| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, January 10, 2003
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | NY Gov. George Pataki To Decide On Sabres Assistance Package Today |
| • | U.S. Supreme Court Could Announce Today Plans To Review Nike Case |
| • | Nashville Radio Station To Address Paralyzed Maddox Promotion Today |
| • | Chris Rudge Expected To Be Named Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Today |
| • | Redskins Marvin Lewis Close To Becoming Bengals Coach |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
SABRES PROSPECTIVE OWNER WILL BOW OUT WITHOUT PACKAGE
The AP reports that prospective Sabres Owner Mark Hamister "is waiting to hear whether he'll receive the necessary state government assistance package by today," the deadline imposed by the NHL. The sale to Hamister hinges "on whether Gov. George Pataki approves a $33[M] assistance package to Hamister and majority partner Todd Berman." Without the assistance package, Hamister has "repeatedly said that he'll bow out, which could lead to the Sabres folding or moving at the end of this season." NHL VP/Media Relations Frank Brown said that the league will reserve comment until today (AP, 1/10).
NIKE'S FIRST AMENDMENT APPEAL COULD BE HEARD BY HIGH COURT
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that the U.S. Supreme Court could announce today whether it will review Nike's appeal to overturn a May CA Supreme Court ruling that the company stand trial for false advertising for statements it made defending the working conditions in Asian plants that make Nike goods. Over the past few years, "the court generally has moved to give commercial speech more First Amendment protection. Plus, the case is seen as a critical opportunity to clarify the doctrine of commercial speech" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/10).
NCAA PRESIDENT MYLES BRAND TO DELIVER ADDRESS SUNDAY
The annual NCAA convention begins today in Anaheim, and the L.A. TIMES reports NCAA President Myles Brand "is expected to provide the highlight when he delivers his first state-of-the-association speech to convention delegates Sunday." Brand has stated his agenda will branch from "two main pillars, guideposts to everything I do." Said pillars are "unwavering support for academic reform and unyielding advocacy for the positives of intercollegiate athletics" (L.A. TIMES, 1/10).
TITANS DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM NASHVILLE RADIO PROMOTION
The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reports that Nashville radio station WRVW-FM this morning will hold a news conference to address the controversy surrounding a promotion scheduled for today (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/10). The Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW reports that the promotion, which attempts to poke fun at Steelers QB Tommy Maddox's temporary paralysis he suffered in a game earlier this season against the Titans, offers tickets to Saturday's Steelers-Titans AFC Divisional playoff game. The station is "requiring people to impersonate a doctor and an injured Steelers player, with the doctor rolling the patient through the streets of downtown Nashville on a gurney." Titans Dir of Media Relations Robbie Bohren: "They're not affiliated with us at all" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 1/10).
RUDGE TO BE NAMED CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE CEO TODAY
The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that former Quebecor World Canada President Chris Rudge today in Vancouver is expected to be appointed as Canadian Olympic Committee CEO, to replace Jim Thompson, who "suffered a fatal heart attack last August." Rudge, who was on the short list of candidates last fall for the job as CFL commissioner, will reportedly be paid C$150,000-175,000 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/10).
The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL also reports that Vancouver yesterday submitted its official, 460-page proposal to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Bid corporation Chair Jack Poole: "It's a dramatic document, one we're very proud of." A citywide vote on holding the Olympics will be held February 22 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/10).
LEWIS WOULD BECOME THIRD ACTIVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COACH
The WASHINGTON POST reports that Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis "was close last night to becoming" Bengals head coach. Lewis met with Bengals officials yesterday in Cincinnati and emerged as the teams top candidate, ahead of former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin. Lewis "likely will be offered the job and accept it within the next few days," joining Jets coach Herman Edwards and Colts coach Tony Dungy as the only African-American coaches in the NFL. Lewis: "It was a good visit. We'll be negotiating further. I think things will be okay." Lewis said he did "not necessarily expect the matter to be resolved today" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/10).
TNT's Charles Barkley, on the lack of minority coaches in the NFL: "They've got to hire some brothers. ... We need more black coaches in college football and pro football. It's not fair they keep bringing these same retread coaches around. I got nothing against the white coaches, but it's not fair what's happened to the brothers" ("Listen Up," TNT, 1/9).
FORMER CBS CHAIR THOMAS WYMAN DEAD AT 73
Former CBS Chair Thomas Wyman, 73, died Wednesday in a Boston hospital after surgery for an abdominal infection. Last month, Wyman was "back in the news when he said he had become the first member of Augusta National to resign in protest over its refusal to let women join" (AP, 1/10).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
NHL Radio's "This Week In The NHL," hosted by Sam Rosen, begins its fifth season today (THE DAILY).
The THOROUGHBRED TIMES reports that Premiere Radio Networks' broadcast of the 128th KY Derby won the Media Eclipse Award (MEA) for audio/multimedia Internet coverage of Thoroughbred racing. It was the broadcast company's fourth MEA (THOROUGHBRED TIMES, 1/8).
Investment firm Thoma Cressey Equity Partners is investing in Van Wagner Communications to fund the acquisition of Viacom's telephone kiosk advertising business. Van Wagner's sister company, Dorna USA, has the largest sports signage and advertising programs in the U.S., with signage in NBA, MLB and NCAA venues (THE DAILY).
George Foreman will be inducted into the Int'l Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY (Mult., 1/10).
Former MLBer Tug McGraw introduced his "Ya Gotta Believe In Baseball" campaign, whose goal is to make baseball America's favorite sport. McGraw will use his Web site and email newsletter, "Tug's Take," to involve fans in a yearlong discussion of baseball's structural issues (THE DAILY).
JERSEY VOTERS MAY REMEMBER THIS SOMEDAY:
- U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton was jokingly asked this week whether she planned a Senate investigation of the botched call in the Giants-49ers game. Clinton: "I watched the game – we wuz robbed!" She then turned to her spokesperson Philippe Reines and said, "We should so something about this (Senate probe of the NFL)." But she then added, "I don't want to get greedy because the Jets are doing so good." She then said she roots "for all three of the New York teams." Told that the Jets and Giants actually play in NJ, she joked, "Well, I've always considered New Jersey a suburb of New York" (ROLL CALL, 1/9).
TODAY'S EVENTS
Nike Golf's U.S. and European-based HQs will host a joint press conference in London and Orlando, and a teleconference for U.S.-based journalists at 9:00am ET today to announce an equipment introduction and Tour Staff additions. Featured presenters include Nike Golf Ball Category Dir Stan Grissinger and Nike Golf Dir Rock Ishii (THE DAILY).
Nike Golf will also announce today at 6:45pm ET that they have signed Nick Faldo (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, it is well known that you are no one in the world of professional sports today unless you have a tattoo. In its examination of why people get ink done, MTV went to the experts: Trail Blazers G Derek Anderson, F Rasheed Wallace and 76ers Dir of Statistical Information Harvey Pollack? Harvey Pollack? Watch the clip to see what we mean (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
AOL Time Warner CFO Wayne Pace, speaking at the Saloman Smith Barney Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference in La Quinta, CA, said that the company is "looking to spin off its TWC unit in a much-anticipated initial public offering in the second quarter." Some observers believe the IPO could "raise as much as $10[B]" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/10).
Pace also said that AOL will "undergo 'relentless' cost cutting this year by eliminating a portion of its $1[B] in marketing expenses, slashing its 18,000-person payroll and trimming computer-network costs." Pace added that managers "have been directed to engage in 'zero-based budgeting," and that '03 will "be a 'reset' year" for AOL (WASHINGTON POST, 1/10).
A Publishers Information Bureau study shows that ad pages for all of '02 fell 3.2% from '01 (N.Y. TIMES, 1/10).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Sony Music Chair & CEO Thomas Mottola "stepped down from his post (yesterday) after 14 years with the company. As part of his early departure package, Mottola … plans to start a new music venture with Sony Music" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/10).
The WASHINGTON POST reports that attorneys for Adelphia founder John Rigas asked to move his trial, over charges that he and his two sons "looted the the cable company and hid" more than $2.3B in loans, to PA. U.S. District Judge Leonard Sand set a trial date of January 5, 2004, and "expressed skepticism about the need to shift locations" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/10).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "World Capitals."
"One of the three national capitals in the Western hemisphere that have 'city' in their English names."
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: "Last night we had a horrible, horrible audience. I come out and see this friendly group of folks and I think, 'My God.' ... Last night's audience was like 'Gangs of New York' without the hats. ... Boy, they were also so dumb. They thought Hans Blix and the inspectors was a Grammy-nominated band. ... Joe Lieberman has announced that he's running for president and if he looks familiar he used to play the dad on 'Alf.' ... If you're keeping score, so far we have seven Democratic candidates. Thank you Clonaid. ... First (Clonaid) announced that there was a cloned baby, and now there is a second cloned baby, and both of them are from Dutch lesbians. That's right. Oh sure, you're laughing now, but you won't be laughing when the world is ruled by Dutch lesbians. ... That's kind of like a recurring dream I have" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/9).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Ways The Army Is Different In 2003," read by soldiers via satellite from the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Bagram, Afghanistan ("Late Show," CBS, 1/9).
| 10) "Commanding officers may now be addressed as 'sir' or 'dude.'" |
| 9) "Protective vests are now made with Kevlar and Old Navy performance fleece." |
| 8) "Helmets with built-in Rogaine dispensers for soldiers with male-pattern baldness." |
| 7) "Every armored personnel carrier is equipped with a salad bar." |
| 6) "One of us is secretly a humble $19,000 a year construction worker." |
| 5) "We now possess a high-performance technologically advanced triple-blade shaving system." |
| 4) "We're bringing back catapults." |
| 3) "Night-vision goggles come in eight new exciting colors." |
| 2) "I have a robot that makes my bed." |
| 1) "A year ago, I thought Bagram was a tasty Indian chicken casserole." |
THURSDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 10:30pm ET 90-minute "SportsCenter" led with Kings-Nets.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is Mexico City, Panama City or Guatemala City?"
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