| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, July 17, 2003
9:00am ET | |
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| • | TNT Begins British Open Coverage This Morning; First Of Seven-Year Deal |
| • | USOC To Announce Plan Today To Create Reality Series On Olympic Hopefuls |
| • | CART To Conduct Shareholders’ Meeting Today; BOD Meeting To Follow |
| • | FIFA To Conduct Draw For ’03 Women’s World Cup Today In Carson, CA |
| • | David McDavid, AOL Time Warner Officials To Meet Again Today On Sale |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
TNT IN FIRST YEAR AS U.S. CABLE RIGHTS HOLDER TOBRITISH OPEN
TNT this morning at 6:30am ET began airing coverage of theBritish Open in the first of a seven-year deal in which the net replaces ESPNas the U.S. cable rights holder. A30-minute preview show preceded live golf action. TNT’s Jim Huber signed on and said, “Welcome to the firstmoments of a brand new relationship, as TNT proudly joins forces with the Royal& Ancient, golf’s original governing body” (TNT, 7/17). TNT runs a half-page ad in USA Todaypromoting its coverage, which includes live weekend coverage (THE DAILY).
USOC REALITY SERIES TO FOLLOW 20 ATHENS OLYMPIC HOPEFULS
The N.Y. TIMES reports that the USOC today will announcethat it will “create a reality television series, in which camera crews willfollow up to 20 American athletes as they try to make the team for next year’sSummer Games in Athens.” The ten- to13-episode series, called “The Cut,” is part of an entertainment partnershipwith the William Morris Agency. USOCChief of Entertainment Properties Keith Allo said that the he “hoped tomake the series a biennial event.” Alloalso hopes to “sell it to NBC, which has contracts to televise every Olympicsthrough 2012” (N.Y.TIMES, 7/17).
REPORT SAYS POOK COULD BE OUSTED DURING BOD MEETINGTODAY
The AP reported that CART will conduct its shareholders’meeting today in Indianapolis, which will be followed by a BOD meeting. The meetings are “thought to be critical inthe rebuilding process for the Champ Car Series.” CART President & CEO Chris Pook: “I expect there willbe a status report by our bankers, and I expect our [BOD] will want to knowabout the [potential sale on the company] and we won’t be able to disclose it”(AP, 7/13).
The TORONTO SUN reported that three independent sources, “who are all stakeholders in the future ofCART, said that replacing Pook as boss of the racing series has beendiscussed.” One of the sources saidthat Pook’s backers on the BOD – while in the majority – “never included someof the more powerful individuals who have a financial stake in the company” (TORONTO SUN, 7/12).
FIFA TO CONDUCT U.S. WOMEN’S WORLD CUP DRAW TODAY IN CA
FIFA today will conduct the draw for the ’03 Women’s WorldCup at 2:00pm ET from The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. ESPNews will present live coverage until3:00pm. WUSA President & CEO LynnMorgan and two former U.S. Women’s World Cup members – Michelle Akersand Carin Gabarra – will preside over the event (U.S. Soccer).
FIFA yesterday released the first-ever world rankings forwomen’s soccer, and the L.A. TIMES notes that the U.S. was listed No. 1,meaning it will be one of the top four seeds in today’s draw. The next three teams in the world rankingsare Norway, Germany and China (L.A.TIMES, 7/17).
McDAVID DEAL STILL NOT CLOSED; MEETINGS TO CONTINUE TODAY
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that negotiations between David McDavid and AOL Time Warner officials and attorneysto complete McDavid’s purchase of the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arenaoperating rights continue today after the two sides met late into lastnight. The remaining issues “mostlyinvolve legal language and protections.” McDavid said that he hoped “to complete the deal before returning toDallas within a day or two” (ATLANTACONSTITUTION, 7/17).
The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION also reports that former BravesOwner Ted Turner “paused for a moment before answering” whether he wasinterested in buying the team back from AOL Time Warner. Turner: “I just get the feeling that [AOL Time Warner is] not really interestedin selling the Braves, which I think is a smart move. It’s just too important to the organization. The Braves are an institution” (ATLANTACONSTITUTION, 7/17).
TODAY THE DAILY GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH…
Which industry exec, the father of the PSL, is contemplatingwriting sports marketing textbooks for college-level courses?
MORNING BRIEFS
The L.A. TIMES reports that attorneys for a CO newspaper aredue in court today in Eagle County, CO, to “argue that the Eagle PoliceDepartment and the city of Vail should unseal police reports and dispatchrecords” associated with the Kobe Bryant case (L.A.TIMES, 7/17).
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that the “beginning of the Cubsseason helped keep WGN-AM” atop the latest Arbitron quarterly radioratings. Tribune-owned WGN “earned top rank in the overall market” from6:00am-midnight CT with a 6.7 share. WGN VP & GM Mark Krieschen: “We got good tune-in for the Cubson the radio station, and I think a lot of people stayed around to sample otherprograms” (CHICAGOTRIBUNE, 7/17).
The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reports that the PA Houseyesterday delayed until today a vote on a bill legalizing slot machines at nineracetracks and two non-track locations. Funding from the slots would provide as much as $150M for a Penguinsarena (PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE, 7/17).
Lakers F Karl Malone and G Gary Payton arescheduled to meet with the media today, and the Staples Center gift shop is“ready to sell $20 T-shirts with the two guys pictured together but separatedby a palm tree” with the inscription “Welcome to L.A.” (L.A.TIMES, 7/17).
F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone, on Indiahosting an F1 race: “We will be having an F1 race in India, for sure. When and where it will be I cannot say. India is moving forward very fast. After doing something in China, India isnext.” Ecclestone added that Hyderabad,India, is a “front-runner to host an eventual race” (BBC,7/16).
iNDemand will offer a free preview of MLB Extra Innings todigital cable customers, beginning today. The preview, which ends Monday, marks the start of the second half ofthe ’03 MLB season and the half-season rate of $109. Additionally, Spanish audio will now be available on select games(iNDemand).
The NHL yesterday released its composite and team schedules,and the L.A. TIMES reports that in an “effort to increase divisional rivalries,NHL teams will play six games against each team in their division,” one morethan in the ’02-03 season. Additionally, the NHL’s first outdoor game will be played November 22between the Canadiens and the Oilers at 50,000-seat Commonwealth Stadium inEdmonton (L.A.TIMES, 7/17).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The L.A. TIMES reports that a crowd of 23,000 attended yesterday’s MLS Galaxy-Nacional of Uruguay match, the Galaxy’s first game in the Peace Cup. The game ended in a 0-0 tie (L.A. TIMES, 7/17).
- The Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL reports that a crowd of 12,575 attended last night’s Triple-A All-Star Game at AutoZone Park, won 13-9 by the Int’l League (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/17).
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sportscovers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
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| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
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| Philadelphia Daily News | Philadelphia Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The WNBA Mystics will host their annual Camp Day at the MCICenter at 11:30am ET, in conjunction with the team’s game against theSting. The game was scheduled so localday camps could attend. In addition tothe team offering ticket discounts, several Mystics season-ticket holders havedonated their tickets for the game to camps and youth programs.
Callaway Golf will release its Q2 ’03 earnings during a2:00pm PT conference call. The callwill be Webcast as well.
Anoka County (MN) businesspeople “interested in getting astadium built” for the Vikings will meet today. A group representing the county “made a trip to Phoenix to seehow” Glendale Arena was financed “with the help of some development around it”(Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 7/17).
The Mariners today will install an “aluminum honeycombmaterial on the batter’s eye backdrop,” as glare of the background wall incenter field “has been a persistent pain for hitters at Safeco Field” (SEATTLETIMES, 7/17).
Bobby Hull will make his first official announcementas WHA Commissioner in a video media release at 4:00pm ET.
The Redskins Cheerleaders will perform for and visit withU.S. Armed Forces troops in Iraq as part of a U.S. Department of Defense tour.
INOTHER NEWS….
Hughes Electronics yesterday reported its Q2 ’03 earnings,and some of the highlights included DirecTV’s netting 181,000 new customers,“bringing its total to 11.56 million” and an operating profit increase of 235%to $201M. Additionally, DirecTV “heldits monthly turnover rate at 1.5% for the third consecutive quarter, despitethe company’s price increase in March” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 7/17). DirecTVPresident Roxanne Austin said that some “40% of new subscribers in thequarter … were previously digital cable homes” (DAILYVARIETY, 7/17).
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that Miller Brewing is “partingways with advertising agency J. Walter Thompson, ending a four-yearrelationship.” The move, “whichrepresents roughly $25[M] in billings on both the Genuine Draft and Fostersbrands, had been expected, and comes as Miller gets set to hold a creativebriefing on a marketing project [today] with” Ogilvy & Mather, Wieden &Kennedy and Young & Rubicam. Thebriefing is “expected to be the first step toward a consolidation” of theagencies (CHICAGOTRIBUNE, 7/17).
Nextel Communications yesterday reported its Q2 ’03earnings, and the WASHINGTON POST notes that the quarter was the company’s“best ever on an operating basis, and that full-year results will besubstantially better than it had earlier projected.” Profit attributable to common shareholders was $281M, down from$325M in the same period a year earlier, “when earnings were helped by a$264[M] special gain from retiring preferred stock.” That gain and preferred dividends withstanding, Nextel’squarterly earnings more than doubled from $123M in ’02, to $309M. Additionally, revenue rose 19% to $2.56B (WASHINGTONPOST, 7/17).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Recent Movies.”
“The opening credits of this 2003 action movie are depictedin Braille.”
LAUGH TRACK
THEMONOLOGUES:
CBS’ DavidLetterman: “Here in New York, the summertime weather is absolutelybeautiful, and today I saw a sure sign of the summer season. Demi Moore was dropping AshtonKutcher off at day camp. ... A guy goes to Wendy’s and he orders the chili,and he finds a mouse in the chili. ButWendy’s jumped right on it. Theyapologized and they said, ‘We have no idea how the mouse got out of thehamburger.’ ... You people from Ohio must be excited about Jerry Springerrunning for Senate. Don’t underestimateJerry. He’s got themoms-who-dress-like-sluts vote locked up. ... Jerry’s goal is to bring trashysex back to the Oval Office” ("Late Show," CBS, 7/16).
NBC’sJay Leno: “Man it was hot today. I was sweating like an Ohio State University football player whosuddenly had to go to class. I wassweating like Demi Moore trying to get her hands on Tobey Maguire. ...The deficit is now 50% bigger than the White House predicted just five monthsago. Bush is blaming the wholething on his economic advisor, Miss Cleo. ... Now it looks like NorthKorea has nuclear weapons. Pakistan hasnuclear weapons. India has nuclearweapons. Now they’re saying Syria hasnuclear weapons. It turns out everycountry in the world has weapons of mass destruction, except Iraq. ... There’sa new book out now that lists all the foreign countries that hate or resent theUnited States. It’s called the worldatlas, I believe. ... A psychiatrist is suing Mike Tyson for failure topay over $44,000 in therapy bills. Thisis the one time I’m siding with Mike Tyson because if anyone deserves theirmoney back from a psychiatrist, it’s Mike Tyson. ... The country music cablechannel CMT is being criticized now for showing a country music video of apartially naked man and woman making love, and here’s the shocking part. It turns out, they’re not even related” ("TonightShow," NBC, 7/16).
LATENIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Jerry SpringerCampaign Promises” ("Late Show," CBS, 7/16).
| 10) “Fifty-dollar tax rebate if you have sex with your wife’s sister.” |
| 9) “All staff dinners will be at DC-area Hooters.” |
| 8) “Sausages will attack baseball players with bats!” |
| 7) “Repeal restrictive laws against first-cousin marriages.” |
| 6) “Amend Constitution to include words: ‘Hoochie mama.’” |
| 5) “In the summer months, all press conferences are topless.” |
| 4) “I’ll tell the truth about which legislators have too much junk in the trunk.” |
| 3) “Solar-powered prostitutes.” |
| 2) “C-SPAN will feature more young people calling each other ‘bitch.’” |
| 1) “Enough cheap sex to make the Clinton years look like a church social.” |
A’sP Barry Zito appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night where he talkedabout being replaced on the AL All-Star roster by Yankees P Roger Clemens. Zito: “Just finding out from the media waskind of strange, instead of someone from baseball.” Zito threw baseballs at the windows of the Ed Sullivan Theaterfrom the roof of an adjacent building, breaking a window on the fourth pitch ("LateShow," CBS, 7/16).
Lastnight’s edition of CBS’ “Late Show” aired a spoof ad for the ESPY Awards. Announcer: “Tonight, don’t miss the 11thannual ESPY Awards, where the hottest names in sports turn out for one specialnight and find out who wins the award everyone’s talking about: Best BizarreUnprovoked Ballpark Attack. The 2003ESPY Awards, only on ESPN” ("Late Show," CBS, 7/16).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter,” which aired on ESPN2 dueto ESPN’s coverage of the ESPY Awards, led with Lakers G Kobe Bryantattending the awards show and a retrospective on Bryant’s career, followed bythe Yankees trading for Mets P Armando Benitez and the Twins trading forBlue Jays CF Shannon Stewart.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is ‘Daredevil?’”
If you haveany questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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