Morning Buzz, June 20, 2002

WORLD CUP, DAY 21: NIKE ISSUES A CALL-TO-ARMS FOR U.S. TEAM

Nike takes out a full-page ad in USA TODAY and puts some of its marketing muscle behind the U.S. men's soccer team. The ad features an alarm clock in the top left corner and the text, "Maybe it's time to get up in the middle of the night. Maybe it's time to paint our faces and join the five billion person party. Maybe it's time to watch history. Maybe it's time to get behind the kids from New Jersey and Ohio and California. Maybe it's time to get behind our boys. Maybe it's time to start caring" (THE DAILY).

Today's Headlines:

• There's Room On The U.S. Bandwagon (USA TODAY, 6/20).
• News Conferences Give Arena Stage (USA TODAY, 6/20).
• Sponsors Demand FIFA Police Against Ambush Tactics (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/20).
• Tears And Tantrums As Italians Cry "Cheat!" (LONDON TIMES, 6/20).
• Italian Soccer Club Cuts Ties With Korean Star (N.Y. TIMES, 6/20).
• London Pubs Continue To Rake In The Profits (LONDON TIMES, 6/20).
• 58% Of Koreans Bet On Korea In Coming Spain Match (KOREA HERALD, 6/20).

Soccer Sites of Interest:

NHL BOG TO DISCUSS NETTING, SABRES AT MEETING TODAY

The NHL BOG will meet today in Toronto and with an agenda that includes the possibility of "placing netting in front of some arena seats to protect spectators from flying pucks, and more flexible boards and glass to protect players during collisions" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/20). The BOG's agenda also includes the potential Sabres takeover from financially troubled Adelphia Communications, as well as the problems Senators Chair Rod Bryden "is facing in trying to secure financing" (OTTAWA SUN, 6/20). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will brief the media following the BOG meeting in Toronto. The briefing is scheduled for approximately 3:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

DRUG TESTING TO TAKE CENTER STAGE DURING LATEST MLB TALKS

USA TODAY reports that today's MLB bargaining session "will discuss drug testing and steroids," as management is "waiting for an answer from the union on an extensive drug proposal submitted in March." Yesterday's bargaining sessions saw the two sides put "the finishing touches on agreement of non-core issues," such as exhibition games and length of bus trips (USA TODAY, 6/20).

FALCONS OWNER TO ANNOUNCE CHANGES TO BOOST ATTENDANCE

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that Falcons Owner Arthur Blank will hold a 3:00pm ET press conference today to "discuss a variety of changes regarding everything from ticket distribution to improvements in the 'game-day experience' at the Dome." The changes are designed to increase attendance, as last year the Falcons averaged just 54,251 fans in the 71,228-seat GA Dome. Blank will also announce "increased parking, more pre- and post-game entertainment options, improvements in the Dome and more" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/20).

RENOVATIONS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS TEMPORARILY DELAYED

The Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL reports that while Churchill Downs BOD meet today, "they've put off voting on the most important item on their agenda: whether to go ahead with the $100 million second phase in the renovation of the historic Louisville race track." Churchill Downs Senior VP/Finance Mike Miller said that the postponement is "because the financing isn't in place yet" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 6/20).

MLB CARDINALS TO HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JACK BUCK

The MLB Cardinals have moved back the start of their game against the Angels today from 12:40-3:10pm CT in order to hold a memorial service for broadcaster Jack Buck. The public will be admitted to Busch Stadium beginning at 7:00am in order to pay respects in front of Buck's closed casket and the memorial service begins at 12:30pm. The Cardinals will wear a black armband with the initials "JFB" for the remainder of the season (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/20).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

Dr. Henry Kissinger, on why Americans have not embraced soccer: "Our games are segmented into periods and into individual actions. Soccer has continuous action so it's very hard to express it in percentages and batting averages and completions" ("Newsnight," CNN, 6/19).

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER reports that Boston business exec Steve Belkin, who is interested in owning an NBA team in Charlotte, "is scheduled to meet with NBA officials today, and believes the league is inclined to expand here if the city is prepared to build an arena." Belkin's partners include Larry Bird and M.L. Carr (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/20).

The L.A. TIMES reported that the Dodgers will open a theme restaurant today at Universal CityWalk that will feature Dodger dogs, burgers, fries and Cracker Jack. The team does not "expect to make much money off the snack shack, but they plan to sell merchandise there and hope to generate ticket sales among locals and tourists" (L.A. TIMES, 6/19).

TODAY'S EVENTS

Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West will speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new downtown arena. The event, hosted by the New Memphis Arena Public Building Authority, begins at 4:00pm CT (THE DAILY).

The FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reports that Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith will be in Washington, DC, today where he "will be named to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports at the White House Fitness Expo." President Bush will hold a news conference this morning to announce his "Healthier US" initiative and introduce Smith and other new members of the council (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 6/20). Knicks G Allan Houston and Wizards C Brendan Haywood also will host a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA activity court from 8:00-11:00am ET on the South Lawn of the White House, part of a fitness fair to introduce the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (THE DAILY).

The NHLPA will announce the winner of the '02 Lester B. Pearson Award at a noon ET ceremony from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Finalists for the award are Avalanche G Patrick Roy, Coyotes G Sean Burke, and Flames F Jerome Iginla (THE DAILY).

Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus and PGA CEO Jim Awtrey will host a 2:00pm ET media conference call to discuss topics including the network's upcoming broadcast of the PGA Championship (THE DAILY).

The NLL has scheduled a media conference call to announce that the Washington Power will relocate to Denver, and that all expansion plans have been put on hold until after the '02-03 season (EDMONTON SUN, 6/19).

John McEnroe will be at Borders Books & Music in DC for a 12:30pm ET book signing. It is one of the final stops on a 10-city tour to promote his memoir, "You Cannot Be Serious" (THE DAILY).

The WNBA Comets and the Clutch City Foundation will announce the name and beneficiary of a proposed annual charity event in the Houston area (THE DAILY).

IN OTHER NEWS….

USA TODAY reports that a "fast-growing trend" in the global ad business is for marketers such as BMW, Microsoft, Ford and Coca-Cola to "create their own mini-movies, from 90 seconds to 10 minutes long." Many of the ads "have big-name stars or big-budget special effects," and that makes them attractive to consumers, who "can usually see them for free on company Web sites" (USA TODAY, 6/20).

Analysts say that Wall Street "may lose as many as 35,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, in the coming year" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/20).

MSNBC reports that CBS may be "worried that Martha Stewart's appearances aren't a good thing." Stewart "does weekly segments on the CBS' 'Early Show,' but a source says network officials are having a debate about 'the appropriateness' of presenting household tips by someone who has come under suspicion" of insider trading (MSNBC, 6/20).

FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Historic Americans."

"On this man's death, FDR said, 'All mankind are the beneficiaries of his discoveries in ... agricultural chemistry.'"

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES:

CBS' David Letterman: "Everybody in (N.Y.) is excited about the (U.S.) World Cup team. ... Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Every day when I come to work, out in front of the theater under the marquee, there's a guy ... (and) every day the guy gives me the finger. Well, today he gave me the finger with his head. ... The (U.S.) made it to the final eight. Coincidently, the Catholic Church is also down to the final eight commandments. ... P Diddy is on jury duty. Or is that P Duty on jury diddy?" Letterman, on capturing a 300-pound Al Qaeda terrorist: "He belonged to a splinter group of Al Qaeda (called) Al Roka" ("The Late Show," CBS, 6/19).

NBC's Jay Leno: "Here's a little tip to help you out during the heat wave. This is interesting. Because heat rises, it's always much cooler if you stay in the cellar – which of course is good news for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ... Closing arguments began (yesterday) in the trial of two Lebanese brothers charged with running a cigarette smuggling ring that benefited the terrorist group Hezbollah. ... You know what kind of cigarettes they were? Camels. ... A large crowd assembled in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican this past weekend for the canonization of a new saint, and they had record temperatures there, too. In fact, it was so hot at the Vatican, they actually hosed down the crowd with water to cool them off. Hosed them down. They should try that with some of those priests. ... The college baseball World Series is currently underway in Omaha, (NE). I understand most of the players majored in biochemistry. See, this way they can make their own steroids before every game. ... Billionaire Steve Fossett announced this week he is going to make his sixth attempt at flying a balloon around the world, which would be pretty impressive if this was 1802. ... He's sponsored by Anheuser-Busch – proving when it comes to doing something really dumb, money is not enough. You need beer, too" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 6/19).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night's edition of CBS' "The Late Show" aired a spoof of a political ad in MN, since Jesse Ventura announced he is not seeking another term as governor. The ad's announcer: "In the coming election, (MN) faces serious challenges. A budget shortfall, rising health care costs and falling tourism. The people of this great state deserve a leader with vision who can handle these problems. Vote Mike Tyson for Governor of (MN). Paid for by Tyson For Governor" ("The Late Show," CBS, 6/19).

Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Ways To Describe Donald Trump's Hair" ("The Late Show," CBS, 6/19).

10)	"Odd."
9)	"Peculiar."
8)	"Windswept."
7)	"Trumpy."
6)	"Strangely hypnotic."
5)	"Unbe-weave-able."
4)	"Wiggy."
3)	"Stylish (dumb guys only)."
2)	"Proof money can't buy everything."
1)	"Taj Ma-helmet."

NBC's Conan O'Brien: "This week, Captain Kirk's original chair from the Starship Enterprise is being auctioned off on eBay. The bidding starts at $80,000. Yeah, which is really ridiculous because for $800, William Shatner will show up at your house. He will. I don't even think it's that much. 80 bucks. … This week, Sports Illustrated named (Yankees SS) Derek Jeter as one of the sexiest men in sports (audible boos). That's right. Now hear this out. Hear me out. The sexiest men in sports list includes Jeter, (Mets C) Mike Piazza, and several athletes from the women's golf tour. … Starting next week, Southwest Airlines will begin charging overweight passengers for two seats. It's a true story. At first, overweight people were really offended by the announcement, but then they realized they'll get two meals. … This week, a group of scientists announced they have identified a possible cure for alcoholism. They might have a cure for alcoholism. Unfortunately, it involves waking up next to someone who had to buy two seats on Southwest Airlines" ("Late Night," NBC, 6/19).

CBS' Craig Kilborn: "An 86-year old man in Paris (was) killed when he was hit by a potted plant that fell off a three-story window. The family is asking nobody to send flowers" ("The Late Late Show," CBS, 6/19).

Jon Stewart: "Martha Stewart is in some deep fondue. Yes, billionaire dollar companies like Enron, Tyco, and Global Crossing continue to crash and burn, Arthur Andersen and Merrill Lynch are disgraced, thousands of hard working Americans have lost their pensions, but all anybody seems to really care about, 'Did a famous lady sell some stock?'" … Stewart on President Bush's failed repeal of the estate tax: "So that leaves the only things that don't favor the very rich as this: the estate tax and wild, back-alley crack sex" ("The Daily Show," Comedy Central, 6/19).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Marlins 2B Luis Castillo's 33-game hitting streak.

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"Who was George Washington Carver?"

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