NOT MUCH ACTION EXPECTED AT MLB GM MEETINGS

The annual fall meetings of MLB GMs officially begin today in Tucson, AZ, and the TORONTO STAR reported that "uncertainty has been one of the few consistent factors in past meetings."  The meetings conclude Thursday (TORONTO STAR, 11/10).  The AP reported that topics of discussion will include a possible age requirement for bat boys, reducing the time of games, new uniform policies and an attempt to eliminate on-field fraternization between opposing players (AP, 11/10).

ESPN.com's Peter Gammons wrote that little player movement is expected during the meetings and quoted one NL GM as saying, "With all the belt-tightening, free agents and possible non-tenders, it may be another month before we get into any serious trade discussions" (ESPN.com, 11/10).

BRUINS TO BRING BOURQUE BACK INTO THE MIX AS AMBASSADOR

The BOSTON HERALD reports that FleetCenter officials are preparing to announce as soon as today that former D Ray Bourque will return as a Premium Club ambassador "to fans who frequent the arena's large ring of luxury seats and suites."  In his role, Bourque will "socialize with high-rolling Premium Club members during games, concerts and other big events" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/11).

THREE MEN TO SURRENDER IN ALLEGED BREEDERS' CUP FIX

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that three men will surrender tomorrow at 8:00am ET to the Southern District U.S. Attorney's Office "on charges they nearly pulled off the biggest heist in horse racing history … allegedly ripping off the Breeders' Cup" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/11).

"THE GREAT BASOC GARAGE SALE" TO OPEN TODAY IN PALO ALTO

The S.F. CHRONICLE reports that after losing out to N.Y. as the U.S. candidate city for the '12 Olympic Games, the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee is holding "The Great BASOC Garage Sale," beginning today through Saturday at its Palo Alto headquarters.  Among the items on sale are "Olympic memorabilia, pins, posters and such office equipment as desks, chairs, file cabinets and printers" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/11).

COLTS TO DONATE $50,000, ANNOUNCE PLEDGE DRIVE TODAY

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that the Colts today "will announce a two-step strategy … to assist the city's homeless population."  In addition to a $50,000 donation to help the city's Dayspring Center shelter reopen, the team "will start a drive to raise money for an emergency fund for homelessness problems."  The United Way will administer the drive (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/11).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH reported that the Cardinals will announce today an increase in both payroll and ticket prices (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/8).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that Hawks President Stan Kasten attended Sunday's Hawks-Kings game at ARCO Arena.  Despite reports, Kasten noted that the team, as well as the Braves and Thrashers "are not for sale," and asked, "Can't I just come to see a ballgame?" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/11).

Keith Olbermann notes that Hornets F George Lynch had New Orleans spelled incorrectly on his jersey during Saturday's game against the Knicks at MSG.  Lynch's jersey had the Hornets' home city spelled "New Orlaens" (ABC Radio, 11/11).

The BOSTON GLOBE reports that USA Basketball officials will meet this week in Indianapolis to "start formulating a game plan to get back the gold in Athens."  FIBA representative C.M. Newton said that he is "looking for the group to come up with a plan not only for Athens, but for next summer's Olympic qualifier" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/10).

Sunday's session at Keeneland's November breeding-stock sale saw 255 horses sold for $6.75M.  Through the first seven days of the ten-day auction, 1,653 horses have been sold for $178M (THE DAILY).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

• The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Checker Auto Parts 500 drew an estimated 100,000 fans to Phoenix Int'l Raceway (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/11).

• Sunday night's opener of the MLB All-Stars v. the Japanese All-Stars seven-game series drew a crowd of 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome (THE DAILY).

• The L.A. TIMES reported that 6,911 fans attended the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup championship game between Canada and the U.S. Saturday night at the Rose Bowl (L.A. TIMES, 11/10).

• The L.A. DAILY NEWS reported that Saturday's season-ending NHRA Auto Club Finals at Pomona Raceway was run before an "estimated crowd" of 45,000 (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/10).

• The FLORIDA TIMES-UNION reports that "a two-year high" of 66,665 attended the Redskins-Jaguars game at Alltel Stadium for Redskins coach Steve Spurrier's return to FL. The facility has a capacity of 73,000 (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 11/11).

• The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER reports that 4,733 tickets were sold for the AHL Cincinnati Mighty Ducks-Cleveland Barons game on Sunday.  As noted in Friday's Closing Bell, the event featured the Barons' "Pigskin on the Pond" cross-promotional effort with the Browns (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/11).

TODAY'S EVENTS

ESPN broadcaster Bill Walton will visit with Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA participants at the Colonel Daniel Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester, MA from 3:30-4:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Below are this week's confirmed earnings announcements for sports-business related companies (THE DAILY).

The N.Y. TIMES reports that in its earnings reports this week, analysts will see that The Interpublic Group's "accounting irregularities are more extensive than had been feared just four weeks ago" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/11).

IN OTHER NEWS….

This week's cover of TIME profiles the GOP's mid-term victory under the header, "How They Aced Their Midterms."  Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines President Bush under the header, "Top Gun" (THE DAILY).

USA TODAY reports that Movielink.com "opens today with 170 titles available for download and viewing on PCs, at prices comparable to renting and pay-per-view: $1.99 to $4.99 each" (USA TODAY, 11/11).

The N.Y. TIMES reports that Carol Wallace, former Managing Editor of "People," is working on "a prototype of a celebrity-infested, photo-driven weekly magazine."  Time Editor-in-Chief Norman Pearlstine:  "This is just sort of preliminary research" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/11).

FINAL JEOPARDY!

Friday's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "State Capitals."

"In the continental United States, this city is the southernmost state capital."

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES: 

CBS' David Letterman: "160 years ago today, Abraham Lincoln met his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. ... Historians tell us and there are photographs to indicate that she was a homely woman.  They actually met at a beard-growing contest ... (Winona Ryder) was convicted on one of the (shoplifting) counts, but Hollywood experts actually believe that her shoplifting trial, her arrest and her conviction may have helped her career.  Isn't that odd?  In a related story, earlier today Madonna was seen leaving Gap wearing five pairs of pants. ... According to the CIA, Al Qaeda is regrouping in the mountainous regions of Yemen.  They're getting together.  They've watched. … No wait a minute.  Those are the Democrats. ... (The Democrats) are worried about becoming an endangered species. ... They're thinking, 'My God, we're disappearing.  We got to do something fast.'  So earlier today, they voted unanimously to put President Clinton out to stud" ("Late Show," CBS, 11/8).

NBC's Jay Leno: "The flooding (in L.A.) was so bad I saw a guy on Hollywood (Blvd.) pick up a hooker in a kayak ... Actually, it was raining so hard at LAX, even the sober pilots had trouble seeing. ... Bobby Brown was arrested for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.  That's a shock.  Bobby Brown with less than an ounce.  Did Whitney get into his stash? ... In his first speech since the election, President Bush said he is going to work with the new Congress to create jobs.  Finally some good news for Al Gore. ... Democrats called for cheaper prescription drugs, especially Prozac.  A lot of depressed Democrats this week ... Rumor has it that retired ex-Dallas Cowboys (QB) Troy Aikman is thinking of making a comeback with the Miami Dolphins ... (Aikman) has a history of concussions and medical experts say one more concussion, and Aikman could be brain damaged.  Three more concussions – he could be Terry Bradshaw. ... Apparently, Harry Potter is getting thousands of endorsement offers.  In fact, he's endorsing a new British toothpaste.  See that's when you know Harry Potter's popular.  When you can sell toothpaste to the British." … Leno, on NASA releasing a paper to prove the moon landing was real and not faked: "We're probably the only country in the world where people think the moon landing was fake, (but) professional wrestling, that's real" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 11/8).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Friday night's "Top Ten" was "Top Ten Things I Learned After 1,900 Shows" ("The Late Show," CBS, 11/8).

SUNDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:30pm ET "SportsCenter" (late due to Dolphins-Jets) led with Falcons-Steelers.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Eminem's "8 Mile" was the top film of the weekend "with a stunning estimate of $54.5[M] – the fifth biggest in November."  Meanwhile, the aggregate for the top 12 films was an estimated $133.9M, "up a strong 15% from the comparable session a year ago" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/11).

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"What is Austin, TX?"

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