Menu
Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz, December 1, 2003

The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Monday, December 1, 2003
9:00am ET

Top Stories From Thanksgiving Weekend: Chargers, LT, Malcolm Glazer, WWC

Foot Locker Today To Announce NFL E-Commerce, Catalog Business Renewal

Roy Disney Resigns From Disney BOD, Calls For Resignation Of Michael Eisner

Suns Owner Jerry Colangelo Today To Seek Policy Change After Flagrant Foul

Puerto Rico Promoter Expects Answer From MLB On ’04 Today Or Tomorrow

Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/Weekend Rap/Weekend Box Office


WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FOUR DAYS OFF FOR THANKSGIVING?

After a four-day break to observe Thanksgiving, the MorningBuzz offers a quick look at some of the top stories that occurred over thelong weekend:

  • The SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE reported that the Chargers filed a lawsuit in L.A. “to get out of [their] Qualcomm Stadium lease.”  The lawsuit “may have effectively ended lease negotiations that the Chargers have long complained are not progressing fast enough” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/27).
  • Mike Wallace’s interview with Lawrence Taylor on “60 Minutes” sparked debate among analysts on CBS’ “NFL Today.” Boomer Esiason: “This is not the NFL I played in.” Deion Sanders: “No, no, don’t tell me you don’t know what goes on in the NFL. You don’t know that guys get high and guys do everything up under the sun?  Twenty-year-old or 30-year-old guys with millions of dollars – that equals destruction” (“NFL Today,” CBS, 11/30).
  • The London GUARDIAN reports that Manchester United officials today confirmed that Buccaneers Owner Malcolm Glazer “now holds a 14.3% stake in the club, fuelling speculation that he will mount a takeover bid” (London GUARDIAN, 12/1).
  • The L.A. TIMES reported that the ’03 Women’s World Cup “netted U.S. Soccer an estimated profit of $6[M]” (L.A. TIMES, 11/27).

FOOT LOCKER TO ANNOUNCE FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL OF NFL BUSINESS

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL reports that Foot Locker today willannounce that it has “renewed its agreement to produce and fulfill the NFL’sburgeoning e-commerce and catalog business for an additional five years.” The NFL is “guaranteed a minimum of $50[M],about double what the original deal provided.” Foot Locker has administered the league’s online and catalog-basedlicensed product businesses since ’99 (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/1 issue).


ROY DISNEY RESIGNS FROM BOD, CALLS FOR EISNER’S RESIGNATION

The Disney BOD will meet today and tomorrow in N.Y., and theL.A. TIMES reports that Roy Disney yesterday resigned from the BOD andcalled for the resignation of Chair Michael Eisner, saying the companyhad “lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.” Disney also said that Eisner’s leadershiphad led to a perception of the company as “rapacious, soul-less, and alwayslooking for the ‘quick buck’ rather than long-term value which is leading to aloss of public trust.” Disney wasFeature Animation Division Chair and BOD Vice Chair (L.A.TIMES, 12/1). Read his letterof resignation.


COLANGELO TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION OR POLICY CHANGE TODAY

The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reported that Suns Owner JerryColangelo today will consider legal action or an NBA policy changefollowing Mavericks F Danny Forston’s flagrant foul Wednesday nightagainst Suns F Zarko Cabarkapa that left the Suns rookie with a fracturedright wrist. Colangelo “will ask for a special meeting of the board of governors, ofwhich he is chairman, and will ask for a policy change. He will ask it be enforcedretroactively.” Colangelo wants playersto be suspended for flagrant fouls for the length of time the injured player isinactive (ARIZONAREPUBLIC, 11/29).

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, in an email response tothe ARIZONA REPUBLIC on Colangelo’s statements: “I thought the penalty [three-game suspension] was fair, I truly hope[Colangelo] brings the same level of intensity to the many other issues the NBAfaces, and that the other 28 owners follow his lead in being active on issuesthey believe in. It would be a welcomechange” (ARIZONAREPUBLIC, 12/1).


AOL FOR BROADBAND TO SPONSOR “NASCAR 3D: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE”

Warner Bros. Pictures, IMAX, NASCAR and America Online todaywill announce that the upcoming “NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience” will besponsored by AOL for Broadband. Beginning today, AOL for Broadband will offer members access to thefilm’s trailer. AOL for Broadbandbranding will be included in all marketing materials, including logo exposureon screen, in the trailer and in all advertising. Kiefer Sutherland narrates the film, which is slated for aMarch 12 release (Warner Bros.).


FORMER NFLer ROY SIMMONS TO SPEAK OUT ON HIV, HOMOSEXUALITY

World AIDS Day will be observed today, and the N.Y. TIMESreported that former NFLer Roy Simmons, who is homosexual and HIVpositive, “has decided to discuss [being HIV positive] publicly for the firsttime.” Simmons “wants to reach athleteswho may still be in the closet and as tortured as he was.” Simmons is one of three former NFLers “knownto have publicly discussed being gay” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/30).

Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson appeared this morningon NBC’s “Today” to discuss World AIDS Day (“Today,” NBC, 12/1).


MORNING BRIEFS

The AP reported that Antonio Munoz, the promoter whobrought the Expos to Puerto Rico, “expects an answer [this week] from [MLB] onhis proposal to host the team” in ’04. Munoz: “We’ve had final talks and … between Monday and Tuesday, theyshould decide” (AP,11/27).

The Bergen RECORD reported that the NJSEA stakeholderscommittee will review the Xanadu project for the Meadowlands today, while theNJSEA BOD will vote Wednesday on the joint venture from Mills Corp. andMack-Cali (BergenRECORD, 11/27).

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE reported that any preseason meetingbetween the Cowboys and Texans in Mexico “likely will not happen before2005.” NFL Mexico Dir Will Wilson:“At this point in time, we don’t have another American Bowl scheduled orfinalized” (HOUSTONCHRONICLE, 11/26).

The S.F. CHRONICLE reported that Valencia, Spain, will hostthe ’07 America’s Cup, the “first time that sailing’s most prestigious regattawill be held in Europe” (S.F.CHRONICLE, 11/27).

The December 6th issue of TV GUIDE, availabletoday, will feature four collector’s covers with ’03 NASCAR drivers, includingWinston Cup Champion Matt Kenseth and Winston Cup Rookie of the Year JamieMcMurray. The issue also reportsthat ESPN’s “Playmakers” has “only a 50-50 shot at renewal” (TV Guide, 12/1issue).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

  • The FLORIDA TIMES-UNION reported that a school-record crowd of 90,407 attended Saturday’s Florida State-Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 11/30).
  • The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reported that a crowd of 15,908 attended Friday night’s Rangers-Penguins game, the second-largest crowd of the season and “1,032 below Mellon Arena’s capacity. The previous eight games drew fewer than 12,000” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/29).

WEEKEND RAP…

The following are excerpts from the panelists’ “partingshots” on Sunday’s edition of ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters”:

  • Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan: “There is no BCS to plague college basketball, a sport I have loved since … I was seven. This sport is a perfect meritocracy, which includes a proper tournament, to produce a proper champion, next April in San Antonio. Who will be this year’s Carmelo Anthony, playing his way into our hearts and his team into a championship? We don’t know. But, here is something I do know. This sport is not all about turning out lottery picks. You put these kids into the hands of great coaches, and you can get a great game.”
  • N.Y. Times columnist William Rhoden: “I was more angry than shocked last week when Alonzo Mourning announced his retirement. … He attempted a valiant comeback and came to his senses when his doctors told him that he could kill himself. … Alonzo thought he could conquer any situation by simply working harder. But, there comes a time when you need more than effort. Mourning needs a new kidney, now the real work begins.”
  • NBC Sports’ Jimmy Roberts: “Tiger Woods is getting married. Jack Nicklaus will tell Tiger, actually any of us who are married, will tell him that ‘Marriages change things.’ Tiger Woods is one of the two or three most dedicated athletes I have ever observed. But now, he’s about to start playing a whole new ballgame. By his own admission, Jack Nicklaus probably could have been better, but he put golf second to family. There will be times, not far off, that Tiger Woods wants to stay late and practice, but also might feel inexplicably pulled in another direction. Welcome to the rest of your life, Tiger.”
  • ESPN’s John Saunders, “That huge whoosh of air you hear coming out of Atlanta today is the entire city beginning to breathe again. Falcons fans haven’t drawn a breath since August 16, when Michael Vick broke his leg. But, Vick will make his first appearance today against the Houston Texans. … He hasn’t played a down, but this year we have seen more of Vick than any other NFL player. His injury not only ruined the Falcons’ season, but it even has free agents Peerless Price and Warrick Dunn questioning their singings with the Falcons” ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 11/29).

Heard elsewhere over the weekend:

  • CBS’ Deion Sanders, on the reality of bounties for hits or great plays in the NFL, as suggested by HOFer Lawerence Taylor: “Very common. Happens all the time. … Not initiated by the team or from the coaches, but it happens” (“NFL Today,” CBS, 11/30).
  • Rhoden, on the implications of a possible college football championship game: “If you do have a championship game – that I thought we needed – it will be bigger than almost the Super Bowl. And you thought the cheating and the pressure we’re bad now? It’s gonna take it completely off the charts” (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 11/30).
  • ESPN’s Chris Berman displayed what he termed, “The oddest pamphlet. We have not seen this in a decade plus.” The pamphlet was a Bengals 2003 playoff tickets application (“NFL Sunday Countdown,” ESPN, 11/30).

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
Philadelphia Daily News

TODAY’S EVENTS

Bell Canada will unveil details of their foundingsponsorship agreement with Roger’s House at an 11:45am MT news conference. Senators President & CEO Roy Mlakarand F Mike Fisher are scheduled to attend. Roger’s House is a palliative care home created in memory of lateSenators assistant coach Roger Nielson.


THIS WEEK IN SISTER PUBLICATION SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL…

This week’s cover story profiles BrianFrance in his first days as NASCAR Chair & CEO.

Also in this week’sissue:

NFL shows $19.4M loss on tax return.

Old-time hockey flourishes outdoors in Edmonton.

Foot Locker renews for NFL catalog, online business.

Taking a final look at the arenas opening this fall.

Hornets hit sophomore slump in ticket sales.

AFL banks on regional cable to increase reach.

For these stories and more, see this week’s issue of SportsBusinessJournal.


EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Below are thisweek’s confirmed earnings announcements for sports-business related companies (THEDAILY).

DATE TICKER COMPANY
QUARTER
12/2 TSA The Sports Authority
Q3 2004
12/3 BBDB.TO Bombardier
Q3 2003

IN OTHER NEWS….

This week’s cover of TIME offers “Diabetes: Are You AtRisk?” Meanwhile, NEWSWEEK examines“Women Of The Bible” (THE DAILY).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that “healthy sales onFriday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year, left retailers feelingoptimistic that they can achieve modest sales increases for the holiday seasonthis year.” ShopperTrak estimated totalretail sales for Friday were $7.2B, a 4.8% increase over the same day last year. Online sales totaled nearly $200M, a 36%jump over last year. Movies, music andvideo games “were among the strongest categories on the Web last week” (WALLSTREET JOURNAL, 12/1).

The TAMPA TRIBUNE reported that Sony today begins sellingPlayStation 2 in China, “taking the world’s most popular video game console to the mostpopulous country. Sonyplans a limited release of its PlayStation 2 in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou,Shenzhen and Chengdu” (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/29).


FINAL JEOPARDY!

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Tony-WinningMusicals.”

“2 of the 3 Tony winners for Best Musical with titles just 4letters long.”


LAUGH TRACK

THEMONOLOGUES:

CBS’ DavidLetterman: “It’s the busiest shopping day of the year, the day afterThanksgiving. And I’ll tell you, it’strue. Earlier today, I went over toMacy’s, just to see what I could do and it was crazy. I was pushed, I was shoved, I was groped. Hell, I’m going back tomorrow. … We had theannual big Letterman Thanksgiving dinner up at the house. Man, what a tough day, it was awful. I had to sit the whole family down and tellthem that I got a girl pregnant. … Is there somebody in your family that is theone most difficult to buy for? It’s myMom. She’s just crazy. I don’t know what to get her. So this year I’m not going out, and I knowexactly what I want to get her, so I did all my shopping for my momonline. There’s a Web site calledebooze. … I mean it’s crazy and I guess we should talk to Mom, becauseyesterday at the house, by four o’clock she was out cold and the flies werebuzzing around her eggnog mustache. … Everything was going well until my UncleEarl sent my housekeeper out to get prescription painkillers. … My Uncle Earl,bless his heart, I think he’s starting to lose it, I think he’s comingunscrewed a little bit. After dinner heheads for the living room screaming ‘Put on Andy Williams.’ By the way, for all you out-of-towners, allthe hookers down in Times Square are once again honoring their Thanksgivingspecial – pretty good deal, for $20 you can go back for seconds” (“LateShow,” CBS, 11/28).


SUNDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

ESPN’s 11:30pm ET, 90-minute edition of“SportsCenter” (late due to Buccaneers-Jaguars) led with Patriots-Colts,followed by Eagles-Panthers and Bengals-Steelers. The first non-NFL report, at 15:56 into thebroadcast, was the Yankees reaching a three-year deal with free agent RF GarySheffield. The first report on TheSkins Game was at 35:33.


WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that while “no major records were broken during the three-dayThanksgiving holiday weekend, it proved solid as compared with last year. The estimated total for the session’s top 12films was $151[M], an increase of nearly 12% from Thanksgiving 2002” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 12/1).

Title

Weekend

Cumulative

“Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat”

$25.6M

$77.0M

“The Haunted Mansion”

$25.3M

$35.0M

“Elf”

$22.2M

$130.1M

“Gothika”

$12.7M

$41.1M

“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”

$12.7M

$67.5M

“Bad Santa”

$12.5M

$16.8M

“The Missing”

$11.7M

$16.5M

“Timeline”

$8.5M

$12.6M

“Love Actually”

$7.9M

$43.2M

“Brother Bear”

$4.9M

$77.7M


FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“What are ‘Cats,’ ‘Rent’ and ‘Nine?’”


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

The Morning Buzz provides anearly update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday atapproximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert tothe Morning Buzz, go to MyAccount and personalize your e-mail alert options.

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2003/12/01/Morning-Buzz-December-1-2003.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2003/12/01/Morning-Buzz-December-1-2003.aspx

CLOSE