WARD'S FUTURE AS USOC CEO TO BE DISCUSSED TODAY IN DENVER

USA TODAY reports that the USOC Exec Board will meet today to discuss whether or not USOC CEO Lloyd Ward requested that a USOC employee "consider providing assistance to his brother in a commercial venture" (USA TODAY, 1/13). A USOC ethics panel concluded Sunday that Ward's actions "created the appearance of a conflict of interest," and USA TODAY notes that "without the finding of an actual conflict of interest, his job likely is safe." Meanwhile, Ward said that he would not participate in the meeting if it is "not conducted according to a 'fair and honest procedure consistent with (his) right to due process'" (USA TODAY, 1/13).

ROGGE TO REVIEW CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

The AP reported that IOC President Jacques Rogge today begins a three-day visit to Athens "to unveil the torch for the 2004 Olympics and review preparations for the games." Rogge, who will be accompanied by IOC Athens Coordination Committee Chair Denis Oswald and IOC Sports Director Gilbert Felli, will "take a helicopter tour of venues under construction and discuss transportation and accommodation problems" (AP, 1/10).

Meanwhile, IOC officials will be in N.Y. this week, and will meet with NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox execs to discuss the 2010 and 2012 Games. AROUND THE RINGS notes that revenue estimates for that cycle "could come close to the $2[B] mark." If those figures are not true, the winning bid for 2010/2012 "may top the price paid by NBC for eight years of Olympic Games" (AROUND THE RINGS, 1/10).

The FINANCIAL TIMES reported that the "process of deciding whether London is to mount a bid for the 2012 Olympic Games will move into overdrive" this week with a series of parliamentary meetings and debates. A House of Commons debate on Tuesday will be preceded and followed by hearings of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee (FINANCIAL TIMES, 1/10).

MAYOR WANTS TO SHOW INVESTORS THAT OTTAWA IS HOCKEY CITY

The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli will conduct a meeting today "aimed at giving weight to the save-the-Senators campaign." Chiarelli: "[Community leaders] are coming together to send a strong message to the [NHL], to potential investors, that this is a hockey city and the fan support is there. It's a way of showing public support, but it's also going to try to be a facilitator if action is required on the part of government or governments" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/13).

The BUFFALO NEWS reports that a bankruptcy filing from the Sabres is "imminent" and expected as early as this morning, according to sources close to the team. Mayor Anthony Masiello said late Sunday that "he anticipates that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be in town this afternoon to confirm the announcement" (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/13).

NCAA CONVENTION CONTINUES TODAY IN ANAHEIM

The NCAA Convention continues today in Anaheim, and today's Div. I forum will focus on a discussion of the convention itself and the legislative process. Other topics for the forum include the incentives/disincentives package in Div. I academic-reform efforts, and a report from a subcommittee charged with examining Div. I championship bracket formats. The convention concludes tomorrow (THE DAILY).

WICKENHEISER MAKES SUCCESSFUL DEBUT IN MEN'S PRO LEAGUE

Hayley Wickenheiser made her debut Saturday for Finnish Hockey Federation second-division club Kirkkonummen Salamat, becoming the first woman non-goaltender to play in a men's professional hockey league. The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the "main question everybody wanted answered was whether Wickenheiser … was good enough to play in [a] men's league. The immediate answer appeared to be yes" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/13). The TORONTO STAR reported that the "sellout crowd of 1,200 tripled what the team often draws" (TORONTO STAR, 1/12).

Int'l Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel did not support Wickenheiser playing in the men's league, saying, "There are men's leagues and there are women's leagues and we should stay like that. Look at other team sports, such as soccer. You don't have women playing in the men's leagues in Europe. Tennis: the men would beat any lady" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/11).

MORNING BRIEFS

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that ABC has "sold 90% of its 61 30-second spots (for Super Bowl XXXVII) … with each spot selling" for the same record $2.1M fee collected in '00. ABC Sports President of Customer Marketing Ed Erhardt: "We are right where we should be at this time, with only a few spots left. We expect strong demand for the remaining spots and are talking to a few advertisers right now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/13).

The HONOLULU ADVERTISER reports that Tiger Woods' absence at the Mercedes Championship had an impact on attendance as early week estimates showed figures anywhere from 20-50% off last year. This year, 11,500 people attended the tournament, a decline of nearly 40% from '02 (HONOLULU ADVERTISER, 1/13).

The AP reports that the ACLU could decide as early as this week "whether to take a position on the controversy surrounding Augusta National Golf Club's exclusively male membership" (AP, 1/13).

The AP reported that Melbourne Park's Show Court One was renamed Margaret Court Arena Sunday "to honor Grand Slam winner Margaret Court" (AP, 1/12).

The AKRON BEACON JOURNAL reports that OH High School Athletic Association officials are looking into LeBron James' Hummer, saying that as long as the vehicle is a gift from his mother, "there would be no violations of any rules regarding … eligibility." OH High School Athletic Association Commissioner Clair Muscaro: "Due to the high profile [James] is, we recognize that it's an unusual gift. But our responsibility is to our member schools and we'll look into it" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/13).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER reports that Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Seamus McCaffery "heard 27 cases of men behaving badly" in Eagles Court during Saturday's playoff game. McCaffery asked one man who was caught sitting on the Eagles' bench in a Donovan McNabb jersey, "Can you imagine if all the fans did it?" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/13).

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that Rockets C Yao Ming said that he does not have "plans for a Hollywood career, before or during his basketball tenure." Ming: "I don't think they can find a stunt double, so forget it" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/12).

The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that rapper Krazy's "Welcome To RayJay" is the most-requested song on WLLD-FM in Tampa. The beginning of the song is as follows, "Welcome to Tampa, home of the Raymond James, where the Bucs put it down and they bring the pain. Can you hear the cannons shootin' and the fans rootin'? You rookies are child's play now that we got Jon Gruden" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 1/12).

Asked which NFL players are the most fun to talk to, former "MNF" analyst Dennis Miller said,"(Packers QB Brett) Favre was one of them. … He's just what you look for in a football player. He's funny, he's ballsy, he's humble. He's cool" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 1/13).

WEEKEND RAP…

The following are excerpts from the columnists' "parting shots" on Sunday's edition of ESPN's "The Sports Reporters":

• Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan: "We all hear about Jerry Rice's work ethic, but none of us can really appreciate what it has taken for him to separate himself from the pack the way he has. ... I never dreamed I would ever hear serious football people discuss a (WR) as possibly being the single greatest football player of all-time."

• K.C. Star columnist Jason Whitlock: "When (Warren) Sapp and the Buccaneers take on the 49ers today, Sapp-haters will be praying the outspoken (DT) suffers another playoff disappointment. ... Here's hoping Jon Gruden justifies the firing of Tony Dungy by eeking out enough playoff points to get you in the Super Bowl showcase your talents deserve."

• Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom: "Ottawa's team debt makes Enron look flush. ... (However, despite the team missing payroll last week), they kept playing hard, held on to first place in their division and the best record in their conference, despite maybe the worst handicap in sports: being a Canadian franchise in an American sports league."

• ESPN's John Saunders, on new recently elected baseball HOFer Eddie Murray: "(Murray) didn't have much time for sportswriters and broadcasters but he always had time for a kid or a cause" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 1/12).

Heard elsewhere over the weekend:

• National Review Editor Rick Lowry, on calls to increase minority hiring in the NFL: "I do think forcing race into the interviewing process does smack of an aspect of our political culture that is very poisonous, and that is quota politics and grievance lawsuits" ("OTL," ESPN, 1/12).

• NFL HOFer Kellen Winslow, responding to Lowry: "We're really wasting our time here talking about this issue with the National Review. I thought they went out of business years ago" ("OTL," ESPN, 1/12).

• NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, on the same subject: "It's an area we need to make progress. We need to do better, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that we're dealing with 32 jobs that are unique, and a large pool of well-qualified people searching for those jobs. … I'm sure there's some anger, there's some frustration (among minority coaches), but anger and frustration is not unique to minorities in the workplace" ("OTL," ESPN, 1/12).

• Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, on being Bills defensive coordinator whose unit finished number one in the NFL in '99, and receiving no head coaching offers: "I'll tell you one thing, it's a slap. It's not in the face, but it's somewhere else. ... That wasn't a fair shake" ("OTL," ESPN, 1/12).

• Fox Sports' Jimmy Johnson, on the Falcons' change of fortunes: "I really believe that the turnaround came when Arthur Blank bought this tired franchise. Here they had this domed stadium, it was half full. He lowered ticket prices, filled it up all year long. He added aggressiveness and money to the personnel department" (Fox, 1/11).

• ESPN's Chris Mortensen, after the controversial calls in the NFL playoffs: "I do believe this is going to renew the debate, and I think it's a necessary debate to bring on and hire full-time referees" ("Sunday NFL Countdown," ESPN, 1/12).

• Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, on the officiating during Saturday's Steelers-Titans playoff game: "For me to have to explain to an official what is reviewable and what is not, that's wrong. Fine me if you want, that's the truth" (Fox, 1/11).

• Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, on instant replay in the NFL: "The games were smoother pre-replay. How can anyone doubt it? The officials are cowed by it. They're spooked by it. They're intimidated by it" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 1/12).

• ESPN's Tom Jackson: "As we've gone through the playoffs, I think we see a certain ineptness by the referees, not only at the end of games, but throughout the games, and these officials are supposed to be anonymous" ("Sunday NFL Countdown," ESPN, 1/12).

• Fox Sports' Terry Bradshaw, on the NFL repositioning the officials on FG attempts: "So when they kick the field goal, they now open their eyes. Is that correct?" (Fox, 1/12).

• ESPN's Michael Wilbon, on Clippers Owner Donald Sterling: "(Sterling) is the worst single owner in sports. Worse than the Cubs" ("PTI," ESPN, 1/10).

• NBA Senior VP/Operations Stu Jackson, asked if he had a vote, would he put 76ers G Allen Iverson on the U.S. Olympic team: "Depends" ("NBA Shootaround," ESPN2, 1/10).

THE BACK PAGES

The Morning Buzz offers today's back page sports covers from some of the nation's major metropolitan tabloids:

N.Y. Post	N.Y. Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News	Boston Herald

EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

IN OTHER NEWS….

This week's cover of TIME offers "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body." Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines "The Perfect Diet … Beyond The Facts: What Science Tells Us About Food And Health" (THE DAILY).

The WASHINGTON POST reports that AOL Founder & AOL Time Warner Chair Steve Case "resigned under pressure," last night saying that he "would 'love' to remain on the job but that his presence atop the world's biggest media company had become a damaging 'distraction'" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/13).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that his resignation could "make it easier for the company to consider radical steps such as spinning off American Online or dropping AOL from the company's name" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/13).

The L.A. TIMES adds that Case's resignation leaves authority "squarely in the hands" of AOL Time Warner President & CEO Richard Parsons (L.A. TIMES, 1/13).

The WASHINGTON POST reports that Philadelphia-based Comcast and MD-based Radio One will "officially announce their plans today for a 24-hour news and entertainment network targeting African American adults," rivaling Viacom's BET (WASHINGTON POST, 1/13). The WALL STREET JOURNAL adds that the channel will "feature news, opinion and sports-related programs for people in the 25-to-54 age range" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/13).

The INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE reports that Walt Disney execs yesterday in Hong Kong "broke ground … for what they described as the company's most culturally sensitive park" (INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, 1/13).

The N.Y. TIMES reports that Time, "which has been quiet on the new-magazine front during the industry's economic downturn, has approved the initial development of a home magazine tentatively called Haven" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/13).

FINAL JEOPARDY!

Friday's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Nonfiction Books."

"'The Road To Middle-Earth' is about this writer."

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES:

CBS' David Letterman: "It's cold in (N.Y.). ... Earlier today, a pigeon walked into Ranch One Chicken around the corner, and surrendered. ... I'm really excited about the weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. I only have one more Leonardo DiCaprio movie to get through. ... Excited about the big Jets game on Sunday? Listen to this. If they win on Sunday, they go on to the AFC Championship game. Now if they lose, my bookie beats me to a pulp. ... (N.Y.) will host the 2004 Republican National Convention. Good news for the city. We lured the Republicans here the old-fashioned way – with bribe money and hookers. ... The Republicans are getting ready. They want everything to go just perfectly for the convention here in (N.Y.), and they're already very busy getting everything ready. In fact, they're auditioning people right now to play black Republicans. ... They say 'Joe Millionaire' is actually only worth $19,000. That's not true. Because of the new Bush tax cut, he's actually worth $19,400" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/10).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last Friday's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Ways Kim Jong Il Can Improve His Image" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/10).

SUNDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 10:30pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Jets-Raiders.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that the estimated total for the top 12 films this week was $88.6M, "roughly equal to the comparable frame last year" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/13).

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"Who is J.R.R. Tolkien?"

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

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