| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
9:00am ET | |
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| • | Spurs To Announce WNBA Franchise To Begin Play In SBC Center In '03 |
| • | Greater Hartford Open To Be Officially Added Today To '03 PGA Tour Schedule |
| • | Hootie Johnson's PR Campaign Continues Today With Release Of National Poll |
| • | Maryland Racing Commission To Approve Today $50.6M Sale Of Local Tracks |
| • | Churchill Downs-Owned Tracks To Institute New Wagering Practices Today |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
WITH SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS IN, WNBA TO ADD SAN ANTONIO
The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS reports that the Spurs will officially announce today that a WNBA franchise will begin play in the SBC Center in '03. Among the 6,000 season ticket deposits the organization successfully secured "in order to guarantee a team" were from Spurs F Danny Ferry, Univ. of TX women's basketball coach Jody Conradt and Comets F Tina Thompson. WNBA President Val Ackerman, Comets coach Van Chancellor, Sparks C Lisa Leslie, Fever F Tamika Catchings and Monarchs G Edna Campbell are expected to attend today's announcement (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 11/13).
GHO OFFICIALS TO ANNOUNCE TOURNAMENT SOLVENCY TODAY
The HARTFORD COURANT reports that Greater Hartford Open (GHO) officials and CT Gov. John Rowland will hold an 11:00am ET news conference today to announce that the tournament will officially become part of the '03 PGA Tour schedule. While the future of the tournament "would have been in doubt had the GHO been unable to raise" the $4M needed to run the event after title sponsor Canon dropped out, the GHO's title sponsor advisory committee raised $3.3M, and "the state is ready to fund the remainder when a Monday deadline arrives" (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/13).
POLL RELEASED TODAY TO SHOW 70% BACK AUGUSTA'S STANCE
Augusta National will hold a press conference at 10:00am ET today at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, to release the results of a national public opinion survey on the club's membership practices. Augusta National Chair Hootie Johnson will not be attending today's press conference, which will be staffed by four women connected to the golf club. The WASHINGTON TIMES reports that the survey, conducted by a division of the DC-based Polling Co., will show that "more than 70[%] of the respondents back the club's stance against the NCWO and [the club's] right to keep its membership all-male if it so chooses." NCWO Chair Martha Burk: "I don't believe for a second that 70[%] of the country is in favor of sex discrimination. It's a ridiculous premise" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/13).
COMMISSION TO APPROVE SALE, BUT MAY WITHHOLD LICENSES
The WASHINGTON POST reports that the Maryland Racing Commission is scheduled to meet today at 10:00am ET at Laurel Park "to approve the $50.6[M] transfer of controlling interest in" Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course by Owner Joe De Francis to Magna Entertainment. The commission, however, "may withhold operating licenses from [Magna] … until it receives assurances that [Magna] will make financial commitments to upgrade the tracks' stable and housing areas" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/13).
BETTING WINDOWS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS TO CLOSE AT POST TIME
In the wake of the Breeders' Cup betting scandal, the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL reports that beginning with this afternoon's race in Louisville, "tracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc. will shut down betting on their races as soon as the clock hits zero on the countdown to post time." The first horse will be loaded into the gate 60 seconds later, altering the past practice in which "bettors were allowed to place wagers until the horses broke from the gate." Churchill Downs VP/Operations David Sweazy: "This is absolutely a major change in the culture in the way that people make wagers at the race track" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 11/13).
THE DAILY LOOKS AT FEMALE FAN AVIDITY IN TODAY'S ISSUE
See today's issue of THE DAILY for the results of an exclusive survey on female fan avidity to be released today by Scarborough Sports Marketing. THE DAILY will look at the numbers since '98 and speak to league execs about the results.
A LIGHTER BUZZ
WTA Tour presenting sponsor Porsche runs a full-page ad in USA TODAY congratulating WTA Championships singles winner Kim Clijsters, doubles winners Elena Dementieva and Janette Husarova and all the other players who qualified for the season-ending tournament in L.A. this week (THE DAILY).
The CINCINNATI ENQUIRER reports that lawyers for the NFL, MLB and their respective players unions yesterday "lobbied Cincinnati City Council … not to apply the city's 2.1[%] earnings tax to visiting athletes and performers." However, supporters of the tax "appear to have the five votes they need to enact it" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/13).
The AP reports that former NBAer Manute Bol has agreed to terms with the CHL Indianapolis Ice, "but it is unlikely he will play" in his expected debut Saturday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. Ice GM Larry Linde: "We're in the business of selling tickets, the business of entertainment. We're not going to do anything to jeopardize the integrity of the game or Manute. We're out there to have fun" (AP, 11/13).
The SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS reports that The Great BASOC Garage Sale continues today, and staffers estimate that the sale "has attracted about 1,000 shoppers" since its start on Monday (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 11/13).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that 14,877 fans attended last night's Cavaliers-Pacers game, marking the "smallest crowd ever" at Conseco Fieldhouse (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/13).
TODAY'S EVENTS
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and COO Roger Goodell, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Texans Owner Robert McNair will travel to Mexico City to meet with NFL Mexico's corporate sponsors and broadcast partners, as well as officials from the sports, government and media communities. They will continue their visit to Mexico with a stop in Monterrey on Thursday (THE DAILY).
Disney Chair & CEO Michael Eisner will attend a breakfast at the Bryant Park Grill in N.Y., hosted by the NEW YORKER and Syracuse Univ.'s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications. Eisner will participate in a Q&A with the NEW YORKER's Ken Auletta (N.Y. POST, 11/11).
NBC will hold a 2:00pm ET media teleconference to preview the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship, to be decided at the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Analysts Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach, lead pit reporter and pre-race host Bill Weber and NASCAR on NBC and TNT producer Sam Flood will participate (THE DAILY).
The Flames will hold their October Molson Cup Luncheon at noon MT at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary. G Roman Turek and C/LW Chris Drury will attend (THE DAILY).
The Capitals will host Military Appreciation Night from 4:00-8:00pm ET outside of MCI Center. Streets outside the facility will be closed for a display of military equipment, military staff will staff recruiting booths inside the stadium, and several high-ranking military officers and members of Congress are expected to attend, including General Richard B. Myers, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that Arbitron Inc. "has agreed to weight its Hispanic audience samples by language preference, bowing to demands of Spanish-language radio broadcasters who have complained that their market clout is being underestimated" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/13). As reported in yesterday's Closing Bell, Nielsen Media Research will begin the same practice on December 30 (THE DAILY).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that outgoing MN Gov. Jesse Ventura is "close to finalizing a seven-figure, multiyear deal with MSNBC" to host a prime-time news-oriented discussion program (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/13).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that CMR President & CEO David Peeler has left the company. CMR, a division of Taylor Nelson Sofres, tracks ad spending in major media (N.Y. TIMES, 11/13).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "American Legal History."
"Five of the women condemned in Salem in 1692 were finally exonerated by a bill signed on this day in 2001."
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: "We're having a fiscal crisis (in N.Y.) ... Money is tight, and you know when money's involved, you start to get a little hinky. Well, that's what's happening. I was walking through Central Park today, and I see a squirrel marking down his nuts. ... Another ongoing problem here in (N.Y.) is that we have a noise problem. ... Today, Mayor Bloomberg came up with a solution at a press conference – silencers. ... I'm starting to get worried about our good friend Larry King. ... Last night he did an hour-long interview with Ralphie's head and the head took calls. Congratulations to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. They're engaged. It's a lovely story. I believe it's Ben Affleck's first marriage. It will be Jennifer Lopez's third marriage, and experts believe if Jennifer continues at this current pace and stays healthy she will pass Barry Bonds" ("Late Show," CBS, 11/12).
NBC's Jay Leno: "It's now rumored there are two other secret videos that show Winona Ryder breaking the law. Here's the bad part: They're both Bob Crane videos. ... The U.N. Security Council has issued a deadline of Friday for U.N. inspectors to be allowed to see if Jennifer Lopez really got a ring from Ben Affleck or not. ... Ellis Island closed its doors this week in 1954. This is the place where we used to process immigrants coming into the country. Of course, that was back in the days when we used to actually process immigrants coming into the country. ... Last night ("MNF") celebrated their 500th telecast and they chose some of their most famous ("MNF") highlights, like Bo Jackson running, Joe Montana throwing, Frank Gifford scoring with that flight attendant. They had all the big stories. ... Happy Birthday to Tonya Harding and Sammy Sosa. They had birthdays today. Actually, do you know the main difference between Sammy Sosa and Tonya Harding? Sammy doesn't use an aluminum bat. ... Today is also Charles Manson's birthday. (He's) 68-years old. He had a big cake and then he had all the voices in his head sing Happy Birthday to him" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 11/12).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's "Top Ten" list was "Top Ten Things People Said While Listening to the 'Late Show' On The Radio Last Night" ("The Late Show," CBS, 11/12).
| 10) "Something must be wrong with my radio – I don't hear anyone laughing." |
| 9) "At home it's great, but why would I want to fall asleep while I'm driving?" |
| 8) "Wow, they found a way to make this show even more pointless." |
| 7) "It's like watching TV with your eyes closed!" |
| 6) "I do miss seeing his hair – that was always the funniest part of the show." |
| 5) "I can't wait to hear what Paul Shaffer's wearing." |
| 4) "I sure hope somebody gets fired for this." |
| 3) "If Marconi were here right now, I'd hit him with my car." |
| 2) "Turn it up – it's that guy with the big chin!" |
| 1) "The 100th caller gets to kick Letterman's ass." |
NBC's Conan O'Brien: "Microsoft announced that Bill Gates is on a four-day tour of India. When asked why he was in India, Gates admitted that sometimes he wants to feel even richer. … ABC announced it's developing a new detective show about two gay people who solve crimes. In other words, they are bringing back "Cagney and Lacey" ("Late Night," NBC, 11/12).
CBS' Craig Kilborn: "You can tell it's sweeps week: Today Dr. Phil spent his entire show trying to convince Christina Aguilera's legs to stay together. … Anna Nicole Smith says that her dog has to take Prozac because he is depressed. Hey, you know what, you'd be depressed too if a fat woman was chasing you with a pepper mill ("Late Late Show," CBS, 11/12).
TUESDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 11:00pm ET (late due to NCAA football) "SportsCenter" led with Hawks-Lakers, followed by Sonics-Wizards and Raptors-Magic.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is Halloween?"
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