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Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz, August 29, 2003

The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, August 29, 2003
9:00am ET

Inaugural Deutsche Bank Championship Begins Today At TPC Of Boston

Darlington Raceway To Host Final Labor Day Weekend Race On Sunday

Ford To Break New Ad Campaign Today For F-150 With NFL Opener Teaser

Corzine-Kushner Group Could Meet Through Weekend To Determine Nets Offer

Phil Mickelson To Try Out Today For Triple-A Int’l League Toledo Mud Hens

Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy!


The Morning Buzzwill not publish Monday, September 1, or Tuesday, September 2.
We will returnWednesday, September 3.


INAUGURAL DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS TODAY IN BOSTON

The inaugural Deutsche Bank Championship begins today at TPCof Boston, and the BOSTON HERALD noted that title sponsor Deutsche Bank “has signed a four-year deal with this yearand next, at least, guaranteed to be played at TPC of Boston. Supposedly, the response to the event willfactor greatly into the tournament’s future.” Deutsche Bank Americas CEO Seth Waugh: “There is such a huge buzzabout it. … We think the venue has something to do with that, not only the golfcourse, but the town” (BOSTON HERALD,8/28).

The PGA Tour today runs a quarter-page ad on the insidecover of USA Today’s sports section promoting the tournament, as well as the TVcoverage by USA Network and ABC Sports (THE DAILY).

Tiger Woods, whose charitable foundation is theprimary charity of the tournament, on his involvement: “My foundation isinvolved, but that’s as far as it goes.” Woods added that he is not “interested in being the host of a [PGA] Tourevent, in the manner Jack Nicklaus is the host of the Memorial.” Woods: “I don’t want to have to be put inthe situation where I have to ask guys to play, because that’s just not me” (USATODAY, 8/29).


DARLINGTON TO HOST FINAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND RACE SUNDAY

As Darlington Raceway hosts its final Labor Day weekendNASCAR race on Sunday, the Columbia STATE reports that Darlington RacewayPresident Andrew Gurtis yesterday “stopped just short of saying the [NASCAR Winston Cup] Southern 500will be sold out for the first time since before the track was expanded toabout 60,000 seats” in ‘98. Gurtis: “Ican say without question we’ll have the largest attendance in DarlingtonRaceway history by a few thousand.” Inthe past, Darlington crowds “have reached an estimated 75,000.” Gurtis “hopes attendance increases enough sothat NASCAR will not consider taking away one of the track’s two races in 2005”(ColumbiaSTATE, 8/29).

USA TODAY offers a special section today on the race. Chris Jenkins writes in the Cover Story,“Historic Darlington Raceway, site of this weekend’s race, is losing itstraditional Labor Day weekend event to a shiny, relatively new track outside[L.A.]. There are more late-afternoonand night races on the horizon. … The suddenly rapid pace of change is a joltto people who have spent decades in the sport” (USATODAY, 8/29).

The following companies/brands advertised in the specialsection: Domino’s Pizza, Winston, Circle K, Sony, Smirnoff Ice Triple Black andThe Home Depot (THE DAILY).

NASCAR COO George Pyne, on the racing series’geographical realignment: “Really, what’s happened is better distribution andgiving people the chance to say, ‘Do I like this or not?’ The audiences have shifted a little bitbecause we’re making it more available” (USA TODAY, 8/29).

NBC will begin coverage of the race Sunday at 12:30pm ETwith a performance by Smash Mouth. Alsoduring the pre-race show, David Spade will do a ride-along with NBCanalyst Wally Dallenbach (NBC).


FORD TO SPEND MORE THAN $100M ON NEW F-150 CAMPAIGN

The N.Y. TIMES reports that Ford today “begins anadvertising blitz surrounding its completely redesigned F-150,” that will seethe company spend “more than $100[M] in four to six months.” The campaign, via J. Walter Thompson, startswith a week of teaser ads that end with the words “The Next F-150: Coming Sept.4.” That day is opening day of the NFLregular season. The ads “will be a partof every NFL game broadcast on the opening weekend” (N.Y. TIMES,8/29).


CORZINE-KUSHNER GROUP DETERMINING NETS OFFER PRICE

The Newark STAR-LEDGER reports that Sen. Jon Corzine(D-NJ) and real estate magnate Charles Kushner, leaders of an investorgroup vying to buy the Nets, “hunkered down yesterday with their lawyers,accountants and bankers to decide how much to offer for the team.” The meetings could continue through theLabor Day weekend, and by the middle of next week, the group will “decide howmuch to pay and where the team would play its home games,” the Meadowlands or aproposed Newark arena (NewarkSTAR-LEDGER, 8/29).


LEFTY TO TRY OUT TODAY FOR ONE-TIME SPOT ON TOLEDO MUD HENS

Phil Mickelson today will tryout for the Triple-AInt’l League Toledo Mud Hens for a spot as a one-time-only pitcher. If the coaches like what they see, Mickelsonmay pitch for the club this weekend (Mud Hens). The L.A. TIMES reports that Mickelson hasbeen “working with former Texas Ranger pitching coach Tom House andrecently threw” to six players from the Double-A Eastern League Akron Aerosduring the NEC Invitational. Mickelsonoffered $3,000 to “anyone who could hit a homer, but nobody was able to tee offagainst him” (L.A.TIMES, 8/29).


MLB STILL UNCERTAIN ON FUTURE OF EXPOS; DRAFT SCHEDULE DUE

USA TODAY reports that MLB had “hoped to have a better ideawhere the Expos will be playing next year by Labor Day, but a decision is farfrom being made.” MLB President &COO Bob DuPuy: “I’m optimistic we’ll know what we’re doing next yearwithin a week or so. We’re gettingthere.” The MLBPA will “receive byMonday a draft schedule, constructed to work for the Expos in varioussituations – all 81 home games in Montreal, all home games in Puerto Rico or asplit schedule similar to the one they’re playing this season” (USATODAY, 8/29).


REDSKINS TOP FORBES’ NFL FRANCHISE VALUATION LIST AT $952M

The WASHINGTON TIMES notes that the Redskins’ “economic march into the recordbooks continued yesterday as Forbes Magazine estimated the team’s value at$952[M], 13[%] higher than a year ago and another all-time high for Americansports” (WASHINGTON TIMES,8/29). Please see The Dailynext week for the complete list of NFL franchise valuations. The following presents the top five (Forbes):

Team

Value

Redskins

$952M

Cowboys

$851M

Texans

$791M

Patriots

$756M

Browns

$695M


MORNING BRIEFS

The OAKLAND TRIBUNEreports that attorneys for the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum board today plansto ask a Sacramento judge for a “delay in payment of the $34.2[M] awardgiven” to the Raiders by a jury earlier this week. The board’s attorneyssaid that they “want to prevent the Raiders from seeking payment until adecision is made about whether to appeal the case” (OAKLANDTRIBUNE, 8/29).

The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reports that Tony Stewart“put an end to rumors that he was jumping from Chevrolet to Dodge by announcinga new long-term contract” with Joe Gibbs Racing that will “keep him in the No.20 Chevrolet through 2009” (ATLANTACONSTITUTION, 8/29).

The AP reports that the Italian soccer league Serie A seasonwill “start on time this weekend, but the fate of the [Serie B] scheduleremains unclear.” Presidents of severalSerie B clubs last week said that they “would boycott the season’s start inresponse to a move by the Italian Soccer Federation to increase Serie B by fourteams” (AP,8/29).

The WASHINGTON POST notes that the IOC “wrote letters to the[IAAF] and [USOC], urging them to follow up on the revelation that U.S.sprinter Jerome Young competed in the 2000 Summer Games a year afterbeing cleared of a doping violation by a USA Track & Field arbitrationpanel. But the IAAF, under whosejurisdiction the matter falls, has already said the matter is closed” (WASHINGTONPOST, 8/29).

The Coyotes and NLL yesterday announced that the NLLColumbus Landsharks have signed a three-year deal with Arena Management Groupto play at Glendale Arena beginning with the ’03-04 season (Coyotes).

John McEnroe, on the U.S. Open without PeteSampras and the Williams sisters: “CBS is sweating. They’d be sweating in this room right now [DavidLetterman is known for keeping the Ed Sullivan Theater at lowtemperatures]. … The executives are worrying about the ratings right now” ("LateShow," CBS, 8/28).

The current issue of “Rolling Stone,” which hits newsstandstoday, features a 16-page section highlighting the 25 most memorable musicmoments in NFL history. The followingdetails the top five (“Rolling Stone,” 8/29 issue):

Rank

Moment

1

Whitney Houston performs Super Bowl XXV National Anthem

2

Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show featuring U2

3

John Lennon visits “Monday Night Football” booth

4

Kickoff from Times Square featuring Bon Jovi

5

Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle”

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

  • The HARTFORD COURANT reports that a crowd of 4,266 attended last night’s WNBA Sting-Sun playoff game at Mohegan Sun Arena (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/29).
  • The L.A. TIMES reports that a crowd of 3,622 attended last night’s WNBA Sparks-Lynx playoff game at Target Center, the first playoff game hosted by the Lynx (L.A. TIMES, 8/29).
  • The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that a crowd of 20,030 attended last night’s Phillies-Expos game, the “second consecutive game [the Expos] drew a crowd in excess of 20,000, with neither game involving any special promotions” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/29).
  • The SHREVEPORT TIMES reports that that a “school record” crowd of 43,279 attended last night’s Miami-Louisiana Tech football game at Independence Stadium, where Miami won, 48-9 (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 8/29).
  • The FLORIDA TIMES-UNION reports that a crowd of 44,314 attended last night’s Redskins-Jaguars preseason game at Alltel Stadium, the “smallest in Jaguars history for a preseason or regular-season game” (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 8/29).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

The L.A. TIMES’ Larry Stewart asks, “What will sidelinereporter Jill Arrington be wearing” during the USC-Auburn CBS collegefootball game Saturday at 6:00pm ET. Arrington: “CBS has a deal with Brooks Brothers to supply ourclothing. Since that’s not a sexyclothing line, I’m sure I will be wearing something pretty conservative” (L.A.TIMES, 8/29).


AT LAST NIGHT’S VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS…

Last night’s MTV Video MusicAwards opened with Madonna on-stage locking lips with Britney Spearsand Christina Aguilera. Following host Chris Rock’s monologue, Rock introduced the firstpresenters by saying, “He’s trying not to be the next Kobe, and she’strying not to be the next victim. Giveit up for LeBron James and Ashanti.” Rock, when introducing Venusand Serena Williams as presenters: “Our next two presenters havebeaten the crap out of more white girls than Rick James” (“MusicVideo Awards,” MTV, 8/28).


THE BACK PAGES

The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sportscovers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:

N.Y. Post
N.Y. Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News

TODAY’S EVENTS

The Maple Leafs will introduce John Ferguson Jr. asthe team’s new GM at an 11:00am ET news conference (TORONTO SUN, 8/29).

The NHL Panthers will host an 11:10am ET volleyball workoutat Deerfield Beach, behind Oceans 234 restaurant (Panthers).

The Pirates will host African-American Heritage Weekendduring the team’s series against the Braves at PNC Park, beginning with aluncheon at the Home Plate Club featuring Negro League legend Buck O’Neil. Festivities include music, giveaways, aFederal Street festival and an on-field ceremony honoring local civic leaders (Pirates).

The PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE reports that the Penguins this morning will officially announcethe hiring of former NHLer Phil Bourque as their radio colorcommentator. Bourque replaces Bob Errey, who will take over ascolor commentator on FSN telecasts (PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE, 8/29).

San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles Hayes willannounce whether or not he will reverse his earlier decision allowing San DiegoCity Council to keep the Chargers stadium development plans a secret (SANDIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/23).

Since the Closing Bell will not publish thisafternoon, a look at some weekend events…

Friday Night

The Colts will host the Bengals tonight at the RCA Dome, andthe INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that following the Seahawks-Colts game two weeksago that attracted the “smallest crowd – 26,741 – ever to watch a pro footballgame in the dome,” Colts Senior VP/Sales & Marketing Ray Comptonsaid of tonight’s game, “I don’t expect a big crowd.” A similar turnout “should be expected tonight, primarily becausethe final preseason game is the least attractive of an unappealing product” (INDIANPOLISSTAR, 8/29).

The East Boynton All-Stars, who lost the Little League WorldSeries Championship game to Tokyo, will host a 7:00pm ET autograph session atPete Rose Ballpark Café in Boynton Beach, and the Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINELreports that the team is “finalizing plans … to work with a public relationsfirm that has volunteered to help the team juggle more than 100 invitations andoffers, including a possible trip to the [MLB] World Series, a White House tripand scholarships to Palm Beach Community College” (Ft.Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 8/29).

Cal Ripken Jr. will be inducted into the Triple-AInt’l League Rochester Red Wings HOF prior to tonight’s 7:05pm ET game againstthe Syracuse Sky Chiefs. The Red Wings,whom Ripken played for in ‘81, expect attendance to surpass 10,000 (ROCHESTERDEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 8/27).

Saturday

The Stars will host a 10:00am CT grand opening of the DrPepper StarCenter in Frisco, TX. Fansare invited to a free skate and other events (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/26).

The Sunshine Network begins its premiere of “TailgateSaturday” with the Bubba Burger College Kickoff at 9:30am ET (SunshineNetwork).

Sunday

Rupert Murdoch’s pay-TV platform SKY Italia willlaunch a news channel, where “sports, financial news (in cooperation withBloomberg), and breaking news will have a major role” (DAILY VARIETY, 8/17).


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…..

Every Friday, the MorningBuzz highlights a video clip, chart or piece of information that might havefallen through the cracks. This week, Serena and Venus Williamsappear on CBS’ “Late Show” with David Letterman to set the recordstraight on why they are not playing in the U.S. Open (THE DAILY).


INOTHER NEWS….

The WASHINGTON POST reports that the U.S. economy “expandedat a 3.1[%] annual rate” in Q2 ’03, “fueled by the biggest increase in militaryspending in more than five decades, stronger consumer demand and corporateinvestment in new equipment.” Theoutlook for the rest of the year is “even better, which may eventually create astronger economy.” A 2.4% annual growthrate was estimated for the quarter, and the economy grew 1.4% during each ofthe previous two quarters (WASHINGTONPOST, 8/29).


FINAL JEOPARDY!

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. Cities.”

“Founded in 1758, it’s named for a British Prime Ministerwho was a noted defender of the American colonists.”


LAUGH TRACK

THEMONOLOGUES:

CBS’ David Letterman: “I hate talking about peoplewhen they’re not here, but the audience last night – such a rough crowd. ...After the show, they went outside and booed Mars. ... I’ll tell you who hatesLabor Day. It’s President Bush. President Bush hates Labor Day because itmeans he only has three more weeks of summer vacation. ... Do you ever get thatbuyer’s remorse? I woke up this morningand I’m saying to myself, ‘What the hell am I going to do with a two-tonmonument of the Ten Commandments?’ ... Earlier tonight it was the MTV ‘VideoMusic Awards.’ All the big names werethere: 50 Cent, Ben Affleck, Ludacris. No wait, I’m thinking of the Californiarecall election. ... It’s tax-free shopping week here. You go shopping and any purchase under $110there’s no tax. It’s great andeverybody’s taking advantage of it. Notsurprisingly, earlier today Bill Clinton got a woman’s dress half off” ("LateShow," CBS, 8/28).

LATENIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Dumb Guy ExplanationsFor Mars Being Close To Earth” ("Late Show," CBS, 8/28).

10) “Somebody must have left their vacuum cleaner running.”

9) “Damn Red Planet – you never could trust the Russkies.”

8) “I want pie.”

7) “Who cares? I’m gonna go shoot rats at the dump.”

6) “Mars? Oh, I thought you said Marv.”

5) “The whole galaxy’s coming running for Applebee’s honey barbecue rib tips.”

4) “Did you say something about marshmallows?”

3) “Chewbacca – hellllp!”

2) “Seriously, you got marshmallows?”

1) “Earth is being punk’d.”

Lastnight’s edition of CBS’ “Late Show” aired a parody of a U.S. Open promo. Letterman: “Although Pete Sampras andthe Williams sisters are not participating this year, USTA officials aredoing all they can to keep fans interested in the tournament.” Promo announcer: “It’s time once again fortennis’ most thrilling event, the U.S. Open. Watch as the world’s best playersclash. There’s Andre Agassi. A guy who kind of looks like PeteSampras. Andre Agassi. A woman who uses the same racquet as SerenaWilliams. And the incredible AndreAgassi. The U.S. Open – catch it” ("LateShow," CBS, 8/28).

SkateboarderTony Hawk appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night, where he performedvarious tricks outside the Ed Sullivan Theater on a 30-foot high ramp. Hawk told Letterman, “It’s a little strangeto be standing 30-feet above 53rd Street on a skateboard ramp. I never really thought I’d get here” ("LateShow," CBS, 8/28).


THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

ESPN’s 10:30pm ET 90-minute edition of “SportsCenter” (latedue to Miami-LA Tech college football) led with Maryland-Northern Illinoiscollege football, followed by Phillies-Expos and Marlins-Pirates.


FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“What is Pittsburgh?”


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

TheMorning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Mondaythrough Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for ane-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.

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