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Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz, November 5, 2003

The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, November 5, 2003
9:00am ET

NFL Network Debuts Last Night; Roundup Of First “NFL Total Access”

Fox Entertainment To Report Q1 Earnings Today; Baseball Could Provide Boost

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem To Give State Of The Tour Address Today

CFL To Announce New And Local Ownership For Toronto Argonauts Today

Policy Relinquishes 10% Browns Ownership Stake, Will Remain President & CEO

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


NFL NETWORK DEBUTS LAST NIGHT WITH “NFL TOTAL ACCESS”

NFL Network debuted last night on DirecTV with a tapedintroduction.  Narrator: “Like a SuperBowl team counting down the minutes to kickoff, the NFL Network staff anxiouslyawaits its formal launch.  The new erawill begin with Rich Eisen and the first live broadcast of ‘NFL TotalAccess.’”  Eisen, live in-studio said,“Hey there, and welcome to the NFL in Los Angeles.  Alright, actually what we really mean is this 24/7/365 network isdedicated entirely to the (NFL).”

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue appeared on lastnight’s inaugural “NFL Total Access.” When asked how former Commissioner Pete Rozelle would feel aboutthe network, Tagliabue said, “Pete would have loved it.  He was a guy who started in the NFL withsomething called the Dumont Network and then went to CBS and NBC and then SuperBowls and [“MNF”] and ESPN.  He wouldhave loved the NFL Network.”

The lineup for last night’s show was as follows (THE DAILY):

Topic

Patriots-Broncos highlights

Highlights from Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil’s press conference and a Steelers report

Interview with Tagliabue via satellite

Introduction of NFL Network analysts Ken Norton Jr. and Seth Joyner

Discussion on current NFL issues

Interview with Bears LB Brian Urlacher via satellite

NFL Players of the Week

Interview with Patriots QB Tom Brady by reporter Kara Henderson

News segment: current NFL news and notes

Interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. via satellite

Interview with Chiefs QB Trent Green in-studio

Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez behind-the-scenes at the Chiefs facility

Preview of tonight’s show

Eisen, Norton and Joyner offered their opinions on NFL issues in “Four Downs” segment


FOX ENTERTAINMENT COULD SEE $40M BOOST FROM BASEBALL

DAILY VARIETY reports that Fox Entertainment“may be looking at a $40[M] baseball bonus when it reports earnings” for its Q1’04 today.  CIBC World Markets analyst MichaelGallant said that the “upsideto Fox from the baseball playoffs is $15[M] take at the network and around$26[M] at its TV stations” (DAILYVARIETY, 11/5).

Meanwhile, despiteheavy promotion during the MLB playoffs, the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Foxhas “canceled Jerry Bruckheimer’s new series ‘Skin’ after threelow-rated airings” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 11/5).


TIM FINCHEM TO DELIVER STATE OF THE PGA TOUR ADDRESS TODAY

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem today will deliverhis State of the Tour address at 11:00am CT from the Tour Championship presentedby Coca-Cola in Houston.  Theseason-ending overview will cover competition on the PGA Tour, Champions Tourand Nationwide Tour, the current sponsorship climate and other PGA Tourbusiness.  Live streaming video of theaddress is available at the PGA Tour’s official Web site (PGA Tour).


CFL TO ANNOUNCE NEW OWNERSHIP FOR ARGONAUTS TODAY

The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the CFL isexpected to announce today new and local ownership for the TorontoArgonauts.  The ownership group includesToronto developer Howard Sokolowski and OHL Mississauga Ice Dogs Owner MarioForgione.  It is believed that partof the group’s plan “involves constructing a new outdoor stadium in Toronto,possibly on the grounds of York University” (TorontoGLOBE & MAIL, 11/5).

The TORONTO SUN reports that there “is speculation that another investor is Michael Cinnamon,who is involved in a successful business branding cleaning products.”  The CFL reportedly will “receive upward of[C$3M] for the team as part of a franchise fee” (TORONTOSUN, 11/5).


JUDGE TO RULE TODAY ON KEY PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN SLOC TRIAL

The SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports that a judge today will decide“whether the jury should see two key pieces of evidence in theprosecution’s case” against former SLOC President Tom Welch and SeniorVP Dave Johnson.  The first pieceof evidence is a “five-page list of [IOC] members with notations next to theirnames, including ‘geld,’ the Dutch word for golden or money.  The second contains IOC member addresses,phone numbers and biographical information” (SALT LAKETRIBUNE, 11/5).


MORNING BRIEFS

The Cleveland PLAINDEALER reports that Carmen Policy has “relinquished his [10%]ownership stake in the Browns but will remain president and CEO of the clubthrough 2008 under terms of an agreement recently reached” with Owner RandyLerner.  The deal puts 100% ownership of the Browns in the Lernerfamily (ClevelandPLAIN DEALER, 11/5).

The MIAMI HERALD reports that Miami-Dade CountyCommissioners yesterday voted 9-4 to provide $73M in public funding for a new $325M stadium for theMarlins.  If the Marlins “have notreached a financing deal by March 15, which is a deadline set by thecommission, the Marlins would lose the county’s pledge” (MIAMI HERALD, 11/5).

USA TODAY reports that former NBAer Rex Chapman isscheduled to meet today with ABC Sports Exec Producer Mike Pearl in N.Y.to discuss the net’s lead NBA analyst role alongside play-by-play announcer AlMichaels.  Former NBAers MarkJackson and David Robinson are also under consideration for theposition (USATODAY, 11/5).

DAILY VARIETY reports that Tribune Broadcasting’s WPIX-TVhas “renewed its contract with the MSG Networks to carry” 50 Mets games in both’04 and ’05.  WPIX has carried Metsgames for the past five years (DAILYVARIETY, 11/5).

The L.A. TIMES reports that CONCACAF yesterday “revised theregional qualifying format for the 2006 World Cup.”  The U.S. will play two fewer qualifying matches and will “startplaying next June, six months later than originally scheduled” (L.A.TIMES, 11/5).

The AP reported that suspended Ohio State RB MauriceClarett has “dropped a federal complaint seeking a $2.5[M] fine againstOhio State for releasing information from an NCAA investigation toprosecutors.”  Clarett “reserved theright to renew the complaint if he could get backing from the U.S. Departmentof Education” (AP,11/4).

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that mediation in the PeytonManning defamation case has been scheduled for December 10-11 in Lakeland,FL.  Manning is being sued by formerUniv. of TN assistant trainer Ann Naughright, who says that she wasdefamed in “Manning: A Father, His Sons and a Football Legacy” (INDIANAPOLISSTAR, 11/5).


A LIGHTER BUZZ

The L.A. TIMES notes that “Fox NFL Sunday” weather girl JillianBarberie “described a chance encounter with her current favorite Laker inSouthwest Airlines’ in-flight magazine: ‘I was at a hip-hop show in L.A. andmet this guy and we had this 10-minute conversation.  I asked if he was with the band, and he goes, ‘No.’ I ask what hedoes and he says he plays for the three-time champ L.A. Lakers.  I ask his name, he says, ‘DerekFisher.’  [Laughs] ‘Oh yeah,I’ve heard of you’” (L.A.TIMES, 11/5).


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

IN OTHER NEWS….

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that the FCC yesterday tolddigital TV receiver manufacturers that by July 1, 2005, their products “must beable to read a ‘broadcast flag’ meant to block widespread redistribution ofcopyrighted programming.”  Thecommission exempted certain technology because “fair uses [consumers] haveenjoyed since the advent of the VCR could be curtailed” (WALL STREET JOURNAL,11/5).

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that TiVo yesterday surpassedthe one million subscriber mark “somewhat ahead of schedule” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 11/5).

The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS reports that Clear Channel“posted record results” with revenues of $2.54B and net earnings of $636Mduring Q3 ’03.  The $2.54B figure is up9% from the year ago period (SANANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 11/5).


FINAL JEOPARDY!

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Films of the‘50s.”

“This film featuring Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitierwas the first major film to use rock & roll music on the soundtrack.”


LAUGH TRACK

THEMONOLOGUES:

CBS’ David Letterman: “Last night at 11:58, I becamea father.  Thank you very much. ... Whata thrill to hold him and pat him on the back, and you burp him.  Luckily, I’ve had a lot of practice on mom.... Here’s what was driving me nuts. Like all day long at the hospital, people kept saying to me, ‘And whichgrandfather are you?’ ... It changes your life and I’m taking fatherhood veryseriously.  I’m already interviewing hotnannies. ... I want to thank the CBS executives.  They did something very nice. They sent me a beautiful baby basket and a list of ways to improve theshow. ... The kid’s not even 24-hours-old and so you start thinking likethis.  I’ll take the kid fishing.  I’ve been fishing.  I know how to fish.  Youwant to teach the kid everything you know. I know how to lay down a bunt. I’ll teach the kid how to lay down a bunt.  I’ll teach the kid how to fake his way through an interview with AngelinaJolie. ... Maybe I shouldn’t have done this, but the first thing I didafter the baby was born, I took him home and dangled him over the balcony. ...After the baby was born, I get a call from former President Bill Clinton.... It was very nice.  He told me tochallenge the DNA” ("Late Show," CBS, 11/4).

NBC’sJay Leno: “Last night NBC premiered its new show called ‘Average Joe.’... Sixteen dorks trying to get a date with a cheerleader, which used to becalled high school. ... The woman was beautiful.  I guess she was a cheerleader from the Kansas City Chiefs.  They should have taken a cheerleader fromthe San Diego Chargers.  At least get awoman who’s used to big disappointments. ... President Bush is inCalifornia today.  I’d like to do somejokes about it, but his mom is here. President Bush is here surveying the fire damage.  He suggested we put in a sprinkler system.... DEA officials confiscated 51 bags of cocaine on an airplane in Miamidisguised as bags of peanuts.  Thecocaine was in peanut bags.  That was infirst class.  See, in coach they got acouple of buds of skunk weed in their trail mix. ... After complaints byconservative groups, CBS has pulled the mini-series ‘The Reagans’ off the airbecause of historical inaccuracies. It’ll be replaced by a sitcom called ‘The Clintons’” ("TonightShow," NBC, 11/4).

LATENIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Reasons I'mExcited To Be A Father” ("Late Show," CBS, 11/4). 

10) “Instead of ‘You suck, Dave,’ I can look forward to ‘You suck, dad.’”

9) “All of America will get to watch him grow up on television, just like Cody Gifford.”

8) “My used hairpieces make cuddly, fuzzy pals.”

7) “Only the most cold-hearted state trooper would ticket a guy with an adorable baby.”

6) “Asking mom to watch baby – perfect way to keep her away from dog track.”

5) “I stocked up on moist towelettes from the hospital supply room.”

4) “Great new excuse for not hanging out with Regis.”

3) “Anxious to put to use all the practice I’ve had raising my pet monkey, Kenny.”

2) “Two words: Swedish nanny.”

1) “There is now tangible evidence that I have had sex.”


TUESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

Net

Show

Lead

Next Items

ESPN

“Around The Horn”

Best story in the NFL

NFL coaches on the hot seat; Marlins C Ivan Rodriguez

ESPN

“PTI”

Patriots

NFL division leaders; Redskins DE Bruce Smith

ESPN

11:00pm ET “SportsCenter”

Stars-Rangers

Lakers-Bucks; Rockets-Nets

FSN

“BDSSP”

Browns RB William Green

Nuggets-Cavaliers; Marlins P Dontrelle Willis & CF Juan Pierre

FSN

“Southern Sports Report”

Miss.-Auburn NCAA football

Buccaneers-Panthers; Thrashers LW Ilya Kovalchuk

Empire Network

“Empire Sports Report”

Big East expansion

Syracuse basketball; Conference USA


FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“What is ‘Blackboard Jungle?’”


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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