| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, Febuary 25, 2004
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Jerry Jones Celebrates 15th Anniversary Of Cowboys Ownership Today |
| • | Twins Today To Launch Ad Campaign Focusing On Victory Sports One TV Net |
| • | Cubs Today To Announce ’04 In-Stadium Promotion Featuring Authentic Jerseys |
| • | Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt Addresses Team Before First Full-Squad Workout |
| • | Bank Of America Colonial Has No Plans For Sorenstam To Return This Year |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
TODAY MARKS 15th ANNIVERSARY OF JERRY JONES’ COWBOYS PURCHASE
The DALLAS MORNING NEWS notes that it has “been 15 years today since Jerry Jones leveraged hisholdings” to buy the Cowboys for $140M. According to Forbes, the team’s value “has increased to $851[M], morethan six times what Jones … paid for it. Even the estimated annual revenue of $198[M] is an increase of more than40[%] over the team’s original cost” (DALLASMORNING NEWS, 2/25).
TWINS TODAY TO LAUNCH AD CAMPAIGN FOR TEAM-OWNED TV NET
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that the Twins todaywill launch an “advertising campaign that will focus on the franchise-ownedVictory Sports One television network.” Victory President Kevin Cattoor said that Twins manager RonGardenhire “will be at the center of a blitz that will begin with radio andprint ads and be followed by television spots. A mail campaign will target season-ticket holders.” Victory also launched a Web site today (Minneapolis STARTRIBUNE, 2/25).
Meanwhile, the PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL reports that theMariners today will begin filming seven TV spots in Arizona. The ads will be unveiled March 18 (PUGETSOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/20 issue).
CUBS TODAY TO ANNOUNCE IN-STADIUM AUTHENTIC JERSEY PROMO
The Cubs today will announce an in-stadium promotion for the‘04 season in which fans will have the chance on 12 separate dates to win theauthentic jersey of a current player or the vintage jersey of a formerplayer. The first 20,000 fans enteringWrigley Field for each designated game will receive a collectible scratch-offcard, 100 of which will be winners. Additionally, an authentic card autographed by the respective playerwill accompany each jersey (Cubs).
MORNING BRIEFS
The L.A. TIMES reports that Dodgers Owner Frank McCourtaddressed the team “before the first full-squad workout at Dodgertown.” McCourt “reaffirmed their commitment towinning in a 45-minute meeting,” during which Senior VP Derrick Hall, GMPaul DePodesta and manager Jim Tracy “also spoke to players andsupport staff.” The players “applaudedthe new owner’s enthusiasm” (L.A. TIMES,2/25).
The official announcement of The Hartford signing amultiyear deal with the NCAA, which was firstreported yesterday in The Daily, is expected today. The Hartford CMO Ann Glover: “Whenyou are an outfit like The Hartford, you are looking to make the most of thefew dollars that you do spend in advertising” (WALLSTREET JOURNAL, 2/25).
The FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reports that the PGA Tour’s Bankof America Colonial has no plans for Annika Sorenstam to return to thisyear’s event. Nor is there a “move afoot to extend one of Colonial’ssponsor’s exemptions to Michelle Wie” (FT. WORTHSTAR-TELEGRAM, 2/25).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that there is an idea for NBC’s“The Contender” about “getting such boxing greats as Muhammad Ali and JoeFrazier to appear” on the show, and they “may even spar” with SylvesterStallone. Stallone: “I’m going tobe Donald Thump” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER, 2/25).
Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban appeared on WFNZ-AM inCharlotte yesterday and discussed his role in the upcoming ABC reality show“The Benefactor.” Cuban, on if he askedNBA Commissioner David Stern for permission to participate: “Hell no, Idon’t care. … This has nothing to do with the Mavs, nothing to do withbasketball. This is all about havingfun. … If David wants to try to win the million dollars, he’s more thanwelcome” (WFNZ-AM, 2/24).
Cuban, on whether NBA referees can participate: “It doesn’tviolate the [CBA]. Since I make therules, as of now, all refs from all levels are invited” (USATODAY, 2/25).
The N.Y. POST reports that NHL Rangers coach Glen Satherhas decided to step down after a meeting yesterday with James Dolan. Satherwill maintain his roles as President & GM of the club. An announcement is expected today (N.Y. POST, 2/25).
Stars Owner Tom Hicks, on the NHL trade market: “We’re going to be buyers. [Stars GM] Doug Armstrong was workingon several things. He wants to do itsooner than later” (FT. WORTHSTAR-TELEGRAM, 2/25).
Cubs RF Sammy Sosa, when questioned about steroids inMLB: “I really don’t want to make a comment about that because we’ve got abeautiful team here. We’ve gotsomething else in mind, to come here and play baseball. I don’t want to make a comment because Idon’t have anything to talk about” (AP, 2/25).
Cubs manager Dusty Baker, on the media’s questioningof MLB players about steroids: “It’s like McCarthyism or something. They’re looking to see who looks like acommunist. … That’s how I equate it; ‘Oh, he lost weight. He gained weight’” (USATODAY, 2/25).
USA TODAY reports that a two-year-old colt sired by ’00Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus “sold for a record $4.5[M] Tuesday atthe Fasig-Tipton auction at Calder Race Course in Miami” (USA TODAY, 2/25).
The INDIANAPOLIS STAR notes that the IRL will use aChevrolet SSR pace care at all series races this season except for the Indy500. The Indy 500 pace car “will be adifferent Chevrolet model expected to be announced next month” (INDIANAPOLISSTAR, 2/25).
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
NBC Sports will host a 2:00pm ET conference call to discussthe Visa American Cup gymnastics event, which will take place Saturday at4:00pm ET at MSG. NBC gymnasticsanalysts Tim Daggett and Elfi Schlegel are expected toparticipate.
Approximately 200city, county, state and federal officials will meet at the Allegheny CountyEmergency Operations Center in Pittsburgh for a “table-top” meeting in whichthey will discuss “how to respond to a terrorist attack” at PNC Park. The Department of Homeland Security inconjunction with MLB suggested the exercise (PITTSBURGHPOST-GAZETTE, 2/25).
The EDMONTON SUN reports that CFL coaches and GMs atmeetings today will discuss instituting instant replay (EDMONTONSUN, 2/25).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The L.A. TIMES reports that L.A. officials are “consideringwhether to sell the naming rights for Los Angeles, following the lead of NewYork (official beverage: Snapple) and other municipalities.” L.A. City Council member Eric Garcettihas “enlisted a graduate class at USC to help explore opportunities and examinewhat other cities are doing with corporate tie-ins” (L.A.TIMES, 2/25).
REUTERS reports that former Walt Disney BOD members RoyDisney and Stanley Gold yesterday said that the company “has ignoredtheir requests for details on compensation decisions that awarded CEO MichaelEisner millions of dollars over the last few years.” The pair said that their requests forinformation “on Eisner attorney Irwin Russell’s involvement in thecompensation and bonus discussions were only partially met after they sued thecompany” on February 10 (REUTERS,2/25).
The Baltimore SUNreports that a $41.5M contract for work at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre was“awarded without following normal bidding procedures by the Maryland StadiumAuthority to Whiting Turner/Doracon, a company that formerly employed theauthority’s head.” Stadium Authorityofficials today “will be questioned on issues raised in the audit by alegislative committee” (BaltimoreSUN, 2/25).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Famous Names.”
“A grandson of Man O’ War, he defeated his uncle in a famousmatchup November 1, 1938.”
LAUGH TRACK
THEMONOLOGUES:
CBS’ DavidLetterman: “According to a new study, two-thirds of Americans support theidea of televised executions, and most of those who responded to that pollwould like Regis to host. ... Martha got some good news. The judge said he may throw out one of thecharges and Martha said, ‘Wait a minute. Don’t throw anything out. It canbe used the next day in a salad.’ ... I think you can see a little bit that thepressure is starting to get to Martha. Earlier in court today, she borrowed the judge’s gavel to pound someveal cutlets. ... It really looks like John Kerry is on the way to thepresidential nomination. The only thingthat can sink John Kerry now is an Al Gore endorsement” ("LateShow," CBS, 2/24).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “In Iraq, a man believed to be alieutenant of Osama bin Laden has released an audio cassette in which hereportedly mocks President Bush. So apparently, he’s running for President too. ... They say we might notbe seeing Cheney in the second term. We didn’t see Cheney in the first term. Where was he? ... One of President Bush’s dogs, Spot, was put to sleepover the weekend. Well, he was15-years-old and had a series of strokes. Actually, they told President Bush he’s now living on a farm. Actually, he was the second-most famous spotin the White House that wasn’t considered evidence. ... The University ofColorado football team signed a big TV deal today. All their games will be broadcast on Court TV next year. ... Oneof these women that was attacked was an exotic dancer at a local strip club andtoday coach Barnett said, ‘Yeah, but she was a terrible dancer!’ ...Because of his insensitive remarks, he has been put on paid leave and they toldhim today, ‘One more allegation, he could be transferred to another parish’” ("TheTonight Show," NBC, 2/24).
LATENIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten New York Knicks CityDancers Pet Peeves,” read on stage by the Knicks City Dancers ("LateShow," CBS, 2/24).
| 10) “Even during blowouts, they never let me play more than one quarter.” |
| 9) “Going home every night with that damn ‘Charge’ song stuck in my head.” |
| 8) “Inflated player salaries are turning all professional sports into something only the wealthy can attend...and telemarketers calling during dinner.” |
| 7) “If the ball pops, guess who has to run to the store to get another one?” |
| 6) “After the circus, it takes two weeks to air out Madison Square Garden.” |
| 5) “Sequin burn.” |
| 4) “Last week Isiah Thomas tried to trade us for Shaquille O’Neal.” |
| 3) “When one of us pulls a hamstring, suddenly every guy in the house is a doctor.” |
| 2) “My holiday bonus last year, a Dikembe Mutumbo bobblehead doll.” |
| 1) “We keep getting fined by Mayor Bloomberg because we’re smoking.’” |
CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “I think you’ve heard about MelGibson’s new controversial movie. It’s out. And I think successgoes to everyone’s head here in Hollywood. I’m driving today on the 101 and I see Jesus in a convertiblewith Tara Reid. … Did you hear the scandal involving Ralph Nader? They’re saying that when he was younger, heonce may have sped through a yellow light. … And apparently, Ralph Nader has anew slogan. ‘You won’t ever have toworry about me getting laid in the oval office’” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS,2/24).
Comedy Central sent correspondent Rob Corddry toIdaho to cover the race for Democratic Presidential nomination. Corddry, on what he found during his exitpolling: “Amongst Idahoans for whom the purity of the white race was a keyissue, John Kerry the big winner. But thisis interesting. Those in Idaho who livein some type of subterranean dwelling out of the fear of the invisible blackhelicopters that the CIA is monitoring them with – Edwards’ people. Al Sharpton, kind of a non-factor” (“TheDaily Show,” Comedy Central, 2/24).
TUESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | Steroids in MLB | Possible Redskins-Broncos trade; Cavaliers G LeBron James as MVP? |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Steroids in MLB | Derek Jeter & Alex Rodriguez; Red Sox SS Nomar Garciaparra |
| ESPN | 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” | Raptors-Nets | Oklahoma St.-Missouri; UNC-Virginia |
| FSN | “BDSSP” | Reality TV | Nike’s “What if?” campaign; Dennis Rodman |
| FSN | “New England Sports Tonight” | Red Sox spring training | Celtics G Chucky Atkins; former Celtics F Vin Baker |
| FSN | “Midwest Sports Report” | Blues fire coach Joel Quennville | Oklahoma St.-Missouri; Creighton-Southern Illinois |
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“Who was Seabiscuit?”
If you haveany questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
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