| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, November 22, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Infront Sports & Media Formally Introduced Yesterday; FIFA President Pleased |
| • | CFL Expected To Name Tom Wright As New Commissioner Today |
| • | NCWO Chair Martha Burk To Undertake Second Letter-Writing Campaign |
| • | Nike Employees Today To Help Dedicate Cherokee Nation Track Facilities |
| • | Univ. of GA Students To Rally Today For More SEC Championship Tickets |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
FORMERLY KIRCHSPORT, INFRONT CONTROLS WORLD CUP '06
The LONDON TIMES reports that the "grand unveiling yesterday of Infront Sports & Media, the new name for KirchSport, was an attempt to draw a line under the chaos of the past 21 months that has left a trail of bankruptcies, allegations of fraud and bribery, and seen world football out of pocket by at least" US$25.28M. FIFA President Sepp Blatter "formally blessed the management team taking commercial control" of the '06 World Cup. Former adidas Chair Robert Louis-Dreyfus, who bankrolled the Infront deal, "is looking ahead to 2010 and the marketing potential of the first World Cup in Africa" and with Blatter "at his side … he must have considered himself in a good position to win" the contract for the TV rights to the '10 event (LONDON TIMES, 11/22).
FORMER ADIDAS CANADA CHAIR TO SERVE AS CFL COMMISSIONER
The EDMONTON SUN reports that "barring some last-minute snag," former adidas Canada President Tom Wright today will be formally introduced as the new CFL Commissioner in Edmonton. Wright will replace B.C. Lions Owner David Braley, "who took over the duties on an interim basis following the firing" of former Commissioner Mike Lysko. Wright was also offered "the job as head of the Canadian Olympic Association following the death of Carol Anne Letheren, but turned it down" (EDMONTON SUN, 11/22). Ottawa Renegades CEO/Gov. Randy Gillies: "We're still in the process of finalizing the details with that position. But if Tom ends up being the individual who is named commissioner, I think he will do a tremendous job" (OTTAWA SUN, 11/22).
BURK SAYS SHE WOULD NEVER ASK TIGER TO SKIP THE MASTERS
The WASHINGTON POST reports NCWO Chair Martha Burk said yesterday that "she will escalate her campaign to have women admitted to Augusta National Golf Club in the next two weeks" via another letter-writing campaign to "about 30 prominent members, most of whom are corporate executives who have not responded to her previous letter requesting their written positions on the issue." Burk: "Stonewalling is not an effective strategy for a corporate CEO. I really don't think most of the guys we've written to are in disagreement with changing the policy." Burk also said that "she would never ask Tiger Woods or any other player to boycott the Masters" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/22).
ESPN TO DEBUT NHL PROMOS STARRING KIEFER SUTHERLAND TODAY
ESPN will debut a set of promos today featuring Kiefer Sutherland to support the season debut of "Thursday Night Hockey," which begins December 5. The theme of the new campaign is "The NHL on ESPN. Ice. Men. Sticks. Pucks. Thursdays." Sutherland will be seen skating on an endless sheet of ice in an empty hockey arena and will provide voiceover in the spots. Last year, Sutherland voiced teases for ESPN and ABC Stanley Cup Finals telecasts (THE DAILY).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The BOSTON GLOBE reports that 10,677 people attended last night's Hurricanes-Bruins game, "the second lowest all-time for hockey" at the Fleet Center. While the Bruins don't release turnstile counts, "there had to be a [15-20%] no-show factor last night, leaving perhaps as few as 8,500 in attendance" – about 50% of capacity (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/22).
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that the Univ. of GA Student Government Association has organized a rally today from 8:00am-4:00pm ET at Stegeman Coliseum, where students plan to sign a petition "stating that the 1,500 tickets allocated for Georgia students" for the December 7 SEC Championship game "is insufficient and unfair" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/22).
Angels 1B Scott Spiezio, 2B Adam Kennedy and SS David Eckstein yesterday filmed their television debuts on the syndicated series "She Spies" (THE DAILY).
TODAY'S EVENTS
Nike employees and members of the Cherokee Nation today will dedicate the new running track facilities at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequak, OK, during a 1:30pm CT ceremony. Nike made a $50,000 grant through its Bowerman Track Program to help refurbish the track in the Cherokee Nation capital. Nike exec Geoff Hollister will deliver an address at the ceremony (THE DAILY).
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…..
Every Friday, the Morning Buzz highlights a video clip, chart or piece of information that might have fallen through the cracks. This week, Charles Barkley faced his most difficult task since battling MJ's Bulls in the NBA Finals. Staying true to his word, Sir Charles settles his debt to Kenny Smith, after Rockets C Yao Ming proved his wager foolish by scoring more than 19 points in a game (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that The Davis Companies Owner Marvin Davis is "fielding a $20[B] bid for Vivendi Universal's entertainment assets, a move that could put him on a collision course with Vivendi Universal Chair & CEO Barry Diller, the same dynamic executive that Davis tangled with in his last go-round as a studio owner" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/22).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "American Literature."
"One of the original titles of this 1925 novel was 'Among Ash Heaps and Millionaires.'"
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: "I just got some fantastic news before I came out here backstage. … I'll be the person next in line, if for any reason Ben Affleck is unable to fulfill his duties as the 'Sexiest Man Alive.' ... (L.A.) now leads (N.Y.) in murders. But you know there's a reason for this. They have more homicidal actors then we do. ... Our good friend Michael Jackson is enjoying a vacation in Europe. He was in Germany today and he held a press conference and he said, 'Eich bien ein freak.' ... Michael took his kids to the Berlin Zoo and dangled one of the kids over the lion's den. It's interesting. When Michael Jackson goes to the zoo, the animals actually point at him" ("Late Show," CBS, 11/21).
NBC's Jay Leno: "Did you watch the (Victoria Secret's Fashion Show) last night? Just to get in the spirit of the thing I watched it in my underpants. I wanted to feel like part of the show. ... After a day and a half of work, U.N. inspectors still have not found the nose on Michael Jackson's face. ... I guess you heard Michael Jackson today signed a deal with the WB Network to do a TV kid's show called 'Hanging With Mr. Jackson.' ... Al Gore's been everywhere the last couple of weeks. ... Apparently, the only place you won't see Al (is the) the Oval Office. ... It's official. (L.A.) has now moved past (N.Y.) as the murder capital of the (U.S.). ... They say it's because of all the guns we have here in (L.A.). It's unbelievable. Everybody in L.A. can shoot except the Lakers apparently. ... Let's see what's going on with the Lakers or as we call them now, the Clippers. … It's turned around. Luckily, (Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal) is coming back tomorrow. Shaq says he is well rested and so are the rest of the Lakers. They slept through the last couple of games" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 11/21).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's "Top Ten" list was "Top Ten Things People Say To Me When They See Me On The Street," read by ABC's "The Bachelor" Aaron Buerge and his newly engaged fiancee, Helene Eksterowicz ("Late Show," CBS, 11/21).
| 10) "It was so romantic when you proposed right after making out with that other chick." |
| 9) "So, you're the jackass who made my sister cry." |
| 8) "You could've married both if you'd only read our literature in time." |
| 7) "You were robbed by that annoying British judge." |
| 6) "You still have the phone numbers for bachelorettes 3, 9, 15, 22 and 24?" |
| 5) "Can you talk to ABC about bringing back 'Laverne and Shirley?'" |
| 4) "When you complained about how hard it was dating 25 beautiful women, I said to myself, 'This guy is the biggest putz in the world.'" |
| 3) "Your fame looks much more fleeting in person." |
| 2) "Good luck with what's-her-face." |
| 1) "Any chance you'll show the honeymoon on PPV?" |
FSN's Shayma Tash: "When informed his anti-female stance could cause the (The Masters) only African-American golfer (Tiger Woods) to withdraw, Augusta Chairman Hootie Johnson replied, 'Alright, two for two.' ... In an effort to improve attendance after an 0-12 start, the Memphis Grizzlies have announced plans to decrease ticket prices. Also, in an attempt to improve attendance they announced plans to change the team name to 'Harry Potter and the Memphis Grizzlies'" ("BDSSP," FSN, 11/21).
Last night's "Things You Would Never Say" on FSN's "BDSSP" was "Things You Would Never Say To The Expos" ("BDSSP," FSN, 11/21).
| "Hey Expos! What bothers you more, moving to Puerto Rico or getting paid in chicklets?" |
| "Hey Expos! Here's the only word you need to learn in Spanish – el contraction." |
| "Hey Expos! Forget the Braves. In Puerto Rico, the only thing you need to focus on defeating is scurvy." |
| "Hey Expos! This announcement is very embarrassing for (IF) Jose Vidro. He's been telling his family back home he plays for the Yankees." |
| "Hey Expos! When the customs officer asks you if you have anything to declare, say, 'Yeah, we suck!'" |
THURSDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 10:30pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Pittsburgh-Miami college football, followed by Rockets-Mavericks and Trail Blazers-Sonics.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is 'The Great Gatsby?'"
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
The Morning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.
