Morning Buzz, August 23, 2002

MLB LABOR NEGOTIATIONS ENTER THREE-A-DAY SESSIONS

The AP reports that the MLBPA will hold an exec board conference call today to discuss the latest developments after MLB and union negotiators "had three bargaining sessions Thursday." An agreement on debt regulation was reached, which "eased the union's concerns the rules would restrict spending on players." The union has yet to "respond to the owners' latest revenue-sharing proposal, but said it will soon." MLBPA attorney Steve Fehr: "The issues have been narrowed sufficiently that it would not take very much time to conclude an agreement" (AP, 8/23).

The N.Y. TIMES reports, "The two sides have moved tantalizingly close on the revenue-sharing issue, more so in their informal discussions than in actual proposals made. But they remain distant on the tax issue, and one cannot be settled without the other." The union is expected to respond to MLB's latest proposals "possibly today, but more likely tomorrow or Sunday," as so far it is unsure "where it might be willing to go on tax rates and thresholds" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/23).

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that despite the apparent optimism, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "dispatched a memorandum to the 30 clubs instructing them on several procedural matters in the event a strike begins next Friday." The memo instructed clubs "to cut off all meal money, allowances and team-sponsored transportation for players as soon as a strike begins. Teams were also warned to stop providing workout facilities, equipment and company vehicles for striking players to limit injury liability" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/23).

NEWARK ARRANGES TENTATIVE FINANCING FOR SPORTS ARENA

The Newark STAR-LEDGER reports that the city of Newark "has tentatively reached a $265 million airport lease agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that would give Mayor Sharpe James a large chunk of the money he needs to help finance a downtown sports arena." Newark city council members, who have been opposed to using the city's money for the arena, will "consider the lease today" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/23).

FL FACILITY COULD GET NEW NAMING RIGHTS DEAL

The Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL reports that a bankruptcy judge "has ruled that National Car Rental System can no longer keep its name" on the Sunrise, FL, facility. With the ruling, the NHL Panthers are "free to pursue a new naming rights partner, and officials with the [team] said they already have a 'letter of intent' from Office Depot" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 8/23).

DON KING WINS LEGAL BATTLE WITH RUIZ OVER TYSON MATCH

USA TODAY reports that Judge Laura Taylor Swain denied heavyweight titlist John Ruiz's request Thursday for a "temporary restraining order that would prevent [Don] King from interfering with arrangements for a November Ruiz-Tyson bout." Swain upheld King's '98 promotional contract, which "gives him the exclusive right to negotiate Ruiz's fights." However, the ruling was temporary, and a September 6 trial is scheduled (USA TODAY, 8/23).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

NASCAR.com has registered one billion page views in seven months, from January to July of this year. In '01, the site did not hit the one billion mark until December (NASCAR.com, 8/22).

The BOSTON GLOBE reports that the yellow jersey Lance Armstrong wore during this year's Tour de France "went up for bidding this week to benefit the Pan-Mass Challenge on the Web site, www.pmc.org." Bidding ends today at 11:00am ET. The highest bid at press time was $12,000 (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/23).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

• The WASHINGTON POST reports that yesterday's opening game of the WNBA's Eastern Conference finals between the Liberty and the Mystics drew 17,218 fans to the MCI Center (WASHINGTON POST, 8/23).

• A capacity crowd of 19,873 fans packed The Arena in Oakland to watch USA Basketball men's team defeat China, 85-54, in a tune-up for the FIBA World Basketball Championship (THE DAILY).

• The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that an estimated 155,000 Cowboys fans "showed up for the mostly two-a-day practice sessions at the Alamodome" for the team's '02 training camp, "an average of about 4,500 per practice" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/23).

• The NEW HAVEN REGISTER reports that yesterday's Amelie Mauresmo-Lindsay Davenport match at the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament drew a crowd of 5,718 (NEW HAVEN REGISTER, 8/23).

• A crowd of 57,120 attended last night's CO State-Univ. of VA football game at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, VA (Richmond TIMES-DISPATCH, 8/23).

	Play full clip.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…..

Every Friday, the Morning Buzz will highlight a video clip, chart or piece of information that might have fallen through the cracks. This week, E!'s "Wild On" takes its search for a new host to FedEx Field in MD, where the only thing better than being a Redskinette is being a Hoggette (THE DAILY).

TODAY'S EVENTS

Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal is scheduled to appear at the Challenger Boys and Girls Club in L.A. to unveil "The Biggest Children's Book in the World." The L.A. TIMES' T.J. Simers quipped, "Local bookmakers say it's 5-1 Shaq is a no-show" (L.A. TIMES, 8/22).

Yankees P Roger Clemens will visit the children of the Ronald McDonald House of N.Y. from 12:30-2:00pm ET (THE DAILY).

Dodgers SS Cesar Izturis and coach Manny Mota will host the "Power Hitter Clinic and Competition" for children ages 6-14. The event takes place from 11:00am-1:00pm PT at the Algin Sutton Recreation Center in L.A. (THE DAILY).

In Boston, WEEI-AM will kick off the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund partnership with 18 hours of programming devoted to raising money for the children's charity. Fans will be able to contribute through a toll-fee number (1-877-738-1234) or at the charity's Web site (THE DAILY).

NBC Sports' Hannah Storm will appear in the NBC Experience Store in N.Y. at 10:30am ET to autograph her book, which she co-authored with Mark Jenkins, "Go Girl! Raising Healthy, Confident and Successful Girls through Sports" (THE DAILY).

Hibbett Sporting Goods will host a live broadcast of its Q2 '03 earnings release, beginning at 10:00am ET (THE DAILY).

The Lightning will provide free lunch for fans from 11:00am-2:00pm ET at Shots in the Ice Palace to promote season ticket plans. LW Ruslan Fedotenko will sign autographs from noon-1:00pm (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/20).

ESPN analysts Tony Gwynn and Harold Reynolds will offer a free hitting clinic at Little League Volunteer Stadium, beginning at 9:00am ET. The first 5,000 children attending the clinic will receive a free VHS or DVD of Reynolds' new teaching aide (THE DAILY).

IN OTHER NEWS….

MULTICHANNEL NEWS DAY reports that AOL Time Warner's Telecom CLEC subsidiary "slashed 230 jobs," and the layoffs "will save the company $13 million to $15 million per year" (MULTICHANNEL NEWS DAY, 8/23).

The NH Sweepstakes Commission on Thursday "revoked for one year the license held under the federal tax identification number of the Amateur Athletic Union." A one-year suspension is the "strongest sanction the three-person panel can issue" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/23).

REUTERS reports that N.Y.-based WNEW-FM on Thursday night canceled the "Opie and Anthony Show" after a live broadcast of a couple "purportedly having sex" in St. Patrick's Cathedral as part of a contest. The FCC has also "begun investigating the incident, which could ultimately lead to the revocation" of WNEW's broadcast license or "a stiff fine if violations of federal indecency laws are found" (REUTERS, 8/23).

FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "American History."

"German officer Johann Rall led this group when they were defeated in battle in December 1776."

LAUGH TRACK

Last night, CBS' "Late Show" with David Letterman and "Late Late Show" with Craig Kilborn were pre-empted by NFL preseason football, while NBC's "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno and "Late Night" with Conan O'Brien were in reruns. All shows will return next week.

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Jon Stewart: "The Enron scandal is also having an effect at the western White House in Crawford, (TX), where for the first summer in years, President Bush's annual 'Friends and Family' cookout came and went without Kenneth 'Kenny Boy' Lay's special million dollar guacamole. The secret ingredient? A million dollars." Stewart, on CNN promoting Al Quaeda terrorist training videos in a spot called "Terror on Tape: In Training": "'Terror on Tape.' I only have 'Terror on DVD.' ... The tapes were acquired by CNN correspondent Nick Robertson, who had to drive 17 hours outside of Kabul, just over 11 miles" ("The Daily Show," Comedy Central, 8/22).

THURSDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with a report on the USA-China World Basketball Championships.

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"Who were the Hessians?"

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

The Morning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.