| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, May 15, 2003
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | MLB Owners Expected To Approve Angels Sales To Arturo Moreno Today |
| • | IOC Exec Committee To Hear Presentations Today From 2010 Bidders |
| • | FIFA Could Award 2003 Women’s World Cup To U.S. As Early As Today |
| • | The Football Network To Cement Relationship Today With Baton Rouge, LA |
| • | The Tennis Channel To Officially Launch Today At 4:30pm ET |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
MLB OWNERS TO APPROVE ANGELS SALE; NO EXPOS ACTION PLANNED
MLB today continues its owners meetings at its N.Y. HQs, and the L.A. TIMES reports that owners are expected to approve Arturo Moreno’s $184M purchase of the Angels, making Moreno the first Latino owner in MLB (L.A. TIMES, 5/15). The ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER notes that Moreno’s allegiances “will be tested quickly” as he is scheduled to attend tonight’s Angels-Yankees game to watch “his new team take on his longtime favorite” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/15).
MLB President Bob DuPuy yesterday reiterated that he “still hopes to find a new home for the Expos this year, hopefully by the July 15th All-Star Game.” DuPuy: “We’ll be meeting in the very near future with the cities that previously made presentations. Then I’ll prepare a report for Commissioner (Bud) Selig. If we can get it done by the All-Star Game, that would be great” (USA TODAY, 5/15). MLB.com reported that “contingency plans are already being made in case the team has to play at least a portion of its 2004 schedule again in Montreal” (MLB.com, 5/14).
The AP reported that MLB officials “have been talking with a Puerto Rican promoter about returning to Hiram Bithorn Stadium if no permanent decision is made on the Expos’ future home.” No action on the Expos is expected today (AP, 5/14).
2010 FINALISTS TO PITCH CITIES TO IOC EXEC COMMITTEE TODAY
The IOC Exec Committee today begins a three-day meeting in Madrid, and USA TODAY reports that three finalist to host the 2010 Winter Games – Vancouver, Pyeongchang and Salzburg – “will make 15-minute presentations” supporting their bids. The Exec Committee is also “expected to discuss the fate of Iraq’s Olympic committee and how to deal with the threat” SARS at int’l competitions (USA TODAY, 5/15).
The London TELEGRAPH reports that British Prime Minster Tony Blair is expected to formally announce London’s bid to host the 2012 Summer Games to Parliament today (London TELEGRAPH, 5/15).
U.S. COULD BE GRANTED WOMEN’S WORLD CUP AS EARLY AS TODAY
The IL DAILY HERALD reports that FIFA could decide as early as today “to allow the [U.S] to host the 2003 Women’s World Cup” as the governing body “set a deadline for application today, and if the [U.S] is the only official bidder, it wins.” Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, RFK Stadium in DC, Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus and The Home Depot Center in L.A. “are all but signed up to host games in the 16-team tournament” (IL DAILY HERALD, 5/15).
ESPN.com reported that FIFA is “unlikely to approve an increase in the 2006 World Cup field from 32 to 36 teams” because of “existing contracts and plans for the 2006 event” (ESPN.com, 5/14).
THE FOOTBALL NETWORK TO MAKE BATON ROUGE OFFICIAL HOME
The Baton Rouge ADVOCATE reports that state and local officials are “expected to complete a deal today that would cement” The Football Network in Baton Rouge. In an “unprecedented arrangement, the network will use refundable tax credits from the state from the creation of up to 300 new jobs to repay the state’s share of a $150,000 venture-capital investment in the network.” The state’s investment will “come with a provision that protects it against the possibility that the network will move out before [LA] recoups its money.” The net is set to launch in August (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 5/15).
THE TENNIS CHANNEL OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES TODAY
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that The Tennis Channel (TTC) officially “launches today with an estimated subscriber base of 2-4 million cable homes on Cox Communications and Time Warner cable systems” at 4:30pm ET. According to reports, the net’s management expects to spend $75-100M to “launch, operate, program and market their network over the next three years, and they project that TTC will be profitable by its fourth year on the air” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/15).
The L.A. TIMES notes that the network “generally will be offered as part of a digital sports package.” TTC CEO David Meister said that negotiations “are ongoing with major cable operators such as Comcast, Adelphia and Charter, as well as satellite distributors DirecTV and Dish Network” (L.A. TIMES, 5/15).
MORNING BRIEFS
The WASHINGTON POST reports that the Univ. of VA’s “insistence on including Virginia Tech in the [ACC’s] expansion plan appears to be the only thing standing in the way of the league growing to 12 teams.” A source who favors expansion: “The key is Virginia and whether or not, politically, they can vote for Syracuse and Boston College instead of Virginia Tech. If they can’t figure it out, it’s a dead deal” (WASHINGTON POST, 5/15).
The Big Ten’s conference meetings begin today in Chicago, and the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW reports that the conference will discuss expansion, even though it is “not on the Big Ten’s official agenda” (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/15).
The L.A. TIMES reports that the city of Anaheim is “close to completing a deal to change management of the Arrowhead Pond to an unidentified entertainment group.” The deal is “expected to be finalized within the next two weeks.” The arena is currently managed by Ogden Entertainment (L.A. TIMES, 5/15).
NFL Giants Exec VP & General Counsel John Mara, a member of the NFL Competition Committee, on expanding the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams, an issue that will be discussed at next week’s owners meetings in Philadelphia: “There is almost no way I can see it passing” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/15).
USA Network officially announced it will broadcast live coverage of Annika Sorenstam’s first two rounds at the PGA Tour’s Bank of America Colonial May 22-23 in the event she tees off prior to the net’s regularly scheduled coverage, which begins both days at 4:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
The L.A. TIMES reports that Arie Luyendyk, who yesterday signed a sponsorship agreement with Smith & Wesson for the Indy 500, will not race in the May 25 event after he crashed during yesterday’s practice session. Possible replacements for Luyendyk’s Panoz G Force car include Max Papis, Alex Barron and Eliseo Salazar (L.A. TIMES, 5/15).
The AP reported that UMass has decided to keep its Minuteman moniker and logo “amid widespread opposition to its proposed adoption of a new mascot” (AP, 5/14).
The FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reports that the X Games Global Championship begins today in San Antonio and Whistler, British Columbia. Between 30,000-50,000 fans are expected each day, as admission is free (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/15).
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that Eric Dybas, the man who attacked MLB umpire Laz Diaz last month at U.S. Cellular Field, yesterday entered a plea of not guilty “as his attorney made an out-of-court pitch for probation in the case” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/15).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The WASHINGTON POST reports that a crowd of 14,028 attended last night’s Capital Cup at RFK Stadium, featuring English Premiere League club Tottenham Hotspur against DC United (WASHINGTON POST, 5/15).
- The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL reports that a crowd of 27,566 attended last night’s Cubs-Brewers game, “the largest at Miller Park since the home opener” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/15).
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 |
TODAY’S EVENTS
Players Inc, the licensing arm of the NFLPA, will host the Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere presented by 989 Sports through May 18 in L.A. Thirty of the top ’03 draft picks, including the top five overall – Bengals QB Carson Palmer, Lions WR Charles Rogers, Texans WR Andre Johnson, Jets DT DeWayne Robertson and Cowboys CB Terence Newman – today will wear their professional jerseys for a series of photo shoots at the L.A. Coliseum hosted by trading card companies Donruss/Playoff, Topps and Upper Deck (THE DAILY).
NBA HOFer Magic Johnson will dedicate the Magic Johnson HP Inventor Center, a community technology center, at the Black Child & Family Institute in Lansing, MI, during a noon ET ceremony (THE DAILY).
The M&M’s Hoops for Hope basketball game, hosted by Winston Cup driver Elliott Sadler, will take place at the Univ. of NC-Charlotte’s Halton Arena, beginning at 7:00pm ET. Former NBAer John Salley, NFL TE Wesley Walls, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Exec VP/Motorsports Ty Norris and wrestlers Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett are expected to participate. Winston Cup drivers expected to appear include Hermie Sadler, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Burton, Tony Raines, Jamie McMurray, Darrell Waltrip and Brian Vickers. Tickets start at $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Autism Society of America. For more information please go to www.mmsmotorsports.com. Tickets are available for purchase (THE DAILY).
Speedo will re-launch its Web site with a new web address, www.speedousa.com (THE DAILY).
Van Dusseldorp & Partners will host the 5th annual TV Meets the Web Seminar in Amsterdam through May 16th (THE DAILY).
LawAccord, a convention of sports lawyers from around the world, begins in Madrid (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The Commerce Department yesterday reported that consumer spending in April decreased, as “shoppers were more concerned about their jobs than easing the tensions with Iraq, increasing prospects that economic growth will be tepid at best in the second half of the year.” April retail sales fell 0.1% from March, when “pent-up demand created by February’s snow storms helped boost sales 2.3[%].” Excluding auto sales, April sales declined 0.9% (WASHINGTON POST, 5/15).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that the Republican majority at the FCC appears to be “determined to ease the nation’s media ownership rules” June 2 as commissioners Kathleen Abernathy and Kevin Martin “flatly rejected a request by the FCC’s Democratic commissioners and bipartisan group of lawmakers to delay a vote on proposed changes to the rules” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/15).
MULTICHANNEL NEWS reports that Comcast and Paul Allen-owned Vulcan agreed on April 14 to postpone a “put” agreement the MSO has “regarding its shares of Charter Communications, worth about $725[M].” The two parties were “expected to extend the deadline for the put again, beyond May 14” (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 5/15).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was “World Geography.”
“Heads of state Jiang Zemin and Jorge Sampaio were on hand when this territory changed hands in December 1999.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Today is the day that CBS – the network you’re watching right now – announced all their new fall (TV) programs and we couldn’t be more excited. They got a brand new half-hour situation comedy. It’s all about a guy working for the New York Times. It’s called ‘Making It Up.’ ... Last week CBS ran a TV movie all about ‘I Love Lucy.’ ... Then NBC just a couple nights ago ran a behind-the-scenes movie about ‘Three’s Company,’ and now CBS has another TV movie. It’s called ‘Becker: Behind The Canned Laughter.’ ... I love this time of year, prom season. I remember my prom. Renting a tux; renting a limo; renting a date. ... U.S. forces have captured another bio terror lab on wheels, but then later it just turned out to be a sidewalk falafel cart. ... In the new ‘Matrix’ movie, Neo has been chosen to be number one by Morpheus, and he is sent to the last outpost to look for the keymaker. It’s like one of those New York Times made-up stories. ... It’s called ‘Matrix: Reloaded,’ and it’s back with all your favorite machines. There’s Lock, there’s Morpheus, there’s Al Gore. ... I took my mom to see the screening of the ‘Matrix: Reloaded’ movie. Halfway through the movie, she turns to me and she says, ‘David, where’s Yoda?’” ("Late Show," CBS, 5/14).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “Actually, 95 degrees today in San Antonio. People were sweating like the Laker fans with tickets to Game Seven. ... How ironic is that? Phil Jackson’s heart is fine, but now the team is on life support. ... Yesterday, our government unveiled the new, more colorful $20 bill. I guess the Bush administration figures the best time to redesign our money is when nobody has any of it. ... Ray Romano now the highest-paid actor in the history of television. Almost $2 million a week. In fact, CBS has a new fall comedy, ‘Anna Nicole Loves Raymond.’ ... A woman in a restaurant in Iowa is suing because she found a lizard head in her salad. A lizard’s head, which of course begs the question, ‘Where’s the rest of the lizard?’” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 5/14).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things You Don’t Want To Hear In A Department Store.” A “Late Show” staffer, equipped with a hidden camera, went to Bloomingdale’s and said these ten things to people in the store ("Late Show," CBS, 5/14).
| 10) "You want to use the fitting room or try this on at my place?" |
| 9) "Check it out – this (piece of luggage is) good for hiding body parts." |
| 8) "You know how we can offer such low prices? We're connected to the mafia." |
| 7) "Try our new scent – it makes you smell just like Regis." |
| 6) "Last night after work I got lucky on this couch." |
| 5) "Can I take a picture of your feet for my Web site?" |
| 4) "I live in a dark, greasy space under the escalator." |
| 3) "For today only, you can pay for your purchases with hugs." |
| 2) "Have you seen a chimp in boys' overalls?" |
| 1) "If you're interested, I sell the same junk out of my van, half-price." |
Last night’s edition of NBC’s “Tonight Show” featured a long jump competition between three champion dogs and three U.S. Olympic long jump hopefuls, Jenny Adams, Dwight Phillips and Savante Stringfellow. All three long jumpers were wearing Nike gear. Phillips: “The beast does not stand a chance.” Guest Jerry Seinfeld asked about the dogs, “Where’s their shoe contract?” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 5/14)
CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “Last week, the Rev. Billy Graham packed 65,000 devoted followers in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Of course it didn’t hurt that it was Jesus bobblehead night. … A new medical study says spending time on your back can make you look younger. Hey, by the way, happy birthday to Christina Aguilera. She turns 55” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 5/14).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 11:30pm ET “SportsCenter” led with 76ers-Pistons Game Five, followed by D'Backs-Phillies and Reds-Cardinals.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is Macau?”
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.
