| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, April 4, 2003
9:00am ET | |
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| • | As Many As Six Groups Expected To Submit Bids For Dodgers Today |
| • | Decision On Martha Burk’s Protest Location Could Come As Early As Today |
| • | ECHL Jackson Bandits To Make Announcement Today Regarding Future |
| • | NFL Youth Movement: Nine College Officials Hired, None Older Than 47 |
| • | Indians-Orioles Play To Smallest Crowd In 12-Year History Of Camden Yards |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
BUCS OWNER APPEARS TO BE LEADING CONTENDER FOR DODGERS
The L.A. TIMES reports News Corp. has asked that bids for the Dodgers be submitted by today. While “as many as six groups are expected to step forward,” Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer “appears to be the leading contender.” Other suitors include Emmis Communications Chair & CEO Jeffrey Smulyan, who formerly owned the Mariners, and former MSG President Dave Checketts. Experts believe the price would be about $350M (L.A. TIMES, 4/4).
WHILE AWAITING PROTEST DECISION, BURK APPEARS ON “LISTEN UP”
The AUGUSTA CHRONICLE reported that a decision from U.S. District Court Judge Dudley Bowen could be made as early as today regarding the protest application of NCWO Chair Martha Burk. Attorneys are “optimistic that the ruling will come down in time” for The Masters, which begins next week (AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, 4/3).
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that Charles Barkley “was cordial instead of combative” during Burk’s first guest appearance on “Listen Up!” last night. Barkley told Burk that he “he disagreed with her campaign to pressure the Augusta National Golf Club to admit women, but backed away from engaging her in heated debate.” Barkley lightened the tone, joking that women members “would slow the pace of play at the course.” After turning down an offer to wear a green NCWO T-shirt prior to the taping, Barkley declined an offer to protest with Burk, saying, “They got the Klan over there” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/4).
NEW ORLEANS RAMPING UP LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR FINAL FOUR
As people begin to descend on New Orleans today for the NCAA Final Four, the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE reports that “more than 100 law enforcement officers from outside New Orleans will join several hundred city cops … to provide extra security in the Central Business District and the French Quarter.” However, unlike last year’s Super Bowl, also at the Superdome, the Final Four “has not been deemed a national security special event, a designation that would have given the federal government a bigger role and guaranteed some federal money to help pay for security” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/4).
ECHL JACKSON BANDITS TO ANNOUNCE FUTURE PLANS TODAY
The ECHL BOG will discuss the state of the league during a conference call today, and the Jackson CLARION-LEDGER reported that the ECHL Jackson Bandits are expected to make an announcement today regarding the franchise’s future. The team’s owners will elect to “play on, fold immediately or suspend operations,” provided the league would permit them to do so. The team’s average attendance was “about 2,200 this season” (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 4/3).
TODAY THE DAILY GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH…
Which fixture in the world of beach volleyball took some time away from the sand to rep a 7’ 1” NBA center, only to return to his sporting roots in an effort to rebuild its brand? To find out, see today’s Sports Industrialists section for “THE DAILY Goes One-On-One With...”
MORNING BRIEFS
The L.A. TIMES reports that the NFL has “selected nine college officials to replace those who either retired or were removed from their league jobs last month.” Five of the nine officials are 40 or younger, and none is older than 47. National Association of Sports Officials President Barry Mano: “Historically, the league has wanted its new officials to have 10 years of major college experience. That obviously has changed” (L.A. TIMES, 4/4).
The AP reported that Sarah Hughes will not compete in the Champions on Ice figure skating tour that begins today in Baltimore. Hughes indicated “she was uncertain if she wanted to continue skating,” as she is considering several college options. Hughes: “I tried to do too much” (AP, 4/3).
The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the video of “Hockey Night In Canada” co-hosts Don Cherry and Ron MacLean debating the war in Iraq “has been officially removed from the CBC Sports Web site.” A source close to the net: “The on-line staff were told to take it down. They weren’t given a reason” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/4).
ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser, on why Penguins C Mario Lemieux will return next year: “He’s the only asset the Pittsburgh Penguins have.” ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said he’s not coming back because “he signed a bunch of hockey sticks which are going to the (HOF).” Kornheiser: “His partners will beg him to comeback. ... It’s all about the Benjamins” ("PTI," ESPN, 4/3).
Churchill Downs announced that it has closed a $300M refinancing led by Bank One Capital Markets that includes a $200M revolving line of credit and a $100M private placement, replacing a $250M revolving line of credit that was to mature in March ’04 (THE DAILY).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The WASHINGTON POST reports that a crowd of 18,470 attended last night’s Indians-Orioles game, the “smallest in the 12-year history of Oriole Park at Camden Yards” (WASHINGTON POST, 4/4).
- The S.F. CHRONICLE reports that a crowd of 6,295 attended yesterday’s Mariners-A’s game, which was originally scheduled to be played in Tokyo, the A’s “smallest attendance since a crowd of 5,377 on April 13, 1999” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/4). ESPN’s Harold Reynolds: “If you can’t afford to pay the players and keep the team and keep the fans happy, then get rid of the franchise” ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 4/3).
- The Nashville TENNESSEEAN reports that a crowd of 6,119 attended last night’s home opener for the Triple-A PCL Nashville Sounds against the IA Cubs at Greer Stadium, “more than double the 2,819 from last year’s home opener” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/4).
- The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that a sellout crowd of 10,685 attended last night’s Double-A Texas League Tulsa Drillers-Frisco RoughRiders game at Dr Pepper/7 Up Ballpark in Frisco, TX, the first game in RoughRiders’ history (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/4).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, after FSN’s Tom Arnold offered his assistance should the ’03 All-Star Game end in a tie: “I will assure you it will not end in a tie, but if it does, I will be desperate. But could I be that desperate?” (“BDSSP,” FSN, 4/3).
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
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| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
Visa will conduct a 9:00am CT press conference at Talladega Superspeedway to announce its “Ultimate NASCAR Experience” promotion. Visa USA Dir of Event and Sponsorship Marketing George Perry, NASCAR VP/Corporate Communications Jim Hunter and drivers Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace will attend (THE DAILY).
Vanderbilt AD Todd Turner and NCAA VP/Membership Services Kevin Lennon will address the National Association of Basketball Coaches at its annual convention in New Orleans. The presentation will focus on progress towards the creation of the Annual Academic Progress Rate, which aims to measure the classroom performance of individual teams in all sports (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/3).
NHL Network has designated April “Farewell Month,” and at 4:00pm ET will feature Gordie Howe’s final All-Star Game in ‘80. Subsequent Fridays in April will focus on the last game or All-Star Game of Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and Ray Bourque (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, hot off the presses from last night’s episode, Joey from NBC’s “Friends,” figures out what he would do if he were to win the Powerball Lottery. Hint: The first telephone number he would need is that of the Dolan Family (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The N.Y. TIMES reports that the NYSE backed away from a plan yesterday to “stop Wall Street analysts from talking to newspapers, television networks or other media outlets that do not disclose the analysts’ potential conflicts of interest in their reports” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/4).
The ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS reports that HOFer Kirby Puckett was acquitted yesterday on counts of felony false imprisonment, gross misdemeanor criminal sexual assault and misdemeanor assault charges resulting from a sexual assault allegation. The jury deliberated “more than eight hours over two days before returning not guilty verdicts” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/4).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. Presidents.”
“He was the first U.S. President not of British descent.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Before we begin the show tonight, I am still taking high-powered painkilling drugs. I am telling you this in case I get caught shoplifting. ... Yesterday, they busted into one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces over there in Baghdad. He’s got like 80 palaces, and U.S. troops busted into one of the palaces, and they did not find any chemical weapons. But in the refrigerator, he had a can of expired yogurt. ... Here’s what we do know about Saddam Hussein. He has three sons: Uday, Qusay and from a first marriage, Gary. ... They found one of these bunkers he lived in, and it’s made entirely of steel and concrete, and in the bunker they had provisions for like two months. There was no furniture in this palace bunker and they had a lot of fake antiques. It’s like I have a twin” ("Late Show," CBS, 4/3).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “There was another war-related injury today. The French were injured when they tried to jump on our bandwagon. ... Here’s something very sad. I’m coming to work today and I go by Circuit City. I see Geraldo (Rivera) standing next to a rack of TV sets pretending to be reporting on the war” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 4/3).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s “Top Ten” list was “Top Ten Cool Things About Being Stationed In Alaska.” Ten Air Force airmen stationed in AK read the list ("Late Show," CBS, 4/3).
| 10) "Thanks to soft, snowy ground, no push-ups!" |
| 9) "Don't have to worry about sunscreen like those suckers stationed in Hawaii." |
| 8) "Our state-of-the-art surveillance equipment makes salmon fishing a snap." |
| 7) "When the days get really short, we only put in a 45-minute work week." |
| 6) "One of the senior airmen is a moose." |
| 5) "Can't taste mess hall food when your tongue is frozen solid." |
| 4) "On weekends, can take advantage of Nome's crazy nightlife." |
| 3) "The government provides mittens." |
| 2) "If you want Baked Alaska, just order 'Baked Here.'" |
| 1) "Daily schedule: one hour doing air force stuff; nine hours snowboarding." |
Last night’s edition of CBS’ “Late Show” featured a report from stage manager Biff Henderson at Yankees’ spring training. Henderson asked P Steve Karsay, “At the Yankee games, what percentage of fans are just drunk off of their asses?” Karsay: “90%.” Henderson asked P Randy Choate, “Which one of your teammates is most likely to hold a press conference to say he’s not gay?” Choate: “David Wells. He’s been having a lot of press conferences lately.” Henderson asked 1B Jason Giambi, “What’s your favorite thing about George Steinbrenner?” Giambi responded, “He’s a winner,’ to which Henderson replied, “Suck-up” ("Late Show," CBS, 4/3).
CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “I brought some family members with me to New Orleans. Last night, Grandma killed me. She wandered off. So if anyone sees an 87-year-old woman wearing a shirt that says, “I ate the worm,” that’s her. … Well, we’re down to the Final Four. But enough about the Iraqi army” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 4/3).
THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” led with Wizards-Hawks.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“Who was Martin Van Buren?”
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