| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, Febuary 12, 2004
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | McDonald’s To Host Press Conference Today To Announce Signing Of Yao |
| • | Former SEC Chair Today To Discuss Results Of Independent NHL Finances Study |
| • | NFL Owners Today To Discuss Economic Model, Halftime Show, Draft Status |
| • | Federal Grand Jury Today To Be Presented With BALCO Probe Indictments |
| • | Sale Of Dodgers To Frank McCourt Scheduled To Formally Close Today |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
McDONALD’S TO SIGN YAO TO MULTIYEAR ENDORSEMENT DEAL TODAY
McDonald’s today will host a 10:00am PT news conference atthe company’s location in the L.A. Convention Center to announce a multiyearpartnership with an NBA player, and ESPN.com reported that the player isRockets C Yao Ming. McDonald’sVP/Corporate Communications Walt Reiker “would not confirm the deal but said there would be anannouncement” today about the company’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign. Team Yao officials declined comment. Yao will arrive in L.A. for the All-StarGame as early as today (ESPN.com,2/11).
Yao willbe a guest on ESPN Radio’s “Dan Patrick Show” today at 2:25pm ET (ESPN).
LEVITT TO RELEASE FINDINGS OF STUDY ON NHL FINANCES TODAY
Former SEC Chair Arthur Levitt today will host a1:00pm ET press conference at the Westin N.Y. to discuss the results of hisstudy into the finances of the NHL. Theleague retained Levitt last year to produce the study, and the L.A. TIMES notesthat Levitt was retained “without the knowledge of the NHLPA.” An NHLPA spokesperson said the association“would have no comment until the report was made public” (L.A.TIMES, 2/12).
The CP reports that Levitt is expected to “fully endorse the[Unified Report of Operations] for all 30 teams” (CP, 2/12).
NFL OWNERS TO MEET TODAY TO DISCUSS NFL TRUST, OTHER ISSUES
By DanielKaplan, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
NFL owners gatheringtoday to debate the future of their league’s economic model also will take timeto hear a presentation from Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on the SuperBowl halftime show fiasco. Thecommissioner also will update the owners on the league’s effort to overturn ajudge’s decision that the NFL’s age eligibility rule violated antitrustregulations. Still, NFLVP/Communications Greg Aiello said that most of the meeting would bededicated to the NFL Trust, a pressing issue given it expires in less than twomonths. Decisions or changes to thehalftime show, from who would produce it to who would be in charge, will not bemade at the meeting.
INDICTMENTS TO BE PRESENTED TODAY IN BALCO INVESTIGATION
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that MLB player reps today during aconference call with MLBPA officials “willdiscuss their concerns" about results of last year’s drug tests beingsubpoenaed in the BALCO Laboratories grand jury investigation. MLB officials yesterday said that they “had not decided whether to fightthe subpoenas, … but that they also believed the tests would be keptconfidential, as specified in baseball’s labor agreement” (N.Y.DAILY NEWS, 2/12).
The AP reports that the grand jury today willbe presented with indictments of BALCO, BALCO Founder Victor Conteand Barry Bonds’ personal trainer Greg Anderson. Law enforcement sources “would not divulgewhat charges prosecutors were seeking from the grand jury,” but did add that noindictments “were being sought now against any athletes” (AP,2/12).
VANCOUVER TO KICK OFF SIX-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO GAMES TODAY
The Toronto GLOBE& MAIL reports that a CEO reporting to the 2010 Olympics BOD “will not bein place today when the group begins a six-year countdown” to the Games inVancouver. The decision on a CEO hasbeen “delayed while a board committee sorts through an undisclosed list ofcandidates prepared” by search firm Ray & Berndtson/Tanton/Mitchell. 2010 Olympics Chair Jack Poole hopesthat the CEO is “announced before the [IOC Coordination Committee] visits forthe second time since the Games were awarded” in July ’03 (TorontoGLOBE & MAIL, 2/12).
MORNING BRIEFS
ESPN.com noted that the sale of the Dodgers to FrankMcCourt is scheduled to close today (ESPN.com, 2/11).
The AP reported that Cavaliers G LeBron Jamesyesterday “ended speculation that he might enter Saturday’s slam dunk contest,”saying, “I’m out! I’m out! I’m out! No more questions about the slam dunk.” James endorses Sprite, which is title sponsor of the slam dunk contest (AP, 2/11).
The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL reports that MarquetteUniversity “has chosen to pay $500,000 to leave Conference USA following the‘04-05 season instead of accepting a deal proposed by the league that wouldhave allowed the school to leave without penalty.” The payment “will come from NCAA tournament money already owed itby Conference USA” (MILWAUKEE JOURNALSENTINEL, 2/12).
USA TODAY reports that the NCAA football rules committeeyesterday “approved an experimental program in the Big Ten next season” thatwould “mirror the NFL’s use of television replays to review and occasionallyoverturn officials’ on-the-field calls.” The rule change still needs NCAA cabinet approval (USATODAY, 2/12).
The Buccaneers today will introduce Grambling State Univ.football coach Doug Williams as a member of the club’s front officestaff at a 1:00pm ET news conference (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/12).
The Jaguars yesterday unveiled their tenth anniversary logo,which will appear on all collateral material, at midfield of Alltel Stadium andon the team’s uniforms next season (Jaguars).
The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that IRL driver SarahFisher yesterday confirmed that she “has signed to race with KelleyRacing.” Fisher could not say “how manyraces, or even which races she will compete in this season.” Team officials “declined to comment pendinga news release expected today” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/12).
USA TODAY reports that Greek javelin thrower CostasGatsioudis will be the “first torchbearer when the Olympic flame begins itsfive-month world tour for the 2004 Athens Games. The first torch will be lit March 25, the day the modern Gamesstarted in Athens in 1896” (USA TODAY, 2/12).
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 |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The Devils will host a 3:00pm ET news conference in Newark to reveal plans for the team’sproposed arena in the city (BergenRECORD, 2/12).
Texas Christian Univ. will host a panel discussion, “EthicalIssues in College Athletics,” at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Division I-A Athletic Directors AssociationExec Dir Dutch Baughman will moderate a panel including NCAA President MylesBrand, Ohio State AD Andy Geiger, former SEC Commissioner RoyKramer and Univ. of Texas football coach Mack Brown (SPORTSBUSINESSJOURNAL, 2/9 issue).
NBA Commissioner David Stern, Community Ambassador BobLanier and Clippers VP/Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor will beamong those in attendance for the NBA Legacy Event at the L.A. Boys & GirlsClub. The Legacy Event includesrefurbishment of the recreation facility, donation of books, furniture,computers and additional educational materials.
NBA TV will premiere feature segments airing every 15minutes called, “Access at the Quarter,” which includes backstage tours,interviews and personal video footage from NBA All-Stars, celebrities and staffduring the league’s week-long stay in L.A. The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL noted that Bucks G Michael Redd isamong the All-Stars “outfitted with personal digital video cameras” (MILWAUKEEJOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/9).
The Maryland Stadium Authority and the Babe RuthBirthplace & Museum will host a 10:30am ET groundbreaking ceremony atCamden Station for the museum’s expansion project.
IN OTHER NEWS….
DAILY VARIETY reports that ABC yesterday “released a slateof advertisers who are paying a record $1.5[M] for a 30-second ad” on theFebruary 29 Oscar broadcast, including AllState, AOL, Cadillac, HP, The HomeDepot, JC Penney, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Charles Schwab andWashington Mutual (DAILYVARIETY, 2/12).
The SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER reports that RealNetworksfiled court papers opposing Microsoft’s effort to “move the streaming-mediacompany’s antitrust suit against the Redmond company from San Jose toSeattle. RealNetworks disputedMicrosoft’s allegations that it chose San Jose as the venue to tap a morefavorable jury pool. … Microsoft had said that both companies are based inSeattle, making it a more logical and convenient venue” (SEATTLEPOST-INTELLIGENCER, 2/12).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER noted that House Telecommunications& the Internet Subcommittee Chair Fred Upton (R-MI) “hopes to vote[today] on legislation that seeks to exponentially increase the finesbroadcasters pay” for indecent broadcast airings on TV and radio. Under the proposal, fines would increasefrom $27,500 to $275,000 (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 2/10).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Art Books.”
“The 2003 book ‘Disarmed’ tells the story of this sculpturalmasterpiece.”
LAUGH TRACK
THEMONOLOGUES:
CBS’ DavidLetterman: “The life expectancy of the average New Yorker isincreasing. Isn’t that amazing? That’s great news. That means most of you will make it back to your hotels. ...Here’s the reason that New Yorkers are living longer: they have learned to keeptheir mouths shut. ... The overall grand champion at the Westminster Dog Showwas a 155-pound Newfoundland and now the real questions is can he win in theSouth? ... I think everybody’s favorite part of the dog show is when the winnergets to drink champagne out of a toilet. ... You can tell that the campaign hasnow shifted into high gear because President Bush, whenever he refers toJohn Kerry, he calls him the Senator from the gay wedding state” ("LateShow," CBS, 2/11).
NBC’sJay Leno: “Today, General Wesley Clark pulled out of theDemocratic Presidential race. He saidhe’s going to go back to his old job, being a Republican. He did win the Oklahoma primary, so he endedup finishing one for fourteen, or as we call that in L.A., Shaq’s freethrow shooting record. ... Not looking good for Howard Dean. In fact, the only way things could get worsefor Howard Dean was if Diana Ross were driving the campaign bus. ... TheBoston Globe is reporting that Bush got credit for attending National Guarddrills in the fall of ‘72 and the spring of ’73, even though his commanders sayhe never reported for duty. He gotcredit even though he never showed up. It’s just like he’s an Ohio State football player. ... Because ofValentine’s Day, Victoria’s Secret announced today they’re having somethingcalled the Janet Jackson lingerie sale. All bras half-off” ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 2/11).
LATENIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Perks Of Winning TheWestminster Kennel Club Dog Show.” Thelist was read on-stage by the handler of Best In Show winner Josh, MichelleOstermiller ("Late Show," CBS, 2/11).
| 10) “Winning makes you forget how much you smell like a dog.” |
| 9) “He’s been invited to the White House to drink out of the toilet.” |
| 8) “The past 24 hours I’ve eaten so much free dog food it’s silly.” |
| 7) “Mayor Bloomberg has given him special permission to smoke indoors.” |
| 6) “That old slipper Josh chewed on? I just sold it on eBay for $500.” |
| 5) “It’s down to us and that Taco Bell dog for the next ‘Beethoven’ movie.” |
| 4) “We both get $2 off our next flea bath.” |
| 3) “Fun to call the Red Sox and ask, ‘So have you ever won anything?’” |
| 2) “If we’re lucky, a chance to appear on ‘The Tonight Show.’” |
| 1) “A whole lot of tail.” |
Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Veronica Varekovaappeared on last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” Varekova, on her topless cover photo, inwhich she is holding her bikini top: “Justin Timberlake wasn’t presenton the set” ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 2/11).
CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “Ladies and gentlemen, I amstruggling with what to give my ‘lady friend’ for Valentine’s Day. You know how diamonds say forever? What says this is for the next month-and-a-half?… Critics say military records indicate Bush was paid, but didn’t show up. I’m sorry, that’s the Lakers” (“The LateLate Show,” CBS, 2/11).
Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart: “We’re honoredtonight. We’ve got a group from WestPoint. … Does this count, by the way, as service? Cause I know that there’s a whole disruption now in whether youserved or not. Bush was possiblyAWOL. Do you get points for this? Any of you, this does count? For those of you thinking about joining themilitary, you can either join the military or come here and see a show. It’s all the same thing” (“The DailyShow,” Comedy Central, 2/11).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | 76ers G Allen Iverson’s input in Randy Ayers’ firing | Free agent QB Mark Brunell; WR Keyshawn Johnson |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Judge rejects NFL request to stay draft ruling | Keyshawn Johnson; Mark Brunell |
| ESPN | 11:30pm ET “SportsCenter” | Kings-Pistons | Nets-Cavaliers; Dayton-St. Joseph’s |
| FSN | “BDSSP” | NBA Commissioner David Stern | Actor Omar Epps; Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander |
| FSN | “Pittsburgh Sports Tonight” | Univ. of Pittsburgh G Carl Krauser | UConn-Pittsburgh; St. John’s-West Virginia |
| FSN | “Midwest Sports Report” | Blues-Flyers trade | Avalanche-Blues; Blues C Pavel Demitra |
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is the Venus de Milo?”
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.
