| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, October 10, 2003
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Judge Adjourns Kobe Bryant’s Preliminary Hearing Until Next Wednesday |
| • | Frank McCourt Could Announce Deal To Purchase Dodgers As Early As Today |
| • | Int’l Conference On Sports & Entertainment Business Continues Today In SC |
| • | Former Marlins Owner Wayne Huizenga Is Pulling For His Old Club After All |
| • | LeBron James To Participate In Sports Illustrated Photo Shoot Today |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
The Morning Buzzwill not publish Monday, October 13 in observance of Columbus Day.
We will returnTuesday, October 14.
BOTH SIDES PRESENT VERSION OF EVENTS IN KOBE PRELIM HEARING
The DENVER POST reports that Eagle County Judge FrederickGannett broke off thepreliminary hearing for Kobe Bryant last night around 6:30pm CT “afterdefense attorneys implied that injuries to the woman accusing Bryant of rapemay have been the result of sleeping around with ‘three men in three days.’ …After several lengthy and reportedly heated meetings with the attorneys overwhat evidence would be admissible for determining whether Bryant should standtrial, a visibly tired Gannett adjourned the hearing,” which will resumeWednesday (DENVERPOST, 10/10).
The L.A. TIMES reports that after a day of “explosive andgraphic testimony, the defense had dramatically managed to present its ownversion of events, laying the groundwork for a significant challenge to theprosecution.” While experts said thatthe prosecution “indisputably scored points,” they also noted that the defensecounterattack “was unusually powerful, given that this was a preliminaryhearing, where the odds are normally stacked on the side of the prosecution” (L.A.TIMES, 10/10).
ESPN.com reported while Nike contends that its relationship with Bryant “remainsstatus quo, several shoe retailers say they have been unable to place ordersfor Nike’s new line of Bryant shoes.” The shoes are scheduled to launch February 7, but retailers “typicallymust place their orders at least six months in advance” (ESPN.com,10/9).
TheASPEN DAILY NEWS reports that Aspen Daily News Owner Dave Danforth“leveled sharp criticism at his newsroom [yesterday], the day staffers ran afront-page editorial announcing they were putting a stop to the newspaper’scoverage” of the case. In an email,Danforth stated that he was “disturbed” by the decision and that he “did notunderstand the reasoning behind it” (ASPENDAILY NEWS, 10/10).
DODGERS DEAL COULD BE ANNOUNCED AS EARLY AS TODAY
The BOSTON GLOBE reports that Boston real estate developer FrankMcCourt could announce a deal with News Corp. to purchase the Dodgers asearly as today. Sports economist AndrewZimbalist: “If the $330[M] price is the right price he’s got a terrificbuy. The market for sports franchiseshas been kind of soft this year” (BOSTONGLOBE, 10/10).
The L.A. TIMES notes that while the purchase price isexpected to settle in the $450M range, the “actual dollar value for the cluband its property holdings, however, will be [$325-340M] once discounts andcredits are factored into the accounting.” The figure is “significantly more than McCourt was willing to commit tothe Angels.” Baseball officials “acknowledgedMcCourt still might be assembling his partnership, but ‘he is not a loneranger,’” according to a high-ranking official (L.A.TIMES, 10/10).
ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL PREZ DETAILS SPORTS’ ECONOMIC IMPACT
By Josh Rosen,Staff Writer, The Sports Business Daily
The Int’l Conference on Sports & Entertainment Businesscontinues today in Columbia, SC. Darlington Raceway President Andrew Gurtis and WWE SeniorVP/Event Booking & Live Events Ed Cohen will deliver keynoteaddresses. During yesterday’s session,Atlanta Sports Council & Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl President Gary Stokanoffered a presentation, “Sports Tourism as Big Business.” Stokan noted that the 71 major sports eventsin the Atlanta area from ‘93-‘02 had an economic impact of $1.96B. That figure excludes the ’96 Olympics, whichhad a $5.1B impact. In addition, forthe ten-year period from 2003-2012, 51 events are already planned with an estimatedimpact of $1.65B.
For more from the conference, see today’s issue of TheDaily.
HUIZENGA DISUPUTES REPORT OF CUBS FANDOM, PULLING FOR FISH
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE runs a correction in today’s editionconcerning the team affinity of former Marlins Owner Wayne Huizenga,stating, “A Tribune reporterinaccurately identified a Cubs supporter who greeted friends behind the thirdbase dugout at Wrigley Field as [Huizenga]. … In fact, Huizenga was not atTuesday’s game.” In a statement issuedyesterday, Huizenga said, “Let me be perfectly clear. I am a Marlins fan. Iwill always be a Marlins fan, and I want them to beat the Cubs and go on andwin the World Series” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/10).
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TABS FIVE ON-FIELD MANUFACTURERS
Minor League Baseball yesterday announced the five companiesthat have been granted exclusive rights to serve as manufacturers of on-fieldwearing apparel during the ’04 season (Minor League Baseball):
| Manufacturer | Products |
| Diamond Sports | Uniforms; jackets; batting practice jerseys |
| Rawlings Sporting Goods | Uniforms; jackets; batting practice jerseys |
| Wilson Sporting Goods | Uniforms; jackets; batting practice jerseys |
| Russell Athletic | Uniforms; batting practice jerseys |
| Jersey Express | Jackets |
MORNING BRIEFS
IOC President Jacques Rogge said that security“should be the No. 1 priority for the nine cities bidding to host the 2012Olympics.” Rogge added that the othermain priority is to “keep the cost and size of the games in check” (AP, 10/9).
The AKRON BEACON JOURNAL notes that Sports Illustrated has had a writer and photographercovering LeBron James’ first preseason games this week. A photo shoot “is scheduled for today forwhat is expected to be James’ second SI cover” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL,10/10).
The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER reports that Bobcats Exec VP EdTapscott “flew to Paristhis week to interview [Italian club Benetton Treviso GM Maurizio Gherardini]for that same job with Charlotte’s new expansion team.” Tapscott says that Gherardini “is a veryserious candidate for the job” (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER, 10/10).
The WASHINGTON POST reports that following verbal sparringbetween Redskins LB LaVar Arrington and Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp abouttheir teams’ upcoming game, the NFL has warned both clubs that players can be“sanctioned for any incidents during pregame warmups.” The league orders “officials to take thefield 45 minutes prior to games” in an attempt to stop pregame confrontations (WASHINGTONPOST, 10/10).
ATTENDANCE WATCH:
- The L.A. TIMES reports that a sellout crowd of 20,066 attended last night’s Kings-Red Wings opener at Joe Louis Arena (L.A. TIMES, 10/10).
- The WASHINGTON POST reports that a crowd of 15,791 attended last night’s Islanders-Capitals opener at MCI Center (WASHINGTON POST, 10/10).
- The L.A. TIMES reports that a crowd of 16,684 attended last night’s Mighty Ducks-Predators opener at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville (L.A. TIMES, 10/10).
- The PALM BEACH POST reports that a crowd of 17,212 attended last night’s Hurricanes-Panthers opener at the Office Depot Center, “down from 18,013 in last year’s opener” (PALM BEACH POST, 10/10).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The N.Y. POST reports that Samuel Adams “may havehelped free America from British tyranny, but the Boston-brewed beer namedafter him isn’t doing well at Yankee Stadium” during the Red Sox-YankeesALCS. A bartender at Stadium Pub said,“We put some out to be hospitable. Isold three” (N.Y. POST, 10/10).
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. Post |
| | |
| N.Y. Daily News | N.Y. Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
TheAmerican Bar Association begins a two-day forum, “Entertainment and Sports Lawin the New Economy,” as part of the Entertainment & Sports Industries ‘03Meeting at the Westin Times Square in N.Y.
SLAMMagazine Senior Editor Ryan Jones’ book, “King James: Believe the Hype –the LeBron James Story,” hits bookstores today. The book looks at James’ final high school season and hisselection as the No. 1 pick in the ’03 NBA Draft (SI.com).
TheLaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Expo opens at the McCormick Place ConventionCenter in Chicago. Marathon sponsor IceMountain Natural Spring Water will offer the first 225 marathon participantseach day a free keepsake of their experience – a plaster mold of the runner’sfeet framed in blue wood and stamped with the logos of Iron Mountain and themarathon.
Serena Williams is scheduled to appear on “The WayneBrady Show.”
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,although the 4-0 Panthers are playing the 5-0 Colts in Indiana, DavidLetterman’s home state no less, if playing his own trivia segment, “KnowYour Current Events,” the “Late Show” host would not be dining out nor walkinghome with a box of meats (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that bolstered by “healthyback-to-school sales, as well as cool temperatures in the East, the nation’sbiggest retailers toted up better than expected sales for the month ofSeptember. Strong results from thefive-week period prompted the National Retail Federation to ratchet up itsholiday sales forecast to a gain of 4.1%, up from 3.5%” (WALLSTREET JOURNAL, 10/10).
The L.A. TIMES reports that overall retail sales inSeptember “gained 5.9% over the same period a year ago in stores open at leasta year, the best results since March 2002,” according to results reportedyesterday by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in N.Y. (L.A.TIMES, 10/10).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Disney “will launch and own a general-entertainment,free-to-air channel in the United Kingdom on the Freeview digitalplatform. The new channel, set to go onthe air in the winter, has yet to be named – but it will not be a brandedDisney service, sources said. Disneyalready has a branded pay TV service in the United Kingdom” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 10/10).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Movies.”
“On the American Film Institute’s 2003 list of all-timemovie heroes and villains, this character appeared in both categories.”
LAUGH TRACK
THEMONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Here in New York City,everybody is excited about the Red Sox and the Yankees, and last night the RedSox won. I’m worried about the Red Sox,because they could blow their chance of blowing it. … You know what’s going onat Madison Square Garden? It’s theannual cat show. Here are thecategories they are judged: the coat, their posture, how quickly they respondto the sound of an electric can opener. But if I want to go see pussies at the Garden, I’ll go see the Knicks. …Bad news for the winner of the cat show: disqualified when it turned out to bea squirrel with a queer makeover. … This guy who lives in New York City – andthey found out that in the studio apartment – he’s got a 400-pound tiger, andhe’s got an alligator. And he toldreporters that one time the tiger mauled his lion cub. Not only that, but his rhino once gored hisllama. Things got so bad in theapartment, the chimp was afraid to come out of the bathroom. … Are you excitedabout Governor Schwarzenegger? Ifind that hard to believe. Arnold sayswhile he’s governor, he won’t make any more movies. Well, maybe we can get BenAffleck and Jennifer Lopez to run for office” (“Late Show,” CBS,10/9).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “You can really tell its fall, can’t you? Today I saw Rush Limbaugh storing uppainkillers in his cheeks for the winter. Today he said he can’t talk about the prescription drug scandal, becausehe said, ‘I don’t yet know what I’m dealing with.’ Hey, it didn’t stop him from talking about black quarterbacks. …The recall election is over, the circus has left town. … Today, Kobearrived in court, but I understand his wife did watch the proceedings from thejewelry store. Doesn’t look good forKobe. I think Gray Davis had abetter week than Kobe. … Earlier today, in Philadelphia, the workers moved theliberty bell to its new permanent location. President Bush was furious when he heard there was a crack init. He said, ‘We will find theevildoers who did that.’ … In a speech in New Hampshire, President Bushdefended the war in Iraq, saying, ‘I was not about to leave the security of theAmerican people in the hands of a madman.’ Does that mean we’re firing Donald Rumsfeld? … The latest reportfrom U.S. military says they have not found any weapons of massdestruction. But they did find someIraqi women who claim they were fondled by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1970s”(“Tonight Show,” NBC, 10/9).
LATENIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten was “Top Ten Things Never Before SaidBy A Hooters Girl,” read on-stage by ten Hooters waitresses from around thecountry (“Late Show,” CBS, 10/9).
| 10) “You’re not nearly obnoxious enough sir – can I get you a few more beers.” |
| 9) “If my outfit makes you uncomfortable, I can put on a robe or something.” |
| 8) “I’ll hurry these orders so you’ll be out in time for the symphony.” |
| 7) “I hope to still be working here in forty years.” |
| 6) “My healthy glow comes from standing too close to the fryalator.” |
| 5) “Oh no sir, that’s far too big a tip.” |
| 4) “Hey grandma, guess where I got a job?” |
| 3) “Letterman’s not near as strange looking as he is on TV.” |
| 2) “Whenever he’s here, Arnold Schwarzenegger is a perfect gentleman.” |
| 1) “Why can’t I find a man who will appreciate me for my enormous breasts?” |
THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | Red Sox-Yankees | Marlins-Cubs; Kobe Bryant |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Kobe Bryant | Red Sox-Yankees; Marlins-Cubs |
| ESPN | 1:30am ET “SportsCenter” | Red Sox-Yankees ALCS Game 2 | Kobe Bryant’s preliminary hearing; Blue Jackets-Thrashers |
| FSN | “BDSSP” | Kobe Bryant | Shaquille O’Neal; Cubs |
| FSN | “Southern Sports Report” | Blue Jackets-Thrashers | Braves P John Smoltz; Kobe Bryant |
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“Who is The Terminator?”
If you haveany questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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