Morning Buzz, March 19, 2004

FEHR TO MEET WITH JAYS TODAY AS MLB RESPONDS TO SCHILLING

The TORONTO STAR reports that MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehrwill meet this morning with the Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL.  The most “important discussions of theannual meeting surround the union’s escalating feud with Commissioner BudSelig regarding more stringent testing for steroids.”  Blue Jays player rep Vernon Wellssaid that he did not “know the consensus of his teammates’ attitudes toward increasedtesting and harsher penalties as proposed by Selig because they hadn’t talkedabout it” (TORONTOSTAR, 3/19).

Meanwhile, MLB VP/Labor Relations Rob Manfredyesterday said that MLB “wouldbe willing to turn its drug testing for steroids over to the U.S. Anti-DopingAgency if that’s what the players association wants.”  Manfred held a conference call “in direct response to remarksmade on Wednesday” by Red Sox P Curt Schilling(MLB.com,3/18).

RED SOX OPEN MONSTER REGISTRATION TODAY WITH HIGHER PRICES

The BOSTON GLOBE notes that the Red Sox today at 9:00am ETopen the registration process for a “chance to buy seats atop the GreenMonster.  The tickets, which cost $50last year when the seats were installed, will go for as much as $110 under anew variable pricing plan.”  Tickets for17 premium games will cost $110, $90 and $30, while tickets for the other 64games will cost $90, $70 and $25.  About80% of the available tickets for the 270 Monster seats will be sold through theonline process (BOSTONGLOBE, 3/19).

RAHAL TO CEASE CHAMP CAR PROGRAM; INCREASE IRL INVOLVEMENT

Team Rahal co-Owners Bobby Rahal and DavidLetterman late yesterday announced that their open-wheel racing operationwill expand its involvement in the ’04 IRL IndyCar Series beginning with theJapan Indy 300 on April 15-17. Subsequently, Team Rahal is ceasing operations of its Champ Carprogram.  Team Rahal and primary sponsorGigante have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership (Team Rahal).

GAZETTE PUBLISHER TO BE NAMED ALOUETTES PRESIDENT TODAY

The MONTREAL GAZETTE reports that the CFL Montreal Alouetteshave scheduled an afternoon news conference today, at which time they willintroduce Larry Smith as the team’s new President.  Smithhas been President & Publisher of The Gazette for slightly more than twoyears.  Smith will resign from thenewspaper April 15 (MONTREALGAZETTE, 3/19).

ESPN BEGINS LPGA SEASON COVERAGE TODAY WITH SAFEWAY INT’L

ESPN and ESPN2’s 11-event LPGA State Farm Series tees offtoday with live second-round coverage of the Safeway Int’l from SuperstitionMountain, AZ, at 1:00pm ET.  Coveragecontinues Saturday on ESPN2 from 4:30-6:30pm and Sunday on ESPN from5:00-7:00pm (ESPN).

GOLFWEEK reports that the LPGA is “escalating its mostintensive marketing campaign to date. Among the mix of recent or soon-to-be launched initiatives: sponsorshipof a NASCAR vehicle during the Daytona 500; creation of an LPGA-branded apparelline; a makeover of its Web site; recruitment of a Hollywood public relationsfirm; rollout of its LPGA Fan Van; and an LPGA poster, including an eventschedule and glamour shots of some of its players” (GOLFWEEK, 3/20 issue).

MORNING BRIEFS

MLB Exec VP/Administration & Relocation Committee memberJohn McHale, on MLB announcing a new home for Expos prior to theAll-Star Game: “I don’t know anything right now that would lead me to suggestto you that you should look for an announcement at the All-Star Game” (WASHINGTONPOST, 3/19).

The LONDON TIMESreports that British Olympic Association CEO Simon Clegg said that GreatBritain “would consider pulling out of the Olympic Games in Athens in August ifthe security of their team cannot be guaranteed.”  However, Clegg said, “I don’t envision that situation occurring”(LONDON TIMES, 3/19).

USA TODAY reports that the NFL has “suggested networksconsider televising an equal number of games” at 1:00pm and 4:00pm ET Sundaysrather than broadcasting more early games. Also, the league is “mulling an off week between the preseason andregular season to allow more times for injuries to heal.”  These are among the “three dozen changes theNFL and networks are considering” (USATODAY, 3/19).

ESPN.com reported that the NFL and NFLPA “have been involved in discussionsto insert language into the current [CBA] that would require all draft-eligibleplayers to be three years removed from their high school graduation” (ESPN.com, 3/18).

The WASHINGTON POST reports that NHL Commissioner GaryBettman has “expressed optimism that meetings with the [NHLPA] next monthcould help eliminate the need for a lockout” when the CBA expires in September(WASHINGTONPOST, 3/19).

USA TODAY reports that St. Joseph’s men’s basketball coach PhilMartelli “turned down a request by CBS to be interviewed this weekend withanalyst Billy Packer,” who said the Hawks were “not worthy of a No. 1seed” in the NCAA Tournament.  Martellilater called Packer a “jackass” at a school pep rally (USATODAY, 3/19).

The Bergen RECORD reports that Yankees manager Joe Torre“will remain the highest-paid manger in baseball, with a two-year deal expectedto be in the range of [$13-15M].” Yankees General Partner Steve Swindal: “I’m sure we’ll gettogether again before we leave for Tokyo [next Thursday].  We’re making progress” (BergenRECORD, 3/19).

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR reports that Rose-Hulman Institute ofTechnology President Sam Hulbert expects the Colts training camp to“return to Terre Haute, IN, for a sixth consecutive summer.”  An agreement with Rose-Hulman “would be forone year.  Then, there’s a strongpossibility the Colts will move to Saint Joseph’s College” in Rensselaer, IN,in ’05 (INDIANAPOLISSTAR, 3/19).

The AP reports that attorney Eric Stephenson hasfiled a small-claims court lawsuit against Viacom and MTV in Davis County, UT,alleging that Viacom “is guilty of false advertising for not making clearexactly what would be the nature of the Super Bowl [halftime] entertainment.  He is seeking $5,000” (AP, 3/19).

The TORONTO STAR reports that former Raptors Dance Pakmember Nicole Arbour “was let go in February,” and she said that she was“never given a reason, but was later told by a friend who also works for theteam that it was because she is pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian.”  Yesterday, the Raptors called Arbour “adisgruntled former employee.”  Earlierthis week the club fired another Dance Pak member because of her appearance onan adults-only Web site (TORONTOSTAR, 3/19).

The Grizzlies today will announce a $1M donation to theMemphis Arts Council’s “Memphis for the Arts” campaign (Memphis COMMERCIALAPPEAL, 3/19).

THE BACK PAGES

The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sportscovers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:

Philadelphia Daily News	Philadelphia Daily News
N.Y. Post	N.Y. Daily News

Newsday

TODAY’S EVENTS

The California Assembly Select Committee on ProfessionalSports, which provides state and local elected officials with an assessment ofprofessional sports franchises in California, as well as the economic impactthey have on the communities in which they are located, will host a 10:00am PTpanel discussion at Staples Center. Panelists will include Assembly Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas, NFLstadium consultant Rick Horrow, AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke,L.A. Memorial Coliseum GM Patrick Lynch, L.A. Sports & EntertainmentCommission President Kathy Schloessman and L.A. Sports Council PresidentDavid Simon.

CSTV will host an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament viewingparty at its Chelsea Piers studio from noon-6:00pm ET.

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, JimCarrey offers an impromptu Lance Armstrong impersonation on CBS’“Late Show” after noting that his freshly shaved dome has caused many people tocompare him to the five-time Tour de France winner (THE DAILY).

Click Here To View Clip

IN OTHER NEWS….

The L.A. TIMES reports that the FCC yesterday ruled that Bono’suse of a “sexual expletive during the 2003 Golden Globe Awards was ‘indecentand profane.’  The decision reversed adetermination by the FCC’s staff and marked a significant shift in thecommission’s attitude toward even fleeting instances of on-air obscenity. … NeitherBono nor any of the NBC stations and affiliates that aired the program willface fines” (L.A.TIMES, 3/19).

USA TODAY notes that seven weeks into the investigation offormer USA Today reporter Jack Kelley’s work, a team of journalists hasfound “strong evidence that Kelley fabricated substantial portions of at leasteight major stories, lifted nearly two dozen quotes or other material fromcompeting publications, lied in speeches he gave for the newspaper andconspired to mislead those investigating his work.”  Kelley resigned from the paper in January (USATODAY, 3/19).

FINAL JEOPARDY!

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The 12^thCentury.”

“This king covered his eyes with his shield so that he wouldnot see the holy city he could not conquer.”

LAUGH TRACK

THEMONOLOGUES:

NBC’s Jay Leno: “Any spring breakers here?  Remember here in California, the drinkingage is 21 unless accompanied by a fake ID. Just remember that’s the law. That’s a weird term: spring breaker. It sounds like something a Clinton girlfriend does to amattress.  ‘She’s a spring breaker, thatgirl!’ … I tell you, you might have seen this. I just saw this on CNN a few moments ago.  Several huge explosions went off today near the BaghdadConvention Center.  Isn’t that placepretty much empty? … President Bush is so upset at Spain, he’sthreatened to close down the boarders between Spain and the U.S.  I don’t know if you’ve seen any of PresidentBush’s campaign ads.  They’re startingto get a little nasty now.  You know, Ithink we’ve finally found an American job Bush is willing to fight for.  His own!  The secret service announced today they’re doubling its protectionfor John Kerry.  Well you canunderstand why.  With two positions onevery issue, he’s got twice as many people mad at him. … According to a newstudy, gay couples are less hostile to each other than straight couples.  Well that makes sense.  I mean gay couples have less to argueabout.  No fighting about leaving thetoilet seat up, right?  ‘You wanna go toa musical?’  ‘Sure!’  ‘Wanna watch Will & Grace?’  ‘Why not!’ ‘How about Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?’  ‘Terrific.  Let’s doit!’  You see.  There’s nothing to argue about. … Last night, for the first timeon our show, we had a five-second delay and not because of the FCC.  I just asked Jessica Simpson aquestion” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/18).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

NBC’s Conan O’Brien: “It was reported, true story,that in order to get her sentence reduced, Martha Stewart has asked allher friends to write her judge and tell him good things about her.  As a result, Martha is expected to get lifein prison.  In Arkansas, a house thatformer president Clinton lived in for about three years in up for sale.  Not surprisingly, it is a women’s sorority.  He was in the closet the whole time. …Yesterday in Florida, true story, a man went and confessed a crime after seeingthe movie ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Meanwhile, the guy who directed ‘Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights’ stillhasn’t turned himself in. … According to the U.S. Patent Office, DonaldTrump is trying to trademark the phrase, ‘You’re fired.’  Trump is also trying to trademark his otherphrase, ‘No, it’s not a toupee’” (“Late Night,” NBC, 3/18).

Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart: “Yesterday I’m watchingFox News, which is my favorite new channel because a) Hannitized for myprotection, and b) the other 24-hour news networks hate freedom.”  Stewart, on a new study indicating thateating too much food will soon overtake smoking as the No. 1 preventable causeof death in the U.S.: “Ironically, number three preventable cause of death:smoked foods.  Damn you CanadianBacon!!” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 3/18).

Meanwhile, the N.Y. TIMES reports that Comedy Centralyesterday inked Stewart to a four-year extension through ’08 (N.Y.TIMES, 3/19).

THURSDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

ESPN’s “Around The Horn” was pre-empted by an afternoonedition of “College GameNight.”

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“Who was King Richard I?”

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

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