| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Thursday, December 16, 2004
9:00am ET | |
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| • | MLB Deems DC Council Legislation “Unacceptable,” Halts Nationals Operations |
| • | Nike Today Expected To Report Sixth Consecutive Profitable Quarter |
| • | Mike Ditka Today To Be Unveiled As Co-Owner Of AFL’s Chicago Rush |
| • | Charles Hayward Begins Reign At NYRA As Investigators Raid Tracks |
| • | John McEnroe Signs Off As His CNBC Talk Show “McEnroe” Airs For Final Time |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
MLB’S RETURN TO DC MAY BE A BRIEF AND TUMULTUOUS ONE
The WASHINGTON POST reports that MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy last night called DC's "legislation for a new stadium ‘wholly unacceptable’ and halted all business and promotional activities for the Washington Nationals until further notice.” The one store selling Nationals merchandise will be closed and those who bought season tickets to Nationals games will be offered refunds. DuPuy said that the league will wait until December 31 before entertaining new offers for the relocation of the franchise (WASHINGTON POST, 12/16).
Nationals President Tony Tavares, on what he will do going forward: “I cease selling tickets. I cease selling merchandise. We don’t entertain sponsorships. We don’t try to pursue radio agreements. We don’t try to pursue television agreements. We just basically shut down” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/16).
NIKE EXPECTED TO POST SIXTH STRAIGHT PROFITABLE QUARTER
Nike will release its Q2 FY ’05 earnings today, and the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that the company is expected to post a share profit of $0.86, a 31% increase over $0.66 in the same period a year ago. Revenue is forecast to rise from $2.84B to $3.12B, “driven by gains in the United States, Japan and China – where sales nearly doubled in the first quarter” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/16).
MIKE DITKA RUSHES IN AND ACQUIRES MINORITY STAKE IN AFL TEAM
AFL Commissioner David Baker and Chicago Rush Managing Partner Alan Levin will introduce Mike Ditka as a Rush co-Owner at an 11:00am CT press conference at Mike Ditka’s restaurant in Chicago. The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES reports that the deal “had been in the works for a while,” and Ditka “has no plans of returning to coaching” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/16).
ONE MORE HURDLE FOR LIGHTNING IN DODGING PROPERTY TAXES
The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that the Tampa City Council today is expected to approve the transfer of the title of the St. Pete Times Forum from the Tampa Sports Authority to Hillsborough County. The transfer would remove the building from property tax rolls, saving the Lightning at least $630,000 in annual taxes. In exchange for the transfer, the team has agreed to stay in Tampa for ten years (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 12/16).
HAYWARD BEGINS POST AT NYRA AS INVESTIGATORS RAID TRACKS
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS notes that new NYRA President & CEO Charles Hayward today officially begins his reign atop the racing association. Meanwhile, New York State Police and officers from the Attorney General’s office yesterday executed search warrants at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga. Given the nature of the seized material, the investigation “may be targeting race integrity” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/16).
EBERSOL’S INJURIES MORE SERIOUS THAN ORIGINALLY REPORTED
NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chair Dick Ebersol and family will hold a memorial service today for Teddy Ebersol, who died in the November 28 plane crash in Colorado. The N.Y. TIMES reports that Dick is expected to attend the service, and he is recuperating from injuries that are “more serious” than originally reported. He will not be able to “stand on his own for several more weeks.” Initial reports said that Ebersol had fractured his sternum and three ribs, but he also “has a fractured pelvis, a fractured coccyx and six broken vertebrae in his back” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/16).
TODAY THE DAILY GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH…
Which former UCLA and Lakers great went into the real estate business upon his retirement from the game, only to return recently as an analyst on NBA TV? To find out, read today’s Sports Industrialists section of The Daily.
MORNING BRIEFS
The Irvine City Council Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to join the “growing chorus of opposition to a proposal by [Angels Owner Arte Moreno] to change the team’s name to the Los Angeles Angels” (L.A. TIMES, 12/16).
The NBA will “make recommendations to improve security in arenas by the end of January following last month’s brawl” in Detroit (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/16).
Callaway Golf yesterday announced that it has begun the search to find a CEO to replace Callaway Chair William Baker, who is filling in on an interim basis (Callaway Golf).
The NCAA yesterday formed the College Basketball Partnership panel, which will consist of NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee members, NCAA and conference officials, broadcast reps and top coaches. The panel will examine recruiting, sportsmanship, marketing and playing rules, among others (USA TODAY, 12/16).
Ottawa attorney Fred Seller has “set up a not-for-profit group called Season Ticketholders Association – www.seasonticketholders.org – in hopes of giving fans a true voice” in the NHL labor dispute (EDMONTON SUN, 12/16).
ESPN and The Walt Disney Internet Group yesterday in Japan launched X Games Mobile, a content-based wireless service targeting Japan’s action sports fans. KDDI and Vodafone plan to make X Games Mobile available to customers beginning this week (ESPN).
Cycling team Phonak has appealed the denial of its racing license by the Int’l Cycling Union to the Int’l Court of Arbitration for Sport. The ICU denied Phonak’s license amid doping accusations against team riders, including Tyler Hamilton (AP, 12/15).
ATTENDANCE WATCH
Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish lost an exhibition doubles match to Mike and Bob Bryan last night in front of a “decidedly female” crowd of 6,777 at the Xcel Energy Center (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/16).
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
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| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The City of Charlotte will hold a topping-out ceremony, marking the last piece of structural steel placed on the new downtown arena, which is scheduled to open in November ’05. Hunt Construction Group Project Manager C.L. Cross: “We have 322 days left, and we’re going to make the date” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/14).
The NFL will announce that the Colts and Falcons will begin preseason play in the August 6 American Bowl in Tokyo (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/16).
The Kansas City Council will vote on a measure “to provide more than $24[M] for site preparation, design and legal fees” for the proposed Sprint Center (K.C. STAR, 12/16).
Dodgers Owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, Senior VP Tommy Lasorda and select former and current players will participate in the team’s annual Children’s Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium from 11:00am-1:00pm PT.
A one-foot-tall LEGO model of the Red Sox’ mascot, Wally the Green Monster, goes up for auction on MLB.com. Tomorrow, a 1:200 scale LEGO replica of Fenway Park will hit the auction block at MLB.com. The items were created by LEGO MasterBuilders.
IN OTHER NEWS….
The FCC yesterday “refused to launch a rulemaking regarding the application of broadcast-indecency rules to subscription satellite-radio services.” The decision is a “boon for cable because the extension of indecency rules to pay radio could have set the stage for spreading them to pay TV providers” (MULTICHANNEL.com, 12/15).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that Viacom has created the CBS Marketing Group to “oversee all marketing activities for CBS and UPN and collaborate on marketing initiatives at other Viacom businesses.” CBS VP/Marketing & Communications George Schweitzer was named CBS Marketing Group President, and CBS Senior VP/Advertising & Promotions Ron Scalera and CBS Senior VP/Marketing Anne O’Grady will take on Exec VP positions in the new unit (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/16).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Historic Messages.”
“In 1943 he sent the famous message ‘eleven alive native knows posit and reefs Nauru Island.’”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “Here’s how cold it was today. Both of the Bush twins switched from margaritas to Irish coffee. It was so cold today in New York City, Paris Hilton made a video with her clothes on. ... When it’s cold like this, I hate taking the New York City cabs. It’s awful when it’s this cold, because I don’t know whether to roll the window up to stay warm or roll it down to air out the driver. ... We’re learning more and more about former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. It turns out he had three wives, he had two mistresses and several girlfriends, and every cent he earned went for Viagra” (“Late Show,” CBS, 12/15).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “This has been a disappointing Christmas for retailers. Sales are not what they thought they would be. In fact, in Beverly Hills, Saks Fifth Avenue has a huge sign, ‘Winona, come back! All is forgiven.’ ... Legal experts say juries are more likely to hand out lenient sentences during the holiday season. Kind of makes you wonder what they would have given Scott Peterson if it hadn’t been Christmas. ... The Scott Peterson jury returned with a death sentence. After all this talk about steroids in baseball, finally somebody is getting an injection we can all feel good about. ... President Bush had a complete physical over the weekend. At one point, the doctor told him to take care of his colon and Bush said, ‘No, no, he resigned.’ ... The U.S. trade deficit has grown 9% in October to a record $55.5[B]. In fact, do you know the only product this country uses that’s still made in America? Steroids. ... Tough night for Kobe Bryant. Not only did the Lakers lose last night in Seattle, when Kobe called home, Karl Malone answered” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 12/15).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Ways To Improve The Department Of Homeland Security” (“Late Show,” CBS, 12/15).
| 10) “Instead of colors, assign each threat level a different flavor of Pringles.” |
| 9) “Come up with a cool catch phrase like that ‘You’re fired!’” |
| 8) “Get on Osama’s good side by sending him a nice Christmas fruit basket from Harry & David.” |
| 7) “Maybe some area rugs and throw pillows?” |
| 6) “All foreign visitors to be outfitted with Lojack system.” |
| 5) “Anyone who phones in a tip about a terrorist plot gets a Sirius Satellite radio.” |
| 4) “At all border crossings, employ intimidating, locked-out NHL players.” |
| 3) “Institute ‘Books For Bombs’ program.” |
| 2) “Find a replacement for Tom Ridge who’s even Ridgier.” |
| 1) “Instruct airport screeners to hit everybody in the nuts.” |
Last night’s edition of CNBC’s “McEnroe” was the final telecast of the show. At the end of the broadcast, host John McEnroe said, “This is it. Doing this show has been difficult, frustrating and ultimately one of the greatest experiences of my life.” After thanking everyone involved with the show and his managers, McEnroe said, “I had a great time. It was an incredible learning experience and I truly believe our show was getting better and better. We had great guests and my staff worked tirelessly to help me as much as they possibly could. For that I’d like to thank them all. ... In tennis, I learned more from losing than I ever did when I won, so I’m going to chalk this up as a learning experience, move forward and announce that I am currently available for work” (“McEnroe,” CNBC, 12/15).
LAST NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger | Lakers G Kobe Bryant; Mets winning the NL East next season? |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Lakers G Kobe Bryant | Dolphins’ head-coaching position; Nationals stadium deal |
| ESPN | 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” | Lakers G Kobe Bryant | Pedro Martinez to the Mets; Edgar Renteria to the Red Sox |
| FSN | “I, Max” | Will Mets contend? | Mets manager Willie Randolph; Red Sox off-season player signings |
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“Who was John F. Kennedy?”
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