| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, October 24, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | NFL Mourns The Loss Of The Man Who Brought The Browns Back To Cleveland |
| • | Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Backing Plan To Keep The Colts |
| • | Rockets C Yao Ming To Meet With Chinese President Today In TX |
| • | Boris Becker Relieved After Receiving Only Two Month Probation In Tax Case |
| • | MasterCard Unveils Results Of Three-Month "Memorable Moments" Campaign |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy |
BROWNS OWNER AL LERNER PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 69
Browns Owner Al Lerner died last night of brain cancer at the age of 69. The Browns released a statement, saying, "Al Lerner was a remarkable man -- exceptionally devoted to his family, a tremendously compassionate person, and a trusted and valued friend. He was the embodiment of courage, humanity, leadership and patriotism, and he will be sorely missed" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/24). Local TV stations broke into programming with word of Lerner's passing just after 8:30pm ET last night (DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 10/24).
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said last night, "Al Lerner magnificently fulfilled the American Dream with extraordinary achievement in business and philanthropy. Tough and considerate at the same time, his judgment and advice was always special. His NFL legacy is as much about his being an influential league leader as it is his being the generous Browns owner. Al's death leaves a terrible void for all of us in the NFL" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/24).
Former Browns Dir of Football Operations Dwight Clark: "It's a tragic, tragic loss to so many people. … He loved to be around the players and he really respected what they did" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/24).
Former Browns and current Giants GM Ernie Accorsi: "I never spent a minute with him that I didn't learn something. He was a such a brilliant man" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/24).
DAVID STERN TODAY CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF NBDL CITIES
NBA Commissioner David Stern today will visit Fayetteville, NC, home of the NBDL Patriots. Stern will tour the Airborne and Special Operation Museum with Patriots F Jason Capel as well as community leaders at 9:30am ET. Sternis "also expected to make an appearance at Fort Bragg," attend a private luncheon at 1:00pm and hold a 2:30pm press conference at the Crown Coliseum (FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, 10/23).
GOLF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM MARKS FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
The FLORIDA TIMES-UNION reports that more than 500 people will attend the World Golf Foundation's (WGF) national meetings, beginning today at the St. Johns County (FL) Convention Center, and lasting through Saturday. Those attending will "participate in a series of meetings to exchange ideas" about starting and operating facilities for the WGF's First Tee program, an initiative designed to make golf more accessible and affordable to people. There are currently about 120 First Tee chapters in operation or scheduled to open (FL TIMES-UNION, 10/24).
YAO MING INVITED TO MEET CHINESE PRESIDENT TODAY
The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that Rockets C Yao Ming has been "invited to a reception for Chinese president Jiang Zemin today, an honor that clearly moved Yao." Yao: "The fact that I've been invited individually -- I don't know if that has ever happened before." President Jiang will deliver a speech at the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M at 11:30am CT today (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/24).
Meanwhile, Yao played in his first NBA game last night, an exhibition game against the Spurs in San Antonio, which drew 16,857 fans to the SBC Center. Yao played 13 minutes and had six points and four rebounds (Mult., 10/24).
GROUP TO SUPORT INDIANAPOLIS MAYOR'S COLTS PLAN TODAY
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association will formally back Mayor Bart Peterson's efforts to keep the Colts in town at a board meeting this morning. Association Chair Gerald Bepko, who is also IUPUI Chancellor, will "present a resolution supporting Peterson, who has repeatedly said he will do everything in his power to keep the NFL team" in Indianapolis. Peterson and the Colts are "slated to begin official talks in the coming weeks about ways to increase the team's annual revenues in future seasons" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/24).
THE DAILY DETERMINES THE MOST MARKETABLE NASCAR DRIVER
Over the past month, The Sports Business Daily has been conducting its latest survey, this time around the marketability of NASCAR drivers. Almost 100 marketing, advertising and PR execs, sponsorship consultants, sports business journalists, NASCAR analysts and other experts were asked: "In your opinion, who are the five most marketable drivers in NASCAR?" Judgment day is today. Check today's Sponsorship, Advertising & Marketing section of The Daily for the results.
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The AP reports that former tennis star Boris Becker was sentenced today in Germany to two years of probation for tax evasion. Becker said, "I'm happy and relieved that this chapter is finally closed. I'm a free man. That's the important thing. I accept that I am responsible for a mistake that I made ten years ago and I know that I have to pay for that" (AP, 10/24).
The NHL and NHLPA yesterday "wrapped up a two-day grievance hearing in Chicago" over a "controversial player tax levied by the Alberta (Canada) government." Arbitrator Joan Parker has "asked both sides to submit written submission on the matter, after which she is expected to hand down a ruling" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/24)
The DETROIT NEWS reports that PGA Tour player Hal Sutton will be introduced today as the U.S. captain for the 35th Ryder Cup Matches in '04 at Oakland Hills Country Club, in MI. Sutton, who will make his first turn as captain, has played in the event four times with a 7-5-4 record (DETROIT NEWS, 10/24).
The Bengals have until 1:00pm ET to avoid a TV blackout for their game against the Titans Sunday. Bengals PR Dir Jack Brennan said, "We do not anticipate a sellout" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 10/24).
The road in front of the late Dale Earnhardt's Iredell (NC) Co. garage – formerly known as road NC 3 -- has been renamed the Dale Earnhardt Highway. The WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL calls it the "latest in a series of election-year efforts by politicians to cozy up to the NASCAR establishment – and to auto racing fans" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 10/24).
The NTRA/Breeders' Cup runs a full-page ad in today's USA Today promoting Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Arlington Park (THE DAILY).
TODAY'S EVENTS
The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Sports Marketing Network will host a discussion entitled "The Role Of An Agent: Leon Rose," from 8:00-10:00am ET, at the First Union Center. Rose will serve as guest speaker (THE DAILY).
Turner Sports will hold a conference call to discuss the '02-03 season at 2:00pm ET. Analysts Magic Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Fratello and Exec Producer Mike Pearl will participate (THE DAILY).
EVENTS FOR THE NBA'S "READ TO ACHIEVE" WEEK
The Pistons will host a celebration of reading and multicultural literature at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Beginning at 1:00pm ET, the event will include U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Pistons coach Rick Carlisle (THE DAILY).
The Bulls team and coaching staff will host 180 first through sixth graders for a reading event at the Berto Center, the team's practice facility, from 1:00-2:30pm CT. Commissioner of the Chicago Public Libraries Mary Dempsey will also attend (THE DAILY).
Heat coaching staff, players and PJ Kimbrough of the WNBA Sol will read with students at the Slyvania Heights Elementary School in Miami, beginning at 1:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
The Trail Blazers will host a reading event for children at their practice facility at 1:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
Knicks F Clarence Weatherspoon, G Charlie Ward and F Kurt Thomas will tell Halloween stories to 50 N.Y. and Westchester public school children from 2:00-5:00pm ET at the Terrace at Madison Square Garden (THE DAILY).
Hawks G Dan Dickau, along with members of the Hawks dance team and mascots, will hold a Reading Timeout and ice cream party at the Harland Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta beginning at 4:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
Microsoft will introduce its latest software today, MSN 8, in N.Y.'s Central Park. Microsoft Chair Bill Gates will attend, and pop star Lenny Kravitz will perform (THE DAILY). USA TODAY calls it the company's "biggest push yet to lure customers to its Internet subscription service" (USA TODAY, 10/24).
FINAL JEOPARDY
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Americana."
"It's made yearly by Tiffany out of seven pounds of silver; since 2001 one in Baltimore has been touched by some 200,000 fans."
MASTERCARD'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
The results of the "MasterCard Presents Major League Baseball Memorable Moments" campaign were announced prior to last night's World Series Game Four:
| No. | Year | Moment |
| 1 | 1995 | Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak. |
| 2 | 1974 | Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's career home run record. |
| 3 | 1947 | Jackie Robinson breaks MLB's color barrier. |
| 4 | 1998 | Mark McGwire & Sammy Sosa surpass Roger Maris. |
| 5 | 1939 | Gehrig retires with his "luckiest man" farewell speech. |
| 6 | 1985 | Pete Rose passes Ty Cobb as the all-time hits leader. |
| 7 | 1941 | Ted Williams is the last man to post a .400 average. |
| 8 | 1941 | Joe DiMaggio hits in 56 straight games. |
| 9 | 1988 | Kirk Gibson's World Series pinch-hit game-winning home run. |
| 10 | 1991 | Nolan Ryan pitches his seventh career no-hitter. |
WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
Last night's 11:30pm ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with Rockets-Spurs, which was Rockets C Yao Ming's first game, followed by Wizards-Pistons and a report about Wizards F Michael Jordan filing a lawsuit claiming a woman is attempting to extort money from him about their relationship from ten years ago.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is the Vince Lombardi Trophy?"
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