| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Gymnastics Judges Roundly Criticized For Low Scores And Paul Hamm Mistake |
| • | Brooklyn Group Opposing Downtown Arena Taking Their Fight To The IOC |
| • | MLB Relocation Committee Today And Tomorrow Visiting DC, Northern Virginia |
| • | NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee Today To Hear Jeremy Bloom |
| • | Cowboys Nearing Deal With Comcast To Create TV Channel Devoted To Team |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
THE ATHENS SUMMER GAMES, DAY 12: TODAY’S HEADLINES
The Kathimerini (Greek English-language newspaper):
More Headlines:
- Gymnastics Fans Sound Their Fury In Athens (L.A. TIMES, 8/24).
- Judges, U.S. Gymnasts Draw Jeers (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/24).
- Gymnastics Closes With A Chorus Of Jeers (WASHINGTON POST, 8/24).
- Doubts Continue Over Gymnastics Scoring (LONDON TIMES, 8/24).
- Hamm’s Ruling Stands, But Ire At Judges Rises (N.Y. TIMES, 8/24).
- For Brokers, Athens Is A Tough Ticket (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/24).
- U.S. Sweeps Medal Stand In Men’s 400m (USA TODAY, 8/24).
Quotes From Athens:
“(If) after these Olympic Games, the Romanian gymnastics
had an IPO sort of like Google, (it would be) through the roof.”
-- NBC’s Al Trautwig (NBC, 8/23).
“They just can’t do it. That’s the first 9.9 we have seen at these
Olympic Games. It’s like they just don’t want to ever post a ten again.”
-- Trautwig, on Romanian gymnast Marian Dragulescu
earning a 9.9 in the vault and not a ten (NBC, 8/23).
“I’m speechless over the judging and hopefully some changes can be made.”
-- NBC’s Tim Daggett, on gymnastics officials (NBC, 8/23).
“I’d rather dig ditches than be a volleyball official.”
-- MSNBC volleyball commentator Mike Dodd (MSNBC, 8/23).
“Just seeing how full it is today just gets me really excited for the rounds to come.”
-- U.S. sprinter Allyson Felix, on attendance at
Olympic Stadium during her 200m heat (NBC, 8/23).
Athens Blog Highlight Of The Day:
Several athletes, media outlets and other people are filing blogs in Athens. The following is an excerpt from today’s featured blog:
U.S. race walker Philip Dunn: “In their infinite wisdom, the IOC has publicly denounced the practice of keeping Olympic Journals. I say, poo-poo on you, IOC, but thanks for throwing us this big party every four years. The IOC's argument has something to do with controlling broadcast rights that sponsors have paid millions to attain. … I say, pass this link on to as many people as you can so they call all share in the 'illegal' American practice of free press and democracy. I shall not be silenced!”
View Other Athens Blogs (May require registration).
NEWS FROM THE ATHENS SUMMER GAMES: RATINGS, GYMNASTICS
Through Sunday, Day 10 of the Athens Games, NBC’s primetime broadcast average rating stands at 15.8/28, up 7% from the 14.7/26 earned in ’00. The following presents a day-by-day Nielsen ratings trend for the Athens Games:
| | ‘04 | ‘00 | +/- % |
| Opening Ceremony | 14.4/26 | 16.2/29 | -11.1% |
| 2nd Day | 11.7/23 | 13.1/25 | -10.7% |
| 3rd Day | 15.4/26 | 14.4/26 | 5% |
| 4th Day | 16.6/27 | 13.8/23 | 20% |
| 5th Day | 18.3/30 | 15.5/26 | 18% |
| 6th Day | 17.3/29 | 14.6/25 | 18% |
| 7th Day | 19.3/32 | 14.9/26 | 30% |
| 8th Day | 14.4/26 | 14.9/27 | -3% |
| 9th Day | 13.6/26 | 13.3/25 | 2% |
| 10th Day | 15.8/28 | 16.0/26 | -1% |
|
| Cumulative | 15.8/28 | 14.7/26 | 7% |
USA TODAY reports that Int’l Gymnastics Federation (IGF) President Bruno Grandi yesterday “reiterated his position that the results of Wednesday’s all-around will not be changed to elevate South Korea’s Yang Tae Young from bronze to a tie with U.S. Gold Medalist Paul Hamm” (USA TODAY, 8/24).
USA Gymnastics President Bob Colarossi, on possible changes in gymnastics judging: “I think what you might see is the [IGF] review some of the rules for how you file for on-the-field review and tighten it up a little bit” (Baltimore SUN, 8/24).
USOC CEO Jim Scherr, when asked if the USOC and South Korean Olympic Committee would agree to having two all-around Gold Medals, said, “That’s the possibility that we would both consider. And that is in the spirit of friendship and fair play and doing what we believe would be fair to both athletes” (“Today,” NBC, 8/24).
The L.A. TIMES reports that U.S. swimming Gold Medalist Gary Hall said that he “felt that Speedo had some influence” on his being fined $5,000 for wearing an Everlast-branded robe and trunks last week. But Speedo Senior VP/Marketing & Sales Stu Isaac said, “To be honest, I didn't even know about the fine” (L.A. TIMES, 8/24).
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig yesterday “declared dead any movement that would allow [MLB] players to take part in the Summer Olympics.” Selig: “I don’t really see it, because you can’t stop a pennant race. Imagine now if I said, ‘We’re not gonna play today for 10 days.’ It’s not pragmatic” (MLB.com, 8/24).
Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Johnson yesterday said of U.S. women’s track and field coach Sue Humphrey’s decision to include Marion Jones in the 4x400m relay, “I don’t know why they would do that. Yeah, they should be very, very careful. They already have … relay medals in jeopardy” (AP, 8/24).
BROOKLYN GROUP LOOKING TO ROGGE FOR HELP IN FACILITY FIGHT
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), a group opposing Bruce Ratner’s proposed basketball arena, today will “press their case at a City Hall press conference. Joining them will be several opponents” of the proposed Jets stadium. As both facilities are in the city’s plans for the 2012 Olympics, DDDB is “trying to embroil the [IOC] in their fight.” The group has placed a 100-square-foot banner on an apartment building in Brooklyn reading, “Dr. Rogge and the International Olympic Committee, Please Don’t Destroy Our Homes” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/24).
MLB RELOCATION COMMITTEE HEADS TO DC FOR MORE ANSWERS
The WASHINGTON POST reports that the MLB relocation committee will be in DC today and tomorrow for “further negotiations with groups trying to bring the” Expos to the District or Northern Virginia. The committee will “meet with members of the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission for several hours today and with members of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority at length tomorrow” (WASHINGTON POST, 8/24).
NCAA REINSTATEMENT COMMITTEE TO HEAR BLOOM’S APPEAL
The Boulder DAILY CAMERA reported that the five-member NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee today will hold a conference call to hear Jeremy Bloom’s appeal for eligibility while accepting endorsements to help fund his skiing career. The committee’s decision is final “unless critical new information is found at a later date, at which time a new appeal could be heard” (Boulder DAILY CAMERA, 8/23).
MORNING BRIEFS
The Cowboys are “close to an agreement with Comcast Corp. to create a cable TV channel that would air around-the-clock Cowboys programming” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/24).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that Serena Williams’ Nike apparel at the U.S. Open will include, “among other looks, a pleated skirt of denim with ‘moisture management properties.’” The outfit will include “a black double-layer mesh dress; and a bra in a color to match her skin tone. More remarkably, Ms. Williams, during practice at least, will be taking to the courts in boots” (N.Y. TIMES, 8/24).
A lawsuit filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Chicago claims that the Niketown store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago “discriminated against African-American employees by segregating them into stockroom jobs and denying them promotions to higher-paying sales positions.” Nike did not comment on the suit (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/24).
The Chargers yesterday inked first-round draft pick Philip Rivers to a six-year deal worth $40.5M, including a $14.25M signing bonus. Rivers can earn an additional $10M through incentives (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/24).
Egyptian authorities “ordered prosecutors Sunday to investigate the alleged mishandling of about [$7M] used to promote Egypt’s failed bid to host” the 2010 World Cup (AP, 8/24).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The AP reports that the Stanley Cup “disappeared during an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Fort St. John, British Columbia, during the weekend when Vancouver airline officials removed it from the plane because of weight restrictions. Walter Neubrand, keeper of the Cup, was delivering the trophy” to Lightning scout Jake Goertzen (USA TODAY, 8/24).
Old Spice today unveiled its ranking of the Sweatiest Olympic Summer Sports after analyzing men’s competitions in 22 sports (Old Spice):
| RK | SPORT | RK | SPORT |
| 1) | Tennis | 6) | Cycling |
| 2) | Triathlon | 7) | Baseball |
| 3) | Soccer | 8) | Badminton |
| 4) | Beach Volleyball | 9) | Basketball |
| 5) | Handball | 10) | Water Polo |
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
| | |
| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
| | |
| Philadelphia Daily News | Newsday |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The NHL and NHLPA will gather today and tomorrow in Ottawa for another round of CBA negotiations. The groups will meet for two days next week in Montreal (PALM BEACH POST, 8/24).
HDTV Forum 2004 begins at the Westin Century Plaza in L.A., where ESPN VP/Strategic Business Planning & Development Bryan Burns will deliver a keynote address. Following Burns’ address, HDTV Magazine Publisher Dale Cripps will moderate a panel discussion, “Expanding HDTV Programming.” Panelists include Discover HD Theater & VOD Senior VP & GM Clint Stinchcomb, HDNet Dir of Advertising & Sponsorship Sales Karl Meisenbach, Warner Bros. Exec VP/Distribution & Technology Operations Darcy Antonellis and WB Senior VP/Technology Hal Protter. View the entire agenda.
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission will release a report by Exec Dir Robert Ceberio on Xanadu’s effect on the environment (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/24).
John Elway will unveil his Classic Elway chair from the John Elway Home Collection by Bassett Furniture at the ESPN Zone in Las Vegas. The Classic Elway is a custom design, and each of the eight ESPN Zone restaurants will feature up to ten chairs.
The Mecklenburg County Baseball Committee will “consider three county-owned properties for” a ballpark for the Triple-A Int’l League Charlotte Knights. The club made its pitch August 10 for a 10,000-seat stadium in Third Ward, “but the commissioners were cool to the idea” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/20).
IN OTHER NEWS….
Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Tom Wolzien yesterday released a study reporting that cable’s 25-year “assault on broadcast networks’ ratings is near its end.” Wolzien said that by ’09, “cable networks will peak, collectively attracting about 57% of primetime viewers.” That is an increase from 53% this year and 43% in ’00 (USA TODAY, 8/24).
Former Cablevision sales rep Marino Javier yesterday filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company in Manhattan federal court, charging that he was fired “after complaining about mistreatment by his bosses who are Puerto Rican” (N.Y. POST, 8/24).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
This week’s broadcasts of “Jeopardy” are part of “Kids Week.” Last night’s “Final Jeopardy” category was “The Western U.S.”
“Two popular places for swimming in this national park are in Firehole Canyon and at Boiling River.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Is it too soon to hit on Mrs. McGreevey? … The Republicans are in town and they’re going to do two things: they’re going to slander John Kerry and try to get laid. … You folks been following the saga of Michael Jackson? I’m telling you, I think there’s something wrong with this guy, and according to a plastic surgeon, the last procedure they had to take a piece of his ear to construct part of his nose, and as a result of the surgery, he is actually deaf in his left nostril. … Here’s what I can’t get enough of in the Olympics: it’s the synchronized diving. It turned out the U.S. gymnast won the gold medal because of a mathematical error. It’s the same way I got this show. … They’re cleaning up now in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, and President Bush is now pledging billions and billions of federal funds to repair the crooked voting machines that were damaged down there” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/23).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Reasons I, Marion Jones, Love The Olympics,” read via satellite by Jones from Athens (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/23):
| 10) “The pillows in the Athens hotel rooms smell like gyro meat.” |
| 9) “Once I found a comb someone had lost in the long jump pit.” |
| 8) “I had a chance to meet Danish badminton champ, Camilla Martin.” |
| 7) “Put a gold medal in a change machine and you get like 20 bucks in quarters.” |
| 6) “If you get nervous performing in front of big crowds, you won’t have that problem here.” |
| 5) “Ten percent discount on selected Olympus cameras.” |
| 4) “Ralph Nader keeps begging me to be his running mate.” |
| 3) “Free javelins!” |
| 2) “I can use the Olympic torch to light cigars.” |
| 1) “I’ll likely get to go to the White House and meet what’s-his-face.” |
LAST NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | American League East | U.S. men’s basketball team; Bills RB situation |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Paul Hamm’s Gold Medal controversy | 100m dash; Red Sox |
| ESPN | 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” | Chargers sign QB Philip Rivers | Yankees-Indians; Red Sox-Blue Jays |
HOT TOPIC: Last night’s edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” first reported on the Olympics 9:18 into the broadcast, with a report on Gary Hall Jr. being fined for wearing an Everlast robe. The broadcast had 4:30 of Olympic coverage.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What is Yellowstone?”
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
The Morning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.
