | "What do you mean you're out of prime rib? I'm Robert Goulet, damn it!" |
| 3) | "I did check again, Mr. Letterman. Your name is not on the guest list." |
| 2) | "Hi, Liza, I'm Bill Clinton. Could we maybe get together later?" |
| 1) | "No, Miss Taylor, you're not getting married today." |
MONDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Trail Blazers-Celtics.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"Who is Tiger Woods?"
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