SI.com To Launch Swimsuit Web Site Today, Host Launch Party Tonight
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National Football Scouting Combine Begins Today In Indianapolis
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Blue Jays To Issue Policy Today Regarding Information On Injured Players
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Record Snowfall Effects Several Games On East Coast
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Lehman Brothers Seeking Opening Bids On Angels By Next Monday
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Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/Weekend Rap/Weekend Box Office
SI SELECTS PETRA NEMCOVA AS '03 SWIMSUIT ISSUE COVER GIRL
SI.com today will launch its '03 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Web site at 10:00am ET, which will include highlights of SI's annual issue, which hits newsstands Wednesday, as well as photos, video clips and archived material from past years. The Web site includes "Virtual Swimsuit Photo Shoot," which offers users a look from behind the camera. Meanwhile, Levi's model Liliana and Billy Bush of "Access Hollywood" will co-host the first-ever live Webcast on SI.com from the Sports Illustrated launch party in N.Y. tonight at 8:00pm ET. Furthermore, AOL users were offered a sneak peek at the cover and four other photos this morning at 12:01am ET (THE DAILY).
Meanwhile, USA TODAY reports that Czech model Petra Nemcova will grace the cover of this year's swimsuit issue. Due to the snowstorms along the East coast, however, Nemcova is stuck in Atlanta. Nemcova: "I'm supposed to do morning shows and a big party (Tuesday). How I'm going to get to [N.Y.], I just don't know" (USA TODAY, 2/18).
COMPETITION COMMITTEE TO MEET AS SCOUTING COMBINE OPENS
The National Football Scouting Combine opens today in Indianapolis, and the INDIANAPOLIS STAR reported that the NFL Competition Committee will continue its three-day meeting, which began yesterday. Among the agenda items are "initial debate on possible modifications to overtime, instant replay and officiating" for the '03 season, as well as a meeting with NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw and several players (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/17).
INJURY DISCLOSURE POLICY BEING DISCUSSED LEAGUE-WIDE
The TORONTO STAR reports that the Blue Jays today are expected "to issue a clearly defined statement of policy … governing injuries to its players," under which the team will not supply any information "on the area of an injury, nor the extent or estimated loss of playing time." While this policy is currently left up to individual teams, MLB and the MLBPA are discussing a universal, league-wide policy. Blue Jays Assistant GM Tim McCleary: "If you think about it, nobody should be able to discuss your medical information with anyone else" (TORONTO STAR, 2/18).
WAKE FOREST-MARYLAND NOT ON TV DUE TO SCHEDULE CHANGE
The snowstorm that hit the East coast caused the postponement of yesterday's Raptors-Wizards game as well as several NCAA men's basketball games, including Wake Forest-Maryland, Pittsburgh-Georgetown, Villanova-Seton Hall and Miami-Providence. The Raptors-Wizards game has been rescheduled for March 4, and the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the postponement "is believed to be the first in the eight-year history" of the Raptors. The game, which was on Michael Jordan's 40th birthday, was to be broadcast on ESPN in the U.S., and on Global and digitally on Raptors NBA TV in Canada (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 2/18).
Sunday night's Wake Forest-Maryland game was postponed until yesterday ay 5:00pm ET. While FSN was originally scheduled to broadcast the game, the WASHINGTON POST reports that the "lateness of the decision combined with the lack of available crew to work on the telecast prevented the game from being televised" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/18).
MORNING BRIEFS
The WASHINGTON TIMES reports that the death of Orioles P Steve Bechler promises to "re-ignite furious debate about the role of ephedrine and other over-the-counter, performance-enhancing stimulants in high-level sports" as team sources said that Bechler "had a bottle in his locker that contained ephedrine" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 2/18).
The L.A. TIMES reports that Lehman Brothers, the investment bank handling the sale of the Angels, "has asked potential buyers to submit opening bids" by February 24 (L.A. TIMES, 2/18).
ESPN.com yesterday launched a redesigned homepage, enhanced search capabilities and "ESPNMotion," which allows users to view high-quality video such as game highlights and original programming (THE DAILY).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
The LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL reports that 12,521 people attended Monday's AFL Tampa Bay Storm-Las Vegas Gladiators game, the Gladiators' debut in Las Vegas. AFL Commissioner David Baker: "Two minutes into the game I called one of the executives at NBC and said, 'Hey, we've got to find a way to do a game here.'" Attendance had been projected at 8,000-10,000 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/18).
The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS reports that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo ended yesterday, and early estimates had it drawing 150,000 more spectators than last year. In '02, 1,001,374 people attended the 16-day event (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/18).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
ABC Radio's Keith Olbermann noted that starting next month, thirty N.Y. cabs will carry the following advertisement: "Fonzie Loves New York. Edgardo thanks you." The ads refer to former Mets 3B Edgardo Alfonzo, who joined the Giants as a free agent during the offseason (ABC Radio, 2/17).
The Newark STAR-LEDGER reported that Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner has dined a few times recently with Bucs coach Jon Gruden. One Yankees official said, "He's his new buddy. You know George. He loves winners"(Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/16).
Mariners RF Ichiro Suzuki, upon noticing the reduced number of media covering his first day of spring training, referred to the media attention surrounding Yankees RF and countrymen Hideki Matsui: "It is better for me. This way, it's better for me so I can concentrate on baseball" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 2/18).
The ASPEN DAILY NEWS reported that some of the purple banners touting the X Games on the street poles in town were stolen. ESPN Media Services Dir Melissa Gullotti: "That doesn't surprise me. We had them up at the first Winter X Games in Mount Snow (VT) and they were all stolen that year, too." ESPN paid for the signs, and did not file a police report (ASPEN DAILY NEWS, 2/17).
The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that the Pacers will continue Basketball 101 for Women to teach women basketball terms while getting some hands-on experience. More than 50 women were present for yesterday's session. Former Pacers Darnell Hillman and Billy Keller and WNBA IN Fever C Kelly Schumacher are instructing the $55 per person class (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/18).
The LONDON TIMES reports that the cut above Manchester United F David Beckham's eye "confirms that, in his anger, (manager Alex Ferguson) lashed out a stray boot on the dressing room floor and drew blood." Beckham has been accused of "responding by spitting at his manager and the pair are said to have been separated by players" (LONDON TIMES, 2/18).
WEEKEND RAP…
The following are excerpts from the panelists' "parting shots" on Sunday's edition of ESPN's "The Sports Reporters":
K.C. Star columnist Jason Whitlock: "To Brook Gordon, the former Miss Winston, the disgruntled, money-grubbing, estranged wife of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, you go girl. … She's pushing for Jeff and other NASCAR drivers to turn over all of their financial documents because she believes Jeff is worth more than the $48[M] he's reporting. Her insistence may educate us all. ... We might find out that NASCAR drivers, not Shawn Kemp, are the most spoiled and pampered athletes on the planet."
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio: "While everyday Americans are knee deep in every kind of reality they can imagine, professional sports, however, seem to be oblivious, stuck in a fantasyland revolving around, what else, but money. The NBA's All-Star Weekend ... was so opulent and overindulgent it made the palace in Versailles look like a handyman's special in Pottersville. ... How about showing just a little bit of restraint?"
N.Y. Times columnist William Rhoden: "There aren't many point guards in the NBA who pass like Jason Kidd. Maybe a Bob Cousy, Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson, but they all have something that Kidd doesn't have – an NBA Championship ring. Apparently, that's the overriding factor in whether Kidd returns to the Nets. This is the dilemma of a contemporary athlete. The tension between loyalty and self-interest. ... Pro sports is a cold business that forces you to choose self-interest every time."
ESPN's John Saunders: "Misuse of power, ethics violations, terrible distribution of funds and sexual harassment (are) just some of the charges being thrown at your (USOC). ... Major sponsor John Hancock says the USOC is failing America's athletes. It could cost (N.Y.) the 2012 Olympic bid, and the true failing would be allowing this mess to continue" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/16).
Heard elsewhere over the weekend:
Whitlock, on Tiger Woods: "I think with all the smack that was talked during Tiger Woods' layoff, the rest of the tour is going to learn a lesson that they should've learned a long time ago. Never question another man's equipment" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/16).
Saunders: "Ernie Els has won four tournaments. Two in the U.S. and two on the European Tour. Do you have to put an asterisk beside them – WT – Without Tiger?" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/16).
Paolantonio, on Annika Sorenstam: "If she doesn't make the cut, instead of being a Jackie Robinson moment, it could be a Bobby Riggs moment. It could be like one of those things where it sets back women's golf" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/16).
Saunders, on the NFL's minority hiring policy: "When some of the players start saying, 'Well, I'm a free agent. I'm only going to go to a team that really looks at a black candidate,' that might change things" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 2/16).
Lakers G Kobe Bryant, appearing on ESPN during halftime of last Friday's Magic-76ers game, on playing for the U.S. national team: "I'm ready to go. ... You can count me in" (ESPN, 2/14).
"SNL" castmember Jimmy Fallon, on the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: "After a heartbreaking loss last year, Mick, a Blue Terrier, won Best In Show this week at the Westminster Dog Show. The only way this year's contest could have gone any better for Mick would be if he had any idea of what the hell was going on" ("SNL," NBC, 2/15).
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
TODAY'S EVENTS
Astros Owner Drayton McLane and Coca-Cola North America Retail Division President Don Knauss will detail plans to refurbish Houston's Settegast Park Ballfield as part of the Grand Slam for Youth program during a 9:30am CT press conference. Refurbishment will begin immediately and is to be completed by early April (THE DAILY).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that the Univ. of Southern CA Center for Communication Law & Policy has canceled its conference on media ownership regulations that had been set for today (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/18).
EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Below are this week's confirmed earnings announcements for sports-business related companies (THE DAILY).
DATE
TICKER
COMPANY
QUARTER
2/18
DAKT
Daktronics
Q3 2003
FUSA
Fotoball USA
Q4 2002
2/20
SKX
Skechers USA
Q4 2002
IN OTHER NEWS….
This week's cover of TIME offers individual's security preparations, under the header, "America The Anxious." Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines "Anxiety And Your Brain" (THE DAILY).
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that AOL Time Warner VP/Corporate Marketing Robert Friedman has stepped down to become Classic Media President (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/18).
The final episode of Fox' "Joe Millionaire" saw star Evan Marriott pick Zora over Sarah. In yet another twist, Marriott and Zora were presented with a $1M check on a silver platter, making them millionaires – "if they stay together." Marriott, breaking the news to Zora: "I've chosen you. … I don't have $50[M]. I don't have $50,000. I'm sorry I lied to you" (USA TODAY, 2/18).
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS noted that Fox News is "having some fun at the expense of rival CNN" as the net has placed an ad in cable business publications with the tagline "We report. You golf." The ad is a reference to the fact that CNN lead anchor Aaron Brown kept golfing in CA on the day of the Columbia tragedy (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/16).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Friday's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Films of the 70s."
"This '71 film opens with the words, 'To the police officers of San Francisco who gave their lives in the line of duty.'"
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: "The global warming rally has been canceled. ... Good news. There's eight feet of fresh powder on Eighth Avenue, and all three lines are running. ... We had so much snow here today that Tonya Harding had to whack Nancy Kerrigan with a plow. I'm sorry. I'm recycling the jokes from the blizzard of 1994. ... So far here, we've had two feet of snow. ... Now we need just one more foot of snow to cover the garbage. ... There is so much snow in Times Square, honest to God, today I saw a tourist shoveling a path to a hooker. ... They had so much snow up there in Chappaqua, Bill Clinton had to rent a snow blower. I believe her name was Rhonda" ("Late Show," CBS, 2/17).
NBC's Jay Leno: "They said there hasn't been this much heavy shoveling in Washington since Bush tried to explain his economic policy. ... In fact, it is so cold back east today, Ted Williams showed up for spring practice. ... Here's the latest report on our allies. We don't have any! ... In Paris over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of people attended a big anti-war rally, the biggest one since World War II. In fact, there were so many protesters, that when they marched through the Arc de Triomphe, out of force of habit, the French government surrendered. ... Bill Clinton said today he now regrets not nailing Osama bin Laden when he had the chance. He also regrets not nailing a flight attendant named Heather. ... ABC, NBC and Fox are airing a total of ten hours of Michael Jackson programming. Ten hours! That's more time than his first two wives spent with him combined. ... Mike Tyson has gotten a tattoo on his face. ... Why is he doing that? Does he really feel the need to look even scarier now? ... According to a survey by Hotjobs.com, 70% of employees have dated or would love to date a co-worker. The other 30% are guys who are not married" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 2/17).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Highlights Of Yesterday's Daytona 500," read via satellite by '03 Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip ("Late Show," CBS, 2/17).
10) "I drove all 272-and-a-half miles while eating a roast beef sandwich."
9) "Tiger Woods finishing a respectable third place."
8) "When I pulled in for a tire change and my pit crew threw an early surprise birthday party."
7) "Thanks to the Chevrolet President's Day sale, I got a nice new car for the race."
6) "Well, the part where I won was sorta cool."
5) "Beating the other drivers at our rain delay game of Scrabble."
4) "Win the Daytona 500, you get 500 bucks!"
3) "The hour delay during lap 23 because of rubbernecking."
2) "I listened to a Dr. Phil book-on-tape and it changed my life."
1) "I was warm and toasty in my car while you losers were up to your asses in snow."
CBS' Craig Kilborn did a segment called "To Blank With Love," offering Lakers G Kobe Bryant this advice: "To Kobe Bryant with love: You can't do it alone, my friend. Sure you're on fire, but no Shaq, no four-peat. No quattro di champo. Last night, Kobe, you lost to the Knicks. For those of you who don't know, the Knicks are the third-best team in college hoops. Good luck, Kobe. You better start scoring 60 points a night" ("Late Late Show," CBS, 2/17).
MONDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 11:00pm ET "SportsCenter" led with the death of Orioles P Steve Bechler.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that strong premiere of "Daredevil" propelled the four-day weekend to the "best President's Day holiday boxoffice ever with the top 12 movies pulling in 14% higher grosses" than last year (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/18). The following totals are based on the standard three-day weekend:
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