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Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz, January 14, 2003

The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
9:00am ET

Senators Chair Rod Bryden To Make Bid To Save Team Today

WTA Tour CEO Kevin Wulff Today Denies Reports Of Mass Firings

NCCA Exec Committee To Meet Today To Discuss Proposals From Convention

Arnold Palmer Comments On Augusta National Controversy

AZ Legislator Proposes Measure To Eliminate NFL Blackout Rule

Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy!


WTA TOUR PRESIDENT & COO JOSH RIPPLE TO LEAVE ORGANIZATION

The AP reports that WTA Tour CEO Kevin Wulff today in Australia denied reports that he and President & COO Josh Ripple "had been forced from office."  Wulff refuted a London Times report of mass firings within the WTA Tour: "It's time to nip it (the report) in the bud and get the true facts out and tell it like it is.  To my knowledge and to our board members' knowledge there's no truth (in the report)."  Wulff said there had been "no board mandate to push either one of us out."  Meanwhile, Ripple acknowledged that his "contract with the WTA Tour finished at the end of last year and he had decided to leave the organization as an employee but would stay on as a consultant for six months" (AP, 1/14).


NELSON PELTZ TO PROVIDE BULK OF SENATORS' FINANCING

The OTTAWA SUN reports that Senators Chair Rod Bryden "will make his first bid to keep the Senators alive today, but he won't be doing it alone," as former Triarc Foods CEO Nelson Peltz "will be providing the bulk of the financing with Bryden as the managing partner in an offer to creditors that is expected to include the team and the Corel Centre" (OTTAWA SUN, 1/14).  NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: "The banks will have to make a judgment as to whether or not they want to pursue that bid on a wide-scale basis.  If (creditors) don't accept Rod's plan, then there will need to be an alternate funding mechanism put in place, which we are fairly confident can be done" (CP, 1/14).

The OTTAWA SUN also reports that the team "stands on the verge of a sellout of 18,500 with only 500 seats remaining" for tonight's game against the Lightning.  It would be the Senators' second sellout of the season (OTTAWA SUN, 1/14).


EXEC COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MINORITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

While the NCAA Convention formally concluded yesterday in Anaheim, the Exec Committee continues to meet today, and the AP reports that proposals for a new academy and mentorship program to help minorities move into college football coaching jobs will be considered, "with the full membership expected to vote on them in April" (AP, 1/14).  The L.A. TIMES notes that the BOD meeting yesterday "included a lengthy exchange on Title IX" (L.A. TIMES, 1/14).  USA TODAY adds that "opposition was muted Monday to a plan by the NCAA's … (BOD) to reward – and more notably penalize – entire teams for their athletes' academic excellence and failure" (USA TODAY, 1/14).


CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NBA CONTRACTS LAST NIGHT

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER reports that the Charlotte City Council last night voted to approve contracts that mean the NBA will return to the city in '04.  The expansion team, owned by Robert Johnson, "will play for one season in the Charlotte Coliseum, then move to an uptown arena owned by the city but operated by the team" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/14).


MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR WILL MCDONOUGH IN BOSTON TODAY

A memorial service will be held today for late Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough at the FleetCenter in Boston from 11:00am-1:00pm ET, and from 4:00-7:00pm.  A funeral Mass will be said at 11:00am ET Wednesday at St. Augustine's Church in South Boston.  Both the service and the Mass are open to the public.  Meanwhile, donations in his memory may be sent to:

Will McDonough Memorial Fund
Hingham Federal Credit Union
19 Fort Hill St.
Hingham, MA 02043


MORNING BRIEFS

One day after the Sabres filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, prospective Owner Mark Hamister expects to meet today with "state representatives on a new round of talks regarding the package of public assistance" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/13).

Arnold Palmer, on the controversy surrounding Augusta National's membership practices: "I'm very sorry that it's happening.  I hope everyone that's involved takes a real serious look at it and see what impact – good or bad – it has on this country" ("Golf Talk," The Golf Channel, 1/13).

The USTA has selected Lowell, MA, as the site of the '03 U.S. vs. Czech Republic Federation Cup first round match, to be played April 26-27 at the Paul E. Tsongas Arena (THE DAILY).

The ATP announced today that its Hong Kong tournament will be moved to Beijing, starting the week of September 8, while the Tashkent tournament will be moved to Bangkok, starting the week of September 22 (THE DAILY).

Wizards F Michael Jordan, on playing in the '03 All-Star Game: "I've played in enough All-Star games to know what it feels like.  I'm not opposed to letting the young kids go in and do things. … I'm not campaigning for it. … A new generation is coming in, and fans want to see a new generation in new situations" (Baltimore SUN, 1/14).

The ARIZONA DAILY STAR reports that AZ State Sen. Marilyn Jarrett is "pushing to overrule the NFL's blackout rule on local games."  Her proposed measure would require TV nets that broadcast games from publicly financed sports venues in AZ "make the feed available to affiliates or cable systems" in the state (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 1/14).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

  • The N.Y. TIMES reports that 10,191 people attended last night's Panthers-Devils game at Continental Airlines Arena, the smallest crowd of the season for a Devils home game (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14).  The Newark STAR-LEDGER adds that "the announced crowd of 10,191 was actually well below 10,000" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/14).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that AOL Time Warner Vice Chair Ted Turner recently sent notes to Braves P Greg Maddux and Mets P Tom Glavine.  The note to Maddux read, "Glad you're staying with the Braves," while the note to Glavine read, "Sorry you're leaving and thanks for all you did" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/14).

The person arrested on the Eagles bench wearing a Donovan McNabb jersey during the team's playoff game against the Falcons recounts his story to the Philadelphia Daily News.  Daniel Flagg said, "A big guy on the other side of me, I'm not sure who he is, starts laughing and he says, 'You belong here?'" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/14).

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that NFL Films President Steve Sabol said that he would "return to Cowboys training camp" to film another season of "Hard Knocks" if new coach Bill Parcells would allow it.  Sabol, on changing the name of the show to reflect Parcells' personality: "We'd call it 'Hard Ass'" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/14).

Speaking yesterday at Reebok's Take an Athlete to School event, Yankees P Roger Clemens, when told by one student who prefaced her question by saying her father was "really, really, really mad" and made a ruckus through the house when the Yankees lost in the playoffs last year, asked, "Is your last name Steinbrenner?  You sure it's not?" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14).

The AKRON BEACON JOURNAL reports that while school officials will continue to investigate details of the Hummer being driven by LeBron James, the SUV has a suggested retail price of $49,000, before accessory packages and personal additions (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/14).


TODAY'S EVENTS

Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation President & CEO John Furlong and VP/Bid Development & Operations Terry Wright will release the group's Bid Book at a 1:00pm PT press conference in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (THE DAILY).

The Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District will announce plans to sell commemorative bricks and tiles that will be part of the $295M Lambeau Field renovation at a 2:00pm CT news conference (GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE, 1/14).

Actor Martin Lawrence, in a promotion for his upcoming movie "National Security," has invited N.Y.-area security guards to the NBA Store in N.Y. at 1:00pm ET for a chance to play him in a game of "HORSE." Winners will receive passes for a private screening of the movie, and two tickets to an upcoming Knicks game at Madison Square Garden (THE DAILY).

MLB Rangers SS Alex Rodriguez will participate in a noon ET groundbreaking ceremony for the Alex Rodriguez Education Center, to be built at the site of the Boys & Girls Clubs Hank Kline Unit in Miami (THE DAILY).


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

IN OTHER NEWS….

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that AOL Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons is "the front-runner to further consolidate his power base and take on the additional chairman title," when Steve Case leaves the company in May (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/14).

The N.Y. TIMES, however, reports that some major shareholders "have begun to wonder whether, beyond the next few years," Parsons has "enough passion or even affinity for media and entertainment to steer the largest communications company in the world" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION notes others possibilities to replace Case are Vice Chair Ted Turner, Entertainment and Networks Group Chair Jeffrey Bewkes, Media and Communications Group Chair Don Logan and former MLB Commissioner & board member Fay Vincent (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/14).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION also reports that CNN isn't moving to N.Y., TBS Chair Jamie Kellner "isn't leaving, and talks about a potential merger between CNN and ABC News remain on hold" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/14).


FINAL JEOPARDY!

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Nutrition."

"By virtue of the great quantity eaten, this vegetable is the leading source of Vitamin C in the American diet."


LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES: 

CBS' David Letterman: "UN inspectors have not found any offensive weapons in Iraq.  Nor did they find any on the (N.Y.) Jets. ... Man, Jets-Raiders was a horrible game, and if you're watching at home right now ... I'm being beaten by my bookie. ... Here's the reason I think that the Jets did not beat the Raiders.  After the game, Chad Pennington admitted that he's not an NFL QB.  He's actually a low-paid construction worker."  Letterman, on Pennington: "The problem is he's 14."  Letterman, on NFL officials: "Every time the ball is snapped, how many different things do you think the referees have to make a mental note of? ... A million. ... There's 22 guys and they're big, crazy guys and they're fat and they're sweaty and they're angry, and so big stinkin' deal if an old guy with a whistle makes a mistake.  Leave the old guys alone. ... They're doing the best they can" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/13).

NBC's Jay Leno: "Our entire audience is made up of pardoned death row inmates from (IL). ... President Bush said today that his new tax proposal will be fair for all incomes.  See, the way it works, the more income you have the fairer it will be. ... Joe Lieberman announced today he is running for President.  Mr. Excitement, Joe Lieberman.  He made the announcement at his old high school, and out of force of habit some kid gave him a wedgie and broke his glasses. ... Big fires in Malibu this week; It turns out it was just (Gov.) Gray Davis trying to burn down the state for the insurance money. ... I guess it's going on right now, the American Music Awards.  One scary moment was when Diana Ross drove up on the red carpet. ... I saw something very odd on my way to work today. ... I saw Pete Townshend at the Chuck E. Cheese singing, 'See Me, Feel Me.' ... Townshend was arrested in England for having child pornography on his computer.  Townshend claimed he was just doing research for a book he was writing.  I think it's the same book Michael Jackson's been working on for the last 20 years" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 1/13).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Jets' Excuses" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/13).

10) "Bad idea to have pre-game meal of pancakes and beer."

9) "If you're playing in the Super Bowl you miss all the great commercials." 

8) "Exhausted from round-the-clock North Korean peace talks." 

7) "Did you see those guys?  They were huge!" 

6) "Spent entire game showing off for 'The Bachelorette.'" 

5) "How do they expect us to concentrate when there's a new 'Lord of the Rings' film?!" 

4) "Bus ride to Oakland took a lot out of the team." 

3) "Wanted to save financially-strapped New York City expense of victory parade."

2) "Hey -- it's an honor just to be nominated." 

1) "Wanted to do something nice for Oakland fans.  After all, they have to live in Oakland."   

Jimmy Kimmel appeared on last night's edition of CBS' "Late Show" where he talked about being on Fox's NFL pre-game show.  Kimmel: "This is my last weekend on the show. ... The guys don't like me.  Some of the guys dislike me intensely and they're counting the days until I'm gone.  It's just one more week."  Letterman asked, "Why don't they like you?"  Kimmel: "I think that's obvious.  I torment them.  The first week I pointed out that Terry Bradshaw is bald.  Now this is something I assumed he knew.  He wasn't aware of it until then, and he was angry, and it really never got any better from there" ("Late Show," CBS, 1/13).

CBS' Craig Kilborn: "Christina Aguilera almost didn't make it to the American Music Awards tonight.  Apparently, she didn't have anything not to wear. … I was watching TV and I was wondering, how can women with dyed hair and press on nails and botox lips and fake boobs call 'Joe Millionaire' a phony? … Did you hear about two seventeen-month old conjoined twins who were successfully separated?  They returned to their home in Guatemala.  A little setback though, today they were brought back together by Dr. Phil.  These twins actually set a record for being the first couple in L.A. to stay together for seventeen months. … Did you hear about the rare tribe in the desert plains of New Zealand who lack the ability to make laughing sounds?  The weird part, they come to my show every night" ("The Late Late Show," CBS, 1/13).

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban appeared on the "The Late Late Show," wearing a No. 41 Dirk Nowitzki football-style Mavericks jersey.  After Kilborn called the Kings "the best team in basketball," Cuban replied, "Remember one thing. The best team isn't the team that wins all the time" ("The Late Late Show," CBS, 1/13).


MONDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with Celtics-Rockets.


FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"What is the potato?"


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.

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