| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, July 25, 2003
9:00am ET | |
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| • | Media Attorney Today Will Challenge DA Mark Hurlbert’s Sealing Of Kobe File |
| • | Whaley Shoots Five Over; Today’s Round Will Be Done Prior To USA Coverage |
| • | Raiders And Chargers Games To Go Head-To-Head Most Weeks In San Diego |
| • | MLBPA’s Gene Orza Has An Interesting Exchange With U.S. Rep. On Ephedra |
| • | VA Baseball Officials To Pursue All Five Stadium Sites Despite County’s Request |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
ATTORNEY TO CHALLENGE HURLBERT’S DECISION TO SEAL FILE
The L.A. TIMES reports that Chris Beall, an attorney representing the L.A. Times and other media requesting detailed information about the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case from Eagle County, CO, today will challenge a brief filed by DA Mark Hurlbert “detailing reasons he believes the information should remain out of public view.” A hearing on the matter “probably will be heard next Thursday.” Hurlbert took the “unusual step of attaching a handwritten note requesting that the entire brief be sealed because it contains information sensitive to the case.” Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett “issued a gag order to attorneys and involved law enforcement personnel to restrict their comments” on the matter (L.A. TIMES, 7/25).
Meanwhile, Bryant’s agent, SFX Basketball’s Rob Pelinka, released the following statement regarding the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament: “Due to rehabilitation work from his recent arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgeries, Kobe will not be able to participate in the 2003 Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be held in Puerto Rico next month. Kobe, however, remains 100% committed to representing the [U.S] at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens” (SFX).
BLOOMBERG NEWS reported that Bryant will be replaced on the team by Raptors F Vince Carter (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 7/24).
SUZY WHALEY ELECTRIFIES CROWD WITH BIRDIE PUTT ON 18th GREEN
The Greater Hartford Open continues today at TPC at River Highlands, and the HARTFORD COURANT reports that Suzy Whaley “swaggered off the 18th green about five hours after teeing off” yesterday at 1:48pm ET. With the gallery “chanting her name and a wave of supporters waiting for her, Whaley finished her first round at the GHO as more than a symbol or martyr.” Whaley finished with a 5-over 75, “better than 13 of the 155 men” participating. Whaley finished her round with a “stunning 37-foot birdie putt on the 18th, sparking a roar from the crowd” (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/25).
The ORLANDO SENTINEL notes that Whaley’s “second round will be over before USA Network resumes coverage” at 4:00pm ET. Whaley tees off today at 8:48am ET (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/25).
XTRA-AM TO AIR RAIDERS GAMES THIS SEASON IN SAN DIEGO
The L.A. TIMES reports that XTRA-AM, “mainly heard in L.A. on 1150 and in San Diego on 690,” today will announce it will carry Raiders games this season, bringing up “an interesting issue.” Raiders broadcasts on 690 in San Diego “will often go head-to-head against Charger broadcasts.” While the NFL “normally [does not] allow such things, … XTRA got around that by saying it is an L.A.-based station.” L.A.-based KMPC-AM carried the Raiders last season, but will broadcast the Chargers this season (L.A. TIMES, 7/25). Chargers flagship KFMB-AM airs the team's games in San Diego (THE DAILY).
NASCAR SAYS THAT EPHEDRA HAS BEEN ADDED TO DRUG WATCH LIST
The House Committee on Energy & Commerce yesterday concluded a two-day hearing on the alleged dangers of the dietary supplement ephedra, and USA TODAY reports that NASCAR President Mike Helton said that ephedra has been added “to a list of substances it looks for when it tests competitors for drugs.” Although NASCAR “has not followed other leagues’ lead in prohibiting competitors from using ephedra,” Helton said, “At some point, it may be appropriate to make our policy more specific.” NASCAR has been testing drivers and crewmembers “for about two months” (USA TODAY, 7/25).
The N.Y. TIMES notes an exchange between Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) and MLBPA Associate General Counsel Gene Orza. Markey: “You don’t wait for us to ban the corking of bats. It seems to me that you’re leaving the most important issue, the health of your players, to us.” To which, Orza responded, “Is beer next? Because, in fact, more ballplayers have died from beer” (N.Y. TIMES, 7/25).
MORNING BRIEFS
The WASHINGTON POST reports that the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority will “not remove any of their five designated sites for a proposed baseball stadium, including three in Arlington County, despite that county’s wish to be removed from consideration.” The baseball officials also hope “to continue working with Arlington officials to bring a 42,500-seat stadium to the county,” and they will “conduct transportation, traffic and economic feasibility studies to help sway county officials” (WASHINGTON POST, 7/25).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Fox “has set fall premiere dates, with most of its new series launching after the end of the baseball season in late October and early November” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 7/25).
The CP reports that during last night’s game against the White Sox, the Blue Jays had “their first rain delay at SkyDome in nine years … when a heavy downpour started as the retractable roof was closing.” The teams resumed play 26 minutes later (CP, 7/25).
The DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that Lance Armstrong yesterday was awarded the Tour de France’s “nice guy” award by photographers who cover the race. Two years ago, “photographers gave Armstrong the award for least cooperative cyclist. Obviously, the relationship is on the mend” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/25).
The National Women’s Football League yesterday announced it has signed a sponsorship agreement with Dickens Energy Cider, making Dickens the official energy drink of the league’s championship game, which will be held August 2 at Vanderbilt Univ. Stadium (NWFL).
The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reports that a “phony story” reporting the death of Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis turned up on the Internet, “complete with Associated Press byline.” The story reports Lewis “was killed July 16 when he rode his bicycle into” an abutment on a bike trail in Houston. Lewis’ attorney, Mark Rafferty, said the story is “baloney.” Rafferty: “I talked with him yesterday. … He’s certainly not dead.” The AP said that the story “was not its doing” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/25).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The WNBA Sparks yesterday hosted the Mercury in a matinee at Staples Center, and the L.A. TIMES reports that a crowd of 9,859 attended the game at Staples Center, 1,039 higher than the team’s average. The WNBA encourages that each team host at least one matinee per season (L.A. TIMES, 7/25).
- The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that a crowd of 6,500 attended yesterday’s RCA Championships at the Indianapolis Tennis Center, which featured Gregory Carraz and Andy Roddick in anopening round match. Roddick defeated Carraz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/25).
- The WASHINGTON POST reports that a crowd of 11,150 attended the FINA Swimming World Championships yesterday at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona (WASHINGTON POST, 7/25).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
Last night’s edition of Fox’ “The Pulse” profiled the Maloof brothers’ bachelor lifestyle, from owning the NBA Kings to running The Palms, their Las Vegas casino. Fox’ Kiran Chetry: “It’s a bachelor life of privilege that makes men green with envy and women flush with fantasies about snagging this ‘Joe Billionaire’ or his brother” ("The Pulse," Fox, 7/24).
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 |
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| Philadelphia Daily News | Philadelphia Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The Falcons Mobile Museum & Mobile Store will make its first appearance at Furman Univ. during the team’s training camp. The two trailer rigs outfitted with interactive displays and Falcons gear will travel throughout the region, and be stationed at the Georgia Dome for all home games.
The USOC will host a 10:00am MT conference call with 200-meter Junior world record holder Allyson Felix.
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, CBS’ David Letterman holds court with ten Baseball HOFers, who offer the “Top Ten Perks Of Being A Member Of The National Baseball Hall Of Fame” (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Viacom “posted a 21% increase in second-quarter profits powered by higher revenue at its broadcast and cable TV networks thanks to an advertising rebound as well as its video rental operation.” With record Q2 results “exceeding Wall Street estimates and Viacom also declaring its first dividend in 16 years, investors bid up the conglomerate’s shares Thursday.” The stock closed up 3.5% at $44.45 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 7/25).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy” was part of “Kids Week,” which will air all week. The “Final Jeopardy!” category was “World Capitals.”
“One of the three national capitals in the Western Hemisphere that have ‘city’ in their English names.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Here in New York, in the summertime, everybody is in a festive mood. You can feel it. It feels like a festival. I’ll give you an example of what I’m talking about. This morning coming to work, my cab driver, in his turban, he had chips and salsa. ... 7-11 has now introduced edible straws that go with the Slurpees. Wow! Let me tell you something. If 7-11 wants to make something edible, how about starting with their hot dogs. ... Uday and Qusay Hussein are gone, and Saddam only has two sons left now, Jermaine and Tito. ... Sharon Stone now is apparently going to be playing Hillary Clinton in an upcoming movie, and I was thinking about this. If Hillary Clinton in real life actually looked like Sharon Stone, there’s a good chance Bill would not have been impeached” ("Late Show," CBS, 7/24).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “I was sweating today like Saddam Hussein reading the obituaries. ... It is now hotter in L.A. than where Saddam Hussein’s kids are right now. Nobody is happier about this turn of events than George Bush. Nobody’s happier, well, except maybe Kobe Bryant. Gets him off the front page for a few days. ... Of course, with Uday and Qusay gone, U.S. forces can now of course concentrate on getting the biggest fish of all, Martha Stewart. ... Kobe Bryant bought his beautiful wife, Vanessa, a $4[M], eight-carat diamond ring. I wonder what brought that on? It’s not Valentine’s Day. ... Boy, all Hillary got was a Senate seat. ... Kobe bought it at the most popular jewelry store in Los Angeles, In The Doghouse R’ Us. ... Things are still up in the air for him. There’s talk he could lose his endorsements over this, but he hasn’t yet. One of his deals is with McDonald’s, although if he loses that one, there’s a good chance he could pick up a deal with In-N-Out Burger. ... Happy birthday to new Laker, Karl Malone, 63-years old today. Things did not go well last night at Karl’s party. ... A girl jumped out of the cake, immediately pressed charges against Kobe” ("Tonight Show," NBC, 7/24).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
British Open champion Ben Curtis appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night to discuss his victory wearing a blue Kenda golf shirt. Curtis, when asked whether he “changed his game” to prepare for the tournament said, “I went there a couple days early.” Curtis, on whether he was intimidated by Tiger Woods: “He’s got this aroma (sic) about him that’s unbelievable.” Letterman displayed Curtis’ Claret Jug, the trophy for winning the British Open. Curtis hit golf balls from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater to an adjacent building’s roof. Letterman told Curtis, “I can tell you from looking at it, even from up here, I think the greens are pretty fast” ("Late Show," CBS, 7/24).
THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
ESPN’s 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” led with D'Backs-Giants, followed by a report the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of sexual assault may have attempted suicide four months before the alleged assault, and a report that Bryant will not play for the U.S. in the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What are Mexico City, Panama City and Guatemala City?”
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