| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tuesday, November 5, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Decision 2002 – Sports Initiatives And Personalities On The Ballot Today |
| • | Ticket Sales Not As Brisk As Last Year For Jordan’s Appearance In MN |
| • | 434 Was Not Meant To Be As Knicks’ Nearly Ten-Year Sellout Streak Ends |
| • | Keeneland’s November Breeding-Stock Sales Up, But Day One Average Down |
| • | Cablevision’s Charles Dolan Taking Back Some Of The Power Passed To James |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
DECISION 2002: CARDINALS FACE KEY BALLPARK VOTE TODAY
Voters across the country head to the polls to decide the mid-term elections, and several sports initiatives and personalities are on the ballot. Among the highlights:
In St. Louis, voters will consider Proposition S, a bill “requiring voter approval of any financial assistance” to a new ballpark for the Cardinals and other professional sports facilities. The vote would “determine whether the city could provide money, tax credits or other types of help” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/5).
Voters in Cedar Park, TX, go to the polls and vote on a bond measure for a new 6,000-seat arena. If the funding is approved, the NHL Stars would acquire the CHL Austin Ice Bats and relocate them to the new facility in Cedar Park and make them their official CHL affiliate (THE DAILY).
If San Fernando Valley voters approve Measure F, the Valley “will finally have divorced itself from [L.A.] and become, once and for all, it’s own private entity.” The measure would make the area “the country’s largest city without its own pro franchise,” as the area has no stadium, ballpark, arena, horse racing track or auto racing track (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/1).
In MA, the race between former SLOC President and Republican candidate for governor Mitt Romney and Democrat Shannon O’Brien “is expected to generate a huge turnout at the polls,” as a poll of likely voters conducted yesterday “showed the candidates tied, with a very small percentage of undecided voters.” Former N.Y. Mayor Rudy Giuliani attended Romney’s rally last night (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/5).
In NY, Sabres suitor and Independence Party candidate for governor B. Thomas Golisano, who has spent an estimated $54M of his own money, “pounded the theme that voters needed to take what he considers a corrupt state government back from professional politicians.” Two college-run polls had Golisano receiving 14% and 19% of the vote, as Governor George Pataki “headed for a resounding win” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
Former Seahawks WR and U.S. Rep (R-OK) Steve Largent, the GOP candidate for governor, is “in a tight race” with Democrat Brad Henry and Independent Gary Richardson (AP, 11/5).
In KS’ Second-District, former Olympic distance runner and U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-KS) is “trying to fend off a spirited challenge from Democrat Dan Lykins, a Topeka lawyer” (Topeka CAPITAL-JOURNAL, 11/5).
Former Univ. of NE football coach and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE) faces no strong opposition in running for re-election in NE’s Third-District (Lincoln JOURNAL-STAR, 11/5).
Meanwhile, the ORLANDO SENTINEL looks at athlete participation in the election process. Magic F Horace Grant: "It's hard [to vote]. I'm not that much involved. I know people should vote. But what if you don't have a true favorite? … No disrespect to civil rights, but should you vote for the lesser of two evils?" Meanwhile, UCF’s DeVos Sport Business Management Program Dir Richard Lapchick said, “If you take 3,000 or so professional athletes, you would think there would be some percentage who are outspoken on issues. Yet it's so rare to see professional athletes say something. You have to believe there is apprehension to step forward” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/5).
Ravens DE Michael McCrary appeared on last night's edition of NBC's "Nightly News," where he was campaigning for MD Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Kennedy Townsend ("Nightly News," NBC, 11/4).
JORDAN’S PRESENCE NOT CAUSING STIR IN MINNEAPOLIS
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that the Wizards’ game at the Timberwolves tonight “has not caused nearly the stir for the Timberwolves' marketing department this season as it did last season” as about 1,800 tickets remained yesterday for Michael Jordan’s only appearance in MN this season. Timberwolves CMO Chris Wright: “Last year, it was one of the hardest tickets I've ever been involved with. There was a phenomenal amount of emotion around the game. … People wondered, ‘Was this going to be his last year? How would he do?’” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/5).
KNICKS’ SELLOUT STREAK ENDS LAST NIGHT AT 433
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that the Knicks “ended their home sellout streak at 433 games” last night against the Bucks, their first non-sellout since a ’93 game against the then-Bullets. The official attendance was announced at 18,100, a number [that] was always 19,763 as the Knicks built the longest active home sellout streak in the NBA” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/5). Meanwhile, the N.Y. TIMES reports that the announced attendance was “thousands larger than the actual figure” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
ESPN2’s “NBA Fast Break Tuesday” debuts tonight at 9:00pm ET with analysts Sean Elliot and Tim Legler joining host Kevin Frazier. The two-hour show “will drop in on games in progress in a whip around format and highlight completed East Coast games” (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/5).
The ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER reports that former President Bill Clinton will play the pro-am event for the Hyundai Team Matches on November 16 and 17 at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, CA. Clinton was invited by tournament sponsor Hyundai and “will be one of 96 amateurs joining 24” pros from the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA Tours (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 11/5).
The Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL reports that the Keeneland’s November breeding-stock sale continues today, and that 186 horses were sold for $58.9M yesterday. Those figures compare to “152 [horses] selling for $48.7[M] last year,” and while gross receipts rose 20.8%, “the average of $316,406 was 1.3 percent below last year’s $320,625” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 11/5).
Opening arguments will be heard today in Essex County (MA) Superior Court, where Bobby Orr and Charles Barkley are “among the witnesses to be called by the plaintiff, sports consultant Lane Forman.” Forman is suing the late Ted Williams’ son, John Henry Williams, for $500,000 in damages for “unpaid services provided” to Williams’ company, Grand Slam Marketing (BOSTON HERALD, 11/5).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that of the 32,560 starters in Sunday’s N.Y. Marathon, a “record 31,824 finished,” including 10,192 women. The medical report shows 23 runners taken to hospitals, with nobody kept overnight (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5). For more on the N.Y. Marathon, see Laugh Track.
The DENVER POST reports that Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey will be taping a segment of “Wheel of Fortune” with Bucs WR Keyshawn Johnson, Chargers QB Drew Brees and Patriots WR Troy Brown (DENVER POST, 11/5).
TODAY’S EVENTS
Vikings CB Corey Chavous, CB Eric Kelly and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback will stage a mock election from 10:00-10:30am CT for 1st through 8th graders at the Ronald McDonald House Home School, in partnership with Kids Voting Minnesota (THE DAILY).
NFL Giants G Mike Rosenthal, LB Brandon Short and QB Kerry Collins will participate in the Manhattan “Get Out and Vote” campaign (THE DAILY).
Eagles G/T John Welbourn will speak to a group of high school students about the importance of registering and voting (THE DAILY).
Knicks broadcaster Walt “Clyde” Frazier will participate in a live chat on NBA.com at 11:30am ET (THE DAILY).
Coyotes players and coaches will play in the Coyotes Charities Golf Classic at the Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale. Registration is at 10:00am MT, with an 11:30am shotgun start (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The N.Y. POST reports that Cablevision Founder & Chair Charles Dolan “appears to be taking back some of the power he gave to his son,” President & CEO James Dolan. Entertainment assets and teams such as MSG “were bought for Jimmy to run,” but lately the elder Dolan seems to be taking “more of a role with the cable systems” (N.Y. POST, 11/5).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that as early as this week, federal regulators “may be ready to decide the fate” of Comcast Corp.’s $47B bid to buy AT&T Broadband. FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said that a final vote on the merger should be taken “in the next few days” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/5).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that Celine Dion and The Chrysler Group have reached an agreement that will include Dion appearing in ads cross-promoting her music. The contract will pay Dion in the “tens of millions of dollars,” but exact terms of the three-year deal were not disclosed (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
Jimmy Kimmel and ABC Entertainment TV announced yesterday that "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will originate from the El Capitan Entertainment Center in L.A. and “air live to the East Coast weeknights” at 12:05am ET starting on January 27 following a special post-Super Bowl preview the previous day (DAILY VARIETY, 11/5).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Official Languages.”
“It is an official language of about 30 countries, second only to English.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: “I got one of those phone calls that just kind of gets you. ... It turns out they have arrested my uncle in connection with trying to kidnap a Spice Girl. ... Only in the (N.Y.) Marathon do you see guys running and smoking. ... I did not finish the marathon (last Sunday). Here's what happened. Around mile 13, I pulled a hamstring when I jumped off the couch to get a root beer. ... (N.Y.) could host the Olympics in 2012, and we convinced the Olympic Committee the old fashioned way – with hookers and cash. ... (Tuesday) is Election Day, so I guess six months from now we'll know who wins in (FL). ... Former President Clinton had a busy weekend campaigning for Democratic candidates. He was in six states, ten cities and three flight attendants” ("Late Show," CBS, 11/4).
NBC's Jay Leno: “This is what's called an off-year election because there's no Presidential election. It's kind of like the Winter Olympics. We pretend to care. ... According to a new study just out (yesterday), as many as five million votes are likely to be uncounted by midnight (Tuesday). In fact, you know what (FL) calls five million uncounted votes – close enough. ... Atlanta, (GA), announced this week they're going to allow companies to place advertising on the sides, the top and the front of their police cars. It's bad enough getting pulled over for DUI. Now your arrest is brought to you by, 'Budweiser, King of Beers.' ... An amazing discovery was made (Sunday) in Houston, (TX). The Bengals found the end zone. What are the odds? This could be the second miracle Mother Teresa needs to become a saint. ... Director Steven Spielberg is going to go to Cuba for a festival of his most famous films. You know something? Maybe showing 'Jaws' to the Cuban people might be just the thing to keep them from swimming here” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 11/4).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s “Top Ten” was “Top Ten Things I Want To Get Off My Chest,” as read by former Mets manager Bobby Valentine (“The Late Show,” CBS, 11/4).
| 10) “When I signed my contract I was under the impression I'd be managing the Yankees.” |
| 9) “I couldn't explain the balk rule if you paid me.” |
| 8) “Sometimes I daydream during games about being a cowboy.” |
| 7) “I was hoping there would be a one-day strike so I could get my car inspected.” |
| 6) “You know, the Rally Monkey can kiss my ass.” |
| 5) “I'm not saying it affected my managing, but the chair in my office at Shea had no lumbar support.” |
| 4) “Oh Lord help me, I can't stop collecting bobblehead dolls.” |
| 3) “I firmly believe Winona was just researching a movie role.” |
| 2) “To save money on overseas calls, I'd use the dugout phone.” |
| 1) “I had no idea there's a baseball team in Anaheim.” |
N.Y. Marathon men's and women's division winners Rodgers Rop and Joyce Chepchumba ran on-stage during Letterman's monologue. Letterman: “You have to devote every day of your life, every year of your life to running and running and running and competing and people say, 'Why would you want to do that?' I'll tell you why. The winners of (last Sunday's) marathon, each of them got a Pontiac” ("Late Show," CBS, 11/4).
Letterman also showed footage of Team Rahal driver Jimmy Vasser winning CART's The 500 Presented by Toyota. Letterman: “He's a nice guy and quite a driver and it's been a very, very long season so this is good news right at the end for everybody involved with the team” ("Late Show," CBS, 11/4).
MONDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 12:00am ET “SportsCenter” led with Spurs-Grizzlies, followed by Bulls-Raptors and Bucks-Knicks.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is French?”
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