SCHERR TO RUN USOC DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS ON INTERIM BASIS

Following USOC CEO Lloyd Ward's resignation on Saturday, the CO Springs GAZETTE reports that USOC Senior Managing Dir for Sport Resources Jim Scherr "will run the USOC's day-to-day operations starting today until an interim" CEO is named. While no timetable to select a permanent CEO has been set, former two-time USOC President Bill Hybl has emerged as a candidate for the vacated post. Hybl said yesterday, "I feel I probably can help the Olympic committee in other ways rather than being the CEO on an interim basis" (CO Springs GAZETTE, 3/3).

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) expects more resignations this week, saying: "There is still some people, and they're the people basically that Lloyd Ward brought in there, that I think ought to go out with him" (AP, 3/3). See today's issue of The Daily for more on this story.

IOC EVALUATION COMMISSION INSPECTION CONTINUES TODAY

The IOC Evaluation Commission's inspection of the Vancouver-Whistler bid to host the 2010 Olympics continues today, and the VANCOUVER SUN reports that the Commission "will get a first-hand tour of the Sea-to-Sky Highway during a one-day trip to Whistler." In an effort to "to keep the visit tight and the presenters on their toes," the Commission accelerated the visit's schedule, forcing several presenters scheduled for Tuesday to deliver their presentations yesterday (VANCOUVER SUN, 3/3).

IOC Exec & World Anti-Doping Agency Chair Dick Pound, urging the city to make its best effort: "Let's get out there and kick some ass. We can do these Games better than anyone else in the world, so let's do it" (VANCOUVER SUN, 3/1).

GLOBAL BRAND MARKETING TO BUY STAKE IN PONY FROM THE FIRM

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that Global Brand Marketing today plans to announce it "is acquiring a majority stake in Pony," which was purchased two years ago by Hollywood talent-management agency The Firm (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/3). The L.A. TIMES reports that while terms of the deal were not disclosed, "people with knowledge of the transaction said it was being valued" from $60-75M (L.A. TIMES, 3/3).

THE FOOTBALL NETWORK CONSIDERING BATON ROUGE FOR HQS

The Baton Rouge ADVOCATE reported that a group of execs from The Football Network, led by CEO Jerry Solomon, today will begin a three-day tour of Baton Rouge "to scope out possible production facilities and residential real estate." If the net decided to locate its HQs in Baton Rouge, it "could create 250 local jobs with an average salary of $50,000, according to the [LA] Economic Development official who has spearheaded the effort to bring the planned venture here" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 3/1).

KNICKS RAISE EWING'S NO. 33 TO THE MSG RAFTERS FRIDAY NIGHT

The Knicks raised the No. 33 jersey of former C Patrick Ewing to the MSG rafters on Friday night, and the N.Y. POST noted that Cablevision CEO James Dolan was not in attendance, as he "had a longstanding previous commitment" (N.Y. POST, 2/2). Ewing addressed the crowd at halftime, saying, "I first would like to thank all the fans. We've had our ups and our downs. You know we've had our ups and our downs, but you all have definitely shown me that you appreciated everything that I brought to the table every night" (ESPN, 2/28).

MORNING BRIEFS

The L.A. TIMES reports that former MSG President Dave Checketts "has assembled part of the financial backing for his $620[M] bid for the … Dodgers and a related cable TV channel" (L.A. TIMES, 3/3).

The OTTAWA CITIZEN reported that Biovail Chair Eugene Melnyk "has started work on a bid" of about C$130M for the Senators and the Corel Centre. This week, Melnyk's team of legal and financial advisors will get "access to the books of the NHL team after signing a confidentiality agreement" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 3/1).

The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that Vikings President Gary Woods is expected to meet with Anoka County officials this week to continue discussions on a possible new stadium for the club (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/3).

MLS today will announce that two of its existing suppliers, Becton Dickinson (BD) and Official Sports (OSI), have signed four and five-year renewals, respectively (THE DAILY).

Tiger Woods, on deciding not to play in the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates this weekend: "It's just not a safe environment over there right now" (USA TODAY, 3/3). Woods, who also will not play in the Ford Championship next weekend: "I'm not playing [the Ford Championship] because that would be an insult to Dubai" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/3).

The Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL reports that despite a sellout and inquiries for further seating, the Heat "elected to keep the third deck (of the AmericanAirlines Arena) covered by curtains" for Sunday's Wizards-Heat game. Heat VP Michael McCullough, on whether or not the team will open the deck for the Wizards' final visit of the season on April 11: "There's a pretty good chance" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/3).

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, responding to claims of collusion among MLB owners: "What you saw this winter is a result of the real world. There isn't any doubt in my mind. Any other suggestions are frankly ludicrous. I don't know any other word to use, they're so ludicrous they're not even worth talking about" (K.C. STAR, 3/3).

Mavericks Owner and Pittsburgh native Mark Cuban, on the possibility of investing in the Penguins: "Been there, done that. Mario's doing a great job with the Penguins. One team's enough for me" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/3).

PBA President & CEO Steve Miller, on the revamping of the PBA Tour, which opens its season-ending PBA World Championship today in Taylor, MI: "The PBA is now about excitement, watching the best in the world go head-to-head. People are responding to the changes and we're seeing great results" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/3).

The MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER reports that the CBS affil in Montgomery received several phone calls after switching from the Duke-St. John's NCAA men's basketball game yesterday with about four minutes remaining to the regionally televised Ole Miss-Alabama game (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 3/3).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

• The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that a crowd of 9,123 attended Saturday night's Volvo Classic at the St. Pete Times Forum (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 3/2).

• The BOSTON HERALD reported that a crowd of 5,152 attended Saturday's USA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center (BOSTON HERALD, 3/2). The BOSTON HERALD also notes that 3,081 attended Sunday's portion of the meet (BOSTON HERALD, 3/3).

• The LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL reports that an estimated crowd of 140,000, "an event record," attended Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/3). Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, on the estimated $121M economic impact of the race: "It's a great event for Las Vegas, and every year it gets better. These fans aren't here for just a day. It's three, four days, a week" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/3).

• As noted in Friday's Closing Bell, the ECHL Greensboro Generals hosted "Pack-the-House Night" Friday, and the Greensboro NEWS & RECORD reported that a crowd of 11,374 attended the Inferno-Generals game, "good enough to shatter the franchise record of 8,477 and to surpass the ECHL's previous largest crowd (10,529)" of the season (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 3/1).

• The L.A. TIMES reports that 22,437 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers competed in the L.A. Marathon, besting last year's record 22,167 competitors (L.A. TIMES, 3/3). The figure is "fewer than the 25,000 that organizers were predicting during the week" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/3). KNBC Producer Phil Olsman, on televising the L.A. Marathon for the first time as part of a three-year deal: "It was technically challenging. But I think things got better as we went along and, from our point of view, we thought we put on an entertaining telecast" (L.A. TIMES, 3/3).

• The MIAMI HERALD reports that a crowd of about 25,000 attended the IRL Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway yesterday (MIAMI HERALD, 3/3).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

The Redskins' PR office could barely contain its excitement after the team's aggressive foray during the NFL free agent market this past weekend. After each player signing, the PR staff produced releases with headlines such as "Redskins Continue To Build With Signing Of Defensive Tackle Brandon Noble," "Redskins Keep Up Whirlwind Pace With Signing Of Veteran Guard Randy Thomas," "Redskins Add Explosive Defensive End Regan Upshaw" and "Redskins Attack The Kicking Game – Sign Veteran John Hall" (THE DAILY). Meanwhile, Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder said, "I hate the [bleeps] who said we didn't have a plan. We had a plan. We're executing it now" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/3).

Giants 1B J.T. Snow said his offseason was being the water boy for the Rams: "The first time I ran out into the defensive huddle with the water, one big defensive lineman said, 'Isn't this kinda of a comedown for you in terms of how you make your living?' Then when I went out to the offense and offered Marshall Faulk the water, he said he didn't need any, and I said, 'Come on drink some, some of us want to get on TV'" (ESPN.com, 3/1).

Heat coach Pat Riley, joking that he was not going to allow any business partners to guard Wizards F Michael Jordan during Sunday's Wizards-Heat game: "I'm not putting anyone on him who wears Air Jordans. So that takes nine of my perimeter players out of the game. I looked around today and I said, 'Who can I get to guard him?'" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/3)

WEEKEND RAP…

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

• Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom: "This just in! Barry Sanders is still retired. ... No one wants to accept his goodbye. ... Barry is gone! ... He did what he wanted. He left in one piece."

• N.Y. Daily News columnist Mike Lupica: "It's supposed to be exciting news that David 'Boomer' Wells has written a book, and just from the excerpts, you get the idea that his next great literary adventure might involve his actually reading one."

• K.C. Star columnist Jason Whitlock: "The year has produced one spectacular superstar: (Univ. of KY basketball) coach Tubby Smith. For the second time in his (KY) tenure, Tubby Smith has emerged from Rick Pitino's shadow to mold college basketball's best team."

• ESPN's John Saunders: "Hootie Johnson may think Martha Burk is a pain, but she plans to picket The Masters to protest Augusta's all-male membership. Jesse Jackson plans a protest as well. But Hootie, someone is finally coming to your defense. The Ku Klux Klan. ... If politics may make strange bedfellows, then Hootie, make sure you sleep with one eye open" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/2).

Heard elsewhere over the weekend:

• Saunders, on Manhattanville College F Toni Smith's protest: "We have sat on this very stage, and you read in the papers all across the country, basically chastising athletes for not standing up for something that they believe in" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/2).

• Manhattanville College President Richard Berman, on Smith: "One of the advantages of a great, strong academic community is one that encourages individuals to speak out. This is quiet, this is non-disruptive, this is legal and we need to support it" ("OTL," ESPN, 3/2).

• BET's Joe Clair, on Tiger Woods' endorsement for Buick: "Tiger Woods needs to go ahead and divorce Oldsmobile. It's not a good matchup, Tiger. It don't look right. Why you ain't in a Bentley, man? What about a Hummer? A Lexus? A (Mercedes)? Something like that" ("Maad Sports," BET, 3/1).

• Lupica, on the NFL Scouting Combine: "One of the things I like best in sports may happen, and that is the combine guys may turn out to be dumber than reality (TV)" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/2).

• Rangers SS Alex Rodriguez gave a tour of the club's new spring training facility in Surprise, AZ, and pointed to the outfield area saying, "In the outfield, you have all the hottest chicks come to spring training and they all sit there with bathing suits. It's hard to concentrate" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/2).

• HBO boxing analyst George Foreman, to HBO broadcaster Jim Lampley and boxing analyst Larry Merchant on being critical of John Ruiz during Saturday night's Ruiz-Roy Jones WBA heavyweight title bout: "Hey boys, don't be hypocritical. Yesterday, you were promoting this fight" (USA TODAY, 3/3).

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

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Earthquakes F Landon Donovan and National Education Association President Reg Weaver will hold a 2:45pm ET press conference at the Boyd Anderson High School Football/Soccer Stadium in Lauderdale Lakes, FL, to announce the formation of the "Get a Kick Out of Reading!" bilingual literacy-awareness program in the league's home cities (THE DAILY).

Teresa Earnhardt will unveil the first official NC Highway 3 sign, signifying the renaming of NC Highway 136 in honor of her late husband Dale, at a noon ET ceremony in front of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated in Mooresville, NC (THE DAILY).

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 "Life After Saddam." Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines "Bush & God" (THE DAILY).

The N.Y. TIMES reports that "doubts are multiplying about whether the restructured management team can pull of a turnaround" at IPG (N.Y. TIMES, 3/3).

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES reports that American Airlines today launches "an aggressive and immensely appealing new television and print campaign," which takes "dead aim at low-fare competitors that increasingly have threatened the world's largest carrier's hold on market share and passengers" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/3).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that Harrah's Entertainment today will begin its sponsorship of "Wheel of Fortune's" daily $100,000 bonus round. The company also "will run 20-second advertising spots showing people playing and winning at Harrah's slot machines" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/3).

The AP reported that technology industry magazine Red Herring, "considered a must-read among the technology elite, has closed, the latest victim of tough economic times" (AP, 3/1).

The N.Y. TIMES reported that Macklam/Feldman Management Project Manager Michelle Findlay said that while Norah Jones "had received lots of offers for appearances, not a single advertiser had asked her to become" its spokesperson, even after winning five Grammy Awards (N.Y. TIMES, 3/2).

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that the body of an unidentified woman was found Sunday inside the yet-to-completed downtown Houston arena that will be the home of the Rockets and WNBA Comets. Harris County – Houston Sports Authority Chair Billy Burge said that the "woman's death wasn't related to the ongoing construction at the site" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/3).

FINAL JEOPARDY!

Friday's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "The USA."

"In area, they're the largest and smallest states that joined the Union in the 19th century."

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES:

Friday night's edition of CBS' "Late Show" featured guest host Regis Philbin, standing in for David Letterman. Philbin came out for the introduction and sang "You Make Me Feel So Young." Philbin received a loud applause and said, "I think the crowd likes it. Get the next six songs ready. Now, I know what a lot of you people in the studio audience are thinking right now. 'Wow, Dave's a lot better looking in person.' You know David isn't feeling well. We shouldn't make jokes, but he's getting better. I went over to his house this afternoon. I gave him a warm bath and the big boy loved it. ... Kelly Ripa, my co-host, had a baby boy. ... It was born on Monday morning, and Monday night, she got pregnant again. This girl has been with me for two years this month, and she's been pregnant every day of those two years" ("Late Show," CBS, 2/28).

NBC's Jay Leno: "Good news on the situation with Iraq. It seems Mexico is finally coming over to the U.S. side. In fact, this marks the first time Mexico has come over to the U.S. side without actually coming over to the U.S. side. ... Iraq has agreed 'in principle' to destroy their missiles. You know why they say it is 'in principle?' It sounds a lot better than 'in your dreams.' ... The latest word is Saddam Hussein may have back problems. They think he got it playing softball the other night with Dan Rather. ... You know the saddest thing about that whole interview with Saddam Hussein. He actually came off more normal than Michael Jackson and Robert Blake. ... The ratings are in, and Wednesday night 'Law & Order' on NBC beat the Robert Blake interview on ABC. So apparently, people prefer 'Law & Order' over 'Dazed and Confused.' ... Blake also said he's depressed because this trial is essentially a no-win situation for him. If he loses, he ends up jail for life. If he wins and he's acquitted, he winds up on 'Hollywood Squares'" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 2/28).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Pacers G Reggie Miller appeared on Friday night's edition of NBC's "Last Call," hosted by Carson Daly. Miller, on the hostility of Knicks fans toward him: "I just want to know, what do I suck?" Miller, on Rockets C Yao Ming: "He can play. Give him three or four years, and he will be the reigning MVP in this league." Miller, on playing his whole career with one team: "We owe it to the fans. When little Johnny goes out and buys your jersey for $20, you owe it to them to stay in one place." Daly displayed an autographed picture of the shorter NBA uniform shorts Pacers coach Isiah Thomas' wore while playing for the Pistons. Miller: "Those are damn near 'Daisy Dukes.' ... I'm not going to hate, because back in the day we all had to wear them" ("Last Call," NBC, 2/28).

SUNDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR

ESPN's 11:00pm ET 90-minute edition of "SportsCenter" led with Duke-St. John's NCAA men's basketball.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that it was a "moderate weekend for the industry as the estimated total for the top 12 films was $85.8[M], up nearly 5% from the comparable session last year" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 3/3).

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

"What are Texas and West Virginia?"

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

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