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Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz, October 31, 2002

The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, October 31, 2002
9:00am ET

SLOC To Officially Close Its Doors Today

NCAA BOD To Decide Today On Future Of Standardized Testing Practice

Yao Ming's NBA Debut Draws Media Contingent Similar To Playoff Game

NBA Teams Add Other Entertainment To Spur Ticket Sales For Home Openers

THE DAILY Goes One-On-One With One Of Sports Programming's Young Guns

A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy!


SLOC TO END SEVEN-YEAR RUN WITH CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY

The SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports that the SLOC "will cease operations with the close of business today," although it will "hover in the background a while longer and will reappear now and again in various forms."  SLOC President Fraser Bullock's "seven-month tenure as the fourth chief executive in SLOC's tumultuous but ultimately triumphant seven-year history" will also end.  Bullock: "I don't suppose there will be a ceremonial departure.  I'll personally thank each individual left for the work they've done. Then I'll turn out the lights and move on."  A dozen SLOC employees have been "wrapping up final details" of the $1.3B project (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 10/31).


NCAA BOD TO DECIDE ON STANDARDIZED TESTING PRACTICE TODAY

The WASHINGTON POST reports that the NCAA BOD today will decide in Indianapolis "whether to end the reliance on standardized test scores to determine academic eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports."  The decision "would end a practice that began" in '83 with Proposition 48 and "likely would affect the prep schools that often serve as alternatives for athletes who haven't qualified" to play Div. I athletics (WASHINGTON POST, 10/31).


PLAYOFF-SIZED MEDIA CONTINGENT COVERS YAO'S NBA DEBUT

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that attendance for last night's Rockets-Pacers game, which featured the NBA debut of Rockets C Yao Ming, was 16,469, "nearly 2,000 short of capacity."  Pacers coach Isiah Thomas: "It's just a weird time, with the economy and everything else.  It's a weird time in sports and a weird time in our society (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/31).

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that the game "drew a national media contingent Pacers officials said was similar to a typical first-round playoff series, plus representatives from five media outlets in China" to cover Ming's debut (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/31).  Meanwhile, the BOSTON GLOBE notes that the "media turnout wasn't overwhelming, but it was such that it prompted the Pacers to open the upstairs press area, something they only do for the Wizards, Lakers, and playoffs" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/31).  Commenting on the attention Ming's debut drew, NBA VP/Int'l Public Relations Terry Lyons said, "The last time I can remember this kind of buzz surrounding one of our rookie players goes back to when the Knicks drafted Patrick Ewing No. 1 out of Georgetown in 1985" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/31).


WIZARDS, HAWKS ADD MUSICAL GUESTS IN ATTEMPT TO SELL OUT

The Wizards are holding a one-day only sale today of individual tickets to all 41 home games starting at 10:00am ET, and the WASHINGTON POST reports that the team "has plenty of available seats remaining" for tonight's home opener against the Celtics.  The potential for a non-sellout "would snap a string of 41 consecutive home sellouts" as the team sold out all 41 home games last year.  Blues Traveler frontman John Popper is scheduled to sing the national anthem (WASHINGTON POST, 10/31).  Meanwhile, the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that "about 11,500 tickets had been sold" for the Hawks home opener against the Jazz at the 19,445-seat Philips Arena.  The night will include a post-game concert featuring the Sugar Hill Gang, Doug E. Fresh and Melle Mel (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/31).


TODAY THE DAILY GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH…

Which network exec finds inspiration from Dick Schaap's legacy of journalistic integrity and recharges by spending time with his two-year-old son?  To find out, see today's Sports Industrialists section for "THE DAILY Goes One-On-One With..."


A LIGHTER BUZZ

NFL owners today will conclude their annual fall meeting in N.Y. (N.Y. TIMES, 10/31).

The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that Suns Chair Jerry Colangelo "is expected to join" Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza at a 10:00am PT press conference to discuss the ongoing $50M renovation at America West Arena.  Improvements include additional women's restrooms, the widening of concourses, improved lighting and the remodeling of lower-level seats (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/31).

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that "close to 1,500 fans" joined suspended Mavericks GM & coach Don Nelson and President of Basketball Operations & assistant coach Donnie Nelson at Dave & Buster's "for a special Mavericks watching party."  The elder Nelson "came dressed for the occasion – in a black and white striped jailbird suit and cap in tribute to his suspension," and commented that NBA Commissioner David Stern has "been a promoter all his life, [but] he might need a sense of humor for this" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/31).

The N.Y. POST reports that the 25-person contingent that will represent N.Y.'s bid for the '12 Olympic Games includes Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and comedian Billy Crystal (N.Y. POST, 10/31).

The TORONTO SUN reports that Canadian National Women's Ice Hockey team member Hayley Wickenheiser "prefers to pursue hockey opportunities in Europe," rejecting ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones Owner Phil Esposito's offer for "a 15-game tryout" with the team.  Wickenheiser: "Europe is still the No. 1 option.  Basically because it's a better style of hockey for the game that I want to play.  The (ECHL) is a tough league" (TORONTO SUN, 10/31).

The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS notes that Sixers G Allen Iverson responded to criticism of wearing a Bears jersey recently in public.  Iverson: "I'm not a Bears fan, OK?  I heard something today on TV [about that].  I'm not a Bears fan, I'm an Eagles fan, and I like the Eagles, and I'm rooting for the Eagles all the way.  I just wear different uniforms because I like the colors, and they match with outfits.  I just want all Philly fans to know I'm with them, too" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/31).


TODAY'S EVENTS

NBC CEO & Chair Bob Wright will be presented with the Center for Communication '02 Award For Excellence in Communications at a luncheon in N.Y.  The keynote speaker will be NBC anchor Brian Williams, and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Sony of America Chair & CEO Howard Stringer and AOL/Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons will attend (THE DAILY).

ESPN will hold a 2:00pm ET conference call to discuss its new show, "Around the Horn."  Host Max Kellerman, "Pardon the Interruption" co-host Michael Wilbon, and Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan will participate (THE DAILY).

The AFL Carolina Cobras will hold their kickoff press conference at 3:00pm ET at the Charlotte Coliseum location of Jocks & Jills Sports Grill.  AFL Commissioner David Baker, Cobras Owner Pete Loftin and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will attend (THE DAILY).

The Rainbow Sports Task Force will hold a conference call at 3:00pm ET to discuss the upcoming Wall Street Project conference to be held January 14-17 at the Sheraton N.Y. Hotel and Towers (THE DAILY).

The Red Sox will open Fenway Park from 4:00-8:00pm ET for a children's Halloween celebration.  Candy, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste, will be available.  Admission is free, but donations to the Red Sox Foundation will be accepted (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/31).


IN OTHER NEWS….

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times introduced new daily tabloids yesterday in an attempt to "ensure a future readership for their parent papers by ensnaring an elusive crowd, 18-to-34-year-olds."  The cover of the Tribune's RedEye featured Oprah Winfrey, ABC's "The Bachelor" and Iraq; while the cover of the Sun-Times' Red Streak featured "the shoplifting trial of Winona Ryder, 'Sex and the City' star Sarah Jessica Parker and the latest on the sniper case."  Both papers, "which will cost 25 cents, are being offered free for a limited period" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/31).

USA TODAY reports since May, "more than 20 cities have signed contracts … and more than 200 others are interested" in purchasing "new police cars for $1" in exchange for "NASCAR-style advertisements all over the cruisers" (USA TODAY, 10/31).

USA TODAY reports that the Justice Department "will file a lawsuit today to block EchoStar's $21[B] merger deal with Hughes Electronics, the parent of DirecTV" (USA TODAY, 10/31).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports Coca-Cola "plans to announce today that it is hiring the world-renowned Jerde Partnership International architectural firm to do the master site plan for the area north of Centennial Olympic Park."  Coca-Cola, which owns the 20-acre site, is donating nine acres for construction of the GA Aquarium (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/31).


FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Cable Television."

"2002's 'A Season On The Brink' was this cable network's first original movie."


LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES: 

CBS' David Letterman: "You're looking at an emotional wreck.  I am a ruined man. ... (Yesterday), was my conjugal visit with Lizzie Grubman. ... They got her in a tough jail.  It's a legitimate slammer out there in Southhampton.  She was kept awake all night by the sound of the surf. ... We're having trouble with mom.  I get a call earlier (yesterday).  She tried to walk out of the Gap wearing five pairs of jeans. ... (Winona Ryder's shoplifting) defense is that she was researching for a role in a movie.  O.J. Simpson heard that and said, 'Why didn't I think of that?' ... I believe the name of the movie was, 'Saks, Lies and Videotape.'"  Letterman talked about "Ways New York City Is Cutting Back" to save money.  Letterman: "(Mets C) Mike Piazza is forcing himself to stick to his strict monthly budget, and by the way, Mr. Piazza would like to let everyone know that so far this off-season he remains totally not-gay" ("Late Show," CBS, 10/30).

NBC's Jay Leno: "(There were) 200 illegal (Haitian) immigrants running down the street (in Miami), or as we call that in L.A., a slow day. ... Here's what I don't understand.  If they're trying to escape a third world country where there are no free elections, why go to (FL)? ... Robert Blake's attorney has quit.  I guess he finally looked at the evidence. ... He's lucky he's the one ending it.  You don't want Robert Blake breaking up with you. ... What's Winona Ryder's favorite NFL football team? The Steelers! ... If Winona Ryder is found guilty in the shoplifting trial, she could be sentenced up to three years in jail or be required to co-star in the next two Madonna movies. ... In Dallas, (TX), a teacher had her baby right in the classroom.  They said the school nurse showed up (and) made all the students leave, except of course, the father. ... The number one movie in the country is 'Jackass' about a bunch of young guys doing stupid, dangerous stunts.  They put on helmets.  They smash into each other.  They fall on the ground unconscious.  Wait.  That's the Cincinnati Bengals" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 10/30).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night's "Top Ten" was "Top Ten Signs You're Too Old To Be Trick-Or-Treating" ("Late Show," CBS, 10/30).

10) "You get a candy apple and mutter, 'Oh yeah, my dentures will love this.'"

9) "You're dressed as a surgeon; earlier in the day you actually performed surgery."

8) "Not many 'aren't you cutes,' but plenty of 'I'm calling the cops.'" 

7) "Every three houses you need a smoke break."

6) "Chaos ensues when you confuse an M&M with your heart medication."

5) "You're dressed as America's favorite movie star, Tyrone Power."

4) "At the end of the night you don't have many treats, but you got a few dates with divorcees."

3) "Frequently forgo the candy and ask to use the bathroom."

2) "Your 'trick' involves driving rascal scooter across lawn."

1) "Wrap things up early so you can get home to watch CBS."


WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Wizards-Raptors, followed by Rockets-Pacers and Bulls-Celtics.


FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"What is ESPN?"


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

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